Georgetown announced this week that it has rejoined the Washington Research Library Consortium, which will allow students, faculty and staff to share library resources with D.C.-area universities.
Membership in the WRLC permits Georgetown affiliates to access resources at American University, The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, Marymount University and the University of the District of Columbia.
This is not the first time Georgetown has joined the WRLC, which has existed since 1987.
“Georgetown was a member of the WRLC in the past but withdrew from the consortium when there was only one model for cooperation which involved sharing the cost of an automated library system,” Bataille said.
According to Bataille, the University already had a similar system and could not afford the extra expense.
Changes in the automated system of the WRLC have caused Georgetown to rejoin.
“The WRLC universities are very happy to welcome Georgetown to the consortium. Georgetown’s participation will enhance the regional ‘virtual library’ that is a unique and very important feature of the higher education experience in the Washington area,” Executive Director of the WRLC Lizanne Payne said.
“We are very excited about this opportunity. I think our participation will not only benefit the Washington community by expanding access to our resources, but also assist our own students, faculty and staff, who will now be able to access many services at several schools in the D.C. area,” University Librarian Artemis Kirk said.
Georgetown affiliates are now able to access a shared catalog, inter-campus delivery for borrowed items, information technology services, support and training opportunities and use of the WRLC Digital Collections Production Center and participate in reciprocal access to member library holdings, Kirk said.
In terms of physical access to other member libraries, each library establishes its own security measures, Bataille said. Although Georgetown ID holders can access Launiger Library 24 hours a day, security will continue to restrict library hours from 8 a.m. to midnight for persons who do not hold a Georgetown ID, whether or not their institution is part of the consortium.
According to the American University Library and the Gelman Library at the George Washington University, Georgetown students, faculty and staff may enter their respective libraries anytime during regular library hours.
