Inheriting the Past or Inheriting the Past or Creating the FutureCreating the Future

David F. KohlDavid F. Kohl

Dean and University Librarian, Emeritus Dean and University Librarian, Emeritus University of Cincinnati,University of Cincinnati,Senior Fulbright Scholar,Senior Fulbright Scholar,

AndAndEditor in Chief, Journal of Academic LibrarianshipEditor in Chief, Journal of Academic Librarianship

ANKOS Library WorkshopIstanbul, TurkeyOctober 27, 2006

History can help…or hinder!History can help…or hinder!

Clearly the future always emerges from the Clearly the future always emerges from the pastpast Libraries can trace their history back to the mists Libraries can trace their history back to the mists

of recorded timeof recorded time

And yet, a focus on these And yet, a focus on these historical roots,historical roots,

on an impressively ancient on an impressively ancient past, past,

can blind us to change…can blind us to change…

and the futureand the future

It is important to It is important to understand the past…understand the past…

But we live our lives in a But we live our lives in a constantly emerging futureconstantly emerging future

You can’t drive a car by looking in the rear view mirror!

Wall Street JournalMonday, Oct. 23, 2006

“Turkey’s boisterous democracy stands out in the Islamic world…”

“…economic renaissance…7% expansion in 2005, the fourth consequtive year that growth has approached double digits…”

“…inflation under control…”

“…[since] 1980-83…27 private universities had been funded…Koc and Sabanci…”

For libraries that future is For libraries that future is dominated by two developmentsdominated by two developments

ConsortiaHEAL-Link

Ankos

Bibsam

OhioLINK

Caspur

Digital Environment

Computers

Wireless

Internet

Blogs

Podcasting…

Plus 100s more…

While the While the powerpower of this confluence is of this confluence is already clear…already clear…

The Turkish library consortium (ANKOS) has added The Turkish library consortium (ANKOS) has added more library journals in 8 years than the individual more library journals in 8 years than the individual libraries of Turkey together were able to add by libraries of Turkey together were able to add by individual action in the past 100 years!individual action in the past 100 years! From an average of 5% of the Elsevier, Kluwer/Springer, From an average of 5% of the Elsevier, Kluwer/Springer,

Wiley titles to 100% of them*Wiley titles to 100% of them* And the consortium multiplier effect is happening And the consortium multiplier effect is happening

world wideworld wide

* Karasozen/Lindley, “The Impact of ANKOS” Journal of Academic Librarianship 30:5 p. 406

What is still not clear to many is just What is still not clear to many is just how how radicalradical this transformation is this transformation is

When I was a beginning librarian I basically When I was a beginning librarian I basically knew… knew… What kind of jobs were available to me…What kind of jobs were available to me… What libraries looked like physically…What libraries looked like physically… How libraries were organized…How libraries were organized… What kind of collections they had…What kind of collections they had…

Now beginning librarians can’t Now beginning librarians can’t count on knowing any of these count on knowing any of these

things!things!

For example, instead of…For example, instead of… Sitting at a reference desk…Sitting at a reference desk…

Teaching library instructionTeaching library instruction Providing distance learningProviding distance learning Staffing chat referenceStaffing chat reference

Cataloging books and journalsCataloging books and journals Integrating library automation with university automation, e.g. Integrating library automation with university automation, e.g.

Blackboard/WebCTBlackboard/WebCT Providing metadata for library holdings (to make them web searchable)Providing metadata for library holdings (to make them web searchable)

Placing orders for books and journalsPlacing orders for books and journals Negotiating contracts for bundled digital journals and ebooksNegotiating contracts for bundled digital journals and ebooks Creating information resourcesCreating information resources

Circulating the local collectionCirculating the local collection Arranging storage/retrieval in high density repositoriesArranging storage/retrieval in high density repositories Setting up massive consortial circulation systemsSetting up massive consortial circulation systems

Etc…Etc…The changes are not slowing down and stabilizing, they are

happening faster and becoming increasingly radical

An example of the change…An example of the change…

The University of Virginia has one of the largest The University of Virginia has one of the largest traditional collections in the UStraditional collections in the US

It also has one of the largest digital repositories in the It also has one of the largest digital repositories in the USUS

A 2002 comparative study of use showed:A 2002 comparative study of use showed: Avg. daily visits to the physical libraries:Avg. daily visits to the physical libraries: 5,9305,930 Avg. daily visits to the E-Text Center: 37,000Avg. daily visits to the E-Text Center: 37,000

Already in 2002 the digital repository was receiving over 6 times the use of the physical library!

ConsortiaConsortia and and digital technologydigital technology are are a profoundly disruptive combination a profoundly disruptive combination

and require us to:and require us to:

Recognize that a profound change is happening Recognize that a profound change is happening NotNot pretend that nothing is really happening pretend that nothing is really happening

Actively seek to identify the possibilities and Actively seek to identify the possibilities and opportunities in the new environmentopportunities in the new environment NotNot complain about what we’re losing complain about what we’re losing

Begin to actBegin to act NotNot wait for someone else to tell us what to do wait for someone else to tell us what to do

Instead of preserving an inherited library,,,

we need to create a new information organization!

From “library” to From “library” to “digital repository”“digital repository”

It is hard to think in new ways if we It is hard to think in new ways if we continue to use old namescontinue to use old names

We don’t have to discard “library”…We don’t have to discard “library”…but rather put it aside for a momentbut rather put it aside for a moment

It’s also hard to think in new ways if we focus on specific jobs rather than

why we do the jobs

What is the librarian’s job really?What is the librarian’s job really?

Reference

Collection development

Cataloging

Circulation

Digitization

Chat reference

Database selection

Automation

Etc… Etc…

Traditional New

Adding Value

Librarians don’t create or discover knowledge;

We make information easier for other people to use

Let’s focus on beginning to Let’s focus on beginning to understand what a “digital understand what a “digital repository” might be if our repository” might be if our concern is to “add value”concern is to “add value”

Originally conceived as a mechanism to Originally conceived as a mechanism to return academic publishing to academic return academic publishing to academic

controlcontrol Scholars would deposit Scholars would deposit

their papers in a local their papers in a local repository repository Access to scholarly Access to scholarly

articles would not be articles would not be limited by the limited by the high costhigh cost of some journals or…of some journals or…

by by copyright restrictionscopyright restrictions imposed by 3imposed by 3rdrd parties parties

But the child is not growing up as But the child is not growing up as expected!expected!

Although money and power Although money and power always get our attention…always get our attention…

The control of scholarly publishing and its cost is only the very The control of scholarly publishing and its cost is only the very beginning of our concernsbeginning of our concerns

WORLDWIDE STM MARKET Total 1999 Revenue: $9.5 billion

Nonprofit / Membership

Primary Publishers

27%

Commercial Primary & Secondary Publishers

56%

Aggregators17%

Source: Outsell, Inc.

World-wide STM publishingWorld-wide STM publishing

2,000+ publishers2,000+ publishers1.2 million articles/year1.2 million articles/yearApproximately 16,000 Approximately 16,000 scholarly journals scholarly journals

Source: Regazzi, Serials Review, 2004/30:275-280

It is the underlying nature of the It is the underlying nature of the digital repository which provides digital repository which provides

the key to understanding and the key to understanding and developing itdeveloping it

How is the digital repository How is the digital repository different from a “library” different from a “library”

There are at least 4 major differencesThere are at least 4 major differences The unifying effect of digital representationThe unifying effect of digital representation A much closer partnership between librarians and A much closer partnership between librarians and

facultyfaculty A vast increase in potential collection resourcesA vast increase in potential collection resources The collection is increasingly outside of the The collection is increasingly outside of the

“library”“library”

The unifying effect of digital The unifying effect of digital technologytechnology

The print based library was The print based library was a United Nations of a United Nations of

technologiestechnologiesPrint

Microforms

SlidesAudio tapes

Video tapes

Digital

The digital repository is technologically unified Computers

Requiring multiple delivery technologies

Requires a single delivery technology

Closer librarian-faculty partnershipCloser librarian-faculty partnership

The library partnership was mainly:The library partnership was mainly: Selection of research resources and instructional materialsSelection of research resources and instructional materials Library instruction (maybe!)Library instruction (maybe!)

The digital repository adds active librarian The digital repository adds active librarian participation in:participation in: Creating research resources and instructional materialsCreating research resources and instructional materials Disseminating faculty/student research (to a world-wide Disseminating faculty/student research (to a world-wide

audience)audience) Teaching students an educated use of information resourcesTeaching students an educated use of information resources

A potentially unlimited choice of A potentially unlimited choice of collection resourcescollection resources

The selecting for a print library was limited by the The selecting for a print library was limited by the need to:need to: Select from among Select from among externallyexternally created products created products Consider the technological requirements of deliveryConsider the technological requirements of delivery

The digital repository, however:The digital repository, however: Can Can createcreate as well as purchase externally created resources as well as purchase externally created resources Has a Has a uniformuniform technology for delivery technology for delivery Can make available resources Can make available resources not specifically created for not specifically created for

librarieslibraries

Collections increasingly reside Collections increasingly reside outside of the libraryoutside of the library

The print library was primarily defined as a The print library was primarily defined as a building (or series of buildings or rooms) building (or series of buildings or rooms) because it held a physical collectionbecause it held a physical collection

The collection of the digital repository is The collection of the digital repository is increasingly dispersedincreasingly dispersed Electronic journals are held on publisher websitesElectronic journals are held on publisher websites

The only The only librarylibrary journal websites for commercial journal websites for commercial journals are: Italy, Ohio, Toronto (Canada), and Japanjournals are: Italy, Ohio, Toronto (Canada), and Japan

The legacy print collections are increasingly The legacy print collections are increasingly moving to high density off-site storage facilitiesmoving to high density off-site storage facilities

The shift in collections is massiveThe shift in collections is massive

The California Northern Regional Library FacilityThe California Northern Regional Library Facility First moduleFirst module

3.1 million volumes transferred in 6 years from four member libraries3.1 million volumes transferred in 6 years from four member libraries 129,167 volumes transferred per year per library129,167 volumes transferred per year per library

Second moduleSecond module 2.37 million volumes transferred in 10 years from four member libraries2.37 million volumes transferred in 10 years from four member libraries 59,250 volumes transferred per year per library59,250 volumes transferred per year per library

Ohio Southwest Regional DepositoryOhio Southwest Regional Depository 1.5 million volumes1.5 million volumes 8 years with an average of four members8 years with an average of four members 187,500 volumes a year total187,500 volumes a year total 46,875 volumes per year per institution46,875 volumes per year per institution

Yale DepositoryYale Depository

Second module of the SW Ohio Repository

30 meters high

Repository AdvantagesRepository Advantages

Shelving efficiency (by size)Shelving efficiency (by size) 40% gain (Minnesota studies)40% gain (Minnesota studies)

Cost (compared to library open stack storage)Cost (compared to library open stack storage) $3.75 per volume compared to $13.39 per volume (Orbis $3.75 per volume compared to $13.39 per volume (Orbis

study)study) repository housing is 1/10repository housing is 1/10thth the cost of library housing the cost of library housing

(Yale calculation)(Yale calculation) LocalLocal

Easier argument to transfer the materialsEasier argument to transfer the materials Retrieval of materials is faster and easierRetrieval of materials is faster and easier

How is the digital repository How is the digital repository different from a “library” different from a “library”

There are at least 4 major differencesThere are at least 4 major differences The unifying effect of digital representationThe unifying effect of digital representation A much closer partnership between librarians and A much closer partnership between librarians and

facultyfaculty A vast increase in potential collection resourcesA vast increase in potential collection resources The collection is increasingly outside of the The collection is increasingly outside of the

“library”“library”

Recap

Time for a break!

We’ll start again in 15 minutes

RecapRecap

History is important but the future is more History is important but the future is more importantimportant

Consortia and digital technology are shaping Consortia and digital technology are shaping that futurethat future

The “digital repository” has many more The “digital repository” has many more possibilities and opportunities than we first possibilities and opportunities than we first imaginedimagined

From theory to From theory to exampleexample

What do collections actually look like in a What do collections actually look like in a digital repositorydigital repository

andandHow have librarians’ roles changed?How have librarians’ roles changed?

We can ignore what we already We can ignore what we already know about emerging digital know about emerging digital

repository collectionsrepository collections

E-journals, e-books, e-databasesE-journals, e-books, e-databases Faculty publicationsFaculty publications Electronic theses and dissertationsElectronic theses and dissertations

What’s ahead?

The developing digital repositories The developing digital repositories provide some amazing examplesprovide some amazing examples

I.I. New partnerships with faculty in research and New partnerships with faculty in research and teachingteaching

II.II. Transforming local collections into world Transforming local collections into world resourcesresources

III.III. Providing new (and new types) of resources for Providing new (and new types) of resources for supporting instruction and the curriculumsupporting instruction and the curriculum

IV.IV. Establishing new opportunities for Establishing new opportunities for involvement in national and supra-regional involvement in national and supra-regional initiativesinitiatives

Not wild and unrealistic ideasNot wild and unrealistic ideas

But ideas which have actually been implemented

I. New Faculty-Librarian I. New Faculty-Librarian partnerships supporting faculty partnerships supporting faculty

research initiativesresearch initiatives

The digital repository can increase faculty The digital repository can increase faculty research and impactresearch and impact Explain and document programsExplain and document programs Provide research toolsProvide research tools Establish a working environment for the use of Establish a working environment for the use of

information resourcesinformation resources

University of Virginia

http:etext.lib.virginia.edu/collections

Let’s rethink cataloging and Let’s rethink cataloging and cataloging productscataloging products

We can go far beyond library classification to assist faculty and

researchers with their work

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

“uBio” Universal Biological

Indexer and Organizer

www.mblwholibrary.org

Linnaeus has a problem!

One taxon can have many names

-- many different common names

-- a variety of scientific names

“Agathis Montana refers to both a wasp

and a species of tree”

Acalyptus can refer to either snakes or weevils

The same name can refer to different taxa

Basically… the library has Basically… the library has repaired and restored clarity to repaired and restored clarity to

the scientific naming system the scientific naming system through the creation of an through the creation of an

authorityauthority file file

So that scientists can focus on their So that scientists can focus on their research …research …

not name checkingnot name checking

Data SetsData Sets Much social science research involves work with Much social science research involves work with

large data setslarge data sets Employment recordsEmployment records Crime statisticsCrime statistics Population demographicsPopulation demographics Etc…Etc…

Traditionally very hard to use because the research Traditionally very hard to use because the research elements were scatteredelements were scattered

One-stop shopping (One-stop shopping (including data manipulationincluding data manipulation) in a ) in a digital repository vastly simplifies the research digital repository vastly simplifies the research processprocess

For example, at Miami University of Ohio…

Everything the aspiring researcher needs…

In a single location

II. Transforming local collections II. Transforming local collections into world resourcesinto world resources

A useful and important means for libraries to A useful and important means for libraries to contribute to the global scholarly and cultural contribute to the global scholarly and cultural heritageheritage

But But notnot just digitized images! just digitized images! Organized and findableOrganized and findable Not just library collectionsNot just library collections Surprising new possibilities – subject and formatSurprising new possibilities – subject and format

A local library archives collectionA local library archives collection

A local collection at Wright State University, A local collection at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio Dayton, Ohio

2,200 images dealing with the invention of 2,200 images dealing with the invention of powered flight, including many early powered flight, including many early photographsphotographs

Example:Example:

Wright brothers collectionWright brothers collection

When fear of flying had a different meaning!

A photograph of a man taking a photograph!

The library can facilitate access to The library can facilitate access to important resources found in the important resources found in the

communitycommunity

For example: For example: National Underground Railroad MuseumNational Underground Railroad Museum

Located in Cincinnati, OhioLocated in Cincinnati, Ohio Partnered with the U. of Cincinnati to digitize and make Partnered with the U. of Cincinnati to digitize and make

its materials available world-wide via OLits materials available world-wide via OL

Slave pens

Alexandria, Virginia

ca. 1861-65

Of course, as a library project, the Of course, as a library project, the material is fully catalogedmaterial is fully cataloged

The library involvement adds important value to the material

Significant oral Significant oral historieshistories

The Kent State shootings during the The Kent State shootings during the Vietnam War student protestsVietnam War student protests

Vietnam War Protest Shootings at Vietnam War Protest Shootings at Kent State UniversityKent State University

A spoken version

A written version

Time for the second break!

We will start again in 15 minutes

RecapRecap

Examining actual collections in the digital Examining actual collections in the digital repositoryrepository

New library-faculty partnerships for creating New library-faculty partnerships for creating research toolsresearch tools

Transforming local collections into world Transforming local collections into world resourcesresources

III. Support of instruction and the III. Support of instruction and the curriculumcurriculum

There is a much broader range of potential There is a much broader range of potential information resources than we have information resources than we have traditionally consideredtraditionally considered Non-traditional, commercial resourcesNon-traditional, commercial resources Newly created academic and cultural resourcesNewly created academic and cultural resources A growing number of librarian-created resourcesA growing number of librarian-created resources

Current news events can be Current news events can be importantimportant

Why should the library always wait for Why should the library always wait for textbooks and journal articlestextbooks and journal articles The world is moving very fast these days and The world is moving very fast these days and

higher education must keep uphigher education must keep up AP Multimedia Archive has thousands of current AP Multimedia Archive has thousands of current

photos and video clipsphotos and video clips

French ProtestsFrench Protests

French student protests in front of the Paris City Hall, Sunday, March 19, 2006

Mon Dieu!

KFC!?

But art is also importantBut art is also important

The Art Museum Image Consortium The Art Museum Image Consortium (AMICO), (AMICO), a group of major N.Am. and British museums and a group of major N.Am. and British museums and

art institutes, andart institutes, and Saskia Saskia

(provides a collection of art images from (provides a collection of art images from commonly used art history text books)commonly used art history text books)

Together provide a combined image database Together provide a combined image database of over 94,000 itemsof over 94,000 items

Renoir – Albert Cahen d’Anvers

Seurat – Port-en-Bessin

Even art’s practical expression Even art’s practical expression in architecture can assist in architecture can assist

instructioninstruction

A campus building project can A campus building project can become a useful student become a useful student

learning experience if the learning experience if the library is involvedlibrary is involved

The plans…The plans…

Peter Eisenman, Aronoff Center for Design and Art, 1996

To the actual buildingTo the actual building

Professors and students even have access Professors and students even have access to instructional video on demandto instructional video on demand

A separate video collection and delivery system is not necessary

And, of course, new And, of course, new digital resources continue digital resources continue

to emergeto emergeImportant and useful web sites have Important and useful web sites have been added via hot links to library been added via hot links to library

catalogs for yearscatalogs for years

But the technology doesn’t stand still…

RSS Feeds organized by category

The library can even become a lab!The library can even become a lab!

Physics experimentsPhysics experiments Language instruction with native speakersLanguage instruction with native speakers Bird callsBird calls And much, much more…And much, much more…

IV. Library partnerships with IV. Library partnerships with important national initiativesimportant national initiatives

The U.S. has a major program of space The U.S. has a major program of space explorationexploration

LandSat 7 is an earth imaging satelliteLandSat 7 is an earth imaging satellite Passes over Ohio every 16 daysPasses over Ohio every 16 days Takes pictures in 5 bands (formats)Takes pictures in 5 bands (formats)

InfraredInfrared True colorTrue color High resolution black and whiteHigh resolution black and white Etc…Etc…

There was a problemThere was a problem

How to distribute this information which How to distribute this information which required a sophisticated, technical required a sophisticated, technical infrastructure to usersinfrastructure to users Ecologists, geologists, city planners, farmers and Ecologists, geologists, city planners, farmers and

many moremany more The university libraries provided the The university libraries provided the

infrastructure and the government provided the infrastructure and the government provided the datadata

Cincinnati and the Ohio River

UC

Topographic maps

Sanborn Fire Sanborn Fire Insurance MapsInsurance Maps

This has been only a This has been only a glimpse of the future…glimpse of the future…

And the And the taskstasks,,

the the possibilitiespossibilities,,

and the and the opportunitiesopportunities

Which await us…

We should not expect We should not expect to inherit the library…to inherit the library…

But to actively create an But to actively create an information source!information source!

We are only limited by a lack of imagination!

ANKOS

Library services and collections of astonishing diversity and richness, suitable for the 21st century university

Digital technology

Think boldly!Think boldly!

The change is fundamental for The change is fundamental for librarieslibraries

This is not just an academic library phenomenonThis is not just an academic library phenomenon A recent public library study* showed that:A recent public library study* showed that:

Public libraries providing Internet accessPublic libraries providing Internet access 1996 – 25%1996 – 25% 2006 – 99%2006 – 99%

““Librarians overwhelmingly (71%) report that the most Librarians overwhelmingly (71%) report that the most important impactimportant impact of this service [free computer access] is of this service [free computer access] is providing Internet accessproviding Internet access to those who otherwise would not to those who otherwise would not have it.”have it.”

Access to Web resources

is becoming the central library function!

* “Public Libraries and the Internet 2006,” Information Use Management and Policy Institute, Florida State University.