Subject: Management of electronic resources (e-books)
From: "Meck, Wanda" <wmeck_at_deerfield.edu>
Hello,
I would appreciate some information about how electronic resources are
managed at your various institutions.
PLEASE RESPOND OFF-LIST.
I have been managing our databases (subscriptions and web access) in
addition to spending 4 hours per day on the reference desk, managing
the library website, doing instruction, and collecting for the
reference collection.
Now that we are considering the purchase of e-books and will be adding
those records to our catalog with links, we need to decide who is
going to do what.
I do not currently add the database records to the catalog. The
cataloger and manager of our catalog are doing that.
In the past, the acquisitions person has ordered books and added the
records for books to the catalog. Then the cataloger checks the record.
In your institutions, does the person who manages your databases also
manage e-book subscriptions because that person already has
relationships with vendors?
On one hand, since e-books are one-time purchases, treating them like
a book purchase makes sense to me. I won't be adding those records to
the catalog.
However, because e-books are electronic and problems could occur with
access, I assume that vendors will want a contact person.
I'm not sure how to assess how this added responsibility will impact
my work load and whether I'm the best person to take on this
responsibility. I presume that, in the long, run, we will be ordering
more e-books than databases.
Can you give me some insight into how your institutions have handled
the work flow and management of e-books?
Thank you,
Wanda Meck
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Boyden Library
Deerfield Academy
P.O. Box 277
Deerfield, MA 01342
Phone: 413-774-1515
Fax: 413-774-1532
Received on Sat Apr 05 2008 - 01:52:32 EDT