Growing into the Digital Age: A Small Academic Library Confronts the Practical Challenges of Transition

Authors

Steven Gromatzky, Benedictine College

Keywords

discovery services, electronic resources, special collections

Abstract

This paper outlines the recent history of the Benedictine College Library and traces the development of the library’s digital collections since 2006. The librarians have worked to provide an integrated search solution through the EBSCO Discovery Service and streamline off-campus access through EZPROXY. As the library’s electronic resources have grown, we have continued to support its historic core collection in the humanities as well as some unique and eclectic special collections. A range of issues are discussed: integrating electronic resources, ensuring 24-hour access, working with IT staff and the impact of the institutional culture on the college library. The challenges that this transition have posed for the library staff will also be discussed. It is hoped that librarians in similar situations can learn from our experiences.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Gromatzky, Steven (2014) "Growing into the Digital Age: A Small Academic Library Confronts the Practical Challenges of Transition," Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings: Vol. 4: No. 2. https://doi.org/10.4148/2160-942X.1049