1. David Greer Your Digital Library

2. Aim, Scope and Objectives of Project
- Examine the existing Digital Library and the potential to increase student and staff usage of the resources within it.
Scope:
- Research into current user experience / needs
- Research into options for new user interface
Objectives:
- To implement a plan for a new Digital Library Interface.
- To Increase the number of staff and students using the Digital Library by 10% by May 2015

3. What is the Digital Library?
Central repository for e resources
Shared across all curriculum areas
Graphic on screen shows the number of icons in the digital Library and where they lead to.
17 Databases – down from over 60
Over 100 support documents / guides
Hundreds of web links
The aim is not to replace the Digital Library, but to change the way the majority of students access it.
Those students who want to see all of the Digital Library’s contents will still be able to, which will help develop independent learners and help build academic skills for student progression to higher level courses.
However the majority of students, will access the Digital Library through a new Moodle integrated user interface which will direct them to resources relevant to their courses.

4. Justification Digital Library is underused, cluttered and looks dated
Lack of staff and student engagement with e resources
A need to provide quality, relevant resources which can be accessed in College and from home
Digital Library is underused, cluttered and looks dated
Lack of staff and student engagement with e resources
A need to provide quality, relevant resources which can be accessed in College and from home decreasing the need to be in College to study

5. In Support of FEMB, CDP and IQ:RS
1.. The Department for Employment and Learning FE means business (Feb 2004) Strategic objectives - be a key driver of local, sub-regional and regional economic development by keeping provision up to date with best current practice.
2. The Department for Employment and Learning FE means business (Feb 2004) Strategic objectives - be a major promoter of lifelong learning by developing flexible approaches to learning through the use of technologies.
3. College Development Plan 2012 – 2015 Core Goal 2, Quality – To promote a culture of Excellence through raising standards and continuous improvement in teaching and the learning environment which in turn is aligned with the DEL objective: to improve the quality and relevance of education and training.
4. IQ:RS 4.2 Teaching, training and Learning - use ILT and other resources in a relevant and interesting way, to support learning (maximise and integrate resources i.e. Moodle and the Digital Library by simplifying access).
5. IQ:RS 4.5 Learning experiences – Encourage independent learning (by providing tailored resources to meet student need by level and programme).

6. Research Online Survey – Students and Academic staff
User stats for e resources
Interviews with staff:
- Knowledge Management
- Quality
- Finance
- e authors team
- PA to the Director of Curriculum and Information Services
Interview with and Demo from EBSCO sales rep – Discovery Service
GIS

7. Student homes vs Campus
GIS was used to establish to the geographical spread of where students live in relation to the campus which they attend for study.
Greater use of the Digital Library from home could result in students not having to attend College at times they don’t have classes, therefore saving students time, enabling students to study using College resources at any time, day or night and subsequently freeing up space in the LRCs. The GIS maps show that of students attending the SERC campuses, a very sizable minority live outside the campus Local Government District (Downpatrick 15%, Lisburn 41%, Bangor 48% and Newtownards 49%).

8. Selected Student and Staff survey results
18% did not know where the Digital Library was
57% used it once a month / 10% once a day / 43% rarely or never
56% accessed the Digital Library from home
What do you use it for?
54% e books
24% e resources
22% Support materials
An online survey was sent to all Academic staff and students to gauge their current experience of the Digital Library.
Ideally I would I would have met with Course teams and a selection of student focus groups at all 4 campuses – not possible due to project time constraints
18% did not know where it was
57% used it at least once a month – 10 % once a day
More worryingly 43% rarely or had never used the Digital Library
56% accessed the Digital Library from home
When asked what do you use the Digital Library for:
54% e books – 2013 – over 400,000 pages read + over 19,000 user sessions
24% e resources – Top performers – Childlink (3783) Keynote (3180) and Emerald (3083)
22% support materials

9. Selected Student and Staff survey results
A clear winner
- 59% of respondents wanted to be directed to relevant e resources
One partial explanation for 41% preferring a search engine is the “Google Generation” – first thing they do when they access the internet is go to Google to search for what they want.
However it may be more prudent to guide students to the resources best suited to their course

10. Available options 1. Your Digital Library Pros Cons
Tailored student focused interface
Time to set up and promote
Moodle integration (academic staff buy in)
Will save LRC staff time and costs
Your Digital Library is a button placed in Moodle which using the students student number will direct the student to the resources relevant to their course
The main advantages to this option are as follows:
1. Students will no longer be faced will an overwhelming mass of resources, most of which may not be relevant to their course.
2. Interface will be integrated into Moodle, so students will no longer struggle to find the Digital Library and will therefore be more likely to use it. Plus academic buy in promoting ethos that e resources are an essential part of student study rather than additional
Digital Library subject talks – staff conduct around 120 per year – essentially awareness sessions rather than instructional – need for these will be significantly reduced removing a considerable burden from LRC staff particularly in Oct / Nov / Jan
Cost neutral solution – the time spent by e authors and LRC staff to set up the new interface will be balanced by the saving in LRC staffing hours conducting Digital Library tours. No other additional resources are required.
The main disadvantages to creating “Your Digital Library” are as follows:
Cost and staff time to set up the new system, but as discussed above, it is envisaged that the saving in LRC staff time conducting Digital Library Tours may balance the investment cost of setting up “Your Digital library”.
“Your Digital Library” will need to be promoted to staff and students, however the old Digital Library will not disappear and will still be able to be accessed by staff and students, no additional training will be needed for LRC or academic staff.
Promoted via student induction, student intranet and display screens in all campuses

11. Available Options
2. EBSCO Discovery service 3. Do nothing – No cost / not a solution
Pros
Cons
Google style search Engine
Produces too many search results
Automatic Harvard referencing
Cluttered user interface
Will save LRC staff time
Large recurrent cost £4700 per annum
Staff will need trained
Static resource (snap shop)
Not compatible with 1/3 of our e resources

12. Example of new interface
Click here for
Your Digital Library

13. Your Digital Library

14. What exists now

15. Cost Benefit of Your Digital Library
Resources Required
Cost Benefit of Your Digital Library

16. Impact of project on SERC
1. Greater student engagement with LRC e resources 2. Integrated use of Moodle 3. Increase in home use of e resources 4. Increase in students using specially selected, vetted, and diverse sources of information 5. Saving of LRC staff time and costs
Greater student engagement with LRC e resources
Integrated use of Moodle
Increase in home use of e resources – students will not have to come to college unless they have classes
Increase in students using specially selected, vetted, and diverse sources of information as suggested by most EV reports
Saving of LRC staff time and costs

17. Risks if project does not go ahead
1. Decline in the use of LRC e resources – budget implication 2. Students will not be aware of the extensive resources we already have 3. Students becoming frustrated searching e resources which are not relevant to their courses 4. Increased pressure on LRC staff time 5. Students resorting to Wikipedia

18. Any Questions?