ABSTRACT
Geographic isolation and unstable economic conditions in the rural and underpopulated mountain and plains states limited the ability of the region's lead higher education institutions to keep pace with public universities in other parts of the nation. Academic libraries associated with these lead institutions in the Dakotas and Montana sought creative ways to address the challenges of limited resources and collections by exploring new collaborative opportunities to counter the challenges of geography and history. The ultimate success of regional cooperative initiatives depends on reliable access to significant information resources at affordable costs. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: <https://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
