Download - European University Institute Library
![Page 1: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Consortia Structure and governance
in Europe
Tommaso Giordano
Deputy Director, EUI Library, Florence
Thessaloniki 3 October Thessaloniki 3 October 20022002
4th E- ICOLC 4th E- ICOLC International Coalition of Library International Coalition of Library
Consortia in EuropeConsortia in Europe
![Page 2: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
In this presentation In this presentation
Emerging consortia models in Europe Key factors influencing their evolutionMain organisational components affecting their
structure and governance
![Page 3: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Consortia:
transitory solution or a model for a long term prospective?
![Page 4: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
ScopeScope
Survey on consortia initiatives in 28 European countries:18 countries in Western Europe and the European
context10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe
![Page 5: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Consortia for e- resource Consortia for e- resource
Consortia as library networks for sharing resource (union catalogues, ILL, e-resources)
Consortia for purchasing and management of e- licenses, established by the libraries
Consortia for selling e-services to the libraries organised by information providers
![Page 6: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
General TrendsGeneral Trends
• Persistence of the gap between the different areas (North, Central Eastern and South)
• Discrepancies are arising in the same area and/or countries
• Situation at initial stage in several Eastern European countries
• Fragmentation of the initiatives in some countries
• Convergence of the initiatives at national level
• Emergence of broader alliances at international level
• The relevance of OSI/ e-IFL programme in Eastern Countries
![Page 7: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Influential Factors in the European ContextInfluential Factors in the European Context
Different political systems (centralised/decentralised)Different economic and social situations (West/East)Different size of the countriesDifferent library practices and policies (i.e. co-
operation, investments)Different educational/university systems and policyScarce availability of e-publications in non English
languages
![Page 8: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Key Aspects Key Aspects
• Scope and Geographical Dimension• Mission and Policy • Core Programme• Infrastructure• Financing• Structure and Governance
![Page 9: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Scope and Geographical DimensionScope and Geographical Dimension
• Consortia conceived and developed at national level • Or: Started at local level with a later shift to the national level • Regional consortia (Spain, Germany &c.)• Involvement of national and public libraries mainly in small
countries• General tendency toward larger strategic alliances
(interconsortia initiatives at national and international level)
![Page 10: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Mission and Policy Mission and Policy
• Few consortia articulate a clear vision or strategy
• Some provide a wide range of library services
• Some are just ‘buying clubs’
• Few have developed their own licence model
• Focus on big international publishers
• In some cases (mainly in Northern Europe) consortia are strongly connected with larger national digital programmes
![Page 11: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Core programmeCore programmecataloguing ILL and EDDinfrastructure (i.e. IT) collections developmente-licensesportals and user interfaceTOC’straining programmese-resource preservationacademic e-publishingdigital conversion………..
![Page 12: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
InfrastructureInfrastructure
• Most consortia have a minimal infrastructure
• Some have central staffing
• In other cases, support is provided by one of the participating libraries
• In some cases administrative and technical support is provided by a central body involved in the programme (i.e. national library or central agency)
• Most consortia outsource services (technical support and expertise)
![Page 13: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
FinancingFinancing
• Very few are completely self- financed by participating libraries
• Most are partially supported by special funds
• Others are strongly supported by central funds
• Special funds are provided by national, regional or research agencies
• Different invoicing and accounting procedures
![Page 14: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Structure and Governance Structure and Governance
• Library networks and “new consortia”
• Variable dimensions (from 5/6 to 100 and more libraries)
• Few consortia as corporate legal entities
• Most based on memoranda of understanding/ informal agreements
• Governance and decision-making mechanisms in many cases are extensive (complex) and ‘participative’
![Page 15: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Models Models
Centralised
National Regional
Decentralised
loose federation (informal)
highly structured (legal entity)
governmental agency
![Page 16: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
GovernanceGovernance
COUNCIL
(Policy)
Mangement Board
Subject
Groups
Admistrative &
Technical supportIT
InfrastructureConsultants
SPONSORING
BODY
![Page 17: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Emerging ModelsEmerging Models
National centralised model • National strategy (and/or involvement of national library)
e.g. FINELIB, COBISS
National decentralised model• Begun as a limited group with gradual development at
national level; e.g. COUPERIN
Regional model (centralised or decentralised) • Regions (eg: land, canton, regione &c.); e. g. University Library
Consortium of Catalunya (CBUC)
![Page 18: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
ConclusionConclusion(strategy)(strategy)
• Political systems (centralised-decentralised) have a strong influence on library co-operation policies
• Fragmentation in the absence of national strategies
• Central/special funding support and policies are key factors for consortia development
• Little consideration of using consortia as publishing partners for university research output
• Emergence of transnational alliances (e-IFL, Gasco, SELL)
![Page 19: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
ConclusionConclusion(structure)(structure)
• Legal status as prerequisite for long term ( and larger) programmes
• Decision procedures are slow in many cases
• Significant overheads and management costs
• Centralised solutions appear more cost effective
• Increasing devolution of responsibility from libraries to consortia
• Many consortia seem transitory in nature
![Page 20: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
T. Giordano. “Library Consortia Models in Europe: a Comparative Analysis”. Alexandria, 14 (1), 2002, p.41-52
![Page 21: European University Institute Library](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022062408/56813a21550346895da1fe71/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
….finally my favourite consortium...