The NEOS Library Consortium

The library at Newman Theological College became a member of the NEOS Consortium in 1999. NEOS consists of academic and government libraries from Fort MacMurray to Olds, Alberta. Library members include Concordia University, Kings University, Burman University, Vanguard College, Red Deer Polytechnic, and the University of Alberta (which includes St. Joseph's College). Many of these libraries have theological collections, which means Newman students can access to a wide variety of theological and biblical studies resources. Students registered with a NEOS library can borrow items from any of its member libraries. This can be done via an ILL loan request, or by borrowing in-person. All NEOS libraries share the same borrowing policies with the exception of External Borrowers. The consortium's guiding principles are listed below:
 

NEOS Library Consortium

Vision
Sharing resources and knowledge to empower people.

Mission Statement
NEOS is a library consortium that supports members’ clients in a cost-effective manner through the sharing of people, technology, and collections. As a consortium of member libraries we are committed to the following values and guiding principles:
 

​Progressive
We embrace innovative solutions for the enhancement of access and client services.

Collaboration
We collaborate to share our resources, our ideas, our expertise, and our knowledge to deliver quality services to our clients.

Accountability
We are responsible to member libraries, their clients and home institutions for our decisions and actions.

Fairness
We reach equitable decisions through open and respectful discussions aimed at maximum benefits for our clients.

Advocacy
We promote the benefits of cooperation and resource sharing to member institutions and the broader community.

Integrity
We base all our interactions, internally and externally, on mutual trust and ethical behaviour.

Inclusion
We value diversity and equity among our users, staff and member libraries, and respond with equity.
 

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In the past, NEOS libraries shared one ILS (Integrated Library System), which meant the holdings of all libraries were searchable within one catalogue. All library borrowers were registered on a shared circulation database as well. Item requests could be placed on most items from the catalogue, which were then delivered to the library of choice. Items could be returned to any library.

 

This past year, this has all changed with the decentralization of the shared ILS including its catalogue and circulation database. Each member library now, or will, have its own ILS, which means its catalogue and list of borrowers are specific only to the one library. NEOS is doing its best to accommodate these challenges, while still insuring borrower access to the holdings of all NEOS libraries.

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For more information about NEOS you can access NEOS website here.