Merger Questions & Answers

MLC and INCOLSA were both formed 35 years ago to foster library cooperation. Both organizations have stayed true to their founding ideals, while the tools of library cooperation have changed dramatically over the past three decades. The Internet and Web have allowed us to move into services that were unimaginable back in the 70s, when the state of the art was microfilm and dedicated mainframe terminals.

The current economic climate that has severely impacted library budgets and recent changes in the OCLC-Network relationship have created an opportunity to re-evaluate the types of services we offer to libraries and to rethink the organizational structure needed to support new and expanding services. By combining our staff and financial resources we will be in a better, more nimble position to develop and support new initiatives that will save our members time and money.

In the process of considering this merger, the Executive Committees of both networks have done the due diligence of investigating a full range of options. They evaluated services being provided by other organizations and concluded that the libraries of both states will be best-served through this merger that will focus exclusively on the needs of the libraries in Indiana and Michigan.

Members have asked us specifically about the relationship of each network to its state library. We see significant opportunity for a public/private partnership between the new organization and the Indiana and Michigan state libraries. With tight budgets, state libraries may not have the resources to serve all types of libraries equally well. A partnership with an independent nonprofit organization with staff experienced in serving libraries would help them carry out their missions. Ultimately, this would provide the residents of both states with an excellent and diverse set of information resources.

The new organization will retain locations in both states. The governing board will consist of 16 members, half from each state. All types of libraries will be represented on the board.

The merger will result in a financially stable organization that will be better positioned to deliver current services and future innovations to you. INCOLSA and MLC will each bring substantial cash assets to the new organization. As in a marriage of equal partners, the assets will be invested and expended to benefit all member libraries, regardless of size or type of library. For more details on the financial aspects of the merger, please see INCOLSA and MLC Merger: The Financial Picture.

We’ve fielded numerous questions regarding the name and staffing of the new organization. These are decisions that will be made during the first quarter of 2010 as the leadership of both organizations works through the challenges of becoming one organization. What we do know is that the new organization will enjoy a stronger financial picture through economies of scale brought about by eliminating redundancies and spreading fixed costs among a larger membership.

The new organization will have a combined membership of about double what each single network has today. We know from our extensive experience with vendors that having more members translates into an ability to negotiate better licensing terms. We are confident that a larger membership will help us extend our buying power and expand the scope and number of information resources available to our members. Through cooperation with the state libraries in each state and other library service agencies, we will have the potential to offer even more high quality online resources to residents in Indiana and Michigan.

Here are the ways we anticipate the new organization will enhance service to members:

• Delivery systems and resource sharing — Expanding resource sharing options through a regional union catalog and linking the delivery systems already in place will give library users in both states much greater access to library materials.
• Partnerships with state libraries — MLC and INCOLSA have worked effectively with state libraries in the past. We believe that creating strong partnerships with state libraries in both states is the best way to move libraries forward and will work diligently to achieve this goal.
• Partnerships with other consortia — No single agency can meet the needs of all libraries. We expect to partner with other consortia to provide the best services to our members.
• Training — In our ever-changing environment, librarians must stay up-to-date on technology and trends. With our combined resources and staff expertise we will be able to offer a diverse and high quality training program.
• Services — Rapidly changing technology creates new challenges and opportunities for libraries. The new organization will have the staff and financial resources needed to capitalize on new opportunities and develop the products and services needed to help libraries keep ahead of the curve.

Effective communication with and among members will be key to the success of the new organization. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time...and with our new organization, we will be.