Is Print Reference Dead? ALA- Annual Program Washington DC June 25 th , 2007 …

1. Is Print Reference Dead?ALA- Annual ProgramWashington DCJune 25th, 2007… Reference Books Bulletin

2. Ruth FischerPartner, R2 Consulting LLCwww.r2consulting.org Workflow Analysis for Academic Libraries Market Analysis and Product Development for Publishers and Vendors

3. Our Experience Libraries • East Carolina University • Wesleyan University • University of Vermont • University of Colorado • University of Missouri/KC • University of Utah • University of Michigan • University of Nebraska/Omaha • MIT Libraries • Minnesota State/Mankato • Arizona State University Libraries • Carleton/St. Olaf Colleges • Vassar College Libraries • Macalester College • University of Minnesota Vendors • ABC-CLIO • Blackwell’s • Casalini Libri • CAVAL Collaborative Solutions • Common Ground Publishing • Eastern Book • Ebook Library • Follett Library Resources • HARRASSOWITZ • Innovative Interfaces • Integrated Book Technology • OCLC • RR Bowker • Sage Reference • University of California Press • Xrefer • YBP Library Services

4. Primary TS Workflow • Resource Identification • Selection / De-selection • Ordering and Order Maintenance • Receiving and Payment • Providing Access • Cataloging • Holdings Maintenance • Physical Prep • Loan Services

5. eResources Workflow • Resource Identification • Trials / Decision Tracking • Selection • License Evaluation / Negotiation • Ordering and Order Maintenance • Payment / Pre-payment • Activation / Registration • Cataloging • Holdings Maintenance • Resource Discovery • Access Management • Usage Tracking • Renewals / Cancellations

6. R2 Workflow Principles • Know your costs • Incorporate “systems thinking” • Simplify and standardize requirements • Create a mainstream • Automate the mainstream • Take full advantage of existing resources • Outsource sometimes • Establish quantifiable goals • Measure performance • Control quality via sampling • Make strategic choices

7. Changing Users • NetGen Students • Conditioned by: Amazon, Google, NetFlix • Undergraduates: course-centered research • Strong preference for electronic • Strong preference for full-text, multimedia • Interactivity, visual cues, tutorials • Abhorrence of documentation • Naivete about resource quality • 2% of undergraduates begin their searches from library Web site

8. Changing Users • Retiring faculty • Peer-to-Peer file sharing, communication • FaceBook; iTunes • Gaming trial & error approach • Zero tolerance for delay • Group learning; collaboration • CPA • University of Rochester “work practices” study • Dorms, frats, gyms, student union, dining halls, buses, computer center, library

9. Lots of Electronic Reference • Oxford Reference Online • Gale Virtual Library • NetLibrary eReference Center • Xrefer • Sage Electronic Reference • ABC Clio • BBS Electronic Reference

10. Workflow Implications

11. Actual R2 Recommendation Consolidate purchasing.

12. Actual R2 Recommendation Identify and segregate reference material at point of selection.

13. Actual R2 Recommendation Simplify marking of print reference.

14. Actual R2 Recommendation Eliminate reference sub-locations.

15. Actual R2 Recommendation Shelve subject-specific reference works in stacks and allow them to circulate.

16. Actual R2 Recommendation Reduce the size of the print reference collection.

17. Actual R2 Recommendation Eliminate the print reference collection; move to e-Only Reference.

18. Actual R2 Recommendations Shift emphasis to e. Expand support for e. Starve print to feed e.

19. Because Patrons prefer e.