[Para. 1 of Introduction]
Among the public services offered by academic libraries, e-reserve is probably the least well-defined in scope and delivery. “Circulation” refers clearly to borrowing of materials, through the library staff or more recently, the self-check machines. “Reference” staff assist users in their research, utilizing the library collection, physical or online, and resources outside the library. Other services are shown to be responding quickly to societal and technological changes. The “library space” has gained a new dimension. The “Learning Commons” accommodates computing facilities and “centres” in the library space, such as the “Writing Centre”, the “Math Centre” and the “Student Learning Support Centre”, catering to different stages of the research process. The “library space” incorporates coffee shops, mobile furniture and wireless access everywhere, and becomes the stage for cultural events, art exhibits and other outreach functions. Librarians are no longer confined to the library’s physical space. They conduct virtual reference – email or chat, sometimes on a shared initiative, serving users from multiple institutions. They integrate subject research guides into the course management systems, or serve as collaborators with faculty in designing course content. Indeed, libraries and librarians’ roles are changing to keep up with changes that support mobility, versatility, diversity, interactivity and collaboration.
