NEW PRIMARY RESEARCH GROUP STUDY FINDS LEADING CORPORATE LIBRARIES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FLOOR SPACE, PROMOTED USE OF DIGITAL RESOURCES, CENTRALIZED PURCHASING, EMPHASIZED USER TRAINING AND STRESSED THE MARKETING OF LIBRARY SERVICES New Report profiles the efforts of IBM, PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS, GENERAL MOTORS, BATTELLE, OWENS CORNING, AND ERNST & YOUNG to develop their corporate libraries

Creating the Corporate Digital Library looks closely at how six organizations -- General Motors, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Owens Corning, Battelle, IBM and Ernst & Young -- are grappling with the questions raised by the increasing digitization of corporate library and information services. The report contains extensive discussions exploring corporate library use of the search engines, the web, cataloging systems, online services, CD-ROM, document delivery services, electronic and print journals, books and other information vehicles. The report is based on detailed interviews with chief librarians and directors of content development at the companies profiled.

Creating the Corporate Digital Library looks closely at how six organizations -- General Motors, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Owens Corning, Battelle, IBM and Ernst & Young -- are grappling with the questions raised by the increasing digitization of corporate library and information services. The report contains extensive discussions exploring corporate library use of the search engines, the web, cataloging systems, online services, CD-ROM, document delivery services, electronic and print journals, books and other information vehicles. The report is based on detailed interviews with chief librarians and directors of content development at the companies profiled.

Creating the Corporate Digital Library (ISBN ##1-57440-063-0) is available from PRIMARY RESEARCH GROUP for $135.00. A digital version with rights to print out one additional copy is $162.50. Some of the advice proffered by the companies in the study includes:

1-- Consolidate bargaining power when possible in one unit that seeks to license information resources useful to a broad range of employees or other corporate agents.

2- Eliminate duplication, particularly of print resources

3-When feasible redirect librarian energies to higher value added services such as "deep-dive" searching and basic analytical services while eliminating or automating simple transactions such as basic searching, stockpiling or cataloging library resources, maintaining accounts, etc.

4- Consider reducing the physical space accounted for by the library but not the number of professional librarians. They are needed more than ever, though their skills may need to be re-directed.

5-Emphasize training for both librarians and end users. The information world is complex and a small amount of end user training on the use of databases and the internet can go a long way towards liberating librarian time for other purposes.

6-Grasp when print resources are important. In general, in the following circumstances: 1) When important archival access is limited in available electronic resources, especially in scientific work; 2) When only limited resources are available in electronic formats (more often than you might think); 3) When convenience dictates the availability of a print resource, or 4) When a print resource is legally required, 5) When print can serve as a negotiating lever to obtain better prices for electronic resources.

7- The reduction of spending on print resources does often involve significant inconvenience for employees. Strive to evaluate and even quantify the costs of this inconvenience to better develop a cost/benefit approach to the purchase decision for print resources.

8- Consider the outsourcing of low value added library services such as basic searching, cataloging, routine purchasing, invoice payment and internal billing.

9-Integrate the library into the knowledge management system or philosophy by becoming a clearinghouse for company resources such as reports, position papers and other internal documents and resources.

10) Gradually expand the use of E-books as ebook resources expand but carefully monitor usage to spend wisely.

11) Don't be sentimental. Eliminate underused items to make way for new ones.

12) Market corporate library services aggressively. Don't assume that "end users will come to you." Make the product known throughout the organization.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A REVIEW COPY CONTACT JAMES MOSES OR PHIL WONG 212-736-2316 OR GO TO WWW.PRIMARYRESEARCH.COM.