Study On User Embedded Subject Service In Academic Libraries

Nowadays, libraries are in the era of great changes. On the one hand, the digitization of information resources and the decentralization of information communication channels in network environment are weakening the importance of libraries, which were once the centre of information communication. Therefore libraries are facing the challenge of keeping and absorbing patrons. On the other hand, in the customer economy era, library patrons have enhancive consciousness of "consumer first". They are asking the library for user-centered paradigm shift and user embedded service.Embedding theory and customizing enterprise paradigm theory, which conform to the customer needs in customer economy era, provide new perspectives and new methods for library service paradigm shift. The dissertation focuses on the subject service, a hot topic in academic libraries, introduces embedding theory and customizing enterprise paradigm theory into subject service, and studies the related working mechanisms.The dissertation, based on the basic idea of the user-centric and orientation of the customer services demand, regards user embedded subject service as a new service paradigm. Its emphasis is on the realization and working mechanisms of user embedded subject service. It appends 24 figures and 7 tables at the back of this dissertation, which amounts to more than 160,000 words and 6 chapters as well. Its main idea is as follows:In Chapter one, the orientation of user embedded subject service in academic libraries is analyzed. Firstly, embedding theory and customizing enterprise paradigm theory are introduced to provide new perspectives for user embedded subject service. Just as ecnonomic activities, subject service is also influenced by social relations network, which subject service is embedded in. The relational embeddedness and structural embeddedness theory, which are part of embedding theory, help to understand the social relations between subject liaisons and patrons, and help to establish good relationships with patrons and increase patrons’loyalty as well. Customizing enterprise paradigm theory conforms to the customer needs in customer economy era. It can be uesed in subject service, to help to satisfy patrons’ needs, and promote the service sustainable development. User embedded subject service satisfies the need to face the challenge of complex information environment, the changing information needs, and deepening of subject service. Facing the new environment, we should set the ultimate goal of user embedded subject service as:meeting patrons’ information needs and supporting patrons’learning, teaching and research. Its by-product will be the good relationship with patrons and the improvement of library image.In chapter two, the service content of user embedded subject service in academic libraries is discussed. Academic libraries mainly provide service to learning & teaching and research. This chapter focuses on the two kinds of patrons’needs. There are two kinds of subject service embedded into learning & teaching. Firstly, to provide information literacy education embedded into students’curriculum. Subject liaisons should proactively cooperate with teachers to have literacy education embedded into students’curriculum and study system, so that students can master the skills in finding, utilization and communication of information, and improve their independent study ability as well as life-long learning ability. Secondly, to provide subject service embedded into network learning environment. Subject liaisons should enhance teaching and learning collection, and provide the link of library resources and services in the network learning environment, so that to increase the visibility and usage of subject resource and service, and satisfy patrons’needs for convenient access and seamless link to subject resource and service. Nowadays scientific research are developing to broader and deeper direction in macro and micro level. On the one hand, with the development of e-Science and e-Research, user embedded subject service should face the new environment of e-Research, act the new roles as research assistants and partners, and provide new services such as research data management and knowledge service. On the other hand, e-Science is impossible to reach all of the scientific research institutions and researchers in the short term. Thereby libraries should face traditional research process, embedded in the whole process of scientific research, research management, and academic communication.In Chapter three, the embedding pattern of user embedded subject service in academic libraries is discussed. According to the patrons’usage, user embedded subject service can be embedded into the patrons’physical space and digital space. Through the way of reciprocal embedding between library and other departments, we can absorb patrons to the physical space inside library, or push subject service to patrons’side. Embedding into digital space can be realized by embedding into patrons’desktop application, web browser, popular website, other application system, and mobile device. Thus gives patrons convenient access to subject resources and service, without visiting library website, or leaving their work and study environment. These two patterns emphasize’where patrons are, where subject service is’, go into patrons’daily space to provide services, so that to improve service’s visibility, usability and patrons’satisfaction. According to social network, user embedded subject service can be embedded into patrons’social relations and organization structure. These two patterns emphasize establishing and strengthening the links between subject service and patrons. Through relationship marketing, and establishing virtual patron society, library can establish good relationship and active interaction with patrons. Through the bilateral embedding in organizational structure and working mechanisms, we ensure the close integration with patrons, and promote the sustainable development of subject service.In Chapter four, the supporting mechanisms of user embedded subject service in academic libraries are studied. Firstly, the user-centered service concept system is put forward, which includes value system, service goal, service spirit, and service brand etc. Secondly, according to principle of flexibility and elasticity, user oriented principle, and user embedded principle, a kind of library organization structure facing the user embedded subject service is designed. Thirdly, the development of subject service team is put forward, including the matrix organizational model, the operation mechanism of learning organization, as well as diverse incentive mechanism. Finally, a user embedded subject service platform model is designed. This platform is designed to be a one-stop information platform, and provide many tools embedded into patrons’environment as well. It is a subject information portal and personalized information space for patrons, and a integrated working platform and information communication platform as well.In Chapter five, the development analysis and case study of user embedded subject service in academic libraries is done. The development of cloud computing and pervasive computing brings much changes to user embedded subject service. On the one hand, its tools are improved, the ability of information storage, information sharing, and intelligent information service is enhanced, patrons’experience is improved. On the other hand, subject service has to adapt to technological developments. Not only the content and way of subject service will change, but also it will face more complex issues, such as the library data security, confidentiality and intellectual property rights. In the case study part, three types and eight cases are selected and analyzed, characteristics and shortages of the service is also discussed. Moreover, the countermeasures combined with the shortages in the case are put forward, including improving the mechanisms supporting the user embedded subject service, developing the subject resource system according to patrons’needs, improving function of subject service, embedding into patrons through diverse patterns and developing deep and stable connection, enhancing the service marketing and expanding the influence of service.In the end, the author summarizes this dissertation, points out research limitations, and gives the prospect of user embedded subject service in academic libraries.