TRLN PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION

The libraries at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are committed to the development of a comprehensive, interconnected set of information resources and services benefiting student, staff, and faculty clienteles at each institution. Through consortial effort, results can be achieved greater than those any single library might accomplish on its own and both individual and common agenda can be advanced. This commitment to consortial effort is embodied in the following statements and is the basis of the organization's goals, programs, and priorities.

 Clienteles
  • Each TRLN library serves every student, staff and faculty member of the four TRLN institutions.
  • The collections of the TRLN institutions represent a combined resource available to the clienteles of all member libraries.
Cooperative Programming
  • TRLN's shared vision may require changes in individual library programs in order to advance the common good.
  • TRLN is committed to the realization of innovative services.
  • TRLN programs and initiatives do not preclude nor interfere with individual library involvement with other consortia, associations, or organizations in keeping with a member library's mission.
  • TRLN cooperative activity need not include every member library.
Program Integration
  • TRLN strives to provide comprehensive and seamless access to the information resources and services available at and through each of its member institutions.
  • TRLN strives to increase program quality and to reduce costs of member library operations in the provision of like services.
  • Integration of programs and processes may be pursued to expand services or improve their quality or to broaden access to materials. 
  • When possible, TRLN functions as a defined single entity in its negotiation of contracts and licenses on behalf of its member institutions. 
Participation
  • Members of TRLN councils and committees view issues from a consortial perspective in addition to advocating individual campus or library positions.
  • Strong support for consortial programming is engendered at every level of the member institutions.
  • To pursue timely and effective collaboration, members assure the availability of clearly defined decision-making mechanisms within their libraries and institutions and for the consortium.
  • TRLN's programs and activities are integrated into member library operations wherever possible.
Staffing
  • To realize program objectives, sharing of personnel and expertise among TRLN member libraries is encouraged.
  • Member libraries provide time, training and support for staff to participate in TRLN work, recognizing and rewarding their involvement.
  • TRLN institutions provide support for employment of central staff.
  • Central staff members are seen and see themselves as employees of each TRLN institution.
  • Staff positions in addition to those resident in the central office may be funded jointly by member institutions.
Funding
  • Support for TRLN activities consists of membership dues, grants and other external funding, and allocation of member library resources for special projects and new initiatives. 
  • TRLN will offer its members a range of funding models for support of project activity.
  • Assessments or fees may be levied on benefiting libraries for use of services not of interest or of relevance to the entire membership.
  • Resources for integrated programs, services, and collections are earmarked within the central TRLN budget and in individual member library budgets.
 Communication
  • Member libraries and the TRLN central staff actively publicize to students, faculty, staff, and the general public the consortium's mission and its programs and services through coordinated public relations efforts and branding.
  • Consortial officers, council and committee members, and central staff will regularly inform staff of member libraries about the purposes of the organization and the work in which it is engaged.
Planning and Evaluation
  • The consortium is committed to identifying strategic opportunities and to planning programs that will further teaching, learning, research, and service.
  • Programs and services provided by the organization are regularly assessed to assure that benefits realized are in keeping with resources expended.

Triangle Research Libraries Network  CB#3940 Wilson Library, Suite 712 Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
Phone: (919) 962-8022  Fax: (919) 962-4452

Page maintained by Patti Pittman
last revised October 2006