Essentially, FirstSearch built upon and expanded Arkansas's 20-year resource sharing foundation by providing access to reference databases, document delivery and online full text in addition to the holdings of Arkansas libraries and OCLC member libraries. FirstSearch was also considered the most cost-effective choice. Why a Consortium Purchasing FirstSearch via a group offered the libraries of Arkansas three advantages over individual purchases. Smaller libraries could pay lower fees for the online service as part of a larger purchasing group. They could obtain a wealth of resources many would not be able to buy on their own.
Larger libraries get increased access without increased costs.
They get more access with a group purchase to cover peak times than any single institution could provide on its own. And finally, a group purchase provides all libraries with the flexibility to add databases for their own use beyond the core provided by the state library. We invited all 113 OCLC-affiliated libraries in this state to join the FirstSearch Consortium and 87 signed up. The Arkansas State Library purchased FirstSearch in a combination of blocks of searches and the subscription pricing plan. It was clearly the most advantageous solution for us, financially.