Presented by: Norma Amenu-KpodoUWI, Library

November 23, 2007

Future Role of the UWI Library In Future Role of the UWI Library In the National Information Systemthe National Information System

Forecasting the future is a very risky business to engage in, but I am emboldened by the thought that Libraries will continue to do what they have done in the past, collecting organizing, making accessible and preserving information for the benefit of society.

Introduction Introduction

Advances in technology have put new tools in our hands for doing what we do with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

To the extent that we use the tools sensibly, our various roles in the network can only be enhanced, providing of course, that commitment levels remain high.

IntroductionIntroduction contd.contd.

The UWI is a regional institution with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. It how has an Open Campus that serves the needs of 12 non-campus territories and distance students, many of which are in Jamaica. Despite its regional base, specific provisions for the UWI and its Library to participate in the National Network have been made.

BackgroundBackground

To serve as the intellectual hub of the University Mona Campus and its wider community by providing vital information in support of Learning, Teaching, Reflection and Research.

Library’s Mission StatementLibrary’s Mission Statement

Speaks to strengthening national engagement processes as the institution seeks to be more visible in demonstrating its relevance and impact in relation to national needs and priorities

University’s Strategic Plan University’s Strategic Plan 2007 - 20122007 - 2012

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The UWI Library , Mona CampusThe UWI Library , Mona Campus

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Library’s Web PageLibrary’s Web Page Visit us atVisit us at::

http://mona.uwi.edu/library/http://mona.uwi.edu/library/Medical Library:Medical Library: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/library/medical_library.html http://www.mona.uwi.edu/library/medical_library.html

Science Library:Science Library: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/library/science_library.html http://www.mona.uwi.edu/library/science_library.html

UWI Library (Mona)

© 2007

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New Integrated SystemNew Integrated System

• ALEPH 500 is a complete, integrated ALEPH 500 is a complete, integrated system which streamlines the system which streamlines the management of library processes for management of library processes for both staff and patrons. both staff and patrons.

• Modules include Web, Circulation, Modules include Web, Circulation, Cataloging, Serials, Acquisitions, and Cataloging, Serials, Acquisitions, and SDISDI

• Provides statistical analyses.Provides statistical analyses.

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Databases (in-house)Databases (in-house)

• CARDIN (Caribbean Disaster Information CARDIN (Caribbean Disaster Information Network)Network)

• CAREN (Caribbean Environment Net CAREN (Caribbean Environment Net Work)Work)

• Medcarib Medcarib

• MMona ona OOnline nline RResearch esearch DDatabaseatabase

• West IndianaWest Indiana

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Databases (Commercial)Databases (Commercial)

• EbscoHost Research Databases (including EbscoHost Research Databases (including Academic Search premier)Academic Search premier)

• First SearchFirst Search• JSTORJSTOR• Emerald InsightEmerald Insight• ProquestProquest• Web of Science – Science Citation IndexWeb of Science – Science Citation Index• HINARIHINARI

Biomed CentralBiomed CentralEbscoHost Research Databases EbscoHost Research Databases (including Academic Search premier)(including Academic Search premier)Emerald Insight Emerald Insight First SearchFirst SearchHINARIHINARISTN InternationalSTN InternationalJSTORJSTORMathSciNetMathSciNetMedlineMedlineProquestProquestWeb of Science – Science Citation IndexWeb of Science – Science Citation IndexWestLawWestLaw

PublicationsPublications

Research for Development, 1998, 2003, 2006 Research for Development, 1998, 2003, 2006

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MORD MORD ––Mona Online Research DatabaseMona Online Research Database

VISTAS

Information Literacy

Distance Students

Preservation and Conservation

Special ServicesSpecial Services

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VISTASVISTAS

• Appropriate technology is used to aid Appropriate technology is used to aid access to materials for the visually impaired access to materials for the visually impaired user.user.

• A Special Room for visually impaired users, A Special Room for visually impaired users, has been equipped with two computer has been equipped with two computer workstations loaded with JAWS and Kurzweil workstations loaded with JAWS and Kurzweil software packages in the Main Library .software packages in the Main Library .

• The Caribbean Digital Audio Collection is The Caribbean Digital Audio Collection is accessible from this room(CDAC). accessible from this room(CDAC).

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Information Literacy Information Literacy

Is the ability to locate, evaluate and Is the ability to locate, evaluate and use information effectively from a use information effectively from a variety of sources to meet an variety of sources to meet an information need. The University information need. The University serves not only its students but has serves not only its students but has outreach activities in schools and is outreach activities in schools and is presently involved in a UNESCO presently involved in a UNESCO project at the Guys Hill High Schoolproject at the Guys Hill High School

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A distance learner’s home page is accessible at: A distance learner’s home page is accessible at:

http://mona.uwi.edu/library/distance_learnehttp://mona.uwi.edu/library/distance_learne

rs.html rs.html

or or

from a link on the Library’s homepage from a link on the Library’s homepage

available at:available at: http://mona.uwi.edu/library/ http://mona.uwi.edu/library/

Distance StudentsDistance Students

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Preservation and Conservation Preservation and Conservation • Acquisition of software (Content DM) for Acquisition of software (Content DM) for

digitising and indexing some of its valuable digitising and indexing some of its valuable collections. collections.

• Receipt of a grant from CHASE to Receipt of a grant from CHASE to purchase electronic equipment that purchase electronic equipment that facilitates automation of the lettering facilitates automation of the lettering process in the Library Bindery. process in the Library Bindery.

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Challenges for UWIChallenges for UWI• Lack of adequate resources toLack of adequate resources to : :

--increase access to resourcesincrease access to resources for a growing for a growing student population.student population.

--enrich collection resourcesenrich collection resources withwith key key discipline- critical databases, e- journals, e-discipline- critical databases, e- journals, e-books books

--ensure continuity and sustainabilityensure continuity and sustainability of of relevant subscriptionsrelevant subscriptions

– develop and expand our digital programmedevelop and expand our digital programme

• Some networks have been more zealous in forging ahead, than others but all are under-resourced and need assistance to move forward faster to the next level.

• There is need to work at what is often referred

to as the ‘buy in’ where every librarian believes that contributing to the National Information System is a good thing, that it will empower their nation, their institution, their clientele and themselves

Areas Needing Improvements In Areas Needing Improvements In the National Network the National Network

• On going dissemination and implementation of high professional standards areas like cataloguing, indexing, serial management is needed to provide a consistent framework for maintaining quality throughout the network .

• Delivery of quality outputs will help to improve access and promote a positive image of the network, where people will tend to gravitate towards network services.

Challenges for UWI Challenges for UWI contd.contd.

Areas Needing Improvement in Areas Needing Improvement in the National Network the National Network contd.contd.

• The first priority will be to strengthen the University Libraries network to better position it for participation in a national information network .

The UWI will play a more active role in ACNIS informing of changes that have taken place in the UWI Library system and sensitizing the Advisory body to those from which the network could benefit

Future Role of UWI Network Future Role of UWI Network 11

UWI role contd

• Provide short attachments in the UWI Library system, to fill a particular need as recommended by ACNIS

• Partner with network members in digital projects that involve the preservation of valuable Jamaican cultural records in any medium.

Future Role of UWI Network Future Role of UWI Network contd.contd. 22

Role of UWI Library contd

• Foster Electronic resource sharing or Foster Electronic resource sharing or access through consortium agreementsaccess through consortium agreements

• Increase Interlibrary lending and Increase Interlibrary lending and document delivery activitiesdocument delivery activities

• Make widely available the Research Make widely available the Research output of UWI through MORDoutput of UWI through MORD

Future Role of UWI Network Future Role of UWI Network contd.contd. 33

UWI LIBRARIES Role contd

• Share professional expertise in areas where the University Libraries have strength e.g. Cataloguing, Information Literacy, Serials Management, West Indiana

• Collaborate with the National Library and other networks in the development of unique Jamaican collections

.

Future Role of UWI Network Future Role of UWI Network contd. contd. 44

Thank You !Thank You !

ENDEND

Other areas of cooperation are being explored and as these come on stream, it is envisaged that the role of the University libraries in the network will be strengthened and expanded