LIBRARY
ANNOUNCES NEW STATEWIDE SERVICE
The libraries of Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin colleges are pleased
to announce their participation in the new Maine InfoNet library
resource-sharing system. Maine InfoNet, a state-funded cooperative
program, provides a merged catalog of over two million items owned
by libraries throughout Maine, and allows patrons to request items
online for interlibrary lending through the InfoNet system.
During the last two years, CBB students, faculty and staff members
have enjoyed the benefits of simultaneously searching the three
library catalogs and placing requests directly from each others
catalogs. Maine InfoNet will expand access to information resources
by including the materials held at the University of Maine campuses,
the Maine State Library, and large public and academic libraries
throughout the State, in addition to the holdings of Colby, Bates
and Bowdoin. Patrons will be able to search their own library
catalog individually, then repeat the search in Maine InfoNet
without retyping. They also can search Maine InfoNet directly,
like any web-based library catalog. Patrons may request materials
online, and the system immediately will forward the request to
the appropriate library.
CBB libraries will introduce the Maine InfoNet system on January
2, 2001. The University of Maine will begin in mid-January, and
other libraries in the state are expected to become part of the
system in March 2001.
In order to make the change to Maine InfoNet, Colby, Bates, and
Bowdoin will close the current CBB search and request function
on December 19th. During the December 19th - January 1 transition
period, patrons may search their local catalogs and the catalogs
of the other two libraries individually, but not simultaneously.
Materials needed from CBB libraries during that time can be requested
via interlibrary loan at the local libraries.
The CBB Libraries have a long history of cooperation and resource-sharing.
This special consortial relationship will continue, even though
the CBB Simultaneous Search and CBB Request System will be changing
to allow for participation in Maine InfoNet. Special advantages
of the CBB Consortium willcontinue to include:
- Quick
turn-around time (usually two to three days) for loans among
the three libraries;
- Loaning
of a wide variety of library materials for CBB patrons, including
videos, audiobooks, CDs and other special materials, as well
as books;
- Longer
loan period and renewals for CBB patrons on books from CBB libraries;
- Walk-in
borrowing privileges for CBB students, faculty and staff members
among the three libraries, upon presentation of their college
ID card.
Delivery times and loan policies for materials requested from
the University of Maine and other libraries will vary from those
requested from CBB. Maine InfoNet will expand access to library
resources for all Maine citizens. The CBB libraries look forward
to offering this exciting new service to our faculty, staff, and
students, and to sharing resources with libraries statewide.
