Meeting Undergraduate Research Needs with Affordable Resources

This spring, BC ELN launched the Undergraduate Resource Bundle (URB), a 3-year package that combines Academic Search Complete and Business Source Complete, with 88% of BC ELN partner libraries signing on. By targeting generalized resources that support undergraduate studies, BC ELN secures consortial discounts that benefit a wide range of partner libraries. This approach allows libraries to allocate savings to other specialized resources. Notable achievements in transitioning from the all-in Common Suite to the opt-in URB have been BC ELN's ability to maintain low prices despite fewer participating sites, and successfully negotiated minimal annual price increases. The only question remaining: is URB pronounced "erb" or "you-are-bee"?

BC ELN Staff Attend ICOLC North American Meeting in Anaheim

In April, a trio from BC ELN – Reba Ouimet, Licensing Coordinator; Sunni Nishimura, Executive Director; and Leah Hopton, Communications Manager – traveled to Anaheim California to attend the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) North American Meeting. This annual event brings together library consortia professionals from across the continent (and beyond!) to discuss the latest developments and innovations.

During the meeting, Sunni presented updates on eHLbc and BC ELN initiatives and achievements. Leah took the opportunity to share the impactful work of the ICOLC Consortial Awareness Group, in addition to facilitating a session on metrics, where consortial colleagues shared best practices for measuring consortial value. Reba helped organize a session where ConsortiaManager vendors responded to questions from consortial staff.

Current MLIS/MAS student Laura Moberg and former MLIS student Sydney Brogden recently shared their experiences learning — and growing — with BC ELN at the BC Library Conference.

Their poster presentation highlights the valuable skills and understandings they gained while working at BC ELN, such as:

• Gaining a unique perspective on BC’s post-secondary library landscape

• Having opportunities to apply course learning

• Getting hands-on experience with project management and governance support