The statewide health network of Medical Libraries that I belong to is currently undergoing growing pains of running as a collaboration. Whereas in the past each individual library was responsible for it's own budget and resource purchases, this has now changed with the trend towards online statewide access to journals, databases and ebooks delivered via a central portal. This is currently adminstered by one of the 19 libraries that are part of our network.  Each of our network libraries still gets their own budget and is still responsible for their own print purchases. Our statewide online resources are centrally funded based on FTE's in the different districts.

I'm interested in hearing how other medical libraries that participate in collaborative networks that offer centralized online resources manage their online resources. Do you have a designated 'systems library'? Is this an administrative role or an authoritative role?  Do you have one library that delegates to the others in the network what is to be done? Is it more of a democratic process where decisions are made due to a majority of members deciding? What seems to work well? What hasn't worked at all? Any input would be appreciated.