ALA Midwinter Report

Abstract

Digital archiving inherited a vocabulary from the archiving of physical objects, but the social organization needed for effective digital archiving does not mirror the trusted-institution model used for physical archiving. A social model along the lines of the open source software community makes more sense for works whose authenticity and integrity can best be ensured through bit-level comparisons of multiple originals residing with multiple trusted collaborators. Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe (LOCKSS) is building a community base and has over seven years of experience with archiving electronic journals. LOCKSS works and has been tested. Few other digital archiving systems can claim equivalent practical experience.     

Open forum on acquisitions research and statistics: ALA Midwinter,Washington, DC,February 17, 1997

ABSTRACT

A number of libraries respond to e-resource access problems by using trouble ticketing systems that track the initial problem report (trouble ticket) along with related correspondence and resolution. University of Maryland, College Park librarians undertook a study of a random sample of e-resource problem trouble tickets to (a) understand the nature of problems reported and the degree of success with which Acquisitions troubleshooting staff were able to meet users' access needs, (b) develop best practices for troubleshooting, and (c) compare University of Maryland results with those of other institutions that have conducted similar studies. While the results suggest recommended local best practices for University of Maryland troubleshooting staff, comparing results across institutions was problematic because of lack of shared vocabulary for e-resource access problem types.     

Writing Technical Papers or Reports

Five rules that help to improve technical writing are (1) Start at the end; (2) Be prepared to revise; (3) Cut down on long words; (4) Be brief; (5) Think of the reader.