Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
March 2008
Abstract
The Internet has significantly changed the ways in which information is provided, particularly in libraries. Libraries are buying increasing numbers of electronic reference (e-Reference) materials which are buried in the catalog or on web pages, not to be easily found by the user. Unlike print reference books, e-Reference books are not found on libraries’ reference shelves and, therefore, are underused. Libraries face the dilemma of how to make e-Reference books more accessible to patrons. Kansas State University Libraries are addressing this challenge by using the powerful metadata behind OPAC records to create browsable e-Reference lists. These lists are also published as RSS feeds which can be pushed to users. This article describes the low tech approach used by subject librarians and catalogers to make e-Reference books more accessible to patrons.