Over the past 10 years and across North America, academic and research libraries have come together to engage in collaborative print journal archiving programs. These groups have various regional configurations, collection strategies and operational models. However, they all share the common goals of retaining and providing access to print journal backfiles and creating local opportunities to reclaim space. These programs have gained a great deal of “know how” and developed elements of the decision-support software necessary to support retention and gap filling decisions.
The Rosemont Shared Print Alliance is a collaboration of regional programs interested in coordinating their efforts on a larger scale to ensure the retention of and access to print journal backfiles. The Partnership for Shared Book Collections was a related, but separate organization similarly focused on ensuring the long-term preservation of, access to, and integrity of monographic print resources. The two organizations are currently completing the process of a merger and, as of July 1st, 2024, they have formed a single entity known as the Shared Print Partnership. The following year will serve as a bridge to finalize the scope and mission of this new organization. Background information and updates on the progress of this work can be found on the Merging Shared Print Organizations page.