Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, announces Rapido Consortial Borrowing, a resource sharing platform created to ensure equitable access to knowledge while respecting the unique workflows of each library within a system. Set to launch in 2026, this solution directly addresses the growing tension between tightening library budgets and expanding community needs.
Rapido Consortial Borrowing transforms how library consortia collaborate by removing traditional barriers that keep resources from reaching the community members who need them most. As libraries face difficult budget decisions, this platform enables a shift from resource ownership to resource access, multiplying what libraries can offer while controlling costs.
The platform’s approach is both practical and principled:
- Equitable access to knowledge: By distributing requests across member libraries with 96% fulfilled by the first lender, Rapido Consortial Borrowing significantly reduces wait times and ensures resources reach users quickly regardless of their local library’s collection size.
- Preserved local autonomy: Each library maintains its workflows and lending policies. Staff at libraries using systems such as Alma, Polaris, or Sierra continue working in their familiar systems, while other libraries can integrate through APIs or use the dedicated Rapido Workflow Tool.
- User-centered design: Users request materials with just a few clicks in their familiar interface. The system instantly displays borrowing options based on the user’s search, providing transparency and control that meets today’s expectations.
“In a time when equitable access to information has never been more important, libraries need resource sharing solutions that remove barriers,” said Katie Birch, Senior Director, Product Management, at Ex Libris, part of Clarivate. “Rapido Consortial Borrowing ensures that a community member’s access to knowledge isn’t limited by their library’s workflows, budget or collection.”
Beyond consortium boundaries, libraries can optionally connect to the wider Rapido community, creating pathways for physical requests that cannot be filled within the immediate network to reach a broader community of libraries.
This launch represents a significant step toward a more inclusive vision of resource sharing, one where every library can participate while maintaining its identity, and every community member can access the materials they need, when they need them.
Visit here to learn how your consortium can implement Rapido Consortial Borrowing in 2026.
