Library and Information Services in the Library User’s Personal Account

Abstract

A priority for modern libraries is the comprehensive transformation of the library and information service model in the context of universal digitalization. Digitalization of the library and information sphere is expressed in the emergence of new methods involving the use of innovative software tools as an alternative to the traditional approach. Through the implementation of digitalization initiatives, libraries are creating managed electronic environments with a wide range of digital library and information services. Software tools oriented towards the provision of these kinds of services include the creation of a user’s personal account on the library website. Today a personal account is an essential attribute of the websites of many national and university libraries, both local and foreign. The aim of the article is to analyze the possibilities of a personal account in terms of providing library and information services, including bibliographic ones, to remote library users. The article discusses ways of online registration and authorization in a personal account, its services available to users, as well as software tools to make the user’s work comfortable. Personal account is a tool for managing a set of connected services, which is constantly being improved and supplemented with new services. The range of services available to the user can vary, reflecting the specifics and size of the library. The features of the personal account are illustrated by examples from Russian and foreign libraries. The personal account has been successfully used to provide bibliographic services to support research and teaching activities. Based on the results of the analysis of the information in the personal account, libraries make decisions aimed at increasing loyalty, formation of individual offers to improve the comfort of service for users. The personal account is predominantly used in university libraries, where it is a part of the integrated information and educational environment. Using the potential of the virtual working environment is an opportunity for libraries to find their place in the digital world.