Serving the Information Needs of ASU Science Clientele

Author: Vladimír Borovanský,  Arizona State University, USA

Co-author: Sheila Young / Arizona State University

Fulltexts

Abstract

Short history of information support of various clienteles (academia, industry, individuals), in general, including the ideas of pacesetters like A. Merta, M. Line, et al.

In order to stay competitive and on the cutting edge of science, scientists and technologists need the most up-to-date information. Also, according to Bretton, to stop reinventing the wheel. It is the role of the librarian to know the information needs of his/her clientele.

In American academic libraries, librarians/information specialists have subject responsibilities and their duties involve reference and information services, teaching, design of web sites, collection development and liaison with departments in their particular disciplines.

Marketing of their services has always been very important but now in the electronic age it is even more challenging. It involves orientation sessions, teaching, promoting information literacy, organizing specialized workshops with vendors and database producers to teach the users the usage of new databases.

About the author

Vladimir Borovansky is a graduate of Charles University in library and information science (PhDr) and continued his education in the U.S. He started his professional career in an subject information center of Research Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy in Prague (1959-1967) and after arrival in the U.S. joined Arizona State University Library as a science reference librarian. Gradually he became head of science reference service, later spent a year in Saudi Arabia as Head of Reference at the University of Petroleum & Minerals where he introduced online searching. After the return planned the new science library at ASU, then served as Head of the Library. Later he transferred to Collection Development Division as Coordinator for Science & Engineering and worked on strategic research projects. During his career at ASU introduced online searching, set up of a Patent Depository and before the advent of the web, set up so called Science Faculty computer file. Also taught a course in Information Resources in Engineering for the Engineering College a was an adjunct faculty and taught courses for the Library and Information School at the University of Arizona.