Prospector Resource Sharing
CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS
POLICIES
- Prospector Loan Rules
- Prospector Reconciliation Policy
- Prospector Replacement Policy
- Lending New Items through Prospector
- Eric Microfiche Agreement
- Visiting Patron List
RECONCILIATION PROCESS
- Prospector Reconciliation Policy
- 2021 Master Reconciliation List
- Oct 2023 Reconciliation Instructions and Timeline for 2022 Institutional Overdues
BEST PRACTICES
PAGING SLIP TEMPLATES
Basic Instruction on print templates (Shad Harder, Carla Myers-UCCS)
- 101: http://libguides.uccs.edu/c.php?g=117509&p=764715
- 102: http://libguides.uccs.edu/c.php?g=117510&p=764853
Paging Slip Template Examples
- Paging Slip Template (customized by Sarah Vaughn, UNC)
- Paging Slip Template (customized by Brandon Cole, Marmot)
PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS
- Processing Prospector Items
- INN-Reach Reports Detailed with Screen Shots
- INN-Reach Reports Description and Handling
- Prospector & Courier Best Practices (Anythink Libraries)
- Springer Ebooks-Lending Library Instructions
- Springer Ebook Contacts (See column "Q" on list)
DIGITAL LENDING
- Providers and Lending Libraries
- Digital Lending FAQ
- SILLVR FAQ
- SILLVR Contacts (Column "Q" on list)
- Springer Ebooks-Lending Library Instructions
- Springer Ebook Contacts (column "R" on list )
MOBIUS RESOURCES
Prospector Training and Marketing Materials
Marketing
- SILLVR logo
- Prospector FLC Brochure
- Prospector Logo (horizontal banner)
- Prospector gold miner image
Short Videos
Prospector is a union catalog of nearly 200 academic, public and special libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. Prospector gives library patrons and staff access to more than 30 million books, journals, DVDs, CDs, videos and other materials held in the Prospector member libraries. With a single search, patrons can find materials and request free delivery to their local library via the Colorado Library Courier.
Prospector Lending Policy
There are some exceptions, but most items in Prospector follow these lending policies:
- 21 day loan period (1 week for most DVDs, CDs, and videotapes)
- 1 renewal (No renewal for most DVDs, CDs, and videotapes)
- Up to 70 requests/check-outs per person. However, local library limits may be more restrictive and take precedence over Prospector limits.
- Overdue fines and fees will be determined by your local library (the library whose card you used to check-out the item)
- If all copies of materials are checked-out a hold may be placed although books may not be recalled
- Springer and Elsevier ebooks are requestable through Prospector and have the same checkout period as print books. They are downloadable as PDF files. Other ebooks from publishers or vendors are not available through Prospector.
- Some streaming videos may also be available through Prospector. Lending policies for these items are dictated by license agreements and may be shorter than 21 days and don't allow renewals.
Technical Information
Prospector runs on the Innovative Interfaces, Inc. (III) software module called INN-Reach, which is administered through III but maintained locally by Alliance staff. Libraries who use a non-III system can still join Prospector. For more information, contact help-at-coalliance.org.
History
Prospector was originally developed with funds awarded through a state technology grant in 1999. Prospector went live with 19 libraries and has more than doubled in members over the last several years.
Governance
The Prospector Directors Group consists of Alliance and non-Alliance deans and directors of Prospector member libraries. There is an Annual Prospector Director's meeting held in November. There is also a Prospector preconference each year at the Colorado Interlibrary Loan Conference .
There are two standing Prospector committees: Catalog Reference and Document Delivery that meet regularly to discuss policies and procedures. Committees are chaired by staff from member libraries. A representative from the Alliance sits on both committees helping to oversee activities and organize meetings.
Brief History
The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that began in 1974 and was formally incorporated as a non-profit in 1981 by Ward Shaw, the founding executive director. From the beginning, the consortium was designed to help research and educational institutions share information resources and reduce operating costs by working together.
In 1982, the organization began development of the CARL integrated library system (ILS) to replace the traditional card catalogs at the Alliance member libraries. In 1988, CARL formed “CARL Systems Incorporated,” a for-profit subsidiary whose purpose was to market the CARL ILS. The organization also launched an article request and delivery system called “UnCover” in 1988.
In 1995, the consortium sold CARL Systems, Inc. and UnCover, plus the “CARL” name, to Knight-Ridder Information, Inc. With that sale, the consortium legally became “The Alliance.” There is no current affiliation between The Alliance and these historical products, and The Alliance no longer uses the "CARL" acronym.
An early history of CARL was published by Steve Fisher, University Historian at the University of Denver, in a 2009 article in Collaborative Librarianship. Alan Charnes became the second executive director in 1991 until his retirement in 2011 (a tribute to Alan was published in Collaborative Librarianship in 2011). Alan was succeeded by George Machovec who remains as the current executive director.
The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (The Alliance) increases, enhances, and facilitates cooperation among libraries. The Alliance achieves its mission in the following four strategic areas:
Library Services
Facilitate, develop, and improve library services to students, faculty, and the general public.
Library Resources
Share, leverage, and expand library resources.
Access to Information
Promote information creation, collection, access, preservation, storage, and distribution.
Collaboration
Engage in cost-effective collaboration among participating libraries.
The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries is managed by its Board of Directors and Member Council. The Board focuses on fiscal matters related to the consortium. Member Council (library deans/directors) provide guidance and direction related to the projects and activities offered by the consortium.
Board of Directors
The business affairs of the Alliance are managed by the Board of Directors, according to the provisions of the Alliance Bylaws. The Board meets on a quarterly basis to manage the financial interests of the organization and provide broad oversight of the consortium's activities.
Members of the Board of Directors
Last updated October 2023
Board Member | Member Institution | Title |
---|---|---|
Dustin Fife, Board Chair | Colorado College | College Librarian |
Sylvia Rael, Board Vice Chair | Colorado Mesa University | Library Director |
Linda Kosten, Board Treasurer | University of Denver | Senior Vice Provost, University Budget, Planning, and Administration |
Harper Johnson | University of Colorado, Colorado Springs | Assistant Vice Chancellor for IT and Chief Information Officer |
Michael Levine-Clark | University of Denver | Dean of University Libraries |
Cinthya Ippoliti | Auraria Library | University Librarian and Director |
Amy Gannon | University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus | Associate Vice Chancellor, Financial Services and Controller |
Karen Estlund | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Dean of Libraries |
Kevin Carman, Ph.D. | University of Wyoming | Provost and Executive Vice President |
Gail Mackin | Colorado State University-Pueblo | Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs |
Member Council
Operating within the general policies established by the Board of Directors, the Alliance Member Council meets every two months to discuss the mission-related activities of the Alliance. The Alliance Member Council is composed of the Dean or Director of each Alliance member institution library (or their representatives). From time to time, the Council will establish task forces or committees to examine topics of interest to the members.
Member Council Members
Last updated October 2023
Council Member | Member Institution | Title |
---|---|---|
Cinthya Ippoliti, Chair | Auraria Library | University Librarian and Director |
Seth Porter, Vice Chair | University of Colorado, Colorado Springs | Dean of the Library |
Michelle Jeske | Denver Public Library | City Librarian |
Michael Levine-Clark | University of Denver | Dean of University Libraries |
Melissa De Santis | University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus | Library Director |
Sylvia Rael | Colorado Mesa University | Library Director |
Rhonda Gonzales Manzanares | Colorado State University-Pueblo | Dean of Library Services |
Diane Klare | United States Air Force Academy | Associate Dean/Director |
Robert H. McDonald | University of Colorado Boulder | Dean of Libraries and Sr. Vice Provost of Online Education |
Karen Estlund | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Dean of Libraries |
Dustin Fife | Colorado College | College Librarian |
Jayne Blodgett | University of Northern Colorado | Interim Dean of Libraries |
Tiffanie Wick | Western Colorado University | Director of Library Services |
Lisa Dunn | Colorado School of Mines | Interim University Librarian |
Cassandra Kvenild | University of Wyoming | Interim Dean of Libraries |
Dan Lawrence | Regis University | Dean of the Library |
Address
We are located on the fifth floor of the Belcaro Place office building. Our address is:
- 3801 E Florida Ave, Suite 515
- Denver, CO 80210
Parking
There is free two and four hour visitor parking located around the building. There is also short-term parking along Jackson Street.
George Machovec
Executive Director
george@coalliance.org
303-759-3399 x101
George was appointed the Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries in 2012. He has worked at the Alliance since 1993 as the Interim Executive Director, Associate Director, and Technical Coordinator. George has undergraduate degrees in physics and astronomy and an MLS from the University of Arizona.
Rose Nelson
Assistant Director
rose@coalliance.org
303-759-3399 x103
Rose has worked at the Alliance since 2005. She started out as a Systems Librarian and was appointed Assistant Director in 2012. Rose manages Prospector and coordinates the Document Delivery and Catalog Reference meetings. She also is project manager of Gold Rush. Contact her regarding questions about Prospector or Gold Rush. Rose received her MLIS from Emporia State University.
Beth Denker
E-Resource Licensing & Administrative Manager
beth@coalliance.org
303-759-3399 x100
Beth is the Alliance E-Resource Licensing and Administrative Manager. She coordinates the purchasing of e-resources by negotiating with vendors, overseeing contracts, and coordinating invoicing. She also manages the administrative aspects of the Alliance. Contact her about purchasing or subscribing to electronic resources, and about billings, payments, payroll, or HR issues. Beth received her MLIS from Emporia State University.
Laura Simcik
E-Resource Licensing & Admin
laura@coalliance.org
303-759-3399 x107
Laura has worked at the Alliance since 2023. She helps coordinate the purchasing of e-resources by negotiating with vendors, overseeing contracts, and coordinating invoicing. Please contact Laura about purchasing or subscribing to electronic resources, billing questions, payments, or payroll. Laura has undergraduate degrees in Management and Risk Management & Insurance and received her MLIS from the University of Denver.
Hannah Moody-Goo
Gold Rush and Prospector Assistant
hannahmoody4@gmail.com
Hannah has worked at the Alliance since 2014. She maintains and updates various projects regarding Gold Rush and Prospector. Hannah received her MLIS from San Jose State University.
Steve Walker
Systems & Network Administrator
steve@coalliance.org
303-759-3399 x106
Steve has been with the Alliance since 2017 is responsible for the systems and network as well as providing support for our websites and projects. Steve is not new to the library world - his past positions have included working for CARL, UnCover, the Colorado State Library, the ACLIN Project, Colorado's Historic Newspaper Collection and BCR.
Chet Rebman
Programmer
chet@coalliance.org
303-759-3399 x102
Chet has been with the Alliance since 2012. He works on Prospector, Gold Rush, the Alliance website, and other software development projects.
Current Members
Contact the Executive Director for more information about membership in the Alliance.
- Colorado College
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University
- CU Boulder
- Denver Public Library
- Regis University
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado Denver
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Community College of Denver
- United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- University of Denver
- University of Northern Colorado
- University of Wyoming
- Western Colorado University
- Colorado State University-Pueblo
About The Alliance
The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries, commonly referred to as "The Alliance," is a consortium of sixteen libraries located in Colorado and Wyoming. Founded in 1974 to consider ways of sharing resources, the consortium continues working toward that objective. The driving force is cooperation and the sharing of purchasing power, materials, and ideas.
Member-Driven Services
The Alliance helps member libraries work together to stay ahead in the rapidly changing world of libraries and information management.
Membership is not limited to Colorado or to academic institutions. Many Alliance services extend beyond the formal membership and are available to any library in the Rocky Mountain region or even across the U.S.
The regional nature of the consortium makes the Alliance large enough for a diversity of perspectives and nimble enough to meet changing needs with practical, achievable solutions developed by groups of committed libraries.
Working Together
Individual libraries can multiply their influence by working collaboratively with their peers. By negotiating on behalf of groups of libraries, the Alliance influences publishers, vendors, and software providers to provide lower costs and better functionality.
Software and Infrastructure Solutions
At the core of many of the Alliance's services are software products designed, enhanced, or maintained by the Alliance. We offer hosting for open-source software on locally managed infrastructure so our members can focus on content and services to their customers.
Staying Current
The Alliance offers conferences, vendor presentations, and round tables to help members stay current with developing trends. Examples of past programs include:
- Copyright and fair use
- Discovery interfaces
- Digital preservation and data curation
- Library assessments and metrics
- Presentations and workshops from vendors such as Credo Literati, ArtStor, BiblioBoard, and Springer.