Challenges for the Future: Emerging Services in Memorial University Libraries

1. Challenges for the Future: Emerging Services in Memorial University Libraries Presentation to Memorial University Librarians Friday, September 12, 2003 Lisa Goddard

2. Overview • I. Broaden communication with users. • Log file analysis • Push technology • II. Further develop collections of excellence. • Developing digital collections in strategic areas • III. Increase capacity for access to remote information • Interface design and development • Network capacity • Formats

3. Overview Cont’d • IV. Diversify funding sources. • Collaboration and resource sharing V. Getting it all done: services to internal users. • Communicating with internal users • Providing the right tools

4. Broaden communication with users. • Log File Analysis • Log files from servers contain raw data about use of electronic services: • resource use by hour, day, month, year • search terms and strategies • click paths • format preferences • remote vs. on-campus users • end user software

5. Broaden communication with users. • Log File Analysis Challenges: • To formulate and articulate specific questions about user behaviour. • To collaborate with divisions possessing data analysis and research design expertise. • To turn data into information and knowledge about users.

6. Broaden communication with users. • Push technology • Developing intelligent interfaces that can deliver according to a user’s specific needs and interests. LDAP data store provides background information: • Faculty affiliation (e.g. Medicine, Education, Business) • Relationship with MUN (e.g. Faculty, Alumni) • Program of study (e.g. Biology, Classics, Anthropology) • Registered courses (e.g. Geography 2200) • Year • Registration status

7. Broaden communication with users. • Push technology • Will allow us to deliver information specific to: • Branch affiliation • Research interest • Year/Level • Current courses • Borrowing information, status of requests • New Books/Electronic Resources in Area of Study

8. Further develop collections of excellence. • Developing digital collections in strategic areas • Newfoundland specific materials: • Photos, letters, diaries, maps, historical documents • Searchable Fisheries Bibliography and Archival Finding Aids. • Newfoundland Newspaper Index with full text links • Newfoundland sound recordings

9. Increase capacity for access to remote information. • Interface Design and Development Existing issues: • Proliferation of electronic finding tools, each with own interface • Tendency to organize access by format, branch/division

10. Increase capacity for access to remote information. • Interface Design and Development Future Directions • Develop intuitive interfaces for non-expert users • Improve access to all resources by subject • System integration for diverse services • Single search interface for all resources within a given subject area • Direct linking from citations to full text resources

11. Increase capacity for access to remote information. • Network Capacity and Access Ensuring bandwidth for on-campus and remote users • Traffic analysis, Reserved bandwidth, CA*net 4 Laptop/PDA connectivity within library Network security • Login profiles, automated software update service, local firewalls, router access lists

12. Increase capacity for access to remote information. • Formats • Full text resources & digital content development • On-line reserves • Live on-line reference • Video & audio streaming • WebCT & interactive learning tools • Simplified, centralized authentication

13. Diversify funding sources. • Collaboration & Resource Sharing • Server hardware • MUN LDAP, ASIN Portal, Unicorn database server, Pharos printing, FTP server Software licensing • Campus-wide Oracle licensing, Portal software Partnerships for digital collection development • Public Libraries, Public Archives, MUN Folklore Department, Provincial Government,

14. Diversify funding sources. • Collaboration & Resource Sharing Document delivery • Relais Interlibrary Loan System, ECRC Technical expertise • Relais Users Group, Unicorn Users Group Subject expertise • Database guides, Bibliographies, Recommended resources, ASIN Portal

15. Getting it all done. Communicating with internal users The Emerging Services Librarian has a unique opportunity & responsibility to understand the needs and perspectives of diverse internal users.

16. Getting it all done. • Communicating with Internal Users • Planning new services • Collaborative planning and establishment of priorities • Providing information about project status and delays • Seeking ongoing feedback and suggestions for improvement Sharing technical expertise • Technical reference service • Liaison with technical service providers & vendors

17. Getting it all done. Providing the right tools Ensuring that staff and librarians from all branches and divisions have access to the technology that will enable them to pursue strategic directions.

18. Getting it all done. Providing the right tools PC System Integrity • Data backup, Automated software patches Access to electronic tools • Web & FTP server space • Improved access to scanners, printers, CD-Burners etc. • Software needs analysis and recommendation Innovative technical solutions to identified problems Server integrity & uninterrupted service

19. Role of the Emerging Services Librarian Facilitates system-wide communication to enable technological solutions which help to move Memorial Libraries in strategic directions.

20. FIN