From information portals in libraries to problem-based knowledge portals. A paradigm shift?

Abstract

The IQPortal – which relies on open-source software and Web2.0 tools – is an innovative product of IQSYS Zrt. The article describes some of its most important library apps: federated search, interlibrary lending and statistics, online and interactive games for the promotion of reading, a medical portal service (under the name “virtual consultation – Ask the Doctor…”), knowledge bases of libraries, integrating library systems with the portal. The development lines of library services as integrated with the portal are analysed in a wider context, so are other, network-based collaboration solutions. The use of library and research information through community web places leads to substantial changes, and as a consequence, to an inevitable synergy of relevant phenomena. The new service package of OCLC – a partner of IQSYS – called „Webscale Management” that moves all routine library work processes to the web through sharing and global records management is presented. An attempt is made, based on international examples, to predict the next phase in the evolution of library portals. Related developments may be interpreted as a paradigm shift because there are considerable changes in the habits and rules of data and information management, in the needs for and community spaces of sharing information, that pertain not only to libraries, but also to individual research areas. Services are built on a collaborative platform, with institutions not only sharing but creating – synthesised –information and materials, using codification procedures. Examples are presented from the international practice of evidence-based information provision. The integrated services of knowledge management nature are both network- and community-based, and are tailored to personal needs, tasks and serve problem-solving. Seeing the quick advancement of community web spaces it is difficult to judge yet whether it is IT development or the impact of the social network that has a stronger effect on information sharing, on user requirements and on research progress which depends on available data and information.