Managing Library Electronic Resources Using Google Sites

Abstract

After attempting to use a home-grown Drupal database to administer electronic resources and later a vendor-provided electronic resources management (ERM) system, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Libraries created a Google Site that quickly proved to be more efficient than either previous system. Although this new system may not be a permanent solution, as ERM software continues to evolve, this original answer to a complex problem streamlines workflow, allows for further innovation and development and, best of all, comes with a Google mail account, and no formal training is needed.

KEYWORDS:

• ERM
• ERMS
• Google Sites
• academic libraries
• acquisitions
• electronic resource management system

Acknowledgments

This article and our library's ERM would not be possible without Head of Acquisitions and Technical Services, Natalie Forshaw, who designed and continues to modify the Google Site ERM system. Credit also goes to Kathleen Shannon, Library Technician for Electronic Resources, who contributes to the development and regularly uses the ERM in her daily work. Ilana Kingsley, our Web Librarian, helpfully set up the initial Drupal database for use to improve our efficiency, and introduced the use of blogs, wikis, and more to the UAF Libraries.