library european university institute library consortia structure and governance in europe tommaso...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Consortia:
transitory solution or a model for a long term prospective?
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
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
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
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
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Key Aspects Key Aspects
• Scope and Geographical Dimension• Mission and Policy • Core Programme• Infrastructure• Financing• Structure and Governance
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)
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
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………..
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)
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
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’
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
Models Models
Centralised
National Regional
Decentralised
loose federation (informal)
highly structured (legal entity)
governmental agency
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
GovernanceGovernance
COUNCIL
(Policy)
Mangement Board
Subject
Groups
Admistrative &
Technical supportIT
InfrastructureConsultants
SPONSORING
BODY
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)
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)
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
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
T. Giordano. “Library Consortia Models in Europe: a Comparative Analysis”. Alexandria, 14 (1), 2002, p.41-52
European University Institute LibraryLibrary
….finally my favourite consortium...