Virtually Yours: Models for Managing Electronic Resources and Services: 8 (Alcts Papers on Library Technical Services and Collections) - Softcover

Electronic resources such as CD-ROMs, online reference services, audio and video products, and others have been a boon to libraries, giving them a variety of options when it comes to providing information and entertainment to patrons. They have also been a bane to the existence of many librarians, who find that the process for selecting, processing and making these services available do not fit neatly into their traditional library operations. Yet, the process for obtaining electronic resources and making them available for use must be managed effectively to control costs and ensure access. This work describes practices and strategies for managing electronic resources from acquisitions to patron use. Key experts from both academic and public libraries in collection development and acquisitions explain what works and what doesn't and why when it comes to selecting, acquiring and circulating electronic resources and information. Plus, innovative, positive and practical management models that were put to the test in a variety of libraries are examined. Among the topics are: partnerships; legal issues; economic and financial models; and evaluation and management.

Peggy Johnson is a frequent speaker and trainer on collection development and management. She has published several books, including ALA Editions Developing and Managing Electronic Collections: The Essentials, and numerous journal articles. She edited the peer-reviewed journal Library Resources & Technical Services for more than nine years and continues to edit Technicalities: Information Forum for the Technical Services Professional. She teaches as an adjunct professor in the MLIS program at St. Catherine University. Prior to retiring from the University of Minnesota Libraries, she served as associate university librarian. A past president of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services, she received the ALCTS Ross Atkinson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.