Re: Electronic Databases Question Oberg, Steve 17 Dec 2003 17:18 UTC
Carol, Jean, I would like to articulate a different perspective. This "extra work" is really an opportunity, a gift that's fallen in your lap! So many times technical services is not even considered capable of handling this new kind of work and isn't even given a chance. Technical services folks, in my opinion, are great candidates for doing this detail-oriented work. Sure, it's extra work, but it also could be seen as job security and an opportunity to stretch and expand your staff skills into an area that is of predominant concern these days. In other words, arguably, this is where the action is at. Don't dismiss this chance to learn new things offhand, even if it means other, more traditional tech. svcs. duties might be neglected. Technical services folks have valuable skills in organizing and maintaining information that are too often overlooked in this new kind of work. Be thankful you were even asked. I know a lot of people in technical services in other libraries who are dying to be more involved in this work but are preempted from or shut out of involvement. Steve ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Steve Oberg Electronic Resources Librarian & Assistant Professor Taylor University http://www.tayloru.edu/library/ Editor, Bits & Bytes Column, _Serials Review_ http://sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00987913 -----Original Message----- From: Carol Morse [mailto:MorsCa@WWC.EDU] Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 11:48 AM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Electronic Databases Question We are a small library that can't afford to hire someone for that either. Our director does the negotiations and looks for consortia, our TS librarian does a lot with getting them to run. We hired a half-time systems technician who was increased to full-time. But you're right, it's a drain on employee time. Carol Morse *********************************************** Address: Walla Walla College Library Periodicals Dept. 104 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324-1159 Carol Morse Serials Librarian morsca@wwc.edu 509) 527-2684; fax 509) 527-2001 ************************************************** >>> jean_lowe45@HOTMAIL.COM 12/17/2003 7:03:24 AM >>> Increasingly electronic databases and journals are being taken care of by an Electronic Resources Librarian. My library doesn't have one and isn't likely to get one soon. The library director wants our very long list of electronic databases to be maintained by technical services. I disagree with this. In all of the past libraries where I have worked, this task was accomplished in the reference department and/or systems. I am very curious as to who is maintaining lists of databases in your libraries and the evolving circumstances as to why/how it was decided to do it that way. Thanks, Jean Lowe