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Virtual Delivery of Electronic Resources and Services to Off-Campus Users: A Multi-faceted Approach. Susan A. Mee Shirley L. Bower Rochester Institute of Technology Off-Campus Library Services Conference April 29, 2010. Background. Who we are:
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Virtual Delivery of Electronic Resources and Services to Off-Campus Users:A Multi-faceted Approach Susan A. Mee Shirley L. Bower Rochester Institute of TechnologyOff-Campus Library Services Conference April 29, 2010
Background • Who we are: • Private University with enrollment of nearly 17,000 • International campuses: Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo • 8 Colleges including NTID • Founded in 1829, degree granting since 1955 • Leader in career-oriented education • Cooperative education program – oldest and largest in the world • National recognized for technology, photo, art • Unique mix of left brain/right brain • Expanding campus: Center for Student Innovation, Global Village, Campus Center
Evolution of RIT Library • Reputation as Technology Leader • Early adopter of technology both on campus and in region • Drupal web site • Open access journal publication • University Press • 2006 ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award • Merger with Teaching and Learning Services – new model for academic libraries • The Wallace Center
Evolution of Distance Learning • History • First offered in 1979 – 10 courses with a total enrollment of 280 students • 2008/2009 – grown to 637 courses with nearly 10,000 students • Early 1990’s library focus – making physical collections available – expansion of ILL, email • No real differentiation in services to distance learners
Evolving Technologies • Mid to late1990s • First electronic resources • Introduction of web-based services: ILL • Instruction starts to go online • Introduction of electronic reserves • Dedicated Distance Learning Librarian • Early 2000s • Authentication issues solved with Ezproxy • Explosion of electronic resources • Electronic delivery of ILL with ILLIAD • Print collections evolve to electronic • Beginning of a true “virtual library”
Evolving Technologies • Current State • 200+ databases, 36000+ e-journals, 76000+ e-books • 85% of collections budget – electronic resources now a format of choice • Promotion of e-books as textbooks • Emphasis on resource integration • New methods of delivery for instruction • Virtual Presence – 2nd life
Evolving Technologies • Current State, cont. • Drupal Website with Metalib X-Server • Blogs, RSS Feeds • Virtual Reference Desk • Improved access – Meet Your Librarian • Supporting technologies: SFXOpenURL • Metalib Federated Searching • Improved communication – Skype, instant messaging
Putting It All Together • The Virtual Library: http://library.rit.edu
All Users are Distance Learners • Emphasis on access • Natural evolution of libraries benefits distance learners • No longer small, unique category of users • Line between distance learners and campus learners blurred • All users now demand access outside the campus boundaries • Committed library staffing and budget • Remote access – core of today’s library services
Challenges • Great progress, but …. • Languages barriers • Vocabulary of technology • Inconsistent Internet connections • Multiple hardware and software configurations • Use of outdated equipment • Cultural and societal differences can lead to different expectations • Time zones
Future • The Wallace Center • Merger offers new opportunities for collaboration • Continued growth of online content • New models for collection development – PDA • Integration of acquisitions into the ILL workflow • Development of Wallace Center web site • Further development of MetaLib X-Server – Xerxes • bX Scholarly Recommender Service • New models of instructional delivery • Certainty of change
Questions ?????