Weaving the fabric of library collaboration: Reflections on recent OCLC Research findings

Collaboration can be an important strategy for libraries as they seek to reduce redundancies, leverage complementarities, highlight their strengths, and find pathways through emerging facets of the library mission. OCLC Research has built an extensive body of work on library collaboration that explores this topic from a range of perspectives, including collaboration across institutions and within institutions; collaboration in key areas of library strategic interest, including research data management, specialized collections, and public librarianship; data-driven analysis to support identifying and managing collaborative opportunities; and collaboration as a key pillar for visions of the a New Model Library of the future. This presentation will weave together findings from these studies to offer a foundation for a deeper understanding of the strategic decision of choosing collaboration, how to make it successful and sustainable, and its enduring relevance for 21st century libraries.