Abstract

The paper investigates the prospects and challenges of library collaboration in the era of global change. It delved into the purpose of establishing libraries and concept of library collaboration. The paper evaluate collaboration as a process where two or more libraries work together to achieve common goals. It analyses collaboration as a global trend where libraries share open resources and engaged in networking activities. It discusses rationale to collaboration by drawing examples from stakeholder engagement, feasibility study, capacity building, people, organization and change. The paper examines prospects of collaboration among libraries which includes application of ICT in collaboration, cost saving, advocacy and collective voice. It identifies some challenges that hindered effective collaboration among libraries like funding challenges, lack of motivation, lack of ICT skills, resistance to change and cultural differences. It recommends that libraries be given adequate financial backing by governments and NGOs to generate and share knowledge through collaboration. They should also train their librarians on embracing change in order to attract more collaborative opportunities for their libraries.