91³Ô¹ÏÍø University to join Northwest library consortium
SPOKANE, Wash. – 91³Ô¹ÏÍø University’s libraries have been accepted as a member of a consortium whose mission “pushes the boundaries of what is possible in libraries through strategic collaboration in the Pacific Northwest.”
“The Orbis Cascade Alliance is a recognized leader in advancing member institutions by developing innovative and sustainable library services,” said Paul Bracke, an associate provost at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø who is dean of Foley Library.
“As we were thinking about the future of libraries at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, the opportunities afforded by joining one of the nation’s premier academic library consortia and to develop closer relationships with our neighbors were clear.”
91³Ô¹ÏÍø, whose membership is effective in July, will be the 38th member of the group.
The Alliance recently articulated four thematic areas that capture the impact members want the consortium to have: strengthen member institutions, improve access to information, inspire knowledge creation, and equip students for success.
The organization was born in 2003 through the merger of two previous entities, Orbis and Cascade. Its headquarters are in Eugene, Oregon. Member institutions leverage their collective resources to advance learning and research, and to create equity in higher education.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø has three libraries, each serving a distinctly different facet of the student body and community. Located in the heart of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s campus, the Foley Library is in its 30th year. The Chastek Library serves the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø University School of Law. The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø-in-Florence Martin Library provides services to the campus in Florence, Italy.
"These libraries provide leading-edge learning and research services, as well as extensive collections and archives,” Bracke said.
For more information, please contact Paul Bracke, dean of the Foley Library, at bracke@gonzaga.edu or Kim Armstrong, executive director of the Orbis-Cascade Alliance, at karmstrong@orbiscascade.org.