Shared print program

Overview

The Federal Science Libraries Network shared print program helps preserve and provide access to valuable scientific print collections held by partner libraries across Canada.

The program includes more than one million titles, and represents one of the most comprehensive scientific print collections in Canada and internationally. Through this collaborative effort, partner libraries work together to identify, preserve and maintain access to unique and important material.

The network also participates in North, a national initiative that coordinates shared print activities across Canada.

The shared print program is a distributed model. Each partner library retains and manages its own collection while supporting the information needs of its researchers.

The shared print program includes collections from the following partner libraries:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• National Research Council of Canada
• Natural Resources Canada

The partner libraries used OCLC’s GreenGlass, a web-based analysis tool to analyze their print collections and establish retention commitments.

The program includes monographs, government documents and serials. It does not include maps, microforms or audiovisual materials.

Objectives

The shared print program aims to:

• Coordinate the retention of important scientific print monographs, government documents and serials
• Identify unique or rare titles for long-term preservation
• Identify subject-based centres of excellence within the partner libraries

Current state

Partner libraries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and have committed to retaining more than 600,000 print monographs and 30,000 print serials until 2049.

The MOU establishes a formal arrangement for collaboration and outlines the partners’ roles, responsibilities and retention commitments.

For more information about the Federal Science Libraries Network shared print program, you can fill out our contact form.