Research Paper about Digital Collection in library Essay

Research Paper about Digital Collection in library - Essay Example It occurred to me that the invention of new technologies such as e-readers may provide a solution. Some informal personal research I did revealed that, as you are, no doubt, aware Rutgers University has undergone significant budget cuts in 2010. I discovered that it costs $4.26 per annum to store a print book in a university library as opposed to $0.15 fro an electronic volume. . In addition, The Rutgers University Libraries are essentially filled to capacity – some of the most critical space shortages exist in the Alexander Library. The attached document is a detailed version of an oral presentation that I recently delivered, proposing that comprehensive changes within the Rutgers University Library System can be enacted by the implementation of a digital collection and electronic reader program, at a cost that would not be prohibitive. A saving of upwards of $25 million dollars annually could be saved by not having to extend the libraries physically and by reducing storage c osts. Surveys have shown that this move to digital format is something that the students and staff of Rutgers woul welcome. I look forward to hearing from you regarding this project and will make myself available at any time. Please feel free to contact me via email at tufkte@eden.rutgers.edu, or by phone at 201-835-9098. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Tae-Eung Kim Going Digital: The Adoption of a Digital Collection within Archibald S. Alexander Library & Electronic Reader Program Submitted by: Tae- Eung Kim Submitted to: Marianne Gaunt Vice President for Information Services and University Librarian Archibald S. Alexander Library Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 169 College Avenue, CAC New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1163 Submitted on: Jan 11, 2011 Scientific and Technical Writing Course Number: 355:302:01 W11 Abstract This report is a qualitative deconstruction of the concept of the library and argues that contemporary solutions are possib le to enhance the library experience and address the changing nature of library space. Connections are made between the changing nature of this library space and physical shortages of space in Archibald S. Alexander Library. The rising costs of tuition and textbooks are considered, as well as the cost of housing a digital book collection versus a print collection (ARL Statistics 2007-2008). Logistical shortcomings of a print collection in isolation are considered in relation to access to research material and Rutgers’ Special Collections. Overarching technological trends are considered insofar as they demonstrate the public’s growing reliance on and acceptance of handheld devices. Trends in media are also considered and sources are cited that forecast the ‘death of print media’ – even the more radical views of for example, Arthur Sulzberger, owner and chairman of the New York Times, are considered. A plan is formulated that is paradigmatically linke d to developments made at Northwest Missouri University, the Google Books Program, and the Gutenburg Project, as well as successful local initiatives reported on in the Rutgers University’s The Daily Targum.. The plan includes a three part structure and is designed for students in Rutgers’ Graduate Program in English at the New Brunswick campus to form a pilot study group as precursor to a more general university-wide