Initiatives towards formation of academic library consortium in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to report on several initiatives towards formation of national consortium among academic libraries in Malaysia. The consortium focused on subscription of online databases.

Design/methodology/approach

In July 2004, CDC on behalf of PERPUN members made several initiatives towards formation of national consortium of Malaysian academic libraries. Proposal paper on the formation of the consortium has been submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education. Through “loose consortia” formed, CDC and later known as Malaysian Online E-Resources Consortium (MOLEC) succeeded in negotiating for subscription of online databases and was able to get financial aid from the Ministry of Education to subscribe several databases since 2002.

Findings

A commercial databases committee (CDC) was formed in year 2000 as a platform for academic libraries to evaluate, select, negotiate and manage the online databases. Complications involved in online databases subscriptions such as cost increase, license agreement, various formats of usage statistics, merger and takeover of publishers have made PERPUN (Malaysian Standing Conference of National and University Libraries) realize that there is a need for a formal consortium to be formed.

Research limitations/implications

An improved service was established for the benefit of the academic libraries in Malaysia.

Practical implications

A more coordinated approach to consortial dealings is being established in Malaysia.

Originality/value

This is a report on the process and outcomes.

Citation

Mohd, H., Yusof, R. and Umar, R. (2014), "Initiatives towards formation of academic library consortium in Malaysia", Library Management, Vol. 35 No. 1/2, pp. 102-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-06-2013-0046

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