In 2010 and 2012, the U.S. Association of College and Research Libraries twice released top ten trends in academic libraries, among which there is “Internet technology continues to change library service and requires libraries to promote service skills”. Currently, the same trend applied to libraries in Chinese colleges and universities. On January 14, at the “Transformation and development: Library serves the future Seminar”, directors of library and experts from about 30 universities including Peking University, City University of Hong Kong, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University and etc. gathered to explore the concepts of and approaches to management of library. Experts reached consensus on the construction of user-centric information commons and the building of intelligent library.

 

In 2008, Shanghai Jiaotong University initiated “Library IC2 concept” advocating the establishment of intelligent library “at your fingertips”. Director of Shanghai Jiaotong University library Chen Jin introduced, “Library IC2 concept implies the integration of Information Commons and Innovation Community.”

 

Under the guidance of this concept, Shanghai Jiaotong University introduced “pan-smart classroom”. Specifically, library launched “electronic teaching reference system” for freshman and sophomore year students at the beginning of each semester, preparing digitalized reference books according to the curriculum and integrating syllabus, reference books, assignments, reports, notes and other contents in one platform. Students can arrange their learning anytime and anywhere with their PAD, mobile phone, or laptop terminals and gain easy access to communication with teachers and classmates.

 

Chen Jin said this was not e-book package in a general sense, but was a teaching environment, a pan-smart classroom.

 

In 2012, drawing on the experience of Internet services, Nanjing University started 5 innovative services, namely Book+, Find+, Mobi+, Pad+ and Subject+.

 

"The ‘+' here is the upgrade of original library services.” Director of Nanjing University library Shao Bo introduced. Take Book+ as an example, it’s a kind of Web service based on Internet technology. Users can log on the feature with library account OPAC, or QQ, Renren and other accounts. This feature offers rich bibliographic information and interactive services, including identification, new book recommendation, and etc.

 

"We will offer more innovative services in the future to build an integrated reader service platform and build the smart library into an integrated smart service system.”

 

In 2012, based on the needs of students and discipline development, Zhejiang University planned eight modules of information commons, namely knowledge, learning, research, system, multimedia, invention, culture and society. Independent from each other, these modules are located at library and are equipped with computers, network, projectors and professional software packages.

 

Deputy Director of Zhejiang University library Huang Chen commented that these modules of information commons broke the boundaries between physical space, information carriers and contents, and provided one-stop service for teachers and students to satisfy their needs in academic resources, research and cultural pursuit. Teachers and students can make reservations online. “These modules are warmly received. From October to December 2012, the reservations of cultural space increased by 4 times.”