Objective: To develop a regional buying consortium to license electronic resources for Regional Medical Library (RML) members.
Methods: A region-wide needs assessment was conducted to determine interest in the project and in selected resources. Results showed a high level of interest. Several resources were identified to start working toward licensing across the region. A vendor specializing in working with consortia was selected to handle product negotiations. An advisory group has been established to evaluate future product selections and to represent the interests of health sciences libraries in each state. Currently, two products are being licensed under the consortium, and additional products are being evaluated. The projected outcome is that a regional buying consortium can license electronic resources for health sciences libraries at a significantly lower cost than libraries operating individually and that libraries will report satisfaction with products offered and ease of participation.