Exploring the services provided by CALIS: meeting the needs of member libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to summarize the different kinds of services China Academic Library and Information System (CALIS) developed and provided, in order to promote the general, detailed and specific levels of assistance to member libraries and other information institutions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on six kinds of services to meet the needs of CALIS members, including “cooperated database purchasing”, “union catalog”, “interlibrary loan and document delivery”, “virtual reference”, “digital library model designing” and “training” services.FindingsThe statistics show that these services definitely facilitate resource sharing among libraries. On the other hand, more efforts should be made to make these services go from strength to strength.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough many attempts have been made, CALIS is still faced with the challenge to develop and provide services to a higher level.Practical implicationsWith the passage of time, the services provided attracted much attention. More and more academic libraries participated in CALIS. By now, CALIS is extending its services to more than 700 Chinese universities.Originality/valueThe insight into its services improves the understanding of the role CALIS played in China. At the same time, experiences and benefits obtained may be used as a demonstration for other consortia.