SPEC Kit 345: Shared Print Programs · 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction This SPEC Kit explores shared print programs, the ecology of print retention in distributed networks, expressed benefits of participation, relationships be- tween existing consortia and shared print program coordination, and long-term anticipated uses for print. It identifies the qualities that ARL member libraries value about these partnerships, and their rationales for participation and for continued, collaborative ac- tion around print retention. It identifies investments in shared print programs and estimates print retention progress made with those resources. One goal of this study was to understand better the types of institutions that are emerging as reposi- tory sites in shared print programs. It sought to un- derstand the extent to which ARL member libraries serve as shared-print-holding institutions relative to other members in the programs and within the ARL membership, as a peer group. The study also sought to understand how shared print partnerships extend be- yond the boundaries of existing consortial or resource sharing networks. The answers to these questions might suggest changes in the fundamental nature of print stewardship and raise questions about the organization, governance, and infrastructure needed to support cooperative collection management now and in the future. Other significant goals of this study included de- veloping a deeper understanding of ARL libraries’ real and perceived roles and responsibilities in print collection management, the types of partners ARL libraries engage with in shared print arrangements, and the longer-term cases for retaining and provid- ing access to print. Answers to all of these questions might inform how long to pursue collaborative print collection management and with whom to collaborate. Further study might be needed to correlate findings with other work in scholarly communities around this same topic and with ethnographic studies of print and digital use. Finally, another goal of the study was to under- stand the key characteristics and configurations of shared print programs from an operational perspec- tive. A subsequent publication will address configura- tions of shared print programs, business, operations, and service models in more detail. Surveys and Response Rates Two surveys were issued in May 2014: one to ARL member libraries and another to managers/coordi- nators of shared print programs. ARL libraries were asked general questions about all shared print pro- grams in which the institution participates, goals and benefits of participation, rationale for participation, and services provided. This survey did not ask about the details of a single, specific shared print program but rather about a library’s participation in shared print arrangements in general. The Shared Print Program Managers/Coordinators survey asked questions about a specific shared print program. Managers of 36 shared print programs were invited to participate in the study. The survey asked about specific business and operational models, strategies, goals, membership, collections, archiving progress, access, and other services. The purpose of this survey was to explore the extent of ARL libraries’ participation in shared print projects, the type and scope of projects in which ARL libraries choose to participate, and the concerns and advantages specific to different models.