ERAMS
Encyclopedia
ERAMS are a way of thinking about library management
to help libraries
optimize the access, usage, data, and workflows of electronic library collections in the physical and digital library
.
s and ebooks, can be viewed as an integral part of library
collections. Recent studies have shown that not only are libraries acquiring significant amounts of digital content, but also that this content is both replacing and eclipsing traditional media.
Scholarly communication, particularly how libraries deliver and consume information, has changed as a result of the Web. With the majority of library catalog
s and electronic collections now accessible online either remotely or via public library terminals, patron preference also tends toward electronic journal usage. Among the most-cited reasons for preferring electronic journals included ease of access, ease of printing, and ease of searching.
It is common for libraries to seek solutions, to address the new issues broached by electronic resources and electronic access to the library. These solutions are typically software (and hardware) to help librarians track and serve information digitally, thereby maintaining the library’s relevance as a research partner when competing with freely available information on the Web.
E-resource access and management services (ERAMS) are one such category of solution.
ERAMS is designed to be used in library planning and budgeting to help libraries continue to provide electronic resources effectively to aid patron research.
Many products and services fall into the broad category of ERAMS: A-to-Z title lists, OpenURL
link resolvers, federated search
services, MARC records
services, electronic resource management (ERM) applications, and more.
technology to provide fully integrated and interoperable products. There are four essential processes for delivering effective ERAMS:
Library management
Library management is a sub-discipline of institutional management that focuses on specific issues faced by libraries. Library management encompasses normal management tasks as well as intellectual freedom, anti-censorship, and fundraising tasks...
to help libraries
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
optimize the access, usage, data, and workflows of electronic library collections in the physical and digital library
Digital library
A digital library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats and accessible by computers. The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks...
.
Background
Electronic resources, particularly electronic journalElectronic journal
Electronic journals, also known as ejournals, e-journals, and electronic serials, are scholarly journals or intellectual magazines that can be accessed via electronic transmission. In practice, this means that they are usually published on the Web...
s and ebooks, can be viewed as an integral part of library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
collections. Recent studies have shown that not only are libraries acquiring significant amounts of digital content, but also that this content is both replacing and eclipsing traditional media.
Scholarly communication, particularly how libraries deliver and consume information, has changed as a result of the Web. With the majority of library catalog
Library catalog
A library catalog is a register of all bibliographic items found in a library or group of libraries, such as a network of libraries at several locations...
s and electronic collections now accessible online either remotely or via public library terminals, patron preference also tends toward electronic journal usage. Among the most-cited reasons for preferring electronic journals included ease of access, ease of printing, and ease of searching.
It is common for libraries to seek solutions, to address the new issues broached by electronic resources and electronic access to the library. These solutions are typically software (and hardware) to help librarians track and serve information digitally, thereby maintaining the library’s relevance as a research partner when competing with freely available information on the Web.
E-resource access and management services (ERAMS) are one such category of solution.
Overview
E-resource access and management services (ERAMS) are a new business category of library services designed specifically to make electronic collections accessible for patrons and manageable for librarians so that libraries can realize the full use and value of their e-resource purchases.ERAMS is designed to be used in library planning and budgeting to help libraries continue to provide electronic resources effectively to aid patron research.
Many products and services fall into the broad category of ERAMS: A-to-Z title lists, OpenURL
OpenURL
OpenURL is a standardized format of Uniform Resource Locator intended to enable Internet users to more easily find a copy of a resource that they are allowed to access...
link resolvers, federated search
Federated search
Federated search is an information retrieval technology that allows the simultaneous search of multiple searchable resources. A user makes a single query request which is distributed to the search engines participating in the federation...
services, MARC records
MARC standards
MARC, MAchine-Readable Cataloging, is a data format and set of related standards used by libraries to encode and share information about books and other material they collect...
services, electronic resource management (ERM) applications, and more.
Key principles
The foundations of ERAMS are a clear focus on electronic resources and an accurate and comprehensive knowledgebase of local library holdings. Companies that provide ERAMS often focus on web-native and Web 2.0Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
technology to provide fully integrated and interoperable products. There are four essential processes for delivering effective ERAMS:
- Collect an e-resource knowledgebase
- Correct the knowledgebase to maintain accuracy
- Connect people with answers using the best method
- Control budgets, collections, and workflows to optimize value
See also
- Library 2.0Library 2.0Library 2.0 is a loosely defined model for a modernized form of library service that reflects a transition within the library world in the way that services are delivered to users....
- Integrated library systemIntegrated library systemAn integrated library system , also known as a library management system ,is an enterprise resource planning system for a library, used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed....
- Library computer systemLibrary computer systemA library computer system is the software used to catalog, track circulation and inventory a library's assets. It is intended for home, church, private enterprise or other small to medium sized collections...
- OPACOPACAn Online Public Access Catalog is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries...
- Library automation system
- Library collection developmentLibrary collection developmentLibrary collection development is the process of meeting the information needs of the people in a timely and economical manner using information resources locally held, as well as from other organizations....