Collaboration in New Zealand tertiary libraries : an exploratory study

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the present state of collaboration between New Zealand tertiary libraries. The move away from market driven behaviour towards a more co-operative tertiary sector is having an effect on how libraries function. This can be seen in the formation of shared library computer systems and regional reciprocal borrowing agreements. Despite this, there has been no investigation of collaboration specifically targeting tertiary libraries. This study intends to go some way in amend this lack of information by examining collaboration in tertiary libraries and librarians' attitudes towards it. A self administered mixed methods survey was posted to every library manager in the 68 tertiary libraries identified in New Zealand Contacts in Libraries and Information Services. The response rate reached the targeted 50% return rate. Upon return, the respondent's answers were coded to allow for the interpretation and presentation of the information. The research found that the majority of tertiary libraries were collaborating (87.9%) in some form, and the respondents (78.8%) felt that collaboration would continue to increase from its present rate. Three types of collaboration dominated the results: joint licensing agreements (19.8%), reciprocal borrowing (19.8%), and acquisition purchasing agreements (18.6%). These ventures were initiated by directives from the libraries own institutions, or by the formal and informal gathering of librarians where collaboration was used to solve a variety of problems. Once initiated, these ventures are often informally constructed, with only 9.9% having a written policy and 22.2% having a written contract. Despite identified barriers such as a lack of resources, and the need to give priority to local user needs, libraries continue to collaborate in an effort to increase the services and collection available to their users.