The future of digital scholarship in academic libraries is based on a mindset of the library as a platform for access. In addition to its own collections, libraries should expand their control zone to include social and other sources, overlapping with patrons and partner institutions.

1. Envisioning digital scholarship
in the academic library
2016
Michael Zarro, Ph.D.

2. Outline
• Who, what, and why of
digital scholarship
• Challenges &
Opportunities
• Libraries: Adapting and
Leading

3. Who: People
What:
Information
How:
Technology

4. Faculty
Students
Librarians
Public
Digitization
Born-Digital
Research Data
Metadata
Databases &
APIs
Search Tools
Visualization

5. Challenges
• Privacy
• Access
– Not everyone has access to all resources
• Copyright
– Rights must be respected
• Cost
• Usability
Image: DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University

6. Opportunities
• Thousands of years of goodwill…
• Maturing technology for storage and
connectivity
• Social and log data provide insights
• Usability and patron expectations

7. Library Evolution
Buildings (preservation)
Collections (information)
Services (user-centered)

8. Libraries: Adapting and Leading

9. User-Centered Libraries
• User-Centered Design
– Aligns user needs and organizational goals, while
taking into account technical limitations
– Requires interdisciplinary teams
• Librarians
• Technology professionals
– Well-established process in industry

10. ISO 9421-210
“Human-System Interaction”
• Design is based upon an explicit
understanding of users, tasks, and
environments
• Users are involved throughout design and
development
• Design is driven by user-centered evaluation
• Design team includes multidisciplinary skills
and perspectives

11. Usability Methods
• Participatory Design
• Usability Testing
• Card Sorting
• Personas

12. Patron (User) Needs
“Make it work like Google”
• Mobile devices
• Multi-channel
• experiences
• Responsive design
• Social
• Personalization

13. • Static
• Desktop only
• Wall of text
• Dynamic
• Responsive
• Visually appealing
Design Influence
Design of a website has the primary influence on
perceived credibility - B.J. Fogg, 2003

14. “The DPLA's application programming interface (API) and open data can be used by
software developers, researchers, and others to create novel environments for
learning, tools for discovery, and engaging apps.”
Library as a Platform
People
InformationTechnology

15. Public Library of Science (PLOS)

16. Flickr Commons

17. “HELP!! Please let us know if you
recognize any of these images.”
Photochrom Travel Views, Library of Congress Flickr Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8623220@N02/sets/72157612249760312/

18. User Contributions to LOC
• (25%) Contributed historical facts or personal
recollection.
• (16%) Links Out – links to other resources
• (13%) Corrections to existing descriptions and
translations
• (13%) Links In- user comment that they added
the Library image to another collection .
- Zarro & Allen, 2010 - http://mikezarro.com/docs/Zarro-Allen-2010-User-ContributedDescriptiveMetadata.pdf

19. Academic Libraries
Access and (Re) Use
• Plan
– Digital Collection development policy
– Collaboration with patrons
– Rethink the control zone and catalog[ing/ers]
• Social / reach / outside the “walls”
• Contribution
– Fit with other digital library initiatives?
• Access
– Make broadly available
– Ensure accessibility
• Measure Use
– Web Analytics, Social media

20. Summary
• Digital libraries are made up of people,
information, and technology
• Opportunities outweigh the challenges
• Libraries are evolving
– The “user-centered” library
• Libraries as a platform
• Expand access, (re)use, and reach

21. Thank You
Michael Zarro, Ph.D.
www.mikezarro.com
• Forthcoming book, Information Architecture,
The Design and Integration of Information
Spaces, 2nd Edition. (Morgan & Claypool)
Image credits: The Flickr Commons, Designerpics.com, Author’s collection