Organizational Structure Around Web-Scale Discovery Services in Canadian Academic Libraries

Abstract

This study analyzed how Canadian post-secondary libraries have managed and administered their web-scale discovery service and how adopting a discovery service has changed the traditional boundaries of standard library functions. Through a combination of survey responses and semi-structured interviews, the author investigated how Canadian academic libraries organized around their web-scale discovery service. Academic libraries can manage their discovery service from a Technical Services unit, a Library Systems, or a Web Services department, or by a committee. However, there is consensus that a discovery service requires collaboration and cooperation among many functional areas. Discovery service leaders often have organizational awareness to break down the silos between traditional library functions to perform the various duties related to managing and administering their web-scale discovery service. Individuals responsible for their discovery service are flexible and work collaboratively with staff in many different areas and often have a strong user-centred focus.

Keywords

• web-scale discovery services
• discovery services
• Canadian academic libraries
• academic libraries
• post-secondary libraries
• library organizational structure