How do you manage conflicting opinions on the relevance of physical vs. digital library collections?

Belts and suspenders. When possible, having both physical and digital versions of most collection materials renders the collection more accessible to a variety of patrons. Some community members will resist learning new technology, or prefer to see material in its original format, while others will be able to do their research more effectively with the help of keyword searches and enlargeable digital text. Also remember that digital equipment can become obsolete, and you may wish you had preserved originals. Original matter has a "material culture" aspect that can be lost in translation to digital format. Having said that, digitally available material expands access to people who can't physically come to the building. So - respect both!

One thing that often gets overlooked in the physical vs digital debate is that while digital media is more accessible and convenient for some patrons, not everyone in your community will have the technology needed to access the materials, such as a phone, e-reader, computer, or even internet access. It's important to keep this in mind so that you can meet the information and entertainment needs of ALL members of your community, and not prioritize one media type over another without first looking at the diverse needs of your patrons.

Considero a necessidade do usuário como uma perspectiva central. Entender como cada grupo utiliza os recursos da biblioteca permite orientar as decisões de maneira mais eficaz, ou seja, precisamos reconhecer que alguns usuários preferem acesso rápido e remoto às coleções digitais, enquanto outros, valoriam a experiência tátil e aprofundada das coleções físicas.

My primary team of users are remote, living states away, and in some cases, complete time zones away. E-reference books are much more practical for my users, who are clinical nurse authors, and need the most updated information possible. (Though I recognize that some E-ref books may not be continually updated unless there's a "subscription" tied to them.)

The best way to manage conflicting opinions on the relevance of physical vs. digital library collections is to physically show and teach the relevance of each. Online resources offer more currant information as it can be updated daily. Online as databases allow for multiple users as well as eBooks purchased with a multi-user license. This makes class reading projects very obtainable. Many eBooks are the exact books that are on the shelves within the library, so they are true books. Books in print cater to those who need a more tactile experience. They are also available when the internet is down.

Como estratégia, diante de um cenário onde opiniões divergiam sobre o valor das coleções físicas e digitais, nossa abordagem foi oferecer um serviço personalizado que colocasse o usuário no centro das decisões. Realizamos consultas individuais e promovemos diálogos para entender as preferências e necessidades específicas de cada grupo, como: - Escuta ativa: que nos permitiu criar soluções híbridas; - Ampliação de coleções digitais: para quem busca acessibilidade; - Aprimoramento das áreas de estudo físico: para aqueles que valorizam o contato direto com os livros.