Through LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network, from Shreveport to Houma, from New Orleans to Lake Charles, from Monroe to Hammond, all students and faculty members at publicly funded academic libraries have equal access to critical library resources and technologies. The initiatives that LOUIS provides support all academic programs, such as nursing, engineering, computer science, natural sciences, humanities, and workforce development. These resources and technologies might otherwise be cost prohibitive to public colleges and universities in the state. LOUIS effectively levels the playing field for all students and faculty by making resources and technology available anywhere, anytime. LOUIS is widely recognized as a model for cost-effective collaboration in higher education. Its centralized organization works in conjunction with its engaged and active membership. Louisiana academic libraries founded the collaboration in 1992: to address the common needs of all academic libraries; to ensure equal access to resources, services, and technologies; to maximize purchasing power; to share expertise; to support research, teaching, and learning.
