Page 81 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes Introduction

In the previous unit, we dealt with the meaning, types and levels in Library Cooperation. The
sharing of library resources started with the concept of inter library loan, under which a library
can get a document from another library on loan for a certain period. It was followed by the
term “Library Cooperation”, but now in its revised and improved form it is called as “Resource
Sharing”. Today, it is called “Library Network” or “Library Consortia”, which is one of the
cooperative ways of sharing online resources. The inter library loan means sharing of the
resources of one library by the other libraries on demand, when they are needed by its user i.e.
sharing one’s assets with others. The purpose of this unit is to enable the students to comprehend
basic expressions. At the end of this unit, you should be able to understand the concept and goals
of Resource Sharing, the requirements for the organisation of Resource Sharing along with the
concept of Networking and the Library-Extension Services.

5.1 Concept of Resource Sharing

Librarians are very much familiar with library cooperation. The basic purpose of library
cooperation was to pool the resources of a group of libraries and use them to their optimum
level for the mutual benefit of all the participating (members) institutions. In fact, library
cooperation did manifest itself in different forms such as cooperative acquisition, centralised,
cataloguing and inter-library loan. All these were aimed at avoiding duplication of efforts on
the part of libraries and using the available resources optimally. Especially, interlibrary loan
did enhance the ability to obtain needed materials from other libraries. Thus, library cooperation
facilitated access to knowledge within, between and among the libraries.
Resource sharing, in fact, extends the scope of library cooperation to include certain reciprocity
and partnership in which each participant has something useful to contribute as well as to
receive from others. There is willingness and also the capability to make it available when
required. Efforts were made during the 1950s and 1960s to formalise the concept of resource
sharing largely because of inadequate library budgets and the sudden spurt in the cost of books
and subscription of periodicals.

5.1.1 Definition of Resource Sharing

Allen Kent provides descriptions to some of the concepts associated with resource sharing in the
following terms:
“Resource sharing in libraries is defined as a mode of operation whereby functions are, shared in common
by a number of libraries in its most positive effects. Resource sharing entails reciprocity, employing partnership
in which each member has something useful to contribute to others and in which every member is willing
and able to make available when needed. The term ‘Resource’ is used to designate any or all of the materials,
functions, services and the expertise of the professional and non-professional staff. Resource implies a thing,
a person or an action to which one turns for aid and help in time of need.”
Secondly; the term ‘Sharing’ implies apportioning, allotting or contributing something that is
owned to benefit others. It implies partnership for mutual benefit. Library Resources encompass
print and non-print materials as well as human resources that are eligible to be shared in ways
that enhance the quality of service.
With the elaborate explanation as provided by Allen Kent, it must be easy for: any one to
understand the meaning as well as the significance of the concept of “Resource Sharing”. Obviously,
it does not mean that individual identity of participating libraries would be affected in any way.
In fact, the gains of resource sharing are to be achieved without in any way adversely affecting

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