Library consortia allow libraries to share resources and achieve objectives through cooperation. They are a method for sharing electronic resources among libraries with common goals. Consortia provide advantages like access to a large number of resources at lower costs. They also facilitate functions like cataloguing, consulting, collection development, purchasing, digitization and resource sharing. Consortia are easily formed without requiring capital and allow flexible membership.

1. BY:
NKOSINGIPHILE ZUNGU
LIBRARY CONSORTIA

2. INTRODUCTION
 Libraries ought to ensure that they meet the
information requirements for their users.
 The user characteristics are put into
considerations as an important factor along
collection development. However, it is
impossible for each library to have all materials
that cover all the user’s expectations. This issue
calls for relationship to be established among
libraries.
 Libraries in a consortium achieve combined
objectives through cooperation and sharing of
resources (Yernagula and Kelkar, 2005: 1)

3. DEFINING CONSORTIA
 The library consortium is a method for
sharing electronic library resources among
libraries with common goals and mission
 (Singh and Rao, 2008: 14) add that the
library consortia help improve access to
information
 The library consortia is also called Big deal

4. FUNCTIONS INVOLVED IN LIBRARY CONSORTIA
 Cataloguing
 Consulting
 Continuing education
 Cooperative collection development
 Cooperative purchasing

5. FUNCTIONS INVOLVED IN LIBRARY CONSORTIA
CONTI…
 Digitization
 Integrated library system
 Physical delivery
 Resources sharing

6. ADVANTAGES OF CONSORTIA
 It is easily formed, no capital required
 Most of consortia allow participants to make
changes regarding their contractual
agreements
 Allow participants to terminate their
membership without following formal
procedures
 Provides a large number of resources at
lower costs

7. ADVANTAGES OF CONSORTIA CONTI…
 Facilitates the establishment of digital
libraries