Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries
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Shared Print Archive Network (SPAN)

The Council of Prairie and Pacific Libraries’ Shared Print Archive Network (SPAN) is a distributed retrospective print repository program. SPAN's main goals are to provide access to shared print archives, create opportunities for the reallocation of library space, and preserve the print record for its members in a cost-effective way. Rather than thinking about the project in terms of preserving the “last copy,” this partnership emphasizes the role of the archived print as part of an optimal copy network that includes other print archiving initiatives. As of May 1, 2012, the 19 participating COPPUL libraries have agreed to consolidate and validate print journal backfiles and monographs at major library storage facilities and selected campus locations. Initial phases will proactively focus on journal backfiles, with a much less managed, optional process for retention and preservation of scarcely held monographs in member library collections. Selection of titles for inclusion in SPAN will be made using a risk management framework: journals will be categorized as Low- , Moderate- , or Higher-Risk based on their availability electronically, rarity, and relevance to the region (Western Canada). In the future, the Network and archiving program may be expanded to include prospective (i.e. current) collections. The Network was pleased to welcome Grant MacEwan University as it's 20th member on April 1st, 2013. While each archive holder library will retain ownership of its materials, the holdings are subject to shared management. SPAN is run by a Management Committee that includes representatives from four of the participating libraries and at least one COPPUL director. With support from the COPPUL office, this committee oversees the initiative’s operation and development, works to integrate SPAN with related archiving programs nationally and internationally, recommends solutions related to holdings disclosure and access/delivery, and develops and monitors a process to select titles for inclusion in the SPAN archive. The COPPUL Shared Print Archive Network Member Agreement (April 2012) outlines the governance of the initiative, as well as the contributions and responsibilities expected from each participating library. Archived Titles Documentation SPAN Frequently Asked Questions Overview of SPAN Phase 1, 2012-2013 Phase 1 Documentation for Archive Holders Phase 1 Documentation for Archive Supporters Registry SPAN is working with the Center for Research Libraries to expose retention committments for material archived in our Network in the Print Archives Preservation Registry (PAPR). Titles archived by SPAN members will begin to show up in this registry in early 2013. SPAN Management Committee 2013/2014 Leonora Crema (University of British Columbia) - Chair Ken Ladd (University of Saskatchewan) Sharon Marshall (University of Alberta) Bill Sgrazzutti (University of Regina) SPAN Management Committee Minutes March 6, 2013 Feb 6, 2013 Dec 5, 2012 Nov 5, 2012 Oct 3, 2012 Sept 17, 2012 Aug 30, 2012 Aug 7, 2012 July 25, 2012 July 9, 2012 List of participating libraries: Athabasca University Concordia University College of Alberta Grant MacEwan University King’s University College Kwantlen Polytechnic University Mount Royal University Simon Fraser University Thompson Rivers University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of the Fraser Valley University of Lethbridge University of Manitoba University of Northern British Columbia University of Regina University of Saskatchewan University of Victoria University of Winnipeg Vancouver Island University Publications and Presentations about SPAN G.Bird & S.Wong, "Consortial shared print archiving: perspectives from Canada," at Academic Librarian 3, Chinese University of Hong Kong, May 31, 2013. (forthcoming) Abstract. G.Bird & L.Crema, "Do We All Need to Keep That? Shared Print Archiving in COPPUL," at BC Library Conference, Richmond BC, May 10, 2013. G.Bird & L.Crema, "COPPUL Shared Print Archive Network," to the Print Archive Network, American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, Seattle WA, Jan 25, 2013. S.Wong, "Shared Print, Shared Knowledge". Feliciter 2012, 58(6): 30-32. G.Bird & G.Ashoughian, "All together now: planning for shared print archiving at Canada's western universities," Collection Management 2012, 37(3-4), p.260-270. DOI:10.1080/01462679.2012.685433 Open access version available here.   For more information, contact: Leonora Crema, SPAN Management Committee chair leonora.crema@ubc.ca or Gwen Bird, COPPUL Executive Director execdir@coppul.ca