Abstract:
This article examines the main lessons learnt from other countries to aid in accelerating the
development of library consortia in Zimbabwe. The study explored the development of library
consortia in southern Africa, other parts of Africa and countries outside Africa. The study
used a survey research method as a single research design. The survey design allowed
for methodological pluralism. The study sought to generate knowledge on the experiences
of other countries in developing library consortia for nationwide access. The main research
question driving the study is “What lessons can Zimbabwe learn from the successes and
challenges of library consortia in southern Africa and elsewhere to construct a model that
will support the country’s national development agenda?” The research sites for this study
were academic libraries subscribing to the Zimbabwe University Library Consortium (ZULC)
and the College and Research Library Consortia (CARLC). The researcher selected 10
members from the ZULC and five members from the CARLC as research sites. The lessons
drawn from other countries were used as the basis for developing a library consortia model
for Zimbabwe. Lessons on library consortia developments with regard to experiences,
challenges and opportunities have been drawn, and an integrated multifaceted model is
suggested for Zimbabwe to develop a national consortium providing for nationwide access.
The study recommends that there should be a special investigation into the establishment
of the general consortium, involving representatives from public, school, and other special
libraries. Developing and consolidating structures for connecting the library consortia are
necessary to ensure the effective and successful operationalisation of the federated model.
