What is ATLAS?
ATLAS is an acronym for the "Action Team for Library Advancement Statewide." ATLAS was formed to enhance Michigan residents' access to information and library resources through improved library cooperation and technological advacements.

How did ATLAS form?
ATLAS formed after the 1999 "Our Preferred Future" conference, convened by the Library of Michigan (LM), held in Lansing and attended by over 200 librarians from around the state. The conference was designed to elicit ideas and action steps from attendees about the most important issues facing Michigan librarians and library users.

At the conference, small groups formed to talk about various issues. Improved access to library materials and resource sharing were among the topics discussed. Small group discussions formed around the issues of a statewide union catalog, improved resource sharing, document delivery, enhancements to MEL/AccessMichigan, and a statewide borrowing card. After the conference, these small groups were consolidated into a larger group that began to examine how all of these services could be improved on a statewide basis.

The large group began meeting as the "Statewide Library Services Action Team" in late 1999. The committee met several times in late 1999 and early 2000. They quickly concluded that none of the component parts could be discussed or acted upon without making decisions about each of the other parts. This led the committee to recommend to LM that a consultant be retained to help sort through the options and costs for each of the components and provide a system-wide solution. The "ATLAS" name was adopted in mid-2000.

How is ATLAS paid for and who is responsible for it?
ATLAS is working with the Library of Michigan on the design of a statewide information delivery service, which will link all Michigan residents to the information they need, when they need it, where they need it, and in the format they desire. Components of the system will include electronic delivery of full-text and digitized resources, as well as physical delivery of those items not yet available electronically. There will be an easy-to-use finding tool or portal that will point to the valuable resources found in Michigan libraries, on the Web, and in other collections. The portal will provide the means to access and use these resources. Through the implementation of these components, we continue our commitment to leveling the playing field, so that users of all libraries have access to a common set of electronic resources.

That's very general. Is there one big goal that you are trying to achieve?
If there is one big goal, it is to make the system as patron-friendly as possible. The committees and others working on the project are working hard to develop an effective patron-driven system. This means it will include patron-initiated borrowing, the ability for patrons to review their own borrowing records, the ability to have materials sent to a library of their choice, and so on.

What do you mean by "patron-initiated borrowing"? Does this mean that any Michigan resident anywhere in the state can call my library and ask us to send him or her books or other library materials?
No. What we mean by "patron-initiated borrowing" is that any Michigan resident who uses the service would be able to place a request for materials, without needing to fill out a form and give it to a librarian for processing. We aim to use state of the art hardware and software to create an automated service to help library users get what they need more easily.

If my library participates in the statewide resource sharing service, I am afraid that our materials budget will be cut.
There seems to be an interesting paradox at work when open borrowing systems are put into place. Generally, library users start using the library more heavily and viewing the local library in a more positive light. Because your patrons are finding what they need more readily and finding those materials through your library, you may find that the positive word of mouth translates into more support, not less.

How will integrating resource sharing programs improve services?
No library, regardless of size or budget, can collect every item that every patron might ever want. Collectively, Michigan libraries own more than 28,000,000 titles, far surpassing any single library in the state. By acting in concert with each other and developing cooperative programs, libraries can offer access to materials that they do not own, and through a delivery service, libraries can arrange for quick transport of materials from one library to another.

Why are we spending money moving books around the state when the same information is available on the Internet?
One of the benefits of the dot.com bust is that many people now realize that the Internet is not the free information resource they thought. While there are a large number of good, authoritative sites on the Net, libraries collectively hold much more. In addition, users will know where to find them for years and years to come. The same cannot be said about Internet sites, some of which may disappear without warning. In addition, it is likely to be decades before all of the materials in libraries are available digitally. Users are also beginning to realize the value that a library adds by selecting high quality resources, both print and online. Everyone who has used a Net search engine has experienced the frustration of trying to find authoritative results among tens of thousands of hits.

My library has a policy to buy almost anything a patron wants. How will this new resource sharing service help me?
You seem to be doing an outstanding job of meeting your patrons' needs! But you will inevitably run into situations when the request cannot be filled, even by an out-of-print search service. The resource sharing service will allow you to fill the request from a participating library. In addition, you probably do not hear from everyone who cannot find what they want. Based on what we know about library user behavior there are users who do not find what they need but never come to a service desk. These users leave the library without the needed materials. Our aim is to use technology to help these patrons help themselves. Through patron-initiated borrowing, they will be able to order materials and have them delivered to a library of their choice. You can still buy materials for those patrons who request them, but you will also meet needs that you did not know existed.

Will I be able to review requests initiated by my patrons before they are sent to another library?
We strongly encourage participating libraries to allow unmediated, patron-initiated borrowing. Experience in other regions and states indicates that library patrons are the best judges of their information needs and that they do not unfairly take advantage of a system that encourages open borrowing of library materials. Interlibrary lending will go up, and if we are successful in designing a patron-friendly system, it will go up dramatically, but we will have a system that will make libraries much more valuable to Michigan's residents.

Can patrons use the system to circumvent local circulation policies?
Every system is open to abuse, and we recognize the potential for abuse exists in this system. But we will do our best to create a system that will complement and enhance your local service, not work against it.

Who is eligible to participate in the new resource sharing service?
Any library that agrees to lend materials at no charge to other participating libraries is eligible to participate. We strongly encourage every participating library to allow patron-initiated borrowing. Experience in other states shows that patron-initiated borrowing allows library users to find more resources faster than old-fashioned mediated ILL services.

Does this mean that the only libraries who may participate are those that allow direct patron borrowing?
No. As long as a library agrees to loan to other participating Michigan libraries at no charge, they may participate. We will strongly encourage all participants to allow patron-initiated borrowing but we know that there will be some issues that will prevent some libraries from allowing patron-initiated borrowing at the beginning.

How will users be able to get access to the resource sharing service?
Users will have access from participating libraries, of course. In addition, we are working to create an authentication mechanism that will allow access from homes and offices.

What resources will be available through the resource sharing service?
We expect to bring together a number of separate programs and make them available through one service. We expect to have a portal that will facilitate access to the Internet sites chosen by MEL selectors and to the AccessMichigan databases. The portal will also provide a mechanism to search and view catalogs of Michigan libraries. All resources will be available at no charge to Michigan residents.

What impact is the new resource sharing system going to have on our workflow? Will additional staff be necessary?
We do not believe you will need additional staff. With enough participating libraries, we expect the load will be widely distributed and the impact spread among a large number of libraries. We anticipate efficiencies through technology to enable libraries to handle increased volume.

What other services will be provided to participants in the resource sharing system?
When a user requests materials from a library, they will be delivered to a library of the user's choice via a statewide delivery service. The service will insure timely and efficient materials delivery. In addition, as part of the system development, we are working to digitize materials found in libraries, museums, and archives. These digital objects will be made available through the portal.

I work in a large library. What will prevent my library from being overwhelmed by requests from smaller libraries?
One of our requirements will be to have software that levels the lending load among participating libraries. That way no one library or group of libraries will be called on disproportionately to provide materials to other libraries. In addition, lending libraries will always have the option for turning down any request.

I work in a small library. If my collection is open to other libraries in Michigan, how do I know that I will be able to keep materials on the shelf and meet the needs of my local patrons?
Because the statewide resource sharing system will be a reciprocal service, we believe that your patrons are going to be more satisfied, rather than less so. They will have access to many more materials, some available electronically, some available through loans. Because of the load leveling features that will be found in the software, the chances that your collection will be raided are very small. In other regions and states, libraries that are participating in similar systems have found that they all gain benefits in excess of the costs.

Do libraries need any new equipment?
We will not know with certainty whether new hardware or software will be required until we have chosen a vendor. It is highly likely that the new system will rely on some standard protocols, including the NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP) and Z39.50. For planning purposes, you may wish to ask your vendor about their plans for these standards.

Will my library be forced to participate in the resource sharing system?
No. Participation will be voluntary.

If my library decides to participate, do we have to lend everything in our collection? Can we say "No" to some requests?
Lending libraries will always retain the right to say "No" to any particular request. We strongly encourage all participating libraries to make their entire collections available. The more resources available the greater the benefits to Michigan residents.

What about lending software and copyright implications?
Libraries ought to abide by all relevant laws and guidelines, including copyright.

How much will it cost to participate?
It will not cost anything to join the resource sharing system, but there may be other costs associated with participation. We are hopeful that we will receive a legislative appropriation for the ILL and portal software and grant funds to help with digitization projects. We are less sure about other components, such as delivery. Libraries may be asked to contribute for some of these components. In addition, libraries will be responsible for the necessary hardware, some software, and perhaps maintenance costs. For example, the ILL software is likely to rely on Z39.50 to function properly, and we anticipate that it would be a local responsibility to have up-to-date Z39.50 software installed. We will not know the exact local requirements until we are closer to implementation or have selected a vendor.