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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1990

Esther G. Bierbaum

The academic library clings to its etymological roots; even a term such as “alternative materials” connotes print. Still, because of the recognition of recreational or…

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Abstract

The academic library clings to its etymological roots; even a term such as “alternative materials” connotes print. Still, because of the recognition of recreational or instructional values, some audiovisual (AV) formats—traditionally, the sight‐sound media of film, recordings, and graphics— have become accepted (if not wholly embraced) in academic collections. Whether these nonprint materials are bibliographically and physically accessible is problematical: AV is often purchased from different budgets, housed separately, and indexed by a system different from that for the print collection. Nonprint also includes three‐dimensional objects (3D), materials equally useful as supplements to the printed page: a model, a simulation, the “real thing” itself. The literature indicates these materials are increasingly important in school and public library collections. We ask then, should objects be part of academic library collections, and what is the present status of these materials in academic libraries?

Details

Collection Building, vol. 10 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0160-4953

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Article
Publication date: 13 August 2018

Rupert Nicholas Williams

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main strategic considerations facing the libraries of national museums over the next decade, and to examine anticipated future service…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main strategic considerations facing the libraries of national museums over the next decade, and to examine anticipated future service and resource development priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was undertaken, consisting of a quantitative research phase followed by a qualitative phase. An online survey was sent to the head librarians of two hundred national museum libraries for the quantitative phase. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with the head librarians at seven national museum libraries for the qualitative phase. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the interview data were analysed through use of recursive abstraction. Mixing of the data occurred following the qualitative phase.

Findings

National museum libraries are facing a complex array of future challenges and opportunities as a result of a rapidly changing socio-technical landscape, evolving organisational needs and priorities and ongoing operational constraints. The main strategic considerations for many national museum libraries relate to their preparedness for these issues, and their ability to deliver services and resources that are relevant, required, and responsive to the future research needs of internal and external users. It seems likely that development priorities will focus on consolidating high impact services and resources, whilst also expanding provision into new areas that have the greatest potential for growth.

Originality/value

This study identifies issues of strategic importance for national museum libraries and examines the main priority areas being considered by museum librarians as they prepare to develop their libraries into the third decade of the twenty-first century.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 74 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

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