2 Virtual Library Service Development
Locally-mounted Databases. In April a staff member was seconded
from the Humanities and Social Sciences Library, to advise management on a
Library-wide strategy for local databases. In accordance with his
recommendations, the Library made substantial further investments in its OVID
system, by adding further databases, disk space and software licenses, and
worked with the Computer Centre to replace the obsolescent CD-ROM servers
scattered around the various campuses with a single high performance PRIORIS
server. It was also decided to acquire an ERL (Electronic Reference Library)
platform early in 1998.
Electronic Resources Directory. The ever-growing range of
electronic information resources acquired by the Library made some form of
comprehensive but easy to use finding tool essential. In 1996 a staff member was
commissioned to investigate the management of electronic resources in the
Library and to recommend solutions for consistent processing and presentation.
Her recommendations were implemented in 1997 with the development of the
Electronic Resources Directory, a Web based system which draws on and extends
the library's catalogue records for these materials. The Directory is the
product of a highly successful cooperative effort involving the Library's
Systems Unit, the Technical Services Division and the Subject Librarians. It
contained well over 700 entries by the end of the year.
Audio and Video on Demand. The Library continued to be a test
bed for the McIver (Multi-campus Interactive Video Education Resource)
technology that was developed by the ANSPAG Group in the Faculty of Engineering.
In June, the Library seconded a staff member to work full time on the
implementation of an audio on demand service to progressively replace the very
labour-intensive "tape lecture service" currently provided by the
Humanities and Social Sciences Library. A limited trial service, recording some
10 to 12 lectures per week, will commence from the start of semester one, 1998.
Electronic Reserve. By the end of the year about 1,000
documents were available from the electronic reserve collection, including 15
complete books. This collection is primarily in support of teaching at the
Berwick Campus. The AVCC's application to the Copyright Tribunal for
determination of an equitable rate of remuneration for electronic reserve
copying is stalled in the Tribunal. So, unfortunately, the Library had to
continue its labour-intensive arrangement for obtaining publishers' approval
which has only been partially successful. Over 2,000 letters have been written
seeking permission. Less than 50% were answered. Of the 982 replies received,
831 were positive, and no royalty fee was requested. In 88 cases a fee was
required, and in 63 cases permission was denied. Royalties paid since the
commencement of the project amount to $10,250, an average of $116.50 per item
(chapter, article or entire book). During the year the Library was required to
provide "discovery" documentation in connection with the AVCC's
application and CAL's counter-application to the Tribunal.
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