National Library of Australia


Co-operative Library Agreement between the University of Adelaide and the University of Western Australia

  1. Preamble
  2. Benefits
  3. Goal
  4. Objectives
  5. Sub-programs
  6. Management of the Alliance
  7. Involvement of the academic community
  8. Evaluation
  9. Conclusion


1. Preamble

The Libraries of theUniversity of Adelaide and the University of Western Australia share a number of similar features. As major research libraries, their large and extensive collections reflect the research and academic interests of their Universities. At the same time, they both serve as major resource centres for research materials in their respective regions and nationally. Both face similar issues in relation to the provision of services to universities with a broad research and teaching base.

These issues include :

Because of their similarity, an Alliance between the two research libraries is proposed, to explore and implement cooperative activities that would be mutually beneficial. The Libraries' Alliance operates within the guidelines of the Bilateral Agreement between The University of Adelaide and The University of Western Australia,

2. Benefits

The Alliance has major benefits for both Universities including :

3. Goal

The goal is to establish an alliance involving close cooperation to achieve the following :

Establish a formal cooperative framework to maximize benefits for the two University Libraries in terms of resource sharing , developments in technology , and staff development to further the mission of each Library.

4. Objectives

This goal will be achieved by the adoption of the following objectives:

4.1 the formation of a planning team to manage the Alliance and to plan strategic initiatives of benefit to both Libraries;

4.2 the development of a collection development program aimed at rationalising the two Libraries serials collections, and sharing collections of expensive research items such as microform, digital and some reference materials;

4.3 the establishment of an operations program to maximize expertise and minimize costs associated with the exploration of new information technologies and the acquisition of expensive materials and equipment;

4.4 the development of document delivery and services programmes to enhance access;

4.5 the establishment of a staff development, training and exchange program between the Libraries to share information on policy and practice for mutual benefit;

5. Sub-programs

It is intended that the above objectives will be achieved through the establishment of sub-programs including the following:

5.1 to establish a working capability to transfer and receive high quality document images between the two Libraries electronically;

5.2 to work towards the creation of a joint virtual journal collection of expensive titles owned by the two Libraries;

5.3 to establish operational procedures for the provision of journal articles to each library or its clients;

5.4 to develop procedures for staff development, training and exchanges between the two Libraries;

5.5 to identify additional sub-programs via the strategic planning process as required;

5.6 to organize joint grant applications for relevant development projects relating to the objectives.

Each of the above programs will be described in detail in terms of background, description of the program, required resources, timelines, and evaluation.

6. Management of the Alliance

Each Library will appoint a co-ordinator to manage the program. The program co-ordinators will report to their respective University Librarians. The management teams of both Libraries will identify and plan for the allocation of resources, timelines, and the composition of the sub-program teams at the commencement of the Alliance. The management teams will be required to identify strategies to ensure effective communication between the Libraries and between the sub-program teams.

7. Involvement of the academic community

The Alliance will be of considerable interest to a number of stakeholders including members of the academic community and regional academic libraries and liaison with stakeholders will be built into the program.

8. Evaluation

Evaluation will be built into the planning process to ensure that the Alliance meets its objectives. This proposal is consistent with the two Libraries strategic plans.

9. Conclusion

The Alliance has the potential for positive benefit to both universities, including the opportunity to enrich the joint serial collection by the addition of new titles. The Alliance also has political benefits at a time when cooperative activities between universities are being encouraged; it also has potential for expansion to the wider regional communities in South Australia and Western Australia. It is important to capitalise on these opportunities and to publicize the Alliance within the universities and in the wider community.

Signed by Arthur Ellis, Librarian, University of Western Australia and Ray Choate, Librarian, University of Adelaide.


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Last modified: August 18 2004.