1. What changes are coming for TRLN in 2025?
In 2024, the TRLN Executive Committee engaged an external consultant to conduct an in-depth operational review of the consortium. Informed by this review, the Executive Committee has decided to refocus TRLN’s strategy and structure. The result will be a smaller, more streamlined organization, prioritizing activities where TRLN can provide the greatest impact:
- Resource sharing among member libraries
- Print courier service between member libraries
- Communities of practice among the staff of member institutions
- Maximizing collaboration within Alma during and after each institution’s transition to the same library enterprise system over the next several years
This new strategic direction will be supported by a TRLN team of one or two individuals, still based at Duke, who will operate in a coordinating role. To oversee and assist with this transition over the next 12-18 months, the TRLN Executive Committee has appointed Sue Baughman, former Deputy Executive Director of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), to serve as a consultant.
2. Will the existing request and delivery services from the TRLN libraries be affected by these organizational changes?
All of the existing borrowing and lending services for library patrons will continue uninterrupted. As the libraries transition to the Alma integrated library system over the next several years, there may be some changes in the catalog search interfaces and other minor operational aspects of these services. The libraries will communicate these changes in advance to their university communities.
3. Will the TRLN institutions’ collaboration and cooperation on print materials retention and shared offsite storage continue?
Yes, these initiatives will continue as a high priority for TRLN.
4. What is the future of TRLN Discovery (collaborative software development project for the shared catalog)?
If all four TRLN libraries migrate to the Alma integrated library system as planned over the next several years, they may adopt Ex Libris’ Primo application as the discovery layer for searching their combined collections, replacing TRLN Discovery. Key staff members from TRLN and the four institutions will develop a comprehensive technical and service plan for any such transition, looking at both short- and longer-term scenarios.
5. Will the TRLN Working Groups and Interest Groups continue?
Yes, active Working Groups and Interest Groups are welcome to continue to meet and work together. The TRLN website will continue to be available as a place for these groups to post and share information. In addition, TRLN will provide a home for new communities of practice bringing together staff of member institutions.
6. Will the TRLN institutions continue to collaborate on professional development activities for their staff?
No. Developing, sponsoring, and hosting professional development activities will not be in scope for TRLN. Staff members are encouraged to take advantage of the professional development opportunities offered by other regional and national consortia and organizations such as ASERL and the many online and onsite conferences and meetings that are available locally, regionally, and nationally in their areas of interest and specialty.
7. Will there be a TRLN Annual Meeting in 2025?
No. Convening an annual meeting will no longer be part of TRLN’s core mission.
8. Will the 2025 Library Technology Career Jumpstart Program still take place?
No. Due to the organizational changes that will affect TRLN’s ability to host the program, the previously scheduled Library Technology Career Jumpstart Program will be canceled. We understand that this may be disappointing news, especially to those who have already applied, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will provide further updates as soon as possible.