Standard 5.B.5 – Information Resources and Services

5.B.5 Computing and communications services are used to extend the boundaries in obtaining information and data from other sources, including regional, national, and international networks.

This is our last indicator in the element statement on Information Resources and Services, and addresses our electronic connections for using and obtaining resources. After this we will move on to a new area to examine. So look at our website, our online catalog, our online databases, remote access, interlibrary loan.

Let's keep this ball rolling!

Edited February 2, 2009

Here is some information on how the library uses computing and communications to extend boundaries using regional, national and international networks.

Regionally – As one of the Affiliate Libraries of the University of Montana, we share library systems (Voyager by Endeavor Cataloging and Circulation) and servers for all cataloging, circulation, and course reserve records for our library. This consortium provides our students access to an web based catalog to view what is in our collection and easily see what is available from other UM libraries. Also, this affiliation gives us access to approximately 40 databases (25,000 journals, 56,000 electronic books, etc) and remote access to these databases through proxy server service.

Statewide-- we join with other libraries in Montana to cooperatively purchase around 40 electronic databases and downloadable audiobooks, all delivered through remote communication networks.

Nationally --We are a BCR (Bibliographic Center for Research) member, another affiliation through which we purchase information such as our Encyclopedia Britannica, delivered via internet communication.

Internationally – As an OCLC member (Online Computer Library Center – “Not for profit computer service and research organization whose systems help libraries locate, acquire, catalog, and lend library materials”) we contribute our holdings records and use this computerized network for resource sharing, borrowing items for our students, staff, and faculty from libraries in our affiliated group, in our state, around the country, and theoretically from other places in the world. This also allow us and our students to access the Montana Library Catalog, a catalog of most libraries' holdings throughout our state and to access WorldCat, the catalog of the world's libraries.

Locally – and perhaps most importantly, we use our library website as a portal for all these resources, organizing access to these services and resources from any computer in the worlds.

Standard 5.B.4 – Information Resources and Services

Welcome back! Time to return to our self study. We are making some great progress, so let's keep the momentum going. Here is our next indicator. (Just a reminder. We do not need to have meetings if we can keep our discussion active on the blog)

5.B.4 Opportunities are provided for faculty, staff, and students to participate in the planning and development of the library and information resources and services.

Before I jump in, what are your thoughts on this?