Reflections: ERM Overview by E. Anthony

            Based on several different overviews about Electronic Resource Management, one thing is certain—ERM is vastly different from the management of traditional, print resources and thereby requires its own set of tools and skills. 

            “’Two decades after the advent of electronic journals and databases, librarians are still grappling with ways to best manage these resources in conjunction with their print resources. In addition, economic pressures at most institutions of higher learning are resulting in librarians having to justify every dollar spent on collections and resource management.

in librarians having to justify each dollar spent on collections and resource manage- ment’ (Emery and Stone, 2011).” (Weir, 2012)

            Up until recently, managing electronic resources was mostly an art of trial and error. New techniques and best practices are finally starting to be agreed upon by the consensus of librarians whom have been involved in acquiring and administering these resources for years. Many of the basics of overseeing a digital resource collection are now part of a new culture of nuanced librarian skills. Things a libriarian previously did not have to worry about—haggling and negotiation, for example—are now a part of everyday responsibilities.

            Pesch’s electronic resources life cycle, created by Oliver Pesch, demonstrates the steps involved all the way from the acquisition of these resourced “Acquire” to the stage of renewal of resources “Renew” and everything in between.

Based on Pesch’s model, there are some emerging skills necessary for ERM librarian’s specific tasks. These skills vary from a traditional collection-management librarian and I want to highlight some of the main differences. 

            At the acquisition stage of the lifecycle, we see the need for librarians to research different resources and decide which ones are necessary to their particular library and community. While exploring resources is not a new task, finding guidance for electronic journals or databases, for example, is different because with print materials guidance exists in the form of reviews. At the acquisition stage, negotiating a price and contract is also complicated.

            Troubleshooting problems with databases or other electronic resources is a technical skill that could be required at the stages of “Providing Access,” “Administer” and “Support” stages of the lifecycle. Typically, a traditional collections management librarian would provide access to a print material, sound recording, or DVD by cataloging the resource and putting it on the shelf or display. Troubleshooting technical problems is a separate skill.

             I think the most difficult obstacle facing ERM librarians is the task of promoting and marketing new electronic resources. Many library patrons are familiar with E-books and seek out electronic versions of bestsellers for their Nook or Kindle. Databases and electronic journals, especially outside of the university library setting, would definitely take a lot of marketing and promotion for basic visilbity.

            For me, the initial readings helped highlight the differences between an ERM librarian and a traditional collections-management librarian. Electronic resources have ushered in a new set of tasks, which requires librarians to be equipped with a new set of skills. 

E. Anthony