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Videodisc technology trends in academic health sciences libraries
T Singarella1, S Bader, H J Ramagli
1Department of Health Informatics, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Academic health sciences libraries are increasingly using and developing videodisc technology for biomedical instruction. This trend shows a growing production of interactive videodiscs for student use.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Library Science
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Videodisc technology offers interactive capabilities for educational purposes.
- Academic health sciences libraries play a crucial role in adopting and disseminating new educational technologies.
- Understanding the adoption trends of videodisc technology in these libraries is essential for future planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current trends in videodisc use, development, and production.
- To assess the extent of videodisc adoption and repurposing in North American academic health sciences libraries.
- To identify patterns in the development of videodisc software and production of different videodisc levels.
Main Methods:
- A national survey was conducted in the winter of 1989.
- Survey instruments were sent to 131 library directors in academic health sciences institutions.
- A response rate of 48% (63 completed surveys) was achieved.
Main Results:
- A wide range of videodisc technology use and development was observed.
- 67% of libraries had purchased videodisc technology, and 28% were repurposing existing videodiscs.
- 25% of respondents were developing their own videodisc software, and 24% had Level III videodiscs in production.
Conclusions:
- Videodisc technology adoption and development are expanding within academic health sciences libraries.
- There is a growing production of both Level I and Level III videodiscs.
- While videodisc delivery is often centralized, development is not uniformly centralized within institutions.