Reading #8

Weir, R. O. (2012).  Making Electronic Resources Accessible. In Managing Electronic Resources (pp. 69-86). Chicago: ALA.

 

All libraries need to develop the best possible service and be responsible for the development and maintenance of online access tools, regardless of the variations between and situations within each library.  Having selected appropriate tools, or at least the best tools available, it is important for librarians to remember the purpose of these tools and what libraries need to do.  Libraries and librarians are in competition with other information services and there needs to be a focus on how users actually find information.  The chapter outlines some general principles that should guide librarians in the development of a successful ASER (access system for electronic resources), regardless of the online access tools that are chosen.  1) Provide quality metadata,  2) ensure convenience for the user, 3) simplicity is best, 4) eliminate all unnecessary steps to access content, 5) make branding ubiquitous, 6) solicit feedback and 7) make assessments.