Collaboration occurs when two separate organizations come together to achieve a unified goal. Library literature identified program-based, resource-based and service-based collaborations formed to provide better services and resources for library users. This study examined academic-public library collaborations within the Triangle Area of North Carolina through conducting semi-structured interviews with both "sides" of the collaboration by asking: What factors are most important in determining a continued successful collaboration between academic and public libraries? And, how can librarians and library administrators sustain collaborations, especially within this economic climate? Interviews were conducted with six librarians and resulting interview data was analyzed to identify emerging themes. Collaborative partnerships were unique, but commonalities for success were discovered to include managerial support, geographic proximity, availability of resources, a willingness to pilot and accept the failure of new programs, and positive professional relationships. This study can serve as a resource for creating and sustaining academic-public library collaborations
