Page 39 - Journal of Library Science in China 2020 Vol.46

038 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.12, 2020

(2) Open and integrated services
The new generation library platform provides an open API to solve the integration problem
between different systems, so as to facilitate the library to independently develop local applications.
The platform also adopts PaaS+SaaS mode to carry out services in the cloud, and to integrate
supplier services with third-party services. In addition, it has built-in data analysis function,which
can monitor data and services in real time, facilitate the construction of user profiles based on user
big data, and enable instant content push.
Various services of the smart library can be realized through open platform, including AI
intelligent services, VR immersion services, machine-assisted services, big data services, scenario
services, etc.. Therefore, in the process of exploring and building a smart library, services that
can be replaced or optimized by the open platform should be adjusted in time, and business
reengineering needs to be carried out to remove redundant businesses and adjust the service
process.

2 Reengineering of the library business process

2.1 Review of the theory and practice of library Business Process Reengineering

Business Process Reengineering (BPR), also known as business process restructuring or business
reorganization, is an approach often adopted by enterprises to improve management efficiency.
BPR is the redesign or reorganization of key steps and processes to achieve breakthrough in
the performance of enterprises (JIN, XU, & BI, 2017). Enterprises need the initiative within
and extensive reorganization to get rid of the “outdated” processes (Hammer, 1990). Through
the implementation of BPR, some companies, such as IBM and Ford Motor, have achieved
development and growth, demonstrating that BRP has been a great success in business
management practice. From the library’s perspective, electronic resource management is a crucial
part in the BPR of the library (England & Miller, 2016). In the process of transformation to a smart
library, business management and service modes will change, requiring the business processes to
be redesigned and reorganized.
The successful completion of library core businesses is tied to sound processes. In the library
field, the theory and practice of BPR have also achieved success. The library of Notre Dame
University acquires data to support the revision of the workflow through the real-time tracking
database, which enables it to update the electronic collection catalog faster and more effectively
than before, and even to track missing books and periodicals, thus reducing the backlog and
ensuring higher user satisfaction (Smith, Guimaraes, Havert, & Prokrym, 2009). The Atlanta
University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library adopted the business process analysis and
improvement principles to transform the reference service from a single service desk to a double
desk model, so as to use the reference materials more effectively (Bugg & Odom, 2009), increase