Digital Divide Challenges Access to E-Government

The article discusses the transition to e-government within the U.S. with federal, local, and state government agencies eliminating some paper processes altogether and how it affects populations that fall within the digital divide. Topics discussed include U.S. President Barack Obama's memorandum directing government agencies to reform records management practices and the role of public libraries in providing access through services and programming

Information creates relative bargaining power in vendor negotiations

Purpose: This paper aims to examine how libraries can create relative bargaining power and presents a methodology for analyzing collections and preparing for negotiations. Design/methodology/approach: A brief literature review of the current state of collection budgets and electronic resource prices is presented prior to proposing a methodology based on business analysis frameworks and techniques. Findings: Electronic resource subscription prices are increasing at a rate significantly higher than inflation, while collection budgets grow slowly, remain stagnant or decrease. Academic libraries have the ability to counteract this trend by creating relative bargaining power through organizational efforts that take advantage of size and concentration (e.g. consortia), vertical integration through practices such as library publishing and open access and through individual efforts using information. This paper proposes metrics and methodologies that librarians can use to analyze their collections, set negotiation priorities and prepare for individual resource negotiations to create relative bargaining power. Practical implications: The proposed methodology enables librarians and buyers of information resources to harness the information available about their electronic resource collections to better position themselves when entering negotiations with vendors. Originality/value: This paper presents metrics, some not commonly used (i.e. average annual price increase/decrease), that aid in understanding price sensitivity. Pareto analysis has been traditionally used to analyze usage, but this paper suggests using it in relation to costs and budgets for setting negotiation priorities

Creating Relative Bargaining Power Through Information When Approaching Vendor Negotiations

Librarians have the ability to shift the buyer/supplier dynamic during electronic resource negotiations through information analysis common in the business world. This use of information creates relative bargaining power. This poster describes a method of analysis used by a business subject liaison to understand her own collection, set priorities, and plan for negotiations of database resources. It will describe quantitative and qualitative metrics, as well as demonstrate how this information aids negotiation strategy

Implementing Online Training and Assessment to Support Peer Reference in a Business Library

Article describes how an online training program was implemented and used to train student workers to enabling students to provide higher quality business reference interactions during the 2014/2015 academic year at Turchin Business Library at Tulane University

Assessment in Space Designed for Experimentation: The University of Washington Libraries Research Commons

Since opening in 2010, the University of Washington Libraries Research Commons has used a number of quantitative and qualitative assessment methods to evaluate its space, services and programs. Because it was designed for constant experimentation and change, Research Commons assessment has been driven by the desire to stay true to user needs, make the case for growth, and test new models of space design, programming, and services. This paper will describe assessment activities and projects kept in spirit with the experimental, agile nature of the space, and how the focus shifted from space assessment to programmatic assessment. In order to respond to changing user needs and push for innovation, the Research Commons has evolved to examine space, services, and programs in an integrated holistic manner. This has allowed the staff to not only understand what users do within the space and their preferences, but also how effective are programming and services offered at meeting those user needs

Holistic e-resource analysis to support changing acquisition models

Presentation slides and handout for presentation given at 2019 Electronic Resources & Libraries Conference.Transitioning to a new acquisition model that includes changing fund allocation requires a detailed plan and project management. This presentation will briefly outline the development of the new acquisition model before diving into a key component of the first phase, holistic assessment of journal and database subscriptions

Negotiate like an MBA: How to conduct principled negotiations for library resources

Workshop Presentation: This workshop is designed to teach a framework for planning and conducting negotiations based on negotiation best practices found in the literature. Participants who are new to negotiating or those with negotiating experience but without formal training will find the content of this workshop useful. It should appeal to multiple audiences, people new to the field of e-resource management as well as experienced practitioners who desire more negotiation training

Data information literacy instruction in Business and Public Health: Comparative case studies

Employers need a workforce capable of using data to create actionable information. This requires students to develop data information literacy competencies that enable them to navigate and create meaning in an increasingly complex information world. This article examines why data information literacy should be integrated into program curricula, specifically in the instances of business and public health, and offers strategies for how it can be accomplished. We approach this as a comparative case study within undergraduate business and master of public health programs at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. These case studies reveal several implications for practice that apply across social and health sciences programs

Understanding your BATNA & Other Tips to Feel Empowered During your Negotiations in Work & Life

This short presentation (30 minutes) will provide best practices to help you prepare for and execute negotiations whether that be for a car, your salary, or for e-resource licenses. Learners will walk away with resources to help when strategizing their next negotiations including a simple framework for planning a negotiation when there is little time to prepare. This session will be provided by Katharine V. Macy, MBA, MLIS, the collection assessment librarian at IUPUI University Library and director of IMLS funded ONEAL Project, which is developing curriculum and open educational resources to teach negotiation skills to academic libraries. She recently presented during the opening session of MLA’s first Collection Development and Resource Sharing Symposium which was part of MLA ’22

Using BATNA in Vendor Negotiations

Understanding your BATNA (best alternative to negotiated agreement) allows negotiators to shape their negotiations, framing their offers and counter offers in a way that keeps their interests top of mind. This workshop will provide attendees strategies for determining their BATNA for journal packages, as well as discuss how understanding the concept of BATNA can empower negotiations even from a place where one may feel powerless