Making collections optimally accessible and findable
Various UKB working groups are committed to making scientific information as accessible and findable as possible for researchers, lecturers and students. By pooling their knowledge and strengths, the UKB libraries can make more efficient purchases and improve the management and accessibility of the collections. In addition, we help our users to find reliable, high-quality scientific information, and we share didactic knowledge and learning materials on information literacy.
Our approach
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Unlocking UKB collections
The UKB libraries offer their users access to a wide range of print and digital collections, such as journals, books, maps, old prints and manuscripts. These collections are described and findable in Worldcat, OCLC‘s global database. Within UKB, we work closely together to make the collections accessible according to international standards, using metadata provided by suppliers. This falls under the Content and Metadata Management (CMB) working group.
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New acquisition models and publication formats
UKB shares knowledge about developments in collection development, such as new acquisition models and Open Access. In collaboration with the Universities of the Netherlands and SURF, we negotiate jointly with national and international publishers about licences for digital information sources. Through Read & Publish contracts, we ensure that Dutch researchers can publish their work directly in Open Access as much as possible.
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Efficient storage of printed books and periodicals from after 1900
By working together within UKB, we ensure that scientific information remains accessible. Due to space constraints and digitisation, it is no longer necessary to keep all printed books and periodicals from after 1900 at every UKB library. UKB keeps one complete set of each scientific journal printed after 1900 and at least two copies of all monographs. This preservation policy (in Dutch) falls under the Collection Management working group.
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Sustainable access to digital content
Sustainable access to digital scientific content is a priority. This includes both e-content obtained from publisher licenses and non-commercially published digital information, such as websites, social media and open educational resources. We are working on a digital collection plan to ensure this.
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Better visibility of heritage collections
UKB is also focused on improving the visibility of heritage collections that are of national and international importance. This heritage includes manuscripts, printed works, maps, visual material and museum objects, and falls under the expertise of the Special Collections working group.
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Improving information literacy education
The Information Literacy working group, a collaboration between UKB and SHB (in Dutch), focuses on improving support for higher education in information literacy. The emphasis is on subject content, didactics, knowledge sharing and workshops. In addition, we are improving the accessibility and findability of educational materials.