NRC clients' perceptions of electronic resources and use of CISTI's virtual library

This article presents results relating to perception and usage of CISTI's two-year-old Virtual Library in a research environment. Research and technical officers of the National Research Council of Canada were surveyed. The results indicate that research staff are favorably inclined toward the use of electronic resources, with some differences accorded to its use by the two client groups studied. Surprisingly, research staff accept the possibility of serendipity in a digital environment. There is a positive correlation between usage of digital resources and perception and training levels, while a correlation between presence of an onsite traditional library with usage of electronic resources is not supported. Data collected will be used to assist in the redesign of the site and related training efforts.NRC publication: Ye