Electronic information an implementers view Ian Winship Information

Electronic information - an implementer’s view Ian Winship Information Services University of Northumbria at Newcastle 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 1

Some assumptions • A university library service soon will not be primarily dependent on a physical building and its contents • The electronic library is never static • There is a huge market in information products • The purpose of delivering information electronically is to allow each user to print off a personal copy of the information 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 2

Some electronic milestones • • • 1976 Dialup online in the UK (electronic info) 1982 Online library catalogues (end-user IT) 1988 CD-ROM (end-user information) 1991 BIDS ISI (to the desktop) 1993 Mosaic (general use of electronic info) 1993 Adobe Acrobat (document publishing) 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 3

What are we delivering? • Form - CD-ROM, Web, non-Web online, locally held files • Content - database, full text, reference/data, library catalogues • Cost - subscription, additional, free • How select? 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 4

Why deliver electronically? • Encouraged to by changes - modes of access, student types, student numbers, cost ‘efficiencies’ • Users like/prefer it • End user use is normal • Equality of access • Security of stock • To impress! 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 5

Delivery features • • Who - any university member anywhere? How - local network (CD or campus); the Web Where - staff desktop, public IT areas, home Presentation - desktop; Web pages; integrated - hybrid library? 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 6

Delivery issues • • • IT Service/departments involvement Suitable spec PCs/software availability Off-campus access - how? Printing or download? - charge? Copyright enforcement 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 7

Passwords • Too many 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 8

Some passwords • • UNN Exam papers ATHENS RAPID ICivil. E Cambridge UP Mintel FT Profile Datastream 3 Dec 1998 Fame BIDS INSPEC MCB Emerald THES Aslib Current legal info Estates Gazette inside Web Electronic information - an implementor’s view 9

Passwords • • • Too many - rationalise? IP address checking - not off-campus automatic logon hidden Web page printed list ATHENS - OK in principle; but a need for personal passwords • local security needs 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 10

User issues • Expectations - full text/desktop. Users ignore print alternatives. • IT, Internet and information searching skills • Document delivery not ILL • Documentation - what, format, where, used? • How to learn of services • Support available - online 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 11

(Library) staff issues Electronic information is exciting, challenging, has great potential BUT • Training, knowledge needs are wider • Also IT support staff; dual role staff • Good system/service reliability • Prompt technical support 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 12

Supplier policies • Licences - CHEST: not overseas; NHS; CD-ROM: casual user; what is a site? • Marketplace - competition • How to influence - eg, commercial services; off -campus. At what level? • Costs - increases, especially compared with previous format. What do we give up? 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 13

JISC policies • Lack of openness of JISC and committees • Tendering for dataset supply - what principles? • Multiple suppliers • Proprietary interfaces for CHEST datasets • Uncoordinated development - implementing the DNER; ejournals: NESLI vs CHEST 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 14

Nevertheless There's no turning back 3 Dec 1998 Electronic information - an implementor’s view 15