COPPUL is a regional consortium of 23 university libraries in Canada’s four western provinces. We provide leadership in the development of collaborative solutions addressing the academic information resource needs, the staffing development needs, and the preservation needs of member institutions. COPPUL activities fall into three categories: collection and access, preservation, and staff development. COPPUL’s work on preservation, both print and digital, would be more effective if undertaken in the context of a comprehensive national strategy for preservation of documentary heritage in Canada. The changing environment for consortial licensing and acquisitions is currently an inhibitor of equitable access for academic libraries. Greater cooperation and collaboration between school, public and academic libraries would greatly enhance service delivery for all.
