Innovation community. Constructing a new service mode for academic libraries
| Published date | 10 April 2009 |
| Date | 10 April 2009 |
| Pages | 258-270 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910947601 |
| Author | Lu Xiaobin,Guo Jing |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Innovation community
Constructing a new service mode for
academic libraries
Lu Xiaobin and Guo Jing
School of Information Resource Management,
Renmin University of China, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to put forward a completely new academic library service
mode called “Innovation community” in light of current information environment, social background
and user demands. “Innovation community” is a mode especially suitable for academic libraries, aimed
at supporting the cultivation of innovation ability, encouraging user participation, joint construction,
interaction and communication, designing different theme communities and organizing supporting
services and activities so that both libraries and users can become entities of independent innovation.
At the same time, this paper seeks to elaborate on the development of ideas on constructing this new
mode of “Innovation community” by taking the IC
2
mode and its auxiliary innovation support plan put
forward by Shanghai Jiaotong University Library as a practice case.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts the research methodology that combines
situation analysis and theoretical explanation, model exhibition and case study.
Findings – It is found that “Innovation community” is a kind of library service mode especially
suitable for learning and research groups with a demand for innovation. Under an e-science and
e-education environment, libraries construct an environment and platform for promoting
communication and cooperation and supporting interdisciplinary study and research innovation,
and more effectively promoting knowledge discovery, research innovation and exploitation of tacit
knowledge through individualized design and service of theme communities.
Research limitations/implications –IC
2
@SJTUL, the practice case of “Innovation community”,
has only constructed an environment at present, and the first term of this plan has not been completed.
Therefore, evaluation of the actual operation effect cannot be made until later, and its actual effect has
to be tested after a period of operation.
Originality/value – From a new perspective, this paper elaborates on the intention, elements and
primary characteristics of “Innovation community” and studies a typical practice case.
Keywords Computer applications, Innovation,User interfaces, Communication,Digital libraries, China
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The proposal of “Innovation community” is closely related with the information
environment, user characteristics and specific social background that academic
libraries have at present.
Ubiquitous knowledge environment
After over a decade’s development, digital libraries have become not only an
indispensable service mode for libraries today but also an important part of the
knowledge society. In June 2003, the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United
States held a seminar called “Wave of the future: NSF post digital library futures
workshop” and published a famous tendency report entitled “Knowledge lost in
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
27,2
258
Received 1 October 2008
Revised 28 November 2008
Accepted 2 December 2008
The Electronic Library
Vol. 27 No. 2, 2009
pp. 258-270
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470910947601
To continue reading
Request your trial