Many of today’s students and researchers start their work on a search engine or going directly to their favorite resources rather than the library when conducting research. This can lead to confusion and frustration as patrons run into access issues, paywalls, and more, even when their library has paid for full access to the research. This shift is causing librarians to look for ways to ease access to their content based on their patrons’ preferences and ultimately, maximize value and ROI of their resources.
In this presentation, a former library program manager will share how thinking about researchers’ frustrations while maintaining a library-centered focus helped develop a tool aimed at delivering library services more efficiently to patrons. A current Electronic Resources Coordinator from the University of Manchester will share the role this tool has played within the realm of several technical developments his library has made in recent years to improve access and discoverability of library electronic resources, and improve the library’s online visibility. Audience members will come away with a new understanding of the solutions available to them to better support delivering library materials to patrons where they are without delay.
The presentation will detail:
● A close look at the frustrations researchers face with off-campus research ● How to test workflow solutions based on their real needs ● How librarians can provide support beyond discovery with delivery-based tools ● How to keep users anonymous and protect their privacy while providing them solutions and demonstrating library value in new ways ● Various technical developments University of Manchester has made to improve overall access and discoverability
