This work examines how the transition to electronic resources in academic libraries has impacted traditional collection development policies and practices.

This book, first published in 2002, examines how the transition to electronic resources in academic libraries has impacted traditional collection development policies and practices. Nine acclaimed librarians present their perspectives on the growing trend toward digital materials acquisition that is tipping the scales in favour of ‘access’ in the ‘ownership vs. access’ debate. The book provides insights on the use of electronic resources in major research libraries from data collection by JSTOR, a leading provider of digital resources to academic libraries. A rich and diverse collection of theory, opinion, and observation, it offers a unique understanding of how libraries are meeting the challenge of reshaping their collection development programs with electronic resources—a process that is quickly gaining momentum. Contributors are divided in their beliefs on whether a balance is still possible between print materials and electronic resources in academic libraries.

This publication covering latest technologies, issues and state of the art related to Electronic Resources Management will be of immense value to practicing librarians, students and teachers of library & information science, publishing industry, and IT professionals working in this area.

The Role of the Electronic Resources Librarian focuses on longstanding hurdles to the transition of libraries from print collections, to online information services, all from an Electronic Resources Librarian (ERL) perspective. Problems covered include cost containment for electronic serials, web design, discovery, customer service, efficiency, and adapting organizations to the needs of contemporary users. The title considers the historical development of the ERL role, how the position emerged in North America in the 1990s, how it is represented within the organizational structure of academic libraries, and how the ERL role maps to technology, information services, and professional identity trends. - Explores the changing role of the Electronic Resources Librarian (ERL) - Identifies long-term trends in Electronic Resource Management - Recommends best practices for the ERL role in modern libraries - Contextualizes the current ERL role in historical and current developments - Maps the ERL role to trends in technology, information services and the shifting professional identity of academic librarians

Electronic Resources Librarianship: A Practical Guide for Librarians will help new e-resources librarians to hit the ground running. Simultaneously a step-by-step guide and comprehensive toolkit, the book walks readers through their first few days on the job, giving them the practical skills to immediately begin engaging with vendors, diagnosing access issues, tracking usage, and making well-informed retention decisions. Further, it sets readers up for long-term success by talking about project planning and goal setting in an environment of continuous change, as well as advice on how to pass on their newly acquired e-resource knowledge to others. This easy-to-read guide addresses several ever-present issues for both new and established e-resource librarians: the need for concrete tools to implement in their day-to-day tasks, the need to gain goal setting and project management skills to thrive and not just survive, and the need to overcome feelings of anxiety and isolation. Acting as a ready reference, Electronic Resources Librarianship will help steer librarians through the intricacies of the daily e-resource grind while giving them the tools and the confidence to handle even the most complex challenges. Special Features include: Extensive technology toolkit Sample worksheets, email scripts, and checklists Real-world troubleshooting problems and solutions Practical strategies for organizing and prioritizing work Comprehensive list of support groups, so readers are never at a dead end

Understand better how the role of ER librarian has changed through the years The advent of online information has not only changed tremendously the way that resources are stored and accessed, but has caused the evolution of the library and information science profession itself. Electronic Resources Librarianship and Management of Digital Information: Emerging Professional Roles takes a comprehensive look at the position of electronic resources (ER) librarians, the other people who work with e-content, what training and skills are needed, the managing of e-resources, and what the proliferation of online information means for the future of libraries. Respected experts provide a timely broad-based analysis of the impact of the digital age on the profession, libraries, and the people in libraries who manage the information. Electronic Resources Librarianship and Management of Digital Information: Emerging Professional Roles is a concise and informative signpost on the way the library profession has responded to the advent of the digital information age. This revealing volume explores where these professionals have gained their knowledge and skills, what initiatives they have undertaken and made manifest, how do or don’t e-resources fit in the scope of the traditional work that is performed in an academic library, and the latest issues encountered with the new format. The text is extensively referenced, includes figures to illustrate concepts, and tables to clearly present data. Topics discussed in Electronic Resources Librarianship and Management of Digital Information: Emerging Professional Roles include: essential and preferred characteristics of electronic resources librarian the evolution of ER librarians’ duties the role of ER librarian in hybrid collections research on how well schools train ER librarians providing access to users with disabilities ER librarian role in corporate libraries altering workflows to accommodate the new electronic information format in academic libraries a comparison of the natures of print-based and online resources and the cataloging, maintenance, and access issues a review of the resources and tools that license practitioners use issues involving effective collaboration formal usability testing challenges in making the transition to digital factors affecting the handling of usage data the Government Printing Office’s dissemination of electronic government information and more! Electronic Resources Librarianship and Management of Digital Information: Emerging Professional Roles is a valuable resource for librarians, administrators, educators, and students considering this aspect of librarianship as a profession.