Electronic Resource Management Systems by Elsa Anderson

Author:Elsa Anderson [Anderson, Elsa K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LAN025010 Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / Administration & Management
ISBN: 9780838959244
Publisher: American Library Association
Published: 2014-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

Identifying and working from larger constraints will help streamline moving to a selection process by immediately eliminating some possible software solutions that are inappropriate for a particular library. Additionally, the more clearly problem areas are identified ahead of time, the easier it will be to tell if a particular software product will address those areas.

Selection Process

The best system for a particular library will depend not only on what problem the library is hoping to solve, but also on what additional systems the library is hoping to replace. If a library wants to keep its ILS, a system designed for electronic resources only such as the Serials Solutions or EBSCO products may be the best. If a library is not happy with its ILS, it may want to consider a new ILS more integrated into ERM, such as Innovative Interfaces’s Millennium with the ERM module. Or a library might want to consider moving to one of the library services platforms: Alma from Ex Libris, OCLC’s WorldShare, Intota from Serials Solutions, or Sierra from Innovative Interfaces. The library will want to consider its long-term plans for software migrations and whether it is planning to upgrade, develop. or sunset related homegrown software.

Nat Gustafson-Sundell, in his case study of ERMS implementation, noted in his literature review that “it seems clear that local conditions will largely determine whether any given ERMS implementation will succeed or fail.”26 Northwestern University Library performed an extensive selection process with a thorough literature review, and the case study is well worth reading as an example of the selection process.

Here are some general selection process steps for libraries considering implementing an ERMS:

1. Examine the current library system, including particularly workflow and the ways electronic resources affect the patron experience. This examination needs to go beyond the technical services department to the entire library to be really effective. Identify problems that need to be solved and areas that work well and can be expanded.

2. Decide on the scope of the project. Is the library interested in adding a small ancillary system to solve a specific problem or track a process? Is the library facing an end-of-life ILS system or looking to add a discovery layer? The scope of the project will influence every step of selection and implementation.

3. Form a group or designate the person responsible for data gathering and selection.

4. Gather information on what systems will fit the need and the scope of the project. This step may start with visiting vendor websites, reaching out to vendors for demonstrations and quotes, searching library literature to read recent library experiences, and reaching out to other libraries to see what their experiences have been with a particular system. Gathering information and watching demonstrations will probably be an iterative process, with several rounds of information and questions. The clearer the library is on what it is looking for, the more specific and helpful the information-gathering process will be because the questions can be more focused and specific. Using a spreadsheet or questionnaire to evaluate products may be helpful at this point.

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