Information Systems Literature Accessibility, Use, and Preference: Overall vs Online Access Preferences for an IS Digital Library

摘要

An online survey of the ISWorld community was conducted to analyse the overall accessibility, use, and preferences for IS literature and to compare that to online access. The survey also sought preferences for the development of a proposed digital library system for the information systems field (an ISDL). The results identified significant dissatisfaction with accessibility of IS publications, even when online searching facilities are used. It identified overwhelming support for the development of a digital library system for IS publications. The main desired features were keyword search, field searching, advanced searching, free or low cost retrieval, and full-text searching in that order. An important difference in priorities for respondents from developing as opposed to developed countries was that free or low cost retrieval is the highest priority feature for developing countries.