Typical discussions of academic library resource sharing focus on activities between and among institutions: interlibrary loan, reciprocal borrowing, document delivery, group acquisitions, etc. But there is another equally important type of cooperation, i.e. working with other campus units to provide better service, more convenience, and enhanced resources for library users. Sometimes referred to as campus collaboration or convergence, this activity also advances institutional priorities, in

more »

... ticular that of student success. Library partners include information technology services, student development, writing centers, academic departments, and centers for teaching excellence, among others. This paper explores these relationships, their advantages and disadvantages, goals, the importance of assessment, project planning, etc. Types of collaboration are presented to illustrate the possibilities. The author concludes by encouraging cooperative activity of this nature, emphasizing the need to collaborate, not compete, with other campus units. We are encouraged to do so by library and university administrators and by our professional associations. Indeed, the Association of College and Research Libraries' (ACRL) Standards for Libraries in Higher Education specifically advises that "Library personnel [should] collaborate with faculty and others regarding ways to incorporate library collections and services into effective education experiences for students." 3 Further, as Ferer notes, "accountability and assessment are becoming more important on college and university campuses and libraries are being asked how they contribute to learning outcomes, recruitment, engagement, and retention both by their administration and by accrediting bodies." 4 In large measure, we can achieve success in these important areas by seeking partnerships with other academic units which share our goals of service, convenience, and student success. As we shall see, college and university libraries have done so in a variety of ways, with significant achievement in many instances.