NETWORKING AND NETWORKING AND RESOURCE SHARING IN RESOURCE SHARING IN

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICESSERVICES

Okeagu, G., Okeagu, B., (2008). Networking and resource sharing in Library and Information Services : the case for consortium building. United Kingdom : Information, Society & Justice. From www.fhpotsdam.de/~IFLA/INSPEL/01-1kasu.pdf

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The so-called “information Revolution” has made Libraries around the world to adopt new philosophies and technologies for science delivery and also reduce the cost of information. Maintaining the dept and depths of collection of a single greatest challenge confronting libraries, be it, academic, special, national, or public.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Libraries have realized that no mo matter what they are well funded, it is difficult to acquire all the materials needed by the clientele. In fact partnership and cooperation in local, national and international have become enviable for all libraries. In achieving cooperation is through the establishment of consortium.

LIBRARY COOPERATION LIBRARY COOPERATION AROUND THE WORLDAROUND THE WORLD1. United Kingdom Burkyley (1999) explained the formal

cross sectional cooperation in 1930’s with setting of RLS for inter-lending and catalogue sharing.

60’s and 70’s- more local cooperatives not only concentrated inter-lending, encompassed sharing of information and training and facilitated personal contacts between librarians.

1. United Kingdom1. United Kingdom

1986- a LIP (Library and Information Plans) was launched with the philosophy:

1. That LIP services are a national heritage and require conscious national effort to maintain them.

2. The resources can’t be fully exploited unless provision is coordinated nationally and locally

3. Strategic planning will maximize existing library and information services, productivity and value.

4. Planning will be the most effective if first done at local level.

United KingdomUnited Kingdom•JANET- the development linked all

higher education institutions•OPAC’s- consortium purchasing of

electronic materials inter-loans and •e-mail- are part of its use by the

academic community•EARL (Electronic Access to Resources in

Libraries) - a project camp up in the consortium of Public Library Networking

•LASER (London and South Eastern Library Regional Library System)

- provides detail of services of 165 partners and gateways to specialist sites of interest to Public Library User.

2. South Africa2. South Africa

1992- South African Library and Information services sector was transformed w/ the establishment of the first formal Library consortium, Cape Library Cooperative (CALICO).

1992-1998, five academic library consortia were established.

1998- 2003, South Africa consortium consolidating their roles with the addition of new members.

Objectives of South Africa Consortia are:1. Promote formal relationship between

members to foster collaborations and networking.

2. Promote collection building and resource sharing.

3. Support optional access to information members through regional and national cooperation.

4. Improve information literacy skills and to share training resources and expertise

5. Provide support for the implementation and management of common Library system.

3. Nigeria3. Nigeria• Five Libraries are participating in the

scheme out of the hundred that joined at inception.

2004- the Committee of University of the Nigerian Universities (CULNU) formed the Nigerian University Libraries consortium (NULIC). The objectives includes:

1. Promote resource sharing among members Libraries.

2. Make the academic resources of each member library available to others.

3. Ensure that member institutions contribute meaningfully towards sustaining the consortium.

3. Nigeria3. Nigeria•NUNET (Nigerian University Network)- is another initiative by the National

Universities Commission to encourage Universities to network and share information for academic and administrative functions.

•NPI (Nigerian Periodical Index) of CULNU and NADICEST( National Documentation and Library

Center for Science and Technology) aimed at providing access to current and retrospectives information on Science and Technology to Facilitate research.

ELEMENTS OF CONSORTUIM ELEMENTS OF CONSORTUIM BUILDINGBUILDING1. Mutual Objectives Each of the partnering

entities needs to have a clear understanding to have a clear understanding of its objectives which must be developed and combine with those of the other partners.

ELEMENTS OF CONSORTUIM ELEMENTS OF CONSORTUIM BUILDINGBUILDING2. Join decision making process All problems and decision

whenever possible must be jointly owned and resolved by the team.

3. Continuous improvement All partners must continue to

receive worthwhile benefits from the arrangement. This demands a continuous review of the partners’ performance over the life of consortium.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS OF CONSORTIUM BUILDINGOF CONSORTIUM BUILDING• A shared vision and Philosophies • A well focus org• Perceive cost effectiveness• Accessibility of the network’s

resources through local nodes• Staff skills, Attitudes and

Commitment• The quality of response provided

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS OF CONSORTIUM BUILDINGOF CONSORTIUM BUILDING

• The depths and the range of resources available

• Network visibility and the image projected to the outside world

• An ability to adopt overtime

ADVANTAGES OF ADVANTAGES OF CONSORTUIM BUILDINGCONSORTUIM BUILDING

• A comprehensive collection is possible

• Avoidance of duplication of non core collection development among the participating libraries.

• Reduction in the cost of information services

• Quality of services is enhanced

ADVANTAGES OF ADVANTAGES OF CONSORTUIM BUILDINGCONSORTUIM BUILDING• Facilitation of the use of common

library system• Promotion of best practices• Implementation of staff skills

development programmers• Implementation of staff skills

development programmers.

CHALLENGES OF CHALLENGES OF CONSORSUIM BUILDINGCONSORSUIM BUILDING

• Team Work Recognition of the value of each

team member and his specialty, respecting each member’s opinion and seeking understanding of each other’s views contribute to team members feeling being valued and part of the team

CHALLENGES OF CONSORTUIM CHALLENGES OF CONSORTUIM BUILDINGBUILDING• Trust, openness and honesty Trust will be build over time with

each of the partners delivering their commitments. Trust will drastically cut down the cost of running a consortium where partners constantly cross check information from other partners constantly cross check information from other partners to avoid being advantage of.

CHALLENGES OF CHALLENGES OF CONSORSUIM BUILDINGCONSORSUIM BUILDING• Trust, openness and honesty Trust also requires openness

and no room for hidden agenda. Libraries coming together to form consortium must make careful choice of partners. If every member is treated fairly then no one will need to waste time worrying money issues.

CHALLENGES OF CONSORTUIM CHALLENGES OF CONSORTUIM BUILDINGBUILDING• Win-Win Approach

All partners should receive an acceptable benefit from it rather than working for individual short terms gains, the benefit of the consortium as a whole is considered. Once the win-win is mindset is in place, the energies will be noticeable. The contributions of all members should be recognized and appreciated no matter how small is.

Thank You

May Joyce M. Dulnuan