1R2 Consulting LLC

Is Print Reference Dead?

ALA- Annual ProgramWashington DCJune 25th, 2007

…

Reference Books Bulletin

R2 Consulting LLC

Ruth FischerPartner, R2 Consulting LLC

www.r2consulting.orgwww.r2consulting.org

• Workflow Analysis for Academic LibrariesWorkflow Analysis for Academic Libraries

• Market Analysis and Product Development Market Analysis and Product Development

for Publishers and Vendorsfor Publishers and Vendors

R2 Consulting LLC

Our Experience LibrariesLibraries

• East Carolina UniversityEast Carolina University• Wesleyan UniversityWesleyan University• University of VermontUniversity of Vermont• University of ColoradoUniversity of Colorado• University of Missouri/KCUniversity of Missouri/KC• University of UtahUniversity of Utah• University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan• University of University of

Nebraska/OmahaNebraska/Omaha• MIT LibrariesMIT Libraries• Minnesota State/MankatoMinnesota State/Mankato• Arizona State University Arizona State University

LibrariesLibraries• Carleton/St. Olaf Colleges Carleton/St. Olaf Colleges • Vassar College LibrariesVassar College Libraries• Macalester CollegeMacalester College• University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota

VendorsVendors

• ABC-CLIOABC-CLIO• Blackwell’sBlackwell’s• Casalini LibriCasalini Libri• CAVAL Collaborative SolutionsCAVAL Collaborative Solutions• Common Ground PublishingCommon Ground Publishing• Eastern BookEastern Book• Ebook LibraryEbook Library• Follett Library ResourcesFollett Library Resources• HARRASSOWITZHARRASSOWITZ• Innovative InterfacesInnovative Interfaces• Integrated Book TechnologyIntegrated Book Technology• OCLCOCLC• RR BowkerRR Bowker• Sage ReferenceSage Reference• University of California PressUniversity of California Press• XreferXrefer• YBP Library ServicesYBP Library Services

4R2 Consulting LLC

Primary TS Workflow

• Resource Identification

• Selection / De-selection

• Ordering and Order Maintenance

• Receiving and Payment

• Providing Access– Cataloging– Holdings Maintenance– Physical Prep– Loan Services

R2 Consulting LLC

eResources Workflow• Resource IdentificationResource Identification• Trials / Decision TrackingTrials / Decision Tracking• SelectionSelection• License Evaluation / NegotiationLicense Evaluation / Negotiation• Ordering and Order MaintenanceOrdering and Order Maintenance• Payment / Pre-paymentPayment / Pre-payment• Activation / RegistrationActivation / Registration• CatalogingCataloging• Holdings MaintenanceHoldings Maintenance• Resource DiscoveryResource Discovery• Access ManagementAccess Management• Usage TrackingUsage Tracking• Renewals / CancellationsRenewals / Cancellations

6R2 Consulting LLC

R2 Workflow Principles• Know your costs• Incorporate “systems thinking”• Simplify and standardize requirements• Create a mainstream• Automate the mainstream• Take full advantage of existing resources• Outsource sometimes• Establish quantifiable goals• Measure performance• Control quality via sampling • Make strategic choices

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Changing Users• NetGen Students• Conditioned by: Amazon, Google, NetFlix• Undergraduates: course-centered research• Strong preference for electronic• Strong preference for full-text, multimedia• Interactivity, visual cues, tutorials• Abhorrence of documentation• Naivete about resource quality• 2% of undergraduates begin their searches

from library Web site

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Changing UsersChanging Users• Retiring facultyRetiring faculty• Peer-to-Peer file sharing, communicationPeer-to-Peer file sharing, communication• FaceBook; iTunesFaceBook; iTunes• Gaming trial & error approach Gaming trial & error approach • Zero tolerance for delayZero tolerance for delay• Group learning; collaborationGroup learning; collaboration• CPACPA

• University of Rochester “work practices” studyUniversity of Rochester “work practices” study– Dorms, frats, gyms, student union, dining halls, Dorms, frats, gyms, student union, dining halls,

buses, computer center, librarybuses, computer center, library

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Lots of Electronic ReferenceLots of Electronic Reference

• Oxford Reference Online Oxford Reference Online

• Gale Virtual LibraryGale Virtual Library

• NetLibrary eReference CenterNetLibrary eReference Center

• XreferXrefer

• Sage Electronic ReferenceSage Electronic Reference

• ABC ClioABC Clio

• BBS Electronic ReferenceBBS Electronic Reference

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Workflow ImplicationsWorkflow Implications

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Actual R2 Recommendation

Consolidate purchasing.

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Actual R2 Recommendation

Identify and segregate reference material at

point of selection.

13R2 Consulting LLC

Actual R2 Recommendation

Simplify marking of print reference.

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Actual R2 Recommendation

Eliminate reference sub-locations.

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Actual R2 Recommendation

Shelve subject-specific reference works in stacks and allow them

to circulate.

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Actual R2 Recommendation

Reduce the size of the print reference collection.

17R2 Consulting LLC

Actual R2 Recommendation

Eliminate the print reference collection;

move to e-Only Reference.

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Actual R2 Recommendations

Shift emphasis to e.

Expand support for e.

Starve print to feed e.

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Because

Patrons prefer e.

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