Libraries Very Interested in Sharing (LVIS)

What is LVIS?

Libraries Very Interested in Sharing (LVIS) is a group of more than 2,400 libraries committed to supplying resources free of charge among its members through the OCLC resource sharing network.

Members include all types and sizes of libraries, and any library that would like to participate in this reciprocal group is encouraged to Join LVIS.

Benefits of membership

• Cost savings: Free lending via LVIS helps you maintain or even reduce your library's budget.
• Efficient workflow: Easy identification of LVIS members enables smooth and reliable sharing among members.
• Expanded reach: Free access to collections of all LVIS libraries helps you obtain the items your patrons need. And, it can ensure your collection gets used by those who need it.
• Strong network: LVIS members' commitment to the free exchange of knowledge benefits not only libraries with overall no-charge policies but also those that choose only to reciprocate within LVIS.

Rules for participation

1. Maintain holdings in WorldCat.
2. Ensure OCLC Supplier status is set to Yes in the OCLC Policies Directory, except when your ILL service is temporarily unavailable.
3. Provide loans and copies to all LVIS members at no charge. 

For additional details, please refer to the best practices and FAQs.

Best practices for LVIS members

• Keep WorldCat holdings up-to-date, which helps provide better turnaround times for borrowers. Information on how your library can request a free streamlined holdings update is available at oc.lc/holdings-request.
• Clearly communicate your library’s lending policies or limitations in the OCLC Policies Directory. For step-by-step instructions, see the Policies Directory guide.
  • Specify collections that do not circulate.
  • Set deflections for collections or formats you cannot lend due to library policies.
  • Set deflections for items that you are not licensed to lend.
  • Clearly describe your lending policies for loans and copies.
  • Set OCLC Supplier status to “No” when your library is temporarily unable to fulfill lending requests.

You do not need to be able to supply every item or format in your library's collection to participate in LVIS. 

• Respond to requests as quickly as possible. If your library provides quick turnaround for copies, consider participating in OCLC’s Express program, a group of libraries committed to delivering digital resources within 18 hours or less. 
• Issue a refund for accidental charges to LVIS members. For instructions, see Manage IFM, Issue a refund (Lender).
• Never expect the borrower to pay for shipping. If on occasion you need to recover the shipping cost for a long distance or large item, respond conditionally to the request. Provide the borrower with the shipping cost and ask them to update the max cost before accepting the condition. For instructions, see Respond Conditionally to a Request.
• If your library’s loan period is 12+ weeks, consider including your symbol in the profiled group LLLL (LVIS Libraries with Loan Periods of 12 weeks). To be added, email oclcresourcesharing@oclc.org.
• If your library loans audio visual (AV) materials free of charge, consider including your symbol in the profiled group FILM (Libraries Supplying AV Materials Free of Charge). To be added, email oclcresourcesharing@oclc.org.
• Notes about international lending:
  • Supply copies to all LVIS members at no charge.
  • If you do not loan physical items internationally, clearly indicate this in your loan policies.
  • If you receive a loan request for a physical item from outside your country, never expect the borrower to pay for shipping. Instead, respond conditionally as described above. For instructions, see Respond Conditionally to a Request.

LVIS member listing

For a list of current LVIS members, search the OCLC Policies Directory for the Group Symbol: LVIS.  For instructions, see Search the Policies Directory.

To view all symbols, click the Display Symbols button at the top of the list.

Join LVIS

How to join LVIS: There is no charge to join LVIS. To request that your library’s symbol be added to the group, email oclcresourcesharing@oclc.org. Include the name and email address of the contact person(s) for your ILL department.

How to maintain membership in LVIS: By participating in LVIS, your library is expected to supply free loans and copies to other LVIS members according to the rules for participation and best practices described above. Your symbol will be removed from LVIS if you do not supply any items for free to another LVIS member for 6 months. If you believe your symbol was removed in error, please email oclcresourcesharing@oclc.org.

FAQs

Can LVIS members charge other LVIS members? No, LVIS members must provide loans and copies to all LVIS members at no charge. Lending for free only within your consortium, state, or region does not meet the rules for participation. The only exception is when the borrowing library accepts a conditional response to pay or offset shipping costs.

Can LVIS members go non-supplier? Yes, for temporary closures such as holidays or short-term staffing issues. 

Must our library supply audio visual (AV) formats? No, but please clearly state your policies or limitations in the OCLC Policies Directory. 

What if our library’s policy is "we charge what you charge"? You may be an LVIS member, but you cannot charge other LVIS libraries.

What should I do if an LVIS library charges me? Contact the lending library as soon as you notice the charge to request a refund based on the rules for participation in LVIS. If you experience ongoing issues with specific lenders, omit the symbol from your custom holdings or lender strings. For instructions, see Manage IFM, Request a refund (Borrower).

What is Express LVIS? Express LVIS is a group of more than 600 LVIS members that also participate in OCLC's Express program. These libraries both lend for free to other LVIS members and deliver digital resources within 18 hours or less.

Is there any cost to participate in LVIS? No, participation in LVIS or Express LVIS is open to any library using ILLiad, Tipasa, or WorldShare ILL and is included in your subscription.

More information

Email oclcresourcesharing@oclc.org.