By the end of the summer, Tennessee will have a statewide library courier service.  After months of hard work, Tenn-Share’s RFP Committee selected RR Donnelley as our winning courier vendor.

Called Firefly, this Tenn-Share courier will provide 2 days a week service for all participating libraries. We do not have the final price yet as that will be determined by the total number of libraries who join the initial July-September implementation. Currently, we estimate each participant's cost to be between $1,400-$1,500 a year for 2 days a week service. There will also be options for 3 days and 5 days a week service at higher rates.

Currently, we have over 200 libraries willing to join the network. The Tennessee State Library and Archive is managing the service for over 180 public libraries throughout the state. Jennifer Cowan-Henderson is managing the TSLA portion of the project. David Atkins is currently coordinating the registration of non-TSLA libraries.

If you are a TSLA supported public library or if you have already registered with Tenn-Share as one of our original RFP libraries, you are good to go. You needn’t register again.

However, if you aren’t a TSLA supported public library and you haven’t registered and want to sign up for the service, complete this form. If you were one of the original RFP libraries, you should have already been contacted regarding joining the courier.

In registering, we will pass your information along to the vendor and we will work your library into our final cost quote. Once the quote is set, Tenn-Share will contact you with the option to purchase the service for an annual fee. In the coming months we’ll also provide information on how to purchase reusable shipping bags plus helpful how-to’s on using the courier.

If you are wondering if the courier will be a cost effective replacement for your current shipping methods and if you don’t have ready access to your actual shipping costs, use the Tennessee Shipping Costs Worksheet and Calculator. This spreadsheet helps estimate shipping costs via USPS, including supplies.

A hearty thank you to our RFP Committee for their hard work and support of this tremendous undertaking: David Atkins, UT, Knoxville; Christy Groves, Middle Tennessee State Univ.; Chuck Sherrill, TSLA; Jennifer Cowan-Henderson, TSLA; Theresa Liedtka, UT, Chattanooga; Tricia Bengel, Nashville Public; and Yildiz Binkley, Tennessee State Univ.

The Board of Directors of Tenn-Share seek a forward-looking, dynamic Executive Director to supervise all Tenn-Share operations, facilitate and cooperate with the Board, and advance Tenn-Share’s public relations.

The Executive Director is hired by and reports to the Tenn-Share Board of Directors. S/he leads the day-to-day operation of the organization, negotiates contracts with vendors, and represents Tenn-Share to its members, to other library organizations and to the general public. Please see the full job description for details.

This position is full time, exempt, with flexible hours. The Tenn-Share office is maintained in the home or office of the Executive Director; a monthly stipend covers the expense of telephone and Internet access. Some travel is required. The total compensation package is negotiable with salary in the $50-60K range.

A CNET series on rural broadband, with related stories, explains the difficulty of bringing broadband access to rural students, freelancers, business owners, and others who need it to be competitive. Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5

Adoption continues to be an issue where broadband is available. Keep your eyes and ears open about the FCC's efforts to modernize the Lifeline program and watch for grant opportunities aimed at digital literacy programs in schools and libraries.

Remember that Connected Tennessee is the organization to work with if your community is underserved in broadband access.

Tenn-Share's Past President, Tricia Bengel, is recognized in Library Journal's Movers and Shakers list for 2012 under the Recession Busters designation. The article cites Limitless Libraries and a digital media lab, the latter funded by an IMLS/MacArthur Foundation grant. The Limitless Libraries program was the winner of the Resource Sharing Award presented at the 2011 Fall Conference.

Tenn-Share congratulates Tricia, Limitless Libraries, and Nashville Public Library for these and other accomplishments that model excellence in resource sharing.

Please use the email address databases@tenn-share.org to contact DeAnne Luck.