ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

Human factors in successful electronic

libraries

Professor Andrew McDonaldDirector of Information

ServicesUniversity of Sunderland

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

or rather

culture, values and organisation for managing electronic libraries

different from traditional libraries?

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

the people factors

parent institution library service culture and valueslibrary managers and staff“digital” librarian

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

important emphases

electronic services at Sunderlandhybrid librariesstart of an adventureno established rulesmaking it up as we go along

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

institutional culture

University commitment - top down or bottom upInformation Strategymanagerial style and leadership decision-making and communicationstructure and integration - personnel & financeresourcing learning organisation

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

service culture and values

cultural “shift” or “lag”timeless values equity of access, personal service, meet user needs

new values? make technology work for all

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

“electronic” values

integrating technologiesholistic computer environmentsdeliver core services through networkscollaboration across administrative lines breakdown barriers

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

library managers

actively lead developmentconsider effects on staffmanagement style, lead change & innovationorganisational structurestaff training - group training

selection and qualifications

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

library staff

attitudes, skills, abilities and motivationnew operations and organisationgreater responsibilitymore flexible working (de)centralisation

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

social & organisational impact

workload and effectivenessjob satisfaction and securityconfidence with IT and reskilling career progressionisolation from colleagues and users

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

“digital” librarian new skills, knowledge and experienceinformation, network and people skillspersonal qualitiesimagination, risks, change, up-to-date, self-teachpotential and pitfalls of ICTthink learner and information, across boundariessalary

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

electronic organisations

challenged organisation, structure, recruitment, career development and behaviour

libraries - service strategies, staff training, ICT

companies - power, influence, style and conflict

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

digital futuresavoid prescriptive - it just works technology changes - multimedia, interactivegreat leveller hybrid librariangrasp all factorsbypassed and sidelined

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

libraries and digital librarians

New Learning AgeInformation Societyknowledge-based economy

ICDE Librarians' Round Table, Hong Kong, October 1999

thank you