CHLA/ABSC Task Force on Resource Sharing (Fall 1994 -- Winter 1997)

Terms of Reference

Introduction

This Task Force was created at the Fall 1994 CHLA/ABSC Board Meeting to co-ordinate activities in response to the emerging issues related to resource sharing for health libraries. The need for the Task Force was accentuated by the introduction of DOCLINE into Canada along with economic and organizational restructuring in the health care sector. The Task Force is intended to continue work begun with Libraries without walls : blueprint for the future (the Flower report) and with the work of the former Joint SRCMSL /CHLA /ABSC Task Force on Interlibrary Loans.

The Task Force will focus on issues directly relevant to the needs of the health sciences library community. The emphasis will be on practical solutions directed at the local level. The work of the Task Force is an appropriate step to more effective sharing of distributed resources and improved library networking. It is recognized that there are many further issues which require co-operation and collaboration with other organizations.

The introduction of the DOCLINE system into Canada is seen as a catalyst for clarifying and facilitating the resolution of many resource sharing issues identified in the Flower report and the report of the Joint SRCMSL / CHLA / ABSC Committee on Interlibrary Loans. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the DOCLINE system as a long-term solution to the identified problems is necessary.

Mandate

The role of the Task Force is to:

• Facilitate the implementation of DOCLINE in Canada;
• Critically evaluate current serials union list and resource sharing activities (including DOCLINE / SERHOLD) at the national and local levels and make recommendations needed to support effective resource sharing;
• Develop and update information packages on available resource sharing tools;
• Facilitate access to the Internet for health libraries through publication of information about available services, and identify alternative solutions for accessing the Internet;
• Identify issues and recommend actions requiring CHLA/ABSC Board consideration.

Organization

The Task Force will consist of a Chair and four other members appointed by the CHLA/ABSC Board. The Chair of the Task Force will be appointed by the Board. The Task Force may second other Association members to assist as needed. In addition, each chapter of the Association shall appoint a Resource Sharing Co-ordinator who shall be responsible for providing information and comments to the Task Force and act as a conduit of information to the local chapter members.

The Chair will report on the activities of the Task Force at each CHLA/ABSC Board Meeting and to the membership of the Association at the Annual General Meeting. Regular reports are to be submitted to BMC.

Term

At the winter 1997 CHLA/ABSC Board Meeting, a decision was made to appoint a Task Force on Resource Sharing II with a two-year term from May 1997 to May 1999 (see below).

Members

• Charlotte Beck
• Patrick Ellis
• Joan Leishman
• Lea Starr

Reports

• CHLA/ABSC Union List Survey Report. BMC 1996; 17(4):160-2
• Report of the CHLA/ABSC Task Force on Resource Sharing. BMC 1996; 18(1): 27-8
• Report of the Task Force on Resource Sharing. BMC 1997 Fall; 19(1) 38-9