E-NHANCING E-RESOURCEFULNESS

Meg BonessAssociate Librarian, Client Services

e-SNAPSHOT: 2006

• 71,000 journal titles (95% of the total journal collection).

• 13,000 e-books including reference.

Vendor supplied statistics:

- high usage of limited, specific titles

- low overall usage of e-collection

Internal analysis: - limited awareness of e-collections

Library project established to

“empirically examine perceptions based on anecdotal evidence and vendor supplied statistics with particular focus on the current usage of electronic scholarly resources in teaching across all schools and the incorporation of scholarly resources in vUWS”

Survey focus:

• Frequency of e-resource usage

• Familiarity with e-resources

• Knowledge of e-coverage in specific field

• Inclusion of e-links within CMS

Survey focus cont …

• Top 3 preferred e-resources?

• Other known e-resources?

• Recommended e-resources?

• Influencing factors in selection?

Survey results

• High levels of satisfaction with known e-journals

• Minimal knowledge of scope and depth of available e-resources

• 75% usage - 25 titles

• No differentiation in resources for teaching and/or research

Survey results cont …

• Limited awareness of e-books

• Difficulties in using/accessing e-books

• Word-of-mouth and “other” sources preferred

• CMS difficulties

Review of unit WebCT sites

• Absence of links to both Library and scholarly e-resources

• Significant copyright issues

• Links to pre-packaged course materials

Survey and review of unit siteshighlighted:

• Need for better ongoing promotion of the scope and utility of e-collections

• Potential ‘issues’ regarding copyright in the e-learning environment

• Internal (Library) staff training needs

Project recommendations

That the Library reconceptualise, redesign and deliver extensive targeted and discipline based remediation programs across all Schools.

In collaboration with Teaching Development Unit, the Library pursue an active presence on WebCT to ensure wide access to appropriate scholarly resources and that any copyright concerns be addressed.

Aims

• Broaden knowledge of e-resources• Breadth and depth• Suitability for purpose i.e. teaching preparation

• Training in the use and exploitation of

e-collections

• Enhance liaison librarian knowledge base

• Incorporation of scholarly readings in CMS

Resource evaluation criteria

• Comprehensiveness

• Quality

• Indexing

• Currency

• Coverage

• Anticipated audience and use

Key vendors

CSA EBSCO

Elsevier Informit

Gale Proquest

OVID ISI

Springer

Liaison Librarians:

• Presentations to over 400 academics

• Worked with academic staff to:

– update reading lists

– identify e-resources for inclusion

– create links to identified e-resources for CMS

E-Snapshot 2008:

• Over 100,000 journal titles (> 95% of the total journal collection).

• 52,179 e-books

In Spring semester 2008, 235 units included links to the Library and e-resources on their WebCT sites