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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