The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) acknowledges the complex business decisions e-book vendors face in today’s evolving market. However, as customers, we firmly believe that these decisions must align with the core values and mission of libraries and library consortia. As representatives of approximately 200 library consortia worldwide, ICOLC is committed to advocating partnerships that prioritize the needs of libraries and their communities.
An ICOLC survey of over 500 libraries and library consortia worldwide highlights a fundamental need for e-book solutions based on permanent access. The survey results reflect the collective concern libraries have regarding potential shifts to less flexible purchasing models and the impact that has on equitable access. It is essential that vendors understand the critical importance of providing stable, long-term access to resources.
ICOLC emphasizes the need for open dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders. Libraries value partnerships that reflect and meet the needs of their users. We encourage e-book vendors to more actively engage with library professionals during product development, ensuring that their solutions are responsive to the realities faced by libraries.
The ability to curate collections based on community needs is fundamental to the mission of libraries, ensuring that resources remain relevant and responsive to evolving user demands. We advocate for empowerment in collection development, allowing libraries to select resources that meet specific user demands rather than being confined to generic subscription packages. By prioritizing flexibility, libraries can allocate budgets more effectively according to their needs and strategies.
ICOLC and its members stress the importance of competition in the marketplace. We encourage our vendor partners to explore different collaborative approaches and business models that support a competitive environment, ensuring that libraries have access to a wide range of materials that reflect the needs and interests of their communities.
ICOLC Coordinating Committee: icolccoord@lyrasislists.org
ICOLC Coordinating Committee
Amanda Holmes, Co-Chair (FY 2022-2025), Canadian Research Knowledge Network | CRKN
Amy Pawlowski (CY 2025-2027), Ohio Library and Information Network | OhioLINK
Angus Cook (FY 2022-2025), Council of Australasian University Librarians | CAUL
Anne Craig (FY 2022-2025), Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois | CARLI
César Pallares (CY 2024-2026), Consorcio Colombia/CONSORTIA
Dyveke Sijm (CY 2023-2025), Royal Danish Library | KBNL | UNGLI
Jiří Jirát, Co-Chair (CY 2023-2025, 2nd term), Czech National Centre for Electronic Resources | CzechELib
Milan Vasiljevic (CY 2024-2026), Qatar National Library Consortium
Rick Moul, (CY 2025-2027, second term), Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries | PASCAL
Celeste Feather, ex officio for administration, Lyrasis
Sharla Lair, ex officio, ICOLC Program Coordinator, ICOLC
The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) is a professional organization of approximately 200 library consortia from around the world. ICOLC serves consortia staff by providing professional development, information and expertise sharing, and peer benchmarking with like-minded organizations.
Membership in the ICOLC community provides value through fostering trusted personal relationships with trusted colleagues. These relationships offer opportunities for problem-solving, mentoring, and counseling. The organization advances common goals through peer-to-peer networking, development of best practices, and by facilitating deeper collaborative action and advocacy amongst members.