BCR, a regional network based in Aurora, CO, serves eleven western US states including Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Unlike many of the other regional network organizations, membership primarily takes place at the statewide level, with less of an emphasis on individual library memberships. Services of the organization include volume discounts for databases and other content products, continuing education and training, and digital preservation. Originally established in 1935, BCR, or Bibliographical Center for Research, stood as the first multi-state library cooperative.
Not unlike many of the other regional networks originally established to provide billing and support for OCLC services, BCR has experienced extreme economic pressures. In recent years we have seen SOLINET, PALINET, and NELINET consolidate into Lyrasis, OCLC acquired CAPCON. NEBASE, serving the 141 libraries in Nebraska, folded and was absorbed into BCR in April 2009.
In February 2010, BCR issued a press release announcing that it was exploring strategic options with Lyrasis; on April 5, 2010 a joint announcement described the resulting arrangements, phasing out the operations of BCR. The transition of BCR will involve its members being granted individual membership to Lyrasis with no additional charges beginning October 1, 2010. When the transitional membership expires on June 30, 2011, libraries can elect for a paid membership to Lyrasis. With BCR, most membership fees were paid by at the state level rather than by individual libraries.
During a transition period from April through October 2010, libraries can continue to renew discounted content purchases through BCR; the same discounts will be available through Lyrasis afterward. BCR has discontinued its continuing education and training programs; its members can now take advantage of Lyrasis training programs at member rates.
