martin belcher stim5 08 e resources and libraries1

8/11/2019 Martin Belcher Stim5 08 e Resources and Libraries1

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E-Resource Use and the Role of

the University Library


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Objectives

Review the factors that affect anddetermine the use of e-resources

Explain the part played by the universitylibrary in enabling effective and sustainableuse


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Objectives (continued)

Indicate constraints under which libraries

work Suggest ways that academics and

administrators can assist the library


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Issues in E-Resource Use

Technology

Costs

Management Training

Content

Medium


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Technology essentials

Dedicated Internet connection withsufficient bandwidth

Campus backbone, LAN, WAN, andperipheral hardware, e.g. printers

Computer workstations

Appropriate software Support - maintenance, trouble shooting


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Costs

Capital (infrastructure) investment: network,bandwidth, hardware (computers, printers, etc.), software

Maintenance: insurance, repair, depreciation,replacement, updating

Staff salaries Training: staff and students

Consumables:journals, databases, document

delivery, paper, ink cartridges


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Examples of costs

Bandwidth:Makerere: $22,000 p.m. for 1.5Mbps/768Kbps

Univ. Ghana: $10,000 p.m. for 1Mbps/512Kbps

InfrastructureSet up an IT network: $75 per studentMaintain an IT network: $50 per student p.a.

Computer

Initial purchase price of a Windows Computer is 20% oftotal cost of ownership over five years


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Examples of costs (continued) Journal subscriptions

Average per title in 2003:Social Sciences $758

Science $1,134

Medicine $661

Big deals (2004)

Blackwells Synergy: 670 titles $630,000

Springer (Kluwer): 1,200 titles $840,601

Wiley: 520 titles $654,000


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Management

Selection and purchasevariety of publishers and aggregatorsdifferent delivery options

annual subscriptions

Legal implicationslicences and copyright

Organization of informationguides to relevant resources

archivingevaluation of use


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Training Users need to:

know how to use a PC

how to search for and find information resources

be aware of resources that are available

Different users have different needs:academics, researchers, librarians, students,administrators

Different training strategies required for

different users


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Content

Much WWW content is Western-orientated

More locally produced content is required:

online indexes to locally published material, e.g. AJOL,CARINDEX

online local journals

networked institutional repositories


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Medium

Physical collections can still be important: Print textbooks

Core journals in hard copy

Archives CD-ROM for back files of journals,

databases for information retrieval


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Role of the University Library Access to Internet and PCs Acquisition and administration of e-resources

Guides to relevant e-resources

User education Assistance in setting up VLEs

Integration of traditional and digital materials


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Access to Internet and PCs

Adequate number of PCs and peripheralsrecommended library standard: 1 PC:25 students

Supervised facilitiestrouble shooting, long opening hours, timetabled computeruse

Authentication

Bandwidth conservation


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Selection of E-Resources

Is content suitable for programme needs?

Is online the most appropriate medium?

What are the licensing arrangements?

What are the costs? Which delivery option is the most cost-effective?

What are the archiving arrangements?

Is e-journal identical to print? Does it have links to othersites?


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Purchase of E-Resources

Enter annual subscriptions

Negotiate best terms

Share costs with other libraries Use library consortia to bring down costs


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Monitoring and Evaluation

Collect statistics of online resource use:who uses, how and when

What is the cost per article downloaded?

Decide whether a particular subscription isworth its annual cost or whether theinformation could be obtained more cheaplyby another delivery option


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Guides to E- Resources

What e-resources are available through thelibrary?

Which are the most appropriate resources? Library portals


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User Education

Formal training in information literacy for u-g students, combining IT skills withinformation handling skills

Advanced subject-oriented training for p-gstudents

Seminars at faculty or departmental level tointroduce new e-resources

One-to one workstation sessions


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ICT-enabled Learning

Input at departmental and faculty levels tocurriculum development and programmeassessment

Provide library web pages with courserelated resources, e.g. list of journals held,full text of relevant articles, study guides for

those undertaking research


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Integration of Print and E-

Resources

Selection policy that combines, comparesand contrasts all media

Integrated access to all library holdings,e.g. through an OPAC (Online PublicAccess Catalogue)


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Constraints

Lack of fundingleading to deteriorating buildings and collections, declinein use, demoralized library staff and marginalization of thelibrary

Lack of knowledge and skills in library staff Lack of understanding and knowledge

amongst university staff about information

access and delivery


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What Can You Do?Some suggestions:

Become an ICT-champion, promoting theuse of e-resources in your department anduniversity

Become your departmental representativeon the Senate Library Committee

Campaign for the library to get its fair share

of the university budget


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What Can You Do? (cont.)

Encourage the inclusion of funds for libraryresources in project proposals and budgets

Talk to librarians and explain how you needthem to assist in your teaching andresearch


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Summary

Providing access to e-resources is a costlyand complex process

The library impacts everywhere on theimplementation and use of e-resources

The library requires funds, skills anduniversity-wide support to fulfil its role


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Thank youAny questions?

martin belcher stim5 08 e resources and libraries1

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