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|  | The feasibility and desirability of library publications in electronic format in the South Pacific : a study of four island nations
Author: Mamtora, Jayshree.
Institution: Charles Sturt University
Award: M.App.Science
Subject: Libraries--Oceania--Evaluation, Library science --Oceania -- Computer network resources
Date: 2004.
Call No.: Pac Z 692 .C65 M36 2004
BRN: 1012249
Copyright:Under 10% of this thesis may be copied without the authors written permission
Abstract: This study investigates opportunities and constraints to the delivery of library publications in electronic format in four countries of the South Pacific: Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It reviews potential electronic formats for delivery of current print-based library publications, the extent of computer equipment and use, the status of telecommunications including access to the Internet, and the skills level of library staff and users in accessing and using computers and the Internet. Also taken into consideration are views expressed by current users of library publications, especially those of the Pacific Information Centre. It was found that it is technically feasible to deliver library publications electronically in the four countries surveyed, regardless of format. However, the majority of users are best served by publishing on CD-ROMs. This also contributes to the economic feasibility of publishing electronically because, unlike Internet-accessible publications, publishing on CD-ROM does not require as much infrastructure to be in place such as telephone lines and operating budgets, and thus is an appropriate intermediate technology that can be adopted immediately. Economically, it makes sense to adopt the CD-ROM as the medium of choice for electronic publications. However, because of the request by users to retain print publications there is no economic advantage to library publishers. Secondly, it is desirable to deliver library publications electronically only if their development is accompanied by a user awareness campaign, and a user training programme is designed and implemented.
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