The WALDO Executive Board has voted to discontinue its 501c3 organization as a discrete entity and will gradually conclude WALDO’s operations during fiscal year (FY) 2023, which ends June 30, 2023.
LYRASIS, a nonprofit membership organization, has been entrusted by the WALDO Board to act as the fiscal and administrative agent for the former WALDO licensed product portfolio going forward. WALDO is not being merged or acquired by LYRASIS but rather will no longer continue as a vehicle for group purchasing. Having served as WALDO’s agent since January 2022, LYRASIS is working to integrate most of WALDO’s content licenses into the substantial LYRASIS group licensing program. Some vendor relationships will be evaluated for ongoing sustainability.
The WALDO Board and LYRASIS are currently creating a transition plan with a goal of minimal impacts to WALDO libraries.
WALDO libraries who are not concurrent LYRASIS members can fully participate in the LYRASIS group licensing program through June 30, 2023, without any additional membership fees, and invoicing and renewals will continue uninterrupted. Beginning July 1, 2023, WALDO libraries who are not concurrent LYRASIS members will need to become LYRASIS members to continue participation in the group licensing program.
WALDO libraries who are concurrent LYRASIS members will need to take no action, and no immediate changes are expected.
Over the coming months, LYRASIS plans to provide many opportunities for your library to explore the full community and service benefits of joining LYRASIS in membership, benefits that include a wide array of programs and services in addition to licensed content negotiation.
To stay abreast of LYRASIS news, please subscribe to the following LYRASIS listservs, both of which are low-traffic and maintained by LYRASIS staff. No invitation is necessary to join; simply click on the links below.
- LYROffers: Subscribe to LYROffers. This list shares updates and information about all LYRASIS scholarly content activities, including special offers, new programs, and other key developments. This listserv is extended to LYRASIS members only and is now open to WALDO libraries.
- LYROpen: Subscribe to LYROpen. This list shares updates and information about LYRASIS activities in support of open content, open source software, and related services. This is an open listserv available to all libraries worldwide interested in learning more about LYRASIS’ global leadership in open access initiatives.
LYRASIS will hold an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. (eastern) to offer more information about this transition and introduce WALDO members to LYRASIS staff and services. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions about LYRASIS. Please register at this link: https://www.lyrasis.org/Content/Pages/Event-Details.aspx?Eid=687B420C-2E1F-ED11-80FC-00155D0A2732. This webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend, and LYRASIS will hold additional informational webinars throughout the year.
Please contact Member Support at membersupport@lyrasis.org with any questions you may have at this time.