LIDA May 2009 Considering the humanities scholars perspectives of digital libraries: an Italian case study Anna Maria Tammaro University of Parma

LIDA May 2009 Outline Digital Renaissance Foundation studies of digital library users Methodology Concerns-based adoption model (CBAM) First findings of the Italian case study Conclusions

LIDA May 2009 Digital Library The concept of digital library adopted in the Digital Renaissance Foundation survey is that of a “boundary object” for facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and access to digital resources (Borgman 2003).

LIDA May 2009 Background Digital Renaissance Foundation first study (2006) found that access to digital library is limited by obstacles as: Collection selection criteria based on commercial and/or copyright limitations Lack of awareness of digital collections Limited access functionalities, restrictions in re-use and manipulation Uncapabilities of users

LIDA May 2009 Digital Renaissance Foundation Access study in 2008 Aim: To understand different methodological contexts and users needs Obiectives: To explore digital resources used in Italy by different scholars communities in the humanities To collect scholars perceptions and expectations of Italian digital libraries services To analyse different user capabilities of critical use of digital resources and services

LIDA May 2009 Study Group University of Venice (Romanelli) University of Trento (Boschetti) University of Florence (Baldini, Loconsolo) University of Parma (Tammaro, Agnesini, Magnani, Santoro, Andorlini) Fondazione Franceschini (Degli Innocenti) Fondazione Cini (Bacchi) Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza (Casati) Istituto Rinascimento Italiano (Tozzini) European University Institute (Noiret) Cultural Heritage Institutions staff

LIDA May 2009 The following questions were investigated What digital resources are created, accessed and used by the humanities scholars communities? Why the scholars community access and use these digital resources? What expectations the scholars community has for the digital libraries? What impact can be evidenced from the use of the digital libraries in the scholars community?

LIDA May 2009 Sample of humanities scholars Archeology Classical Studies Communications and Media studies Drama, Dance, Music Education Arts History History Languages Linguistics Literature Philosophy Architecture

LIDA May 2009 Methodology Digital resources used or created by digital humanities users What is their value? Who manage and preserve them? Technical aspects, as open source and metadata schema Licences Users expectations/satisfaction of Italian Digital Libraries functionalities Concerns-Based Adoption Model (Hall and Loucks 1979) analysis by discipline Impact, change in learning and teaching

LIDA May 2009 Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) Stage of concernIndicator 1. InformationalUser has information of digital resources and wants to know more (digital library, portal, gateways, special collections). 2. PersonalUser applies digital library to his learning and teaching habits 3. ManagementUser identifies issues and obstacles and adapts learning and teaching 4. Output, consequenceUser evaluates relevance and impact on learning and teaching 5. Co-laborationUser shares resources and cooperates with other communities 6. Innovation, refocusingUser looks for alternative ways of using digital resouces and services

LIDA May 2009 Data collecting tools The semi-structured interviews by telephone were the tool for collecting data and, following these, in depth interviews were done in presence to selected experts of these communities. Two focus groups were organised for two different communities of practice.

LIDA May 2009 First findings Classic philology Philosophy Education Architecture

LIDA May 2009 Classical philology community How it will affect me?Research broader and faster Large use of digital library content and Web resources How can I use these efficiently?Creation of digital content but prevention for Open Access How can I organise myself?Difficulty in understand the difference between software, content and services Is this changing myself?No PDF but possibility of re-use How can I relate what I am doing to what others are doing? International community collaborating on corpora Is there something which can work better? Collaboration with computer science. The use and manipulation they need is av niche need

LIDA May 2009 Education community How it will affect me?Research in Data Bases is the most used, appreciate more information access Few Italian subject resources on line How can I use these efficiently?Individual use but not spread. At least 4 different sections in the community. Only one scholar community active in digital library but not producing content How can I organise myself?It is seen parallel and integrated with the printed resources Is this changing myself?Obstacles of copyright; not enough content available How can I relate what I am doing to what others are doing? Few collaboration with international communities Is there something which can work better? Wish of Open Educational Resources

LIDA May 2009 Philosophy community How it will affect me?Limited use, related to availability of digital library infrastructure in the University How can I use these efficiently?Use of research in data bases. Preference for printed sources and physical library How can I organise myself?Weak capabilities and defensive behaviour Is this changing myself?No change in research behaviour How can I relate what I am doing to what others are doing? Competition more than collaboration behaviour Is there something which can work better? Creation of small digital collection. Promotion and information literacy training

LIDA May 2009 Architecture community How it will affect me?Use of data base on legislation in architecture. Research starting from Google and search engines How can I use these efficiently?Finding imagines. Use for learning materials How can I organise myself?High expectations as easy access to few pertinent resources at now cost in specialised colelctions Is this changing myself?Need of personalisation of services and interactions How can I relate what I am doing to what others are doing? Is there something which can work better? Improvement of the Projects Archives. Integration with elearning and laboratories on line

LIDA May 2009 Conclusions The first findings of the survey have evidenced that all the humanities scholars communities in Italy are changing their information seeking behaviour. Classic philology community is more advanced than others and is involved in international collaboration projects

LIDA May 2009 Conclusions Other scholars communities are in earlier adaptation stages and have different expectations Needs of infrastructure availability, staff special competences and promotion of personalised services