Library cooperation refers to the sharing of resources between two or more libraries. It allows for a more comprehensive collection, avoids duplication, and reduces costs. Areas of cooperation include inter-library loans, cooperative acquisitions, cataloging, and more. Barriers to cooperation include inadequate funding, outdated technology, lack of standards, and reluctance to participate. However, the future of library cooperation involves sharing expertise and people to take advantage of current opportunities for sharing resources.

1. Manu Kumar K M
IInd MLISc
DOS in LIS
Manasagangotri, Mysore.

2. An interchange is usually between two or
more institutions involving a temporary exchange of
resources, while an exchange will involve cooperation
on a wider scale, to include exchange of all kinds of
materials, exchange of information, user access to
participating libraries, sharing of bibliographic Catalogs,
union lists, and other bibliographic utilities, and
cooperative training Programs of personnel of
participating libraries.
Simply defined, library cooperation refers to a
reciprocally beneficial sharing of resources developed
or pre-existing by two or more libraries.

3. Need for library cooperation
 Multiplicity of documents in different subjects, languages
and formats;
 Development of new subjects and subject specialization;
 Increase of reading community and information seekers;
 Diversity of user groups and their information needs;
 Demand of pinpointed, expeditious information services;
 Increased access to information and services at existing cost;
 Access to existing information and services at less cost;
 Increase in Quantity/Cost;
 Demand for expertise and rare documents;
 Space constraint;
 Budget constraint.

4. Areas of library cooperation
 Inter-library loan
 Cooperative acquisition
 Specialized purchasing programs
 Centralized processing
 Shared Cataloguing
 Sharing of bibliographical data
 Centralized periodical collection for loan purposes
 Cooperative microfilming
 Preparation and maintenance of union catalogue and
union list of serials
 Exchange of publications

5. Advantages of Library Cooperation
 A comprehensive collection is possible
 Avoidance of duplication of non core collection
development among the participating libraries.
 Reduction in the cost of information services
 Quality of services is enhanced
 Facilitation of the use of common library system
 Promotion of best practices
 Implementation of staff skills development
programmers.
 Improving the mobility of data
 Flow of information among special information centers

6. Barriers of library cooperation
Inadequate funding
Limited personnel
Outdated technology
Lack of standards
Insufficient knowledge
Fear of loss
Copyright issues
Negative attitudes
No tradition of cooperation or Reluctance to participate
Other challenges

7. Conclusion
The future of library cooperation is best
characterized as a movement from the sharing of
“things” to the sharing of “people and expertise.” This
is possible because of the current environment for
sharing traditional library resources. The library council
is actively seeking ways to become more intrinsically
involved in the discussions and plans of teaching,
learning, and technology initiatives.