Local touch and global reach. The next generation of network‐level information discovery and delivery services in a digital landscape
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120910927493 |
| Pages | 25-34 |
| Date | 02 January 2009 |
| Published date | 02 January 2009 |
| Author | Jian Wang,Adriene Lim |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Local touch and global reach
The next generation of network-level
information discovery and delivery services in
a digital landscape
Jian Wang and Adriene Lim
Portland State University Library, Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract
Purpose – Technology changes swiftly and the traditional library online public access catalog
(OPAC) is in danger of becoming irrelevant as more users rely on network-level search engines such as
Google and Google Scholar to search for information resources. This paper seeks to explore the
next-generation discovery and delivery solutions that are designed to adapt to changing user
expectations in the Web 2.0 environment. It aims to examine the current trends in which libraries are
partnering with vendors to promote their value-added services to library users, and are making their
collections more visible in a global digital landscape.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with an overview of current library catalogs
and then introduces some emerging products focusing on discovery and delivery that affect the value
of libraries as they present their collections and provide services to a new generation of library users.
Case studies are presented to illustrate trendy features of next-generation catalogs as well as the
challenges that the new tools bring to libraries as they work toward providing users with richer
discovery experiences and greater delivery of content beyond local collections.
Findings – The paper identifies major problems with libraries’ existing OPACs as well as challenges
of implanting new discovery tools to meet the demands of today’s network users.
Practical implications – The paper suggests that libraries must become more responsive and
adaptable to remain sustainable, relevant, and competitive in the new environment.
Originality/value – The paper presents an up-to-date account of the state of next-generation library
catalogs used in American libraries.
Keywords Academic libraries,Online catalogues, Search engines,Technology led strategy, Internet
Paper type Case study
Introduction
The library catalog was originally designed for a print-based world “where
cataloguing theory has been developed...where the catalogue typically exposed the
content of a particular collection that usually contained books, and where the catalogue
was realized by manual means” (Dempsey, 1999). The objectives of the library were
first introduced by Cutter, known as Cutter’s objects, which include:
.to enable a person to find a book of which either by known author, title, or
subject;
.to show what the library has by a given author, subject or kind of literature; and
.to assist in the choice of a book as to edition (bibliographically) or as to character
(literary or topical) (Cutter, 1879).
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Local touch and
global reach
25
Received 3 September 2008
Accepted 23 September
2008
Library Management
Vol. 30 No. 1/2, 2009
pp. 25-34
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120910927493
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