Transcript Libraries and the network platform: a new cooperative context Lorcan Dempsey 2006 OCLC/Frederick G.

Libraries and the network
platform: a new
cooperative context
Lorcan Dempsey
2006 OCLC/Frederick G. Kilgour
Lecture in Information and
Library Science.
The School of
Information and Library Science,
The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill.
22 February 2006
Overview
Overview
The library and the network
The long tail and libraries
Network level
The balance between the library and
the network moves to the network…
1. Resource sharing
2. A&I and ejournals
3. Time for the next step: the network
platform
Why?
Attention …
1. Organizational redevelopment
in a ‘flat’ world: from vertical integration
to horizontal sourcing around shared
processes
2. Long tail information infrastructure:
building services for a network world
3. Focus on distinctive impact: build
services around user workflow rather
than expecting workflow to build around
the library
Trajectory: from vertical integration …
… to collaborative and third party
sourcing around
shared processes
and data
Collaboratively
sourced
Sourced
Third party
Ross Atkinson: The law of local
access optimization
“Each service a library develops, every
action it takes, every dollar it spends, has
but one purpose – and that is to enhance
local access to and use of relevant
information. Any library resources used for
any other purpose than the enhancement
of local access and utility is misused.”
Sourcing decisions
Cataloging
Resource sharing
A&I
Virtual reference
Moving to the
network level?
‘Content layer’: storage
and preservation
solutions
Discovery
On demand library
systems
Registries
Knowledge bases
Overview
The library and the network
The long tail
The network level
The long tail
The long tail
Scarce shelf, spectrum or theater
space drove behaviors
Locally assembled material available to
local users
But …
A new information environment in the
the network world ..
Long tail dynamic
Aggregate supply
 Unified discovery
 Reduce transaction
costs: supply chain
 Consolidated
inventory
 Business intelligence
Aggregate demand
 Mobilize and connect a
large number of
potential users on
open web
 E.g Google ads
 Platforms for others to
build on: APIs,
browser tools, etc
Libraries and the long tail dynamic
Aggregate supply




Discovery?
D2D Supply chain?
Business intelligence?
Inventory?
Aggregate demand
 Visible to limited
users
 Perceptions
report
Libraries and the long tail dynamic
Each reader
his/her book
Each book
its reader
Aggregate supply?
Aggregate demand?
 1.7% of circulations
are ILLs
 20% of collection
accounted for 90% of
use
 (2 research libraries
over ~4 years)
Example: aggregate supply:
transaction costs
Discover
Locate
Request
Each arrow is a potential added cost:
In terms of attention or technical,
policy, business or service gaps.
Deliver
Use
Challenges: find it?
Discovery:
Find items, collections or
services of interest
 Fewer unified
resources?
 Metasearch?
 Where the user wants:
RSS, search engine,
CMS, ….
Location:
Find instances of
discovered items and
services on them
 Catalogs
 Resolvers
 E-commerce sites
Challenges: find it?
Request:
Request service
 Place hold
 Place ILL request
 Initiate purchase
request, ….
Deliver:
Service or item is
delivered
 From multiple
sources
Libraries and the long tail?
1. The Library Long Tail is variably
available to users.
2. Users are generally not aware of
what is available to them (OCLC
Perceptions Report)
3. A fragmented network presence:
low gravitational pull
Overview
The library and the network
The long tail and libraries
Network level
New cooperative landscape ..
1. What would it look like if more services
move to the network level?
2. Create systemwide efficiencies and
impact through shared platforms.
3. Focus on creating local value: mobilizing
information resources in user
environments
Discovery to
delivery
Find it
Things to think about:
OpenWorldCat
OCLC Fee Management
Picture Australia
Google Scholar
Registry of resolvers
‘Paypal for libraries’
Get it
Content
management
layer
To think about …
JSTOR
CRL
Off-site storage
Mass digitization
Coordinated LOCKSS
Business
intelligence
To think about:
Consolidated holdings?
Consolidated usage data?
Consolidated circ data?
Consolidated resolution data?
Consolidated download data?
….
Directory
Collections
Information objects
Licenses
Services
Policies
Terms, schema
Institutions
Libraries
Move to the network level …
organizational development
California Digital Library
OhioLink, Pines, …
RLG, OCLC, …
Ithaka (JSTOR, ArtStor)
DEF, NLA, …
Open Content Alliance
Google scholar
Scopus
Oaister
Open WorldCat
And now …
Change
Scrutiny of available organizations
Change patterns of working
OCLC
Fred Kilgour