Shared Collection

Owned by Gunjan Bhardwaj
Last updated: Sept 08, 2021
2 min read

The ReCAP Shared Collections project is part of a larger effort that is taking place in research libraries to ensure preservation of the printed record and to make research collections more accessible. The terms "shared collections" or "shared print archive" can have a variety of meanings in the context of the many cooperative efforts that take place among libraries. The ReCAP Shared Collections project has three principle aims:

  • Provide readers with expanded access to the materials at ReCAP

  • Ensure that those collections are preserved in perpetuity, and 

  • Acquire and preserve the printed record in the future

ReCAP uses a middleware called the Shared Collection Service Bus (SCSB). to manage its shared collection.
One of three categories of materials held at the ReCAP facility, consists of materials that the owning libraries commit to manage according to agreed shared collection policies including retention in perpetuity; these materials are general collections, consisting primarily of print monographs and serials. The other two categories of materials held in the ReCAP facility will be the open collection (general collection materials eligible to be used by all partners but not subject to retention requirements, such as duplicates) and the private collection (special collection materials with access restricted to the owning institution). Each institution is responsible for the costs associated with maintaining its open and private collections.

Key policy considerations for the Shared Collection include:

  • Ownership: Items in the ReCAP Shared Collection will remain the property of the original owning library.

  • Retention: The owning library agrees to maintain Shared Collection materials in ReCAP for the duration of the ReCAP Consortium Agreement (i.e., indefinitely).

  • Duplication: Duplicate items will not be added to the Shared Collection, but may be added to a ReCAP partner’s open or private collections.

  • Disclosure: ReCAP libraries will report Shared Collection holdings (including retention commitments) to OCLC and other registries and will monitor and adopt, as appropriate, emerging national standards and guidelines related to shared print collections.