The growing importance of computer technologies is changing the face of libraries and how library resources and services are delivered. Beyond the traditional boundary of printed resources, most libraries today are facing the challenge of selecting, evaluating and acquiring materials in electronic format. Unfortunately, these new resources often require different expertise for selection and evaluation. To help keep up with the current trends in the electronic publishing field, Selecting and Managing Electronic Resources: A How‐To‐Do‐It Manual serves as an excellent starting point.
Following the general introductory chapter, the work is divided logically into a series of related topics. Thus Chapter 2 describes the collection development policies and divides these into three different approaches to fit individual library needs, including making electronic resources acquisitions fit into the patterns of traditional policies, creating separate policies solely for electronic resources, and mainstreaming electronic resources into an integrated collection development policy.
Chapter 3 addresses needs assessment by discussing who, what, when, where, and how electronic resources fit into the library collection. Details of electronic resource selection criteria, selection tools, using Internet resources to aid the selection process, and the selection criteria worksheet are offered. Chapter 4 deals with budgeting and the acquisition of electronic resources. Here the standard acquisitions functions such as bibliographic verifications, pricing options, and terms of product availability are considered. Various pricing models are listed, along with budget considerations, the possibility of consortium purchases, and document delivery options.
Chapter 5 details the organization and maintenance of electronic resources, including the cataloguing and bibliographic control by traditional model or through the compilation of Webliographies, addition of metadata, and/or full level cataloguing of electronic and Web resources. User authentication and proxy servers are also explored. Chapter 6 then covers the evaluation and assessment of electronic resources, including issues related to assessment data, assessment activities, the standard areas of data collection, technological additions to standard data resources, qualitative techniques of content analysis, focus groups, case studies, reading levels, collection formats, and replacement decisions and tips on managing an evaluation project.
Chapter 7 highlights the growing importance of copyright and licensing issues due to publishers’ and vendors’ awareness of their intellectual property rights in electronic products. The chapter also covers information on the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA) and its impact on libraries regarding the electronic licensing issues. Preservation and archiving concerns on electronic resources are covered in Chapter 8. The book concludes with suggestions and options for the integration of electronic resources into the library collection and handling the stress of fitting the rapidly changing library environment.
This practical manual is well organized and contains comprehensive information and useful work forms for collection management of electronic resources. Academic libraries, large public libraries, and libraries that support the acquisition of electronic resources will find this book a helpful and inexpensive reference tool for electronic collection management.
