This paper discusses cross‐sectoral collaboration in procuring and implementing a new library management system. After a historical review of collaboration in this area in the UK…
Abstract
This paper discusses cross‐sectoral collaboration in procuring and implementing a new library management system. After a historical review of collaboration in this area in the UK and other countries, it focuses on the joint purchase of the Voyager system (supplied by Endeavor Information Systems Inc.) by Edinburgh University and the National Library of Scotland. The differing missions and automation histories of the two institutions are discussed, followed by a practical summary of the procurement and implementation processes. The theoretical and practical advantages and disadvantages of this form of collaborative approach between academic and government organisations are described.
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Elisabeth Davenport, Rob Procter and Ana Goldenberg
What is the nature of reference work in the digital library? What is the role of the reference librarian where many users serve themselves by means of BIDS and other…
Abstract
What is the nature of reference work in the digital library? What is the role of the reference librarian where many users serve themselves by means of BIDS and other free‐at‐point‐of‐use services which emulate the Bath original (e.g. MIDAS in Manchester and EDINA in Edinburgh)? How is the concept of the ‘reference desk’ to be defined where points of presence for both users and librarians are distributed? Can assumptions based on specialist roles and fixed locations migrate to the world of virtual reference work? An Edinburgh‐based research project is exploring these issues in the context of the enhanced regional communications now available through EaStMAN (Edinburgh and Stirling Metropolitan Area Network). A major goal is for local HE institutions to explore the possibilities afforded for collaborative reference work. The project team have completed preliminary work with the BIOSIS Abstracts service hosted by the EDINA consortium. In this paper, we present the results of an investigation of the experiences of users and the work patterns of librarians and relate these to the design rationale of a prototype Web‐based network reference consultation support system. Our focus here is on typologies of user problems and expert response across various media and genres of interaction. A pilot service is scheduled to start in the autumn of 1997 and we plan to report on its use at a later date.
Christine L. Borgman, Donald O. Case and Dorothy Ingebretsen
We have conducted a study of academic faculty use of databases for research, their need for evaluative guides to databases, and the appropriateness of currently‐available guides…
Abstract
We have conducted a study of academic faculty use of databases for research, their need for evaluative guides to databases, and the appropriateness of currently‐available guides. Although the response rate was low (19%), the follow‐up survey suggested only a minimal non‐response bias. Our findings suggest that academic faculty are typically unaware of the range of databases available and few recognize the need for databases in research. Of those faculty who do use databases, most delegate the searching to a librarian or an assistant, rather than performing the searches themselves. We identified thirty‐nine database guides; these tend to be descriptive rather than evaluative.