Improving Electronic Resources Management (ERM): Critical Work Flow and Operations Solutions

Organization of electronic resources work flow and operations are critical in the increasingly complex world of library management. The way in which this management process is structured differs according to the type of library and organizational structure within. A common goal, though, is strategically sustaining access and availability to electronic resources over time and the effective management of the library staff that maintains them. In this joint session, librarians from George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Virginia and the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) in Adelphi, Maryland showed two effective approaches to electronic resources management (ERM) processes. At GMU, automation of the acquisition process for new electronic resources has greatly improved work flow coordination and communication between library departments. At UMUC, the application of business process management principles to ERM has enabled the electronic resources staff to optimize overall operations.