Library co‐operation on a European scale

Abstract

There is always a limit to the services a library is able to supply. One of the ways to improve the service provision is co‐operation with other libraries. An interlibrary loan service is a well‐known system of library co‐operation. Visits to other libraries and discussions with colleagues can be useful, but the most far‐reaching form of library co‐operation is to co‐operate in a joint library project. The European Business School Librarians' Group—founded in 1970‐started with an exchange of information between its participants. Very soon joint library projects were undertaken of which SCIMP: European Index of Management Periodicals is still ongoing. The members of this group were very enthusiastic in the beginning and emphasized that it was a working group. After some time a change in approach by most participants could be observed. Group performance just went on with an emphasis on library visits at the annual meetings of the Group rather than on discussions on subjects of interest. Recently new projects have been proposed and many older members have been replaced by new ones, bringing new life to the group. If individuals will be prepared to invest time and perhaps money, they might benefit on behalf of the service provision of their own libraries.

Citation

Oort, B.B. (1992), "Library co‐operation on a European scale", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 44 No. 1, pp. 47-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb051246