Libraries

The Libraries of the Big Ten Academic Alliance are aligned in the vision of uniting our separate collections into one collection, shared and fully networked: the BIG Collection. By this phrase we mean a holistic and comprehensive understanding of what a library "collection" is: not simply the things we hold, but our services; our people; our expertise; our technology; and our infrastructure.

In advancing this future of interdependence and excellence, we are guided by our North Star in everything that we do:

In order to advance a just, trustworthy, scalable & sustainable open knowledge ecosystem, make open, more equitable scholarship our lead purpose.

On these pages, you'll find more about the services, programs, and community that are advancing this vision in a principles-centered, mission-driven, values-aligned way.

Library Accessibility Group webinar: Revised ADA Title II in the Library

The slides and recording from the webinar on August 27, 2024 are now available.

Explore the Future of Library Collaboration: Shared Print Collection White Paper Now Available

Discover the foundational ideas and strategic vision behind the Big Ten Academic Alliance's Shared Print Collection. This new white paper outlines the progress and collective benefits of transitioning to a distributed, networked archive. Learn how the Shared Print Collection is redefining access, equity, and collaboration for the Big Ten community and beyond.

Big Ten Open Books

Big Ten Open Books connects readers everywhere to fully accessible, trusted books from leading university presses. Established as a new model for open-access publishing focused on equity and inclusion, we invite you to explore our Gender and Sexuality studies collection.

BIG Collection: Resource Access Policy Harmonization Report

The Resource Access Policy Harmonization pilot team is pleased to share their final report. Aspirational in nature, the report includes the new BTAA Resource Sharing Agreement plus Scanning Standards; reaffirms the Principles and Protocols for Sharing Special Collections within the Big Ten; and articulates important next steps for future pilot projects and working group investigations.

Library News

CIC-Google Scanning Continues After Google Lawsuit Settlement Rejected

Mar 22, 2011, 22:43 PM

Judge Denny Chin of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a long-awaited ruling Tuesday afternoon, rejecting a proposed settlement between Google and the plaintiffs (publishers and authors) in the Google Books lawsuit. It is the CIC's understanding that Google will continue scanning CIC library materials (six member libraries, in addition to Michigan and Wisconsin, are currently sending content) under the terms of the CIC’s 2007 Agreement.

Earlier this year, the CIC celebrated a major milestone: Google has digitized and returned a million volumes from member libraries. The CIC intends to fulfill the original agreement to scan up to 10 million volumes --public domain material will be returned to HathiTrust Digital Library and made publicly accessible, while in-copyright content will be indexed so users can find relevant print content in our libraries.

Judge Chin ordered a status hearing in late April, by which time the CIC expects to know more about how Google and the plaintiffs plan to move forward, and what the implications might be for member libraries.