MORE Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does this cost to participate?
The only out of pocket cost participating libraries incur is the monthly fee for delivery service (ranging from $1120 per year for 2-day a week delivery to $2800 per year for 5-day a week delivery). The cost of the software program was covered by an LSTA grant from the State Library of Ohio. Library patrons do not pay any fees for this service.

2. Do libraries need any new equipment?
They shouldn’t -- libraries can access the MORE service from a PC with access to the Internet and a current generation (version 4.0 or higher) Web browser.

3. What impact is MORE going to have on our workflow? Will additional staff be needed?
We expect this service to be a popular one to library patrons, and therefore will probably cause an increase in staff time needed to process requests. However, because MORE is a virtual circulation system and not traditional Interlibrary Loan, the staff costs associated with it will be much cheaper than ILL (we’re talking pennies per transaction rather than $20, the average cost to borrow a title using ILL).

At this point, we don’t know if additional staff will be needed. The MORE request management function is very similar to the holds/reserve function front-line staff currently manage. Libraries have the flexibility to design their own workflow and incorporate MORE into their current functions or create a new process.

Giving the capability to search statewide for an item to library patrons will cause an increase in the normal circulation workflow; however, by providing this service to patrons, we are strengthening the base of support for libraries (won’t this come in handy at levy time) and allowing them to compete in a profit environment (take that, Amazon.com!)

4. Won’t the large libraries end up supplying materials to all the smaller libraries in the state?
Resource sharing pattern studies have not shown this assumption to be true; actually, they show large libraries to be net borrowers, which makes sense when you think about the relationship between large patron populations and circulation activity. The borrowing/lending statistics for OhioLINK show that Ohio State University is the top borrowing institution.

5. What about the smaller libraries? If the large libraries are heavy borrowers, will they be raiding the collections of small libraries?
Resource sharing patterns have not shown this assumption to be true, either. With the software used for MORE, as with other shared catalogs, we have the capability to manipulate the device that builds the lending string so libraries will share the load equally. We also will monitor lending activity on an on-going basis to provide load balancing among the participating libraries.

6. If my library decides to participate, do we have to lend everything in our collection? Can we say no to some requests?
The MORE Policy committee has established the Principles of Cooperation which prescribe the borrowing/lending behavior of MORE participants. One of the guiding principles on lending is that if the item circulates, it can be requested and loaned. If an item is unavailable (checked out, on a long reserve list, or needed for an upcoming program), the lending library can say no to the request. And of course, if an item does not circulate to your own patrons (e.g. building use only items), you do not have to loan to MORE participants.

7. What about lending software and copyright implications?
If your library lends software to its patrons, then it should be able to lend software on a statewide basis. If you have software, but don’t lend it (i.e. check it out), then your library will not be expected to loan it to MORE patrons.

A related example is the "ebook" (which is both a text file and hardware device). We are in the process of verifying copyright implications with NetLibrary, a major ebook text vendor. The MORE Policy Committee will make a decision soon on loaning ebook readers via the statewide system. Watch this space for updated information…

8. Why are we spending money moving books around the state when the same information is available on the Internet?
Research studies on resource sharing show that patrons tend to use virtual catalogs (like MORE) to request known items, i.e. they are usually looking for a particular book or video, not information in general, or information on a particular topic. Patrons seeking information on a particular topic will probably be satisfied by an item already in their library collection or in an OPLIN database. They can be directed to an Internet site by a library staff member. MORE comes into play when patrons can’t find an item they want in their own catalog and choose to search library catalogs across the state.

9. Can I review requests initiated by my patrons before they are sent to another library?
Certainly, but we expect that libraries will dispense with this feature very quickly. During the implementation period, all outgoing requests (initiated by patrons or students at your library) will be held in a file for review and approval by library staff. Once libraries are comfortable with the process, they can disable the approval process so requests are released automatically. Participating libraries also have access to reports of items requested so they can use this information for collection development purposes.

10. My library has local circulation policies that govern the types of materials checked out by children, e.g. children under the age of 17 cannot check out an R-rated video without parental consent. Can patrons use the MORE system to circumvent local circulation policies?
According to the Principles of Cooperation developed by the MORE Policy Committee, requests will be filled in accordance with the policies of the requesting library, which is the “home library” of the patron and the library which will check out the item. If library policies prohibit patrons under the age of 17 to check out an R-rated video without parental consent, they cannot request an R-rated video from another library and check it out from their home library.

11. If my library participates in MORE, I’m afraid that our materials budget will be cut. Decision makers will feel that we can provide materials through resource sharing instead of building our own collection. How can we justify the need for resource sharing without hurting our own collections?
Everyone understands why resource sharing is necessary, often to the extent of questioning why a library needs a collection when it can borrow from others.  However, to make MORE work, libraries have to agree to be lenders as well as borrowers. All libraries share the responsibility of developing their collections to meet the needs of local patrons first, and then the needs of remote users.

One of the major benefits of resource sharing is that it allows participating libraries to provide greater resources in more cost-effective ways to local patrons. Libraries will still need to build their collections to serve their communities or support their school curriculum, but with MORE they will have increased access to materials to improve the service they currently provide. Library collections are a drawing point; they are necessary to bring people into a library and they are necessary to provide a level of service. Resource sharing increases the level of service libraries can offer their patrons and boosts patron satisfaction (did we mention how important this is in November if your library is on the ballot?)

12. Will patrons use the MORE system to request items from other libraries that exist in their home library collection?
The software used for the MORE resource sharing system has the capability to block a patron’s request if their local library owns the item. Libraries can choose whether or not to invoke this option.

13. When would you want to allow a patron to request an item that his library owns from another library?
An example that quickly comes to mind is when the original item is lost, but some libraries may choose to allow patrons to place outside requests on items they own. This would be helpful in cases where the item has a long waiting list, e.g. if a patron places a request at her library for the new biography of John Adams and finds that she is number 247 on the list, would you rather risk the chance of losing her to your local bookstore (where she can purchase it for 45% off the list price) or direct her request to a library that can fill it?

14. If my library is interested in joining MORE, what’s our next step?
Watch for an announcement of the MORE pre-implementation meetings at http://www.moreforohio.org/ or on the OPLIN and INFOhio listservs. In the meantime, talk to your vendor about Z39.50, SIP and their plans for implementing the new circulation standards (NCIP).

15. What should I ask my vendor about SIP?
We recommend asking your vendor:

• What SIP messages do you support?
• Do you have the SIP2 extensions or just basic SIP?
• Is there a charge for the SIP module? If there is, will there be a price offset if we install NCIP in the future?
• What are your development plans, i.e. do you plan to implement NCIP?

16. When will my library be able to participate?
MORE will roll out gradually in waves, beginning with standalone Dynix, MultiLIS and DRA Classic systems, which were included in the MORE prototype. MORE staff will meet with consortia that share those systems individually; each consortium will decide how and when it will implement MORE.

We are already looking at eleven other types of systems and will announce implementation waves as the information becomes available.  See our schedule of events to learn when we will be presenting more information.