Benefit and Cost Analysis of Resource Sharing

Abstract

Libraries are not exempt from rising costs. The situation presented is how libraries can continue to provide services while also finding efficiencies in labor and operational expenditures. Libraries must examine where budgets are currently being allocated and then evaluate what further steps can be taken to ensure prompt and reliable service while also remaining efficient. For libraries who participate in interlibrary loan or consortial resource sharing, it may be beneficial to use OCLC’s Interlibrary Loan Cost Calculator or to determine what the return on investment is for being part of a consortium. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign used the ILL Cost Calculator and the return on investment provided by the statewide consortium to evaluate current operations and determine what further steps could be taken to provide materials in a timely manner.