Tony Kidd

Does electronic journal access affect document delivery requests? Some data from Glasgow University Library

This article looks at the experience of a single institution – University of Glasgow – concerning the influence of growing e‐journal availability on the volume of document delivery requests. The number of requests for Elsevier journal articles before and after the implementation of ScienceDirect is compared. The effects of, and reasons for, broader trends of document delivery demand at Glasgow are analysed. Differential demand and supply by faculty, relating to document delivery and e‐journals, are briefly considered.

The impact of the current e‐journal marketplace on university library budget structures: some Glasgow experiences

This paper examines the pressures being exerted on university library budget structures by consortial licence agreements and “big deal” arrangements. Particular reference is made to developments at three higher educational institutions located in the city of Glasgow, Scotland: the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Glasgow. Pricing in the electronic information environment is likely to remain a complex and difficult area for the foreseeable future and academic library budgets will need to be sufficiently flexible in nature to be able to accommodate the complexities of current economic models. This flexibility is likely to require some degree of funding to remain under central control.

Electronic Journal Usage Statistics in Practice

This paper reflects on the growing importance of usage statistics, citing increased provision of electronic journals, their increasing use, and in particular their increasing cost. The need selectively to promote particular services and titles, and the place of performance indicators, are also covered. Particular examples of the value of usage statistics are given in relation to budget allocation, collection management and collection development, and marketing of journal availability to users. The importance of statistics that are comprehensive, comparable, and easy to analyse is stressed, and current efforts to increase standardisation are supported. This paper is adapted from a presentation prepared for a one-day seminar on Usage Data and E-journals, organised by the UK Serials Group in October 2001.

International staff exchanges for academic libraries

Abstract Internationalization is a major concern for many universities, and library faculty exchanges have increased in importance for the participants and their academic communities. This article reports on a survey of academic library directors and exchange participants from both the United Kingdom/Ireland and the United States/Canada.

Questionnaire surveys to discover academic staff and library staff perceptions of a National Union catalogue

During the feasibility study into a National Union catalogue for the UK (UKNUC), a questionnaire survey was undertaken of the needs of both academic staff in higher education and library staff. A response rate of 40‐50 per cent was achieved, 846 questionnaires being returned for academics and 724 for librarians. The analysis suggests that a UKNUC would be highly valued and heavily used by all categories. Academics felt it would have a positive effect on their information searching, and wished to include the holdings of the British Library, and libraries of both the major research universities and the “traditional” universities. They wanted it to be comprehensive and easy to use, to include locations of both books and journals, and to facilitate subject collection searching. Library staff have similar priorities to academics, although there are more variations by sector and a recognition of a UKNUC’s value as a potential source of bibliographic records.

Collaboration in Electronic Resource Provision in University Libraries: SHEDL, a Scottish Case Study

This case study examines the growth of collaboration among Scottish higher education institutions. Following a summary of the work of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), more detailed information is provided on collaboration in the fields of acquisition, licensing, selection, and purchasing. Some of the UK background is outlined, relating to NESLi2 in particular, in order to illuminate the options within Scotland. The origins of negotiations on electronic resource provision within Scotland are described, drawing on developments in other countries including Ireland and Scandinavia. After initial setbacks, the implementation of the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) from 2007 to 2009 is detailed. Current benefits arising from SHEDL are explained, and some possible future developments are discussed.

The View from the U.K.: The Economic Crisis and Serials Acquisitions on an Offshore Island

This article considers the case study of university libraries in the United Kingdom, and their exposure to the effects of the worldwide recession. Exchange rate changes have been a noteworthy aspect of the U.K. situation, with the pound sterling deteriorating markedly against both the Euro and the U.S. Dollar. Examples of the impact of these changes are outlined. The implications of government spending plans over the next few years are also examined. Some possible ways of coping with these changes are explored, including the expansion of shared services, a reduction in the prevalence of publisher bundle subscriptions, and an increase in the impact of open access activity.

Serials overlap in the higher education institution libraries in Glasgow

This paper describes the results of a serials overlap study among the higher education institution libraries in the greater Glasgow area, which includes four university libraries. Were overlap to be significant, it was anticipated that there would be considerable scope for rationalisation of holdings among the libraries. Serials holdings, obtained in electronic format from each library, were matched by ISSN or title, and amalgamated into a single database by the processing agency. Of the 12,903 individual serials titles identified, 78.4% represent unique holdings. Across the twelve libraries, overlap ranged from 0% to 64.8%, with an average of 12.8%. Among the four university libraries, overlap ranged from 7.8% to 50.4%, with an average of 26.1%. This degree of overlap was less than had been anticipated, but was consistent with findings from earlier, monograph studies.

International library staff exchanges: how do you organize them, and do they do you any good?

Although international staff exchanges among librarians have grown in number in recent years, they are still relatively rare. Outlines a survey of British university libraries carried out in 1992, soliciting information and opinions on exchanges from chief librarians and exchange participants. Uses the survey and the author′s own exchange experience to outline some sources of information and funding, and other practical and financial considerations, when arranging exchanges. Discusses the motivation of exchange participants, together with career and staff development outcomes for those taking part in exchanges. While internal or external promotion is an unlikely immediate sequel to an exchange, both library staff and chief librarians recognize a definite improvement in motivation and performance after an exchange. Despite administrative, training and other costs, libraries and library staff could profitably give more positive attention to exchanges when contemplating individual and library‐wide staff deve...

SHEDL – the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library: an update

Updated from a breakout session held at the 33rd UKSG Conference, Edinburgh, April 2010 The Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) has developed in recent years, having arisen within the context of higher education provision in Scotland. The compact size of Scotland, including a limited number of higher education institutions (HEIs), the existence of research pools, and a separate funding regime – plus the negotiating prowess of JISC Collec- tions – has enabled successful negotiation with a number of publishers on the provision of all their journal content to all Scottish HEIs.The origins, development, operation and benefits of SHEDL are described. Some early evaluation, including evidence of increased usage, is out- lined. Finally, future developments, including possible barriers to progress, are discussed.