CORE Opens the Door in E-Audio

CORE’s e-audio initiative appears to be spearheading a digital audio solution not just for eastern NC, but across the entire state. A consortium approach to obtaining digital audio was identified as a top priority by eastern NC libraries in a survey conducted by the CORE Purchasing Task Force in the spring. The CORE leadership team agreed with the resulting report recommendation that such a consortium be opened up to all the libraries of the state to achieve a higher level of economy. Co-chair Mike Taylor contacted NC LIVE executive director Tim Rodgers for consultation. The need for e-audio developed as NC LIVE had to drop it. As a result, NC LIVE agreed to take the lead in investigating possibilities if all NC LIVE member libraries, including academic libraries, would be eligible to participate. Rodgers conducted a statewide survey with 120 library systems of all types. One hundred library systems responded that they were interested in participating as follows: 53 public, 19 community college, 19 independent colleges and universities, and 9 public universities. Further, the survey revealed these libraries may be willing to invest this year between $79,300 to $264,500. This number is likely to grow as the state recovers from the recessionary effects. The three major digital audio vendors identified as possible vendors are Overdrive, Ingram, and OCLC. Over 20 libraries in NC are already members of the NC Digital Library with Overdrive, however membership had been limited for technical and management reasons. Now, with such a significant number of library systems interested in doing business, one of the possibilities is that the NC Digital Library with Overdrive may be reformed to open up membership once again. Progress in negotiating and gathering options is ongoing at a relatively rapid rate and all libraries may be given the opportunity to attend a meeting on the subject in the coming months. - by Mike Taylor