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G2S Project Code: 2024-GA-95213
State: Georgia
Fiscal Year: 2024

Grantee
Georgia Public Library Service

Project Director
Director Name: Angela Stanley
Director Phone: (470) 304-0690
Director Email: astanley@georgialibraries.org

General Information
Title: Resource Sharing
State Project Code: GA98150-70
Start Date: 07/01/2024
End Date: 09/30/2025
Abstract: The GPLS Resource Sharing project successfully fostered collaboration among multi-type libraries, offering coordinated, behind-the-scenes support that enabled various forms of cooperation. This included the sharing of physical and electronic resources and achieving cost savings through leveraged statewide purchasing. Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) facilitated the sharing of physical materials among all 60 public library systems by providing interlibrary loan and cataloging access via OCLC. Furthermore, GPLS offered access to a comprehensive suite of shared databases and electronic resources through GALILEO. Ultimately, Resource Sharing delivered significant benefits to participating libraries by saving them time and money. It also made millions of dollars worth of materials accessible to Georgia residents. These resources included non-metered, perpetual access ebooks and audiobooks, high-quality research databases, reliable news sources, and virtual tools designed to advance education.
State Goal: Equal Access

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$968,927.27

$2,480,724.46

$0.00

$3,449,651.73

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Education
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: GALILEO
Narrative: Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) funded statewide access to electronic resources through GALILEO for all public library systems. This action ensures access, particularly for rural residents, by providing resources that these library systems might otherwise be unable to afford. Numerous databases and digital resources were made available both on-site and remotely from any internet-connected device within the state. For this year, GPLS conducted a comprehensive review of existing GALILEO resources to ensure its offerings continued to meet the needs of public library patrons. The statewide package of research databases shared among multi-type libraries was particularly scrutinized due to declining usage in public libraries. GPLS and GALILEO staff coordinated negotiations with EBSCO to ensure the database package continued to provide the expected level of value for Georgia residents. As a result of these discussions, GPLS realized considerable savings and added four new databases to the public library package.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 66
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 410
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: GOLD Resource Sharing Network
Narrative: GOLD, Georgia’s resource sharing network for multi-type libraries, supported resource sharing and document delivery among libraries throughout Georgia and promotes statewide access to materials. Any customary interlibrary loan fees were waived for in-group borrowing, meaning that libraries can provide patron access to materials they do not have in their own collections. In 2024, GOLD member libraries borrowed 17,633 items and lent 17,181 items within the GOLD resource sharing network, resulting in a net borrow of 451 items. Public libraries borrowed 6,449 items and lent 4,546 items within the GOLD network, resulting in a net borrow of 1,903 items. Due to changes to OCLC's WorldShare ILL stats reporting infrastructure that went live in July 2025, GPLS is unable to provide data on out-of-network transactions or transactions from non-public libraries within the GOLD network. Consequently, the data appears different for 2024. By comparing the available three quarters' worth of GOLD data for all members, it shows that lends for this same period increased by 320 (17,181) and borrows increased by 278 (17,633) over 2023.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 0
Average number of items circulated / month: 0
Total number of ILL transactions: 221,753
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 18,478

Partner Information

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Public Libraries: 410
Academic Libraries: 54
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 12
School Libraries: 6
Other: 36

Activity Details
Title: Cataloging & Discovery Support
Narrative: Georgia Public Library Service significantly improved resource sharing and the overall quality of library services through crucial initiatives focused on cataloging and standards. By providing public libraries with unlimited access to OCLC's WorldCat, GPLS saved libraries substantial funds while ensuring the availability of high-quality, accurate MARC21 bibliographic records. Maintaining the integrity of this database facilitated effective resource sharing and guaranteed the best possible service for patrons. Furthermore, GPLS supported quality cataloging that adheres to international and national standards by subscribing to WebDewey (the online Dewey Decimal Classification system) and the RDA (Resource Description and Access) Toolkit for all public libraries. Without these resources, public library catalogers would be forced to create more original records, which would increase costs and delay the availability of materials. Ultimately, the high quality of these records and databases strengthened the findability of library materials, thereby saving patrons time and boosting their likelihood of discovering relevant information.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Description
Format: Combined physical & digital

Quantity
Number of items made discoverable to the public: 0
Number of collections made discoverable to the public: 60
Number of metadata plans/frameworks produced/updated: 0

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 410
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Beanstack
Narrative: Georgia Public Library Service successfully maintained the statewide subscription to Beanstack throughout 2024. This online reading log program was a highly effective and versatile tool used across the state to promote reading habits for all age groups throughout the entire year. Beanstack proved to be an invaluable resource for library staff, particularly as it streamlines the administration of successful Summer Reading Programs. Furthermore, the system provided a comprehensive set of features, including the ability to meticulously track participant engagement and to create diverse, customizable reading activities tailored to various library needs. It also utilized virtual badges as an engaging incentive and reward system for readers. Finally, the platform allowed staff to generate detailed reports, offering crucial data on program effectiveness and participation.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 60
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 410
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Georgia's statewide Resource Sharing initiatives helped libraries provide patron access to the most current and up-to-date information in a friendly and discoverable manner. Group purchasing realized millions of dollars in cost avoidance and cost savings over individual procurement, maximizing the return on investment.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Demand for the sharing of electronic resources, including databases, ebooks, and digital audiobooks, is expected to increase as library offerings keep pace with patron demand. GPLS will continue to monitor usage of the GALILEO databases with an eye toward ensuring that subscriptions keep pace with public need.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Purchasing statewide subscriptions to tools and services to public library staff that are not immediately visible to users, but support public library staff, gives libraries more budgetary flexibility to provide services visible to patrons. Library users benefit by having access to library materials across the United States and having more powerful local catalogs. It illustrates a deep commitment by the state library administrative agency to an individual library’s mission to meet the changing needs of their diverse communities.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: databases, ebooks, ILL