This document discusses the roles of librarians in managing electronic resources, the advantages and challenges of electronic resources, and best practices from the University of Science Malaysia (USM) library and the National Archive of Australia. It outlines that librarians now take on roles like system builders who create resources for interaction, educators who guide users, and consultants who provide fast answers to users' questions. Electronic resources provide benefits like 24/7 access and storage in one place, but challenges include new technologies, copyright issues, and ensuring digital collections are up-to-date. Best practices include developing staff skills, focusing on purposes and outcomes, and taking action as soon as possible to transition to digital.

1. Electronic Information
Resources : Librarian’s
Roles, Advantages &
Challenges
“SEMINAR KEBANGSAAN SUMBER ELEKTRONIK DI
MALAYSIA 2012”
MOHD RAZIF DZULKIPLI

2. Definitions
 Defined as online information resources, including
bibliographic databases, electronic reference books,
search engines for full text collections, digital collections of
data and data sets. Which drawn from records in the
Electronic Resources Module (ERM).
Ohio State University Library (2005)
 Electronic resource is a deceptively simple and generic
term that can encompass anything from a PDF of a
government report to an aggregated database, and the
research on the topic is as varied as the types of electronic
resources that can be discussed.
Skaggs, B. L., Poe, J. W. & Stevens, K. W. (2006)

3. Introduction
 Librarians are attempting to choose electronic
resources to optimize access and value for their
patrons. Electronic resources are now often
available in several different formats.
 Benefits of Electronic Resources to students are:
 Available in 24/7.
 Ability to work from any place.
 Stored in single place .
 Diversity of information.

4. Roles
 Library 2.0 (System Builder)
 Create resources to interact with other librarians.
 Take advantage of web 2.0 in promoting knowledge sharing,
user centered and informal relation with library (FB, Twitter and
blogs).
 Teacher or Educator
 Educate and guide users instead of gathering & disseminate
information.
 Information Organizer & Provider
 Provide services regardless place or time.
 Navigator, Browsing and Filtering Expert
 Aware of technology changes.
 Understand how digital reference services works.
 Extract electronic information from electronic resources.

5. Roles
 Initiate Outreach Program for Library Users
 Approach user who seem having difficulty.
 Provide users with various, dynamic and advanced
services to initiate & innovative pattern such as
added–value information product, personalized &
tailored services.
 Consultant
 Prepared and no delay in answering questions.
 Fastest way to interact with users using social media
(FB, Twitter, Skype).

6. Advantages
 Up-to-Date Library Facilities
 Library will be equipped with latest technology.
 Well Prepared Librarian with Technology
 Librarian will be exposed to new technology
used in electronic resources.
 Relationship with Users will be Tighten
 Human touch will be closed especially to library
users.
 Librarian’s Image and Credibility will be Increased
 Fast information delivery and dissemination to
users.

7. Challenges
 New Generation of Learners
 Relearn whole of process using technology.
 Copyright Act
 Limitation to print, publisher’s right.
 Privacy/Confidentiality
 Specially involves of high profile report.
 Online/Virtual Crimes and Security
 Hackers and level of document security.
 Collection of Digital Resources
 Price will limit the digital collection.

8. Challenges
 Technology Challenges
 Change rapidly.
 Manpower
 Need expertise in ICT.
 Fractured Organizational Structure
 Strong organization structure will lead to
library function in digital era.
 Lack of Clarity of Vision
 No clear vision of facing technology.

9. Best Practices (USM)
Implementing and Adapting New Technology
to USM Library
 Develop Human Resources
 Providing database & supplementary digital content
 Overcome the ‘trick of trade’ from supplier.
 Learn from mistake .
 Training for electronic & digital related competencies
 Attended workshop and seminars.
 Consultant (Dr. Edna Reid).
 Training of Liaison Librarian for Customer Engagement
 Training through internet.
 Engaging with customer through teaching
programs.

10. Best Practices (USM)
 Quality Tools and Initiatives
 Transformation agenda by internally organize
workshops, sending staffs to specific seminars
planned under Training Needs Analysis.
 Introduced Continuous Professional Development
(CPD) .
 Blue Ocean Strategy .
 Reduces, reuse raise, create (reduce cost,
manpower).
 APEX.
 Leadership succession planning.

11. Best Practices (National
Archive of Australia)
Transition Traditional to Digital and System
 Make it Sustainable
 Understand commitment in long term.
 Consider implication to the technology and infrastructure
chose.
 Engaged and support skilled, interested and self-
motivated staffs.
 Focus on Purpose and Outcomes
 Engage stakeholder through collaboration and
opportunities to contribute.
 Take Action as soon as Practicable
 Timing of data collecting is critical.
 Gain experience by doing and do what you can.

12. Implication
 Must be adaptive as learning organizations
 Alert to changing environment
 Ensure alignment between workers and emerging
needs
 Invest HEAVILY in employee training and
development
 Financial support from management
 Build competency based training with LS schools
 Develop strong recruitment and retention

13. References
 Davis, T. (2005). “Policies and procedures technical services”. Retrieved
on January 17, 2013 from
http://library.osu.edu/staff/techservices/ERMpolicies.php
 Skaggs, B. L., Poe, J. W. & Stevens, K. W. (2006),"One-stop shopping: a
perspective on the evolution of electronic resources management",
OCLC Systems & Services, 22(3) pp. 192 – 206
 “The Use of Electronic Resources Among Undergraduate and Graduate
Students”. (2001). Retrieved on Januari 20, 2013 from
http://www.epic.columbia.edu/eval/find03.html

14. Q & A