Research Collections and Digital Information / Edition 1

by Sul H Lee

Overview

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The new technologies that have revolutionized information storage and retrieval demand commensurate changes in librarianship. Research Collections and Digital Information explores the practical and theoretical impact of new information technologies on the libraries of today. It suggests new strategies for collecting, organizing, and accessing library materials and emphasizes the increasing importance of classification and bibliographic rigor in dealing with the riot of information available on the Internet.

This helpful book provides a detailed case study of the advantages and disadvantages of an electronic text center. A thorough discussion of the possibilities of custom-tailored digital libraries includes information on the Alexandria Digital Earth Prototype, which offers geographers and other earth scientists electronic access to maps, aerial photographs, and texts. In addition, you will find proven guidelines for selecting ebooks and other electronic materials.

Research Collections and Digital Information offers guidance on technology's impact on essential library services and concerns, including:

• budgets for library materials and staff
• copyright and licensing issues
• interlibrary loan
• vendor-library relations
• library buildings and equipment
  
  Research Collections and Digital Information provides a fascinating look into the practical ways that other librarians have risen to the challenges of this dramatic paradigm shift. It is an essential resource for library directors, collections managers, and students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780789013484
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/20/2001
Series:	Journal of Library Administration
Pages:	116
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.38(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contents

• Introduction
• Shared Collection Building: Constructing the 21st Century Relational Research Library
• Research Collections and Digital Information: Will There Be a Role for Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services?
• Digital Library Selection: Maximum Access, Not Buying the Best Titles: Libraries Should Become Full-Text Amazon.com's
• Research Collections: Content/Format/Service, a Vendor's Perspective
• Found Money: Trading Infrastructure for Information
• Selling Our Collecting Souls: How License Agreements Are Controlling Collection Management
• Electronic Text Centers: Creating Research Collections on a Limited Budget, the Nebraska Experience
• In Search of a New Library-Vendor Business Model
• Index
• Reference Notes Included

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Robert S. Lyle, BSEd., MLS (VA Medical Center Philadelphia)
Description: This book is a collection of papers delivered at a conference of the same name sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Foundation in March 2000. The contents have been published simultaneously as Journal of Library Administration, Volume 31, Number 2, 2000.
Purpose: The rapid increase in the amount of information available in digital formats has, and will continue to have, a significant inmpact on libraries. The papers presented here are meant to stimulate thought and discussion of unique processes and problems related to acquisition and distribution of digital information by libraries. Few answers are offered, which is appropriate in a field where many of the questions remain to be presented.
Audience: This book is intended for librarians and library administrators who are, or will be, involved in acquiring and providing access to digital information. Simply stated, most libraians should find this book informative and useful. The librarian contributors are knowledgeable and experienced, and two contributors represent information vendors.
Features: As a whole, this book examines a range of issues that libraries will face due to both the nature and volume of digital information that will require changes in library policies and processes. The papers cover topics such as the impact of licensure agreements on distribution, including ILL's, and retention of data, as well the perceived need to rethink collection development policies in view of changing nature and demands of users. The seemingly more mundane issue of budgetary concerns is also discussed, and two papers discuss issues from the viewpoint of digital vendors. The book cannot offer many solutions to still evolving problems, but it offers a wealth of information as to the issues that will need to addressed so pitfalls can be avoided.
Assessment: This book should be an eye opener, even for librarians who have some experience with digital information, as most probably do. It will be thought-provoking book that stimulates discussion in the library profession, which is the editor's stated objective.

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