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Shared Print Programs, SPEC Kit 345, Published by ARL

spec-kit-345-cover
Shared Print Programs

ARL has released Shared Print Programs, SPEC Kit 345, which explores the extent of ARL member libraries’ participation in concerted efforts among groups of libraries to collaboratively collect or retain print collections and provide access to them. The SPEC Kit covers the type and scope of programs in which ARL libraries choose to participate, the rationale for participation, the value and benefits the programs provide to ARL and other libraries, and the roles different libraries are playing in the programs. To best explore these aspects, this study includes two surveys:

Survey of ARL Member Libraries—ARL libraries were asked general questions about all shared print programs in which the institution participates, goals and benefits of participation, rationale for participation, and services provided. This survey did not ask about the details of a single, specific shared print program but rather about a library’s participation in shared print arrangements in general.

Survey of Shared Print Program Managers/Coordinators—Information about a specific shared print program was gathered from shared print program managers/coordinators. This survey asked about specific business and operational models, strategies, goals, membership, collections, archiving progress, access, and other services.

This SPEC Kit includes examples of program descriptions and memorandums of understand and member agreements.

Ordering Information

SPEC Kit 345, Shared Print Programs
Rebecca Crist and Emily Stambaugh
December 2014 • 202 pp.

Online Edition

SPEC Kit 345
ISBN 1-59407-928-5 • $50 • Password or IP access

The SPEC Kit Collection provides online access to all titles published from 2006 to the present (SPEC Kit 292– ). Password access is $400. IP access is $300 ARL members/$400 all others.

Print Edition

ISBN 1-59407-927-7 • $40 ARL members/$50 all others

Shipping and Handling

US: UPS Ground, $10/publication
Canada: UPS Ground, $15/per publication
International and Rush Orders: Call (301) 362-8196 or e-mail arl@brightkey.net for quote.

2014 subscription, six issues (340–345), shipping included (additional postage may apply outside North America) • ISSN 0160-3582 • $225 ARL members/$300 all others.

Order online IP access and print copies from:

ARL Publications Distribution Center
PO Box 531
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0531
Phone: (301) 362-8196
Fax: (240) 396-2479
E-mail: arl@brightkey.net

Payment by check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa is accepted. Make check or money order payable in US funds to the Association of Research Libraries, Federal ID #52-0784198-N.

Order password access online:

Password access to SPEC Kit 345 or the entire SPEC Kit Collection can be purchased online with a credit card.


The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries in the US and Canada. ARL’s mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, facilitating the emergence of new roles for research libraries, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the web at https://www.arl.org/.

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