The big issue for me is that, as a user, I have to go to each of these
accredited sources individually. Google goes to zillions of sources at
the same time.
It's just not worth the effort to log into multiple password-controlled
sources. The Google approach might be a bit hit-and-miss in terms of
quality, but at least it's easy enough to use. Even with IP-based
access in the library, it's still a pain to go through this process.
I think we'd get more value from a system that provided a single,
customisable frontend to these resources, providing an aggregated search
to cover all of them. Search once, read results from many sources.
I'd like to see MLA advocating for (and maybe providing?) a much more
joined-up way of using these resources. I'd also like to see them
imposing standardised reporting requirements on the vendors of these
systems, especially considering the advent of more meaningful
measurement of virtual library visits.
Each resource - the OUP bundle, British Standards, NewsUK etc. -
provides its own statistics and has its own reporting standards.
Wouldn't it be easier to compare usage (and value) if they all reported
in the same way, via the same single access point? Or am I too
pedantic?
Publicity materials are definitely necessary, but the products need to
meet librarians' *and* users' expectations of quality *and*
functionality.
Michael (who is apparently rather cranky today - sorry!)
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of leech, helen
Sent: 21 September 2007 11:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [LIS-PUB-LIBS] Online resources - KnowUK, OUP etc
Thanks, Peter. I agree with you - I'm convinced that our future lies in
providing / guiding people to quality information online, but we're in a
situation here where there's a straightforward choice between providing
children's books or online resources, and there's no contest when use is
so low in comparison.
I really need a lever to persuade my authority that these things are
worth funding, and I don't have that lever. (The same thing really
applies to all of our library services. It'll be interesting to see
what comes out of the Blueprint for Excellence and the CAA framework,
but they don't look as if they will be prescriptive.)
Regards
Helen
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 21 September 2007 10:37
To: leech, helen
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Online resources - KnowUK, OUP etc
Is this not really about how we promote these resources?
Google and Wikipediaa may be very popular simply because that's all
people know about.
My argument for taking things like Britannica, or the OUP package is
that they are accredited sources of information, which is often not the
case with the results from Google etc.
In due course many title are no longer going to be printed as hard copy,
so what do we turn to then? personally I would like the MLA to start
talking about getting further reductions in the subscriptions, and that
we establish some form of uniform publicity that we can all use to
promote the resources as in reality the cost is often high due to the
low use.
and if any one is wondering why I have responded, up until a few months
ago I was heading the reference team
Peter Hebdon
Senior Librarian, Fiction & Reader Development
Wallsend Library
Ferndale Road
Wallsend
NE28 7NB
Tel: 0191 200 6968
Fax: 0191 200 6967
Email: [log in to unmask]
Unless otherwise stated, opinions, conclusions and other information
expressed in this message are personal and not those of North Tyneside
Council
"leech, helen"
<helen.leech@MEDWA To:
[log in to unmask]
Y.GOV.UK> cc: (bcc: Peter
Hebdon/Cultural Services/ECS/ntc)
Sent by: Subject: Online
resources - KnowUK, OUP etc
"lis-pub-libs: UK
Public Libraries"
<LIS-PUB-LIBS@JISC
MAIL.AC.UK>
20/09/2007 16:14
Please respond to
"leech, helen"
Along with every other authority I know of, Medway Libraries budgets are
in a tight squeeze. At the moment we subscribe to a good range of
online resources, including Times digital archive, CANS, Encyclopaedia
Britannica, and the subscriptions organised through the MLA. We're
having to consider carefully which ones we will continue.
So I'd like to ask the question: Is there a future for online
subscriptions, when Google and Wikipedia reign supreme?
I'd appreciate hearing from other authorities in a similar situation -
either to compare situations or to form a mutual support group!
Many thanks
Helen Leech
Area Librarian, Medway Library Service
Visitor's Centre
95 High Street
Rochester
Kent
ME1 1LX
Tel 01634 337358
Email [log in to unmask]
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