Michigan Shared Print Initiative

Michigan Shared Print Initiative is a collaborative effort between University of Michigan Library, Michigan State University Libraries, and Western Michigan University Libraries to preserve and provide access to print materials from their collections. The initiative aims to leverage the strengths of each participating library, including University of Michigan's William L. Clements Library and Michigan State University's MSU Libraries Special Collections, to create a shared print repository. This collaboration is inspired by similar initiatives, such as the Western Regional Storage Trust and the Eastern Academic Scholars' Trust, which involve institutions like Harvard University Library and Yale University Library. The Michigan Shared Print Initiative also draws on the expertise of organizations like the Council on Library and Information Resources and the Association of Research Libraries.

Introduction

The Michigan Shared Print Initiative is designed to address the challenges of print preservation and access in the digital age, building on the experiences of libraries like New York Public Library and Library of Congress. By pooling their resources and expertise, the participating libraries can ensure the long-term preservation of their print collections, which include materials from University of California, Berkeley Library and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library. This initiative is part of a broader trend in library collaboration, which has seen the establishment of partnerships like the HathiTrust Digital Library and the Digital Public Library of America. The Michigan Shared Print Initiative is also informed by the work of organizations like the Society of American Archivists and the American Library Association.

History

The Michigan Shared Print Initiative was established in response to the growing need for collaborative collection management and shared print repositories, as seen in initiatives like the Big Ten Academic Alliance and the Association of American Universities. The participating libraries, including Central Michigan University Libraries and Eastern Michigan University Library, recognized the benefits of working together to preserve and provide access to their print collections, which include materials from University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries and University of Minnesota Libraries. The initiative has been influenced by the experiences of libraries like Stanford University Libraries and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries, which have developed innovative approaches to print management and digital preservation. The Michigan Shared Print Initiative has also been shaped by the work of organizations like the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress.

Participating Libraries

The Michigan Shared Print Initiative involves a number of participating libraries, including University of Michigan Library, Michigan State University Libraries, and Western Michigan University Libraries. These libraries are joined by other institutions, such as Central Michigan University Libraries and Eastern Michigan University Library, which bring their own unique collections and expertise to the initiative. The participating libraries are also members of organizations like the Big Ten Academic Alliance and the Association of American Universities, which provide a framework for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Other participating libraries include University of Detroit Mercy Library and Oakland University Library, which contribute to the initiative's diverse range of collections and perspectives.

Collection Scope

The Michigan Shared Print Initiative encompasses a broad range of print materials, including monographs, journals, and newspapers. The participating libraries have committed to preserving and providing access to these materials, which are held in collections like the University of Michigan Library's Special Collections and the Michigan State University Libraries' Special Collections. The initiative's collection scope is informed by the experiences of libraries like Harvard University Library and Yale University Library, which have developed extensive collections of rare books and manuscripts. The Michigan Shared Print Initiative also draws on the expertise of organizations like the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries.

Preservation and Access

The Michigan Shared Print Initiative is committed to preserving and providing access to its print collections, using approaches like digitization and microfilming. The participating libraries are working together to develop preservation strategies and access protocols, building on the experiences of libraries like New York Public Library and Library of Congress. The initiative is also informed by the work of organizations like the National Digital Stewardship Alliance and the Digital Curation Centre. The Michigan Shared Print Initiative recognizes the importance of accessibility and usability, and is working to ensure that its collections are available to researchers and scholars through online platforms like the HathiTrust Digital Library and the Digital Public Library of America.

Governance and Operations

The Michigan Shared Print Initiative is governed by a steering committee composed of representatives from the participating libraries, including University of Michigan Library and Michigan State University Libraries. The initiative's operations are supported by a secretariat hosted by Western Michigan University Libraries, which provides administrative and technical support. The Michigan Shared Print Initiative is also informed by the work of organizations like the Association of Research Libraries and the Council on Library and Information Resources, which provide guidance on library collaboration and collection management. The initiative's governance and operations are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, building on the experiences of libraries like Stanford University Libraries and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries.