With the continued rising subscription and ownership costs of electronic content (i.e., databases, journals, newspapers, e-books, etc.) all libraries are innovating new ways to connect the user with the information they seek. This is somewhat of a daunting task as prices for this information are moving targets (much like purchasing a new or used car). The University Libraries at SLU have taken on this challenge by creatively developing a multi-spectrumed access-on-demand information service.
What does this mean for students, faculty, and staff? It means access to quality information faster and much more convenient. For example, the University Libraries have begun a pilot project at the Medical Center Library to create an all online journal collection for medical literature. Known as the DIGITAL RESOURCES INITIATIVE, students and faculty will be able to access information in one of four ways.
1.) Self-Service Electronic Gateways through which users can access online journal via the library e-journal portal, publisher web sites, SLU’s online catalog, and full-text links within citation and indexing databases.
2.) D3: Digital Document Delivery where rapid, same day scanning and export of high-resolution PDF copies of journal articles are emailed to the users desktop from print library collections.
3.) On-Demand Access where the library purchases (at no charge to the user) and supplies (within one business day) original PDF articles from publishers, and
4.) Interlibrary Loan Resource Sharing where the library continues acquisition and electronic delivery of articles from interlibrary loan partners.
The brainchild of Medical Center Library Director Patrick McCarthy, the Digital Resources Initiative is on schedule to be rolled-out over two-years. On Demand access to select high cost journals began in January 2007. The D3: Digital Document Delivery pilot project began on Aug. 15, 2007 while the interlibrary loan service continues.
The goal within the next year is to have D3 fully implemented for all users as well as online only journal subscriptions for medical literature. In the field of information, the trend, specifically in medicine, is to obtain current, quality information in electronic form. As with all of our other information resources and library services, we will continue to evaluate and assess this program to see if it meets our users needs and, if it does, to expand the project where it makes sense to do so.
As always, we appreciate your feedback on our new products and services.
