Shared Print Objectives. The terms “shared print” and “print archiving” are used to categorize a number of different types of initiatives with diverse objectives, including: ● Alleviating local space pressures: No library has the resources to manage its own print collections indefinitely without regard for shelf space. A primary objective for most shared print initiatives is to identify items that can be safely de-accessioned once another library has committed to retain that title. ● Sharing long-term preservation of titles across members: Print collections represent an essential component of the cultural, scientific, and scholarly record and remain a vital asset for libraries. Efforts to preserve materials require a collaborative approach to share stewardship-- libraries cannot work in isolation. Libraries will commit to retain specific titles for an agreed period of time. To get political buy-in from stakeholders, libraries may be required to emphasize the preservation objective of the initiative over de-accessioning, but they are essentially two sides of the same coin. The concept of creating a shared print initiative will likely originate from a desire to meet one or both of the above objectives. Moving the idea from the conception stage into having an actual project plan will be the responsibility of a steering committee who will need to agree and clearly communicate to potential members why the initiative is required and what the deliverables are for joining. The committee should ensure the project has a clear strategy. Specifically it will need to: ● Identify potential partners and vendor support ● Explore opportunities for grant funding support ● Appoint a program manager ● Agree the project name, scope and activities ● Develop a timeline The objectives of MSCS were to:
