Mississippi Library Association

EMCC joins MSU-led regional library consortium

Administered and maintained by Mississippi State University, the Golden Triangle Regional Library Consortium is adding East Mississippi Community College as its newest member. EMCC President Rick Young joined MSU President Mark Keenum recently in making the announcement.

Established in 1993 with initial participation from MSU and Mississippi University for Women, the Consortium provides a central database that allows patrons to access resources available at participating libraries in the Golden Triangle area.

Starkville High School, Armstrong Middle School, the Tombigbee Regional Library System, and the Oktibbeha-Starkville Public Library all are members, and each has added bibliographic and patron databases to the comprehensive computer server used for its circulation, online catalog, acquisitions, and serials system needs.

In August, the databases for both Mayhew and Scooba EMCC campuses were integrated into the library server housed at Mississippi State University Libraries.

“This consortium is a wonderful example of sharing resources and creating efficiencies that benefit students in area schools,” said MSU President Mark Keenum. “We’re pleased that EMCC has become the newest member.”

Donna Ballard, EMCC’s district librarian, said the Consortium “provides an opportunity to work with other libraries in the area and offers easy access to resources throughout the Golden Triangle.” She added: “Our patrons not only will have access to the collections at the other member libraries, but we also will be able to share our collection with others.”

Stephen Cunetto, MSU Libraries’ Administrator of Systems, said one-stop searching is a key advantage of the consortium.

“One of the goals always has been to provide seamless access to resources throughout the Golden Triangle,” he noted.

“No longer does a student have to search multiple databases to identify a library in the area that has the materials they need. During these economic times it makes even more sense to work together and to share our materials and our technical expertise.”

For more information on the Golden Triangle Regional Library Consortium and on MSU Libraries, please visit http://library.msstate.edu/gtrlc.

Submitted by
Angela M. Patton
Library Assistant
Mississippi State University Libraries

Photograph by Kristen Hines Baker, Mississippi State University Relations

Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum (seated, right) shakes hands with EMCC President Rick Young after signing the Consortium agreement. EMCC’s Donna Ballard and MSU’s Stephen Cunetto stand behind the presidents.

Entry Filed under: News
Posted on: September 18th, 2009