1. University Librarians and Their Readers under Network Circumstance Prof. Bingfeng YU Xi’an Jiaotong University Library Xi’an, China The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

2.  Introduction  Characteristic of reader service under network circumstance  Change of service manner in library under network circumstance  Change of service content in library under network circumstance  Practice of reader service under network circumstance in Xi’an Jiaotong University  Requirement for reader service under network circumstance  Issues concerned of reader service in universities under network circumstance The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

3. Introduction Basic Feature of Modern Library—Popularization and Application of Computer and Information Technology Needing the application of computer and information technology for librarian and manager With the increasing progress of information technology and intelligent information system, attention being transferred from resources and technology to reader service for libraries Caring for behavior and psychology of reader achieving and using information, and desire for library service to enhance efficiency of library service The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

4. Introduction Core and End-result of Library—Reader Service Reader service being routine and basic function of library, and its survival foundation Understanding readers’ need actively, satisfying readers’ request in time, and providing readers with useful information resources Active reader service on the basis of resource development Investigating readers’ request in time, implementing the important strategy “attracting readers” The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

5. Introduction Main Features of University Libraries Compared with General Libraries—Service Object being Faculty and Students Furnishing faculty and students with convenient, rapid multi- way material searching and loan-return manner Library work to be methodic and concise gradually by automation means Library network making numerous and complicated service work be simple and realizing automatic management and service which could not be implemented in the past The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

6. Introduction Great Change in Environment, Technology Conditions, and Reader Requirement for University Libraries University library using own website and multi-delivery means to collect and attain information resource for readers Coexisting of traditional library with printed document and virtual library with electronic resources remodeling university library information service Network and digital technologies leading to implementation of individuation information service in university library The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

7. 1 Reader Service Features Under Network Circumstance 1.1 Diversity of Service Content Manifold information service content of university library under network circumstance Electronic document, network information and information products developed by university library, in addition to printed document Providing readers with network information resources developed through network as well as traditional service items The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

8. 1.2 Comprehensive Reader Service Function Answering user by on-line referral expert system Performing information service such as project referral, research proposal writing, project evaluation, and high-tech retrieval with various domestic database Database retrieval system having flexible functions of data organization, management and retrieval Database retrieval system also conducting various information treatment and service including facsimile, email, high-speed printing, and online order The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK 1 Reader Service Features Under Network Circumstance

9. 1.3 Modernization of Service Means Providing readers with information service by computer and network technology CD database, electronic publication and multimedia literature possessing automatic information treatment ability to perform various orderly and normative retrieval Conducting email, electronic document delivery and online public catalog searching by network Making readers receive intellectualized information service by modern technology The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

10. 1 Reader Service Features Under Network Circumstance 1.4 Automation of Service Manner “Picking up service” by librarian being changed into “Self-service” by readers Entering library self-service system through network, finding readers guide and then using library resources Entering library request assistance system through network, and acquiring solution to problems concerning using library Library reader self-help service satisfying self- determination feature of user information demand under network circumstance, increasing reader number The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

11. 2 Change of Reader Service Manner Under Network Circumstance 2.1 Change from Passive Service to Active Service With network application in information exchange, keeping the role of information and document collector and disseminator for library, but needing to change traditional means and manner Providing readers with omnidirectional, tridimensional, fast and excellent information service by predicting readers’ request, active searching and processing network information, leading to readers’ achieving network literature and document in different carriers The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

12. 2 Change of Reader Service Manner Under Network Circumstance 2.2 Change from In-library Service to On-line Service Limits in traditional library: range and amount of book collection, reading time and space No such limits with on-line service in modern library 2.3 Change from One-one Service to Reader Self-service One-one reader service—direct loan, return and referral service Reader self-retrieval and self-service under network circumstance based on guidance and training to master modern technology by librarians for using information resources in library and society The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

13. 3 Change of Reader Service Content Under Network Circumstance 3.1 Realizing Service Content of Traditional Library with Network Reader service Multifunctional document service to readers directly or indirectly with network system, such as transaction of electronic library card, subscription and renewal, collection catalog browse and searching, and new book recommendation Book collection retrieval and information browse Information delivery Delivery of special topic bibliography information for subject service and tracking service Daily information of library Library running time, rules and regulations, readers guide, service items, training plan and schedule, and new books Bulletin Board System (BBS) Interaction communication to improve service quality The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

14. 3 Change of Reader Service Content Under Network Circumstance 3.2 Remote Browse and Retrieval of Digital Information Various service such as multimedia electronic publication browse, application of internet, CD remote information retrieval, and network database retrieval Increasing variety and number of electronic publication, and adding new service items according to reader request 3.3 Construction of Database Retrospective collection database, subject database, distinguishing database Distinguishing database developed in 71% of Chinese libraries, including online distinguishing database in 59% of them Most of other libraries having plan to develop distinguishing database The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

15. 3 Change of Reader Service Content Under Network Circumstance 3.4 Establishing Virtual Collection with Network Resources According to Collection and Reader Request 3.5 Network Information Service Pictures and texts service, email service, user electronic forum service, on-line public catalog searching service 3.6 Reader Education Service Enhancing reader abilities to achieve and use information under network circumstance Long-distance training with various format including VOD outside library The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

16. 3 Change of Reader Service Content Under Network Circumstance Requirement for Librarian Quality under Network Circumstance As information manager, producer, analyzer and provider, necessary for librarian to hold information service means under network circumstance and master various service procedure Holding computer and network technologies, information management, database producing and service ability in addition to systemic professional knowledge Finding, filtrating, organizing, coordinating information requested to develop information products and raise service efficiency The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

17. 4 Practice of Reader Service under Network Environment in XJTU In charge of CALIS navigation database of key discipline network resource Completing databases of “Management Science and Engineering”, “Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics”, and “Phylogeny of Science and Technology” Distributed union system of virtual referral Editing and coordinating more than 3800 valuable items in 15 disciplines in central repository of this system Bearing construction of CALIS union catalog database Assuming construction of distinguishing subject database Completing construction of CALIS network system for interlibrary loan and document delivery As document delivery center in northwest part of China, 4293 pieces delivered in 2006( 2319 pieces in and 1974 pieces out) The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

18. 4 Practice of Reader Service under Network Environment in XJTU Participating in CALIS center “Joint Acquisition” Including 53 kinds of network databases, 8 kinds of CD databases, 14000 kinds of full-text electronic periodicals Bearing construction of university dissertation database Providing CALIS union catalog database with data Opening united retrieval platform of CALIS digital library resources Integrating and building links for electronic collection resources Conducting links for OA periodicals in network Available for free reader referral by phone Library column in BBS to answer readers’ questions Email addresses available for readers The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

19. 4 Practice of Reader Service under Network Environment in XJTU Performing A Volume of Reader Training: Introducing collection resources and service for fresh Offering course, Computer Information Retrieval and use, for senior students and postgraduates Offering more than ten special topic lectures on document retrieval for readers every semester Offering individual tutorship to answer questions based on special request To be a station for novelty verifying authorized by Ministry of State Education, XJTU library conducting novelty verifying in science and technology with rich collection The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

20. 4 Practice of Reader Service under Network Environment in XJTU Service item200420052006 Novelty verification261218251 BBS160718981616 E-mail107519802284 Phone referral203142573865 Virtual referral571961240 E-periodical navigation179591619516215 Training (for fresh)466577904950 Lecture and tutorship78717112448 The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

21. 5 Requirement for reader service under network circumstance 5.1 Innovation of Service Conception To provide with knowledge and information service with high quality and high efficiency To establish service conception of cooperation and sharing within CALIS 5.2 Positive Development of Network Resources Organization, coordinating and secondary development for realizing useful reader service, development of network resources including: To apply library website to guide readers To help users to learn using various retrieval engines to search information needed To index subject document from internet periodically To provide on-line novelty verifying The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

22. 5 Requirement for reader service under network circumstance 5.3 Cultivating Reader Information Attainment Based on Training To perform systemic training and education with lectures and courses on network resources retrieval and use pertinently To offer training modules with hyper text of website To offer face to face oral teaching and practice, and make PPT to help reader self-study To foster reader’s abilities and skills of using information, computer, network, and information conformity The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

23. 5 Requirement for reader service under network circumstance 5.4 To Improve Referral Service To provide reader with various network referral service by using computers To improve librarian responding ability of treating information technology and using computer and multimedia technologies 5.5 To Enhance Librarian Attainment Professional training for staff to master modern theory and method of document service, and applications of network and foreign languages To insist on “Priority to reader” and “Equity to use information” To introduce promoting and competition system, improve engagement mode The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

24. 6 Issues concerned of reader service in universities To enlarge investment in library to raise library collection and automation levels To intensify conception “People oriented and Priority to reader” To perform various types of investigations( request, behavior, utilization ) to correctly master readers’ current request and predict readers’ potential need The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK

25. 6 Issues concerned of reader service in universities To set up and improve daily maintenance mechanism for normal network resource service To ensure equitable readers right and eliminate loan limits in library, and to pay attention to IPR during loan, copy, digitalization of collection, and links of network resources To endeavor to enlarge range of service object, and open to readers in society and community gradually The Academic Librarian: Dinosaur or Phoenix? die or fly in library change management April 2007 HK