Scholarly Information Centers in ARL Libraries. SPEC Kit 175. INSTITUTION Association of Research Libraries, Washington, D.C
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 341 404 IR 053 906 AUTHOR Allen, Nancy, Comp.; Godden, Irene, Comp. TITLE Scholarly Information Centers in ARL Libraries. SPEC Kit 175. INSTITUTION Association of Research Libraries, Washington, D.C. Office of Management Stuedes. REPORT NO ISSN-0160-3582 PUB DATE Jun 91 NOTE 179p. AVAILABLE FROM Systems and Procedures Exchange Center, Office of Management Services, 1527 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036. PUB TYPE Reports - Research/Technical (143) -- Tests/Evaluation Instruments (160) EDRS PRICE MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS. DESCRIPTORS *Academic Libraries; Access to Information; Computer Networks; Electronic Equipment; Guides; Higher Education; *Information Services; *Information Technology; Library Facilities; Library Networks; Library Role; Marketing; Microcomputers; *Online Systems; Policy Formation; *Research Libraries; Technological Advancement; *Telecommunications; Users (Information) ABSTRACT Noting that the rapid evolution of telecommunications technology, the relentless advancement of computing capabilities, and the seemingly endless proliferation of electronic data have had a profound impact on research libraries, this Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit explores the extent to which these technologies have come together to form "scholarly information centers" in research librezies. A survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries was conducted in October 1990 to gather information about how research libraries are dealing with the impact of the "electronic revolution" on user services, from equipment and organization to funding and the role of professionals. Based on the data received from the 86 institutions that responded to the questionnaire, this report presents a summary of the survey and its findings, a copy of the questionnaire, and selected survey data. Examples of programming and policy statements, facilities descriptions, user guides, and marketing and publicity announcements are then presented. These materials, which make up the major part of the report, were contributed by the following survey respondents: University of California-San Diego; University of California-Santa Barbara; Colorado State University; Dartmouth College; University of Miami; Northwestern University; University of Pittsburgh; University of Soutnern California; University of Texas-Austin; Texas A&M University; and University of Western Ontario. (MAB) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPAN7MENT OfEDUCATION Office or Educational Researchand Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION -4._:jaiMagjealilithigairisran-Its-- CENTER (ERIC) n This document hasbeen reproduced as received from the person ororganisation originating it been made to improv CI Minor changes have reproduction Quality slated in this docrt Points ot 4iew or opinionsrepresent otticial rnent do not necessarily OE RI position or policy SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURESEXCHANGE CENTER Scholarly Information Centers in ARL Libraries Kit 175 June 1991 44;t4 g:t( "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL '4 OTHER THAN PAPER COPY HAS BEEN GRANTED BY -14 an441-. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). Ass( viA i lox RI.SI ARC LIBRARIES OFFICE ot: MANA( ;EMFN I SFRVICFS 2 BEST COPY AYA1LAILE SPEC: A PUBLICATION SERIES FOR LIBRARYSTAFF Editor C. Brigid Welch, Senior Program Officer for Information Services Production ManagerAnnette C. Verna, Publications Assistant for Marketing and Production Sales Manager Stacie C. Steinke, Publications Assistant for Customer Service PUBLISHED 10 TIMES PER YEAR The Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC)gathers, analyzes, and distributes information on the management of human and materialresources in libraries today. Established in 1973, SPEC servesas a central exchange among ARL members for information useful for strengthening library operations andprograms. Through survey and review processes, SPEC gathers valuable information on current library issues, trends,and management techniques. The goals of the SPECprogram are to identify expertise and encourage its exchange among library professionals, promoting experimentation,innovation and improved performance in the field of librarymanagement. Join more than 450 academic, publicand special libraries START A SPEC SUBSCRIPTIONTODAY! SPEC Kits contain: Topics include: Surv2y Results CD-ROM Management Policy Statements Collection Development Handbooks Disabled Access Manuals Expert Systems Cost Studies Information Desks User Studies and Results Librarian Status Procedural Statements Organization Charts Planning Material'; Scholarly Workstations Issue Summary Staff Recognition Selected Reading Lists Technical Services Training ORDER INFORMATION SPEC subscriptions are available directlyfrom the Systems and ProceduresExchange Center, Office of Management Services, Associationof Research Libraries, Washington,DC or through library vendors and subscriptiunagents. For more information, contact the OMSPublications Department at (202)232-8656 Fax(202)462-7849. 3 SYSTEMS ANDPROCEDURESEXCHANGECENTER Scholarly Information Centers in ARL Libraries Flyer 175 June 1991 INTRODUCTION being performed by librarians in virtually all instances, and The rapid evolution of telecommunication technology, the end-user access to databases is widely, if not yet universally, relentless advancement of computing capabilities, and the available. seemingly endless proliferation of electronic data have had a Networking. The questions regarding networking revealed profound impact on research libraries.While several related that several campuses do not yet have a WAN (wide area topics(e.g.,telecommunications, electronic mail, end-user network) or telecommunications backbone to which the library searching,microcomputers,microcomputersoftware, can connect. Nevertheless, more than half of the libraries have computerized searching, and Lomputer files, etc.,) have been their own separate LANs (local area networks), some connected examined in previous SPEC kits, this inquiry explores the to a campus network. A wide variety of LANs are in place, extent to which these technologies have come together to form with microcomputers connected by LAN software "scholarly information centers" in reseamh libraries. predominating. A survey of members of the Association of Research Equipment. While availability is unlikely to be uniform Libraries was conducted by ARL's Office of Management across the departments on a campus, almost all institutions are Services in October 1990 to determine how research libraries reporting that faculty have microcomputers in their offices for are dealing with the impact of the "electronic revolution" on access to local or remote information sources, including a user services, from equipment and organization, funding, and campus mainframe or supercomputer. In addition, almost all the role of professionals.Survey responses resulted in a institutions have established microcomputer laboratories or "snapshot" of the way research libraries are using technology centers throughout the campus. to deliver services. Access to Specialized Databases and Computer Files. Access SURVEY RESULTS to ICPSR or census data is available in 79% of responding Eighty-six ARL institutions responded to the survey. The most institutions, but only 23% of the libraries coordinate ICPSR general summary statement that can be made is that no single access and 35% coordinate access to census data.Specialized model has emerged for the provision of scholarly electronic databases on floppy disks or on CD-ROMs are almost always information. Many efforts are in the planning, developmental, funded and made available by the library. Approximately 73% trial, or experimental stages. of respondinginstitutionsindicatedtheyprovkie In an emerging field, it was not surprising to find few nonbibliographic databases on CD-ROMs. About half of the fully integrated scholarly information centers, but it was a responding institutions are making locally develope,l computer surprise that general involvement in what might be considered files available for searching. newer technology was also not very widespread. For example, The storage medium largely influences whether the only 20 libraries out of 86 (24%) stated that end users have library or another unit on campus pays for, houses, and access to RLIN or EPIC. For aggregate data sets that do not provides user services for databases and computer files. In 19% have access software, only 21 libraries (24%) report that they of the responses, the library h..-ises magnetic tapes and 71% were working with usem to develop it. house microcomputer (floppy or riard disk) files. CD-ROMs are Only one-third of the libraries provide dedicated public primarily funded by, housed in, and serviced by the library. OCLC or RIJN terminals for end-user access, and even fewer Data on magnetic tape or in files on the mainframe and train faculty for end-user searching of the utilities.If a library aggregate data sets that do not have access software are provides end-user accounts, it almost always also provides primarily the responsibility of the computer center. There is m) training. Forty-three per cent offer off-peak end-user search predominant pattern for the provision of specialized databases service, and 30% broker passwords. Mediated searches are still