Delta State University and Mississippi State University officials recently signed agreements entering Delta State into the Mississippi Library Partnership. Pictured (first row, from left) are Delta State Interim President Dr. Butch Caston and MSU President Mark E. Keenum, and (second row) Jeff Slagell, Delta State’s dean of library services; Anita Winger, MSU Libraries automations system manager; and Stephen Cunetto, MSU associate dean for community relations and strategic initiatives. Photo Credit: MSU Office of Public Affairs.
CLEVELAND, Miss.— Delta State University’s Roberts-LaForge Library recently joined the Mississippi Library Partnership (MLP), adding its approximately 334,000 titles to the consortium which now includes 12 members and 66 branch locations statewide.
Originally established in 1993, the partnership offers member institutions cost efficiencies and shared resources. MLP provides a library automation system, administered by Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries, which also lends technical expertise, support and training to members.
“We are pleased to partner with the Mississippi Library Partnership to enhance the resources available on our campus while sharing our resources with others in the state. It’s truly a ‘win-win’ for all,” said Delta State’s Interim President Dr. Butch Caston.
“This significant expansion of technological services will serve as a great resource for our Delta State community and will further equip our students with the tools needed for academic success.”
With Delta State’s latest addition, member libraries—made up of public and academic institutions—now have a combined holding of more than 3.1 million items.
“I’m delighted that Delta State is now a consortium member,” said Jeff Slagell, dean of library services at Delta State. “It offers several benefits to our students and faculty and financially provides economies of scale with a growing number of member libraries.”
MLP allows patrons to request books from any member library and pick them up at their own local library.
Patrons are not limited to their home library but can also easily search resources shared throughout the consortium and check out materials conveniently with their local library card. A courier service delivers needed books to the various member libraries.
For more about the Mississippi Library Partnership, visit http://lib.msstate.edu/mlp.
For more about Delta State’s Roberts-LaForge Library, visit www.deltastate.edu/library.
