Maritime Libraries Network (MarLiNet): a new partnership in the maritime field

Abstract

The poster presents a new thematic library Network in Greece encompassing the majority of organized maritime orientated collections: the Maritime Libraries Network (MarLiNet). Today, the network consists of 8 libraries: Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, Eugenides Foundation, Hellenic Maritime Museum, Hellenic Naval Academy, National Technical University of Athens, Naval History Department (Hellenic Navy, University of Piraeus, University of the Aegean). An important aspect of the network is that the partnership includes diverse libraries not only from the public sector (academic and navy ones) but also from the private (non-profit foundations). All these libraries possess important maritime collections and offer also targeted information services to the maritime sector. An overview of the vision is presented, as well as the values and the main purposes of the MarLiNet libraries. These are mainly: i. Expanding the availability of titles to their users; ii. Saving resources through a rationalized strategy of new acquisitions; iii. Increasing the readability of their maritime collections; iv. Maximizing their visibility as important collections on maritime transport subjects, a step already taken through the on-going construction of a joint website v. Improving information services through knowledge sharing and partnerships.