The Evolution from Physical to Virtual Library

This paper examines the impact of the Internet and computer networking on library technical services and discusses the issue of access vs. ownership of materials

The Evolving Institutional Repository Landscape

Advances in technology affecting content creation and digital dissemination continue to reshape the role of academic libraries. The impact of these changes requires reimagining a strategy for the library built around digital collections–not only those acquired from publishers but the growing variety of files created in the development of scholarship and learning. Institutional Repositories (IRs) are emerging as a vehicle for new directions in how libraries can support the academic community both locally and globally. To gain insights and gather data on IR operations, we conducted interviews, an open survey, and web research to obtain a snapshot of the current perspective and potential role of IRs in a changing landscape. Relevant data and comments in italics from the survey are included throughout this report to provide examples and a better understanding of the variety of applications of IRs and the complexity of the broader environment. Of 151 survey participants, 93% are academic and 85% are academic institutions in North America. Worldwide institutions are scattered across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Further analysis reflects a market pattern of widespread participation that is greatest in larger institutions in each academic category, but also includes community colleges, hospitals, corporations, government, not-for-profits, a funder, and a national park. A full summary of survey results is included as an appendix to this white paper

Comparing and Contrasting Medical Institutional Repositories with Other Academic IRs: Results of Two Research Studies

This poster presents findings from two research studies about institutional repositories (IRs): one survey to members of the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries, and the other an open survey with primary responses from academic libraries in North America. The poster compares and contrasts several findings, including: Are academic medical institutional repositories utilizing different software platforms than other academic IRs? Are academic medical IRs staffed differently than other academic IRs? In this complex scholarly communication environment, are IR managers considering plans to migrate to new platforms? This poster explores findings from the two surveys to help capture a current snapshot of the repository landscape. This will be a “poster conversation” where we will engage attendees about the repositories at their own institutions and give them an opportunity for meaningful discussion. Presented as an interactive iPosterSessions poster at the Association of College and Research (ACRL) 2019 Conference, Cleveland, OH, April 11, 2019