Membership is not always restricted, and libraries can belong to one or more consortia. Participation in a library consortium can differ by library type and library activity, and, in some instances, level of membership. Internationally, multi-country consortia represent libraries cooperating across the globe to develop specific services, such as technology-driven AMICAL, or to pool resources for specialized organization types, such as international law library consortium NELLCO. Japan’s Alliance of University Library Consortia for E-Resources (JUSTICE) provides similar services for libraries in Japan. For example, Couperin negotiates for electronic resources on behalf of academic library organizations in France.

In Europe and other regions of the world, consortia usually represent libraries at the national level. While a few consortia exist at the national level, groups are often initially formed to address concerns within a network of geographically associated libraries. North American consortia typically exist at the local, state/province, and regional level. North America, including the United States and Canada, accounts for nearly 60% of consortia registered with the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC). Geographically, consortia can represent state, regional, national, or international interests.

Library consortia are also established in Canada, Asia, United Kingdom, South America, Middle East, Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. Library consortia exist globally, with a majority of consortia located in the United States and Europe. Broadly, library consortia can be classified using three categories: geographic region, membership participation, and governance framework. 'Library consortia are as varied as the libraries they serve' and can vary in almost all aspects, including scope, organizational structure, membership size, and mission. The “bedrock principle upon which consortia operate is that libraries can accomplish more together than alone.” Types of library consortia The goal of a library consortium is to amplify the capabilities and effectiveness of its member libraries through collective action, including, but not limited to, print or electronic resource sharing, reductions in costs through group purchases of resources, and professional development opportunities. Libraries commonly belong to multiple consortia.

Consortia exist on a variety of levels, e.g., local, state, regional, national or international. A library consortium is any cooperative association of libraries that coordinates resources and/or activities on behalf of its members, whether they are school, public, academic, special libraries, and/or information centers.

Library automation system