Electronic reserve services for academic libraries in China: practices and concerns

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to offer a comprehensive description and analysis of electronic reserve services in academic libraries in China. It also seeks to describe possible solutions for libraries to build multi‐functional e‐reserve services in order to face the challenge of the vast expansion in both academia and the economy in modern China.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the recent literature on the practices of e‐reserve services, and analyses the results of the online surveys conducted in the 112 key university libraries in the China 211 Project, especially the top 15 university libraries.FindingsThe paper reveals that three‐level (national, regional, and campus‐wide) e‐reserve resource systems have been developed jointly or individually by Chinese academic libraries. Their development, implementation and implications are discussed; existing problems and possible solutions are identified.Originality valueThe paper provides insights into the recent development of e‐reserving services in Chinese academic libraries, offers useful information about e‐reserving resources for students and faculty, and recommends solutions to libraries for e‐reserve services.