Decreasing Resources - New Services for University Libraries Norbert Lossau at IATUL 2003 Conference Ankara, Turkey

1. Decreasing Resources - New Services for University LibrariesNorbert Lossau atIATUL 2003 ConferenceAnkara, Turkey

2. Topics • Bielefeld University / Library, Germany – background information • Role(s) of and challenges for academic libraries • Libraries and eLearning • eLearning – a range of concepts • Introducing eLearning at universities – conceptual and implementation aspects • Outlook at Bielefeld University

3. Bielefeld University Library, Germany – background information I • University: 14 faculties with particular emphasis on interdisciplinarity • Library founded in 1967 • One central on-site library, divided into groups of subject based libraries • Close spatial proximity of library reading rooms and faculty facilities • 2 Mio books and other media items, the majority for open access • Long opening hours: Mo-Fri until 1 am, Sa-Su until 10 pm • 180 FTEs and PTEs

6. Bielefeld University Library, Germany – a Centre for Technical Innovation II • 1977 Implementation of IBAS as the first online cataloguing system in Germany • 1987 CD-ROM OPAC, the first German university library catalogue on CD-ROM • 1998-2000 Development and Implementation of the Digital Library North Rhine-Westphalia • 2003 Major activities (national and EU) to test and introduce web search technology for indexing and integrated access in the digital library sector (partnering with FAST Search & Transfer ASA, Norway)

7. Role(s) of and challenges for academic libraries • University Library • Decreasing staff and financial resources • Running local/physical AND online libraries • (The major) central academic service • Requests to take on additional roles • Duplication of work/competences – the need to collaborate with other central services • Relationship central – central and central - decentral • Centre for / participant in external innovative information service/infrastructure developments

8. Libraries and eLearning I • Library resources as source material for eLearning courses • Integrate eLearning objects into information access systems (online catalogues, subject portals/gateways) • eLearning objects may get scholarly “publication” status • Archiving of eLearning objects

9. Libraries and eLearning II • Strategic decision: position the library as central academic service beyond traditional tasks • Redeploy didactic competences of libraries at the university • Redefine activities for librarians

10. eLearning – a range of concepts and scenario I • Didactical concepts / usage scenarios – the need for a commitment of faculties / authors • Replacement or new forms of eTeaching? • Online learning or learning material online? • Electronic organisation of seminars/courses -Electronic course material for current seminars • eLearning objects as course independent modules, both subject specific and interdisciplinary • Communication with participants • Performance test of and usage statistics

11. eLearning – a range of concepts II • Restricted or free access? • eLearning platforms can support international networks/collaboration • Relationship of concept and technical infrastructure (system platform), e.g. process- or content-centred

12. Introducing eLearning at Universities I • Focus at Bielefeld University – Integration of eLearning • Task Force of central academic services to analyse university wide information system infrastructure • eLearning system – other university information systems (library, computing service, central administration) • All-in-one or modular system architecture? • University portal discussion • Functionality overflow – the need for a comprehensive analysis of university systems (e.g. other electronic course directories, calendars, chatrooms, video-conferencing)

13. Blackboard API und Building Blocks eKVV HIS LDAP DigiBib Blackboard API Connections (horizontal) e.g. single sign-on Building Blocks (vertikal) Digital Object Server Metasearch/ Library Portal OPAC eKVV

14. A prototype at Bielefeld University Library The Online Library Catalogue embedded in the Blackboard eLearning system

21. Introducing eLearning at Universities II • Evaluation and selection of a system platform • Reuse of existing evaluations (e.g. Schulmeister, Vienna/Munich: 171 platforms; UNESCO Free Software Portal “Courseware Tools”) • Define local specifications • Define a set of core functionalities /k.o.-criteria 

22. Introducing eLearning at Universities III A set of core functionalities /k.o.-criteria: • Non-functional • Platform independent • Web based • Scalable and robust • Import and Export of data (based on standards, e.g. IMS, LOM, SCORM, OKI) • Flexible and open programming interfaces (integration aspect) • Data security • Intuitive user interface for course instructors and users • Documentation and support

23. Introducing eLearning at Universities IV Define a set of core functionalities /k.o.- criteria: • Functional • User administration (authentication mechanisms, different user groups with different rights levels) • Communication (asynchrone: e-mail, forums, synchrone: chat, whiteboard) • Content management / administration of courses (structuring of course content, modular structure) • Set up, performance and assessment of tests • Systems evaluated in Bielefeld: Blackboard, WebCT, Clix Campus, Illias (open source, Cologne University); other systems: Bodington, Stellar etc.

24. Introducing eLearning at Universities V Temporary and permanent resources required, mainly: • Didactical advice and guidance • “Marketing” within (and outside) the university • Tutorials and support for course instructors • Content creation (e.g. interactive, multimedia) • System installation and day-to-day operation (24/7 service) • Further programming (system integration, interaction) • eLearning platform (licensing or open-source, soft- and hardware, maintenance)

25. Outlook at Bielefeld University • eLearning – decision at the University IT-Committee • Institutional scholarly publication server • Central Digital Object Server • Web Search Technology • Campus wide metadirectory service • ?Central authoring / conversion tools • ???

26. Thanks for your attention! lossau@ub.uni-bielefeld.de