Arkansas libraries now share their catalogs statewide

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas library patrons can now borrow items from any Arkansas library collection through Mockingbird, the Arkansas Statewide Virtual Union Catalog.

Mockingbird was rolled out to libraries in stages; the second group of Arkansas libraries recently joined the system, according to a news release from Arkansas State Library.

“Mockingbird provides a single point of access to participating Arkansas library catalogs. Library users can search this joint catalog and ask their home libraries to request items to be delivered to their libraries for them to borrow. Mockingbird is not a replacement for a library’s own catalog, rather it works with different catalog systems around Arkansas to provide extended discoverability and access,” the release said. SHAREit by Auto-Graphics is the platform behind Mockingbird.

The first phase of implementation for Arkansas libraries began in February. Around 30 libraries or systems representing public, academic and special libraries across the state went live in June. The second phase of libraries went live on Sept. 6 and brought the total number of participating libraries to just over 50.

“American Rescue Plan Act funding propelled the Arkansas State Library to initiate the project this year to address a critical need for our statewide community of users,” the release said. Library directors in Arkansas were surveyed in May 2021 on their interest in participating in a statewide resource-sharing platform.

Based on the response, the State Library moved forward with a Request for Proposal solicitation for a flexible and configurable commercial off-the-shelf platform. That process was finalized in November, and the Arkansas State Library received legislative approval at the end of January to use the Auto-Graphics SHAREit platform for this resource.

The cost of the platform implementation as well as the ongoing annual costs associated with the platform itself are provided for all participating libraries.

“The State Library is pleased to have the opportunity to provide this resource for libraries and library users. Arkansas is Auto-Graphics’ 15th state to use the platform for its statewide system,” the release said.

“The overall vision is to expose multiple libraries’ catalogs and collections to library users in Arkansas. This will make it possible for library users of different library types and from all geographic areas within the state to discover items and potentially request them with or without the assistance of their library depending on the preferences of individual participating libraries,” it said.

Policies, processes, and workflows for resource sharing logistics are up to the participating libraries to determine locally. Some libraries may opt to participate simply by allowing others to see what materials they hold and may not use it for interlibrary loans. Other libraries are invested in resource sharing amongst their localities and with other libraries around the state and will readily borrow from across the state for their patrons, according to the release.

Participating libraries include the following: Arkansas River Valley Regional Library, Arkansas State Library, Arkansas State University (Beebe), Arkansas State University (Dean B. Ellis Library), Arkansas State University (Three Rivers,) Bella Vista Public Library, Bentonville Public Library, Calhoun County Library, CALS (Central Arkansas Library System), CAMALS (Carroll and Madison Regional Library System), Clark County Library, Columbia County Libraries, Crawford County Library System, Crossett Public Library, Crowley Ridge Regional Library, East Central Arkansas Regional Library (Cross County), East Central Arkansas Regional Library (Woodruff County), Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library System, Forrest City Public Library, Fort Smith Public Library, Garland County Library, Gravette Public Library, Hempstead County Public Library, Hendrix College (Bailey Library), Iva Jane Peek Public Library, Lawrence County Library, Lonoke County Library System, Lonoke County Library System (Cabot), Marion County Library, Mid-Arkansas Regional Library (Malvern-Hot Spring County), Mid-Arkansas Regional Library (Saline County), Newton County Library, North Little Rock Library System (Laman Library), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Corning Public Library), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Greene County), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Piggott), County Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Randolph County), Northeast Arkansas Regional Library (Rector Public Library), Pea Ridge Public Library, Pope County Library, Prescott/Nevada County Library, Public Library of Camden & Ouachita County, Southeast Arkansas Regional Library, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (Magale Library), Taylor Health Sciences Library (Arkansas College of Health Education), TriCounty Regional Library System (Ashdown), TriCounty Regional Library System (Howard), TriCounty Regional Library System (Sevier), Union County Public Library System, University of the Ozarks (Robson Library), and White County Libraries.