Innovation of Library Services at the National University of Laos through the use of Technologies and Future Perspectives

Transcription

1 Innovation of Library Services at the National University of Laos through the use of Technologies and Future Perspectives Chansy Phuangsouketh Director Central Library National University of Laos Lao P.D.R 1

2 Introduction Many libraries in Laos have innovated from traditional to dynamic information systems through the use of technologies. There is an increasing demand for improved information and knowledge management solutions in research organizations and universities, integrating access to e- resources. The Internet, the World Wide Web, the computer and other information and communication technologies have greatly influenced library and information services to improve efficiency of access, flexibility and availability. 2

3 Introduction (cont ) By making the information resources available online, access to the information has extended beyond physical boundaries and is now available to distant library users throughout Laos and abroad. The Central Library of the National University of Laos is a network of 20 libraries including the National Library, institutional libraries and a public library. Its mission is to provide information to students, academic staff and the wider community, enabling the University to achieve its mission in teaching, learning, researching and community service through the use of available technology equipment. 3

4 Introduction (cont ) Many libraries in Laos have used open source software, which is now widely used to empower users, particularly in university libraries and other public service institutions. At present, and regarding the technology environment the Central Library, National University of Laos ( NUOL) is stepping forward to provide e-resource services to the students, academic staff, researchers and community through mobile technologies as required. 4

5 2. Innovation of Library Service through Automation In 2007 the Central Library started developing its own integrated library system using Open Source Software (PMB). This software then was further carefully modified by the local specialist to store bibliographic records for the entire library collection, as well as membership and circulation information. Using this software the library users can locate library resources from anywhere in the world. 5

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7 Innovation of Library Service through Automation (cont ) In 2011, a digital library was launched at the Central Library, National University of Laos. The digital library was made possible through the use of DSpace Software. The Central Library has innovated its information services by making information as full text available in electronic formats to ensure that knowledge can be shared all over the world quickly and easily. This increase in the amount of information available can facilitate research and increase knowledge. 7

8 Innovation of Library Service through Automation (cont ) The purpose of having the Digital Library is to provide the following types of electronic information: Peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings Research Data Monographs and books Master and Ph.D. theses, dissertations and other research-related outputs presentation and manuscripts. 8

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10 Innovation of Library Service through Automation (cont ) In 2012, a one-year project supported by the Elsevier Foundation entitled Improving Library Resource Sharing through Union Catalogue among Laos Libraries was implemented. Digitizing materials and making them available through networks would help share and increase access to limited resources among a number of institutions. 10

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12 Innovation of Library Service through Automation (cont ) With the grant from the Elsevier Foundation, researchers from across the 20 member library consortium will be able to access one search engine that compiles all materials from the library collections network and electronic databases across library collections. The University Central Library s Website ( in 2002, serves as a gateway to the internal and external e- resources and services. 12

13 Innovation of Library Service through Automation (cont ) Other than the in-house developed online systems linked from the University Library Website, the following e-resources are also available: Digital Library of the World Bank, Cambridge Journals Online, Oxford Online Products, IOP Science, OECD-iLibrary, Oxford Journal Collection, Royal Society Journal Collection, JSTOR and, SAGE Research, and Open Access databases such as the INASP Directory of Online Journals and Databases, 13

14 Innovation of Library Service through Automation (cont ) Wikipedia- the free Encyclopedia, INASP Guide to Open Access Resources, AGORA (Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture), World Bank e- resources, and Lao44 Access to these online resources is free and open to the public throughout Laos with internet access. 14

15 3. Factors that brought about innovation -Standardization: strict compliance with international standards, especially Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) in the design and implementation of bibliographic databases such as PMB has facilitated easy exchange of electronic cataloguing records among library systems locally and internationally. - Centralization-incorporating the libraries holdings into a single database system (Union databases) has promoted cooperative cataloguing, minimized possible duplicates in the collections and has made monitoring of circulations of users among member libraries of the consortium. 15

16 Factors that brought about innovation (cont...) - Modern mobile technology has been used for infrastructure in Central Library of the National University of Laos such as Wireless networks that library users have gained seamless, integrated access to digital resources and services. - Use of Free Open Source Technology with the open source revolution which started in the University Central Library in 2003 namely: UCL 2003, PMB, DSpace and DLPMB. A number of applications and database systems mentioned were developed to innovate the major library information services. 16

17 4.Other Library Initiatives: -NUOL has a successful work to establish the Department of Library and Information Science in It is an urgent need to produce professional librarians to deal with library works of the nation wide. - The ASEAN Corner has established at the University Central Library in 2012 to acquire and maintain the collections on cultures, histories and etc..of the ASEAN member countries. 17

18 International Co-operations: Princess of Thailand (Pratheb) visited UCL. Prince of Brunei visited UCL 18

19 Co-Seminar on New Technology and Proactive library Information Services at UCL of NUOL on December 7,

20 The 8 th Meeting of the ASEAN University Network Inter-Library Online (AUNILO) Committee hosted by the Central Library of the National University of Singapore held on June 1-2, 2012.

21 5. Future Perspectives on the use of technologies for Library Information Services. - Relaunch UCL Strategic plan as to identify increased utilization of library resources as a strategy in resources and governance. Perform university annual contract as: - numbering of electronic resources - e-resources training - measuring customer satisfaction - promotion of library services, and - enhancing ICT Infrastructure 21

22 Future Perspectives on the use of technologies for Library Information Services (Cont ) - Identify staff who will perform an effective frontline outreach team-committee to coordinate and plan for library promotion and outreach. - Provide regular effective trainings on Information Literacy Skills for library staff and end-users in order to enhance the value of libraries in community and increase library usage and new technologies (Library software, access to e-resources on Internet, computer application etc..) 22

23 Future Perspectives on the use of technologies for Library Information Services (Cont ) - Use of special events and promotions as participate in university exhibitions, national exhibition and international exhibition. - Enhance learning environment. - Broaden new innovation by creating new valuable products and services using new technology to enhance to service quality. 23

24 Future Perspectives on the use of technologies for Library Information Services (Cont ) - Trend toward proactive efforts to educate library users about authors rights, plagiarism, and open access publishing. - Develop competence targets for staff toenable them enhance ICT skills. - Encourage library staff to provide training to users to enable them to gain searching skills on electronic resources by using mobile technology. 24

25 Future Perspectives on the use of technologies for Library Information Services (Cont ) -increase collaboration to expand the role of the library within the country, ASEAN region and the world including eifl.net, and other library consortia. - Provide the better services for customers in terms of timing access to the information, meet the needs of customers in providing printed and non-printed materials. -Have further collaborations with internal and external organizations and private sectors for their supports. 25

26 Future Perspectives on the use of technologies for Library Information Services (Cont ) -Innovate the library service to meet local needs of information users and of the world. -Activities done will be disseminated to the public via local media ( Newspapers: Vientiane Times, Vientiane Mai, Lao National Television and Newsletters etc..). -Broad collaborating and sharing information with other national, regional and international organizations with similar missions. 26

27 Conclusion UCL has innovated its information services to facilitate cooperation and information sharing among University libraries and member libraries of the Laos Library and Information Consortium and has strengthened the capabilities of staff to provide quality information services. Towards making resources Web-accessible and innovating library services using web-based technologies has severely improved the University Library s capability to provide efficient information services 27

28 Conclusion (cont ) Using Web-based search engines gives library users the opportunity to effectively retrieve information required. The application of Open Source Software and mobile technologies has permitted the University Central Library to conserve financial resources and deliver quality services to its users. 28

29 Additional Information UCL Website: 29

30 Thank you! Special thanks to the Director and Deputy Directors of Thammasad University Library esp. the host institution and people concerned. 30