Notes

Outline

How to Select and Manage Electronic Resources Vicki L. Gregory Professor and Director School of Library & Information Science University of South Florida

Overview of Presentation Collection Development Policies for Electronic Resources Selection Considerations Evaluation and Assessment

Collection Development Policies Traditional Print-based policies with little or no special considerations for electronic resources Separate Often created as a supplement to traditional policies when they “break down.” Integrated All formats including electronic materials are pulled together into the collection development policy in terms of selection and other decisions.

Microfilm Analogy

Selection Considerations Does the technology make the content accessible in a manner that better serves users’ needs than an equivalent print resource? Does the electronic resource fill current gaps in the print collection? Does the electronic resource duplicate print resources already owned?  If so, is the duplication worth spending additional library money?

Additional Selection Considerations Should the library replace a current print resource with an electronic one? Will this resource require additional expenditures by the library for computer hardware or software? If an electronic product is deemed appropriate, what format?  CD-ROM, Web-based product, locally mounted on the library’s server, etc.?

Evaluation and Assessment Traditional methods Circulation statistics User surveys, Focus groups, ILL requests, Standard bibliographies Observations by experts

Evaluation and Assessment Technological additions to the standard “toolbox” Scripted user surveys/assessments Transaction log or Web log analysis Network Usage analysis

Contact information: Vicki L. Gregory Gregory@luna.cas.usf.edu