Library Consortia
The library Consortia mainly
deal with resource sharing in digital or electronic format. There are several
reasons, which necessitated the concept of library consortia. Important among
them are:
1.
Information explosion:
There is a tremendous increase in the generation of information in all fields
of knowledge due to intensive researches taking place in almost all fields of
knowledge. Explosive growth of literature has made it impossible for libraries
to attain self-sufficiency. Exponential growth of library materials in many
form and format such as books, periodicals, non-book materials like e-books, e-journals,
online databases etc. have made it beyond the control of a library to acquire
all the materials that are being produced.
2. Shrinking budget: The
cost of books and other information sources are escalating year by year. But
the fund allocation to Libraries in our country is not increasing in proportion
with this price hike. There has been a continuous devaluation of currency also.
Hence no library can procure all the resources needed by its users. Limitations
in fiscal conditions and other resources like manpower, space etc. have put
tremendous pressure on libraries to join hands with other libraries for
resource sharing.
3. Ever-growing
user requirements: User requirements for information vary from user to
user. They need a wide spectrum of information due to information explosion,
presence of multi-discipline, specialization of subjects etc. No library can
meet their demands with their own resources.
4. Technological advancements:
Unprecedented pace of technological developments in information storage and
retrieval poses great challenge on traditional libraries to find ways and means
to provide better services to their patrons. Issues like shift of information
medium from print to digital, shorter life span of electronic media, changing
formats, developments in hardware and software, interoperability and standards
have also put pressure on libraries to join to overcome these barriers.
5. Professionalisation
of library services: Role of library professionals has been changed from
mere conservator to facilitator of knowledge. Major functions of a librarian
are to identify, select, procure, organize, preserve and disseminate
information. Rapid changes have taken place in all the above areas. It has
posed great challenge for librarians to remain at the frontline of the
profession. This paradigm shift prompted the professionals to have collaboration
and coordination with other libraries to provide quality library services.
According to Cholin and Karisiddappa, the
major objectives of library consortia are:
1. To enhance the resource base of the
individual library
2. To increase the cost benefit per
subscription
3. To promote the rational use of funds
4. To have greater buying power
5. To ensure continuous subscription to
the journals subscribed
6. To guarantee local storage of the
information acquired for continuous use
7. To reduce the strength of staff and
storage space
8. To develop technical capabilities of
the staff in using electronic databases
9. To share technical expertise of
library professionals
10. To keep up-to-date with new technology
11. To have strategic alliance among
institutions with common interest
The
concept of library consortia is not new, and it refers to cooperation,
coordination and collaboration between and amongst libraries for the purpose of
sharing information resources. Major advantages of library consortia include
enhanced cooperation, i.e., alliance with institutions that have common
interest, augmentation of resource base with less money, adoption of new
technology for providing better services and rational use of library budget.
Today, many journals and publications have started getting published only in
the electronic form, especially in the field of science and technology. It is
therefore becoming necessary that the libraries get automated and networked,
for it is the networking alone which makes resource sharing and dissemination
of information possible at all levels, irrespective of the form and format of
information. The library consortia provide an effective information
infrastructure to the member libraries of the consortia.
(shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/13007/10/10_chapter%201.pdf
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