How Libraries Gain Impact Through Collaboration and Partnerships

Technology strategies based on increased collaboration among libraries lead to the most effective path for libraries to increase their impact on their communities. The rise in shared systems has been one of the hallmarks of the last decade. Shared infrastructure among consortia and networks dramatically increase the scale of materials available to local communities and can yield substantial financial savings and operational efficiency compared to standalone systems. Growing partnerships among libraries also drive increased means for resource sharing across of print and electronic resources. Collaboration with vendors likewise leads to development and deployment of the technologies that support these strategies. Partnerships with community members and local organizations can also help libraries deliver services with deeper impact.  Breeding will show examples of each of these trends and discuss how libraries of all types can overcome obstacles to engage in strategic partnerships that benefit both the broader library community and their own organizations.