Search

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) UniversityLibraries has hosted and managed a shared integratedlibrary system (ILS) since 1989. The system and thenumber of partner libraries sharing the system hasgrown significantly over the past two decades. Spurredby the level of involvement and support contributed bythe host institution, the authors administered a comprehensive survey to current Innovative Interfaces libraries.Research findings are combined with a description ofUNLV’s local practices to provide substantial insightsinto shared funding, support, and management activitiesassociated with shared systems.

This case study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries, which has one main library, three branches, and more than 110 staff, illustrates one approach to using new technologies as additional methods for internal communication. At large academic libraries, communication within the organization can be challenging. The potential that Web 2.0 tools have to increase opportunities for communication and collaboration is one reason internal staff wiki and blogs were implemented at the University Libraries. The staff wiki is predominantly used to archive committee meeting minutes, policies and procedures, and departmental information, while blogs are used mainly for news items and departmental updates. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, library staff were surveyed to assess the changes in communication after the implementation of blogs and an internal wiki. The authors theorized that Web 2.0 technologies would reduce barriers and improve communication. Results indicated an overall improvem...