Multitype library networking: a framework for decision‐making
| Pages | 31-39 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb044610 |
| Date | 01 January 1984 |
| Published date | 01 January 1984 |
| Author | Jose‐Marie Griffiths,Donald W. King |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Multitype library networking:
a framework for decision-
making
Jose-Marie Griffiths and Donald
W.
King
THE
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY
Abstract: Libraries and other information services are likely to be faced with con-
tinuing economic difficulties over the next decade. One of the most promising reliefs
for them
is
networking and other forms of
resource
sharing.
Unfortunately, networking
has not yet achieved its full potential because of a lack of understanding of what
networking
is
and how it can help individual organisations. Too often network struc-
tures have been imposed upon organisations without regard to their economic
considerations or without their participation. In this paper
we
describe a framework
for library networking that can be used for decision-making by individual libraries,
groups of cooperating libraries or centralised
services.
The framework consists of six
interdependent dimensions including: functions to be performed, type of access to
information, types of materials handled, products and services to be offered, net-
working configurations and communications means. An economic model based on
the framework can be used to determine the levels within each of these dimensions
that should be accomplished by the individual libraries, groups of libraries or a
centralised service.
1.
Introduction
Library networking activities have evolved in several different shapes and
forms since library administrators began to recognise the advantages that
could accrue from cooperation. The objectives of interlibrary networking
have been to provide access to more materials and/or services, and to either
reduce costs to each participating library or
to
improve service at the same or
lower cost than would be incurred by an individual library.
Two factors have, in the last decade, had a strong influence on both the
growth of library networking and on the nature of the networking activities.
These factors were a declining economy and developments in computing
and communications technologies. Shrinking library budgets and increasing
prices of materials have meant that libraries can no longer build comprehen-
sive
collections.
Decisions relating to materials acquisitions have been made
on usage statistics. Once libraries no longer locally store all of the materials
The
authors'
address
is:
King
Research,
Inc.
6000 Executive
Boulevard,
Rockville, Maryland
20852, USA.
Vol. 2, No.
1,
January 1984 31
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