Librarianship Cooperation in the Field of Rare and Ancient Book, New Opportunities for the Padua University Libraries System

Abstract

Cooperation has a long tradition in the working attitude of librarians. During the past 100 years words as collaboration, co-operation, resource- sharing have crossed and influenced all the main activities in the libraries. One of the oldest traditions in library cooperation has been the sharing of bibliographic information. Technology became the dominant factor in the design of cooperative systems for the acquisition, control and mobility of materials (OCLC, RLG). In the last years the main incentives to cooperate seem to be the rising material costs, and the proliferation of materials to purchase. A recent re-organization of the Padua University Libraries System (PULS) in 11 “Poli” offered the opportunity to establish an “Ancient and Special Collection Polo” with a coordinator (the researcher) and a small team of librarians managing the ancient and rare collections scattered in 50 libraries. Furthemore during the last 10 years formal relationships have been established with all others libraries of the city, almost all very rich in rare and ancient books. Nowadays they all share the same OPAC and some facilities in the ILL domain. In this context and in field of rare books and special collections, next step will be a mid-term planning of new activities, where cooperation should be one of the cornerstone. The rationale for selecting this particular problem is the researcher’s main working activity as coordinator of the Ancient and special Collection Polo in Padua University Libraries System and her commitment in planning future activities and the development of this particular Polo. To this end the project will provide information to allow the top management to develop a strategical, specific mid-term plan in the general context of the PULS.