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An online library service for Open University MBA alumni — challenges and opportunities

Open University Library, Milton Keynes, UK

Kelvin Street

Law and Technology at the Open University Library, Milton Keynes, UK

Tim Wales

Open University Library, Milton Keynes, UK, t.b.wales{at}open.ac.uk

This article outlines a pilot project to offer a personalized online library service to Open University MBA alumni. A review of the literature and results of a desktop analysis of other UK Higher Education alumni library services are included. Content procurement and systems issues are considered along with the underlying organizational, resource and technical challenges experienced by the librarians involved. An analysis of initial usage and the results of a user survey are presented. Finally, practical advice is provided for other libraries considering similar initiatives.

Key Words: academic libraries • alumni • authentication • licences • online resources • personalization

References

• Albanese, A. (2002) ` Digital Libraries Reach out to Alumni' , Library Journal 127 (12): 4 .
• Dudman, J. (2005) ` A Breed Apart' , Information World Review 212: 20—21 .
• Ferguson, T. (2000) ` Backtalk — Alumni Remote Access to Online Resources' , Against the Grain 12 (4): 85—6 .
• Helfer, D.S. (2002) ` Academic Entrepreneurship: The HBS Library Takes a Lesson from the School it Serves ', Searcher 10 (4): 70 — 71 .
• Ramsden, A. (2003) ` The OU goes Digital' , Library and Information Update 2 (2): 34—5 .
• Ramsden, A. and O'Sullivan, U. (1999) ` ROUTES: Creating a Tailored Learning Resource for Distance Learning Students at the Open University ', Program-Electronic Library and Information Systems 33 (4): 339—46 .
• Sykes, J. (2002) ` Look after your Alumni...' Library and Information Update 1 (2): 50—51 .
• Wells, C. (2006) ` Alumni Access to Research Databases' , College & Research Libraries News 67 (7): 413—16 .

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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Smith, G. Articles by Wales, T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?