“Good Enough”: Developing a Simple Workflow for Open Access Policy Implementation

Academic libraries are often tasked with open access (OA) policy implementation. Many academic libraries have developed robust workflows that utilize custom-built management tools and receive support from a number of library staff. While such workflows certainly streamline the process, their development and management require significant resources. As the number of smaller institutions with OA policies increases, there is a need for solutions that are efficient, flexible, and can be accomplished with minimal resources. Staff at Rice University's Fondren Library developed a simple workflow that populates the institutional repository, freeing up time for OA policy outreach and awareness activities.     

Using Topic Modeling to Enhance Access to Library Digital Collections

ABSTRACT

Information centers are increasingly being confronted with the challenges of shifting information environments. The development of a digital information society has dictated that libraries devise strategies to capture, describe, and provide access to these digital documents in addition to physical formats. This is nowhere more apparent than in the field of government information. With a public access mandate and a distribution model that has forever been destabilized by the development of low barrier Web publishing technologies, libraries providing access to government information face more challenges than ever. This article looks at the possibility of using topic modeling to increase access to the growing number of poorly described digital texts distributed to libraries and archives. The article provides a basic overview of what topic modeling is and its potential applications in libraries, describes some popular tools and potential workflows, and illustrates how the author tested a potential workflow.     

22nd Annual NASIG Conference Registrants NASIG Conference 2007—Registrants by Affiliation

Electronic resources are common in academic libraries. Focus is being placed on ways to provide users with easy access and accomplish tasks at the same time. When e-journals first arrived, libraries created workflows that followed the path of a print journal. These workflows were effective for a while, but are now breaking down. Libraries performed review and analysis to discover problems, and created new workflows. They have learned that workflows need to be constantly reviewed, analyzed, and updated to identify inefficiencies and eliminate them. Libraries must be willing to devote time and energy to maintain effective workflows to prepare for the future. A summary will be provided of one library's transition from a print to an electronic environment and the steps taken to maintain effective workflows through the years. The early days of cloud computing are here and libraries are taking first steps into the cloud. Workflows must be evaluated before moving into the cloud. Migration should be carefully structured for the move. Libraries are witnessing the benefits of the cloud environment. This article will discuss the benefits of maintaining effective workflows in the cloud. Readers will learn about a journey into the cloud with Ex Libris' Alma system.     

Managing Bibliographic Data Quality in a Consortial Academic Library: A Case Study

This article presents a case study of quality management for print and electronic resource metadata, summarizing problems and solutions encountered by the Cataloging and Discovery Services Department in the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. The authors discuss national, state, and local standards for cataloging, automated and manual record enhancements for data, user feedback, and statewide consortial factors. Findings show that adherence to standards, proactive cleanup of data via manual processes and automated tools, collaboration with vendors and stakeholders, and continual assessment of workflows are key to the management of biblio-graphic data quality in consortial academic libraries.     

Facing Our E-Demons: The Challenges of E-Serial Management in a Large Academic Library

As electronic serials have shifted from being the exception to the norm, libraries are becoming increasingly reliant on knowledge base-driven systems to help manage electronic serial holdings. In 2011, the University of Toronto Libraries migrated its electronic resource holdings from a local database to a commercial electronic resource management (ERM) system. With two years of experience using a commercial ERM system, the presenters endeavored to analyze how the library is coping with e-serial management within this new environment. This study reveals many of the benefits and pitfalls of managing electronic journals within a knowledge base–driven system and highlights the need for greater standardization within the data supply chain, better communication with publishers and knowledge base providers, and increased collaboration to improve the e-resource management process.     

Beginning to See the Light

SUMMARY

As the proliferation of electronic content continues, the need to get a better handle on how we communicate about the management of these resources has grown. In many instances, these processes and workflows have a basis in print resource workflow management. However, the discourse used to describe print resource management is not fully transferable to the management of electronic resources. With the rapid development of open-source software, ubiquitous acceptance of sophisticated integrated library systems, and emerging digital standards, new models for workflow and processing of electronic resources are emerging. Drawn from the discourse used in other disciplines, this paper explores ways to create a discourse of electronic resource management to better enable the development of a more universal management scheme for electronic resources.     

Preparation is Key: Lessons Learned from an ERM System Implementation

In 2001, the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries developed their own electronic resource management (ERM) system to track their online resources and contracts. Over the past decade, the programming and upkeep for the homegrown system had become too much of a burden, and the decision was made to move to a vendor-supported ERM system. In the summer of 2012, UNT began the implementation of Innovative’s ERM module. This presentation covered the steps involved in that implementation and the lessons learned on how best to prepare for a radical shift in workflows and procedures.     

Gateway to Improving ERM System Deliverables: NISO ERM Data Standards and Best Practices Review

Seven years after the Digital Library Foundation's (DLF) pioneering 2004 Electronic Resources Management Initiative (ERMI) report, challenges with electronic resource management (ERM) system implementation, interoperability, management, and workflow issues remain. In 2009 the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) formed the ERM Data Standards and Best Practices Review Steering Committee to undertake a gap analysis of ERM-related data, standards, and best practices with current and future e-resources management needs in mind. In this session a member of the Steering Committee presented an overview of the project and focused on initial results of the review, including mappings from the DLF ERMI data dictionary to a range of other current standards and best practices. This presentation was based on the draft of an unpublished discussion paper authored by the members of the NISO ERM Data Standards and Best Practices Review Steering Committee.     

Implementation and Application of CORAL: An Open Source ERM System

With the rapid increase of electronic databases, e-journals, electronic books, and digital collections in libraries, managing electronic resources is also becoming complex and challenging. It is an absolute necessity to have an effective electronic resources management (ERM). This article discusses our experience in choosing and implementing an open source ERM System (CORAL) at The College of New Jersey Library.     

香港中文大学图书馆电子资源管理的挑战与对策

电子资源管理是现今高校图书馆所面对的极具挑战性工作,香港中文大学的图书馆系统亦不例外。该馆的电子资源数量在2006-2007年度较上年增长了两倍。如何运用现有的人力资源和图书馆集成管理系统,及时让读者使用这些电子资源,已成为该馆的重大挑战。有见及此,该馆在2007年决定把电子期刊的编目工作外包,并采用Innovative公司的电子资源管理系统来解决上述问题。此文的目的,是叙述该馆利用SerialsSolutions公司的服务和Innovative公司的电子资源管理系统来管理与日俱增的电子资源的经验。尽管尚有困难待克服,但通过此文所述的措施,该馆的电子资源管理工作已得到改善。     

入世后我国高校图书馆外刊资源建设研究

外刊资源建设在高校图书馆文献资源建设中占有十分重要的地位。本文分析了入世后我国高校图书馆外刊资源建设的现状,研究了具体的对策和措施。     

高校图书馆深度知识服务流程框架与实现路径研究

[目的/意义] 为更好地满足科研创新的需求,提出科研创新环境下应开展深度知识服务,推进知识服务深层次发展。[方法/过程] 梳理知识服务深度发展进程及知识服务的层次,界定深度知识服务的内涵、要素与特点,以及在科技创新、科研数据管理和战略规划发展视角下的服务价值。[结果/结论] 构建深度知识服务的实施流程框架与策略,包括3个实施阶段,涉及需求策略、方法策略、技术策略、服务策略、评价策略、管理策略等6个方面。在此基础上,探讨开展深度知识服务的实现路径,包括需求精准定位、嵌入式馆员培养、评价性知识资源平台建设、规范与管理制度建设等方面。     

Meeting the E-Resources Challenge through Collaboration: An OCLC Perspective on Effective Management,Access, and Delivery of Electronic Collections

The session explored how collaboration among libraries, suppliers, and the OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC) cooperative can address some of the problems being faced with the management of electronic resources. Examples of specific challenges that impact budgets and services are: libraries’ reliance on multiple non-interoperable systems; the difficulties in getting and maintaining high quality and timely metadata; and the issues with managing workflows that cross system and staff boundaries. As work continues to introduce and enhance integrated systems for electronic resource management, these cooperative efforts can improve both the quality of the services and the associated data and workflows.     

On the same page: Improving the connection between public services units in academic libraries

Communication quality between public service units in academic libraries can make the difference between mediocre and exceptional service. If units do not communicate well, patrons may receive inaccurate information and experience short-term frustration, leading to long-term damage to the library's reputation. Poor communication creates adverse effects on employees through decreased productivity, negative work culture, and low morale. This article explores the importance of quality communication through a review of the literature and a case study at one academic library. The authors share practical communication improvement strategies for libraries of every size and fiscal ability.     

Facebook as a Communication Tool for an Academic Library: East West University Library,Bangladesh Perspective

The primary objectives of this research article are to explore the concept of communication tools using Facebook, and to evaluate the performance of the East West University (EWU) Library Facebook page as a communication tool. The EWU Library Facebook page uses a variety of strategies and techniques to engage with its patrons. The author's intention is to examine this library Facebook page, which is explored using a case study method. This article also focuses on how Facebook facilitates collaborations between the library and the patron's community, as well as the implications for academic libraries in the future. This case study reviews the literature on the use of social networking while focusing on Facebook as a communication tool and engaging libraries in social networking. The article emphasizes the author's experience of working in an academic library to identify the main trends in providing services based on posting various topics through the Facebook page of the EWU Library, Bangladesh. The numerous issues in adapting Facebook as a communication tool and an exploration of the opportunity and drawbacks of the use of the Facebook application in academic libraries are also discussed.     

电子资源管理系统实施与应用研究

认为电子资源管理是现今图书馆所面临的极具挑战性的工作。从选型标准、人员安排、工作流程、著录规范、互操作、使用许可、知识库、使用统计数据处理等方面探讨电子资源管理系统实施与应用需注意的几个问题,为国内图书馆实施与应用电子资源管理系统提供借鉴。     

高校图书馆科研数据联盟建设策略-以荷兰3TU.Datacentrum为例

[目的/意义]研究高校图书馆科研数据联盟的建设策略。[方法/过程]利用案例研究法分析荷兰3所高校图书馆共同建设的科研数据联盟3TU.Datacentrum,介绍其发展历程、数据资源建设、系统平台、服务方式,并分析其基本特点。[结果/结论]3TU.Datacentrum数据联盟具有图书馆主导、集中建设、一体化服务、广泛合作交流等突出特点,结合我国高校科研数据管理与共享现状,提出如下建设策略:应充分发挥图书馆的作用,立足于数据共享现实需求和科研管理政策要求,建立我国高校图书馆数据联盟,借此提高我国科研数据的质量与影响力,并合作开展数据管理专业教育等相关工作。研究结果对于我国高校图书馆科研数据联盟的建设发展具有重要参考价值。     

Some thoughts on the OhioLINK road show

The author summarizes observations on the varying technical services workflows presented during the OhioLINK Road Show presentations. Despite using the same integrated library system, the workflow varies from library to library. The libraries approach workflow redesign incrementally, depending on their particular priorities. The success of any workflow review depends on the quality of the staff and working relationships of the partners involved: library, ILS vendor, bibliographic utility, and materials vendor.     

民族自治区高校图书馆现状及发展策略

[目的/意义] 分析民族地区高校图书馆发展现状,为我国民族地区高校图书馆在资源建设和服务创新方面提供依据,并为制定民族地区高校图书馆未来整体发展战略提供有价值的参考。[方法/过程] 采用文献调研、网络调查的方法从资源和服务两个维度对国内5个少数民族自治区30所高校图书馆进行调查,归纳总结民族自治区高校图书馆发展现状和特点。[结果/结论] 当前,民族自治区高校图书馆在馆舍、文献资源、自动化设备、网络环境等方面都有较大改观,但服务能力有限,深层次服务开展得不够;民族自治区高校图书馆间合作有限,资源共享欠缺。据此提出发展策略。     

Perceptions of artificial intelligence: A survey of academic librarians in Canada and the United States

This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of librarians with regard to artificial intelligence in academic libraries. An online survey of 24 questions was distributed through library distribution lists in Canada and the United States at the end of the summer in 2019. Findings suggest that librarians do not agree on a definition of artificial intelligence which is in keeping with this emerging field. The survey responses highlight the fact that academic librarians require more training with regard to artificial intelligence and its potential applications in libraries. Other important implications include a recognition that library patrons are interested in AI and that little to no programming about it has been offered in academic libraries. Very few studies have focused on academic librarians' perceptions of AI. This article highlights some useful practical implications for AI technologies in libraries and how AI could help improve library services and workflows.