Library consortia in developing countries: an overview

“Library consortia” refers to co-operation, co-ordination and collaboration between, and among, libraries for the purpose of sharing information resources. The purpose of this paper is to review consortia efforts in developing countries. The paper reviews the literature on library consortia in developing countries in general and India in particular. It also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of consortia. The literature review reveals that libraries in developing countries have been working on consortia at national, regional and international level. However, some barriers such as poor technological and communication infrastructure, inadequate finances, culture and context, attitudes toward consortia and multiple efforts are reported to be limitations of consortia activities in developing countries.