Implementing a Discovery Layer in a Consortial Environment

A consortium of five liberal arts colleges (Denison, Kenyon, Oberlin, Wooster, and Ohio Wesleyan), decided to investigate discovery tools, established a process for reviewing and selecting a product, and worked through the delicate implementation decisions of a shared resource. Consortial cooperative efforts between libraries have very deep roots in Ohio, where OhioLINK has established an enviable record of success. This effort of The Five Colleges of Ohio marks one of the first forays into consortial discovery layer implementation. Selection criteria for use in a consortial environment and best practices for implementation are included in the chapter. Throughout the selection and implementation process, local preferences and considerations were continually balanced against the needs of the consortium