Library portals and enterprise portals: Why libraries need to be at the centre of enterprise portal projects

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Carden, Mark^{; *}

Affiliations: Dynix Inc., The Chequers, St Mary's Way, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1LL, UK. Tel.: +44 1494 777 666 (work); +44 7974 790 764 (mobile); E-mail: [email protected]

Note: [*] Mark Carden is Vice President for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Dynix Inc., http://www.dynix.com.

Abstract: While librarians have been focusing on the transition from the Library OPAC to the Library Portal, through the addition of meta-search gateways, their parent institutions are starting to develop institution-wide portals (often called ‘enterprise portals’), using techniques, methodologies and technologies that are unfamiliar to librarians. This is resulting in enterprise portals being developed without the benefit of information management expertise, and is also creating a threat to the role and visibility of libraries. This article clarifies the distinction between library portals and enterprise portals, and presents a case for librarians to participate in and provide leadership to enterprise portal projects.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-2004-24402

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 171-177, 2004