Collaborative Librarianship: New Light on a Brilliant Concept

Collaborative Librarianship

Volume 1 Issue 1 Article 1

2009

Ivan Gaetz Collaborative Librarianship, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Gaetz, Ivan (2009) "Collaborative Librarianship: New Light on a Brilliant Concept," Collaborative Librarianship: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1 , Article 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29087/2009.1.1.03 Available at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/collaborativelibrarianship/vol1/iss1/1

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Collaborative Librarianship: New Light on a Brilliant Concept

Ivan Gaetz ([email protected])

General Editor, Collaborative Librarianship and Dean of Libraries, Regis University

Abstract

Libraries around the world have enjoyed a remarkable history of working together. The present contexts of collaboration in other sectors of society, of a growing literature on collaborative management theory and practice, of the Colorado experience in library collaboration, constitute fertile soil that nurtures new initiatives in collaboration. No Brief Candle provides perspectives on the importance of collaboration for libraries of the 21st century. The new journal, Collaborative Librari- anship, builds on the great traditions of the past and seeks to promote library networking, cooperation and partnerships in new ways. Readers are invited to participate in this new venture.

Libraries and librarians working together is sources, asserts that collaboration will be the not a new concept or a new phenomenon. redefining principle of libraries in the 21st In fact, collaboration is at the heart of what century. He believes academic libraries in- libraries are about, and it has been for some creasingly will become multi-institutional time. As represented in any given sampling entities, and this change, moreover, is “not a of library mission statements, chief among passing phase in higher education. It is a their aspirations is the goal to provide access transformational period that requires inno- to information by bringing together a scope vation and risk.”1 While Henry’s statement of resources and services pertinent to the describes the context of academic and re- users of a library, a goal best achieved search libraries, I am convinced the applica- through partnerships of one kind or an- tion is much broader than that. It relates, as other. This is true for school libraries, public I point out later, to wider communities of libraries, special, academic, corporate, or libraries, and to those not only in America most any other type of library. Collabora- but around the world. If we are in a trans- tion occurs at a basic, minimal level where formational period that will lead to a fun- formal or informal understandings between damental and substantive change in librari- libraries permit reciprocal borrowing and anship, then a new journal should be part of interlibrary loan. Collaboration may be ac- the “tool chest” used to bring about the complished formally on a wider scale change. I will discuss, below, the historical through rather sophisticated interlibrary precedence of library collaboration, what loan agreements and delivery systems. On a changes might yet occur as libraries meet more elaborate level, even wider access to the radical shifts in society, and introduce a resources is achieved through extensive col- new and exciting adventure in library collaborative partnerships, consortium licenses, laboration. What follows covers (at risk of joint service programs and shared web- overdoing the metaphor): 1. Beacons from based technologies. the Past; 2. Illuminations of the Present Con- text; 3. No Brief Candle: Reflections and Fore- In what I regard as a paradigmatic and pre- shadows; and 4. A New Light: Overview scient statement, Charles Henry, President, and Invitation to Collaborative Librarianship. Council on Library and Information Re-

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libraries increasingly will thrive, or lan- 1. Beacons from the Past guish, or possibly even die, to the extent to which they capitalize on and expand oppor- Libraries around the world can boast a re- tunities for collaboration. markable history of working together. This rich past, both remote and proximate, truly Certain literature of the profession that also is cause for honor and celebration, a past has given voice to this crucially important that also constitutes, I believe, a reminder of aspect of librarianship deserves special men- partnerships that need to be strengthened tion. In additional to the occasional mono- and expanded. Leading lights from the graph, such as Collaborative Collection Devel- 8 past, of course, include from around the opment: a Practical Guide for Your Library, world the histories of the formation and over the past two decades, there have been successes of formal library associations, two journal publications that have dealt those remarkable organizations that repre- thematically with this topic in various sent the most enduring and extensive in- forms. Although there was one short-lived stances of library collaboration. Monographs journal published by Emerald, Library Con- 9 chronicling association histories abound.2 sortium Management: an International Journal, The library profession as a whole is in- a more substantial Haworth journal, Re- debted to those individuals and groups that source Sharing & Information Networks, has have produced these careful accounts. In been in publication now since 1983. This addition to formal professional associations, journal covers the crucially important mat- there emerged more recently various types ters of interlibrary cooperation. Its topics of library consortia. Sharon Bostick’s histori- span the operations of academic, public, cal overview of the development of aca- school and special libraries that address is- demic library consortia in the United States sues of interlibrary loan, cooperative collec- uncovered articles published in Library Jour- tion development, document delivery and 10 nal as early as the 1880s that encouraged “transborder dataflow.” Published in libraries to work together to share their col- both print and electronic formats, the jour- lections. Although it took several decades to nal weighs heavily on the side of technolo- see one of the first full-fledged academic gies that advance networking and resource library consortia come into existence, the sharing. However, it also encompasses vari- North Carolina’s Triangle Research Librar- ous personnel matters, budgeting and gov- ies Network formed in 1933, other initiatives ernance as they pertain to interlibrary col- in collaboration emerged earlier in regards laboration. Of course, this begs the question, to development of classification standardi- why another journal on library collabora- zation and cataloging services.3 The United tion? The answer to this, as becomes clear States did not corner the market, so to later in this article, will highlight some im- speak, of consortium development. Recent portant differences. Before moving to this articles trace the development of library col- discussion, however, an account of the pre- laboration in India,4 in Kenya,5 in the Neth- sent contexts giving rise to Collaborative Li- erlands,6 in Venezuela.7 brarianship will be helpful.

Leaders of regional and national library organizations, as a rule, appreciate and pro- 2. Illuminations of the Present mote library cooperation. For one, Dr. Context Camila Alire, President-Elect of the Ameri- can Library Association, 2009-2010, states in In 2003, Library Management, another Emer- an interview published in this inaugural ald journal, published a theme-based issue issue of Collaborative Librarianship that librar- entitled, “Information as the Currency of ies are at their best when they collaborate. Democracy”11 followed in the next issue Perhaps it is no exaggeration to suggest that with a set of articles on the topic, “Democ-

Collaborative Librarianship. 1(1): 1-12 (2009) 2 Gaetz: Collaborative Librarianship racy and the Management of Information.”12 stage, witness the creation and development Both publications stressed the important within the last 20 years of the European Un- role of libraries in advancing and enhancing ion. The “Treaty on European Union” the values and processes of democratic so- signed in Maastricht on February 7th, 1992, cieties. Democracy rises or falls on an in- brought about the shift from “European formed population, and an informed popu- Community” to “European Union.” This lation relies on full and, as much as possible, was followed by the establishment of a sin- free access to information. Libraries meet gle European market in January 1993, and this challenge by not only providing access the widespread use of the “euro” by January to a wide range of information, but they also 1, 1999.13 Even with all its tensions, compet- assist users in assessing the quality of that ing interests, histories, and any number of information. When the role of libraries is mitigating factors, this amazing interna- seen in terms of the fundamental character tional phenomenon of collaboration appears of social order and community develop- to be working. As much as the European ment, that role acquires a certain gravitas. Union represents a case of “thinking the un- In order best to achieve this goal, thereby thinkable,” so libraries should be encour- exemplifying the fundamental value of de- aged to think more broadly, more deeply, mocracy itself, it stands to reason that li- more effectively about collaboration. Along brary partnerships rise to a new level of sig- the same vein, though not as dramatic per- nificance. Better than any one single library, haps, in the United States, the creation of the groups of libraries together extend their Department of Homeland Security in 2003 scope of resources, better manage those re- ostensibly was for developing a mechanism sources, and make them available to inquir- for collaboration among all government en- ing citizens in the most appropriate ways. tities concerned with protection against for- In the present climate of increased social eign and domestic threats and to deal with instability, of severe economic stress, and disasters, natural and manmade. with new threats to national and community security, libraries can be and should be seen Advancement in library collaboration may more sharply as safe harbors of democratic also take its cue from the vast field of writ- rights and freedoms. My point is this: librar- ing on management theory and administra- ies collectively can and must be deemed a tion of various kinds that increasingly fo- fundamental good to free and democratic cuses on the importance of collaboration. A societies throughout the world. To this end, number of recent books deal precisely with library collaboration and the resulting ser- this topic.14 This shift in focus is captured vices and resources must be regarded as one well by the assessment of management of the enormous benefits of the “social con- theorists, Robert Agranoff and Michael tract” engaged by free and open societies McGuire. that actualize the greater human public good. In a climate of national distress and For the greater part of the twentieth cen- resulting protectionism of various types, tury, the processes of hierarchical man- and in a time of growing international dis- agement occupied practical and aca- trust, the power and potentials of greater demic attention. But such a focus cap- library collaboration must be exploited more tures too few of the challenges faced by fully. today’s managers. In the twenty-first century, interdependence and the sali- It is not surprising, then, that given social ence of information have resulted in an and political uncertainty, collaboration in environment where organizational and other sectors of society increasingly emerges sectoral boundaries are more conceptual as a desired and valued democratic ideal. than actual, and collaborative manage- There are fine examples of collaborations, rial responses are required to comple- and libraries could look to these to spur ment, and in some cases even replace, them on. For example, on the international bureaucratic processes.15

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While librarians and library administrators and respond individually because we have can learn much from leading thinkers on become interdependent on many levels.”18 collaborative management, it should be ac- knowledged that at least on practicalities, Over the past few years, but very dramati- libraries are already there. Libraries and li- cally throughout 2008, the United States and brary-supporting businesses and organiza- indeed the whole world has been thrust into tions have been practicing “collaborative very uncertain times. The specter of global managerial responses” for some time. How- economic recession is upon us. National and ever, there could be a much more deliberate international organizations have crumbled and fruitful dialog between libraries and or have collapsed altogether. Who knows other sectors of the general field of man- what effect the best efforts of governments agement studies to discover and probe in- will have in mitigating the crisis? Can our novative and exciting modes of collabora- social organizations and cultures survive in tion. In part, this is what Collaborative Li- their present forms? What changes are brarianship intends to explore. needed? While the origins of the immediate crisis are economic, undoubtedly the effect Being a further indicator of the emerging will ripple through all aspects of life and collaboration management paradigm, a new touch libraries and library organizations on magazine appeared just this past fall. every level—municipally, regionally and ICOSA Corporation released in September, nationally and internationally. Retreat, 2008, the first issue of ICOSA: Connection & downsize, consolidate, “wait and see” all Collaboration whose mission it is “to create seem to be today’s operative words. While dynamic cooperation, partnerships and as- the Bailey-Hainer and Forsman article was sistance among individuals, businesses, sparked by a downturn in public funding communities, governmental bodies and and a perceived change in the notion of the educational organizations to help foster public good in Colorado, library collabora- growth and change.”16 This glossy full-color tion, I am convinced, constitutes a basic magazine promises to popularize the prin- value that ought to thrive even in the best of ciples, values and importance of collabora- times. tion among all types of community agencies. Hopefully libraries will be among them. Suggested earlier, libraries have enjoyed a noble history of collaboration through its To narrow the discussion of the context giv- many formal associations of one type or an- ing rise to Collaborative Librarianship, in what other. In addition to these, library partner- I believe to be a pivotal article on academic ships and alliances of many kinks have been libraries (that also has implications for all formed to expand and promote library re- types of libraries), Brenda Bailey-Hainer and sources and services. Some fine examples Rick Forsman, caution that the survival of include the Alberta Public Library Electronic academic libraries will depend on “the abil- Network, OhioLINK, the California Digital ity of academic librarians to recognize the Library, and, of course, OCLC. The South- revolution [of reduced social investments in eastern Library Network (SOLINET), cre- higher education], then adapt rapidly and ated in 1973, serves almost 4,000 libraries of drastically.”17 In some respects, the revolu- all types in 13 states and territories of the tion is “all about the money,” but more U.S.A. Founded in 1935, BCR is the oldest broadly it also concerns a fundamental shift and one of the most established library co- in the notion of the public good itself that operatives in the United States. These or- encompasses the basic values and pursuits ganizations, and others, are leaders in li- of society. An important part of the recogni- brary collaboration and much could be tion and adaptability needed in all types of learned from their challenges and successes. libraries pertains in one way or another to collaboration. As Bailey-Hainer and Fors- Colorado libraries also have an impressive man suggest, “We cannot afford to think record of collaboration. Since its founding in

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1974, the Colorado Alliance of Research Li- der what this might hold for libraries and braries (the “Alliance”) has been committed librarianship. Crystal ball gazing may be to fostering partnerships among academic, fraught with risks and mistakes but when public and special libraries in Colorado and done by those with experience and wisdom Wyoming. Building on this vibrant, produc- the results can be helpful. tive heritage, in recent years the Alliance’s commitment to collaboration has taken on In August, 2008, the Council on Library and new force with the establishment of its Information Resources (CLIR), noted earlier, “Shared Collection Development Commit- published a report on the changing charac- tee.” On another front, over the past two ter of academic libraries of the 21st century. years, the development of the Alliance Digi- Twenty-four educators, publishers and in- tal Repository has resulted in a unique formation technology specialists from lead- multi-institutional digital repository re- ing American institutions of higher learning source and service.19 and supporting organizations earlier in the year pooled their insights and perspectives Realizing the need for greater cooperation on the future of academic libraries. Their beyond the Alliance among a wider swath findings, in my view, are profound and far- of academic libraries in Colorado, the Colo- reaching as they are radical and transforma- rado Academic Library Consortium (CALC) tional of academic libraries.23 They also ap- came into existence in 2001.20 One signifi- ply, in my estimation, not only to research cant insight grasped in the formation of libraries but also to many other types of li- CALC was the realization of an amazing braries that respond to a rapidly changing, quantity and quality of professional re- protean information culture. The overriding sources found within the individual libraries theme in all these findings is collaboration. of Colorado. It became one objective of the In what follows, I will highlight those asser- organization to provide opportunities for tions that emphasize the need for collabora- other libraries and their employees to bene- tion (which, incidentally, are most of them) fit more fully by sharing these human re- and suggest how they may apply to a wider sources.21 The “Summits” have become one spectrum of library resources and services. mechanism to do this.22 Another is the development of an online journal designed to First, libraries will need to balance better promote collaboration. CALC, from the be- their traditional mission of “conserving and ginning, has strongly supported the efforts preserving” with a new exigency for “risk of the Managerial and Editorial Board of and innovation.” The Report states, “Change Collaborative Librarianship as it has taken will require collective action, and such ac- shape over the past year and a half. tion will be impossible unless people are closer in spirit with regard to risk. We need In short, the contexts in Colorado and be- to experiment and develop opportunities for yond—the political, social, economic, man- work in new sectors or new alignments with agement and professional shifts and devel- different organizations.”24 With community opments—constitute fertile soil from which libraries rooted firmly in the public square, emerges a new journal on library collabora- perhaps this type of library can show aca- tion. demic libraries and special libraries the way forward in developing new partners within 3. No Brief Candle: Reflections the wider community. The mission of public and Foreshadows libraries, typically, relates to an understanding of the communities they serve, and the Enjoying an impressive history of collabora- best public libraries meet the changing tion, and given the present exigencies gen- needs of these communities in innovative erating a new spirit of collaboration in many ways—while maintaining an impressive sectors of society, one cannot help but won- array of traditional services. But even public libraries face a challenge to forge new and

Collaborative Librarianship. 1(1): 1-12 (2009) 5 Gaetz: Collaborative Librarianship better partnerships as they assert their le- ordinator”; “Director of Digital Initiatives”; gitimate and valued place in a liberal (in the “Metadata Strategist”; “Interoperability Li- best sense of the word) democracy. Not only brarian”; “Science Fluencies Librarian”; do changing information needs and expecta- “Media Fluencies Librarian”’ and “Business tions require new partnerships for the li- Fluencies Librarian.” All of these postings brary, but so the changing demographics emphasize collaboration, or “embracing and economies of the user communities re- change” or both. Of note as well, all require quire new morphologies and relevancies. the ALA accredited MLS (or equivalent) de- Libraries need to be able to change the na- gree. The CLIR panel further suggests that ture and scope of the resources they provide in order to meet the changing needs of li- and perhaps change even their organiza- brary users, libraries may have to expand tional structures as the need may be. Ex- the scope of accepted professional creden- perimentation, calculated risk and innova- tials and also to “consider sharing positions tion must demark the character of libraries with other institutions and to approach cer- of the 21st century. tain problems collectively.”27 The needs for new types of libraries will draw on the Second, academic libraries increasingly will process and benefits of library collaboration. move into the teaching-educating role that will require new relationships with stu- Fourth, the rise of digital scholarship pre- dents. A new-found autonomy among li- sents to libraries a new role in acquiring, brary users in creating and accessing infor- classifying, cataloging and providing access mation through the web highlights a greater to this type of material. The CLIR panel es- need for students to assess the quality and sentially sees digitization as an opportunity the appropriateness of information.25 Public for a new mode of cooperation between an libraries and special libraries, though for academic library and certain faculty mem- different reasons, along with the academic, bers, or, in more general terms, between a are faced with the challenge of redefining to library and a digital file creator. The creators their users their mission as partners in as- will need librarians for editing, structuring sessing and using relevant information. If and organizing the data, and for providing libraries do not do this, the Report suggests, perpetual access and preservation for these students, faculty and the general public in- types of especially vulnerable documents. creasingly will see the library as irrelevant. Librarians increasingly will need digital They can get information elsewhere, even if creators to help them understand the sub- it is not the quality information they need. ject-specific needs of the various types of digital data, to guide them in developing Third, the experts contributing to the CLIR standards for unique subject metadata, and forum suggest that the library workforce to gain insight into short-term and long- itself needs to be redefined in terms of new term research needs regarding digital files.28 library positions that will better enable col- Digital scholarship and digitization is not laboration between the library and the aca- the exclusive domain of academic libraries. demic institution as a whole.26 As this is Public libraries, too, like special and other true for the academic library, so it also is types of libraries, increasingly have become true for other types of libraries. In fact, this agents and creators of digital materials that, shift in career redefinition already has be- among other things, preserve the history of gun for various types of libraries. A scan of the communities they serve, and record and position openings posted in December, 2008, promote the cultures of that community. In on the Canadian Library Association “Li- Colorado, for example, the “Digital Images brary Careers” web site (covering all types Collections” of the Denver Public Library, of libraries) and on the The Chronicle of feature a vast array of digitized photographs Higher Education “Careers” web site (cover- and documents depicting the historical im- ing academic libraries) found the following ages of the American West. These collections positions: “Outreach and Development Co- are slated for inclusion in the Denver Public

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Library’s Digital Repository, a significant tion themselves to meet the needs of library collaboration project between the Alliance, users inasmuch as libraries are seen as cen- the Denver Public Library, the City of Den- ters that facilitate the collection and use of ver, and the entire State of Colorado.29 No diverse materials that include primary only do digital scholarship and record man- documents and unpublished sources. Public agement present the need for collaboration, libraries, especially in smaller communities, the medium itself constitutes an increasingly have long been meeting places for commu- effective means of collaboration, such as oc- nity groups, and perhaps the only viable curs at various levels through digital reposi- meeting place in some instances. Why not tories. position the public library as a repository for the documents (minutes, bylaws, reports, Fifth, the CLIR panelists argued that aca- and so forth) of those organizations that use demic libraries of the future will need to its meeting space? Developing more this develop partnerships of one kind or another collaborative function of the library can only with commercial organizations. These part- enhance the value of the local public library. nerships will become necessary for ensuring Corporate libraries, too, should facilities ongoing access to databases, for developing permit, could become meeting places for software tools needed for an increasingly groups and organizations that hold affinities complex web environment, and for ensuring with the mission of that corporation. Career- high quality intellectual content to commer- oriented college libraries (those of cooking cially available digital resources. In light of schools come to mind) could position them- this, the disturbing question is posed, “If selves as centers where neighborhood libraries fail to partner with commercial en- groups (such as culinary clubs) could meet tities to provide new services, will libraries to conduct their business.31 Possibilities for fall behind and become irrelevant?”30 Cast libraries-as-collaboration-centers are end- in larger terms, the imperative for all librar- less. In short, this type of collaboration ies becomes one of collaboration with the moves libraries increasingly from the role of commercial purveyors of web-based ser- collecting and purveying secondary re- vices in the interest of quality information sources (that is, published material) to being over against a preponderance of entertain- the center for creating, promoting, collecting ment and amusement. All libraries, not just and preserving primary resources (that is, the academic, have a stake in working more the stuff that published material is about). effectively and more intentionally with the commercial sector in quality and access as- And seventh, participants in the CLIR sym- surance. posium expressed strongly the view that academic libraries need to become more ex- Sixth, scholarly communication increasingly perimental in connecting with faculty and moves toward greater cross-disciplinary other entities of the institution. It is a call research and writing and values more and for all library managers to encourage li- more the process of scholarship as distinct brarians and support staff to think creatively from the product of scholarship, the pub- of ways to bring people together for learn- lished books and articles. As scholarship ing and scholarship. This improved, broader develops along these lines libraries must emphasis on collaboration will need a develop their own abilities to collect and change in fundamental thinking about li- purvey materials related to the process. brarians, a change from being the experts These materials include data sets, pre- and and guardians of collections, replete with post-publication reports and documents, their own vocabulary and grammar (some records of the various stages of writing and of it unintelligible to the general popula- editing, primary source material, and so tion), to an understanding of librarians as forth. Extending the scenario beyond schol- hosts and co-learners who use more intelli- arly communication, all types of libraries, gible speech and who develop services that and not only the academic, will better posi- more deeply welcome and affirm the inter-

Collaborative Librarianship. 1(1): 1-12 (2009) 7 Gaetz: Collaborative Librarianship ests and information needs of library users. Collaborative Librarianship publishes schol- Experimentation may take librarians out of arly and professional writing on the nature, their zone of comfort, and it will most cer- methodology, promotion, practice and con- tainly require considerably more energy and cerns of why and how libraries, librarians commitment than does maintaining the and library consortia work together and status quo.32 However, it is an exciting op- work with their partners to advance the portunity—and an imperative—for libraries creation, collection and dissemination of in a changing environment in a new time. information.

As suggested by the CLIR panel, all of the To advance this mission, Collaborative Li- characteristics of librarians and libraries brarianship is committed to scholarly, open well suited and positioned for the needs and access publishing. It is the only peer- challenges of the 21st century pertain to new reviewed, open access journal devoted ways of working together and working with solely to collaborative pursuits across the new and non-traditional partners. If there is broadest spectrum of librarianship that in- one dominant theme in all the insights and cludes public, academic and special librar- assessments in No Brief Candle, it is collabo- ies. ration. Of libraries that are most relevant and valued in the 21st century, collaboration b. Vision is the fuel that will cause the flame of learning, research and information to be that Collaboration is a fundamental value in the bright and burning light of knowledge in practice of librarianship. It takes many which the human good truly flourishes. forms, from in-house to consortia coopera- tives and beyond. In the development both of resources and in the provision of services, 4. A New Light: Overview and partnerships are crucially important, Invitation to Collaborative Li- whether formal or informal and in their brarianship other myriad manifestations. Collaborative Librarianship advances an understanding of The remarkable history of library coopera- the principles of why and how organization, the present exigencies for broader tions and persons work together to achieve partnerships and creative networking, and the greater good. Collaborative Librarianship the new modes of collaboration required to encourages and supports the expansion of meet the needs and interests of the 21st cen- partnerships within the library world, and tury academy and public square, lead to records and explores exemplars of collabo- Collaborative Librarianship. This new journal ration and probes the challenges encoun- embarks on the exciting adventure, noted tered. earlier, that Charles Henry envisions for library resources and services, one that truly Collaborative Librarianship critically examines builds on the grand traditions of the past, issues related to collaboration among li- but one that embraces the challenges of the brarians and libraries of any type, and be- future with its opportunities for innovation. tween libraries and library consortia and other organizations and agencies. Collabora- The statements of mission and vision of Col- tive Librarianship provides a forum for shar- laborative Librarianship provide a concise ing collaborative initiatives addressing both overview of what the journal is about and theory and practice and invites contribu- what it hopes to achieve. tions from around the world. The journal includes scholarly articles that are peer- a. Mission reviewed, a "From the Field" section for articles, essays and reports not peer-reviewed, a "Reviews" section that covers published materials, products and web resources that

Collaborative Librarianship. 1(1): 1-12 (2009) 8 Gaetz: Collaborative Librarianship promote collaboration, and a frequently up- journal explores social and political currents dated "News" section. Submissions to each and the theoretical foundations that form of these sections are welcomed. Please con- and direct the communities and societies in tact the section editor/s. which libraries exist and which affect devel- opmental trajectories of libraries. Sixth, c. Purpose while the journal celebrates the rich history of library collaboration and champions the Those involved in this venture strongly because of collaboration, it does not do so un- lieve Collaborative Librarianship is a journal critically. Not all collaboration has been ef- “whose time has come.” The time is now to fective. There have been feeble attempts and address explicitly, extensively and creatively failures in the past, and not every aspect of a broad array of issues and challenges that librarianship is suited for collaboration. Col- face librarianship today. As such, the jour- laborative Librarianship values and promotes nal sets out to accomplish a number of ob- thorough understanding, reasonable judg- jectives. ment and wise action.

First, it extends the scope of inquiry, schol- While these commitments are large and in arship and conversation beyond what is cur- some respects daunting, the point must be rently available in published form to include made that success in achieving them rests to collaboration between libraries and those a large extent on you, the reader, the profes- organizations and agencies outside the sional, the expert information specialist, and usual parameters. These include commu- all those who appreciate the need and value nity, government, business, non-profit, edu- of collaboration. As such, an invitation is cational, cultural agencies. Second, it draws extended to librarians, to support staff, to into conversation the theory and reflection administrators and to other community on collaboration found in the business partners to participate in this venture. And community, in the public and private sectors as a “work in progress”, Collaborative Librari- and in organization administration gener- anship looks to a skilled cadre of practitio- ally. Third, the journal espouses open access ners, leaders and visionaries for contribu- scholarly communication. Free, open access tions that will advance the mission and vi- to information not only is a fundamental sion of the journal. value of libraries, it also is key to expanding and promoting the theory and practice of d. Management collaboration in the broader library community. Fourth, collaboration not only pertains Contributors to the journal will join a re- to technology and the library systems ex- markable cohort of library leaders who al- ploiting that technology, it also pertains ready have lent their good name and their (and perhaps most importantly) to the hu- insights to Collaborative Librarianship. Our man dimension of librarianship. Thus, the Advisory Board assembled to date includes journal will cover, in addition to technology leading lights who not only value collabora- and related matters, a range of personnel tion, but who also practice and promote col- and human concerns, namely, professional laboration. I wish briefly to introduce them skills and development, staff structuring to you. and restructuring, critical and creative thinking, and a host of other human quali- ties that advance collaboration. Fifth, the

Stephen Abram, President, Special Libraries Association, 2008; Vice President, Innovation and Chief Strategist, SirsiDynix; Past-President, Canadian Library Association; Toronto, On- tario

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Camila Alire, President Elect, 2008-2009, American Library Association, 2008-2009, Dean Emerita, University of New Mexico and Colorado State University, and Past President, 2005, Asso- ciation of College and Research Libraries, Sedalia, CO

Brenda Bailey-Hainer, President and CEO, BCR; President-Elect, 2009, Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (of ALA)

Christie Brandau, State Librarian, Topeka, Kansas

Deirdre Brennan, Executive Director, Oak Park Public Library, Oak Park, Il.

Todd Carpenter, Managing Director, National Information Standards Organization (NISO), Bal- timore, MD

Timothy Cherubini, Director of Information Resources, Collections & Scholarly Communication, SOLINET, Atlanta, GA

George Jaramillo, Library Director, Taos Public Library, Taos, NM

Barbara Jeffus, School Library Consultant, President of the National Association of State Educa- tional Media Professionals, Sacramento, CA

Jesús Lau, President-Elect, 2008-2009, Mexican Library Association (AMBAC), Director, USBI, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico

David Stewart, President, 2008-2009, American Theological Library Association, Library Director, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN

Along with this roster of noted library and information specialists, Collaborative Librarianship draws on a talented Editorial and Managerial Board. Members include:

Section Editors: Pamela Blome, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (Reviews) Steve Fisher, University of Denver, Denver, CO (Scholarly Articles) Valerie Horton, Colorado Library Consortium, Centennial, CO (News) Joseph Kraus, University of Denver, Denver, CO (News) Michael Levine-Clark, University of Denver, Denver, CO (Scholarly Articles) Barbara Losoff, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO (Reviews) Chris Sugnet, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (From the Field)

Copy Editors: Janet Lee, Regis University, Denver, CO Greg Robl, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO

Technical Editors: Christopher C. Brown, University of Denver, Denver, CO Joseph Kraus, University of Denver, Denver, CO George Machovec, Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries, Denver, CO

General Editor: Ivan Gaetz, Regis University, Denver, CO (and Scholarly Articles)

Collaborative Librarianship. 1(1): 1-12 (2009) 10 Gaetz: Collaborative Librarianship

As the first issue is released in publication, Collaborative Librarianship continues devel- Wisconsin Library Association, 1966); Robert opment of its list of peer reviewers. Should W. Richmond, Shining the Light: a Centennial you wish to become involved in peer re- History of the Kansas Library Association (Hut- viewing, please contact Michael Levine- chinson, KS: Kansas Library Association, 2000); Clark or Ivan Gaetz via the journal’s web Oklahoma Library Commission, Oklahoma Li- braries, 1900-1937; a History and Handbook, Pub- site. If you wish to contribute items for published in Observance of the Thirtieth Anniversary lication in any of the sections listed (Schol- of the Organization of the Oklahoma Library Asso- arly Articles, From the Field, Reviews, or ciation (Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma Library News) please contact the section editor/s. Association, 1937); Margaret Peebles, ed., The Mississippi Library Association: a History, 1909- This introductory article, admittedly, has 1968 (Jackson, MS: Mississippi Library Associa- been a scattering of history, theory, present tion, 1968); Ruth Hale Gershevsky, PNLA 1909- practice and future prospects that touch on 1959: a Chronology and Summary of Fifty Eventful Years ([Seattle, WA]: Pacific Northwest Library many types of libraries and that recognize Association); Ellis E. Tucker, J. B. Howell and the international scope of libraries in gen- John D. Marshall, The Southeastern Library Asso- eral. Most importantly, though, this has ciation: Its History and Its Honorary Members, been an introduction and an invitation to 1920-1980 (Tucker, GA: Southeastern Library read, to explore and to contribute to the Association, 1980); Alston Jones Plummer, grand tradition of libraries in collaboration, North Carolina Library Association: Centennial and to join all of us who see the need and Handbook, 1904-2004 (Charlotte, NC: North opportunity to raise collaborative librarian- Carolina Library Association, 2004); Jane F. ship to new levels of significance within the Hindman, History of the Catholic Library Associa- tion: the First Sixty Years, 1921-1981 (Haverford, profession and within the communities that PA: The Association, 1983); Alma Dawson and libraries serve. Florence M. Jumonville, A History of the Louisi- ana Library Association, 1925-2000 (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Library Association, 2003); 1 Charles Henry, “Foreword” in No Brief Candle: Terence M. Hodges, The Southern Chapter of the Reconceiving Research Libraries for the 21st Cen- Medical Library Association: a Fifty Year History, tury (Washington, D.C.: Council on Library 1951-2001 (Nashville, TN: Southern Chapter of and Information Resources, 2008), v. the Medical Library Association, 2001). 2 Fine examples of Library Association histories 3 Sharon Bostick, “The History and Development include: Dennis Thomison, A History of the of Academic Library Consortia in the United American Library Association, 1876-1972 (Chi- States: an Overview” The Journal of Academic Li- cago: American Library Association, 1978); brarianship, Vol. 27, no. 2 (March 2001): 128-130. William Arthur Mumford, A History of the Li- 4 Sandeep K. Pathak and Neela Deshpande, “Im- brary Association, 1877-1977 (London: Library portance of Consortia in Developing Coun- Association, 1976); J. C. Mehta and N. N. Mo- tries—an Indian Scenario” The International In- hanty, 50 Years of Indian Library Association, formation & Library Review, Vol. 36, no. 3 (Sep- 1933-1983: Golden Jubilee (Delhi, India: The As- tember 2004): 227-231 sociation, 1983); Library Association of Singa- 5 Japhet N. Otike, “Library Cooperation in pore, Library Association of Singapore Silver Jubi- Kenya” Journal of Librarianship and Information lee, 1955-1980 ([Singapore]: The Association, Science, Vol. 21, no. 1: 36-48 1980); William M. Cochran, A Century of Iowa 6 Lourense H. Das, “Library Partnerships in the Libraries in Association: a History of the Iowa Li- Netherlands” School Libraries Worldwide, Vol. 8, brary Association, 1890-1990 (Des Moines, IA: no. 2 (2002): 82-93 Iowa Library Association, 1990); Merle Van de 7 Abul K. Bashirullah and Xiomara Jayaro, “Con- Klundert: Turn Back the Pages: a History of the sortium: a Solution to Academic Library Ser- Dunedin Public Library Association, 1890-2005 vices in Venezuela” Library Collections, Acquisi- ([Dunedin, NZ]: Dunedin Public Libraries As- tions, and Technical Services, Vol. 30, nos. 1 & 2 sociation, 2006); Benton H. Wilcox, The Wiscon- (March-June, 2006): 102-107 sin Library Association, 1861-1966 (Madison, WI:

Collaborative Librarianship. 1(1): 1-12 (2009) 11 Gaetz: Collaborative Librarianship

8 James Burgett, John Haar and Linda L. Phillips, When the Definition of ‘Public Good’ Collaborative Collection Development: a Practical Changes” The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Guide for Your Library (Chicago: American Li- Vol. 31, no. 6 (November 2005) 504. Bailey- brary Association, 2004). Hainer and Forsman were also key organizers 9 First appearing early in 1999, Haworth’s Library of the first “Summit” of the Colorado Aca- Consortium Management: an International Journal demic Library Consortium held in May, 2005, published eight issues. It ceased publication in that gave rise to the idea of developing a new late 2000. Noted particularly for its coverage of journal to deal with library collaboration. consortium development in various parts of 18 Bailey-Hainer and Forsman, 505. the world, the journal also dealt with general 19 See Peggy Johnston, Fundamentals of Collection issues of consortium management and devel- Development and Management, 2nd ed. (Chicago: opment of strategic alliances of libraries espe- American Library Association, 2009), 278 on cially as they pertain to technology. the Alliance Digital Repository. The Shared 10 For a comprehensive listing of articles and to Collection Development Committee is similar review abstracts, see: to the University of California’s Shared Collec- http://www.haworthpress.com/store/produc tions and Access Program as described by t.asp?sku+J121 Johnson, p. 275, except the Alliance’s Commit- 11 Library Management, Vol. 24, no. 8 (2003). tee spans various types of libraries and covers 12 Library Management, Vol. 25, no. 1 (2004). two states. For activities of the Committee, see: 13 See http://www.coalliance.org/index.php?option http://europa.eu/scadplus/treaties/maastric =com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=125 ht_en.htm for an account and chronology of 20 See the Colorado Academic Library Consor- the emergence of the European Union. tium web site: http://calcweb.org/ 14 To name a few: Anne Deering and Anne Mur- 21 I do not suggest that Colorado is unique in phy, The Partnering Imperative: Making Business developing mechanisms like this for library Partnerships Work (West Sussex, England: John collaboration. There are many organizations in Wiley & Sons, 2003); Raymond E. Miles, Grant the USA and around the world whose main Miles and Charles C. Snow, Collaborative Entre- objective is to encourage and facilitate library preneurship: How Communities of Networked collaboration. My point is simply to explain Firms Use Continuous Innovation to Create Eco- the Colorado context that gives rise to the de- nomic Wealth (Stanford, CA: Stanford Univer- velopment of the journal being introduced sity Press, 2005); Chris Huxham and Siv Van- here. gen, Managing to Collaborate: the Theory and 22 Other mechanisms to share personnel re- Practice of Collaborative Advantage (London: sources and work together more effectively are Routledge, 2005); Elizabeth Lank, Collaborative outlined in the “Strategic Agenda” of CALC. Advantage: How Organizations Win by Working See the PDF, “Strategic Plan” posted on the Together (New York: Palgrave, 2006). It is inter- CALC web site. esting to note that a quick scan of these publi- 23 See the report available online, cations revealed no reference to libraries or li- http://www.clir.org/pubs/abstract/pub142ab brary-supporting organizations. st.html 15 Robert Agranoff and Michael McGuire, Collabo- 24 No Brief Candle, 2. rative Public Management: New Strategies for Lo- 25 No Brief Candle, 2-3, 27. cal Governments (Washington: Georgetown 26 No Brief Candle, 3. University Press, 2000) 2. Agranoff’s and 27 No Brief Candle, 3. McGuire’s work will be followed by another 28 No Brief Candle, 3-4. from Georgetown University Press due in early 29 For a complete description of the collection, 2009, Rosemary O’Leary and Lisa Bingham, and to get a sense of the scope of collaboration, Eds., The Collaborative Public Manager: New Ideas see: for the Twenty-first Century. It promises a more http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/abo in-depth treatment of inter-organizational and ut.html interpersonal networks. 30 No Brief Candle, 5. 16 See: 31 Perhaps, and hopefully, this already occurs, in http://www.icosamag.com/information/defa which case an article on the topic would be ult.asp?NavPageID=71962 most welcomed by Collaborative Librarianship. 17 Brenda Bailey-Hainer and Rick Forsman, “Re- 32 No Brief Candle, 6. defining the Future of Academic Libraries:

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