Regional Library Networks and OCLC: From Collaboration and Interdependence to Conflict and Divorce

Adjusting the library performance standards for consortia services: a case study

“…From the first partnerships formed in the 1930s (such as the Cooperating Libraries of Upper New York, or the Triangle Research Libraries Network), the history of library consortia is well documented (Weber, 1976; Kopp, 1998; Alexander, 1999; Bostick, 2001). The changes, their increasing influence, their crisis, and their survival are also recorded (Mackenzie et al ., 2013; Scepanski and Wells, 2013).…”

“…From the first partnerships formed in the 1930s (such as the Cooperating Libraries of Upper New York, or the Triangle Research Libraries Network), the history of library consortia is well documented (Weber, 1976; PMM 24,3/4 Kopp, 1998;Alexander, 1999;Bostick, 2001). The changes, their increasing influence, their crisis, and their survival are also recorded (Mackenzie et al, 2013;Scepanski and Wells, 2013). Modern consortia offer resource sharing of print collections via InterLibrary Loan, and/or e-content through licensing and "big deals"; they provide shared print storage and/or digital repositories; they share staff expertise and human resources by enabling communication between libraries and/or by organising training programmes; they build new infrastructure, new services, or import new technology.…”