Leveraging quality web‐based library user services in the digital age
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120610702387 |
| Pages | 390-400 |
| Date | 01 July 2006 |
| Published date | 01 July 2006 |
| Author | LiLi Li |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Leveraging quality web-based
library user services in the
digital age
LiLi Li
Georgia Southern University Library, Statesboro, Georgia, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore key issues involved with opportunities, challenges,
and future developing trends of delivering dynamic and distributed web-based academic library
information resources, services, and instructions for library users in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach – Based on the typical web-base d, three-tier client/s erver
architecture, this paper explores ten key issues how to leverage quality library user services in the
digital age: roles of academic libraries; funding support; information resources; information access;
information services; instructions and trainings; impacts of cutting-edge technologies and emerging
technologies; web contents management and knowledge base; assessment and evaluation; and
Librarians. Also discussed are the next-generation web-based client/server library information
architecture and services in the foreseeable future.
Findings – With the rapid development of the internet and the world wide web, information
exchange and information distribution can be transformed either by disparate formats or by dynamic
channels. Knowledge, competence, and skills cannot follow up with the rapid advances of science and
technologies. Many library users need assistance to access, locate, convert, synthesize, and evaluate
information effectively and efficiently. It is very imperative for libraries and librarians to design,
develop, enhance, implement, and deliver high quality user-centered information services, resources,
and instruction at the fingertips of library users.
Originality/value – Target readers who include librarians, instructors, trainers, consultants,
managers, IT specialists, executives, and other professionals who are involved with developing and
delivering distributed library user services via the internet will find this article of value.
Keywords Libraries, Userinterfaces, Digital communicationsystems, Worldwide web
Paper type Technical paper
Introduction
In the digital age, the great advances made by modern science and technology have
speeded up information exchange and information distribution. The internet and web
search engines assist users to obtain large amount of information with great speed. On
the one hand, large amount of information does exist around information seekers, but
on the other hand, scattered and disparate information resources, various formats, and
dynamic channels confuse them. Under library settings, for example, many library
users need assistance to access, locate, convert, synthesize, and evaluate information
effectively and efficiently. Academic information services librarians and executives
have primary responsibility of designing, developing, enhancing, implementing, and
leveraging high quality library user services to satisfy library users’ dynamic needs.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
LM
27,6/7
390
Received 6 June 2006
Revised 13 June 2006
Accepted 20 June 2006
Library Management
Vol. 27 No. 6/7, 2006
pp. 390-400
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120610702387
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