Target Potential Members. All shared print initiatives will at different stages in their development need to work on targeting potential members. Initiatives should consider whether they want a diverse range of libraries and materials to be included? Or a homogenous group of members to ensure common interest? Criteria to be considered in members include: ● Library types: Should membership be restricted to single versus multiple-type libraries? ● Collection size: Should only libraries with a similar collection size be allowed to join? ● Geography: Should membership be restricted to a specific geographical region? If so, how is that region defined? ● Membership in existing consortiums: Should membership be restricted to members of an existing consortium, particularly if it has a shared catalog and delivery system? Initiatives should consider whether membership numbers should be capped. Although it’s tempting to include as many libraries as want to join, it might not be practical in the early stages of a project. One way to identify interested libraries is to send out a survey to institutions that meet the agreed criteria. A survey can serve the dual purposes of drawing attention to the initiative, and identifying the focus of the initiative (for example, whether it’s journals or monographs, or both). As eight of the nine largest libraries in Maine with more than three quarters of the print collections in the state, the MSCS grant partners were fairly self-selecting. Also, all partners are members of Maine InfoNet, which provides a shared state-wide library catalog (MaineCat1), and services for electronic resources that deliver collections in physical and electronic formats and link the libraries organizationally. The partners share costs of a state-wide delivery system that connects the majority of libraries in the state. These factors also make Maine an ideal location for a shared print initiative. MSCS remains unique in its inclusion of both academic and public libraries. This is based on a history of collaboration and trust dating back almost 100 years. The partners were confident that although MSCS would present new challenges, they would be able to work together on this project. Three years later, the trust amongst partners has only been strengthened. However, in order to fully reach our goal of preserving the critical print collection in Maine, we need to attract new members. We surveyed Maine library directors on their levels of interest in joining the founding libraries in th...
