Electronic books: a call for effective business models
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assert that, in an effort to more effectively match users' needs to purchases and extend the buying power of library budgets for e‐books, libraries should use a profiled purchase on demand option to supplement their current practices.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews usage patterns for print and e‐books, business models for e‐books and comments on the benefits of using a patron‐driven acquisitions model.Findings – Circulation of the print collection is slowly declining, with only 20 per cent of the collection circulating in 2009. Large purchased collections of e‐books statistics are roughly the same but those purchased through Patron‐Driven Acquisitions are assured use.Originality/value – The discussion of current business models for e‐books illustrates some challenges libraries face in transitioning from print to electronic. Patron‐driven models allow libraries to help users at point of need and manage scarce resources.
Enhancing access to library resources at Northern Caribbean University through an e-library initiative
Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of the e-library on the usage of library resources at Northern Caribbean University. The objective was also to determine whether or not it is worthwhile to continue to invest in electronic resources in a period of declining library budgets and easy access to electronic resources via the internet. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from library statistical reports as well as from a survey administered to students and faculty on both the main and extension campuses over a four-week period. The population studied in the survey was 280 faculty members and 5,340 students. Of this number, a stratified random sample of 50 faculty members and 200 students was selected. Findings – The study shows that the provision of e-library resources has increased overall usage of library materials as patrons continue to use print resources in tandem with electronic versions. The study also found that the electronic library resources are helpful to pa...
Literature in English: A Guide for Librarians in the Digital Age. ACRL Publications in Librarianship No. 54.
A wide-ranging series of essays addresses concerns related to the acquisition, organization, and use of information sources related to the study and teaching of English literature. Among the issues discussed are the changed literary canon, the expanded range of research and course interests, and the impact of new electronic resources on traditional print. A section entitled "Readers and Services", describes how to teach researchers and students the use of the MLA International Bibliography, the field's essential source of research in literature, linguistics, and related areas, problems of access, such as the meaningful description, classification, and cataloging for electronic texts, web sites, and other digital resources, and electronic text centers. Methods to discover faculty's and students' interests and how to determine which materials and services best meet their needs are examined through a description of activities and programs that can serve as a model for librarians. An examination of resources and collections acknowledges the changes in the syllabus as well as formats (web, CD, floppy disk) electronic editions, and a chapter on textual and literary website includes an extensive webliography and bibliography. This volume is an essential work for librarians who are new, working actively, or simply taking on a new assignment in reference and/or collection development in the field of literature in English.