Education Commons^™

Co-Designing An Institutional Repository In Kosovo: Soliciting Student Feedback In A Repository Launch, Michele Gibney

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

An institutional repository (IR) launched at the University for Business and Technology in Pristina, Kosovo in 2019. Students from 2018 and 2019 enrolled in an Information Systems course at the University provided ideas and feedback on the repository development. Their suggestions are captured here by focus group sessions held in mid-2019 in Kosovo and subsequently shared with University Administration and the IR platform company. This case study from the field advocates for continuous feedback from stakeholder groups and an expansion of the underlying data collection methods at other institutions.

A Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (Dei) Approach To Collection Development In A University Library, Michele Gibney, Mickel Paris, Veronica Wells

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

University of the Pacific’s objective in a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) audit of library collections was to examine the voices and subjects represented and reveal diversity gaps. During Spring 2021, in collaboration with library employees, eight student interns determined the methodology, assessed print and eBook collections, and provided recommendations on closing identified collection gaps. Initial results from auditing ~4,000 representative titles indicated University of the Pacific's library book collections lack the diversity to adequately reflect racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of students and their expectations for assignments and research. This paper documents the audit process and its impact on …

Programmatic Characteristics Of Open Education Initiatives At U.S. Post-Secondary Institutions, Jon Bull, Michele Gibney

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Although a number of academic research papers showcase the benefits of Open Educational Resources (OER) on student success metrics, the literature still lacks a central collection of knowledge identifying programmatic characteristics between 4 year public, 4 year private, and 2 year community colleges that support these OER initiatives in the United States. To address this gap in the literature and provide evidential statistics that suggest common programmatic characteristics, this quantitative study collected 149 survey responses from program managers of OER-related initiatives at institutions of higher education in the United States. While some previous research on this topic has focused on …

Student Participation In A Dei Audit As High-Impact Practice, Veronica Wells, Michele Gibney, Mickel Paris, Corey Pfitzer

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

During Spring 2021, eight students at the University of the Pacific participated in an internship where they performed a DEI audit of the library's book and music score collection. An internship is one documented type of High-Impact Practices and research studies show that High-Impact Practices lead to higher retention and graduation rates. Deep learning occurred as student interns participated in developing the methodology, evaluating book and music score collections, reading assigned articles pertaining to DEI in librarianship and publishing, and providing recommendations on closing identified collection gaps. To evaluate their learning, the interns were asked to complete three surveys at …

Student Learning And Engagement In A Dei Collection Audit: Applying The Acrl Framework For Information Literacy, Veronica Wells, Michele Gibney, Mickel Paris

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

In Spring 2021, the University of the Pacific conducted a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) audit of the library’s book and scores collections with eight student interns. This article provides a summary of the project and how we used the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education’s knowledge practices and dispositions to design the internship experience.

Curating Knowledge, Creating Change: University Knowledge Center, Kosovo National Transition, Mary M. Somerville, Anita Mirijamdotter, Edmond Hajrizi, Elham Sayyad Abdi, Michele Gibney, Christine Bruce, Ian Stoodley

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

A collaborative system design initiative at the University for Business and Technology in Kosovo aims to make local knowledge visible and to enhance local knowledge creation, within the university and throughout the country. Since its inception in 2015, design activities aimed to activate systems through modeling the global knowledge landscape, technology enabled systems, and human activity processes. Within the framework of Informed Systems, application of Informed Learning theory and Information Experience Design (IXD) guided prototyping systems that informed building an institutional repository named UBT Knowledge Center. The knowledge vision anticipates that sustained curation, organization, discovery, access, and usage processes will …

Book Review: Hollywood Heroines: The Most Influential Women In Film History. Edited By Laura L. S. Bauer., Robin Imhof

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Waste Bin Systems: An Informed Systems Co-Design Project, Mary M. Somerville

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Complacency Or Evaluation Inertia? A Study Of Evaluative Metrics And Research Practices In Irish Universities, Lai Ma, Michael Ladisch

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Evaluative metrics have been used for research assessment in most universities and funding agencies with the assumption that more publications and higher citation counts imply increased productivity and better quality of research. This study investigates the understanding and perceptions of metrics, as well as the influences and implications of the use of evaluative metrics on research practices, including choice of research topics and publication channels, citation behavior, and scholarly communication in Irish universities. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with researchers from the humanities, the social sciences, and the sciences in various career stages. Our findings show that there are conflicting …

Muir Collection An Education In Understanding, Preserving Nature, Michael J. Wurtz

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Making Local Knowledge Visible: The Case Of The University For Business And Technology In Kosovo, Anita Mirijamdotter, Mary M. Somerville, Sadef Salavati, Edmond Hajrizi

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

A vision to further national development through higher education now informs planning for the University for Business and Technology Knowledge Center. At its essence, the Center aims to make local knowledge visible through furthering discovery of and access to research content produced by academic students and university professors on institutional, local and international levels. This paper reports on conceptual exploration of this institutional idea during spring semester 2017 in a graduate course on systems thinking and methodology. Using active learning pedagogy to improve local situations, an international teaching team facilitated student and stakeholder engagement in participatory design activities using soft …

The Role Of The University Library In Supporting International Student Transition: Insights From An Australian-American Case Study, Hilary Hughes, Liz Cooper, Michael Flierl, Mary M. Somerville, Niraj Chaudhary

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

As an outcome of the Libraries and Information for International Students Project (LIISP), this paper presents insights into first year international students’ experiences of using library resources, services and spaces at their host university. It focuses on a collective case study conducted between 2014 and 2016 at one Australian and three North American libraries, with 320 first year international students. The research design was informed by the Project Information Literacy study of US first year domestic students’ library use (Head, 2013). Data were collected via survey and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed thematically. Findings of the four cases were compared with …

An Archivist And A Geologist Walk Into A Pub…, Michael J. Wurtz

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Wurtz traveled to British archives to learn about their geological collections and their practices.

Information Literacy And Informed Learning: Conceptual Innovations For Il Research And Practice Futures, Christine S. Bruce, Andrew Demasson, Hilary Hughes, Mandy Lupton, Clarence Maybee, Anita Mirijamdotter, Elham Sayyad Abdi, Mary M. Somerville

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Our paper draws together conceptual innovations emerging from the work of a group of researchers focussed on the relational approach to information literacy, more recently labelled ‘informed learning’. Team members have been working together in various configurations for periods ranging from seven to seventeen years. Our collaborative approach continues to yield new concepts and constructs which we believe to be of value to ongoing research and practice. Some of the ideas discussed have been previouly published, while others are being put forward for the first time. All are significant in that they together form new constructs that have emerged from …

Book Review: Sex And Gender: A Reference Handbook. By David E. Newton., Robin Imhof

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Using The Assessment Process To Improve Evidence-Based Information Gathering Skills For Future Audiologists, Mickel Paris, Jiong Hu, Veronica Koo, Susanna Marshall, Gabriella Musacchia

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Success of students in Doctor of Audiology programs depends on the ability of the learner to find and evaluate scholarly evidence. The objective of this study is to determine if an information literacy training session on evidence-based information gathering will increase four student measures: (1) Attitudes toward gathering and evaluating scholarly evidence, (2) Knowledge about evidence-base information gathering practices, (3) Perceived value of the training regarding evidence-based searching methods, and (4) Ability to gather evidence for clinical research questions. 23 first-year audiology doctoral students (AuD) at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco participated in this study. Pre- and …

Adopting Informed Systems Learning Theory: How 21st Century Organizations Can Move From Theory To Practice, Mary M. Somerville

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Informed Systems: Enabling Collaborative Evidence Based Organizational Learning, Mary M. Somerville, Niki Chatzipanagiotou

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Objective – In response to unrelenting disruptions in academic publishing and higher education ecosystems, the Informed Systems approach supports evidence based professional activities to make decisions and take actions. This conceptual paper presents two core models, Informed Systems Leadership Model and Collaborative Evidence-Based Information Process Model, whereby co-workers learn to make informed decisions by identifying the decisions to be made and the information required for those decisions. This is accomplished through collaborative design and iterative evaluation of workplace systems, relationships, and practices. Over time, increasingly effective and efficient structures and processes for using information to learn further organizational renewal and …

Report: Sails Test Executive Summary 2014, Veronica A. Wells

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Information literacy is a set of skills that includes recognizing an information need, locating and retrieving the needed information, analyzing the information, and using the information for a specific task. As sources for information continue to expand, students need to develop these skills so that they not only succeed in their professional careers, but also make well-informed decisions in their day-to-day lives. Information literacy has been identified as an important skill set by faculty of all disciplines, administrators, and accrediting agencies. Therefore, the University Library is exploring ways to assess these skills, which will allow departments and programs the ability …

Sources: Inspired By True Events: An Illustrated Guide To More Than 500 History-Based Films, Robin Imhof

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Toward Improved Discoverability Of Scholarly Content: Cross-Sector Collaboration Essentials, Mary M. Somerville, Lettie Y. Conrad

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

By way of follow-up to earlier work in understanding and improving discoverability of scholarly content, this article reports on recent data and reflections that led to clearer definitions of discovery and discoverability, as well as deeper cross-sector collaborations on standards, transparency, metadata, and new forms of partnerships. Recent advances in discoverability are also described - from enhanced librarybased web-scale searching to serving researcher needs through the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) registry. The article points to a 2014 SAGE white paper that presents in greater detail opportunities for wider collaboration among libraries, publishers, service providers, and researchers in the …

A New Way Of Thinking And Working, Mary M. Somerville

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

No abstract provided.

Discoverability Challenges And Collaboration Opportunities Within The Scholarly Communications Ecosystem: A Sage White Paper Update, Mary M. Somerville, Lettie Y. Conrad

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

The prominence of mainstream search engines and the rise of web-scale, pre-indexed discovery services present new challenges and opportunities for publishers, librarians, vendors, and researchers. With the aim of furthering collaborative conversations, SAGE commissioned a study of opportunities for improving academic discoverability with value chain experts in the scholarly communications ecosystem. Results were released in January 2012 as a white paper titled Improving Discoverability of Scholarly Content in the Twentieth Century: Collaboration Opportunities for Librarians, Publishers, and Vendors. Following the white paper, this article explores the implications for these findings through review of commissioned studies, research reports, journal articles, conference …

Ipads To Enhance User Engagement During Reference Interactions, Michelle M. Maloney, Veronica A. Wells

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

The University of the Pacific Library’s iPad project is a coordinated effort to implement and assess the use of iPads to enhance user engagement during reference interactions. The project aims to enrich reference transactions and increase student interactivity by allowing students to use iPads at the reference desk to search the library’s resources concurrently with the librarian. Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 48, no. 8) “Rethinking Reference and Instruction with Tablets” presents a review of the literature that pertains to both the service aims of academic reference and its relationship to technology. The chapter discusses the logistics of …

Hunting For Qr Codes: Linking Students To The Music Collection, Veronica A. Wells

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Libraries are exploring the use of Quick Response (QR) codes, to market to and connect users with libraries' services. The University of the Pacific has been experimenting with QR codes in an innovative way: to introduce first-year music majors to the physical music library materials via a QR code scavenger hunt. This article discusses the library literature on QR codes and scavenger hunts, as well as the University of the Pacific's QR code scavenger hunt from creation to assessment. Additionally, recommendations are given for designing a similar pedagogical tool at your library.

Appreciative Inquiry: A Transformative Approach For Initiating Shared Leadership And Organizational Learning, Mary M. Somerville, Marical Farner

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Auraria Library leaders at the University of Colorado Denver, USA employed Appreciative Inquiry (AI) principles, processes, and practices to inclusively redesign organizational structure, social relationships, knowledge systems, and workplace aspirations. Throughout the four year period, from 2008 through 2012,intervention activities employed life generating properties which were appreciative,applicable, provocative, and collaborative. Iterative application of the 4- Cycle intervention model (discovery, dream, design, and destiny) and associated AI principles advanced shared leadership and organizational learning capacities within a revitalized workplace culture. Iterative processes of reflection, reframing, and reinterpretation now sustain ongoing and inclusive inquiry that is appreciative,applicable, provocative, and collaborative.

Supporting Informed Learners In The 21st Century, Christine S. Bruce, Hilary Hughes, Mary M. Somerville

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

This article elaborates the concept of informed learning and locates it in educational, workplace, and community settings. Drawing on existing research into people’s experience of information literacy, it identifies critical experiences of informed learners in each of these three settings. It also explores the support required in educational, community, and workplace contexts, which makes informed learning possible. Recognizing strong implications for policy makers in different sectors, the article presents a set of guiding principles for developing informed learning and learners. The idea of informed learning represents and advances understandings of information literacy that incorporate the broader concept of using information …

Yo Soy Colorado: Three Collaborative Hispanic Cultural Heritage Initiatives, Beverly B. Allen, Dana Echohawk, Rhonda Gonzales, Fawn-Amber Montoya, Mary M. Somerville

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Collaborative activities that reflect ‘ethnicity as provenance’ benefit from collaborative, interdependent relationships among archives, classroom, and community. Examples from Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library (University of Colorado Denver) and the Southern Colorado Ethnic Heritage and Diversity Archives and the Voices of Protest Oral History Project (Colorado State University-Pueblo) illustrate collection development practices that advance joint ownership of archival materials by the archives and the originating cultural population. Concluding reflections offer transferable principles for working collaboratively with cultural communities on creation, identification, interpretation, and preservation of photographs, videos, documents, oral histories and ephemeral material reflective of culture, …

Recuerdos Hablados /Memories Spoken: Toward The Co-Creation Of Digital Knowledge With Community Significance, Mary M. Somerville, Dana Echohawk

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Collaborative relationships among libraries, archives, and museums can fruitfully engage cultural community members in collaborative construction of digital knowledge. A continuum of co-creation approaches in the Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library illustrates the value of working together. The most mature community-generated initiative produces digital images with contextualizing metadata of cultural "significance." Examples suggest that inclusive, community-generated digital knowledge activities can shape interpretations and narratives of the past and present, thereby influencing construction of the future, as community members express their contexts, concepts, and truths. Concluding remarks consider implications for community-generated digital knowledge activities that give "voice" …

Information In Context': Co-Designing Workplace Structures And Systems For Organisational Learning, Mary M. Somerville, Zaana Howard

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Introduction. This paper discusses an 'information in context' design project at Auraria Library in Denver, Colorado which aims to collaboratively create organizational structures and communication systems with and for library employees.

Method. This action research project is founded within shared leadership, informed learning and organizational learning principles and implemented using participatory design processes. The first phase involved an appreciative inquiry process resulting in an organizational realignment of personnel and the introduction of shared leadership. The second phase involved the co-design of organizational information and communication systems and subsequent implementation of initiatives.

Results. This project resulted in several of the co-designed …