Library Cooperation and Resource Sharing: Some Lessons from the University of Botswana

Abstract

In the world that is characterised by shrinking economy, a library may not be able to effectively and suitably meet the information needs of all its users. Cooperation and resource sharing among libraries are therefore considered a sine qua non for effective performance. The paper notes that cooperation and resource sharing among libraries cannot be limited to materials, but need to be extended to skills and human resources. Drawing from experiences of the University of Botswana Library (UBL), this paper identifies some problems that could arise when cooperation disappears and division and dichotomy develops. The University of Botswana operates with limited physical infrastructures. This paper proposes that the high quality service the University of Botswana Library (UBL) achieves is driven by cooperation and resource sharing. The areas of strong collaboration include cooperation within the Library, the faculties of the institution, and cooperation at the national, regional and international levels. The benefits from cooperation and resource sharing are explored, and it is concluded that such practices determine the excellence of UBL.