BRINGING LIBRARY RESOURCES INTO USERS' CONTEXT: A MULTI-PART RESEARCH STUDY EXAMINING ALTERNATIVES FOR INTEGRATING LIBRARY ACCESS POINTS INTO USER ENVIRONMENTS

John Law
Serials Solutions, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Explanation:

This talk will describe exploratory research studies including online focus groups, observational research, and quantitative surveys including a broad range of demographics. The studies examine how scholars approach the research process. Findings will be shared along with a discussion of implications and opportunities.

Methods:

This is a multi-phase, multi-type research study which involves both qualitative and quantitative research methods designed to shed new light on potential strategies for providing effective resource access points. The study will examine library users across multiple levels, from undergraduate students to faculty members. It will be conducted at universities across North America, UK and Australia. The methods applied are to include focus groups, interviews, surveys, ethnographic observations, and usability evaluation.

Results:

Scholarly researchers consistently identify the library as the definitive resource for valuable, credible content. However, problems relating to accessibility of library resources present a barrier, whether prohibitive or merely inconvenient, driving end-users to adopt alternatives to the library as the starting place for research.

Conclusion:

Library marketing, placement of library access points in end-user applications, and information literacy continue to be important strategies for closing the gap. The fundamental problem, however, is the library's lack of a compelling starting place for users conducting research online.

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