RETHINKING BIBLIOGRAPHIC UTILITIES FOR LIBRARY CONSORTIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Israel R. Odede, Delta State University, Abraka

Document Type Article

Abstract

Bibliographic utility is a necessary prerequisite for effective library consortia which is a paradigm shift from the concept of individual ownership to a collective access of distributed network resources and knowledge. However, the aim of consortia to reflect a real transformation from library self-sufficiency to collaborative resource sharing by libraries is not fully exploited despite libraries constantly grappling with ever-escalating cost of scholarly resources and budgetary constraints. This paper critically examines bibliographic utility as a roadmap to increase library consortia for resource sharing. Literature reviewed indicated that significant bibliographic utilities and integrated library systems are factors that shaped and developed consortia activities in libraries. The paper also attempts to provide an insight into a new library consortia strategies that integrates librarians into a system of sharing both resources and knowledge.