Search results

1 – 10 of over 4000
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2001

Mumtaz A. Anwar and Dheya Abdulqader Al‐Jasem

Focuses on resource sharing in Kuwaiti libraries, which, due to many factors, has now become an economic and information provision necessity. Presents the results of a survey of…

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Abstract

Focuses on resource sharing in Kuwaiti libraries, which, due to many factors, has now become an economic and information provision necessity. Presents the results of a survey of 17 libraries in Kuwait. It was found not only that the current resource‐sharing activities are at a minimal level, but also that all libraries do not actively participate in these. However, librarians consider resource‐sharing very important for their libraries, are aware of its benefits, and know the hurdles in developing a resource‐sharing network. They are willing to participate in such a network if one was developed. Recommends that the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters should create a National Task Force to develop a detailed plan for a national resource‐sharing network. Proposes that the National Library should be designated as the coordinating agency for this network and suggests the establishment of a permanent national committee, with representation from all major libraries, to be responsible for policy making.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2015

Jing Shi, Ergin Erdem, Yidong Peng, Peter Woodbridge and Christopher Masek

Telephone response system is the frontline of hospital operations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze a representative telephone response system of Veterans Affairs (VA…

Abstract

Purpose

Telephone response system is the frontline of hospital operations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze a representative telephone response system of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, address the existing inefficiency issues such as long call waiting time, and improve system resilience to changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Resource sharing schemes are proposed to improve the system performance in answering calls related to appointment booking and medication renewal. Discrete event simulation is adopted to model the current system and the resource sharing schemes.

Findings

The resource sharing schemes dramatically improve system performance reflected by the decrease of call waiting time and queue, as well as the extreme high utilization of agents in a key unit. Compared with the less desired alternative of hiring additional employees to mitigate the performance issues, the resource sharing schemes perform at par or even better. Sharing more resource during the peak hours can further balance the agent workload.

Practical implications

The resource sharing schemes could alleviate staffing shortage, long waiting time, and high-abandonment rate in the bottle-beck unit of the system, and lead to better utilization of scarce resources on the hospital floor. The concept reflects localized centralization efforts in traditionally highly decentralized telephone operations in hospital systems.

Originality/value

This research provides a structured approach to analyze the operations of a VA telephone response system. The developed simulation model is validated, and this provides a valuable tool for management to analyze the complicated telephone operations of the telephone systems of other VA and non-VA hospitals. Resource sharing constitutes a cost-effective solution for improving system performance and resilience.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 35 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2011

Beth Posner and Evan Simpson

The purpose of this paper is to communicate the Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative's goals and activities to an international audience of librarians concerned with using best…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to communicate the Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative's goals and activities to an international audience of librarians concerned with using best practices and technology to make library resource sharing more responsive to user needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a descriptive analysis explaining the Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative's mission and the activities it employs to fulfill it.

Findings

The paper explains how the activities of the Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative contribute to improving the delivery of library information services.

Originality/value

The paper provides examples of innovative strategies, programs and activities designed to advocate for, inspire, and enable successful resource sharing.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 February 2012

Matt Goldner and Katie Birch

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical development of interlibrary loan, identify key milestones such as the codification of ILL practices and…

10693

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical development of interlibrary loan, identify key milestones such as the codification of ILL practices and development of new technologies to facilitate those practices, and assess the impact that changes in technology and publishing are having upon resource sharing in the digital age.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct an extensive historical review of global developments in resource sharing and then conduct a PEST analysis of societal factors affecting present day resource sharing.

Findings

Resource sharing continues to grow but there is a need to work together to find solutions to problems of distributed knowledge bases, incompatible systems, and electronic formats which often prohibit sharing of materials between libraries. Librarians must work with publishers, politicians, and systems developers to ensure that there is the same or equivalent rights to electronic materials as there is to print publications and that resource sharing systems can support new models of sharing and acquiring materials in multiple formats.

Originality/value

This paper provides a global perspective on the challenges of library resource sharing in the digital age.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2012

Stella Anasi and Hussaini Ali

The purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers to effective resource sharing among academic libraries in Nigeria.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers to effective resource sharing among academic libraries in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Professional librarians from six randomly selected federal university libraries representing the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria were surveyed using a descriptive survey research design. Questionnaires were sent to 124 librarians; 85 were returned and found to be usable, for a response rate of 68.5 per cent.

Findings

The study revealed that the prospect for resource sharing among university libraries in Nigeria is high. However, factors that hinder effective resource sharing include inadequate funding, a dearth of skilled librarians, power outages, an absence of web‐accessible OPACs, uneven development of libraries, and slow progress of library automation. It is recommended that each university library have a specific annual budget allocation for ICT development and maintenance and for training of librarians to pilot resource sharing projects.

Originality/value

This paper presents resource‐sharing challenges facing academic libraries in Nigeria. It encourages information professionals to embark on capacity building for effective resource sharing. This paper was prepared for the 12th Interlending and Document Supply Conference, held in September 2011.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1988

Helen Wheelhouse

Faced with the obvious impossibility of remaining totally self‐sufficient whilst trying to maintain collections and services in difficult economic times, many librarians have…

Abstract

Faced with the obvious impossibility of remaining totally self‐sufficient whilst trying to maintain collections and services in difficult economic times, many librarians have turned to resource sharing as the answer to their problems. This article aims to review the ever growing field of literature on resource sharing in order to try to discover what resource sharing is, what need there is for it, what it is intended or hoped to achieve, what sort of resource sharing plans and schemes have been implemented, and in particular to try to find any evidence in the literature on the real benefits and actual costs involved in resource sharing which could be used as justification for such schemes in comparison with other methods of maximizing access to resources.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Article
Publication date: 11 February 2014

Brenda Bailey-Hainer, Anne Beaubien, Beth Posner and Evan Simpson

The purpose of this paper is to highlight significant changes in the information discovery landscape; discuss evolution in discovery systems and their connection to resource

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight significant changes in the information discovery landscape; discuss evolution in discovery systems and their connection to resource sharing; discuss the use of best practices by resource sharing practitioners; and describe new collaborations among libraries that change the definition of resource sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors observed the library landscape with a focus on discovery systems, interlending systems, and collaborative resource sharing models and reviewed literature related to these areas to structure discussion and draw conclusions about the changing role and definition of resource sharing.

Findings

Innovations in discovery have significant impact on library resource sharing. Resource sharing practitioners are using best practices to improve services and develop new roles. New models for collaboration are changing the definition of library resource sharing.

Originality/value

This paper positions resource sharing as a dynamic, highly strategic area of service with growing importance to twenty-first century libraries and challenges readers to consider what new partnerships and collaborative models will benefit both libraries and their communities.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2020

Collence Takaingenmhamo Chisita and Madeleine C. Fombad

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities for Zimbabwe’s academic libraries in their endeavour to provide quality services. It will examine how…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities for Zimbabwe’s academic libraries in their endeavour to provide quality services. It will examine how library consortia, namely, the Zimbabwe University Library Consortium (ZULC) and the College and Research Libraries Consortium (CARLC), have been able to provide for the information needs of their users at a time when budgets are inadequate and subscription costs to journals remain unaffordable. It will examine how academic libraries, through resource sharing platforms, have been able to exploit ubiquitous technologies and build on from the traditional interlibrary loan (ILL). The paper will recommend a strategy based on a model to strengthen access to scholarship through resource sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher opted for a qualitative research design. A purposive sample of 32 participants drawn from ten academic librarians located in Zimbabwe was used to collect the information. The participants were chosen because of their involvement in resource-sharing activities. The participants were drawn from the two library consortia, namely, CARLC and ZULC. Data for the study was collected using structured interviews.

Findings

The findings revealed that resource sharing was critical for the survival of academic libraries in Zimbabwe. The study found out that resource sharing was the only option to overcome the challenges of the paywall. It highlighted the need for a concerted effort of all academic institutions in adapting a model that provides for the diverse needs of members with regard to widening access to scholarship. However, in spite of the success of library consortia in enhancing resource sharing in Zimbabwe, there are challenges that require the concerted effort of all academic institutions in coming up with a model that best provides for the diverse needs of members with regard to resource sharing.

Practical implications

The results of the study will be useful in providing a long-term strategy for enhancing resource sharing among academic libraries in Zimbabwe in their endeavor to support teaching, learning and research.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of scholarly studies on resource sharing initiatives among academic libraries in Zimbabwe. This study is unique because it tackles the experiences of the academic libraries in overcoming the challenges of the paywall.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 48 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2007

Gail Wanner, Anne Beaubien and Michelle Jeske

The purpose of this article is to describe innovations in resource sharing in the US library community with an international perspective.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe innovations in resource sharing in the US library community with an international perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides a descriptive analysis.

Findings

It describes the reforms that need to be made in the form of a manifesto. It discusses interoperability, improving library visibility in internet search results and the GET‐IT button project with illustrated examples.

Originality/value

The authors are all key figures in the developments described. The article provides important insights into current thoughts on resource sharing in the USA.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1990

K.G.B. Bakewell

Resource sharing is an important element inthe national planning of library andinformation services to meet the needs ofinformation, education and culture of thewhole community at…

Abstract

Resource sharing is an important element in the national planning of library and information services to meet the needs of information, education and culture of the whole community at all levels. An overview of resource sharing practices is presented, with particular reference to the British scene. It is also argued that, with the approach of the Single Market in 1992, resource sharing should now be considered on a European scale. In conclusion, some problems associated with the practice of resource sharing are considered.

Details

Library Management, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 4000