Resource Sharing in Special Libraries: Identifying Barriers and Building Sustainable Strategies for the Digital Environment

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.82471/98y5r-nqp66

Special libraries must provide broad information access despite narrowly focused collections, limited budgets, and strict confidentiality requirements. This paper identifies the obstacles that hinder resource sharing in special libraries and evaluates strategies that support practical, compliant collaboration.The study uses an integrative review of 47 peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2026, plus professional reports from library associations. Data were analyzed thematically to isolate issues specific to special library settings.

Findings: Six barrier categories emerged: (1) licensing and copyright limits, (2) technology and infrastructure gaps,(3) financial constraints, (4) lack of administrative policy,(5) confidentiality and staff attitudes, and(6) challenges with non-standard formats.

Strategies that mitigate these issues are organized into a four-pillar framework: governance, technology, licensing, and organizational culture.

References

1. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi.org

2. Chisita, C. T. (2020). Library consortia and the imperative for resource sharing in Zimbabwe. IFLA Journal, 46(3), 234–245. doi.org

3. Igbo, H. U., Ugwuanyi, R. N. C., &Eze, M. E. (2017). Electronic information resource sharing among university libraries in Southern Nigeria: Opportunities and challenges. African Journal of Library, Archives & Information Science, 27(1), 77–91.

4. Kent, A., & Galvin, T. J. (Eds.). (1979). Resource sharing in libraries: Why, how, when, next action steps. Marcel Dekker.

5. Murray, T. E. (2015). The value of the special library. Information Outlook, 19(2), 10–13.

6. Panda, B. D., &Mohanty, B. K. (2007). Resource sharing among libraries in digital era: Role of consortia. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 27(1), 15–21.

7. Ratnayake, R. M. S. N. (2025). Importance of sharing resources in academic libraries: An analysis of recent research studies. International Journal of Social Science, Management and Economics Research, 3(1), 15–28. doi.org

8. Sain, S. K., &Negi, A. (2024). Facilitating knowledge exchange: The role of online resource sharing in academic libraries. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Library Development [Conference details to be added].

9. Special Libraries Association. (2023). Model license language for special libraries (3rd ed.). SLA Publishing.

10. Akporhonor, B. A., &Oke, A. I. (2023). Consortia and resource sharing among special libraries in Nigeria: Prospects and problems. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2023, Article 7321. digitalcommons.unl.edu

11. Chukwueke, C., &Onwuchekwa, E. O. (2021). Resource sharing in Nigerian research libraries: Issues and challenges in the digital era. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 13(2), 45–53. doi.org

12. Gupta, R., & Sharma, S. (2024). Interoperability challenges in library resource sharing: A study of Indian special libraries. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 44(1), 22–29. doi.org

13. Hansen, D. R., & Courtney, K. K. (2022). Controlled digital lending and copyright: Legal and practical considerations for libraries. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 22(3), 517–536. doi.org

14. Ikenwe, I. J., &Adegbilero-Iwari, I. (2021). Awareness and use of inter-library loan services by scientists in Nigerian research institutes. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 16(2), 75–90. doi.org

15. Kumar, V., & Singh, S. P. (2023). Information sharing practices and barriers in Indian corporate libraries. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 55(4), 1021–1035. doi.org

16. Ojennus, P., &Torma, S. (2021). Resource sharing in law firm libraries: Policies, practices, and perceptions. Law Library Journal, 113(2), 201–224.

17. Okoro, C. C., & Mole, A. J. C. (2022). Sharing technical standards in Nigerian engineering libraries: Legal and practical constraints. Library Management, 43(6/7), 412–426. doi.org

18. Ujakpa, M. M., Leonard, A., &Aina, L. O. (2022). Barriers to information resource sharing among special libraries in Namibia. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 32(1), 1–14.

19. Yusuf, F., &Owolabi, K. A. (2020). Library consortia and subscription crisis in Nigerian university libraries. The Bottom Line, 33(2), 149–164. doi.org