The Janus Project Alex Byrne Northern Territory University

The Janus Project

Alex Byrne

Northern Territory University

Janus - Alex Byrne Northern Territory University

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Janus Collaborative Information Centres

To develop a sustainable business model for a pilot Janus Centre which is intended to be the first in a network of collaborative information centres


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Context

Burgeoning volume of publication Proliferation of media Declining purchasing power Rapidly diminishing proportion captured by

individual research libraries Vastly enhanced access and delivery capabilities


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Goals

Secure rapid access and delivery Seek comprehensive access and delivery Get a better return on investment


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Technically Feasible

Internet/WWW Electronic publication Gateways and portals JEDDS/LIDDAS

Call centre technologies Consortial initiatives International initiatives Emerging standards


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Issues

Intellectual Property– ownership

– licensing/reuse/royalties

– rights management Scholarly Practice

– recognition and rewards

– changing practices

– service expectations

Universities– what is pre-competitive?

– ownership vs service

– status and image Libraries

– autonomy

– ownership vs service

– commitment to collaboration


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Key Stakeholders

Researchers Research Institutions/AVCC Research Agencies DETYA Research Libraries


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A Janus Centre

Each in a specific discipline– to provide integrated access to research

information, and– to support national collaborative purchasing

Accessible via a national access point.


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The Janus Team

Steering Group Reference Groups: Agriculture, Chemistry,

Philosophy Consultants: Simsion Bowles Project Manager: Sue Henczel, CAVAL Evaluator: David Phillips


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The Steering Group

Paul Clark (chair) - VU/AVCC Marian Bate -

UNSW/CAUL/Chemistry David Bennett - Academy of

the Humanities/NAF Maxine Brodie -

SLNSW/CASL Alex Byrne - NTU/CAUL Diane Costello - CAUL

Helen Hayes - MU/CAUL/Agriculture

Warren Horton/Jan Fullarton - NLA

David McCann - DETYA Peter Nicholson - DETYA Christine Page-Hanify -

UNSW/CAUDIT Janine Schmidt -

QU/CAUL/Philosophy


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Project Summary

To develop a sustainable business model for a pilot Janus Centre

Phase 1 - to draft a business plan, confirm its objectives, expected outcomes, and financial and technical feasibility in relation to three disciplines (chemistry, agriculture and philosophy)


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Project Summary

To develop a sustainable business model for a pilot Janus Centre

Phase 2 - pilot up to three Janus Centres in selected fields and develop a fully costed business plan


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Project Design

Project Schematic

Project Initiation

Phase 1 - Develop Business Model

Transition Project Finalisation

Phase 2 - Support Pilot Projects

Project Plan

Draft Business Model

Revised Project Plan

Pilot Outcomes

Draft Business Model


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Challenges

Getting the data to build a business case Defining the business model Securing commitment from stakeholders Developing a sustainable business plan


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Phase 1 Review

Much information gathered Many concepts and issues identified Business framework and slate of projects

suggested, but Draft business plan not achieved

Consequently …. Phase 2 had to be reconsidered


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Suggested Projects - out of scope

Design, build and implement a subject gateway Review and refine information dissemination

services Create an advanced call centre capability Establish a purchasing and negotiation capability Establish facilities for storage/archiving of items


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Suggested Projects - in scope

Agree a collection framework for each discipline Provide comprehensive and powerful search

facilities Develop flexibility in configuration and location

of collections Implement a process for gathering business

intelligence


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Phase 2 Reviewed

Four stage process to deliver a business model for the Janus Collaborative Information Centre

Highlighting those areas which will deliver financial savings, improved infrastructure and improved service capacity


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Phase 2 Key Questions

Will it work? What will it offer me (or my constituents)? What will it require of me (or my

constituents? Will it offer sufficient tangible and

achievable advantages to participate?


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Phase 2 Scope

Key business components Acquisition through collaborative

purchasing Information access through gateway/portal Information distribution, electronic and

physical Information location and storage


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Phase 2 Deliverables

Stage 1 - Baseline Business System (Aug) Stage 2 - Framework Business Model (Oct) Stage 3 - Testing the Business Model (Nov) Stage 4 - Pilot Business Model (Feb) Stage 5 - Final Report (Mar)


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Outcomes

Testing of new ways of doing business, building on the technical and service innovation achieved over the last 5 years

Focussed commitment of stakeholders including service providers and clients

A viable and sustainable way to reposition Australian research information services at the beginning of a new century

Documents

The Janus Project Alex Byrne Northern Territory University