SACRAMENTO, CA – The Community College League of California (League) is pleased to announce a new three-year agreement with Ex Libris for the Library Services Platform (LSP), providing a smooth transition to sustain the effort this fiscal year. The LSP Program is a California Community Colleges systemwide project that recently implemented a shared library software solution for 110 participating colleges. Students can now utilize a single search for physical library materials, library database subscriptions, e-books and Open Educational Resource (OER) materials.
Originally funded with a one-time grant allocation and managed by the California Community College Tech Center, project staff funding for the LSP ended at the close of 2019-20 fiscal year with the contract scheduled to end on December 31, 2020. Despite efforts to sustain the program and when it was clear no state or system funding could be obtained for this fiscal year, the LSP was moved under the League as part of a joint effort by the League and the Council of Chief Librarians (CCL).
After several months of negotiations, the League came to an agreement with ExLibris with significant savings off the original contract. The new contract was signed before the end of December in time to avoid service interruptions, particularly while students cannot access on-campus libraries and resources during the current pandemic.
"This partnership would not be possible if it were not for the efforts of CCL Executive Director Gregg Atkins, Gavilan College's Head Librarian Doug Achterman, and the myriad of librarians who have worked to support this program that is critical to our community college students," said Lisa Mealoy, Chief Operating Officer for the Community College League of California. "We are also grateful for the generous $440,000 grant from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC), which will kick start this program under our operation."
ExLibris provides technology solutions that enable colleges to increase student engagement and retention while reducing the cost of student educational materials and improving library procedures. ExLibris works with nearly 5,000 institutions worldwide including California Community Colleges, CSUs, and UCs.
About The Community College League of California
The Community College League of California (League), whose vision is Quality Public Community Colleges for All Californians, is a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a voluntary membership of the 73 local community college districts in California. The League promotes student access and success by strengthening colleges through advocacy, policy development, leadership development, and district services. Visit our website at www.ccleague.org.