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Roy TennantThe California Digital Library
The Hybrid Library:From a State of Disarray
to a State of Grace
The Hybrid Library:From a State of Disarray
to a State of Grace
The Hybrid LibraryThe Hybrid Library
Libraries are, and will remain, a varied and complex mix of collections and services
Collections will continue to be in print, electronic, and digital formats
Services will need to be both physical and virtual
Staff will be called upon to gain new competencies and fulfill new roles
We must combine use of technology with our essential public service mission
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
— A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
Libraries are in TroubleLibraries are in Trouble
Overall, usage is declining across the board (circulation, reference, etc.)
The common perception is that the Internet can now do it all
This may lead some to assume that libraries do not need as much support
The Common PerceptionThe Common Perception
The RealityThe Reality Too many information sources and too
many places to go check Not enough assistance at the time and
place they need it Not enough ways to filter, sort, and
otherwise narrow in on what is needed Not enough awareness of print resources Too enticing to think that which is easy to
find is good enough Our users have never needed us
more than they do now!
How Can We Be There for Them?How Can We Be There for Them?
Think creatively about how to better serve their needs (clean slate thinking)
Work cooperatively to develop robust services:– Cooperative online reference– Gateways, union catalogs, and crawled
indexes Be in their face and out of their way
Being “Out of Their Way”Being “Out of Their Way” Our users simply want to get their
work done Over-complicated search systems
hinder access for the majority — only librarians like to search, everyone else likes to find!
We must bring together access to multiple information resources
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
RemoteCatalogs
LocalCatalog Local
WebSite
RemoteWebSites
CD-ROMDatabases
VendorDbs
RemoteDigitalContent
LocalDigitalContent
Gateway SchematicGateway Schematic
User Interface
Pre- and Post-Processing Engine
LibraryCatalog
JournalArticle
DatabasesWeb Sites
DigitalLibrary
Collections
InteractiveAssistance
Being “Out of Their Way”: HowBeing “Out of Their Way”: How
Simplify the front end Complicate the back end:
– Search more sources– Pre-process the query– Post-process the results– Offer options for filtering, sorting
Provide ways the user can control and personalize their interface
• http://searchlight.cdlib.org/cgi-bin/searchlight
Being “In Their Face”: Why?Being “In Their Face”: Why?
Many catalogs and search systems are difficult to understand and use
Users need help at the moment they get stuck — email is inadequate
Unless assistance is obvious and convenient, the user will remain stuck
Other, readily available information sources, can be convenient but inadequate (web search engines, for example)
Being “In Their Face”Being “In Their Face”
Getting it RightGetting it Right
Only we can bring together access to the entire information universe
Only we are skilled at evaluation, selection, organization, delivery, and preservation of information
Only we can combine the power of the Internet with excellent public service
How to Get it RightHow to Get it Right
Strong and effective print collections Digital content when and where it
makes sense More information about print material
in our catalogs Strong integration of print and digital Easy and effective pathways to good
Internet resources
What it Means to Get it RightWhat it Means to Get it Right
It will be the very technologies that threaten us that will be our salvation
By getting it right, we will be more effective and more appreciated than ever before