United we stand: quantitative and qualitative methods to assess cooperation: The URBS libraries network: a case study
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the sustainability of cooperation models within research libraries networks in the humanities.
Design/methodology/approach
Changing research environment and budget constraints currently are the main challenges of research libraries networks: to cope with this pressure libraries need to build collective capacity through a strong model of collaboration and partnership and foster closer interaction between actors both from the library and the external world. In order to build effective and efficient cooperation models research libraries networks will first need to share a common vision and a well-focused organisation. Nevertheless, a multi-level approach should help them to identify their core functional requirements, the specialised needs of their users and a flexible cooperation structure able to maintain the financial sustainability of the system.
Findings
After illustrating the current challenges in the research libraries world, and how cooperation and collaboration issues have been connoting library management and activities, this work presents the methodology and the preliminary results of a research project which surveyed the URBS network, an international consortium of 12 libraries from academic and research institutions of several nations (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA) based in Rome, Italy.
Originality/value
This paper will be of interest and value to other research library networks or consortia with an interest in the development of new organisational models, and in the evaluation and assessment of their sustainability.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the staff of the URBS and URBS+ networks for enabling to visit their libraries, to access to their internal documentation, and to be actively involved in their meetings. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2013 QQML Conference in Rome, Italy, 4-7 June, www.isast.org/qqml2013.html
Citation
Gabriele Weston, P. and Vullo, G. (2014), "United we stand: quantitative and qualitative methods to assess cooperation: The URBS libraries network: a case study", Library Management, Vol. 35 No. 6/7, pp. 508-520. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-02-2014-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited