AcademicSHARE
AcademicSHARE Pass program
Empire Library Delivery
Overdrive Academic Discount Program
AcademicSHARE is a program that expands access to academic library materials and resources for New York State college students, staff, and faculty, regardless of their academic affiliation. Libraries that are open to allowing on-site access and materials lending to a student, staff, or faculty member of any New York State institution can identify themselves as an AcademicSHARE library.
As of December 2021, the following Academic Member libraries have agreed to the following statement and have added this statement to their website:
We are an Empire State AcademicShare library. Therefore, AcademicSHARE Member libraries minimally agree to allow on-site access and lend materials to any current college student, staff, and/or faculty member from another Empire State AcademicShare member academic library. However, at minimum, a verifiable valid college I.D. is required. The library may choose to treat the college I.D. as confirmation the student/faculty member is in good standing. Other proof of identification or status may be required.
In addition, all Western New York Library Resources Council AcademicSHARE Members agree to provide on-site access to resources to all current InfoPass cardholders or individuals who present an AcademicSHARE Pass. Safety restrictions and borrowing privileges will vary by institution; please contact the individual library for more information.
For more information, visit the AcademicSHARE FAQ Page.
Below is a list of AcademicSHARE libraries in the WNYLRC region. A list of other New York State libraries participating in AcademicSHARE is located on Empire State Library Network at www.esln.org.
- WNY AcademicSHARE Participants
AcademicSHARE Pass
All AcademicSHARE academic libraries have agreed to provide on-site access to resources for any AcademicSHARE Pass holder. AcademicSHARE Passes are distributed by participating “home libraries” to encourage their researchers, faculty, staff, students, and patrons to utilize the spaces and resources available in nearby academic libraries. The pass lists the name of the referred patron and contact information for the referring home library. Example of Pass (pdf)
The pass serves as an introduction to the academic library and does not guarantee borrowing privileges. Borrowing and access privileges are left to the academic library’s discretion. Libraries that may wish to distribute passes can be:
- School libraries that refer students (class visits!) and faculty to academic libraries
- Public Libraries that refer patrons and researchers to academic libraries
- Special Libraries that refer researchers to academic libraries
- Academic Libraries that refer students, staff, and faculty to other academic libraries
- Remember: Academic libraries are welcome to distribute passes, but it is not necessary, as students, faculty, and staff are able to obtain visitation and borrowing privileges from any other AcademicSHARE library by only showing their college ID. A pass is not required per the AcademicSHARE agreement.
Interested members who wish to distribute passes will be required to complete a yearly AcademicSHARE Pass Program participation form. Passes can be issued to any researchers, faculty, staff, students, and patrons considered to be in "good standing." AcademicSHARE Pass is a service of the Western New York Library Resources Council. For more information on this program, contact Jenn Northup.
How does the program work? - handout (pdf)
AcademicSHARE Pass participation form
- WNY AcademicSHARE Pass Participants
Empire Library Delivery (ELD) improves statewide delivery, making resource sharing connections among all types of libraries affordable and streamlined. ELD provides return on investment for libraries by providing a convenient, affordable, and tailored delivery service to institutions, thereby supporting increased statewide resource sharing among ELD participants. By bundling shipments of library materials, ELD assists libraries in quickly getting items into the hands of users. An advisory council of representatives from the IDS project, CUNY libraries, SUNY Libraries, independent colleges, and other representative institutions work collaboratively to ensure an efficient, cost-effective exchange of materials among participating libraries.
For more information, please visit Empire Library Delivery at ESLN. For questions regarding ELD’s day-to-day operations, please contact [email protected].
The Overdrive Discount Program provides ESLN academic libraries with the opportunity to participate in a consortial, shared collection of e-books geared to informal reading and browsing. This program is managed by Northern New York Library Network and more information can be found on the ESLN website.
Interested academic libraries should complete the sign-up form and send it to [email protected].
Academic Overdrive Consortial Details (pdf) - updated 6/22/2022
