FOUR PRECONDITIONS FOR INTERDEPENDENCE AMONG LIBRARIES ARE CITED; (1) THE HOLDINGS OF EACH LIBRARY ARE READILY KNOWN TO THE OTHER LIBRARIES; (2) PATRONS OF EACH LIBRARY HAVE EASY PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THE HOLDINGS OF OTHER LIBRARIES; (3) TERMS OF COOPERATION, INCLUDING AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION, ARE SET FORTH IN WRITING AND ARE ENFORCED; AND (4) STAFF MEMBERS SUPPORT THE COOPERATIVE VENTURE. IT IS NOTED THAT AUSTRALIA'S CRIMINOLOGY LIBRARIES MEET THE SECOND REQUIREMENT, ALTHOUGH INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICES NEED TO BE IMPROVED. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE LIBRARIES HAVE THE WILL AND CAPACITY TO MEET THE OTHER CONDITIONS--THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A UNION CATALOGUE, THE RATIONALIZATION OF COLLECTING POLICIES, AND STAFF COMMITMENT TO RESOURCE SHARING--REMAINS TO BE ANSWERED. U.S. AND CANADIAN SURVEYS OF THE COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF LIBRARIES, INCLUDING LAW LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIES WITH CRIMINOLOGY HOLDINGS ARE CITED. A TABLE LISTS COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES MOST COMMONLY ENGAGED IN BY 125 LIBRARY CONSORTIUMS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE POTENTIAL OF SEVERAL OF THESE ACTIVITIES--RECIPROCAL BORROWING PRIVILEGES, UNION CATALOGUES, BIBLIOGRAPHIC CENTERS, ASSIGNED SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION IN ACQUISITIONS (RATIONALIZATION OF ACQUISITION POLICIES)--FOR DEVELOPMENT BY AUSTRALIA'S CRIMINOLOGY LIBRARIES IS CONSIDERED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT AUSTRALIA EXPLORE THE POSSBILITIES OF A NETWORK THAT WOULD INCORPORATE THE ADVANTAGES OF BOTH CENTRALIZATION AND DECENTRALIZATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY, RATHER THAN AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL LIBRARY, WOULD ASSUME THE CENTRAL COORDINATING ROLE IN SUCH A NETWORK. GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INSTITUTE AS THE CENTRAL AGENCY ARE FOUND IN A LIST OF RESPONSIBILITIES DEVELOPED FOR THE CENTRAL AGENCY IN A CANADIAN NETWORK OF LAW LIBRARIES. AMONG THESE RESPONSIBILITIES, WHICH RELATE TO SERVICES, COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF UNION CATALOGUES, IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIZED LEGAL RESEARCH AND REFERENCE TOOLS. THE U.S. NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFERENCE SERVICE IS CITED AS A MODEL TO BE STUDIED BY THE INSTITUTE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS OWN REFERENCE SERVICE. (LKM)