[605] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Electronic Information Services Consulting
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Pat Ensor)
Thu Jun 25 11:09:33 1992
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1992 09:50:00 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: "Pat Ensor" <LIBPLE%INDST.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
Please reply directly to the author, not PACS-L. thanks, Jill
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
BEING POSTED TO LIBREF-L, PACS-L, NET-TRAIN, AND CWIS-L. Sorry
for the inconvenience.
I am the person in charge of coordinating online and CD-ROM services
at Indiana State University Libraries. Recently, the decision has been
made to add another 4/5 of a professional position to my unit, to free
me to do more outreach, liaison, and consulting with faculty and admin-
instrators in relation to electronic information services. At ISU
Libraries, we have a NOTIS OPAC, have two databases loaded locally in
addition to our OPAC, have an in-library CD-ROM network, have Internet
access, and have library access to CARL Uncover.
Within the next 6 months to a year, we plan to extend our CD-ROM
network across campus, will be adding usage of the PACLink product, which
allows searching of Indiana university libraries, and PACLoan, which
allows patrons to request loans online, and bringing up a local Diversity
Resources database. Faculty access to CARL and OCLC is possibly in the
cards. About 50% of our faculty now have PCs on their desk and are connected
to the LAN which will allow access to all of these things, and more will be
connected soon.
The administration feels that someone needs to devote more time to consulting
with faculty, one on one if needed, to go to them, not expect them to come
to the library and ask how to use stuff. I would do this and coordinate the
activities of other librarians doing the same kind of thing. I would also
What I am asking, finally, is do other libraries have people explicitly
assigned to do this kind of thing as a major focus of their job? If so,
how is it written in position descriptions? How is it working out? Are there
contact techniques that have worked particularly well? How is it made obvious
that someone in the library has the responsibility for this kind of thing?
I like the thought of being an electronic information consultant, but don't
know how to work that into a unit name, or whatever.
PLEASE RESPOND DIRECTLY TO ME, as I will be at ALA, and will be turning off
some lists. I will summarize for the lists, if there is useful response. I
would be quite appreciative of being contacted at ALA for discussion, too.
Pat Ensor
Coordinator, Electronic Information Services
Editor, Information Standards Quarterly
Indiana State University Libraries
Terre Haute, IN 47809
Voice:(812)237-2580; FAX:237-2567
Bitnet:libple@indst
Internet:libple@indst.indstate.edu
