The Mutual Support Agreement provides for cooperation between M25 member libraries in the event of a disaster. As well as general provisions for cooperation, the Agreement builds on the subject strengths reported by member libraries on InforM25 Find-a-Library, so that library services in support of specific subjects can be continued. The Agreement was approved at the 2004 Consortium AGM, and came into force on 1 August 2004.

Below here are some frequently-asked questions about the agreement, and a short quiz to help you test your knowledge about it.

The M25 Consortium Mutual Support Agreement - frequently asked questions

1. What is the M25 Mutual Support Agreement?

The M25 Mutual Support Agreement provides an agreed basis for co-operation and mutual support between M25 Consortium member libraries in the event of a disaster. As well as the general provisions for co-operation, the Agreement builds on the subject strengths reported by member libraries on InforM25 Find-a-library, so that library services in support of specific subjects can be continued.

The Agreement first came into force in 1999 and was subsequently enhanced and approved at the 2004 Consortium AGM. The current Agreement came into force on 1 August 2004.

2. Which organisations does it cover?

The Agreement covers M25 Consortium member libraries. The full listing of libraries currently in membership of the M25 Consortium may be found on the M25 Consortium website.

3. What are the main provisions?

In the event of a disaster, the Director of the affected library invokes the Mutual Support Agreement to solicit support from sister libraries in the M25 Consortium. Host libraries endeavour to allow staff and students from the affected library to have access to study space for up to one month after the disaster occurs, providing physical access and services in line with the arrangements in place and normally offered under the SCONUL Research Extra and UK Libraries Plus programmes and, for a small number of members, the M25 Consortium Access and Borrowing Scheme.

To provide additional support for specialist subjects, InforM25 Find-a-Library is used to identify host libraries. Any variations on the standard Agreement are agreed by exchange of letters between Directors of libraries.

4. How is it invoked?

The Director of the library affected by the disaster arranges to inform all members of the Consortium that the disaster has occurred, using the M25 Consortium Directors’ email list. As part of their internal disaster planning and risk management strategies, M25 Consortium Directors are encouraged to advise their staff of the details of the Mutual Support Agreement and the rights and responsibilities of the affected and host libraries.

The M25 Disaster Management Group undertakes regular activities to promote awareness of the Agreement to disaster planning representatives in the Consortium, using, for example, the M25 Consortium Disaster Information list, M25DMG-INFORMATION.

5. How can the Mutual Support Agreement help in time of disaster?

The purpose of the Agreement is to enable staff in the library affected by the disaster to focus on dealing with the disaster in their institution, through the provision of access to study space and relevant subject collections in other Consortium member libraries.

Test your knowledge of the M25 Consortium Mutual Support Agreement by completing the following quiz: