[DOC] SPEC Kit 253 Networked Information Resources

[Terry Kuny]

Apologies for cross-posting; I thought this would
be of interest to many of you.

Joan Lippincott
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ARL-Announces...


SPEC Kit 253
Networked Information Resources

Until recently, neither the knowledge of available electronic
resources nor their evaluation, acquisition, and dissemination were
issues significantly impacting the daily operations of research
libraries. Developments in computer technologies have irrevocably
altered library operations; it is now the unusual library that has
not in some way responded to the challenges of developing an
awareness of, subscribing to, and disseminating networked resources.

This SPEC Kit examines how ARL libraries have structured themselves
to identify networked information resources in the market, evaluate
them for purchase, make purchasing decisions, publicize them, and
assess their continued utility. For the purpose of the survey, a
networked information resource was defined as a commercially
available, electronic information resource (library database,
full-text service, e-journal, etc.), funded or enabled by the
library, which is made available to authorized users through a
network (LAN, WAN, dial-in, etc.).

In the summer of 1999, the survey was distributed to the 122 ARL
member libraries. A total of 59 responses (48%) were received.
Ninety-eight percent of the respondents offered networked information
resources to their users.

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For the full text of the SPEC Kit 253 Executive Summary and ordering
information, please visit
http://www.arl.org/spec/253sum.html



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Bradley Houseton
Communications & Marketing Coordinator


ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH LIBRARIES
21 Dupont Circle,   No. 800
Washington, DC   20036

(202) 296-2296 ofc   (202)872-0884 fax
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