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Content, Connected & Collaboration

Notes for Report to Senate

Mark HaslettUniversity Librarian

January 19, 2004(updated January 26, 2004)

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The context Provide a broad and high level

overview of the current Library environment

Themes: Content, connected & collaboration

Graph supplied provides a snapshot of a significant shift in the serials area

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The Library’s role

Enhancing access to scholarly information resources

Develop & maintain the information resource collection

Provide access to that content Facilitate the productive and

proficient use of the information resources

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The Library’s Strategic Directions

1: Increase the breadth and scope of information resources

2: Enhance and integrate access to information resources and services

5: Support students in the development of information discovery and critical evaluation skills: “information literacy”

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Broad context The traditional role of the Library

remains

The environment however is changing

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The evolving library environment

Electronic and paper resources both continue to grow

Increasing numbers of e-resources

Integrated access to information

To both print and electronic resources

Online links between e-Indexes and e-Journals

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Shift to Electronic Access Virtually all subject areas are

covered by electronic indexes to the literature

At UW, we now have access to more than 7500 electronic journals

CARL quote: The University of Waterloo led the

charge, for the first time spending more on electronic journals than print ones.

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Number of Print and Electronic Serial Titles Received

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03

Content, Connected, Collaboration

TotalPrintElectronic

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Effects of shift to electronic resources

As the graph shows, we have been able to increase journal holdings over the last few years

Managed with relatively small increases in the Library acquisitions budget

Increased and enhanced access from your desktop on and off campus

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Collaboration The shift has been accomplished in part

through participation in regional, national and international partnerships

Consortia: TUG, OCUL, and CNSLP The majority of purchases of e-

resources are made through consortial arrangements with other libraries

Libraries collaborate often & we collaborate well

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Fostering partnerships & collaboration

Complex and evolving environment Make effective use of limited

resources Two minds are better than one Shared knowledge, experience, &

expertise Spirit of generosity

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OCUL ScholarsPortal service

An OCUL-sponsored initiative Seeded in part by the Ontario

Innovation Trust (OIT) OCUL-owned servers provide access

to: More than 4,000 eJournals Approx. 5.4 million articles

Preservation / long term access to e-information

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CFI CNSLP (The Canadian National Site Licensing

Project)

A collaborative initiative of 64 universities in Canada

Increase quantity, breadth & depth of research literature

Maximize use and utility of content for researchers

Highlighted as a world "success story" at the recent UN World Summit on the Information Society

2nd largest award by CFI for a national project

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CFI RKN (Resource Knowledge Network) proposal

Builds on the success of the CNSLP project Increase access to scholarly electronic resources

in the social sciences and humanities areas 63 Universities are signatories Four year project CFI adjudication process underway Results in spring 2004

http://www.fedcan.ca/english/policyandadvocacy/perspectives/daysix2003.cfm

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The hybrid library environment

Digital & print

Wired & wireless

Physical place & virtual

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Service is the guiding principle

Service is primaryAND

IT is integral

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Connected

Libraries have a significant and proud past of involvement in I.T. initiatives WWW 10 years later…

1994 First & Second International WWW Conferences

We are able and innovative users of I.T. We know our “business”; And we know

where to use the technology CARL quote:

The shift has been enabled in part by the effective use of information technology by Canada’s research libraries.

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My vision of an excellent library is one that

Keeps its eye on its core business of facilitating effective access to scholarly information

Adapts to evolving trends in scholarly communications

Seeds new initiatives & promotes partnerships, and

Is at its best when working together to build bridges

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So what is our strategy?

Position ourselves in an increasingly networked world Balance sustainability and innovation Focus on both flexibility and stability

Identify strategies, pilot projects, and partnerships so that we stay ahead of the game

Create an environment that meets the needs of faculty, students and staff in an evolving hybrid information environment, both print & electronic

Instill a service ethic Pay attention and listen to needs of our users

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Conclusion

Is the Library doing a good job at: Developing & maintaining the

information resources collection? Providing access to the information

resources? Facilitating the productive and

proficient use of those resources?