ERM system implementation in a consortium environment
| Pages | 35-43 |
| Published date | 02 January 2009 |
| Date | 02 January 2009 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120910927501 |
| Author | Guoying Liu |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
ERM system implementation in a
consortium environment
Guoying Liu
Leddy Library, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the issues associated with electronic resources
management (ERM) system implementation in a consortium environment.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines the implementation process along with the
problems encountered and their solutions and impacts on the use of the system in the implementation
of Verde ERM system at University of Windsor Leddy Library, which implemented the system as one
of the early adopters within a consortium. The issues and challenges the library experienced in the
project are analyzed and discussed.
Findings – The ERM system is still in its early stages. There are both benefits and challenges of the
consortia approach in ERM system implementation. Should a library adopt the system within a
consortium or just as a single library? When would be the right time to implement an ERM system?
Answers depend on the library’s local needs, resources and environment. The strategy of ERM system
selection, evaluation and implementation is crucial for libraries to make a suitable decision.
Practical implications – The issues related to the ERM system implementation in a consortium
environment discussed in the paper will have implications for libraries to select a proper approach and
time on the adoption of emerging library systems.
Originality/value – The paper addresses issues related to a large library system, especially ERM
system implementation in a consortium environment. The experience and findings obtained from the
project can provide practical information to libraries that are considering implementing ERM or other
large library systems.
Keywords Library systems,Resource management, Internet, Digitallibraries, Universities, Canada
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Since the early 1990s, e-collections have become a major part of library collections.
Libraries are investing significant amount of their budget in acquiring or getting
access to electronic resources. According to a report of Association of Research
Libraries (ARL), the average expenditure of academic libraries on e-collections has
increased about 400 percent from 1994/1995 to 2001/2002 while the overall collection
expenditure only increased 61 percent (Case, 2004). However, traditional integrated
library systems (ILS) were designed for print resources and are generally unable to
manage electronic resources under the existing architecture (Sadeh and Ellingsen,
2005). A system that is capable of managing the entire life cycle of electronic resources
effectively and efficiently is in demand.
In recent years, University of Windsor Leddy Library has spent increasingly larger
percentage of its collection budget on digital resources acquisitions. In 2006/2007,
about 80 percent of the collection budget went to digital collections. In addition,
through the consortium level purchasing the library has significantly multiplied the
number of the digital resources to its users (Ebbet, 2008). How to control the rapidly
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ERM system
implementation
35
Received 29 July 2008
Revised 25 August 2008
Accepted 8 September 2008
Library Management
Vol. 30 No. 1/2, 2009
pp. 35-43
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120910927501
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