Sample interview questions: Can you explain the process you follow for selecting and evaluating electronic resources for library collections?
Sample answer:
- Identify Needs and Goals:
- Conduct a thorough analysis of the library’s user base, their research requirements, and the institution’s academic or research focus.
-
Define the specific goals and objectives for acquiring electronic resources.
-
Resource Discovery and Evaluation:
-
Search and discover potential electronic resources through various channels, including vendor catalogs, scholarly publications, conferences, and recommendations from peers and users.
-
Review and Preliminary Screening:
-
Perform an initial review of the identified resources to eliminate those that do not align with the library’s needs, goals, or budget.
-
In-depth Evaluation:
-
Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the shortlisted resources using predefined criteria, such as:
- Scholarly reputation and credibility of the publisher or provider
- Coverage and quality of content
- Accessibility, user-friendliness, and technical requirements
- Licensing terms and conditions, including access rights, usage restrictions, and subscription costs
-
Trial Access and User Feedback:
- When available, arrange for trial access to the electronic resources to allow users to test and provide feedback on their usefulness, functionality, and relevance.
-
Collect and analyze user feedback to inform the final selection decision.
-
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
- Consider the cost of the resource in relation to its potential value and impact on the library’s collection and services.
-
Calculate the return on investment (ROI) to justify the resource’s acquisition.
-
Negotiation and Licensing:
- Engage in negotiations with vendors or publishers to secure favorable licensing ter… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/18_0_21/Electronic%20Resources%20Librarian