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HELM Public: About

Who We Are

HELM (Higher Education Libraries of Massachusetts) is a growing consortium of Massachusetts public higher education libraries that share an integrated library system, allow direct borrowing of materials, and collaborate on professional development opportunities. HELM was formed to develop and sustain cooperative initiatives and to enhance library resources, systems and services for all member libraries.

Mission/Vision

  • Keep Academic Users' needs paramount
  • Maintain the Integrated Library System (ILS) and develop a resource sharing network
  • Develop other cooperative initiatives in purchasing resources and in staff professional development.
  • Strategically expand membership as appropriate
  • Integrate assessment into future planning

History

In 2017, the Chief Library Officers of seven Massachusetts Public Institutions of Higher Education (Holyoke Community College, Mass Bay Community College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Middlesex Community College, North Shore Community College, Quinsigamond Community College and Roxbury Community College) collaborated in developing a consortium more closely aligned with the needs of academic libraries. 

During the 2017/2018 academic year, these libraries, with the assistance of the Fenway Library Organization, worked feverishly to negotiate exits from their existing networks.  Policies and procedures were established, installation of the open-source Koha integrated library system was completed, and migration from existing systems took place. The newly developed HELM catalog went live on July 1, 2018.