§ Virtual Library Project:
Proposal for Kentucky Virtual University Library Larry Besant (Vice Chair), Morehead State University; Michael Binder, Western Kentucky University; Coy Harmon, Murray State University; Karen McDaniel, Kentucky State University; Marcia Myers, Eastern Kentucky University; Hannelore Rader, University of Louisville; Paul Willis, University of Kentucky; Marian Winner (Chair), Northern Kentucky University Assisted by Miko Pattie, University of Kentucky In the context of distance education, "...libraries are not just another support service; they are a necessary component of any educational experience and an integral part of a life-long learning process. Learning depends not only on classroom instruction and dialogue, but on the student's ability to seek out and critically analyze information. One of the challenges to distance learning programs is to foster information literacy among off-campus students and to provide library resources that will allow them equivalent access to materials and services as their campus counterparts." (York, Vicky. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, 1993, p.1) Governor Paul Patton's reform of higher education in Kentucky offers to the libraries of postsecondary education institutions of the Commonwealth the most exciting challenge of their long history. The Governor's strong emphasis on the use of information technology will meet the needs of non-traditional students through distance education and life-long learning. The Virtual University provides unparalleled opportunities for the libraries to become vital partners with classroom faculty in the delivery of such services. Our vision is to fulfill a dream that the student in Pikeville or Paducah has access to the same level of information as the student in Louisville or Lexington. As provided by the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act, the shared Virtual Library will turn this dream into reality. It will increase the intellectual productivity of students and faculty by sharing vast amounts of selected and organized information in a coherent and understandable manner. This program will make this happen for the largest number of users at the least cost. A seamless information delivery system will better prepare Kentucky for educating and retooling its workforce to remain viable in a highly competitive global economy. Under the leadership of SAALCK (the State-Assisted Academic Library Council of Kentucky), this proposal, endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education, expands and enhances the cooperative programs that have been in place for twenty-three years. The libraries of the Commonwealth's postsecondary education institutions are poised to meet the challenge of Governor Patton's new initiative. The proposal is the first step toward a statewide Virtual Library to serve all citizens of the Commonwealth. GOALS: To provide universal, easy, cost-effective access to library collections and information services for every student, faculty and staff member in Kentucky state-supported postsecondary education institutions, including Virtual University programs To provide a core collection of digital information resources at a lower per unit cost through inter-institutional agreements in order to enhance learning, teaching, research and public service To enhance the efficiency of resource sharing among participating institutions by utilizing emerging technologies To ensure universal access to a robust statewide telecommunications network with adequate bandwidth to support the delivery of multimedia information resources and services To prepare students, faculty and staff of Kentucky state-supported postsecondary education institutions and the citizens of the Commonwealth to be full participants in today's information-based global economy and in the life-long learning process by providing those information services that underlie information literacy and computer competency PLAN OF ACTION: Provide electronic indexes, abstracts, and full text of a core collection of academic journal publications Collaborative acquiring, licensing, and managing of electronic access to indexes, abstracts, and full-text of journal publications will make the information equally accessible to all participating institutions, enhance purchasing power, support distance learning sites, and avoid duplicating cost for multiple subscriptions. Provide universal electronic access to Kentucky-oriented information resources Timely and easy access to state census data, state publications and Kentuckiana materials will support learning, instruction, research, and public service in participating institutions, and will also enhance statewide economic development activities. Support universal borrowing and document delivery All students, faculty and staff of state-supported postsecondary education institutions will have efficient access to materials held at any library. This will require a delivery service for books to be sent from one library to another, a database of eligible borrowers, and an electronic transmission system for sharing information resources. Promote statewide information literacy and computer competency Libraries will jointly explore the development of a common program to be used statewide to promote information literacy and computer competency. INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS: (Individual Institutional Responsibilities) Provide access to the statewide communications network and the Internet for all libraries High speed and high capacity access to the Kentucky Information Highway (KIH), and to the Internet, lays the groundwork for remote access to library and Internet resources, promoting electronic resource sharing among libraries, and supporting extended campus libraries and distance learning. Provide transparent system linking for all online library catalogs The linking of online catalogs utilizing Z39.50 (an international information retrieval standard that allows searching multiple databases with a common user interface) is a vital component of a digital library network. This transparent linking will facilitate locating and sharing library materials and reduce duplication of acquisitions. Budget Draft Budget Support Document [This page was last updated on 26 July 2000 at the old SAALCK web site. It was moved and reformatted in January 2003]