This paper traces the development of JISC strategy for, and provision of, networked information services through the 1990s. The account has been structured in “eras”, and although…
Abstract
This paper traces the development of JISC strategy for, and provision of, networked information services through the 1990s. The account has been structured in “eras”, and although each lasted only a few years it was arguably equivalent to a long period of history in such a fast moving field. The early era of the Computer Board and the Information Systems Committee (precursors of JISC) was characterised by experimentation, risk‐taking, and learning by doing. With the establishment of JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) in 1993 we entered a second era, of consolidation of policy, expansion of service provision through new datasets and databases, and increasing take‐up by users. The third era benefited from the wider context set by the Follett Report and, from 1995, saw a flowering of related projects and developments creating the “electronic library”. JISC’s new five‐year strategy launched late in 1996 heralded a fourth era, to be led by the Committee for Electronic Information (CEI) which has now set about widening the scope of nationally provided electronic collections even further, and has begun to tackle a wide range of management and policy issues relating to a much more mature range of services. The paper concludes with some consideration of the issues to be faced in the next phase of provision.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.
Findings
It was found that the fundamental debate on the direction of scholarly publishing continues intensely. Electronic books remain a minority market but the literature at least remains optimistic. The mass digitisation of books continues apace. Open access continues to grow but with continuing and widely differing views on its impact.
Originality/value
The paper represents a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.
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The Funding Councils of England, Scotland and Wales, and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland set up a Review of library provision in higher education in the Autumn of…
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The Funding Councils of England, Scotland and Wales, and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland set up a Review of library provision in higher education in the Autumn of 1992, chaired by Sir Brian Follett, Vice Chancellor of Warwick University. The Review reported late in 1993 and has, perhaps for the first time since the Parry Report of 1967, placed library matters high on the higher education agenda. The Review was set up against a background of perceived problems of libraries in coping with the huge expansion of the undergraduate population, such concerns being pictorially conveyed in the press through crowded libraries, students studying on the floor, and so on: the political agenda for Follett was mass teaching and its required facilities.
To provide an in-depth survey and review of innovation in library and information services (LIS) and to identify future trends in innovative research and its practical application…
Abstract
Purpose
To provide an in-depth survey and review of innovation in library and information services (LIS) and to identify future trends in innovative research and its practical application in the field.
Methodology/approach
An in-depth review and summation of relevant literature over the last twenty years, along with an analysis and summary of the other papers in the volume.
Findings
Innovation in library and information work varies between the evolutionary and the discontinuous. A taxonomy of innovatory approaches to development and provision in the sector is provided, along with a detailed listing of the key elements of successful and not-so-successful innovative practice.
Research limitations/implications
The work is dependent on existing literature rather than direct empirical work. However, because it draws together all major aspects of the topic, it has the potential to be used as a springboard for further generic studies and also specific programmes of work.
Practical implications
The need for innovation in LIS will be ever more pressing. The present chapter provides a necessary and rigorous overview of the necessary elements required for success in this area. It will be useful as a reference tool for intending researchers in library and information provision in a wide range of environments.
Originality/value
Because the chapter brings together a substantial body of information on the topic of innovation, it provides a comprehensive study of major developments and likely future trends in the field.
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LYNNE BRINDLEY, FRANCES KRIVINE and BRUCE REID
Aston is a technological university, fully committed to the use of information technology within its teaching, research and support programmes. The Library and Information Service…
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Aston is a technological university, fully committed to the use of information technology within its teaching, research and support programmes. The Library and Information Service (LIS) has a very active history of computerisation, founded on timely and significant investment decisions made even in difficult financial circumstances. This article describes the gradual automation of the Library's “housekeeping” activities, culminating in its current integrated Geac system. It also outlines a long involvement in the provision of information services, particularly in support of research activity, but now spreading to undergraduate level. Finally, current plans for a range of services to be provided over the University's proposed broadband network are described, indicating a continuing commitment to a high‐profile use of information technology in support of library and information services to the academic community.
D.J. Foskett and Lynne Brindley
A ZBB exercise was carried out at Aston University Library in1984‐85. Though no experience was available, the exercise proved usefulin analysing in detail all the library tasks…
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A ZBB exercise was carried out at Aston University Library in 1984‐85. Though no experience was available, the exercise proved useful in analysing in detail all the library tasks and assigning costs to each. Two other important factors were: a clearly defined development policy, and acceptable performance indicators.
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LYNNE BRINDLEY and ALISON SHUTE
We publish below two papers given on 21 July 1987 at a seminar “Joint Enterprise: Roles and Relationships of the Public and Private Sectors in the Provision of Library and…
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We publish below two papers given on 21 July 1987 at a seminar “Joint Enterprise: Roles and Relationships of the Public and Private Sectors in the Provision of Library and Information Services.” The seminar was organised by LISC and BL in conjunction with William Dawson and Sons Ltd.
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This simple title, Management development for information professionals of the future, hides within it a large number of difficult issues. I want firstly to make explicit some of…
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This simple title, Management development for information professionals of the future, hides within it a large number of difficult issues. I want firstly to make explicit some of my assumptions about the future as a background to addressing the question of what sort of systematic and continuing preparation information professionals will need to play the kind of central role envisaged for them by bodies such as Aslib. I hope to encapsulate the challenge and opportunities of the next few years as a speculative context, without going into too much detail. This will lead on to an identification of the key requirements and possible ways of meeting needs, with some final thoughts on our capacity as a profession to meet these complex challenges.
This paper addresses the topic of information service and information product pricing. It aims to combine a discussion of principles with practical examples of pricing in a range…
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This paper addresses the topic of information service and information product pricing. It aims to combine a discussion of principles with practical examples of pricing in a range of different services, from library revenue earning activities, through online and products, to emerging electronic services. Pricing is considered as part of a market approach to information services which assumes the development of a culture in which information is valued as an economic commodity.