The Chinook Arch Regional Library System has purchased VDX, the resource sharing solution from OCLC PICA, on behalf of Alberta Public Libraries. Chinook Arch is a forward looking regional system in the Province of Alberta and also manages interlibrary loan services to other regions throughout the province of Alberta, totaling 310 public libraries. The deal makes OCLC PICA one of the largest providers of ILL service in Canada.
VDX will provide the consortium with a streamlined search and request process that will increase the speed with which staff can satisfy requests. It was this strength plus the overall robustness of the product that most influenced the final decision.
“It was important that our chosen supplier had an excellent understanding of resource sharing, of consortia and of Canadian libraries. Chinook Arch is the 4th major consortium in Canada to choose VDX for the delivery of standards-based resource sharing, we clearly acknowledged the wisdom of so many other Canadian libraries when making our choice” says Anna Linville, Assistant Director for The Chinook Arch Regional Library System.
VDX has been widely adopted by national and academic organizations across Canada including Bibliotheque et Archives nationals du Quebec, the Information Network for Ontario (INFO), the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) and the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL). Chinook Arch is yet another large consortium of municipal libraries in Canada to adopt VDX as its resource sharing system of choice.
“Chinook Arch was eager to implement a single standards-based solution that would facilitate resource sharing across the province and beyond. VDX has been widely adopted by the public, government, and academic library community in North America and we are delighted to see its continued growth among Canadian public libraries” explains Steve Hargis, VP of Sales at OCLC PICA (US).
Across the world large-scale consortia, in both the public and academic sectors are using VDX to improve cooperation and develop interlending. Anna Linville adds “We are excited to be implementing VDX and to be part of a global trend to improve collaboration amongst libraries that will produce real benefits for our patrons.”
About Chinook Arch Regional Library System
Chinook Arch is a regional library system in southwestern Alberta, with a mandate from the provincial ministry for libraries to manage interlibrary loan services on behalf of all public libraries in Alberta.
The resource sharing network for public libraries in Alberta includes the 7 regional library systems (Chinook Arch, Marigold, Northern Lights, Parkland, Peace, Shortgrass and Yellowhead), Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, St. Albert and Strathcona County public libraries.
Public Libraries in Alberta have a long history of resource sharing. Since 1999 they have shared an interlibrary loan management system using the Resource Sharing System (RSS) from SirsiDynix.
There are 234 library boards and 310 public library service points in Alberta, serving over 3 million people.
For more information on OCLC PICA and VDX in Canada, please contact info-usa@oclcpica.org.
