Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the present interest in the current and predicted business models of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC); the business models that are being used by MOOC platforms and MOOC providers; discussion of the key issues and challenges; predictions about the future MOOC business models from the perspectives of platforms, providers and consumers. Design/methodology/approach – Review of the current literature for business models and costs for MOOCs and including the business models of higher education and possible future of the higher education system. Findings – The findings of this paper show that most MOOCs are currently based upon a “freemium” model where content is provided freely and additional services are charged for; that there are already a range of different “flavours” of MOOC and that this range is likely to further develop over time with some clear winners emerging; and that completely free and open MOOCs are not likely to be the focus of growth in the ...
{"title":"The economics of MOOCs: a sustainable future?","authors":"Sarah Porter","doi":"10.1108/BL-12-2014-0035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-12-2014-0035","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the present interest in the current and predicted business models of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC); the business models that are being used by MOOC platforms and MOOC providers; discussion of the key issues and challenges; predictions about the future MOOC business models from the perspectives of platforms, providers and consumers. Design/methodology/approach – Review of the current literature for business models and costs for MOOCs and including the business models of higher education and possible future of the higher education system. Findings – The findings of this paper show that most MOOCs are currently based upon a “freemium” model where content is provided freely and additional services are charged for; that there are already a range of different “flavours” of MOOC and that this range is likely to further develop over time with some clear winners emerging; and that completely free and open MOOCs are not likely to be the focus of growth in the ...","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2015-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81138280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The paper aims to set out challenges that libraries face while developing their Digital Library capabilities and capacity and propose an approach to estimating the costs for these functions. There is a skills challenge as well as an organisational challenge. The opportunities to build new teams or re-train existing staff are discussed. Design/methodology/approach – The approach builds on a 2008 paper about Digital Library economics and discusses the changes in the environment since then. A model is described in which a library takes on the full responsibility for building and operating a Digital Library function in-house. This is used to benchmark other options such as managed services, outsourced infrastructure and “cloud” services. Findings – The Open Access Publication and Research Data Management mandates present challenges to all libraries based in academic institutions in the UK. New working methods and new costs are unavoidable. There are a number of ways to deal with this depending upon ...
{"title":"The dogs bark and the circus moves on","authors":"John D. Robinson","doi":"10.1108/BL-01-2015-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-01-2015-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The paper aims to set out challenges that libraries face while developing their Digital Library capabilities and capacity and propose an approach to estimating the costs for these functions. There is a skills challenge as well as an organisational challenge. The opportunities to build new teams or re-train existing staff are discussed. Design/methodology/approach – The approach builds on a 2008 paper about Digital Library economics and discusses the changes in the environment since then. A model is described in which a library takes on the full responsibility for building and operating a Digital Library function in-house. This is used to benchmark other options such as managed services, outsourced infrastructure and “cloud” services. Findings – The Open Access Publication and Research Data Management mandates present challenges to all libraries based in academic institutions in the UK. New working methods and new costs are unavoidable. There are a number of ways to deal with this depending upon ...","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2015-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77639390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hard times? Digital library economics and the future financing of libraries","authors":"David Baker","doi":"10.1108/BL-01-2015-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-01-2015-0003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2015-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89937972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how Swedish local politicians perceive the impact of public library digital services on public libraries and to discuss how this can affect the sustainable development of public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local politicians from 19 different Swedish municipalities. Data were treated to qualitative content analysis and discussed based on the concept of sustainable organization. Findings – According to local politicians, public library digital services may affect public libraries through changes to libraries’ physical spaces, librarians’ tasks and competencies and libraries’ economic situations. Based on these findings, public library digital services can both strengthen and weaken public library sustainability through, for example, increased access and expenditures, the latter of which may threaten public library sustainability. Research limitations/implications – Interviews di...
{"title":"Public libraries digital services and sustainability issues","authors":"Katarina E. Michnik","doi":"10.1108/BL-12-2014-0034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-12-2014-0034","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how Swedish local politicians perceive the impact of public library digital services on public libraries and to discuss how this can affect the sustainable development of public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local politicians from 19 different Swedish municipalities. Data were treated to qualitative content analysis and discussed based on the concept of sustainable organization. Findings – According to local politicians, public library digital services may affect public libraries through changes to libraries’ physical spaces, librarians’ tasks and competencies and libraries’ economic situations. Based on these findings, public library digital services can both strengthen and weaken public library sustainability through, for example, increased access and expenditures, the latter of which may threaten public library sustainability. Research limitations/implications – Interviews di...","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2015-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86469164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to argue that university libraries need to rethink their relationship with their parent institution. Design/methodology/approach – Personal view based on managerial experience in universities. Findings – Libraries must focus first on institutional mission and align their mission and strategy to that. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of the paper are that this paper is only based on a single point of view. Practical implications – Rethink approaches to relationships with the parent body. Originality/value – It is an original point of view which is at least worth reading to see if it has value.
{"title":"From Plimsoll Line to triple bottom line: adding value through partnership","authors":"D. Law","doi":"10.1108/BL-12-2014-0030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-12-2014-0030","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to argue that university libraries need to rethink their relationship with their parent institution. Design/methodology/approach – Personal view based on managerial experience in universities. Findings – Libraries must focus first on institutional mission and align their mission and strategy to that. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of the paper are that this paper is only based on a single point of view. Practical implications – Rethink approaches to relationships with the parent body. Originality/value – It is an original point of view which is at least worth reading to see if it has value.","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2015-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87754672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The paper aims to report on a Danish Web 2.0 user training project from 2009. Besides, reporting the main results of the project, the paper discusses some broader perspectives concerning social media in library context. Many public and academic libraries worldwide have, inspired by the American “23 Things” Web 2.0 training program, been involved in training and educating both of their internal staff and of their users. The key questions are: whether concepts like “23 Things” and the like are likely to contribute to solving the problems of the computer illiterate segments of the population and whether Web 2.0, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and the like represent subjects which should be legitimately taught as part of professional public and academic library activities. Design/methodology/approach – Based on systematic evaluation of public library-based social media courses, inspired by the “29 Things” concept, targeted at users. Findings – The article points out that it is questionable whether the “2...
{"title":"Teaching social media in public libraries – Danish experiences","authors":"C. G. Johannsen","doi":"10.1108/BL-01-2015-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-01-2015-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The paper aims to report on a Danish Web 2.0 user training project from 2009. Besides, reporting the main results of the project, the paper discusses some broader perspectives concerning social media in library context. Many public and academic libraries worldwide have, inspired by the American “23 Things” Web 2.0 training program, been involved in training and educating both of their internal staff and of their users. The key questions are: whether concepts like “23 Things” and the like are likely to contribute to solving the problems of the computer illiterate segments of the population and whether Web 2.0, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and the like represent subjects which should be legitimately taught as part of professional public and academic library activities. Design/methodology/approach – Based on systematic evaluation of public library-based social media courses, inspired by the “29 Things” concept, targeted at users. Findings – The article points out that it is questionable whether the “2...","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2015-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79673209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The purpose of this column is to address the role of a mentor in a library career. Design/methodology/approach – Opinion piece. Practical implications – Having a mentor serves to unleash employees potential. Social implications – The positive role of a having a mentor and serving as a mentor. Originality/value – Original opinion piece.
{"title":"Paying it forward","authors":"A. Watson","doi":"10.1108/BL-10-2014-0028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-10-2014-0028","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The purpose of this column is to address the role of a mentor in a library career. Design/methodology/approach – Opinion piece. Practical implications – Having a mentor serves to unleash employees potential. Social implications – The positive role of a having a mentor and serving as a mentor. Originality/value – Original opinion piece.","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2014-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88677986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to reinforce that library staff can be critical to development activities.Design/methodology/approach: This is a discussion of issues involving personal giving and a case study example.Findings: Several factors are discussed related to staff behaviors about giving.Originality/value: This is the author’s own experiences and research, the author was involved in the case study.
{"title":"Updating staff involvement with development","authors":"M. Crumpton","doi":"10.1108/BL-10-2014-0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-10-2014-0024","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of this article is to reinforce that library staff can be critical to development activities.Design/methodology/approach: This is a discussion of issues involving personal giving and a case study example.Findings: Several factors are discussed related to staff behaviors about giving.Originality/value: This is the author’s own experiences and research, the author was involved in the case study.","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2014-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1108/BL-10-2014-0024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72445703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The purpose of this article is explore the difficulties in managing print and e-book expenditures in today’s libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The basis for this article stems from conflicting data showing patrons desiring to read more e-books versus print books at the beginning of the very e-book movement, and more recent studies showing this trend plateauing while e-book reading device purchasing increases. Findings – Two different phenomena may be occurring in tandem or separately in this case: less people are reading while having increased capacity to read e-books; libraries are adding more e-book content while print book reading is not falling off as fast as previously anticipated. Originality/value – E-book expense allocations are far from an exact science. Library budget managers are in need for continued research and insight to guide decision-making. This article adds to extant research in this area providing support for a “wait-and-see” approach toward spending on e-books.
{"title":"Expensing e-books: how much should patron habit influence collection development?","authors":"T. Cottrell, B. Bell","doi":"10.1108/BL-09-2014-0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-09-2014-0023","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The purpose of this article is explore the difficulties in managing print and e-book expenditures in today’s libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The basis for this article stems from conflicting data showing patrons desiring to read more e-books versus print books at the beginning of the very e-book movement, and more recent studies showing this trend plateauing while e-book reading device purchasing increases. Findings – Two different phenomena may be occurring in tandem or separately in this case: less people are reading while having increased capacity to read e-books; libraries are adding more e-book content while print book reading is not falling off as fast as previously anticipated. Originality/value – E-book expense allocations are far from an exact science. Library budget managers are in need for continued research and insight to guide decision-making. This article adds to extant research in this area providing support for a “wait-and-see” approach toward spending on e-books.","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2014-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77810381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose – The purpose of the article is to review possible new technologies which might enhance a Center for Digital Learning, Teaching and Scholarship at the library. Design/methodology/approach – Opinion piece. Findings – There are several cutting edge but increasingly affordable technologies which could attract students to the library and raise the library’s profile. Research limitations/implications – It would be interesting to design a study of library use and determine if the addition of unusual technologies had any effects. Practical implications – Given the affordability of some devices, there is little risk involved in proceeding with establishment and furnishing of a Center for Digital Learning, Teaching and Scholarship at the library. Originality/value – A literature search for drones and libraries retrieved no scholarly articles, but did bring back one or two news pieces about circulating drones at the University of South Florida.
{"title":"Infusing new into the library","authors":"K. Steele","doi":"10.1108/BL-10-2014-0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-10-2014-0027","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose – The purpose of the article is to review possible new technologies which might enhance a Center for Digital Learning, Teaching and Scholarship at the library. Design/methodology/approach – Opinion piece. Findings – There are several cutting edge but increasingly affordable technologies which could attract students to the library and raise the library’s profile. Research limitations/implications – It would be interesting to design a study of library use and determine if the addition of unusual technologies had any effects. Practical implications – Given the affordability of some devices, there is little risk involved in proceeding with establishment and furnishing of a Center for Digital Learning, Teaching and Scholarship at the library. Originality/value – A literature search for drones and libraries retrieved no scholarly articles, but did bring back one or two news pieces about circulating drones at the University of South Florida.","PeriodicalId":44548,"journal":{"name":"Bottom Line","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2014-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73324103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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