13th Conference on Professional Information Resources

Autor: Radovan Kačín, University of Economics, Czech Republic

Co-authors:

Fulltext

Abstract:

Universities are purchasing quality information resources, yet their access numbers are in low tens to hundreds unique users per year. All this despite the fact, that access to these electronic information sources is frequently provided to end users for free (e.g. as part of a university-wide license) and the resources are of high quality. So why do the users not use them? Libraries are trying to get users to use these resources by various methods, most often by combination of promotion and training. Results of such efforts are doubtful both at Czech and foreign universities. Presentation of information resources is part of unsuitable library marketing. It does not lead to an improvement, since the users do not see immediate value of the services offered. This paper analyzes value of a library from the users’ point of view and suggests significant change of the libraries’ approach to understanding the value of their services. The paper points to required changes in internal processes of libraries, implementation of metrics for evaluation of success and necessity of including an outside view at the services provided.

About author:

Author: Anna Tonakiewicz, Main Library of Warsaw University of Technology, Poland

Co-authors:

Author: Čestmír Halbich, Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, Czech Republic

Author: Jaroslav Šilhánek, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, Czech Republic

Co-authors:

Author: Vladimír Karen, Albertina icome Praha s.r.o., Czech Republic