Successful resource sharing in academic and research libraries in Illinois: lessons for developing countries

Abstract

With diminishing finances, it is rarely possible for a library or information center to have enough resources to fulfill the needs of its clients. Libraries working under effective collaborative initiatives in developed countries have registered tremendous success compared to libraries in developing countries. There is a growing need for libraries in developing countries to redefine their resource sharing strategies so as to benefit from library collaboration that can result in a more effective means of meeting the needs of their library users. This thesis looks at issues surrounding the factors that have led to successful resource sharing among academic and research libraries in developed countries and how to practically apply such success factors to improve collaboration among academic and research libraries in developing countries. Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) and Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL) are the focus in this research. Emphasis has been placed on the establishment of consortium leadership, the sharing of responsibility and decision making processes, sources of consortium funding, the role and responsibility of participating member libraries and their contributions to and expectations from the consortium. Consortium leadership, the perceived need for cost effectiveness, quick and efficient delivery of library materials, electronic resources brokering, reciprocal borrowing, and shared integrated library system are key factors in providing a strong consortium framework. Consortium history, culture to volunteer, building trust in members, accountability, and innovativeness are necessary steps towards a successful library consortium.