dc.description.abstract | Library patrons prefer to use electronic resources because those resources can be accessed conveniently. It is obvious that electronic resource expenditures of university libraries are increasing. However, libraries are facing the challenges of rapid increment of electronic resource titles and continuing growth of subscription fees. To acquire electronic resources, libraries usually need to negotiate with venders or publishers, which make acquisition works much more complicate than those of printed materials. Libraries need to make appropriate decisions in each stage of acquisition process. Staffs from different departments may involve in decision-making process. Meanwhile, each decision-making may be influenced by different factors.
This study focuses on decision-making process rather than on decision-making skill. Fourteen acquisition librarians from 12 university libraries were interviewed. It is intended to investigate how librarians make decision in the process of acquisition of electronic resources. Factors which influence the decision-making are analyzed. The study also explores the roles of librarians involved and information they need in making decisions. Findings of this study are as follows: The acquisition of electronic recourses process is the “organizational decision-making” type. Librarians tend to revise their decisions based on results of former decisions, that is incremental model. Two decision making styles are found: group style and individual style. Medium or small-sized libraries usually adopt the individual style. On the contrary, because cooperation and negotiation among different departments are needed, all large-sized libraries adopt group style. Most of the time, librarians make their decisions independently, which they play the roles as informational integrators and distributors. Meanwhile, teachers are the major decision makers for specific subject electronic resources. Generally speaking, university library directors are the supervisors who approve and support decisions made by subordinate librarians. Factors which affect decision-making are: selection criteria of electronic resources, experience of decision-maker, and information behavior of decision maker.
According to the findings of this study, it is suggested that library consortia should provide more analytic information concerning acquisition of electronic resources. Libraries should evaluate their electronic collections and develop evaluation indicators. Librarians should put much attention to share information with peers and teachers. Teachers are good collaborators in assisting decision-making, but they are not key decision makers. Libraries may need to integrate the decision-making tasks and establish appropriate workflows. | en |