Collaborative Futures is a multi-phase project of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) to investigate and implement shared library system platforms across Ontario’s academic libraries. This initiative presents new possibilities for collaboration and builds on an established history of cooperation. The team for the project principally consists of representatives from OCUL member libraries, in addition to OCUL staff.
Over the past year, the project team has been setting the stage for potential procurement and implementation of a consortial system. This has included gathering user requirements, drafting initial agreements and policies for such a system, and engaging the library technology market.
A panel of project team members will discuss their experience with the project, including opportunities and challenges of contributing to consortial work, what has been accomplished so far, and the road ahead.
Outcomes:
– Experience of working in teams across institutions and functional areas.
– Balancing contributions to a consortium and institutional activities.
– The collaborative opportunities that lie ahead for Ontario’s academic libraries.
