The RSCVD community, an inclusive and international resource sharing initiative: insights and perspectives

Purpose – This paper aims to present the origin of RSCVD “Resource Sharing in the Times of COVID-19,” an initiative of international Resource Sharing launched and supported by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Document Delivery and Resource Sharing Section during the COVID pandemic emergency and its evolution into RSCVD (Resource Sharing Collaborative and Voluntary Document Delivery). RSCVD is an initiative based on a community of international libraries that share a common resource sharing management system, named the RSCVD App. Design/methodology/approach – This study describes the inspiring philosophy and the mission of RSCVD which aligns with IFLA’s vision and incorporates the principles of “International Resource Sharing Manifesto” to ensure free and equal access to information, reducing barriers and facilitating access. A core emphasis is placed on the vital role of librarians’ voluntary participation and collaboration in the initiative’s success. Finally, this study presents the current state of RSCVD community and the future directions for sustainability and growth. Findings – RSCVD initiative has become an important element in the global library environment, enabling the access to quality scientific literature to the global academic community and fostering the communication and collaboration among academic institutions worldwide through the voluntary participation of librarians. The development of RSCVD is grounded fundamentally in the “human factor” and the commitment of librarians to resource sharing. Originality/value – This paper introduces the reflections made by the RSCVD community to establish the lines that ensure sustainability and success of the initiative.