The costs of information technology and the electronic library
| Date | 01 April 2000 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470010371735 |
| Published date | 01 April 2000 |
| Pages | 127-136 |
| Author | Diane R. Tebbetts |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
The costs of
information technology
and the electronic
library
Diane R. Tebbetts
1. Introduction
Information technology is becoming a major
factor in the development of academic
institutions. From distance education
courses to Web-enhanced curriculum
development to student enrollment,
information technology with its related
hardware, software, and infrastructure
requirements is requiring large expenditures.
At the same time, resources are becoming
scarcer as funding agencies, especially those
of publicly-funded institutions, deal with a
multitude of competing needs. ``As the
twenty-first century dawns, campuses face
limitless opportunities to invest in IT but
have finite budgets. Moreover, competition
for institutional resources is intense. Thus,
the choices to be made are crucial. How can
the campus ensure that scarce resources are
invested wisely?'' (Rosenblatt, 1999,
paragraph 1).
While the demands of information
technology are becoming more intense and
resources scarcer, it is becoming clearer that
information technology is a long-term cost.
However, funding agencies, as well as
information technology users, have not
budgeted accordingly. ``States and
institutions have committed significant funds
to technology, and in many states students
are also paying special fees to offset
technology costs. However, states and
institutions still consider educational
technology mainly as an add-on cost and not
as a recurring expense. According to a recent
study, 78 percent of US colleges and
universities fund computer purchases (both
hardware and software) from one-time
budget allocations.'' (Matthews, 1998,
paragraph 20).
As this type of one-time funding for
information technology is evident at the
institutional level, it is also apparent at the
library level. Library administrators must
develop strategies for long-term funding,
because the fast-paced development of
information technology requires updated
hardware to manage more powerful
software and faster telecommunications
connections. Even if hardware and software
seldom ``wear out,'' their usefulness
becomes limited because of the need for
increased capabilities to meet the demands
of users for new applications and expanded
resources.
The author
Diane R. Tebbetts is Professor and Associate University
Librarian at the University of New Hampshire Library,
Durham, USA.
Keywords
Information technology, Libraries, Internet, Virtual reality,
Leasing, Costs
Abstract
This article discusses the impact of information
technology requirements on the costs of electronic
libraries. The fast-paced developments of technology
require continual updating of hardware and software.
Networking access consists of initial costs and recurring
expenses. Electronic content, training, and support all
demand ongoing expenditures. In this environment
institutions must budget accordingly. One-time outlays
from grant-funding agencies or parent institutions will not
meet the demands of the information technology
marketplace. This article asks key questions concerning
hardware, software and network installation and
upgrades and provides strategies for dealing with the
needs for continuous funding and long-term financing
that are essential for keeping up with the requirements of
the electronic library.
Electronic access
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emerald-library.com
Features
127
The Electronic Library
Volume 18 .Number 2 .2000 .pp. 127±136
#MCB University Press .ISSN 0264-0473
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