Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond Beall’S List: Better Understanding Predatory Publishers, Monica Berger, Jill Cirasella

Publications and Research

This article discusses the phenomenon of predatory publishing and examines the benefits and limitations of Jeffrey Beall's blacklist of "potential, possible, or probable" predatory open access (OA) publishers. It also describes the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a whitelist of scholarly OA journals, and other tools for evaluating open access journals. It concludes by discussing the role of librarians, who must help researchers avoid low-quality journals and also need to counteract the misconceptions and alarmism that stymie the acceptance of OA.

Tape-By-Tape: Digital Practices And Cataloguing Rituals At The Lesbian Herstory Archives, Shawn(Ta) Smith-Cruz

Publications and Research

This essay will outline the digital collections of the Lesbian Herstory Archives with an emphasis on process and workflow. The paragraphs below will describe the efforts put forth by the all- volunteer collective, and their dedication toward making materials accessible through the use of digital technology to preserve, catalog, and exhibit lesbian herstory. Interviews with Archive Coordinators, called “Archivettes”, Rachel Corbman on the Online Public Access Catalog, Saskia Scheffer on Photos, and Maxine Wolfe on Audio, will provide examples of LHA digital practices in the creation and maintenance of the Photo Collection, OPAC, and Audio Tape Digitization projects. Additional mention …

You're No Fun Anymore: The Ethics Of Acquiring Electronic Devices In Light Of E-Waste, Sweatshops, And Globalization, Jennifer Poggiali

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Library Awareness And Use Among Graduate Social Work Students: An Assessment And Action Research Project, Margaret Bausman, Sarah Laleman Ward

Publications and Research

This article details the evolution of an action research project over the fall of 2011 through the spring of 2014. The project investigates the engagement of social work students at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College with library resources and services. In addition to a review of the literature and a contextualizing discussion around the status of information literacy instruction in social work, the article describes the development and use of an online assessment tool, the introduction of new information literacy instruction strategies and materials including online research guides, and a discussion of the descriptive and inferential …

York's Founding Librarian Made H[Er]Story: Remembering Gladys Jarrett, John A. Drobnicki

Publications and Research

Gladys Jarrett was the first Library faculty member hired at York College, and was one of the original three librarians when the college opened. Her career at York spanned 1967-1985, and she was very likely the first African-American woman to be a Chief Librarian in the City University of New York system.

Lacuny Scholarly Communications Roundtable Meeting Minutes, January 2015, Lacuny

Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Lacuny Executive Council Meeting Minutes, January 2015, Lacuny

Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Taking Care Of Digital Efforts: A Multiplanar View Of Project Afterlives, Robin Camille Davis

Publications and Research

In this presentation, given at the 2015 MLA Convention, I examine the status of online digital humanities projects 10 years after they were presented.

Just over half of the 60 projects presented at DH2005 are still online. Of all the projects, about one-third are ongoing; one-third have been clearly completed; and one-third have unknown statuses. Of the 23 projects that were considered to be complete, three-quarters are still online; one quarter is no longer accessible.

Optimizing Kbart Guidelines To Restore Perpetual Access, Kelly M. Blanchat

Publications and Research

After experiencing a 25-percent decrease in the collection budget, the Queens College Libraries (QCL) faced losing electronic journal content with cancellations to Big Deal licensing agreements. By using tools such as Serials Solutions, Ex Libris SFX and Microsoft Excel, the library was able to optimize KBART guidelines to analyze and restore journal titles under perpetual access licensing clauses. The implemented workflow mirrored the process to create “Big Deal” renewal spreadsheets at Springer Science + Business Media.

A Replication Of Failure, Not A Failure To Replicate, Gary Holden, Kathleen Barker, Sofie Kuppens, Gary Rosenberg, Jonathan`

Publications and Research

Purpose: The increasing role of systematic reviews in knowledge production demands greater rigor in the literature search process. The performance of the Social Work Abstracts (SWA) database has been examined multiple times over the past three decades. The current study is a replication within this line of research.

Method: Issue level coverage was examined for the same 33 SWA core journals and the same time period as our 2009 study.

Results: The mean percentage of issues missing in the current study was 20%. The mean percentage of issues missing in the current study was significantly greater than …

Google Vs. The Library (Part Iii): Assessing The Quality Of Sources Found By Undergraduates, Helen Georgas

Publications and Research

This study assesses and compares the quality of sources found by undergraduate students when doing research using both Google and a library (federated) search tool. Thirty undergraduates were asked to find four sources (one book, two articles, and one additional source of their choosing) related to a selected research topic. Students used both Google and a federated search (resource discovery) tool to find material they believed to be relevant. Each source was evaluated for topic relevance, authority, appropriateness, and date, and assigned a total quality score. Results showed that the books found via Google were slightly higher quality than those …

The Case Of The Disappearing E-Book: Academic Libraries And Subscription Packages, Helen Georgas

Publications and Research

One of the standard models for e-book licensing in academic libraries is the subscription package. This study is a one-year analysis of "disappeared" titles from ebrary's Academic Complete™ collection. During 2013, 3462 titles were deleted. Deleted titles were mainly recent publications (published within the last ten years), with a high number of deletions within the broad subject areas of the social sciences (H), language and literature (P), and history (C, D, E, F). Deleted titles were evenly divided between monographs published by popular presses, and monographs published by scholarly or university presses. It is recommended that deleted titles be closely …

Fully Embedded: An Esl-Library Partnership, Barbara Bonous-Smit

Publications and Research

Slides from a presentation at the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO), January 15, 2015 at Baruch College, CUNY, Vertical Campus

Research has proven the importance of developing academic and information literacy skills of ELLs (English language learners) in basic reading and writing courses in order to promote student engagement and perseverance. A recent innovation and effective approach in academic library instruction, embedded librarians provide personal, targeted assistance to the class as a whole and to individual students. Hence, there is more sustained learning. In this session, the author will discuss the close partnership and collaboration between a fully embedded …

Teaching The Network: A Brief Demonstration Of The Internet’S Structure For Information Literacy Instruction, Robin Camille Davis

Publications and Research

A basic understanding of the Internet’s physical and operational structure is one element of information literacy. In this article, “traceroute” and “whois” commands are demonstrated as tools that librarians can use to illustrate how the Internet is geographically distributed, how businesses enable and control information sharing, and how to check a source's credibility by determining website ownership. With these tools, students can gain a better understanding of how online information is created, accessed, and affected in ways that may be otherwise invisible.

Git And Github For Librarians, Robin Camille Davis

Publications and Research

One of the fastest-growing professional social networks is GitHub, an online space to share code. GitHub is based on free and open-source software called Git, a version control system used in many digital projects, from library websites to government data portals to scientific research. For projects that involve developing code and collaborating with others, Git is an invaluable tool; it also creates a backup system and structured documentation. In this article, we examine version control, the particulars of Git, the burgeoning social network of GitHub, and how Git can be an archival tool.

Cuny's Lilac As A Model For A Large Urban University Professional Development Organization, Galina Letnikova

Publications and Research

The present study addresses the history of the Library Information Literacy Advisory Committee (LILAC), a voluntary professional organization at City University of New York (CUNY). The author discusses the circumstances leading to the committee’s formation, its growth, transformation, and its role in the professional development of CUNY librarians. Data collection was done by means of interviews held with past and present members of the committee. The interview questions were deliberated at LILAC’s meeting and sent to the interviewees by email. The interviews’ questions and answers were later grouped into three major categories: the original goals for the committee; the transformation …

More Than Just Cat Pictures: Reddit As A Curated News Source, Steven Ovadia

Publications and Research

This article examines the use of the online Reddit community as a mediated news source. Reddit allows users to post links and to comment upon them, sometimes resulting in serious discussions and sometimes resulting in abhorrent behavior.

The Use Of Psychological Defense Mechanisms – By Librarians And The Public – In Response To Traditional And Binary Librarian Stereotypes, Beth Posner

Publications and Research

Images of librarians in popular culture include the traditional stereotype - of a mousy spinster who cares more for protecting books than for helping people - as well as several contrasting or binary images - such as librarians who are wild by night (although quiet by day), know-it-alls (rather than know-nothings), or high-tech (instead of old-fashioned.) In response to the anxiety provoked by the more pernicious aspects of these images, both librarians and the public may employ a variety of common unconscious defense mechanisms. This chapter examines some of those used by the public - including stereotyping, and splitting or …

Proceedings Of The 2nd Annual Cuny Games Festival, Robert O. Duncan, Joe Bisz, Francesco Crocco, Carlos Hernandez, Kathleen Offenholley, Maura A. Smale, Deborah Sturm, Cuny Games Network

Publications and Research

Proceedings of the CUNY Games Conference, held from January 16-17, 2015, at the CUNY Graduate Center and Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Health Games - Language and Composition - Design: Classroom Considerations - Games in the Physical Environment - Games and Behavioral Science - Play, Politics & Economics - Gaming Curricula, Disciplines & Programs - Gaming and History - Institutional Programming with Games - Philosophy and Roleplaying - Ed. Game Design: Strategy & Tactics - Repurposing Game Genres - Narrative, Storytelling & Games - Community & Social Justice - Extemporaneity - Personal & Social Transformation - Cognition, Design & Play …

York College Library’S School Media Specialist: A New Library Model For Easing The Transition From High School To College, Christina Miller, John A. Drobnicki

Publications and Research

In 2001, it was announced that York College, a senior college in The City University of New York, would have a high school on its campus beginning in September 2002, and the new school, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (QHSSYC), would be using the York College Library. The York administration provided funds to the Library to hire an adjunct librarian in 2002 who would be the primary person dealing with QHSSYC. A few years later, the Chief Librarian successfully argued that the Library be allowed to recruit a full-time school library media specialist, the first position …

The Flipped Classroom As A Tool For Engaging Discipline Faculty In Collaboration—A Case Study In Library-Business Collaboration, Madeline Cohen

Publications and Research

This case study focuses on an innovative approach to the flipped classroom as a tool for productive library-discipline faculty collaboration on information literacy instruction. The argument is presented that the flipped classroom can be a pathway into the disciplines that can be used in overcoming the disadvantages of the one-shot, and other barriers to collaboration. The case-study will outline the reasons for a successful collaboration on integrating information literacy into this undergraduate business course, and for its extension to five additional business courses. Practical examples of learning outcomes, in-class activities, and assessment are provided.

Mobile Apps In Collection Development: Supporting A Mobile Learning Environment, Stefanie Havelka, Rebecca Arzola

Publications and Research

We will discuss our rationale and thoughts on why we believe mobile apps should be part of a library’s collection development policy. An updated policy with apps encourages a mobile learning environment that is technologically diverse while being holistically supportive of its users and research.

Situating Information Literacy In The Disciplines: A Practical And Systematic Approach For Academic Librarians, Robert Farrell, William Badke

Publications and Research

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to consider the current barriers to situating in the disciplines and to offer a possible strategy for so doing.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews current challenges facing librarians who seek to situate information literacy in the disciplines and offers and practical model for those wishing to do so. Phenomenographic evidence from disciplinary faculty focus groups is presented in the context of the model put forward.

Findings – Disciplinary faculty do not have generic conceptions of information literacy but rather understand information-related behaviors as part of embodied disciplinary practice.

Practical implications – Librarians …

Perception Of Librarians Of Color About The Relationship Between Retention & Advancement As Middle Managers, Kimberley Bugg

Publications and Research

This poster highlights the results of a study that explored the interrelationship between retention and advancement for academic librarians of color in middle management positions. Themes that emerged included: the prevalence of internal promotions, lack of interest in senior leadership, and emphasis on leadership institutes. Several recommendations are offered for how the profession might increase opportunities for librarians of color to advance beyond middle management and increase interest in filling openings in library leadership positions.

Ala Annual 2015 Lita/Alcts Joint Electronic Resource Management Interest Group Report, Junior R. Tidal

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Best Practices For Talent Acquisition In 21st-Century Academic Libraries, Kimberley Bugg

Publications and Research

Building a qualified and capable staff to engage students, faculty, and staff in a 21st century academic libraries requires that libraries rethink traditional approaches to recruitment and retention. This article draws attention to four phases: strategic planning, branding, pipe-lining, and candidate experience as essential to talent acquisition.

Creating Digital Cultural Heritage Collections In An Urban Academic Library Setting, Jennifer Ann Johnson

Urban Library Journal

As libraries develop digital cultural heritage collections the relationship with the organizations that own the collection are vital to the success of the process. This is ground that libraries have typically not operated. Organizations external to libraries that own collections have many needs beyond the simple digitization process. IUPUI University Library is an urban academic library that has worked on developing relationships with external organizations for almost ten years. During this time there have been many hurdles and lessons learned. This paper highlights some of the trends in relationship building with community organizations and offers two unique case studies that …

Resources For College Libraries (Rcl), Christina Miller

Publications and Research

Resources for College Libraries (RCL) is a subscription bibliographic database produced by Bowker (a ProQuest affiliate), Choice, and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Primarily a collection development tool, the database provides titles of print and electronic books, Web sites, and databases deemed essential by subject specialists for four- and two-year college and vocational and technical school library collections. This resource is a seminal tool for library collection development, maintenance, and assessment.

The Research Process 2016, Neera Mohess

Open Educational Resources

The guide offers some tools and contextual information about doing research.