Examples of Current Awareness Services (CAS) in Library and Information Services

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Examples of Current Awareness Services (CAS) in Library and Information Services

✅ What is CAS?

Current Awareness Service (CAS) is a type of alerting service provided by libraries to keep users informed about the latest developments in their fields of interest. CAS is proactive—it delivers new and relevant information to users regularly without them having to request it.

The goal is to help users stay up-to-date with recent publications, news, research, or technological advancements in their subject areas.


🔍 Real-World Examples of CAS in Libraries

1. New Arrivals Bulletin (Books, Journals, Reports)

Description: The library prepares and shares a regular list of newly acquired books, e-books, reports, and journals relevant to specific user groups (faculty, students, researchers).

Example:
“Weekly New Titles in Computer Science” – Sent via email to computer science faculty and students.

2. Subject-Specific Email Alerts / Newsletters

Description: Customized emails with updates on recent publications or articles in a user's field of interest.

Example:
An academic librarian sends a monthly newsletter to the Economics department, including new journal issues, conference announcements, and research reports.

3. Current Tables of Contents (TOC) Service

Description: Library staff distribute the table of contents from the latest issues of selected journals to interested users.

Example:
A researcher signs up to receive the TOC of "Nature" and "The Lancet" as soon as a new issue is published.

4. Library Blog or Web Portal Updates

Description: The library maintains a blog or dedicated webpage that posts updates on new databases, book releases, journal subscriptions, or digital resources.

Example:
The university library blog announces: “New Access to Scopus for All Faculty & Students – Explore the Latest Global Research!”

5. RSS Feeds and Social Media Announcements

Description: Libraries use RSS feeds or platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share updates and new resources.

Example:
A public library tweets: “New arrivals in our Young Adult Fiction collection this week. Come check them out!”

6. Current Awareness Displays / Notice Boards

Description: Physical or digital displays in the library highlight latest publications, local events, or thematic collections.

Example:
A notice board titled “Hot Off the Press” showcases new books on sustainability during Earth Week.

7. Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) – A Personalized CAS

Description: Though technically broader than CAS, SDI is a personalized form of CAS, where alerts are tailored to individual user profiles.

Example:
A PhD student in Artificial Intelligence receives a weekly digest of recent research papers and conference proceedings selected by the librarian.

8. CAS through Mobile Library Apps

Description: Many modern libraries use apps to send push notifications about new resources, library events, or research tools.

Example:
A library app sends a push alert: “New E-books on Civil Engineering added to our collection. Browse now!”

9. Alert Services from Databases

Description: Libraries guide users on how to set up search alerts in databases like PubMed, Scopus, JSTOR, or ScienceDirect.

Example:
A faculty member sets an email alert in Scopus for new publications on "climate change adaptation".


✅ Summary Table: Examples of CAS Services

Type of CAS Service Format Audience Frequency
New Arrivals Bulletin Email, PDF, Web General users or departments Weekly/Monthly
TOC Alerts Email Researchers, faculty Per journal issue
Library Blog or Web Updates Website, Blog Public or campus-wide Ongoing
RSS Feeds / Social Media Posts Online Public, students, researchers As needed
Display Boards in Library Physical / Digital Walk-in users Weekly
Database Alerts (Search or Topic-Based) Email Researchers, students User-defined


📘 Final Thoughts

Current Awareness Services (CAS) are vital in helping library users keep pace with information overload. These services foster academic productivity, informed decision-making, and ongoing learning. Whether through digital channels or traditional methods, CAS ensures that libraries remain relevant, proactive, and user-centered in the age of fast information.


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