Athabasca University Library Athabasca, Alberta Canada Steve Schafer Director Library Services

Library Services - Online –core services and contacts AU Library “information gateway” Fully integrated & web-based catalog –library holdings & selected Internet sites Integrated library processes –acquisitions, receiving, cataloging, processing

Library Services - Online Automatic patron authentication & verification –to access online journal databases Patron access (distributed) to online resources –selected Internet sites –other library catalogs

Library Services - Online New AUCAT features –Web-based searching –Capacity to include web resources in the catalog –Automatic request of items in the catalog –Patron initiated renewals –View patron’s own library account –Search other library catalogs (z39.50)

Library Services - Online AUCAT Features (cont.) –Course reserves - listings of supplementary materials of courses –Electronic reserves - mounting fulltext of supplementary materials –ILL (Interlibrary Loan) - easier to place request –Comprehensive user statistics –Reports on system data

Library Services - Online More than 30 online databases –citations & abstracts –fulltext to articles in journals Selected web sites Pathfinders (i.e., career development, English literature, et al.) Course web pages (links) Online help & instruction pages

Library Services - Online Benefits of online databases –Remote access -- convenience & flexibility –Off campus user can search & research –Fulltext of articles –Various ways to retrieve information ( i.e., view, print, download, ) –Online technical support & help

Library Services - Online Challenges of online databases –Varying search platforms of service providers –Configuration of the web browser –Not all databases include fulltext –Costly over time -- ability to sustain –Instruction & help issues remain –Connectivity

Library Services - Online AU Library reports: –Rising use of online databases, particularly those that provide fulltext online –Online Library system is accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from countries around the world –Increases in the number of requests to the Library Information Desk (requests for materials and reference assistance)

Library Services Management Issues –Staffing issues: need for flexibility, need for more training, increased demands by users for instruction –Collection issues: ability/means to sustain subscriptions & licenses –Technical issues: configuration, “help” –Technical issues: hardware replacement & upgrades

Library Services Management Issues (cont.) –User issues: increased sophistication respecting use of the computer and electronic resources –User issues: need for a return to understand bibliographic concepts –User issues: need for strong search & retrieval skills –User issues: increasing demands & rising user expectations

Library Services The Saying goes: ”If we build it they will come”