Digital Libraries -e553
DISCUSSION FOR UNIT 08
Title
Why?
Services
Primarily, digital libraries are about all kinds of services.
We could certainly have a discussion of the way services in digital libraries are
changing from services in traditional libraries and what new services are emerging.
But here we will follow one of the readings for the unit:
Library of Congress. (2010). Strategic plan. Fiscal years 2011-2016. Available from
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/libn/about/documents/strategicplan2011-2016.pdf
The reading is also given in the assignment for the unit, but here the aim is
different:
 The aim of this discussion is try to translate Billington’s vision and strategy to
libraries, such as Rutgers
BTW, here is a news item from Information Today 6-23-2015:
“After nearly 28 years of service, Librarian of Congress James Hadley Billington announced his retirement on
June 10, 2015, which becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2016. President Barack Obama is tasked with finding a
replacement, who will then need to be confirmed by the Senate. The Library of Congress (LC) currently consists
of three separate entities: the library itself (which includes the Office of the Librarian, the Library Services
department, the Office of Strategic Initiatives, the Law Library of Congress, and the Office of Support
Operations), the Congressional Research Service (CRS), and the U.S. Copyright Office.” You can also look at
strong criticism by US Government Accountability Office (GAO) under the title: Library of
Congress: Strong Leadership Needed to Address Serious Information Technology Management
Weaknesses. Here is one of the quotes: “ Leadership: The Library does not have the leadership
needed to address these IT management weaknesses.” (Also in Webliography).
You can comment, if you wish.
What? Discuss the following questions (make a clear distinction between the two questions,
but discuss both):
1. What do you consider particularly important or visionary in Library of
Congress strategic plan?
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/libn/about/documents/strategicplan2011-2016.pdf (Or
instead you can argue what do you particularly like or dislike and why – you can
criticize the plan, if you wish).
2. By now you know enough about the RUL as a digital library – what would you
recommend that RUL adopt from LoC?
You can also find on the RUL site the strategic plan 2014-2015 at
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/about_documents/Strategic_Plan_20142015.pdf
Any comment on the plan?
3. You can also take a look (and comment if you wish) at Rutgers University
(2014) “A Strategic Plan for The New Rutgers” Executive summary is on pp. 58. http://rci.rutgers.edu/~presiden/strategicplan/UniversityStrategicPlan.pdf
How?
As in previous, and all discussions, post your reply and, if you wish, reply to others. I
urge you to reply to postings from colleagues and discuss further.