a business closer to the user SumberInformasi Library
By: Arif Surachman
DEFINITIONS
In general, in fact the concept of packaging the information is unclear, but from various discussions that have done the following packaging some understanding of information.
a. According to Alan Bunch , 1984 (in Stilwell, 2004) described the packaging of information as an approach to help themselves, emphasizing the issues that the service information is to choose the appropriate information, and reprocess the information in a form that can actually be understood , packing information, and designing all these ingredients in a medium appropriate for the user, thus combining the two concepts inherent in terms of packaging (ie, reprocess and package).
b. Menurut Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 1995 menyatakan bahwa “repackaging is to package again in or as in a better or more attractive package.” Jadi dapat dikatakan bahwa pengemasan merupakan sebuah usaha mengemas kembali ke dalam bentuk yang lebih baik dan menarik.
BACKGROUND PROBLEM
See definition above we can actually see that the packaging information is a process for reworking existing information so it can be shown to the packaging better and ready to use for users and information seekers. The question now is, why packaging is important information for a particular library services for users to better “close” to the sources of information needed?There is several problems that can be used as the basis why packaging is important information:
Information
1. Flood Information. The number of existing information from various sources of information, both printed and non printed, or digitally create “confusion” of its own for users to obtain information “best” and according to his needs. The amount of information often makes the user confronted with information that is not appropriate, the content of the information is inaccurate, irrelevant to the information “asphalt”, real or fake that can not be trusted. For that we need an action from the library to anticipate what is commonly referred to as the “flood of information.” Packaging information that produces a product selected is one answer.
2. User Information Needs. Along with the development of technology and science that is so fast, then the user’s information needs have also increased, the need for information quickly, precisely and easily. Library as an institution responsible to the transfer of this information must also be able to see the phenomenon of a shift in the orientation of the user’s needs for information, for it needs to be done based innovation needs of the user of this information. Packaging of information is one form that can be used by the library as a form of innovation to answer the needs of users of this information.
3. Needs Improvement Library Services . Library as the central source of information it should be able to improve services from time to time, to follow developments in science, technology and the demands of users. Libraries that do not “want” to improve and adapt its services to the global developments in the world certainly will be abandoned by users. Improved library services should be supported by a variety of aspects including the packaging of the information you want displayed and presented to users. For the packaging of information is important so that users can feel a significant improvement and in accordance with the development of science and technology that exist today.
4. Orientation Economics . Information that is not terbentung and counting will cause the library to “warehouse” of information which, if not handled properly will cause no small expense. Penggunapun will be increasingly difficult to find the right information and uptodate. For it is necessary to take austerity measures (cost, space and power) of them can be done through the packaging information. Economically, the result is a product information pack which is very likely to be sold to the public with a particular segmentation, thus opening up business opportunities for libraries. In addition, users will save much time, effort and cost to just get the appropriate information, easy, fast and precise.
The four issues above are related to each other so can not be separated. One another would lead to a synergy in determining the direction and steps in a better presentation of information of mutual interest. It will also affect the form of presentation of information such as what is currently feasible administered in the library. Packaging information itself must be able to provide more value to the information itself. Information is said to have value (according Djatin) when measured from:
· Being able to lower the cost of research, development and implementation
· Save time, so the implementation and innovation can be more quickly
· Make more effective policy
· Support to the achievement of goals / strategic objectives organization
· Overcoming The ignorance
· Satisfy management and user
Packaging INFORMATION FORM
Based on the analysis of these three terms in the above problems then the next library can determine the extent to which forms of packaging such information must be realized. Here are some examples of packaging existing information relevant to current and used for library users.
· Print Publication.
Packaging information can usually also be realized in the form of printed publications such as Brochures, Newsletters, Proceedings, Index Magazine, Article Index, Selected Collection of Articles, Bibliography, and other selected publications. Packaging in the form of printed publications will greatly assist users in finding printed information is selected according to field of study and needs. So users do not need to “throw” the time to search one by one needs the information in the “wilderness” of information in the library.
· Media Audio-Visual.
Information can also be packaged in the form of Audio-Visual as in the form of Audio-Video Cassette, CD-Interactive, VCD, DVD, and other forms. This information pack is an attractive packaging because it will invite the user to use the information in the form of images and sounds.
· Local Data Base.
Packaging information can also be realized in the database (database) local. About 2 years ago, the concept of local data bases are widely used in Indonesia, especially in order to meet the needs of the scientific information to users through a kind of local server, either in the form of files or CD-ROM. Examples are CD Database ERIC, Medline Database CD, CD-Database Agricola, and so on.
· Online Database.
Currently in Indonesia Online data base is growing quite well, either by “buying” bottled ready-made, taken from free sources and build it yourself. Packaging information in this form has provided the opportunity access to information more widely is not limited in the library. This is thanks to advances in Internet technology that will inevitably be followed by the library in order to meet the information needs of users. Examples of some ready-made packaging information in the form of an online database that produced, among others, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, IEEE Database, JSTOR and others.
PHASE INFORMATION Packaging
The decision to conduct a library and use the information package must be followed by preparing the appropriate steps to avoid futility. Some steps that are generally performed by the library in order packaging of information is:
1. Orientation needs and demands of the user / user information in the library
2. Selection and Determination of topic information to be packed. Determination and selection will normally involve the ideas and input from expert staff, information packaging products manufacturers, consumer products & services information, staff, and top management.
3. Determining the form of packaging information
4. Determination of information search strategy that will be packaged
5. Determination of the location information and how to access
6. Processing of information, evaluate, and mensitir information
7. Packaging of information in the form of a predetermined
8. Evaluate the products released and the manufacturing process
In the case of determination of non-packaging of information in the form of print, especially the base data is often not done all the above steps. This is because the product in the form of a data base is often an information packaging products are ready-made, because the selection procedures and information processing to be performed by the manufacturer of the product already. In this case the position is as a user library selectors and evaluators users only.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INFORMATION Packaging
Packaging information is part of an economic enterprise of the library or information provider will also bring economic impact to the library / information providers and the public / users who use it. Some economic impacts of the packaging of information include:
1. The library is able to provide information packaging in place that can be sold to the public / users with the segmentation that has been determined, such information is a packed field of medicine will be very useful for practitioners and observers in the field of medicine.
2. Flood information continuously when not handled by the library will have an impact on the swelling cost of care and management, so that when compared with the costs resulting from the use of information would be highly significant. By packaging information the library can reduce the cost (cost) for the treatment and management, as well as be able to utilize the results as a form of service “sales information” in the library to users who need it.
3. For users, the information packs will cut costs and also the time taken by the user in finding, selecting, and obtaining the information it needs. This is because the users to easily obtain the information pack ready-made and supplied by the library is easy, fast, accurate and time saving. For example, to obtain certain information in the library, users can simply access the database via the internet library that provides a variety of digital collections of boxed information in various fields.
4. The packaging of this information is a commodity opportunities for libraries that have the potential as a field of business information in the library that will be able to generate income. This course will help release the image library as a “cost the institution” to “benefit institution”. This means that libraries are no longer regarded as an institution that only “suck” the cost and have a dependence on the cost, a library that is able to provide benefits and finance kegiatannnya own. For example the library issued a collection of articles in the field of product X is packaged either using digital media (CD, Disk, etc) as well as prints that can be marketed (sold) to users with specific segmentation (according to the X field). Example: Library of the Faculty of Medicine released a “Special Collection of Articles Field of Medicine Bird Flu issue” that can be sold to physicians and the general public that “consent” to permasahan this bird flu.
CLOSING
The packaging of this information is the business of a library or information center for the user closer to sources of information that is relevant, accurate, easily and quickly accessible. But this information packed will not be fully utilized if not supported by the role of library staff and librarians in socializing and also make the library user education. The point is the process of packaging information does not go away until the packed product is produced. But also on achieving the goal of packaging information, ie, providing better information and interesting for library users. So the library will always have a responsibility and a big chore for the transformation of the relevant information and as demanded by its users from time to time.
On the other hand, packaging information will bring a significant economic impact for both libraries and users. Even today it can be said that the product of boxed information is a commodity that can be used as an alternative business for the library, so the information is not cease to be things that will “drain” the cost of maintenance and management, but also can be a source of revenue / income for the library. Penggunapun will more easily, saving time and cost in obtaining the information that “instant” and immediately required by them. So what are you waiting? Now is the time you present in “business information” in the era of globalization of information.
Bibliography
Djatin, Jusni., And Hartinah, Sri. (-). Packaging and Marketing Information: Experience WWII-LIPI . New York: WWII-LIPI: www.consal.org.sg/webupload/forums/attachments/2277.doc accessed September 20, 2006.
Limb, Peter. (2004). Digital Dilemmas and Solutions. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.
Neufeldt, Victoria., and Guralnik, David B. (ed). (1995). Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Ohio: Macmillan General Reference.
Stilwell, Christine. (2004). Repackaging information: a review. www.hs.unp.ac.za/infs/kiad/04stilw.doc. Diakses tanggal 20 September 2006.
Webb, Sylvia P., dan Winterton, Jules. (2003). Fee-Based Services in Library and Information Centres. Second edition. London: Europe Publications Limited.
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