[Prodev] Establishing Repository Libraries and Library Consortia in the Digital Age

[Robert Oakley]

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Given all the trends that are going on, increased resource sharing and the
development of repository libraries seems like an inevitability for many.

Margie asks what it will take to make it work.  That made me think that one way
to think about the possibility is to view it as a "library's library."  In other
words, there needs to be a sense of permanence and reliability.  There needs to
be appropriate funding.  There needs to be a place where people can go to use
the materials.  There needs to be staff.

The need for this kind of permanence and stability makes me think that  to be
successful such an effort will need to be pursued with greater resolve and
substantial institutional commitment to stay in for the long haul than has often
been the case in the past.  (With the possible exceptions of CLR and NELLCO.)

I am guessing that the likelihood is that there will evolve a pattern of
regional sharing/ repository libraries in some of the major cities - Boston, NY,
Washington, Chicago, St. Louis, Austin, Denver, Salt Lake, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Seattle to name some possibilities.  I guess it will succeed if the
libraries/law firms in those areas need the resources enough to get it organized
and set up the structure with staff and funding for long-term stability.

Bob


"Axtmann, Margaret M." wrote:

> Throughout the week we have talked about the implications of the virtual law
> library, the changing roles of librarians, and the expanded services we
> might provide in the future.  One thing that is clear from these discussions
> is that our view of the library collection is different.  Access versus
> ownership doesn't apply only to electronic resources, but also to older
> print materials.
>
> For a new view of shared collections and services, read these scenarios at
> http://www.aallnet.org/committee/scenarios.asp :
>
> #14     Academic - National and Regional Repositories/Print Resources
> #15     Private - Solo Librarian Consortium
> #16     State, Court & County - State, Court and County Regional Repository
>
> Many people think that resource sharing is a great idea in theory but one
> that seldom works in practice.  What will it take to create shared
> collections and services?  Is it feasible to establish consortia that
> include all types of libraries?
>
> Will law firms accustomed to on-site personal library services be willing to
> rely on the services of a consortium of librarians?
>
> Will law libraries that have traditionally had strong print collections be
> willing to rely on the shared resources of a regional or national
> repository?
>
> Two of these scenarios address the future of preservation functions in law
> libraries.  While many of us are making assumptions about who will be
> preserving what, shouldn't all types of law libraries consider preservation
> issues and share the responsibility to support this effort?
>
> ********************************************
> Margaret Maes Axtmann
> Associate Director for Information Resources
> University of St. Thomas Law Library
> 1000 LaSalle Avenue, TMH LL27
> Minneapolis, MN  55403-2005
> Voice: 651-962-4868
> Fax: 651-962-4910
> mailto:mmaxtmann@stthomas.edu
> ********************************************
>
> _______________________________________________
> prodev mailing list
> prodev@aallnet.org
> http://aallnet.org/mailman/listinfo/prodev

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