The E-library is an electronic source for journals, articles and books that are in available to Coventry University students. The aim of the electronic version is to be accessible, easier to use, more comfortable for the student and easier for students to find relevant materials than the library. The internet services should satisfy all the expectations of the website to be effective. We believe that the effectiveness of the website and its aim’s achievement could be crucial for E-library to market itself! And also building the interaction between the website and clients and clients to clients should be considered. These are 10 ways for E-library to move forward from an E-marketing prospective.
The E-library is an important tool for the students of Coventry University and it could be the difference between a student passing or failing a piece of coursework or even a course itself. We have chosen to improve the E-Library because it is fundamental to a student and in its present form it is difficult to use and a hindrance to the students.
1- Coventry University e-library could be improved in terms of being friendlier; users should use the service freely, get onto the site, navigate and get whatever information they require. Having carried out opinion poll students thought the e-library facility was poor and that it was easier to use the paper based library than the online service.
2- When doing research on databases, the gateway security are difficult and make the whole experience longer than necessary. Security on each of the databases does not bring up the whole of the requested article or journal, it asks for further passwords that decline the student status passwords.
3- The e-library could have sponsored links to certain journals or websites to make some money from the e-library and also give students links to other academic sources.
4- Have more interaction between the library and its students, for example notifying the students when new material is uploaded onto the e-library website that is relevant to their course.
5- Improve the promotion of the e-library, i.e. have a larger link on CU online and notify students that it is available for them to use. This can be done by making it more visible to the student population so that they are encouraged to use the service.
6- Link the e-library to other universities who have similar systems to allow the students to get a larger database from which to work from. This can be done through having agreements with other university to use their database of knowledge or have one single system that runs through a network of universities.
7- Have a chat system which allows students to interact when searching for similar materials. This can allow students to interact with each other and give hints or recommend particular articles that may help with coursework.
8- Search tool needs to be refined because it is very difficult to find anything relevant to your search. Have topics lists, relevant journals should be grouped together, a keyword search should be integrated into the system and there also should be a keyword indicator when the results are shown either having the word underlined or in bold.
9- When you find the journal you are looking for you cannot view the journal; it does not allow you to read it. The journal should be accessible or a link should be provided show you can view it. If neither of these is possible then it should not be on the e-library. Also when a student makes a query, the query should be responded to and not ignored. This does not build trust in the facility and it will deter the user from using the service again.
10- Link relevant material to each article as in either other journals which support the view of the article or have an opposing view. Or they show books which are relevant to the subject or article or websites that can help out also. To be more useful and satisfy customer needs.
With all the improvements that have been suggested we believe that the e-library will be used a lot more, it will be easier to use and more successful. Also by improving the interactive relationship between the users and website, the students will trust it more and find it helpful and concern!
The E-library is an important tool for the students of Coventry University and it could be the difference between a student passing or failing a piece of coursework or even a course itself. We have chosen to improve the E-Library because it is fundamental to a student and in its present form it is difficult to use and a hindrance to the students.
1- Coventry University e-library could be improved in terms of being friendlier; users should use the service freely, get onto the site, navigate and get whatever information they require. Having carried out opinion poll students thought the e-library facility was poor and that it was easier to use the paper based library than the online service.
2- When doing research on databases, the gateway security are difficult and make the whole experience longer than necessary. Security on each of the databases does not bring up the whole of the requested article or journal, it asks for further passwords that decline the student status passwords.
3- The e-library could have sponsored links to certain journals or websites to make some money from the e-library and also give students links to other academic sources.
4- Have more interaction between the library and its students, for example notifying the students when new material is uploaded onto the e-library website that is relevant to their course.
5- Improve the promotion of the e-library, i.e. have a larger link on CU online and notify students that it is available for them to use. This can be done by making it more visible to the student population so that they are encouraged to use the service.
6- Link the e-library to other universities who have similar systems to allow the students to get a larger database from which to work from. This can be done through having agreements with other university to use their database of knowledge or have one single system that runs through a network of universities.
7- Have a chat system which allows students to interact when searching for similar materials. This can allow students to interact with each other and give hints or recommend particular articles that may help with coursework.
8- Search tool needs to be refined because it is very difficult to find anything relevant to your search. Have topics lists, relevant journals should be grouped together, a keyword search should be integrated into the system and there also should be a keyword indicator when the results are shown either having the word underlined or in bold.
9- When you find the journal you are looking for you cannot view the journal; it does not allow you to read it. The journal should be accessible or a link should be provided show you can view it. If neither of these is possible then it should not be on the e-library. Also when a student makes a query, the query should be responded to and not ignored. This does not build trust in the facility and it will deter the user from using the service again.
10- Link relevant material to each article as in either other journals which support the view of the article or have an opposing view. Or they show books which are relevant to the subject or article or websites that can help out also. To be more useful and satisfy customer needs.
With all the improvements that have been suggested we believe that the e-library will be used a lot more, it will be easier to use and more successful. Also by improving the interactive relationship between the users and website, the students will trust it more and find it helpful and concern!
References:
Chen,Ming M.,(2009) 'Personalized E-learning system with self-regulated learning assisted mechanisms for promoting learning performance.' academic search complete 36(5)8816-8829
Donna f. (2009) 'west tech tips for every librarian.' Computers in Libraries 29(4)46-47
Aram,Stephen (2009)'Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries: Librarians and Educators in Second Life and Other Multi-User Virtual Environments.' Information today 26(4)42-43
Preview CPA Technology Advisor(2009) 'Build Your Firm Website Development and Internet Marketing.'Acasemic search complete 18(8)42
Chen,Ming M.,(2009) 'Personalized E-learning system with self-regulated learning assisted mechanisms for promoting learning performance.' academic search complete 36(5)8816-8829
Donna f. (2009) 'west tech tips for every librarian.' Computers in Libraries 29(4)46-47
Aram,Stephen (2009)'Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries: Librarians and Educators in Second Life and Other Multi-User Virtual Environments.' Information today 26(4)42-43
Preview CPA Technology Advisor(2009) 'Build Your Firm Website Development and Internet Marketing.'Acasemic search complete 18(8)42
