Project EIFL Direct in Lithuania

By Ausra VaskevicieneMartynas Mazvydas National Library of

Lithuania,

Lithuanian Research Library Consortium

The outline of the report

• Description of the Consortium

• Libraries’ computerization overview and some statistical data

• Project eIFL Direct in Lithuania: the Questionnaire and Results Overview

• Current Situation and Future Plans

The overpast situation of the Consortium

• The first Consortium was established in 1993 with 21 libraries:– to combine libraries’ activities in

implementation of the Lithuanian Integrated Library Information System (LIBIS)

– creation of the Union Catalogue– not a legal body– no scheme for collecting funds

The establishment of the Lithuanian Research Library Consortium (LMBA)

as an outcome of the eIFL project• Is a legal body, the official registration is

over• 23 Lithuanian research libraries and

library institutions• Membership in the LMBA is open to all

research libraries of the country• Possibility to participate in particular

Consortium activities is foreseen for non-member libraries

The main objectives of the Consortium are

• Promoting of the creation of virtual libraries, preparation and implementation of advanced technology and innovative projects in the libraries;

• Subscription to electronic databases for the Consortium members and other libraries;

• Co-ordination of the acquisition of foreign periodicals among research libraries;

• Encouragement of the professional development of librarians;

• Co-operation with foreign and international library associations and other organisations with a relevant profile.

Are we ready for digital information

# of computerized workplaces for readers in questioning Lithuanian

libraries (2001)

143

577

Research libraries -9 Public libraries - 11

Other libraries - 2

The subscriptions to databases in Lithuanian libraries (2002)

# of libraries which subscribe to:

135

25

4 Lithuanian databases 5 English databases

Statistical data: EBSCO logins

Year 2000

OSI - Lithuania

47%

Public libraries

and other institutions

2%

Research libraries

51%

Year 2001

Research libraries

60%

Public libraries and other

institutions2%OSI -

Lithuania38%

Usage of EBSCO Publishing

Years 2000 - 2001

MasterFILE Premier

18%

Business Source Premier

and Business

Wire News38%

Academic Search Premier

22%

Other8%

Newspaper Source

14%

Project eIFL Direct in Lithuania

• From 1999 up to the summer of 2001 the co-ordinator of this project in our country was the Open Society Fund Lithuania

• There was no agreement between libraries - registered eIFL Direct users

• From the summer 2001 the co-ordination of project was moved to LMBA

• Questionnaire was distributed to 22 libraries. A total of 18 answers has been received

The overwiev of the results according to the guestioning

Does the content of EBSCO meet the needs of library’s

users?

Yes50%

Partyly45%

No5%

Does the library have enough computers to

search EBSCO?

Yes56%

No10%

Would be great to arrange more computerized

workplaces34%

Do you use EBSCO only in the library?

Only in the library 22%

Provide user logins

and passwords

78%

What are the types of promotion?

• Library’s Web-site• Notes in the reading rooms and notice board• E-mails• Publications - a total in years 2000-2001 - 16• Recommendations of academic staff or friends • Individual consultations• Trainings

– # of training in 2000 - 44– # of training in 2001 - 47

Do you analyze statistical data of EBSCO Publishing

usage?

Constantly73%

Do not observe

5%From time to time

22%

Other comments

• Users have a pleasure in searching EBSCO Publishing

• Respondents with pleasure noted that the content of EBSCO Publishing is growing up

• There were suggestions to include publications in other languages, not only in English

• Not all librarians and users observed changes in the medical databases of EBSCO Publishing

Other comments (continue)

• There were the problems with PDF reading because of slow internet connection

• Users would like to find more back issues• The respondents wished good luck for

coordinator• It would be nice to have EBSCO interface

in Lithuanian :)

Current Situation

• Since the beginning of 2002 databases overview and EBSCO training are available in the National Library every Wednesday

• The audience is library users, librarians, and other information specialists

• Librarians – EBSCO administrators can get individual consultations

• The problem of administration was discussed in 6 libraries – eIFL Direct participants

Future Plans• To implement project “Creating the

Lithuanian Research Libraries Consortium Infrastructure” (see eIFL Web site members only area)

• The project foresees:– Creation LMBA corporate style and Web site

– Seria of trainings

– Publishing and promotion activities

– Other

• To ensure financial support from the Government of Lirthuania

The impact of the project

• EBSCO Publishing is good solution: the database covers not one subject and the content is growing up

• Project eIFL Direct was a teacher:

For the past two years the Lithuanian librarians have learned how to manage electronic information

Thank you for attention !

and

Are there any questions?