Join the BLC Network Zone

The BLC Network Zone is a common platform that members use to build, manage, and provide access to their collections and provides a foundation for new services and initiatives that  reduce duplication across participating libraries, facilitate new collaborative initiatives, and improve access to library services and resources.

Members

The current members are Connecticut College, Trinity College, Wesleyan University, Middlebury College, and the University of Vermont.

Any BLC member institution may join.

Platform

The service uses Ex Libris’ Network Zone platform. To join, it is necessary for members to use Ex Libris’ Alma/Primo VE.

Costs

The current annual cost per member is approximately $25,000, excluding Network Zone implementation. As membership grows, the per-member cost is expected to drop.

Why Join the BLC Network Zone

In an Alma Network Zone, individual institutional Alma/Primo instances are complemented by a Network Zone that represents the combined holdings of all participating institutions, leading to many possibilities for shared workflows and activities that potentially impact all areas of the library. Collaborative collection development, centralized configurations and systems management, and shared user interface development and customization are all possible for libraries working together in the network zone.

Initiatives the Network Zone Can Facilitate

Centralized purchasing and inventory management

Collaborative configuration and enhancement of the Primo discovery experience

Shared analytics across consortial data

Shared staffing for common-resource or systems-management workflows

Balanced purchasing across the consortium, based on streamlined awareness of consortial holdings as part of the acquisitions workflow

Streamlined resource sharing activities and configuration at the consortial level

Consortial resource licensing for electronic resources, and centralized workflows for consortially purchased content

Questions?

Are you interested in exploring how your library can join the BLC Network Zone? Reach out via the form below and a member of Team BLC will be in touch shortly. 

Join the BLC Network Zone