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.

Information literacy course design based on student survey: The practice of subject librarians at NSL, CAS

Purpose: This paper aims to explore best practices in academic and research libraries in providing information literacy(IL) instruction to science and engineering graduate students.Design/methodology/approach: Using the questionnaire survey method, we conducted an IL assessment study on 114 graduate students enrolling in graduate courses offered by College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences(GUCAS).Findings: The current situation of graduate students' IL competencies and the need to develop them are revealed. An IL course was designed by subject librarians of National Science Library(NSL), Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS), with three patterns addressing the development of graduate students' IL competencies.Research limitations: It is only about the practice of subject librarians at NSL, CAS, in designing IL courses for graduate students enrolling in graduate courses offered by College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, GUCAS.Practical implications: The results can provide a lot of useful information for the improvement of IL competencies of graduate students in science and technology disciplines.Originality/value: It is significant for assisting future subject librarians in incorporating IL skills into their course, especially for academic and research librarians to prepare and develop IL courses for science and engineering graduate students.