THE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-CENTER WITHIN AN ACADEMIC-LIBRARY - A CASE-STUDY

Industry supported special libraries bye strengths in collections and services which ore complemented by those of academic libraries. An ind ustry in formation center established within an academic library has d efinite advantages for both partners. The biggest barrier to a full pa rtnership is the difference in mission between the two types of librar y, which affects funding, resource allocation, and physical location. Conflicts dye to differences in mission must be resolved to the satisf action of both partners before such an information tenter tan work. Re solving potential conflicts of direction and interest requires a great deal of incentive, planting, communication, political acumen, and com promise. Potential rewards, however, are great. From 1985 to 1995, the Arthur Lakes Library at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) wets the s ite of a corporate-sponsored Natural Gels Supply Information Center (N GSIC). The center war funded by the Gas Research Institute (GRI) which operated through subcontracting agencies and also supported other cen ters around the country. Both GRI and the university benefitted from t he relationship and learned valuable lessons in cooperation.