Towers 2002

Building Idaho's Digital Library: Electronic Publishing at the University of Idaho Library

Winter 2002/2003 Issue

As the publisher of the Electronic Green Journal, INSIDE Idaho, and home of Library Philosophy and Practice, the University of Idaho Library is situated in the technological forefront of the state's academic libraries. As a successful electronic publisher, the library has proven itself as an extremely active contributor to Idaho's academic community. These essential forums for scholarly communication, which also enhance public awareness of relevant issues, continue the library's tradition of educational publishing into the twenty-first century.

Beginning in 1994, the University of Idaho implemented its electronic publishing program with the introduction of the Electronic Green Journal [http://egj.lib.uidaho.edu/]. A refereed World Wide Web-based Internet professional journal, the semi-annually published Electronic Green Journal provides a forum for academics, students, and other professionals to discuss such environmental topics as assessment, conservation, development, disposal, education, and hazards. The journal was founded by, and continues to be edited by reference librarian Dr. Maria Jankowska, who was recently recognized for her professional efforts by Library Journal. With articles varying in scope and focus and a free of charge World Wide Web distribution, this electronic journal has become an extremely useful tool, expanding the discussion of environmental issues today. Having more than 800 regular subscribers, the site registers more than 30,000 accesses per month, and is indexed by General Science Index (H.W. Wilson Company) and Environmental Science and Pollution Management (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts).

Also a tool for discussion, for professionals in the field of library science, Library Philosophy and Practice [http://www.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/lp&p.htm] provides yet another forum for scholarly communication. As Mary Bolin, one of the creators of Library Philosophy and Practice and Head of Technical Services at the University of Idaho Library, noted, "Our goal was a high quality publication, an outlet for peer reviewed publications, and a good looking journal to exploit the abilities of electronic publishing." Addressing the connections between library practices and theory and providing a venue for discussion among library professionals, this refereed electronic journal has reached around the world with its web-based distribution. In fact, the site has been listed as a resource by the University of Leon, the University of York, the Google Directory, and the University of Stockholm to name a few.

Another extremely important component of the UI Library's electronic publishing dossier is the technologically complex INSIDE Idaho [http://inside.uidaho.edu] site. Having begun as the Idaho Geospatial Data Center (IGDC) in 1998, this site has evolved since its inception with the help of federal grants, a hard-working, knowledgeable staff, and data contributions from several state and private agencies. Though still a geographical information web site, INSIDE Idaho, which stands for Interactive Numeric & Spatial Information Data Engine for Idaho, provides a comprehensive clearinghouse for geographical information, numeric data, and interactive GIS (Geographic Information Systems). In addition to this list of services, INSIDE Idaho goes one step further by providing a tutorial for its users as well. Here is where Idaho citizens can find information relating to climate, maps, voter redistricting information, and much more. With so much accessible information through the INSIDE Idaho site, the UI Library has essentially established a virtual library service that eliminates duplication of effort and provides for efficient access to resources for University of Idaho students, state and local government officials, and the public. Because of its wide variety of resources as well as its adherence to metadata standards, the site has become widely accessed. In a year and a half time period, from the site's first availability on the Web to June 2001, the average number of user sessions per day increased from 58 sessions to 178 sessions, and the total number of user sessions increased from 10,624 sessions to 32,262 sessions. Having already acquired federal funding for INSIDE Idaho, Lily Wai, project director and Head of Government Documents at the University of Idaho Library, now focuses on future funding for expansion. Having assumed state responsibilities as the web location for the Idaho Redistricting project, Wai adds, "our ultimate goal is to get the state to provide funding so [INSIDE Idaho] can be a permanent site." Recently, because of the site's already established prominence as a widely used web-based resource for geospatial and numeric data, INSIDE Idaho was officially recognized as the statewide geospatial clearinghouse by the Idaho Geospatial Committee.

Already housing Idaho's largest collection of books and journals, it certainly comes as no surprise that the University of Idaho Library is an essential foundation for the state's information infrastructure. In addition, the University of Idaho Library adds to Idaho's historical resources by publishing a series of booklets: "Northwest Historical Manuscript Series." In recent years, books such as Report of the Northern Pacific Railroad's Survey of the North Fork of the Clearwater River in 1871 by Philip G. Eastwick (1999), Bitterroot Crossing: Lewis and Clark Across the Lolo Trail by Gene and Molly Eastman (2002), Memorial of the Nez Perce Indians Residing in the State of Idaho to the Congress of the United States (2000), and With Bird and Truax on the Lolo Trail: Building the Virginia City to Lewiston Wagon Road, 1865-1867 (1999) have all been published by the UI Library.

While it is likely that UI's digital library will only continue to grow in step with the extension and increase in the library's technological capabilities, the UI Library already leads the state in terms of electronic publishing, and the library staff welcomes new projects - embracing the technology of electronic publishing - for the scholarly value it provides. Moreover, with the rising importance of and demand for the electronic publications produced by the University of Idaho Library, it seems that the UI Library is truly paving the way toward building not only the university's digital library, but also the state of Idaho's.

Winter 2002/2003 Issue

These are challenging times for public institutions, as state budgets descend into deficits, and tax dollars to higher education are cut. At the same time, more students flood into colleges and universities, all with high expectations for the amenities of college life. Funded research has become a more important driver of the intellectual enterprise, bringing with it heavy support costs.

The current institutional budget crisis is as deep as that encountered in the early eighties, perhaps worse. Despite the dire situation, the University of Idaho administration has placed the Library's acquisition budget in the "Common Good" category, along with health insurance and utility costs, to be cut only as a last resort. The cuts in library operations are in the lowest level. We'll have to reduce staffing by 17% over the next five years, along with several of the colleges. Other colleges that have income potential have higher revenue or reduction targets.

The administration recognizes that the library is still at the heart of the enterprise and that library budgets, once cut, seldom recover. To protect the library is to protect the future hopes for a greater University of Idaho.

Winter 2002/2003 Issue

As you might have already noticed in your web browsing activities, the UI Library Home Page [/] recently underwent a major renovation. Developed by a committee of UI Library faculty members, Terry Abraham, Teri Arion, Lynn Baird, Karen Hertel, Maria Jankowska, Linnea Marshall, Diane Prorak, and Lily Wai, the new design reflects the many changes in access to books and articles over the past several years. New tools and services have been updated so that virtual visitors have access to them through a user-friendly, easily navigatable web resource with a clean interface that eases student use of all the main library resources.

As students made their way into the library for the first time this semester, they noticed a major change in the student computing area located on the first floor of the UI Library. Not only had several more computer stations and LCD monitors been added to the area, but a different sort of computing station had been added as well - the Vandal Express. This new student computing kiosk, which is sponsored by ASUI and Sun Microsystems, features web-only access for students who are on the run or only need to quickly check their email, a web page, or other internet resource. Key Vandal websites, such as UI Registration and the UI Library, have been bookmarked on the computers for ease of access, but the web in general can be accessed using these stations as well.

As many of you might have noticed, within the Spring 2002 issue of Towers there was a little something extra in the newsletter - a contribution envelope. Much to the delight of the Library Associates, this fundraising effort was a great success - raising just over 1/5 of our average annual campaign's total contributions. With significant participation in this endeavor, it is the Associates' hope to enhance our role as friends of the University of Idaho Library. In recognition of those who chose to participate, thank you again for your unwavering support of the Library Asssociates and the University of Idaho Library.

For more Library News, check out the Library's News page at [www.lib.uidaho.edu/News/].

Editor: Stacey Karn, University of Idaho student

Spring 2002 Issue

Perhaps the question shouldn't be "Have you read a good ebook lately?" Instead, a better question might be, "Are you likely to?" According to many avid readers, ebooks, text of books that appear in electronic form on ebook specific devices, PDAs, or on computers, seem cumbersome, expensive, and simply do not offer the same pleasures and comforts of the printed book. Still, others who have tried the ebook experience assert that, aside from the short battery life, ebook devices can be rather usable. According to Dean of Library Services, Ron Force, his ebook experience was one of little discomfort. In fact, he added, "I was rather pleased with it."

In ten years, some ebook optimists maintain that the unfriendliness of the ebook will be long forgotten. And, in selected markets, such as in the textbook and travel book industries, experts contend that they may well be right. However, even within today's technologically centered world, the outlook for the ebook industry currently seems rather questionable. Faced with such factors as publisher resistance, questions of rights and permissions, and the lack of a successful business model, staying in the red has become an industry characteristic. Even ebook industry giants, such as AtRandom (Random House), netLibrary, and iPublish (AOL Time Warner), are pulling the plug on an unprofitable enterprise.

On the other hand, imagine the world today without a light bulb, an automobile or a telephone. Though it seems nearly impossible, at one time, these now staple features of our everyday lives were commercial failures. Their ultimate success was the result of the convergence of necessity, economics, and, demand. Once society found they filled a basic need and the economy allowed for their "arrival," a substantial demand was created. Similarly, picture the world before the printed book had found its place in society.

The product of Gutenberg's invention, which may not have been Gutenberg's and may not have been an invention, slowly built an audience during its first hundred years. It wasn't until the Reformation, when increased literacy and a lust for knowledge combined with the emergence of the middle class, that society established a need for the printed book. Some, such as scholars and the clergy, resisted it, but the growing demand dictated its availability. Will we see the same transformation with today's ebook? When will it, after the careful realization of a new business model and user-based formatting, find its own place it our society? It may be soon; in fact, we may even be witnessing it now. Despite the collapse of several large ebook providers, proponents report, "e-book reading and sales are stronger than ever" (Wired News, December 18, 2001).

What does the ebook have to do with libraries, then? Well, the short and sweet answer is, more than is commonly thought. Not only are academic libraries currently making an attempt to cultivate a healthy working relationship with this electronic text world, but also the very success of the electronic text industry could depend upon its relationship with libraries, both academic and public. Many of the larger academic libraries, such as UC Berkley, the University of Michigan, and Cornell University, are making strong attempts to participate in and shape this component of the digital world. The University of Idaho Library has only had a very short and limited relationship with ebook service providers such as netLibrary, University of Virginia Library's E-text Center, and Books 24x7 (see links at www.lib.uidaho.edu/books/ebooks.html) because it is evaluating the overall worth of these services to the students.

With the uncertain future the ebook industry faces, librarians find themselves placed in a very difficult situation - to buy or not to buy? At the University of Idaho, where, in October 2001, Yahoo! Internet Life ranked the school 12th in their Top 100 Wired Institutions, technology has become a major element of the education infrastructure of the university. Many curriculum changes have been made over the past years so that some classes have become completely web-based. Almost all necessary information for the class can be found on the web; homework assignments, class discussions, lectures, and even quizzes can all be done via the web. With this kind of change occurring, it is very important for the University of Idaho Library to become as actively involved in the "digital process" as possible - therefore, enrolling the help of the e-text world would seem a necessary addition to the university's technology dossier.

However, there are still some barriers to overcome. Currently, the price the library pays for printed books that are necessary to support the curriculum is less than that of ebooks. But, while the printed material may cost less initially, other costs, such as storage, upkeep and circulation, must still be considered. Therefore, while books may seem much more cost-effective for the library at first, future maintenance costs could actually prove to be more onerous than the one-time purchase cost of the ebook. Ultimately, though, will this initial cost be a complete waste if the service providers have failed so miserably in forming successful business models that they cease to exist in the future? At least regular books remain on the shelf after the publisher has gone out of business or merged. This is the real question as well as the most obvious answer as to why libraries such as the UI Library have not become larger participants in this component of the e-text world.

Though ebook publishing seems to currently be in an uncertain position, this is not to say that the e-text industry has failed or will fail completely - only time will tell in this matter. Unlike ebooks, one of the most successful components of the e-text industry is ejournals. Ejournals have, in fact, become a well-established resource among academic libraries. They have been able to create a very successful business model in which annual subscriptions are charged, just as with printed journals. The multitude of questions concerning copyright and other problematic issues has largely been overcome.

Electronic journals have, in fact, become a readily available and widely used resource among most academic libraries. At the University of Idaho Library, the story is no different. For some time now, the UI Library has been a ready participant in this component of the digital world. In 1997, the library began participating heavily in Johns Hopkins' Project Muse, and has been steadily increasing its participation in this sector ever since. According to Dean Ron Force, the UI Library subscribes to approximately 3,000 ejournals, which makes up about 60% of the library's total current journals. And, even though these ejournals tend to cost between 5% and 15% more than paper journals, the library is making the conversion to ejournals as quickly as possible in expectation of one day providing a completely electronic journal collection.

Currently, the UI Library participates in several electronic journal databases including EBSCO, Expanded Academic Index, and ERIC. These journal indexes, of course, are not limited to only certain fields. In fact, there are several electronic journal databases which contribute to many academic areas - whether Science & Technology, Law, or Arts & Humanities. A visit to the UI Library's Article Database web page (www.db.lib.uidaho.edu/databases/) details a vast collection of electronic journal indexes from which users can choose. While some of these services only provide bibliographic entries, others include full-text services in which the user can view articles in their entirety with past issues dating as far back as 1980. This offers not only a broad variety of articles, but also unlimited use from outside the library through the student's home computer.

Compared to printed books and even ejournals, ebooks may currently seem less than user-friendly in terms of expense and formatting, yet society may someday feel the same way about ebooks as it feels about printed books today. Some may, in fact, find the same comfort in the digital page as is now found in the paper page. The electronic book may even offer more than the printed book. One factor is certain, however - the ongoing relationship between libraries and the electronic text world is an integral part of each's survival. It seems impossible for libraries to continue their services without cultivating a working relationship with these digital industries, but, additionally, it seems equally impossible for digital industries to achieve true success without a dependency upon the modern library to bridge the gap between the electronic text world and the public through its information cataloging and distribution powers - something which the ejournal industry's already established relationship with libraries has solidly proven.

As this is written, the outlook for the State of Idaho's budget (and by association, the University's) is far from bright. The substantial reductions already in the fiscal year 2003 budget may be followed by even larger recisions. The library is closing out 12 percent of its personnel positions and cutting subscriptions by 10 percent. Further reductions would additionally impact book purchases, additional personnel, and hours of opening.

Elsewhere in the newsletter is a list of some of the good things we've obtained through the Library Associates endowment. This, and other endowments, will be used to bridge the funding gap during this downturn, purchasing books which would otherwise be lost to us forever. Once again, the generosity of generations of Vandals rides to our rescue. Thank you.

Spring 2002 Issue

The Library Associates, the "friends" of the University of Idaho Library, supports the library in many ways; one of the most successful has been as a fundraiser. Not only has the organization grown over the years, now consisting of over 800 active members, but it has also continued to raise an increasing amount of funds. Most importantly, with these funds, the Associates have been able to enhance essential library services through support and funding, thus enriching the quality of education at the University of Idaho for nearly forty years.

Through the funding which you, as members of the Library Associates, have continued to contribute to the organization annually, the library has been able to provide the students and faculty of the University of Idaho with over $36,000 in materials over the course of the last fifteen years. In keeping with the library's mission, documents of local and statewide relevance continue to be of high priority. Acquiring primary sources, such as microfilm copies of the 1905 Chinese Census of Idaho and Montana discovered by a researcher at the National Archives or the ten reels of microfilm containing Idaho manuscripts ordered from the Bancroft Library, truly enhances research into Idaho's history. Additionally, when offered, the library has relied upon the Associates for assistance in purchasing original documents such as the WWI letters of Benjamin Nane and Floyd Nave, early photographs of the Idaho railroads, a unique Nez Perce family scrapbook, and the now-rare 1948 Sun Valley Ski Guide. As well, the library's Scott and Pound Collections have been enhanced with rare editions, books, manuscripts, and engravings.

In years to come, it is our hope that the Library Associates will continue to take an active role in its support of the University of Idaho Library, not only providing the necessary funds for endowment growth, but also truly communicating the library's essential role in the education of our future leaders.

Thank you for your continued support of the University of Idaho Library
through membership in the Library Associates!

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