Review of Related Literature
The review of literature briefly followed the history of the OPAC, case studies from different library studies and library system analyses. In line with the OPAC, it showed that developments from the first to second generation provided some limited help to a mainly expert user community, but that, on the whole, they failed to successfully translate into third generation systems and overall experience for non-expert users remained poor. Scott Hamilton and Helen Thurlow provide an ample discussion on how to enhance library system that would be friendly to all users. In their Transaction Log Analysis @ State Library of Queensland, employ transaction log analysis as better alternative for effective use of library. Transaction log analysis has remained a prominent analysis technique during this time, although a stronger focus on web transaction analysis is predominantly utilized by many users. The understating problem with TLA remains that despite advances in technology and user interfaces, it does not assist the understanding of the motivation behind user’s action. Against this backdrop, valuable user trends can be identified and with the appropriate toolset, data on user search strategies can be evaluated and used to improve the overall performance of OPAC systems.
From the report of IFLA during the World Library and Information Congress in Oslo, Norway, Diaz, Barrionuevo, Martinez, Reche and Perez presented the results of their assessment on the library system of Andalusia University Library in Spain entitled The Excellence and Quality in Andalusia University Library System. The committees assigned to make overall assessment of the university library involves a wide range of subject areas including the traditional activities and non-traditional activities which currently emerging in the new educational context. Moreover, the assessment will need to take into account the connection between these two different types of activity and the ultimate mission and the teaching and research objectives of the university as well as considering the extent of the role the library may plays as the knowledge management unit.
In Marilyn Mitchell’s study on Library Workflow Redesign: Concepts and Results takes a radical step towards improving library system applying a library workflow design which radically pinpoints to a drastic necessity of redesigning and reorganization of an enterprise. This is sometimes needs to lower costs and increase the quality of service and that information technology is the primary enabler for the radical change. He further discussed the importance of various variables needed in the implementation of redesigning the system. The importance of motivation, change and risk, leadership, outside assistance, planning, communication, decision making, original thinking, teaming, time and timing, are all significant in implementing the model so as to effectively ride on to the changes set by technology.
On the other hand, Adamson, Bacsich, Chad, Kay, and Plenderleith (2008) made a study on JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study: An Evaluation and Horizon of the current library management systems and related systems landscape for UK higher education. The report is divided in different sections designed to be studied together or independently, the horizon scan, library survey analysis plus statistics from 100 UK HE libraries, vendor perspectives, reference group feedback and a practical guide for librarians making systems decisions. The study recommends libraries invest in systems with caution but not complacency, emphasizing that while the library function has continuing and potentially growing value, the role of conventional library may appear increasingly unclear.
In the case study made by Anne Chase and Tony Krug (2008) about the New Techniques in Library Technical Services at the Appalachian College Association, they develop strategies in view with the library system. Within the category of developing strategies for more effective library systems, process mapping and process improvement for libraries workshop is important. In this category librarians are granted with workshops relevant to their nature of work. Librarians and participants are introduced to techniques for examining and improving workflow. It involves sessions on hands-on examples and during the duration of such event, participants stepped outside the comfort of their library roles and into new ones. Part of the workshops is the project focusing on library processes. Participants made list of library processes, identified the customers for these processes, and discussed the importance of measuring activities and of selecting the best methods of process mapping.
Another case study made by Linda Gunter and Cindy Snyder (2008) on Redesign at The Libraries of The Claremont Colleges. In their study they concluded several observations, lessons, and evaluation using the methodology and design model. Under their observation, the sustainability of the project is quite difficult given the fact that staff has other commitments. Whether because of a lack of sustained interest, a lack of time, or funding constraints, not all elements of the proposal or all recommendations of the model have been put into operation. Further, one aspect of the team’s work that needed more attention was communication with the rest of the libraries’ staff. Until the model was presented, some stag occasionally commented that they did not know enough about what the team was doing. In retrospect, it would have been wise to communicate with staff on a regular schedule rather than sporadically.
Alongside with the given notion of cooperative learning and working for development and enhancement of certain program or system, Andreadis, Barth, Scott, and Greever, work on Cooperative Work Redesign in Library Technical Services at Denison University and Kenyon College as part of reassessing the library system governing these institutions and provide sufficient rational bases on adapting new methods for library system for further effectiveness. Of course, libraries better than most institutions have long understood the value of cooperation and collaboration. The role of a library is to make information freely accessible, to promote its use, and to preserve it so that it remains freely accessible. Recognizing the need to make the most of their cooperative and collaborative networks, Kenyon College and Denison University have begun reorganizing technical services across the two campuses through the creation of a joint department of collection services. The lure and challenge of electronic information; the desire to provide greater access to local, specialized collections; and a design to be proactive rather than reactive were at the core of this effort. It has led to more empowered employees working collaboratively to provide the best possible customized information access tools for their constituents.
In the IUPUI case study, Indiana University-Purdue/University Indianapolis Library System, the library system goes digital using LizardTech Express Server for high-speed, plug-in-free content delivery. The university is developing a digital archive of maps, aerial photos and other geographic documents relating to Marion County and the nine surrounding counties. This digital archive is to serve teachers and students in K-12n education, academic such as historians and genealogists, and the general public. Under the expertise of different digital libraries team researchers, they concluded the study by recommending an application of LizardTech Express Server combined with LizardTech’s MrSID image format. Benefits come in various modes like high-speed image delivery, access by anyone with a browser, maneuverability of large images and an established format. These benefits are all in connection with promoting and advancing the library system in accordance to the changes happening around.
Moreover, these literatures although are necessary for the process of understanding and evaluating the status and condition of certain library system, the need for further in-depth study and assessment are ask. Each library has its own environmental problems and the need for contextual analysis can effectively unearth and discover what to develop and enhance in a certain library system.
Henceforth, without related studies we cannot then find fertile ideas and grounds to conduct a more coherent, reliable and objective analysis on the said issue.
0 comments:
Post a Comment