Search results

Several members of this journal’s editorial advisory board give brief views on how they see the future of interlending and document supply. The article concludes with an overview of these contributions, together with additional comments by an editorial board member

In the last decade technology exploded into libraries. It impacted not only library work processes but imported notions of project management and efficiency and resulted in catalogue sharing. The Internet, with Gopher and Veronica, brought co‐operation in the field of document supply and collection co‐ordination. The most consequential technology, however, is the Web. It combines instant publishing, hyperlinking, interactivity and multimediality and is so easy to apply. Numerous new actors will make their entry into the information chain which, of course, means competition. Libraries need to define their position in this Webbed world. They have to enter the marketplace at least partially, which transforms them into hybrid organizations, both vanguard and debatable.

Document delivery bridges the gap between where the customer is and where the document is. Libraries have to offer user‐friendly access to hybrid collections, and design and implement document delivery mechanisms from paper originals to provide a seamless integration between delivery from electronic and paper articles. Apart from improved service, a document delivery service provider could benefit internally from rationalising and automating the logistics of the delivery process. This article analyses the document delivery process, starting by defining five requirements for document delivery. By looking at document delivery from both the customer’s and the organisation’s perspective, the real needs of the customer are defined. From a basic distinction between the “search and find” function and the “order and receive” functions, the internal logistics of document delivery are analysed. The DocUTrans document delivery concept and system as used in Delft show how its implementation improves the whole system. The analysis itself can be highly beneficial.

As a consequence of digitization, universities have to investigate their scholarly communication process. In fact, this is a quest for values that goes beyond the issues of the day. Once found, these values operate as criteria for assessing competencies, roles and instruments. The communication process must allow for free exchange of ideas and results. In particular, knowledge created in the public domain must be openly accessible. The process must be reliable, lend credibility to authors and give support to users. The respective competencies are logistics, validation and mediation. New technologies not only support these classical aspirations, but also develop their own dynamics when it comes to broadening the communication scope. Publications can be enhanced by including audio‐visuals, executable files and datasets. Linking techniques enable the creation of organically growing bodies of knowledge. Who is the fittest for this scholarly communication job? Is it universities and their libraries and university presses, or could it best remain in the hands of global publishing monopolies?

Libraries seem to be moving away from their users and heading towards customers. The essential difference between these two types of clients is that whereas the latter pay (partially) themselves for the services rendered, the former are funded by public means. Does this shift have an impact on library services? Are all the clients better off at the end of the day? Is there a market for library services? At the Delft University of Technology Library a long‐term programme of client orientation is under way. The appointment of a marketeer as early as September 1988 proved to be merely a starting point. Contrary to the expectations of management the first effects were highly introversive and it took about three years before the first well‐planned external actions could be undertaken. The results of both internal and external activities seem to be instructive and similar to experiences elsewhere.

Contends that the current system of scientific communication has some serious defects in terms of speed, reliability and affordability. Outlines a different approach, whereby a completed article would be consigned directly to the public domain via the Internet. Discusses the consequences and characteristics of the new system.

There is an anecdote about a man who, when a lost stranger asked him the way, answered: ‘Well, if I were you I would not start from here.’

Considers the use of new technologies in library information delivery systems. Discusses the virtues of paper, CD‐ROM, and online media in terms of accessibility, timeliness, compactness, searchability, preservability, authenticity, and appearance, as well as end user benefit. Surmises that information is a means to an end to the end user, who wants the easy access and speed offered by paper media, with the language and help availability benefits of electronic media.

To share with readers the issues of an international conference.Design/methodology/approach – A brief review of the conference held in Germany, 7‐9 February 2006.

The conference focused on the future of information services in the digital world. Speakers from eight countries discussed joint strategies and transnational networks for academic libraries, innovative information services, and future challenges for academic libraries. Three hands‐on workshops reported on current projects in the fields of long‐term archiving, institutional repositories and marketing approaches in the library context.

Will be of interest to library and information professionals.