Digital Commons Network^™

Customizing Subject Guide Content For Different Disciplines: A User-Centered Approach, Shannon M. Staley

Shannon M. Staley

Very few studies examine how campus communities actually make use of subject guides, which is key to informing how they should be created. Usability studies of subject page use often yield inconclusive results because the test sample is not representative of the actual campus population. Usability studies / focus groups are an excellent way of supplementing data already in existence. Survey data from a previous study, "Academic Subject Guides: A Case Study at San Jose State University," is examined to provide more rigorous guidance in developing user-centric models of online research guides.

Brunsman Family Slide Collection: An Investigation Into The Development, Preservation, And Digitization Of Slide Collections, Michele Gibney

Michele Gibney

This paper presents a review of slide history, their preservation, and digitization. The author completes a small-scale digitization project on 609 family slides featuring images from the 1940’s to 1960’s. Relevant literature is analyzed that provides information on the preservation of images and the digitization of historical materials. A methodology and results section is included for the digitization project of family slides along with accompanying images of the process.

What Does Usage Tell Us About Our Users?, Carol Tenopir, Eleanor Read, Maribeth Manoff, Gayle Baker, David Nicholas, Donald W. King

Carol Tenopir

No abstract provided.

To Check In Or Not To Check In? That Is The Question, Carol Ann Borchert

Carol Ann Borchert

The University of South Florida Tampa Library discontinued checking in print journals and periodicals for a trial period of one year from July 2005 to June 2006. This article discusses the reasons behind such a decision, how it worked out, and what the ramifications have been. Though it proved inconvenient for public and technical services alike, few specific problems were reported via email, online forms or in person. The library derived several benefits from this project, particularly in terms of the timing, since it happened just as the library moved to a new integrated library system, from NOTIS to Aleph.

Sr Visits: John F. Kennedy Space Center Library, Carol Ann Borchert, Michael A. Arthur, Katy Ginanni

Carol Ann Borchert

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center Library serves most of the employees who work at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The archives are part of the library and contain over four million items pertaining to institutional activities within the KSC. The library collects a wide array of materials that support the work at the center. This is one of ten NASA center libraries in the country, and the focus of the collection is engineering, science, and technology. The purpose of the archives is to document the history of this center. The collection includes planning …

The Impact Of Grey Literature In Advancing Global Karst Research – A Follow-Up, Todd A. Chavez, Anna Perrault, Pete Reehling, Courtney Crummit

Todd A. Chavez

This presentation updates research findings reported in "The Impact of Grey Literature in Advancing Global Karst Research: An Information Needs Assessment for a Globally Distributed Interdisciplinary Community."

P.G. Grigorenko: Soviet General, Soviet Dissident - A Guide To Primary, Secondary, Archival And Related Materials, Mikhail Koulikov

Mikhail Koulikov

No abstract provided.

The Company-Intelligence Interface: Government Policy, Corporate Expectations, Competing Futures, Mikhail Koulikov

Mikhail Koulikov

No abstract provided.

Information Seeking Behavior Of Academic Scientists, Bradley M. Hemminger, Dihui Lu, K.T. L. Vaughan, Stephanie J. Adams

K.T. L. Vaughan

Implementing Endeca When You're Hip, Nora Gaskin

Nora Gaskin

Gives a user interface perspective on how McMaster University Library implemented an Endeca "front end", or discovery layer, for its Horizon-based catalogue -- from a cold start in October 2006 to a "soft launch" in March 2007, and beyond. Describes some of the decisions, issues and tradeoffs we had to consider, what worked and what we'd do differently, and how our users responded to the new interface.

Moving Beyond Marc: Initiating And Embracing Change In A Traditional Technical Services Department, Melanie Feltner-Reichert, Marielle Veve

Marielle Veve

This article discusses integrating non-MARC metadata into a technical services department.

Perceptions Of Value And Value Beyond Perceptions: Measuring The Quality And Value Of Journal Article Readings, Carol Tenopir, Donald W. King

Carol Tenopir

When measuring quality and value of journals, what is being measured, to whom does the value accrue, and why the measurement is being done must be considered. Both implicit and explicit measures of quality and value are possible. Preliminary results of ongoing readership research show that academic library e-journal collections have both purchase and use value to academic faculty. They spend their time reading, read many articles each year, and reading benefits their work in many ways.

The Impact Of Scholarly Communication On Lis Education, Carol Tenopir

Carol Tenopir

No abstract provided.

Feast And Famine: A Statewide Science Serial Collection Assessment In Illinois, Karen Schmidt, Tina E. Chrzastowski, Naun Chew Chiat, Michael Norman

Karen Schmidt

In 2004, a group of Illinois librarians was awarded a research grant to assess the state of Illinois’ science serial collection. This collection assessment focused on academic libraries in the state, specifically those participating in the Consortium of Academic Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI), but also including another 10 academic libraries in the state that do not belong to the consortium. Current serial subscription data were collected through both automated and manual means and the analysis was conducted in conjunction with Ulrich’s Serials Analysis System. Due to cataloging limitations and issues surrounding different ISSNs for print and electronic formats, the …

Librarians Attitudes Toward Conferences: A Study, Robert D. Vega, Ruth S. Connell

Ruth S. Connell

The authors surveyed librarians to determine the reasons why they do or do not attend conferences, as well as what their attitudes were toward the various conference offerings such as roundtables, poster presentations, and the like. Librarians were queried to gather a variety of demographic and professional data. The resulting data were analyzed to find significant relationships between respondents’ demographic information and their attitudes toward specific conference offerings. The two most cited reasons given for going to conferences were professional rejuvenation and networking, both benefits not directly related to conference content. In addition to quantitative results, respondents replied to open-ended …

Technical Ebooks: A Solution Looking For A Problem, Peggy S. Cooper, Cheri Folkner, Melissa Kozel, Barbara Glackin, Richard A. Stoddart

Peggy S. Cooper

Albertsons Library at Boise State University has been slow to move into the ebook arena for a variety of reasons including the inadequacies of simultaneous user models and the uncertainty of ebook technology. However, the most significant question for BSU has been usefulness of ebooks to their patrons. Are ebooks a passing fad or are they the answer to improved access to information? In January 2006, BSU selected a small group of technical books in an electronic format via the ProQuest Safari Tech Books Online database. This session will discuss the rational behind selecting technical books as an introduction to …

Signs Of The Times: Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, And It Audit, Win Shih, John Cashaw

Win Shih

The rapid evolution of Web technologies and standards has fueled the development of a raft of highly interactive and personalizable Web applications. AJAX (Asynchronous javaScript and XML)-powered and RSS-enabled Web sites, such as Google/IG, Google Map, Start.com from Microsoft, and Flickr.com from Yahoo make Web interfaces out of normally-nonweb-eanbled functionalities as running typical applications on your local PC.

Using similar technologies, we have been exploring the possibilities to a library-based portal that allows users freely configure their customized portal with contents of their choosing. Be this content e-mail, news, weather, blogging, photos, library’s catalog, or any RSS feed from publishers, …

Enhancing Communication And Knowledge Discovery Among Karst Scientists: The Role Of The Karst Information Portal (Kip), George Veni, Diana Northup, Penelope Boston, Todd A. Chavez, Robert Brinkmann, H. Len Vacher, Alexander Klimchouk, Linn Marks-Collins, Johann Van Reenan

Todd A. Chavez

Karst science is an intrinsically multidisciplinary field of study that is poorly indexed and difficult to access. While much of the significant body of international literature is accessible, many important works remain largely unknown or inaccessible. Some of the more difficult and essential documents to access are what is characterized as gray literature, which includes maps, databases, technical reports, graduate theses or dissertations, images, video, and government publications. Also, karst-related documents published in less-accessible languages are hard to access or find. The creation and implementation of the Karst Information Portal (KIP) beginning in 2005 addresses these and other information access …

Newfound Press: The Digital Imprint Of The University Of Tennessee Libraries, Linda L. Phillips

Linda L. Phillips

The University of Tennessee Libraries launched its digital imprint, Newfound Press, in 2005 to develop a framework for making peer reviewed scholarly and specialized works available worldwide. Building on local digitization investments, Newfound Press has published two monographs, hosts a born–digital journal, and is experimenting with publishing conference proceedings as digital multimedia. Through Newfound Press, the University of Tennessee is promoting open access publishing while resolving issues such as finding sustainable funding, creating a process for peer review “on the fly,” and establishing credibility as a viable scholarly publications venue. If every research library were to provide similar services, access …

Community Feminism And Politics; A Case Study Of Santa Clara County As The Feminist Capital, 1975-2006, Danelle L. Moon

Danelle L. Moon

No abstract provided.

Public Health Citation Patterns: An Analysis Of The American Journal Of Public Health, 2003-2005, Melissa L. Rethlefsen, Lisa C. Wallis

Lisa C. Wallis, MSPH, MS

The Information Seeking Behavior Of Today’S College Students, Doug Way

Doug Way

Today’s college students have grown up with the internet; they are tech-savvy and experienced at navigating the web. This leads many to assume students have the skills to perform research in today’s increasingly online world. This session will examine how and where college students search for information and how this behavior impacts their research. It will also consider how faculty can assist students and influence student behavior.

Evidence-Based Practice In Occupational Therapy, Karen Gilbert

Karen Gilbert

Examining the development, In conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association, of an evidence-based database containing Occupational Therapy articles. With Dr. Onda Bennett.

Implementing An Embedded Information Literacy Program At The University Level: Best Practices, Ann Agee

Ann Agee

Information literacy is the ability of individuals "to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" (American Library Association, 1989, para. 3). At San Jose State University (SJSU), information literacy has been traditionally taught through one-shot, 50-minute lectures delivered by university librarians to students enrolled in a select few undergraduate courses. This method of instruction has proven to be neither sustainable nor effective. The lectures are not tailored by discipline and students might receive the same lecture several times while completing their lower-division coursework.SJSU wants to replace this format with …

Information Mavens In Southeast Asia: The Need For Collaboration And Continuing Professional Development, Michele Gibney

Michele Gibney

The following paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of programs in Southeast Asia that focus on intra-national, regional, and international collaboration efforts and continuing professional development activities. The opportunities and threats to such programs are analyzed as well as their successful and unsuccessful strategies. The author provides a list of personal recommendations for success drawing on proven methods utilized elsewhere. Though the primary focus is on library professionals in Southeast Asian Countries ((Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Brunei) some attention is paid to other Asian countries (China and India), as well as two African …

Planning For And Managing Digital Projects, Peter D. Verheyen

Peter D Verheyen

Part of the "Ready, Set, Digitize" workshop series hosted by CLRC and SCLRC. Cortland, NY, September 10, 2007. The full-day workshop described types of digitization projects and discussed infrastructure, funding, standards for file formats and metadata, and the impact on public services /reference.

Library Theory And Multicultural Youth Services, Michele Gibney

Michele Gibney

This paper will examine some of the global theoretical approaches in providing multicultural services to youths as well as some first-hand examples experienced in the United States by the author. In an international context the field of youth services generates significant attention due to the importance of raising the education levels of adolescents. The three theoretical models under review are urbanization, cultural planning, and social inclusion. When applied to working practices of library service, these models serve as a baseline for innovation—the resultant ideas of which this paper will connect to multicultural youth services. The paper will show that urbanization …

Connecting And Communicating With Students On Facebook, Sarah Elizabeth Miller, Lauren A. Jensen

Sarah Elizabeth Miller

No abstract provided.

Affective Dimensions Of Information Seeking In The Context Of Reading, Lynne (E.F.) Mckechnie, Catherine Sheldrick Ross, Paulette Rothbauer

Paulette Rothbauer

Functional Spec Template 30.8.07, Mark A. Brace, Debasis Bakshi

Mark A Brace

This template is designed to be used by anyone creating a detailed outline of what is expected from a new system.