A joint university library: vision and reality
| Published date | 30 December 2011 |
| Date | 30 December 2011 |
| Pages | 95-103 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121211203356 |
| Author | Christina Flemming |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
A joint university library:
vision and reality
Christina Flemming
Tritonia Academic Library, Vaasa/A
˚bo Akademi, Vaasa, Finland
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse a Finnish model of cooperation between
universities – a joint university library.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a case study. The vision for the joint university
library Tritonia, the reality when the libraries of three universities merged in 2001 and the new
merging in 2010, when two more universities joined the library cooperation, is discussed. Key factors
of quality management in a joint bilingual library are analysed.
Findings – The synergetic effects of such a library are numerous when it comes to: the access to
printed collections; the role of the library as a social place and meeting spot for students, staff and the
public; the available services; and the networking between languages and universities. No synergetic
effects have so far been achieved when it comes to e-resources.
Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on experiences of one joint library.
Practical implications – The paper presents an existing model for cooperation in a joint
multilingual library.
Originality/value – The paper focuses on a new model of library cooperation between universities.
Keywords University libraries, Finland, Jointlibraries, Mergers, Library management,
Quality management,Visions
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
The Nordic library model is based on a democratic society where libraries are part of
the welfare accessible to all citizens. Free and open access to information is an
important cornerstone of the democratic society. All publicly funded libraries are open
to everyone. Finland has very advanced and well-working library networks. Of the
inhabitants 80 per cent use public library service. The schools’ library service is often
arranged in cooperation with the public library or – more rarely – as a separate school
library. The libraries are mainly financed by public means from the State and the
municipalities – the basic service is free for everyone, while special services and failure
to return loans in due time, for example, are subject to a fee. The public school system
offers publicly financed basic education for everyone in Finnish or in the minority
language Swedish, all the way up to university level. Most of the young Finnish
university students are experienced library users since childhood and demand full
service from the libraries they frequent. Especially students learn quickly how to use
all kinds of libraries, which means that the public libraries and the university libraries
partly share the same customers. Lifelong learning has brought new customers to both
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
A version of this paper was originally presented at the QQML 2011 International Conference in
Athens, Greece, 24-27 May 2011. The author is grateful to Ann-Sofie Ka
¨llund for translation into
English.
A joint
university
library
95
Received 22 August 2011
Accepted 15 October 2011
Library Management
Vol. 33 No. 1/2, 2012
pp. 95-103
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435121211203356
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