Library
ALTHASH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
E-LIBRARY POLICY DOCUMENT
ALTHASH UNIVERSITY
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
DECEMBER, 2021
PART A: PRELIMINARY
0.0 Introduction:
Library Policy can simply be defined as a guide to the operations and management of libraries. It serves to maintain standards and avoid inconsistencies. It is used to measure the extent to which a library performs its functions and meets its objectives as well as its systems and services. Thus, the e-library resource development policy sets out principles and guidelines for resources development, access, preservation, security, and general e-library management.
0.1 Purpose of the Policy:
The policy document is set within the context of the following strategic planning documents;
(i) Vision, Mission and Aims of the University,
(ii) Vision, Mission and Aims of the Library.
The purpose of the policy therefore, is:
(i) To provide guidance to staff in the selection, acquisition and management of e-resources. Also, to assist with focus on user needs and to aid in the orientation of new staff;
(ii) To provide information on the existing e-resource strength and future collecting activity. Also, to inform the Althash university library, the wider academic community, and other libraries across the world.
0.2 Strategic Context:
The e-library resource development policy is influenced by number of internal and external factors: i.e.
(iii) Althash University Community;
(iv) Prevailing Information and Communication Technology (ICT);
(v) Mission and Vision of the University; and
(vi) Need to Integrate Local Content.
0.3 Vision:
To create a high quality e-Library facility equipped with coherent and balanced information resources, services and system that reflect and support Althash University vision of becoming a leading centre of excellence for learning, teaching and research across the university programmes.
0.4 Mission:
To provide a dynamic access to the well sought information resources and services, for learning, teaching and research through the use of the-state-of-art information and communication technologies (ICTs) and highly motivated innovative and robust team of staff.
0.5 The aims and objectives of the e-library therefore,
Is to ensure and assure the quality, accessibility and sustainability of a portfolio of systems and services that are fit-for-purpose for all Althash University community.
In pursuit of its mission and objectives of the e-library, the policy will:
(i) Ensure that the e-library services are aligned with Althash University mission and strategies;
(ii) Maintain the e-library as the heart of Althash University research, teaching and learning activities;
(iii)Play a significant role in development and sharing of resources, information systems and best practice through national and international collaboration;
(iv) Provide infrastructure and corporate systems which are necessary for Althash University teaching and research;
(v) Provide a comprehensive resources and support for Althash University teaching, learning and research activities in its online environments;
(vi) Ensure that all the library services are user-focused and that staff seek to anticipate and respond to user needs;
(vii) Teach information skills and development of information literacy to support different modes of learning.
0.6 Scope of the Policy:
This policy covers the Althash University e-library.
PART B: THE POLICY
1.0 e-Resource Development Model
The library will make resources in various formats taking into account teaching and research needs, cost effectiveness, technical requirements, user’s authentication, licensing, and preservation issues.
1.1 Donation Model:
(i) The library welcomes offers of resources relating to the university programme and the general information needs of its users;
(ii) The library reserve the right to accept or decline donations, that doesn’t support the vision and mission of the university;
(iii) No conditions by the donor are accepted;
(iv) Donation becomes the property of the library;
(v) The library reserves the rights to dispose of donations when not required;
(vi) The library balances the values of the donation against the costs of processing and storing;
(vii) The e-library encourages all Althash University academic publications to be deposited in digital form.
2.0 Selection Criteria:
The selection team is required to consider the following in the selection process:
(i) The library Collect and develop electronic resources to support the teaching, learning and research needs of the university community;
(ii) Content should be relevant to programmes and/or mission;
(iii) Electronic resources should be web-based products;
(iv) Electronic resources can be readily supported by library staff, without the need for a high level of subject knowledge;
(v) Free trials of new resources should be coordinated by the e-services team.
2.1 Database:
(i) The library shall build or suscribe subscribe to relevant databases and e-resources;
(ii) The library should subscribe to research tools e.g. (bibliographies and reference work to support the teaching and research needs of the university);
(iii)Database of multimedia formats (e.g. image sound, and data) should be built or subscribed to support teaching, learning and research activities of the University;
2.2 Electronic Journals:
The library follows an electronic first policy for the collection development of new journals.
2.2.1 E-Books:
There should be collection development of e-books to support teaching, learning and research of the university where they are available.
3.0 Access:
To fulfill its mission of providing access to information of all types in a wide range of format, the e-Library shall provide access to digital repository and OPAC:
(i) Where possible access to resources will be negotiated to allow “walk in” access for all Althash university library community or access for all Althash students and staff;
(ii) Althash University Library users must agree to abide by the terms of use of the various resources made available to them;
(iii) All e-resources provided by the library shall be used for personal, instructional or research needs
(iv) Users can display, download, print and copy a reasonable portion of e-resources without infringing on copyright laws;
(v) The library shall not be responsible for the content from the Internet, which contains materials which may be inaccurate or offensive to some individuals and customers;
(vi) The library should liaise with MIS unit to provide access for Althash students and staff in a user-friendly as much as possible, adopting new technologies as appropriate;
(vii) New resources will be added to resources discovery tools and catalogued as required.
4.0 Library Websites/Portal:
These are guidelines relating to library websites.
(i) The library shall design, develop and maintain an active website/page;
(ii) The library website must meet World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards for accessible Web design;
(iii)The website must have up-to-date information on library policies, programmes and staff profile;
(iv) The library website must provide links to useful external resources including links to other libraries;
(v) The library web portal must support online reference and information services and online interaction with users and help desk;
(vi) Library usage statistics must be collected and published on the website;
5.0 Choosing Library Management System:
Software systems are central to Library operations.
(i) The library management system must operate on a user friendly and near-to-latest software release;
(ii) The library management system which must be user friendly should be able to do basic library services including; acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serials control, report generation and notification;
(iii) Library notification must be delivered to the user using any method preferred by the user.
6.0 Institutional Repository:
The Institutional Repository serve as depository platform for intellectual Althash university research work output digitally preserved and make available for optimum utilization;
(i) The library shall design, develop and maintain institutional digital repository;
(ii) A soft copy (s) of the intellectual work should be deposited in the library;
(iii) Full text material will be made available where copyright allows otherwise the reference details can be deposited and a link to the online location of the research paper will be included (if available);
(iv) Library staff manages and maintains the database in liaison with the university management.
7.0 Backup and Recovery:
Backup and recovery of e-Library information is a critical risk management strategy. This defines the requirement for maintaining and recovering backup copies of e-Library information created, processed or stored on e-Library systems.
(i) All critical e-library information and critical software resident on e-library systems should be routinely backed-up on at least a weekly basis following acceptable standard backup procedures;
(ii) At least two recent and complete backups made on different dates containing critical e-library records must always be stored off-site;
(iii) e-librarian must factor the continuous evolution of storage mechanisms and media;
(iv) testing and reviewing are crucial for maintaining the integrity of backed up information and should be continuously implemented
8.0 Preservation and Security:
The library will ensure the authenticity and integrity of the digital resources in its care, so that these can be located, accessed, used, and reformatted as necessary.
(i) The library should store digital resources safely adopting security mechanisms appropriate to each class of resources;
(ii) The application of digital preservation techniques is determined partly by the quality and requirement of the digital resources. Preservation procedures will be applied as appropriate for each category of digital resource taking into account likely future use of the resource;
(iii) Responsibility for the curation of digital resources lies primarily with relevant experts, who develop and manage collection, hence appropriate advice, guidance, support and training should be given to staff involved in digital preservation;
(iv) The e-library should foster partnership within the Althash university and with sister organizations around the world to further the state-of-the-art in digital preservation.
9.0 Review:
This policy will be reviewed before the end of each academic year as may be deemed appropriate and decided by the University.