The British Library has published an updated evaluation of its economic contribution to the UK, looking at how the British Library creates economic value for its users and society as a whole.
The Library last undertook a study of this kind in 2003. The report shows that the economic value that the Library delivers is now almost five times its costs, representing a return on investment of 5:1.
Key findings reveal that the Library generates a net economic value of £419m for its users and UK society as a whole. The benefit cost ratio increased to 4.9 from 4.4 in 2003. When global value is considered the benefit cost ratio is 5.1. The value of the Library's Reading Rooms is £70m per annum, including over £20 million for the Business&IP Centre.
The findings of the study will be used to inform internal strategic and business planning processes. The evaluation was conducted using benefit cost analysis (BCA) within a Total Economic Valuation (TEV) framework, in line with Treasury good practice guidelines. It was undertaken by Oxford Economics on behalf of the British Library.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) joined 109 other organisations as part of the Coalition for National Science Funding in a letter to the US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, as well as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In their letter, the organisations expressed concern about recent Congressional actions that call into question the National Science Foundation's (NSF) merit review process for awarding research grants.
The letter states that NSF's merit review process relies upon the expertise of leading scientists and engineers, and it has a proven track record in supporting outstanding, fundamental research across all disciplines of science and engineering. It is imperative that NSF's system of support for basic research be based upon excellence, competitive scientific merit, and peer-review.
Further, the letter states that while Congress does play an important role in oversight of federally funded research, it should avoid legislative attempts that could undermine a decades-long system of success and ultimately impede discovery and innovation.
Library automation solutions provider SirsiDynix has released version 4.3 of Enterprise and Portfolio, its premium tools for patron discovery and digital asset management. Version 4.3 brings 24 new features and enhancements to Enterprise and Portfolio, including eResource Central integration, EBSCO Discovery Service integration, and search speed improvements.
The updates in version 4.3 of Enterprise and Portfolio include eResource Central (eRC) integration, EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) integration, Search speed improvement, Cascading profile settings and Buy It Now integration.
eRC integration lets library users search electronic content alongside physical content, see real-time availability and previews for electronic content, and download most titles from within Enterprise or Portfolio.
EDS integration brings EBSCO content to the search interface of Enterprise and Portfolio, giving library users faceted searches of EBSCO databases through a familiar interface.
Searches in version 4.3 are twice as fast on average as those in earlier versions. Additionally, administrators can copy profile settings from one profile to many others, making it easy to set up multiple profiles for branch libraries or consortia members. With the 'Buy It Now integration' library communities can help fund the libraries they love by making everyday purchases through the online retailers they already use.
Library automation solutions provider Ex Libris Group has announced that the Zentral- und Hochschulbibliothek Luzern (ZHB Luzern) has adopted the Primo discovery and delivery solution. Both Primo and the library's Aleph integrated library system (ILS) will be provided through the Ex Libris cloud environment. As the principal library for the universities in Luzern, Switzerland, ZHB Luzern required a discovery and delivery solution that would facilitate searching the multiple resources of these institutions.
Founded in 1951, the ZHB Luzern claims to be the largest library of central Switzerland and provides literature and information for research, teaching, leisure and entertainment. It serves the canton's university, college and teacher training college, as well as a number of other educational institutions. In addition to modern media, ZHB Luzern houses valuable historical collections which stem from its forerunner libraries, the library of citizens (from 1812) and the cantonal library (from 1832).
The ZHB Luzern is part of the Informationsverbund Deutschschweiz (IDS), a consortium of German-speaking Swiss libraries.
The Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) recently submitted comments on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a trade agreement currently being negotiated between the US and the European Union (EU). While negotiations are still in their preliminary stages, LCA urges the inclusion of provisions to harmonize public access to the results of government-funded research. LCA also cautions against the inclusion of an intellectual property chapter in the agreement.
LCA warns that the EU is more protective of copyright and related rights and may try to impose the same restrictions on the US. As a result, libraries might for example, be forced to pay royalties to publishers in order to lend books, something they currently do for free under the first sale doctrine. Any copies currently made under the fair use doctrine might be subject to compulsory licenses.
While it may be possible to negotiate concessions from the EU, these will likely come at a cost to the US. To avoid being forced into a defensive position, LCA recommends that TTIP not address intellectual property.
