Resource Sharing, Collaboration and Cooperation in Collection Development
Tags: lis55, learningdiary
Published: 2021-05-23 09:33:27

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Collaboration between libraries is mutually beneficial and can lead to results that no single library can achieve by itself. Types of collaboration vary in formality and form, from simple handshake agreements to binding legal agreements and from sharing resources to building collections around each other.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In general there are three broad types of collaboration between libraries. These are sharing collection items, sharing collection storage and shared collection building.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharing collection items means that libraries either share their physical collection items with each other. This may take the form of document delivery services or interlibrary loan programs. This was historically one of the first types of collaboration, the first instance of which could have occurred as early as 200 BCE.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharing collection storage means that libraries store their deaccessioned items - or items that no longer need to be accessed regularly - in the same place. This allows the libraries to share the cost of storage space, and is a common type of collaboration among libraries with different branches, such as libraries belonging to the same system of colleges. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shared collection building involves actively making decisions about selection, acquisition and deselection with partner libraries in mind. This type of collaboration is usually only done among libraries that have more formal partnerships with each other, such as in consortia.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Consortia come from formal collaborations between libraries. They are their own legal entities that libraries can sign up to become members of, usually paying the consortia a regular fee that makes up the consortia's operating budget. Member libraries of consortia may enjoy such privileges as opportunities for staff training and specialization, courier services for library materials, and agreements to purchase from the same vendor in order to gain purchasing power. Consortia may even require their member libraries to change their circulation rules and practices to allow the members to more easily exchange materials and practice shared collection building as mentioned previously.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However, library collaborations are not infalliable. Even consortia are known to collapse if agreements are not honored and personalities clash. Some consortia members dislike needing to change their policies and collection development process to suit the requirements of the consortia. And those that do not mind changing their collection to suit that of the consortia may have worries about others leaving the consortia, creating gaps in the consortia's overall collection.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;While these fears are valid, for many they do not outweigh the good that can come of working collaboratively. Such as being financially efficient, being able to access a wider collection, being able to provide more opportunities for library staff to grow. Another major selling point for being part of a consortia is the positive public relations aspect, and having a tangible outcome to show the governing body of the library where the library funds have gone.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the Philippines many libraries operate under budget constraints, meaning that they are unable to financially afford consortium membership. That being said, there are a few consortia that have been established. Notable ones being the Consortium of Engineering Libraries - Philippines that the UP Diliman College of Engineering is a part of - as well as the DOST-ESP sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology which the UP Diliman College of Engineering and the UP Diliman College of Science are both members of.

###References
Lourdes, D. T., &amp; Janet, L. (2013). A window on library collaboration in Southeast Asia: Insights and Perspectives of Lourdes T. David. *Collaborative Librarianship*, 5(1), 59–61. https://doi.org/10.29087/2013.5.1.03 

UP College of Engineering Library. (2021). *Collaborations &amp; Linkages*. Retrieved March 23, 2021 from http://www.engglib.upd.edu.ph/index.php/the-library/collaborations-linkages. 

Verzosa, Fe Angela M. (29-30 March 2004). Library consortia and cooperation in this digital age: an Overview of the Philippine Experience. *In Library Management in the 21st Century Conference,* Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved March 23, 2021 from http://eprints.rclis.org/11223/2/Library_consortia_and_cooperation.pdf