The cybrary and the consortium: mutual benefits. The University of Queensland Cybrary and the Queensland University Libraries Office of Cooperation

摘要

This paper looks at the procedures and processes involved at the University of Queensland Library in its transition to a digital library, now known as the Cybrary, and describes the resultant information services available to students, scholars, and practitioners. As Australia’s first virtual library, the University of Queensland Library has been recognised by the Australian Award for University Teaching in 1998 and again in 2000. (http://www.cybrary.uq.edu.au ) The UQ Library is also a member of QULOC, the Queensland University Libraries Office of Cooperation, a consortium which initiates and supports cooperative world class solutions to information resource needs of university libraries in its member institutions. The traditional paradigm of the library was a physical place where scholars and students went to gain access to recorded knowledge using bibliographic records to guide them to rows of shelves of printed materials. Librarians guarded collections and assisted users. Much has changed in recent times. With the availability of electronic forms of information, stored locally, and accessed remotely, the new paradigm is the Cybrary – a gateway for clients located anywhere to access electronic resources everywhere and at any time. The Cybrarian is a navigator and guide. The Cybrary is the window on the world of knowledge. The effectiveness of the Cybrary in service delivery is dependent upon the effective implementation of information technology, combined with appropriate training for both cybrary staff and end users. The Cybrary uses a single interface to provide integrated access to its printed and electronic resources and services - the Library’s website. From the website, the information searcher has access to electronic databases, electronic journals, and Internet resources all of which can be searched/browsed by subject. Help tools are also available online to guide the searcher through the range of resources. The availability of remote access to information greatly facilitates the delivery of education to distant students, and enables the access to information by remote workers in the field. It revolutionises opportunity for students, scholars and practitioners alike. Many of the functions of the Cybrary are enhanced and supported through its membership of the Consortium, which is used as a vehicle for such activities as information sharing, continuing education, staff development, and cooperative research and development projects.