Edmund Balnaves and Mark Chehade
The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a research project undertaken by Prosentient Systems and partially funded by the ALIA 2007 research study grant. The focus…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a research project undertaken by Prosentient Systems and partially funded by the ALIA 2007 research study grant. The focus of the project was a proof‐of‐concept implementation of a Smart Client application for digital archiving of e‐journal subscriptions held by special libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
This research comprised a survey of libraries in the area of electronic journal archiving and software development research. The quantitative survey was distributed to 254 member libraries of the GratisNet and GLASS special library networks in Australia. Seven questions explored current practice in e‐journal archiving. In total, 164 responses were received, of which only seven indicated current progress toward e‐journal archiving. Based on the survey results, the second phase of the project comprised software development research.
Findings
The research outcomes indicate that a cross‐platform “Smart Client” approach to e‐journal archiving is achievable and the presentation will review architectural design techniques that support cross‐platform deployment and simple installation using open source smart client tools.
Practical implications
The transition to e‐journal subscriptions has not been matched with attention to methods for local archiving of e‐journal subscriptions. This research demonstrates the feasibility of simple solutions suitable for special libraries to implement local e‐journal archives.
Originality/value
This research presents an innovative approach to e‐journal archiving for special libraries. The approach differs from current, peer‐to‐peer approach by implementing a central metadata server and a simple easy to deploy desktop archiving agent. Furthermore, limitations imposed by copyright restrictions are the principal impediment that libraries face in implementing e‐journal archives, and the centralised metadata approach can help libraries distinguish journals for which local archiving is allowed.
Details
Keywords
The paper seeks to describe the establishment and progress of an online initiative: RIC – Researching the Information Commons.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to describe the establishment and progress of an online initiative: RIC – Researching the Information Commons.
Design/methodology/approach
Who has really challenged and thought through in a research sense about the issues that surround the commons provision of information; a concept dear to the hearts of many of the world's librarians? This question leads to the development of a researcher networking initiative, represented on the web as RIC (http://infocommons.curtin.edu.au).
Findings
The web site has a growing number of participants, not all working together, but who are interested in information commons matters from a research point of view.
Research limitations/implications
RIC is a federated network of colleagues researching in this many faceted arena and it is slowly gathering momentum. Expressions of interest to join have been sought, and a web site has been developed.
Practical implications
RIC will operate through: openness and feedback; shared decision making; diversity within the commons; honouring social and legal equity amongst its members; and fostering sociability within the commons.
Social implications
The vision for the RIC Group is to nurture and mentor a community of researchers interested in matters relating to the information commons, by being in itself an information commons.
Originality/value
The topic of information commons has considerable use and currency but there appears to be only one RIC.
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Keywords
THE earliest libraries in any kind of community were run by interested members of the community with enthusiasm but no special training. Their communities asked them for very…
Abstract
THE earliest libraries in any kind of community were run by interested members of the community with enthusiasm but no special training. Their communities asked them for very little more than they could get or do for themselves but did not care to find the time for, and because the librarian was one of their own, but no longer functioning fully in their world, the members of the community tended to have, however loyally or gently, a lower opinion of the man and consequently hisoffice. For the failed academic or businessman this was little less than just, but it was quite unjust to the profession of librarianship.