Get it in writing: MOUs and library/IT partnerships

Abstract

Purpose

Increasingly academic libraries are partnering with other campus units to improve efficiency and to better serve students and faculty. This paper aims to focus on the importance of developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster a relationship between an academic library and IT unit. It seeks to identify what the MOU should include, pitfalls to be avoided, and lessons learned. It also proposes demonstrating how the MOU has been used as a model for other alliances and how, because of the MOU, a partnership has flourished.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will outline the steps taken that led to the successful MOU created by the Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) Libraries and University Information Technology Services (UITS.)

Findings

The paper finds that a well‐crafted MOU that allows for flexibility in ongoing decision making by service stakeholders permits partnerships to evolve and mature and creates the avenue for continued success and innovation.

Practical implications

This paper describes the execution and ongoing evolution of a successful partnership based on a MOU and commitment by the IUB Libraries and the central technology organization, UITS.

Originality/value

Libraries interested in entering into or strengthening partnerships with IT or other campus organizations can use the Indiana University experience and MOU as a model.

Citation

Mary Walters, C. and Van Gordon, E.A. (2007), "Get it in writing: MOUs and library/IT partnerships", Reference Services Review, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 388-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320710774265