Co‐operation in Action: Collaborative Initiatives in the World of Information

Citation

Street, P. (2002), "Co‐operation in Action: Collaborative Initiatives in the World of Information", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 213-214. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilds.2002.30.4.213.3

There is a growing awareness within the library and information sector that organisations need to co‐operate in order to make the most of their services and resources. A key message of the Library and Information Commission’s report Empowering the Learning Community, published in March 2000, was the need to develop partnerships among all the various bodies involved. Resources, be they human or technical, are scarce and demands of users ever increasing: no one library can afford be all things to all people, and resource sharing, both nationally and internationally, is now the acknowledged way forward. Collaboration is becoming increasingly important in areas such as collection development, access, preservation and records management. Furthermore, it has a crucial role to play in support of lifelong learning, the move towards increased social inclusion and economic regeneration.

Co‐operation is a difficult concept to define and one that can mean different things to different individuals. Often viewed as a universal panacea by many, it is frequently discussed in the abstract but is often difficult to bring to successful fruition in reality. This book focuses on examples of active co‐operation and demonstrates, by a range of examples, that practical co‐operation is flourishing in many areas. With an emphasis on the crucial role played by libraries, museums and archives, both individually and jointly, in the lifelong learning process, this collection examines the initiatives currently in place in the UK and worldwide and considers the significance that co‐operative activity has for the future success of library and information services. The book brings together a range of distinguished contributors, known for their commitment to co‐operation in the library and information world. Drawing on their different backgrounds and experiences, each contributor writes from a broad international context, with the common theme of resources required for successful co‐operation running throughout each chapter. The result is a snapshot of recent activity across the different library sectors and with the museums and archives worlds. This is a collection that can be read in its entirety to provide a comprehensive insight into the overall scene or dipped into on an individual chapter level for the reader interested in one specific area.

The contents include:

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  The view from the British Library – a national library perspective.

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  An overview of current co‐operation within the UK.

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  The increasing role of Resource: the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries in the co‐operative agenda.

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  The regional perspective.

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  Co‐operation in academia with a focus on CURL and SCONUL.

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  Co‐operation in preservation.

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  E‐co‐operation – the role of technology is helping libraries, museums and archives with resource sharing.

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  Funding – its role in promoting and facilitating collaborative work.

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  The international dimension.

The text is fully supported by a glossary and a list of further information accessible on the Web. Focused to the requirements of information professionals and policy makers in libraries, museums and archives around the world, this publication is an informative guide to co‐operation and partnership within and between these sectors.