inheriting the past or creating the future david f. kohl dean and university librarian, emeritus...
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Inheriting the Past or Inheriting the Past or Creating the FutureCreating the Future
David F. KohlDavid F. Kohl
Dean and University Librarian, Emeritus Dean and University Librarian, Emeritus University of Cincinnati,University of Cincinnati,Senior Fulbright Scholar,Senior Fulbright Scholar,
AndAndEditor in Chief, Journal of Academic LibrarianshipEditor in Chief, Journal of Academic Librarianship
ANKOS Library WorkshopIstanbul, TurkeyOctober 27, 2006
History can help…or hinder!History can help…or hinder!
Clearly the future always emerges from the Clearly the future always emerges from the pastpast Libraries can trace their history back to the mists Libraries can trace their history back to the mists
of recorded timeof recorded time
And yet, a focus on these And yet, a focus on these historical roots,historical roots,
on an impressively ancient on an impressively ancient past, past,
can blind us to change…can blind us to change…
and the futureand the future
It is important to It is important to understand the past…understand the past…
But we live our lives in a But we live our lives in a constantly emerging futureconstantly emerging future
You can’t drive a car by looking in the rear view mirror!
Wall Street JournalMonday, Oct. 23, 2006
“Turkey’s boisterous democracy stands out in the Islamic world…”
“…economic renaissance…7% expansion in 2005, the fourth consequtive year that growth has approached double digits…”
“…inflation under control…”
“…[since] 1980-83…27 private universities had been funded…Koc and Sabanci…”
For libraries that future is For libraries that future is dominated by two developmentsdominated by two developments
ConsortiaHEAL-Link
Ankos
Bibsam
OhioLINK
Caspur
Digital Environment
Computers
Wireless
Internet
Blogs
Podcasting…
Plus 100s more…
While the While the powerpower of this confluence is of this confluence is already clear…already clear…
The Turkish library consortium (ANKOS) has added The Turkish library consortium (ANKOS) has added more library journals in 8 years than the individual more library journals in 8 years than the individual libraries of Turkey together were able to add by libraries of Turkey together were able to add by individual action in the past 100 years!individual action in the past 100 years! From an average of 5% of the Elsevier, Kluwer/Springer, From an average of 5% of the Elsevier, Kluwer/Springer,
Wiley titles to 100% of them*Wiley titles to 100% of them* And the consortium multiplier effect is happening And the consortium multiplier effect is happening
world wideworld wide
* Karasozen/Lindley, “The Impact of ANKOS” Journal of Academic Librarianship 30:5 p. 406
What is still not clear to many is just What is still not clear to many is just how how radicalradical this transformation is this transformation is
When I was a beginning librarian I basically When I was a beginning librarian I basically knew… knew… What kind of jobs were available to me…What kind of jobs were available to me… What libraries looked like physically…What libraries looked like physically… How libraries were organized…How libraries were organized… What kind of collections they had…What kind of collections they had…
Now beginning librarians can’t Now beginning librarians can’t count on knowing any of these count on knowing any of these
things!things!
For example, instead of…For example, instead of… Sitting at a reference desk…Sitting at a reference desk…
Teaching library instructionTeaching library instruction Providing distance learningProviding distance learning Staffing chat referenceStaffing chat reference
Cataloging books and journalsCataloging books and journals Integrating library automation with university automation, e.g. Integrating library automation with university automation, e.g.
Blackboard/WebCTBlackboard/WebCT Providing metadata for library holdings (to make them web searchable)Providing metadata for library holdings (to make them web searchable)
Placing orders for books and journalsPlacing orders for books and journals Negotiating contracts for bundled digital journals and ebooksNegotiating contracts for bundled digital journals and ebooks Creating information resourcesCreating information resources
Circulating the local collectionCirculating the local collection Arranging storage/retrieval in high density repositoriesArranging storage/retrieval in high density repositories Setting up massive consortial circulation systemsSetting up massive consortial circulation systems
Etc…Etc…The changes are not slowing down and stabilizing, they are
happening faster and becoming increasingly radical
An example of the change…An example of the change…
The University of Virginia has one of the largest The University of Virginia has one of the largest traditional collections in the UStraditional collections in the US
It also has one of the largest digital repositories in the It also has one of the largest digital repositories in the USUS
A 2002 comparative study of use showed:A 2002 comparative study of use showed: Avg. daily visits to the physical libraries:Avg. daily visits to the physical libraries: 5,9305,930 Avg. daily visits to the E-Text Center: 37,000Avg. daily visits to the E-Text Center: 37,000
Already in 2002 the digital repository was receiving over 6 times the use of the physical library!
ConsortiaConsortia and and digital technologydigital technology are are a profoundly disruptive combination a profoundly disruptive combination
and require us to:and require us to:
Recognize that a profound change is happening Recognize that a profound change is happening NotNot pretend that nothing is really happening pretend that nothing is really happening
Actively seek to identify the possibilities and Actively seek to identify the possibilities and opportunities in the new environmentopportunities in the new environment NotNot complain about what we’re losing complain about what we’re losing
Begin to actBegin to act NotNot wait for someone else to tell us what to do wait for someone else to tell us what to do
Instead of preserving an inherited library,,,
we need to create a new information organization!
From “library” to From “library” to “digital repository”“digital repository”
It is hard to think in new ways if we It is hard to think in new ways if we continue to use old namescontinue to use old names
We don’t have to discard “library”…We don’t have to discard “library”…but rather put it aside for a momentbut rather put it aside for a moment
It’s also hard to think in new ways if we focus on specific jobs rather than
why we do the jobs
What is the librarian’s job really?What is the librarian’s job really?
Reference
Collection development
Cataloging
Circulation
Digitization
Chat reference
Database selection
Automation
Etc… Etc…
Traditional New
Adding Value
Librarians don’t create or discover knowledge;
We make information easier for other people to use
Let’s focus on beginning to Let’s focus on beginning to understand what a “digital understand what a “digital repository” might be if our repository” might be if our concern is to “add value”concern is to “add value”
Originally conceived as a mechanism to Originally conceived as a mechanism to return academic publishing to academic return academic publishing to academic
controlcontrol Scholars would deposit Scholars would deposit
their papers in a local their papers in a local repository repository Access to scholarly Access to scholarly
articles would not be articles would not be limited by the limited by the high costhigh cost of some journals or…of some journals or…
by by copyright restrictionscopyright restrictions imposed by 3imposed by 3rdrd parties parties
But the child is not growing up as But the child is not growing up as expected!expected!
Although money and power Although money and power always get our attention…always get our attention…
The control of scholarly publishing and its cost is only the very The control of scholarly publishing and its cost is only the very beginning of our concernsbeginning of our concerns
WORLDWIDE STM MARKET Total 1999 Revenue: $9.5 billion
Nonprofit / Membership
Primary Publishers
27%
Commercial Primary & Secondary Publishers
56%
Aggregators17%
Source: Outsell, Inc.
World-wide STM publishingWorld-wide STM publishing
2,000+ publishers2,000+ publishers1.2 million articles/year1.2 million articles/yearApproximately 16,000 Approximately 16,000 scholarly journals scholarly journals
Source: Regazzi, Serials Review, 2004/30:275-280
It is the underlying nature of the It is the underlying nature of the digital repository which provides digital repository which provides
the key to understanding and the key to understanding and developing itdeveloping it
How is the digital repository How is the digital repository different from a “library” different from a “library”
There are at least 4 major differencesThere are at least 4 major differences The unifying effect of digital representationThe unifying effect of digital representation A much closer partnership between librarians and A much closer partnership between librarians and
facultyfaculty A vast increase in potential collection resourcesA vast increase in potential collection resources The collection is increasingly outside of the The collection is increasingly outside of the
“library”“library”
The unifying effect of digital The unifying effect of digital technologytechnology
The print based library was The print based library was a United Nations of a United Nations of
technologiestechnologiesPrint
Microforms
SlidesAudio tapes
Video tapes
Digital
The digital repository is technologically unified Computers
Requiring multiple delivery technologies
Requires a single delivery technology
Closer librarian-faculty partnershipCloser librarian-faculty partnership
The library partnership was mainly:The library partnership was mainly: Selection of research resources and instructional materialsSelection of research resources and instructional materials Library instruction (maybe!)Library instruction (maybe!)
The digital repository adds active librarian The digital repository adds active librarian participation in:participation in: Creating research resources and instructional materialsCreating research resources and instructional materials Disseminating faculty/student research (to a world-wide Disseminating faculty/student research (to a world-wide
audience)audience) Teaching students an educated use of information resourcesTeaching students an educated use of information resources
A potentially unlimited choice of A potentially unlimited choice of collection resourcescollection resources
The selecting for a print library was limited by the The selecting for a print library was limited by the need to:need to: Select from among Select from among externallyexternally created products created products Consider the technological requirements of deliveryConsider the technological requirements of delivery
The digital repository, however:The digital repository, however: Can Can createcreate as well as purchase externally created resources as well as purchase externally created resources Has a Has a uniformuniform technology for delivery technology for delivery Can make available resources Can make available resources not specifically created for not specifically created for
librarieslibraries
Collections increasingly reside Collections increasingly reside outside of the libraryoutside of the library
The print library was primarily defined as a The print library was primarily defined as a building (or series of buildings or rooms) building (or series of buildings or rooms) because it held a physical collectionbecause it held a physical collection
The collection of the digital repository is The collection of the digital repository is increasingly dispersedincreasingly dispersed Electronic journals are held on publisher websitesElectronic journals are held on publisher websites
The only The only librarylibrary journal websites for commercial journal websites for commercial journals are: Italy, Ohio, Toronto (Canada), and Japanjournals are: Italy, Ohio, Toronto (Canada), and Japan
The legacy print collections are increasingly The legacy print collections are increasingly moving to high density off-site storage facilitiesmoving to high density off-site storage facilities
The shift in collections is massiveThe shift in collections is massive
The California Northern Regional Library FacilityThe California Northern Regional Library Facility First moduleFirst module
3.1 million volumes transferred in 6 years from four member libraries3.1 million volumes transferred in 6 years from four member libraries 129,167 volumes transferred per year per library129,167 volumes transferred per year per library
Second moduleSecond module 2.37 million volumes transferred in 10 years from four member libraries2.37 million volumes transferred in 10 years from four member libraries 59,250 volumes transferred per year per library59,250 volumes transferred per year per library
Ohio Southwest Regional DepositoryOhio Southwest Regional Depository 1.5 million volumes1.5 million volumes 8 years with an average of four members8 years with an average of four members 187,500 volumes a year total187,500 volumes a year total 46,875 volumes per year per institution46,875 volumes per year per institution
Yale DepositoryYale Depository
Second module of the SW Ohio Repository
30 meters high
Repository AdvantagesRepository Advantages
Shelving efficiency (by size)Shelving efficiency (by size) 40% gain (Minnesota studies)40% gain (Minnesota studies)
Cost (compared to library open stack storage)Cost (compared to library open stack storage) $3.75 per volume compared to $13.39 per volume (Orbis $3.75 per volume compared to $13.39 per volume (Orbis
study)study) repository housing is 1/10repository housing is 1/10thth the cost of library housing the cost of library housing
(Yale calculation)(Yale calculation) LocalLocal
Easier argument to transfer the materialsEasier argument to transfer the materials Retrieval of materials is faster and easierRetrieval of materials is faster and easier
How is the digital repository How is the digital repository different from a “library” different from a “library”
There are at least 4 major differencesThere are at least 4 major differences The unifying effect of digital representationThe unifying effect of digital representation A much closer partnership between librarians and A much closer partnership between librarians and
facultyfaculty A vast increase in potential collection resourcesA vast increase in potential collection resources The collection is increasingly outside of the The collection is increasingly outside of the
“library”“library”
Recap
Time for a break!
We’ll start again in 15 minutes
RecapRecap
History is important but the future is more History is important but the future is more importantimportant
Consortia and digital technology are shaping Consortia and digital technology are shaping that futurethat future
The “digital repository” has many more The “digital repository” has many more possibilities and opportunities than we first possibilities and opportunities than we first imaginedimagined
From theory to From theory to exampleexample
What do collections actually look like in a What do collections actually look like in a digital repositorydigital repository
andandHow have librarians’ roles changed?How have librarians’ roles changed?
We can ignore what we already We can ignore what we already know about emerging digital know about emerging digital
repository collectionsrepository collections
E-journals, e-books, e-databasesE-journals, e-books, e-databases Faculty publicationsFaculty publications Electronic theses and dissertationsElectronic theses and dissertations
What’s ahead?
The developing digital repositories The developing digital repositories provide some amazing examplesprovide some amazing examples
I.I. New partnerships with faculty in research and New partnerships with faculty in research and teachingteaching
II.II. Transforming local collections into world Transforming local collections into world resourcesresources
III.III. Providing new (and new types) of resources for Providing new (and new types) of resources for supporting instruction and the curriculumsupporting instruction and the curriculum
IV.IV. Establishing new opportunities for Establishing new opportunities for involvement in national and supra-regional involvement in national and supra-regional initiativesinitiatives
Not wild and unrealistic ideasNot wild and unrealistic ideas
But ideas which have actually been implemented
I. New Faculty-Librarian I. New Faculty-Librarian partnerships supporting faculty partnerships supporting faculty
research initiativesresearch initiatives
The digital repository can increase faculty The digital repository can increase faculty research and impactresearch and impact Explain and document programsExplain and document programs Provide research toolsProvide research tools Establish a working environment for the use of Establish a working environment for the use of
information resourcesinformation resources
University of Virginia
http:etext.lib.virginia.edu/collections
Let’s rethink cataloging and Let’s rethink cataloging and cataloging productscataloging products
We can go far beyond library classification to assist faculty and
researchers with their work
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
“uBio” Universal Biological
Indexer and Organizer
www.mblwholibrary.org
Linnaeus has a problem!
One taxon can have many names
-- many different common names
-- a variety of scientific names
“Agathis Montana refers to both a wasp
and a species of tree”
Acalyptus can refer to either snakes or weevils
The same name can refer to different taxa
Basically… the library has Basically… the library has repaired and restored clarity to repaired and restored clarity to
the scientific naming system the scientific naming system through the creation of an through the creation of an
authorityauthority file file
So that scientists can focus on their So that scientists can focus on their research …research …
not name checkingnot name checking
Data SetsData Sets Much social science research involves work with Much social science research involves work with
large data setslarge data sets Employment recordsEmployment records Crime statisticsCrime statistics Population demographicsPopulation demographics Etc…Etc…
Traditionally very hard to use because the research Traditionally very hard to use because the research elements were scatteredelements were scattered
One-stop shopping (One-stop shopping (including data manipulationincluding data manipulation) in a ) in a digital repository vastly simplifies the research digital repository vastly simplifies the research processprocess
For example, at Miami University of Ohio…
Everything the aspiring researcher needs…
In a single location
II. Transforming local collections II. Transforming local collections into world resourcesinto world resources
A useful and important means for libraries to A useful and important means for libraries to contribute to the global scholarly and cultural contribute to the global scholarly and cultural heritageheritage
But But notnot just digitized images! just digitized images! Organized and findableOrganized and findable Not just library collectionsNot just library collections Surprising new possibilities – subject and formatSurprising new possibilities – subject and format
A local library archives collectionA local library archives collection
A local collection at Wright State University, A local collection at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio Dayton, Ohio
2,200 images dealing with the invention of 2,200 images dealing with the invention of powered flight, including many early powered flight, including many early photographsphotographs
Example:Example:
Wright brothers collectionWright brothers collection
When fear of flying had a different meaning!
A photograph of a man taking a photograph!
The library can facilitate access to The library can facilitate access to important resources found in the important resources found in the
communitycommunity
For example: For example: National Underground Railroad MuseumNational Underground Railroad Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OhioLocated in Cincinnati, Ohio Partnered with the U. of Cincinnati to digitize and make Partnered with the U. of Cincinnati to digitize and make
its materials available world-wide via OLits materials available world-wide via OL
Slave pens
Alexandria, Virginia
ca. 1861-65
Of course, as a library project, the Of course, as a library project, the material is fully catalogedmaterial is fully cataloged
The library involvement adds important value to the material
Significant oral Significant oral historieshistories
The Kent State shootings during the The Kent State shootings during the Vietnam War student protestsVietnam War student protests
Vietnam War Protest Shootings at Vietnam War Protest Shootings at Kent State UniversityKent State University
A spoken version
A written version
Time for the second break!
We will start again in 15 minutes
RecapRecap
Examining actual collections in the digital Examining actual collections in the digital repositoryrepository
New library-faculty partnerships for creating New library-faculty partnerships for creating research toolsresearch tools
Transforming local collections into world Transforming local collections into world resourcesresources
III. Support of instruction and the III. Support of instruction and the curriculumcurriculum
There is a much broader range of potential There is a much broader range of potential information resources than we have information resources than we have traditionally consideredtraditionally considered Non-traditional, commercial resourcesNon-traditional, commercial resources Newly created academic and cultural resourcesNewly created academic and cultural resources A growing number of librarian-created resourcesA growing number of librarian-created resources
Current news events can be Current news events can be importantimportant
Why should the library always wait for Why should the library always wait for textbooks and journal articlestextbooks and journal articles The world is moving very fast these days and The world is moving very fast these days and
higher education must keep uphigher education must keep up AP Multimedia Archive has thousands of current AP Multimedia Archive has thousands of current
photos and video clipsphotos and video clips
French ProtestsFrench Protests
French student protests in front of the Paris City Hall, Sunday, March 19, 2006
Mon Dieu!
KFC!?
But art is also importantBut art is also important
The Art Museum Image Consortium The Art Museum Image Consortium (AMICO), (AMICO), a group of major N.Am. and British museums and a group of major N.Am. and British museums and
art institutes, andart institutes, and Saskia Saskia
(provides a collection of art images from (provides a collection of art images from commonly used art history text books)commonly used art history text books)
Together provide a combined image database Together provide a combined image database of over 94,000 itemsof over 94,000 items
Renoir – Albert Cahen d’Anvers
Seurat – Port-en-Bessin
Even art’s practical expression Even art’s practical expression in architecture can assist in architecture can assist
instructioninstruction
A campus building project can A campus building project can become a useful student become a useful student
learning experience if the learning experience if the library is involvedlibrary is involved
The plans…The plans…
Peter Eisenman, Aronoff Center for Design and Art, 1996
To the actual buildingTo the actual building
Professors and students even have access Professors and students even have access to instructional video on demandto instructional video on demand
A separate video collection and delivery system is not necessary
And, of course, new And, of course, new digital resources continue digital resources continue
to emergeto emergeImportant and useful web sites have Important and useful web sites have been added via hot links to library been added via hot links to library
catalogs for yearscatalogs for years
But the technology doesn’t stand still…
RSS Feeds organized by category
The library can even become a lab!The library can even become a lab!
Physics experimentsPhysics experiments Language instruction with native speakersLanguage instruction with native speakers Bird callsBird calls And much, much more…And much, much more…
IV. Library partnerships with IV. Library partnerships with important national initiativesimportant national initiatives
The U.S. has a major program of space The U.S. has a major program of space explorationexploration
LandSat 7 is an earth imaging satelliteLandSat 7 is an earth imaging satellite Passes over Ohio every 16 daysPasses over Ohio every 16 days Takes pictures in 5 bands (formats)Takes pictures in 5 bands (formats)
InfraredInfrared True colorTrue color High resolution black and whiteHigh resolution black and white Etc…Etc…
There was a problemThere was a problem
How to distribute this information which How to distribute this information which required a sophisticated, technical required a sophisticated, technical infrastructure to usersinfrastructure to users Ecologists, geologists, city planners, farmers and Ecologists, geologists, city planners, farmers and
many moremany more The university libraries provided the The university libraries provided the
infrastructure and the government provided the infrastructure and the government provided the datadata
Cincinnati and the Ohio River
UC
Topographic maps
Sanborn Fire Sanborn Fire Insurance MapsInsurance Maps
This has been only a This has been only a glimpse of the future…glimpse of the future…
And the And the taskstasks,,
the the possibilitiespossibilities,,
and the and the opportunitiesopportunities
Which await us…
We should not expect We should not expect to inherit the library…to inherit the library…
But to actively create an But to actively create an information source!information source!
We are only limited by a lack of imagination!
ANKOS
Library services and collections of astonishing diversity and richness, suitable for the 21st century university
Digital technology
Think boldly!Think boldly!
The change is fundamental for The change is fundamental for librarieslibraries
This is not just an academic library phenomenonThis is not just an academic library phenomenon A recent public library study* showed that:A recent public library study* showed that:
Public libraries providing Internet accessPublic libraries providing Internet access 1996 – 25%1996 – 25% 2006 – 99%2006 – 99%
““Librarians overwhelmingly (71%) report that the most Librarians overwhelmingly (71%) report that the most important impactimportant impact of this service [free computer access] is of this service [free computer access] is providing Internet accessproviding Internet access to those who otherwise would not to those who otherwise would not have it.”have it.”
Access to Web resources
is becoming the central library function!
* “Public Libraries and the Internet 2006,” Information Use Management and Policy Institute, Florida State University.