**Apologies for cross posting**
The British Library Research and Innovation Centre has recently
awarded two new grants for research:
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Review of digital library research
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The British Library Research and Innovation Centre (BLRIC) has
commissioned CERLIM, the Centre for Research in Library and
Information Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, to
undertake a review of digital library research. The aim of this study
is to assess progress which has been made in recent years, not only
through the BLRIC's own Digital Libraries research programme, but also
in programmes like the UK Higher Education Electronic Libraries (eLib)
Programme, the European Commission's Telematics for Libraries
Programme and national programmes in the USA, Canada, Australia and
other countries.
The "Digital Library" is a rapidly developing concept which may be
described in different ways. In part it is represented by developments
in traditional libraries as they evolve to seize the opportunities of
new information and communications technologies (ICTs). In part it is
a development from computer systems in the academic and commercial
sectors, most obviously from Internet-based services including the
World Wide Web and public search engines. But Digital Libraries are
not just technology-based information handling systems - they also
represent an opportunity to expand the traditional library's social
and cultural roles, not least by using technology to counter
"information exclusion" in its many forms.
The Review is being led by Professor Peter Brophy, Director of CERLIM.
Comments and suggestions from interested individuals, groups and
organisations are invited and should be sent to CERLIM by email at
[log in to unmask], or by mail to Digital Libraries Review, CERLIM,
Manchester Metropolitan University, Geoffrey Manton Building, Rosamond
Street West, Manchester M15 6LL
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Trend analysis of acquisitions in university and public libraries in
the UK
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This BNBRF-funded project, to be undertaken by the Library and
Information Statistics Unit (LISU) and the UK Office for Library and
Information Networking (UKOLN), aims to analyse changes in
acquisitions and stock management practices in UK academic and public
libraries over the period 1980 to 1998, using the random samples of
records accumulated by UKOLN for the BNBMARC Currency Survey.
The following analyses are proposed:
*Tracking over time book acquisition dates in relation to publication
dates
*Monitoring changes in the patterns of acquisitions - in particular,
the acquisition of recently published material vis a vis older
material through replacement or stock revision programmes
*Quantifying over time the acquisition of paperbacks in relation to
hardbacks
*Quantitative changes in the acquisition of materials on different
subjects, using second-level BIC subject categories. A secondary
subject analysis will be done by Dewey numbers (first three digits)
*Quantifying over time changes in the average prices of materials
acquired, and relating these to average prices of books published over
the same period (using the Bookseller prices tables for public library
data, and LISU's Average prices of British academic books for
university library data). Price will also be analysed by subject
categories - where the BIC and Bookseller/LISU subject categories are
compatible
* For selected libraries, monitoring the proportions of the original
stock samples retained in stock (and/or re-ordered) over different
time periods
Analysis of all these features will distinguish between public library
and academic library practice.
The Centre has also recently published two new reports:
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A matter of choice: information used in public library book selection/
by Capital Planning Information
BLR&I report 143
BNBRF report 92
ISBN: 1898869464
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Available from: Capital Planning Information, 91 High Street, Bruton,
Somerset BA10 0BH. Tel: 01749 812963; Fax: 01749812964; Email:
[log in to unmask] £19.95
The research on which this report is based arose from the changes in
public library stock management and book selection policies and
practice in recent years. It reviewed the information used in public
library book selection, the types of information used by selectors and
the relative importance of the components of this information, the
sources of information used, the timing of its use and the advantages
and disadvantages of the sources used.
The research concludes that there is considerable benefit in
maintaining discussion of the developing selection processes and of
sharing experience, that training and mentoring are important in
developing the expertise required for effective book selection, and
that book selection should be carried out within defined stock
management and selection policies and informed by accessible
management information.
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LOGOPLUS: the impact of local government reorganisation on public
library users and staff/ by Sandra Parker, Linda Banwell and Kathryn
Ray
BLR&I report 153
ISBN 0712397426
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Available from: British Thesis Service, British Library Document
Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby LS23 7BQ tel: 01937 546229; fax:
01937 546286; email: [log in to unmask] Price in the
UK: microfiche £5.00; photocopy £12.00
The report presents the findings of the LOGOPLUS project which took
place between January 1997 and September 1998. The objective of the
project was to ascertain to what extent the move to unitary
authorities during the re-organisation of local government impacted on
public libraries. The research question was to investigate whether the
new authorities delivered a seamless transition of services to
public library users and staff. Case studies were undertaken in nine
authorities and their representatives formed part of the Steering
Group who identified the following areas of change: politics, finance,
integration, co-operation, staff, communication and users. Conclusions
have indicated a number of success factors which contributed to
seamlessness: councillors and managers who were committed to the
provision of excellent services; transitional finance sufficient to
cover the process of the change; effective leadership; clear
definition of mission and goals; multi-skilling where appropriate and
supportive users. Some libraries have suffered because councillors or
managers did not have a clear vision; there was insufficient finance;
managers were not good communicators and there was very little or no
training for staff.
The Centre also reports with regret that the British Library Board has
decided to discontinue, from April 1999, the British Library Grants for
Cataloguing and Preservation scheme made via the Research and
Innovation Centre. A short announcement is available on the Library's
WWW pages at: http://www.bl.uk/information/news/cpgrants.html
Full details of the work of the Research and Innovation Centre are
available from its Website: http://www.bl.uk/services/ric/
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Simon Matty
Information Officer
Research and Innovation Centre
The British Library
2 Sheraton Street
London W1V 4BH
tel: 0171 412 7054
fax: 0171 412 7251
email: [log in to unmask]
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