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Current State of Library Organizations in Dealing with E-Resources

Explore the evolving landscape of library organizations in dealing with e-resources impact, presented by Janet L. Flowers. Learn about division of responsibilities, factors affecting evolution, current needs, and future directions for libraries.

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Current State of Library Organizations in Dealing with E-Resources

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  1. Current State of Library Organizations in Dealing with E-Resources Impact of E-Resources North Carolina Serials Conference April 16, 2004

  2. Presented by Janet L. Flowers Head of Acquisitions Academic Affairs Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Janet_Flowers@unc.edu

  3. Themes • Natural area for serials realm • Focus upon provision of intellectual content • Technical now under better control than public presentation and training

  4. Organization • Requires a cast of thousands! • Very time-consuming • Absorbed by existing staff in their existing but redefined positions mainly

  5. Organization • Worked to death but very effective!! • Some aspects of handling e-resources better done by experts (e.g., acquisitions, cataloging) • Only one with a separate department for e-resources (a public library) • Created a Department of Electronic Resources and Services • In January 2004!

  6. Organization • Approaches • Evolutionary • Improvisational • Muddling • Experimental • Based upon existing staff : skills and interests

  7. Organization • Division of Responsibilities: Pros and Cons of Consolidated vs. Decentralized

  8. ConsolidationPros • Continuity and Consistency

  9. Consolidation Cons • Workload too much for one person • Delays if relying upon one person • So much reliance upon one person problematic for communication • One case where staff member had to access email while on medical leave to keep processes going

  10. Decentralization Pros • Use of specialized skills • Spreads workload around • Better understanding among all staff regarding issues • Better decision-making regarding selection and budgetary choices because of greater understanding

  11. Decentralization Cons • Possibility of miscommunication • Need for trust among parties regarding work done and respect for

  12. Factors Affecting Way Organizations Evolved • Retirements!—either happened or waiting for! • New hires—if only! • Maturing of process • Codification of processes • Move cautiously • Much consensus and librarian involvement in decision making

  13. Factors Affecting Way Organizations Evolved • Unions • Slow down needed changes • Inhibits flexibility • Local staff in place • Their skills • Their interests • Library Directors!! • Their interest in e-resources!! • Their style regarding change

  14. Needs • More technical help • Catch up on making free e-resources available • Help with maintenance issues • Renewals • Broken Links • Package Deal

  15. Needs • Trainers to help public • Removal of non e-resource related duties from those who are doing add on work

  16. Future Directions • E-resources themselves • Government documents • Increasing amounts in this format • Less print available and collected

  17. Future Directions • Organizational Responses to e-resources • Older librarians becoming more adept at using technology • Serials Units refocused from print to electronic • Traditional technical services (i.e., print) roles will be outsourced

  18. Future Directions • In house library staff will focus on providing access to digital content • Move from checkin • Maintenance activities (url links, list checking, reconciliation) • Job descriptions will need to be rewritten

  19. FutureDirections • More prominent role in outreach to public regarding use of e-resources • Vast changes have outstripped patrons' ability to comprehend and navigate • More BI packages (one place had cut back on reference librarians!)

  20. Future Directions • Serials Librarians more involved in assessment and evaluation of online resources prior to purchase decision • Will replace retiring librarians with those knowing new technologies

  21. Future Directions • Budget Impact • Smaller libraries moving more to consortial • Fewer multi-year contracts • More centralization of state-wide resources • Possibly more cancellation of big deal packages • Less duplication of print and online • Cancellation of print due to space crunches

  22. Conclusion: My Thoughts • Librarians have coped well with the ambiguity and the huge volume. • Until the volume flips towards more digital than print, we still must contend with a hybrid environment.

  23. Conclusion: My Thoughts • Rate of change will vary depending upon a number of factors • Size and nature of library's print collections • Funding • Library Directors -especially new ones • Patron Demands • Staffing (size and abilities) • Changes in the Academy

  24. Crystal Ball • Yet more changes • Continuing high level of work • Need for the expertise and energy of serials librarians to meet the challenges

  25. Sea Change • In the way we do business • In the way we provide information • In who does what

  26. 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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