Overcoming financial constraints to sustain equitable resource access
Libraries have always been pillars of education and community, offering equitable access to resources. Yet, in the face of shrinking budgets and growing demands, libraries are reimagining how to deliver value. By leveraging innovation, collaboration and resource-sharing, libraries are navigating financial constraints while staying true to their mission of inclusivity and access. A new whitepaper entitled “How innovative libraries are meeting budget challenges” explores how organizations like OhioLINK, San Diego County Library and the University of Central Florida are navigating budget pressures and ensuring access to the resources their users need.
“Pretty much every one of our libraries has either a flat budget or taken cuts. There’s less money for staff, less money for content. We’re really focused on how we can maintain a high level of service and a certain level of access to content.”
Amy Pawlowski, Executive Director, OhioLINK Consortium
Shifting from ownership to shared access
Among the strategies explored in the paper is finding the balance between owned collections and shared access models to reduce costs while expanding the breadth of materials libraries can offer. OhioLINK, a consortium of 115 academic libraries serving more than 80 institutions. By pooling resources, offers a model of how shared access can work. OhioLINK members gain access to an extensive collection, surpassing what any individual library could afford to build and maintain on its own. Through consortial borrowing platforms like Rapido library resource sharing, they streamline the process of sharing materials while minimizing duplication and associated costs.
Streamlining the user experience
Adopting new technology helps libraries deliver smoother, more accessible user experiences, particularly for shared resources. Solutions like Rapido work within the discovery layer to provide users with access to both local holdings and consortial resources, blurring the line between owned and shared content. Present all available resources in a single interface encourages usage and saves time for both students and librarians.
“I’m excited because in the past, if a user didn’t find an item in the OhioLINK catalog, they had to know where to go to search the SearchOhio catalog. In the new environment, everything is stacked inside the same browser so the user doesn’t have to click out, and I anticipate we’ll see usage go much higher.”
Amy Pawlowski, Executive Director, OhioLINK Consortium
Strengthening consortial relationships
While resource-sharing is central to many library consortia, forward-thinking libraries are now leveraging these partnerships for broader mutual benefits. Collaboration isn’t limited to collections. Instead its extending to programming, analytics and advocacy efforts. OhioLINK has quantified the impact of library collaborative networks and sharing through a valuation study. For every dollar invested into the consortium, OhioLINK delivered $11 in value through shared purchasing and negotiated discounts.
The San Diego County Library also illustrates how consortial relationships can lead to unexpected innovations. Partnering with public health organizations and regional transit, the consortium launched an awareness campaign around equitable access to health information. These collaborations highlight a shift in the role that libraries can beyond repositories of knowledge. In this case, the library is an active participant in addressing a complex community issue.
Leveraging institutional resources for greater equity
Textbook costs remain one of the most significant financial burdens on students. The University of Central Florida (UCF) tackled this issue head-on with a combination of technology and strategic funding. With the help of the Leganto course list management system the library was able to provide cost-effective alternatives to required textbook materials. The results were remarkable, with student savings of $2.9 million in the first year, exceeding expectations.
“Students were spending $2.8 million a year on those textbooks. My solution was to license the Ex Libris product Leganto and my argument to the provost and president was, with additional funding, we can make this happen. In our first year we exceeded expectations: $2.9 million in savings, and that doesn’t include the summer session.”
Beau Case, Inaugural Dean of University Libraries, University of Central Florida (UCF)
Broader implications for libraries
The strategies highlighted in “How innovative libraries are meeting budget challenges” illustrate a paradigm shift in how libraries operate and collaborate. They underscore the multiplier effect of library consortia: When libraries work together, they can amplify their impact in ways that benefit not only members but broader communities. Libraries equipped with the right technology and combined with the ingenuity of their leadership are well-positioned to thrive even in uncertain financial times.
By employing technology and fostering partnerships, libraries are paving the way for a new era of shared knowledge. Download this free whitepaper to explore strategies at work in libraries of all kinds and discover how your library can expand access while staying within budget.
