Cooperative Collection Development in PORTALS

Libraries are forming consortia and making commitments to cooperate. Librarians are using new computer technology to form the basis for cooperative activities and to communicate between libraries. The libraries in PORTALS have participated in projects including a serials weeding agreement, cooperative purchasing with matching grants, and a large-scale project to acquire more titles listed in the 1988 third edition of Books for College Libraries. This article discusses the possibilities and the drawbacks of these projects.