OCLC Resource Sharing Conference 2019

Background: The University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library serves the schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and the Graduate School. Within the HS/HSL, the Resource Sharing department, responsible for interlibrary loan (ILL), is staffed by 4 ½ FTE including a supervisor, specialist, and 2 ½ technicians. With the number of ILL requests fluctuating throughout the year, Resource Sharing staff has had time to enhance and learn new skills. 
Method: In 2011, the UMB Digital Archive became the responsibility of the Resource Sharing Department. Through multiple projects, staff developed new competencies including the ability to scan fragile and unique materials, project management skills for outreach initiatives, assessment expertise for judging the quality of digitized resources and quality control. The projects did not compromise ILL services. Projects include a collaborative effort with the Medical Heritage Library digitizing State Medical Society Journals from 1900-2000, the UMB CURE Scholars initiative, and lab notebook digitization.
Conclusion: The skills developed through the projects were underscored by continuous learning, good communication, and collaboration. Staff use these skills to continue contributing to outreach, curation, and digitization for the UMB Digital Archive. Resource Sharing responsibilities are now strategically allocated between ILL and archive activities.