PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse a Finnish model of cooperation between universities – a joint university library.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a case study. The vision for the joint university library Tritonia, the reality when the libraries of three universities merged in 2001 and the new merging in 2010, when two more universities joined the library cooperation, is discussed. Key factors of quality management in a joint bilingual library are analysed.FindingsThe synergetic effects of such a library are numerous when it comes to: the access to printed collections; the role of the library as a social place and meeting spot for students, staff and the public; the available services; and the networking between languages and universities. No synergetic effects have so far been achieved when it comes to e‐resources.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on experiences of one joint library.Practical implicationsThe paper presents an existing model for cooperation in a joint multilingual library.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on a new model of library cooperation between universities.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse practices of a joint university library as a model of cooperation between universities. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a descriptive case study on the benefits and challenges of collaboration based on experiences of one joint library. Findings In 2000–2010s, Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences have undergone structural changes becoming public corporations. The ideal of the government policy is an effective, productive, entrepreneurial university with lean infrastructure and support services. One solution in pursuing cost-effectiveness and efficiency are joint regional libraries. In Vaasa, the five university units share a joint academic library, Tritonia. Tritonia offers library and information services that consist of print and digital information resources, researchers’ support services, pedagogical and technical support for digital education, and learning commons for its five universities. Originality/value The paper describes service production and its development and presents an existing model for cooperation in joint libraries of several academic institutions that are becoming more common.