Kentucky Virtual Library is a consortium of nearly 300 member institutions, including public libraries, public and private K12 schools and districts, college and university libraries, hospitals, and more. Membership enables member institutions to link their users to high-quality information at substantial savings. Licensed databases may be used by anyone affiliated with a KYVL member library.
Membership in KYVL allows institutions to provide its user community with over 60 high-quality databases for users from elementary school through adults. KVYL coordinates and provides training on these resources.
For more on benefits of KYVL membership, see the Value Added page.
For more information about any of these services, contact KYVL at 844.400.KYVL, email kyvl@ky.gov or Ask KYVL.
All KYVL member libraries participate in cost-sharing for KYVL's core databases, the resources common to all participants. Additional funding comes through the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Consortial savings for KYVL core resources approach $20 million annually when compared with list price for the same resources purchased individually by all participating libraries.
Each institution's core database fee is calculated based on a formula developed by the KYVL Funding Committee, representing KYVL's constituent member groups. The current formula was approved by the KYVL Leadership Team in June, 2017, for member fees beginning with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018. Learn more about the funding formula here.
In many communities, school districts and public libraries both pay KYVL membership fees. This cost sharing is necessary to keep KYVL affordable for all members. If K12 districts do not elect to participate, their students do not have access to their public library's KYVL resources on school networks.
All KYVL members contribute an annual membership fee which helps offset the cost of resources KYVL subscribes to for access by all participants. Members achieve considerable savings via the statewide acquisition and funding of these subscriptions. Historically, participants realize a cost avoidance of more than $10 million a year.
p>The member fee, as determined by criteria established by the KYVL Funding Committee, represents a sustainable cost-sharing model adopted in July 2010. The fee is applied to core services, including the licensed content, access to OCLC, as well as other services and resources. Every member must pay a fee, regardless of library type and status as public or independent.
For more information about KYVL membership for your library or organization, please complete the KYVL Membership Inquiry Form or contact KYVL at 844.400.KYVL or by emailing kyvl@ky.gov.
Librarians and administrators of KYVL member institutions are encouraged to create individual accounts in the KYVL Member Portal.
