The European Library – history, technique and user expectations

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric van der Meulen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Point ◽  
General Description ◽  
Library History ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
National Libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the single point of access to the collections of the European National Libraries via The European Library.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a description of The European Library.FindingsThe emphasis in this article is on user expectations with regards to access, but more importantly to the content behind the record. It describes how the European Library is responding to these expectations, rather than a general description of developments.Originality/valueThe paper provides a useful overview.

Competitive intelligence as a coping strategy for academic libraries in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 593-606
Author(s):  
Smangele P. Moyane ◽  
Luyanda Dube ◽  
Ntando Nkomo ◽  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Library Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Expectations

PurposeThis study examined the extent to which public academic libraries in South Africa coped with the changing information environment by using competitive intelligence (CI) to attain competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted positivism as the main philosophical lens and also incorporated qualitative elements to augment the quantitative data through a survey research design. Questionnaires were e-mailed to 25 directors of public academic libraries in South Africa and 17 were returned, yielding a 68% response rate. Attempts were made to reach to the 25 directors through semi-structured telephonic interviews, and only eight responded some through their representatives, yielding a 32% response rate. Using two instruments permitted the triangulation of data. A noted limitation of the study is that some library directors neither responded to the questionnaire nor the interview.FindingsFindings revealed that various competitive intelligence techniques were employed; however, their implementation was not formalised. Competitiveness was driven by various factors such as rivalries in the information value chain; relevance; financial and budgetary constraints; changing user expectations and evolving technology.Originality/valueThis study is novel because there is a dearth of literature on implementation and use of competitive intelligence in academic libraries in South Africa.

Assessing the effectiveness of a national resource sharing system

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Mangiaracina ◽  
Cristina Cocever ◽  
Marco Chiandoni ◽  
Stefania Arabito
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Italian Studies ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
National Resource

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the surveys, carried out during 2011 and 2013, regarding the functionality of and possible improvements to Italy’s nationwide resource sharing service NILDE (Network for Inter-Library Document Exchange). Design/methodology/approach – The methodology comprises both an analysis of quantitative data about ILL transactions initiated during a 2011 study and a qualitative assessment of the system based on information obtained from the surveys and a SWOT analysis. This proved to be an effective methodology, and a new survey was launched in 2013 to verify whether the choices made and the projects undertaken were in line with user expectations. Findings – The results turned out to be particularly interesting and a source of hints for planning future improvements. Originality/value – Italian studies for assessing user satisfaction of library services, based on user surveys, often relate to a single library or a single University. The NILDE survey was delivered nationwide to all the registered users of NILDE. This is the most extensive survey for the number of libraries and the various types of end users involved.

University of Alberta Libraries Interlibrary Loan Department – Creating new relationships, locally and globally

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
CJ de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Delivery Service ◽  
University Library ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the value and benefits from newly developed relationships between the University of Alberta Libraries’ Interlibrary Loan Department and other institutions through the delivery of new services. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a descriptive review of the new services provided, including a centralized interlibrary loan service for members of the NEOS Consortium and an article delivery service for Can Tho University Library (Vietnam), an overview of the implementation of the services and a discussion of the value and benefits created. Findings A single-point of intake for interlibrary loan requests for a group of academic libraries can be implemented successfully with few drawbacks, providing benefits to all the participants. An article delivery service to an institution that provides no interlibrary loan services provides value through access to new resources and demonstrates not to be a burden on the provider; yet, this paper demonstrates that the primary value is in learning about their patrons’ needs. Practical implications Other institutions could replicate these services and relationships. Originality/value Single-point of intake for interlibrary loan in academic consortial environments has neither been demonstrated in the literature nor has any component of interlibrary loan been described to support international initiatives to assist libraries in disadvantaged countries.

Bouncecasting: a seminar gaming approach to foresight

foresight ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Kahan
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
General Description ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Problem ◽  
The Future ◽  
Multiple Characteristics ◽  
Multiple Scenarios

Purpose This paper aims to present “Bouncecasting,” a seminar gaming foresight approach useful for examining “wicked problems” where the path to the future is uncertain and malleable and where major stakeholders may have different preferences for different futures. The approach gets its name because it goes back and forth between forecasting and backcasting, provides for give and take among different groups of stakeholders and creates and compares multiple scenarios depicting plausible futures. Design/methodology/approach After defining Bouncecasting, presenting its main features and providing a recommended way of conducting Bouncecasting studies, the approach is illustrated by four Bouncecasting projects conducted between 1998 and 2004. Findings The four projects taken together show that Bouncecasting can be used to address a range of wicked problems in a practical way. The projects considered in sequence show the evolution of the method. Originality/value Bouncecasting is a way of doing foresight that examines in an integrated way multiple characteristics of a policy problem, thereby providing promising solutions for complex issues. Although there have been over a dozen Bouncecasting studies conducted by the author and different sets of colleagues, this is the first general description of the approach.

A non-traditional open-source solution for altmetrics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vineet Jamwal ◽  
Simran Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Scholarly Activity ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Digital Repositories ◽  
Online Interactions ◽  
Innovative Tool

Purpose Altmetric carries the potential of highlighting scholarly content by measuring online interactions much before other forms of traditional metrics grow up. The aim of this paper is to be the single point of access for librarians, scientists, information specialists, researchers and other scholars in public to learn to embed the open-source embeddable badge provided by Altmetric in their websites and showcase their article altmetrics. Libraries can take advantage of this free and innovative tool by incorporating it in their own websites or digital repositories. Design/methodology/approach This paper elucidates steps for embedding altimetric institutional repository badges in personal websites or institutional repositories. Findings This open-source Altmetric tool tracks a range of sources to catch and collect the scholarly activity and assists in monitoring and reporting the attention surrounding an author’s work in a very timely manner. Originality/value This tool is freely available to libraries worldwide.

Many roads to information: digital resource sharing and access at the Swiss National Library

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Clavel‐Merrin
Keyword(s):  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
National Library ◽  
Information Requirements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Resource ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
Access Information

PurposeThe paper seeks to describe the changes in user expectations for access to material at the Swiss National Library and the different ways it seeks to provide access information through resource sharing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes briefly the Swiss National Library's background and mandate, its digitisation work and access to these resources.FindingsThe Swiss National Library is developing services, both e‐services and non‐e services, to support the information requirements of its users.OriginalityThis is one of the few papers to provide an up‐to‐date account of developments at the Swiss National Library.

The European Library – pushing the boundaries of usability

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Cousins
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Model Management ◽  
Technical Solution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technical Base ◽  
Collaborative Working ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
National Boundaries ◽  
National Libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to present an overview of The European Library as a portal and discuss the issues of usability this gives in delivery of multicultural, multilingual access to the cultural heritage in Europe's National Libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a description of the service its business model, management structure and technical base with an emphasis on how this does or does not work for the user.FindingsPortals are not great user experiences. This is further complicated in the case of The European Library by the language barrier for search and retrieval across national boundaries. However, the existence of The European Library is at least of accessing material that would otherwise remain only accessible within the library itself. It is also a big step towards the creation of a European Digital Library.Originality/valueThe paper discusses more of the effects of such a portal on the user than has elsewhere been published. The value is in its description of collaborative working, its example of a management and organisational structure, its working business model and the technical solution that sits behind it. As an example of creating cross country and cultural access to digitised information it has been successful to date.

scholarly journals Legal deposit of electronic books – a review of challenges faced by national libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marietjie De Beer ◽  
Marieta Van der Merwe ◽  
Liezl Ball ◽  
Ina Fourie
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Electronic Books ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Electronic Publications ◽  
National Libraries ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by national libraries regarding the legal deposit of electronic books, and to make recommendations for issues to consider – especially with regard to developing, planning and implementing. Design/methodology/approach – Literature published from 2000 to 2014 on legal deposit of electronic publications was examined. Key databases covering library and information science were searched, and case studies, general reviews, research papers/reports and view point articles were considered. Findings – National libraries embarking on projects on legal deposit of electronic books need to consider the collection, preservation and accessibility of the legal deposit collection. They face challenges regarding legal deposit legislation and institutional policy, legal considerations such as copyright, environmental factors, established mechanisms for deposit, information retrieval and access, preservation, human resources, financial implications and trust. Further research and continued monitoring of issues of concern and changes are required due to technological developments and the obsolescence of technology. Practical implications – The review raises awareness of issues that need to be considered by national libraries and other repositories to manage the legal deposit of electronic books in their institutions. Originality/value – The review can serve as a guide for nations (particularly in developing countries) to embark on the legal deposit of electronic publications, specifically electronic books.

The ILL Service in the Biblioteca Nacional de España

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Albelda ◽  
Sonia Abella
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Performance ◽  
Crucial Issue ◽  
National Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Hispanic Studies ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
National Libraries ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the recent developments implemented in the ILL Service in the Biblioteca Nacional de España, aimed at a customer‐focused approach.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on those facts and activity figures reported between 2006 and the first semester of 2009 within the ILL Service.FindingsAs a result of the implementation of a series of quality standards (promotion of off‐site options, automation of workflows, review of procedures), a customer‐focused approach has been built in the ILL Service. Performance evaluation is a crucial issue in order to provide a better service and to benchmark with similar units in national libraries. The implementation of new electronic services and the great digitisation projects provide a larger visibility of national collections as well as an increase in ILL demand. The ILL Service continues to play a key role in cooperation and support for research, mainly in Hispanic studies.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the major quality measures introduced in the last few years in order to meet new customer needs in the ILL Service offered by the National Library of Spain. It also incorporates the impact of the main digitisation projects on the ILL Service.

Metaphors of women as leaders

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-12
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Women have made great advances in leadership roles over the past decade; however, there are still many challenges to be faced and overcome before there is equality with men. The labyrinth metaphor is a useful one, as it represents the challenges and opportunities women may face along their career path, not just at a single point. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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