Academic libraries are not only providing a broad array of electronic services to their primary clientele, but are also increasingly providing these services to off-campus users other than their primary clientele.

The past two decades have brought unprecedented changes in technology for academic libraries. Libraries once focused on helping users identify, retrieve, and use materials within the library building. Now they are supporting these activities with a broad array of electronic services, and increasingly, users can access these services from locations outside the library (Lougee 2002).

In 2000, electronic catalogs were almost universal: 94 percent of all institutions with academic libraries had an electronic catalog, up from 80 percent 4 years earlier. In addition, libraries have expanded electronic services intended to make it easier for patrons to access library resources. For example, 73 percent of institutions with academic libraries allowed patrons to place interlibrary loans or request documents electronically in 2000, versus 60 percent in 1996. In addition, 73 percent provided reference service by e-mail in 2000, versus 40 percent in 1996, and 49 percent delivered documents electronically in 2000 versus 17 percent in 1996. In addition to expanding electronic services, academic libraries have made access more convenient for their primary clientele, who increasingly can access the services from elsewhere on campus or off campus (see table 33-1).

Many academic libraries are taking advantage of technology to serve a broader clientele. For example, in 2000, 80 percent of institutions with academic libraries made their electronic catalogs available to off-campus users other than their primary clientele; 54 percent provided these off-campus users with electronic reference services by e-mail; 23 percent allowed them to place interlibrary loan and document requests electronically; and 16 percent provided electronic document delivery.

Academic libraries at institutions with graduate programs have generally led in providing electronic services, but gaps between institution types are narrowing. For example, at least 96 percent of libraries in the research, doctoral, and master’s Carnegie categories had electronic catalogs by 1996, compared with 83 percent of libraries in baccalaureate institutions and 77 percent in associate of arts institutions. By 2000, however, 97 percent of baccalaureate and 93 percent of associate of arts institutions with libraries had electronic catalogs.