AcademicSHARE
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
Coordinated Collection Development Aid
Fifteen WNYLRC academic institutions currently receive funding annually from the CCDA program, which is administered on behalf of the New York State Library by the NY3Rs Councils. Participating libraries collect materials in multiple formats in subject areas defined in the annual plan.
Coordinated Collection Development Plan 2025-2026
Resources for Participating Libraries
- Coordinated Collection Development Program | NYSL
- 2025 Webinar Recording
Overview of the New York State CCDA program presented on September 9, 2025, by Barbara Lilley, Library Development Specialist at the Division of Library Development, New York State Library.
Empire State Library Delivery
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.
The ELD Advisory Council includes representatives from the IDS project, SUNY and CUNY Libraries and other institutions to ensure an efficient, cost-effective exchange of materials among participating libraries. For questions regarding ELD’s day-to-day operations, please contact admin@esln.org
Overdrive for Academics
Sharing Ebooks, Audiobooks, and Magazines Among Academic Libraries
The New York Academic OverDrive Joint Collection was created to provide academic institutions in New York State with a larger and more affordable collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines than they could build on their own. This model emphasizes pooling resources and sharing access equally among all participating campuses. The group is managed by Northern New York Library Network (NNYLN), a member of the Empire State Library Network (ESLN).
Each school has control over what items they buy for the collection. Northern New York Library Network organizes three purchases per year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Coordination of selections is limited to preventing unneeded duplication, and repurchasing any expiring titles with active holds (from account credits, i.e. all contribute credits for this purpose). New participating schools inherit access to all items in the collection. Departing institutions leave behind all content purchased during their participation.
The current collection can be seen at https://nnyoverdrive.overdrive.com. The collection includes ebooks and audiobooks mostly geared toward recreational/popular reading, though no collection development policy prohibits the selection of other content. A magazine collection with around 5,000 titles is available for simultaneous use with no circulation caps. This content will be available to all participating academic libraries.
Participation
Colleges or universities with 22,000 student FTE or fewer that are members of their local library council shall be eligible to share in the joint collection. Any current OverDrive standalone system customer needs Overdrive’s permission to join the group.
Interested colleges should submit their intent to join to meg@nnyln.org by mid-July. This allows time for required forms to be submitted and authentication to be configured by the start of the term (Sept 1). Colleges may join mid-cycle for an added administrative fee of $200 and annual Overdrive fees shall be prorated.