Digital Library Consortia in the 21st Century

Abstract

The article outlines the initiatives of the local consortia of the eight academic institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) of the Hong Kong SAR Government. The role and services that this consortium provides for its members, especially with respect to consortial electronic purchasing agreements and joint licensing, are examined. The paper addresses many of the problems, difficulties, and challenges within consortia when coping with their internal needs, facing the need to both cooperate and compete with other consortial members, and making individual and consortial decisions in an environment of increasing budgetary constraints and technological advances. Case studies are used to illustrate each of the challenges mentioned above.

Key Words:

• Library consortia
• consortia challenges
• consortia purchase
• JULAC (Joint University Libraries Advisory Committee)
• collaborative collection development
• resource sharing