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Introduction
The concept of academic library consortium emerged in the Philippines in the 1970s evidenced by the successive establishment of three consortia namely, the Academic Libraries Book Acquisition Services Association (ALBASA) in 1973, the Inter-Institutional Consortium (IIC) (now South Manila Inter-Institutional Consortium) in 1974, and the Mendiola Consortium (MC) in 1975. Although the Philippines, compared to other countries like the US with over a hundred years history of library consortium ([2] Brooks, 2002), has been quite behind as far as the establishment of academic library consortia is concerned, the recent years saw the rise to popularity of different types of library consortia in the country specifically academic library consortia.
The official launching of the DOST-ESEP Library network (the first computerized library network in the Philippines), for example, was instrumental in paving the way to the automation of its member libraries in particular, and Philippine libraries in general. The creation of the biggest and widest national academic and research libraries consortia in the country, the PAARLNET, with more than 150 members scattered all over the country, confirmed the growing desire of libraries to engage in cooperation and link with other libraries. The increasing number of academic library consortia from the 1990s up to the present has also been remarkable signifying Philippine librarians' enthusiasm towards collaboration and demonstrating their recognition of the value of cooperation.
While there have been a number of academic library consortia formed in the last 42 years, the following have so far been the strongest and the most active, hence are also the most eminent ones.
Academic Libraries Book Acquisitions Systems Association, Inc. (ALBASA)
Originally conceived as a library cooperative, ALBASA started its operation in 1973 with the primary function of acquiring books for its member libraries in view of minimizing expense and maximizing results.
With an initial member of 12 libraries (namely, Ateneo de Davao, Central Philippine University, Holy Cross College of Digos, Notre Dame of Jolo College, Notre Dame University, St Paul College of Dumaguete, St Theresa's College of Cebu, San Nicolas College, Silliman University, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos and Xavier University), its membership has now grown to about a hundred all located in the Visayas and Mindanao.
In keeping pace with the demands of the time,...