Abstract
The need for librarians and information technologists to collaborate arises from convergence of their missions, user demands for coordinated services and competition for resources. Moreover, the pace of technology requires rapid yet flexible responses, not protracted haggling over territories, roles and responsibilities. The authors of this paper propose several strategies to accelerate the collaborative process, strategies adaptable enough to deal with change yet creative enough to foster both internal and external cooperative efforts. They identify the critical components of several management methods which, alone or in combination, can facilitate a rapid and effective move toward synergy. These strategies include teamwork, changes in reporting structures, integration, cross-pollination, management dictates, as well as elements of some popular external-stimulus approaches such as TQM and re-engineering. The success of these strategies depends upon library and computing leaders' willingness and ability to embrace a common vision, articulate a clear direction, share risks and accept new responsibilities. Paper presented at CAUSE94, the full proceedings of which are available through this Library as PUB1094.