From library co-operation to consortia : comparing experiences in the European Union with the Russian Federation

Abstract

Copeter is one of the few Tempus/Tacis projects about consortium building: bringing libraries together in a consortium in order to achieve common goals. This article will attempt to answer three main questions: 1. What factors create good library co-operation? 2. What are the conditions for success? 3. Is the Copeter consortium fulfilling these requirements? Tempus is a European Community (EC) programme for the development in higher education systems through co-operation in three specific regions in/or adjacent to Europe: the Balkan countries (CARDS), the Mediterranean countries (MEDA) and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (TACIS). Copeter is a project for co-operative management of electronic document provision between three universities in St. Petersburg (Russia). The partners are: ● Russia • St. Petersburg State Technical University (STU), project co-ordinator • Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University (ETU) • St.Petersburg State University of Economy and Finance (FINEK) ● European Union • University of Antwerp (UA), Belgium, project contractor to the EU • Maastricht University (UM, Netherlands The Copeter project (2002-2004) has five tracks: • Consortium building in general • Library and consortia management • Union catalogue • Electronic document ordering • Electronic document supply