Status quo, problems and suggestions on the self built database in the domestic library consortia

Through the online survey of 100 samples of the domestic library consortia, this paper analyzes and compares the number of the self-built databases of the library consortia, the standards and specifications of building the databases, the contents of the databases, the sharing principles, the management mechanisms and the effectiveness of the result displaying, and points out the problems existing in the self-built databases of the domestic library consortia and puts forward the countermeasures.

In search of service innovations by public libraries in Chinese urban centers:A case study of Dongguan Library

This article introduces several of the more significant service delivery innovations and their resulting accomplishments instigated by Dongguan Library(thereafter abbreviated as DGL) in recent years. The textual exposition of this paper is based on a case study of DGL by this author about its user-centered vision, mission, immediate objectives and the exhibited service performance within a contextual environment of collegial support from its professional peers. After a five-year period of intensive efforts on such focused professional development and practice, DGL has completed its information service mapping and information delivery for the entire municipality of Dongguan on a 7-day and twentyfour-hour(7/24) basis. This singular feast of accomplishment seems to suggest the moral that any significant development of scale of a municipal library has to be in keeping pace closely with the progress of the society at large in general and with the changing information demands of its local clientele in particular.

A new service model of document and information sharing among consortium members: The collaborative innovation practice of the NSLC and PASs

Purpose： This paper documents an exploration of an innovative approach to the sharing of documents and information among the members of the National Alliance of Academies of Sciences （NAAS） in China, based on the practice initiated by the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences （NSLC）.Design/methodology/approach： Through interviews and user surveys, we analyzed the general information demands of users from provincial academies of sciences （PASs） and problems of their document and information service teams. Based on our findings, we designed targeted services to help Alliance members support their document resources, information services for science and technology （S＆T） decisions, and their knowledge transfer achievements. Furthermore, we offered training courses for provincial service teams, researchers, and administrators, to improve their information skills. These activities represent a new collaborative model for professional library consortia.Findings： To date, our service has been extended to all Alliance members, covering 19 provinces in China, and the NSLC service covers all aspects of knowledge services of Alliance members, from basic document delivery services to subject information analyses.Research limitations： Different PASs have different understandings of the role of the document and information services in the process of scientific research. These differences limit information service sharing of the NSLC with the PASs, and affect the service performance. For the sake of convenience, the original survey was conducted in only three provinces, which may not fully reflect the information needs of users in each Alliance institution. In addition, quantitative and qualitative analyses have been limited by the coverage of the sample.Practical implications： Document and information sharing has not only taken advantage of the NSLC knowledge service system and cooperation model, it has also enhanced the range of services of the NAAS in China.Originality/value： Based on knowledge service enhancements, the NAAS in China has formed a new kind of library consortium, which has broken the traditional library alliance model that was based mainly on the sharing of resources and services.