Purpose
Consortia are a strategic attempt by libraries to join together to increase bargaining power with vendors and publishers to gain substantial discounts on information resources. In this medical context, the purpose is also to ensure that all UAE health professionals have access to key information resources.

Mission
Consortium members agree to share resources in order to facilitate their parent institutions’ access to integrated online information services, in support of their pursuit of excellence in patient care, research and education. Our members will collaborate to promote advances in healthcare through optimal use of information resources, technologies and our collective expertise.

Consortium profile
The UAE Health Libraries Consortium was founded in November 2006 out of a desire to strengthen the relationship between the National Medical Library and the libraries of healthcare institutions affiliated with the UAE University’s Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. At present, other consortium members consist of libraries at teaching and community hospitals under the direction of HAAD and ZMH. In line with the purpose and mission of the consortium, it is hoped that membership will continue to grow.

Strategic plan
The strategic plan to implement the consortium is far too lengthy to reproduce here. Overall, the plan has been divided into phases of development from the initial liaison and negotiating with vendors, creating eLibrary websites, training library staff and promoting online resources to UAE physicians and allied health professionals.

Contact details
If you think your healthcare institution could benefit from joining the UAE Health Libraries Consortium or simply wish to find out more information, please contact the coordinator:

Tracy Havlin, MLIS
Director – National Medical Library
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
UAE University
PO Box 17666
Al Ain, UAE

Email: tracy.havlin@uaeu.ac.ae

Phone: 03 713 7206