Current State of Library Organizations in Dealing with E-Resources Impact of E-Resources North Carolina Serials Conference April 16, 2004
Presented by Janet L. Flowers Head of Acquisitions Academic Affairs Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Janet_Flowers@unc. edu
Themes q Natural area for serials realm q Focus upon provision of intellectual content q Technical now under better control than public presentation and training
Organization q Requires a cast of thousands! q Very time-consuming q Absorbed by existing staff in their existing but redefined positions mainly
Organization q Worked to death but very effective!! q Some aspects of handling e-resources better done by experts (e. g. , acquisitions, cataloging) q Only one with a separate department for eresources (a public library) q Created a Department of Electronic Resources and Services q In January 2004!
Organization q Approaches q q q Evolutionary Improvisational Muddling Experimental Based upon existing staff : skills and interests
Organization q Division of Responsibilities: Pros and Cons of Consolidated vs. Decentralized
Consolidation Pros q Continuity and Consistency
Consolidation Cons q Workload too much for one person q Delays if relying upon one person q So much reliance upon one person problematic for communication q One case where staff member had to access email while on medical leave to keep processes going
Decentralization Pros q Use of specialized skills q Spreads workload around q Better understanding among all staff regarding issues q Better decision-making regarding selection and budgetary choices because of greater understanding
Decentralization Cons q Possibility of miscommunication q Need for trust among parties regarding work done and respect for
Factors Affecting Way Organizations Evolved q Retirements!—either happened or waiting for! q New hires—if only! q Maturing of process q Codification of processes q Move cautiously q Much consensus and librarian involvement in decision making
Factors Affecting Way Organizations Evolved q Unions q Slow down needed changes q Inhibits flexibility q Local staff in place q Their skills q Their interests q Library Directors!! q Their interest in e-resources!! q Their style regarding change
Needs q More technical help q Catch up on making free e-resources available q Help with maintenance issues q Renewals q Broken Links q Package Deal
Needs q Trainers to help public q Removal of non e-resource related duties from those who are doing add on work
Future Directions q E-resources themselves q Government documents q Increasing amounts in this format q Less print available and collected
Future Directions q Organizational Responses to e-resources q Older librarians becoming more adept at using technology q Serials Units refocused from print to electronic q Traditional technical services (i. e. , print) roles will be outsourced
Future Directions q In house library staff will focus on providing access to digital content q Move from checkin q Maintenance activities (url links, list checking, reconciliation) q Job descriptions will need to be rewritten
Future Directions q. More prominent role in outreach to public regarding use of e-resources q. Vast changes have outstripped patrons' ability to comprehend and navigate q. More BI packages (one place had cut back on reference librarians!)
Future Directions q Serials Librarians more involved in assessment and evaluation of online resources prior to purchase decision q Will replace retiring librarians with those knowing new technologies
Future Directions 1. Budget Impact 1. Smaller libraries moving more to consortial 2. Fewer multi-year contracts 3. More centralization of state-wide resources 4. Possibly more cancellation of big deal packages 5. Less duplication of print and online 6. Cancellation of print due to space crunches
Conclusion: My Thoughts q Librarians have coped well with the ambiguity and the huge volume. q Until the volume flips towards more digital than print, we still must contend with a hybrid environment.
Conclusion: My Thoughts q Rate of change will vary depending upon a number of factors q q q Size and nature of library's print collections Funding Library Directors -especially new ones Patron Demands Staffing (size and abilities) Changes in the Academy
Crystal Ball q Yet more changes q Continuing high level of work q Need for the expertise and energy of serials librarians to meet the challenges
Sea Change q In the way we do business q In the way we provide information q In who does what
Presented by Janet L. Flowers Head of Acquisitions Academic Affairs Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Janet_Flowers@unc. edu
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