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Building Libraries & Library Additions: Joint-Use Libraries

A selection of tools, resources, and advice to help you manage your library building project, whether large or small.

Joint-Use Libraries

Icons of people and a building with text that reads: Joint-Use LibrariesJoint use libraries, also known as combined libraries, dual use libraries, integrated libraries, co-managed libraries, or cooperative libraries, are a special form of library cooperation. Joint-use libraries are those where two separate library service providers use the same building to serve distinct clienteles. Such libraries are most often public libraries combined with school library media centers or public libraries combined with academic libraries, but other types exist.
 



This guide provides resources on joint-use libraries, including a bibliography and online resources as well as resources on the most common joint-use library types - public libraries combined with school libraries and public libraries combined with academic libraries.

General resources and checklists

The most common reason librarians (or trustees of libraries) contact us is for information as background for a discussion on whether to pursue a joint-use model locally.  Some of the basic resources for this purpose are these: