University of Leeds Academic Services

The academic library is...

…”the intellectual commons for the communitywhere people and ideas interact in both realand virtual environments to expand learningand facilitate the creation of knowledge”

Kathryn J. Deiss, “The Keystone Principles”, ARL Newsletter (Dec 1999), http://www.arl.org/newsltr/207/keystone.html

University of Leeds Academic Services

Why should the Library run the institutional portal? Portals are essentially about offering

seamless access to information resources and content.

The Library is best placed to manage information most effectively.

University of Leeds Academic Services

Libraries have expertise in...

Organising access to academic information and scholarly knowledge.

Empowering the users of information. Bringing information together with the

communities that need to use it. Creating customer-focused web

experiences.

University of Leeds Academic Services

Examples: the Hybrid Library Project

Leeds University Library project which aims to:– increase the usability and relevance of library

and information resources to taught course students.

– develop tailored information portals for students at the course and modular level.

University of Leeds Academic Services

Hybrid Library Project

University of Leeds Academic Services

MyLibrary

Used by various libraries in the US Ability to create a personalised library

environment Updates on new developments relevant to

subject area Enhanced links for contacting library staff Library support for assignments - tailored to

subject area.

University of Leeds Academic Services

MyLibrary - Mississippi State

University of Leeds Academic Services

Conclusion

Academic libraries are surviving and thriving in a constantly changing information environment.

The academic library is at the heart of the ‘learning organisation’.

Library-based portals can leverage the expertise of librarians in facilitating seamless access to information.