The North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service (LIS) hosted an online seminar that was facilitated by Ntobeko Sikhakhane (Manager Information Resources), with opening remarks by Neli Kaunda (Director Shared Services) and closing remarks by Dr Mathew Moyo (Chief Director: LIS). The seminar presented an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences on the latest academic library strategies that strengthen and promotes digital content. Besides eBooks, the significance of print resources was highlighted as they come with various advantages, such as physical access thus increasing the value of the existence of libraries as the place of prominence in the institution. In essence, both print and eBooks are paramount in library operations. However, eBooks come at a highly competitive level to print resources with enhanced easy access beyond library walls. They offer better engagement with sharable, easily upgraded content and better retention for future use. It is also easy to link the content of additional resources using eBooks.
Speakers from different institutions shared effective strategies for managing and promoting eBooks. Representation was from diverse library portfolios:
- The University of South Africa, Ms Dudu Nkosi (Acting Executive Director: Library and Information Services/Director: Information Resources Content Management),
- University of Stellenbosch, Pieter du Plessis (Senior Librarian: Law @ Stellenbosch University)
- University of Cape Town Caroline Dean (Principal Librarian @ UCT) and from
- NWU, Hendra Pretorius (Director – Information and Learning Services) & Carine Basson (Senior Librarian – e-Resources & Periodicals). Representation from the publishing industry was Daneshree Moodley @ Elsevier Sub-Saharan Africa, Keith Stanley @ Browns Books International UK, and, Mosebjadi Petje @ EBSCO.
Having more control over the budget and managing subscription and subject packages as well as individual titles, looking at how many times content has been requested proved useful for most institutions with guiding principles in place as to why and for whom you are buying. Given off-campus authentication, some institutions endorse the purchasing principles for eBooks as a default format unless the print is specifically requested. Learning tools and interoperability brings eBooks to the classroom by embedding library resources into the classroom platform collaboratively between the library, lecturers, and students. Academic staff and faculty librarians should review titles and carefully engage with the content. Relevant titles can be included as e-reading lists for students. Students would then get direct links to selected content to read conveniently virtually or using the libraries’ physical resources.
Augmented reality has taken the eBook experience to a new level with texts and images being embedded in content and availability pops up on the user’s screen. Students can view images which makes reading and learning a much more immersive experience in augmented reality.
Other popular promotional strategies are:
- Linking eBooks to the catalogue
- Use of LibGuides searching for resources
- Use of the institutional Webpage
- Social media, mostly Facebook, however skilfully
- Include eBooks prominently in the teaching & learning spaces such as when developing video-recorded lessons, and use turn-away statistics for highly requested titles for selection criteria.
Frequent general and focused awareness should be a continuous process for the relevant library departments in a joint effort with academics to promote the use of eBooks. Library workshops, Library orientations (online + physical), Vendor training and transition training from print to electronic – use of permalinks could be practical efforts. Also conducting usability surveys is beneficial to gain insight into the preferred format and analysing circulation statistics to determine the type of access needed. The focus should be on delivering a good service for users.
A degree of willingness in adapting to innovative technology by staff, libraries and students often results in numerous benefits with the ease of use of digital resources. User authentication enables everywhere accessibility. All participants discovered new ways to promote eBooks as an outcome of the online seminar.
NELI KAUNDA
LIS DIRECTOR SHARED SERVICES
NWU: Library and Information Service News 