Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Supporting Open Information Literacy Via Hybridised Design Experiments, Kristen Rebmann

Faculty Publications

This report discusses a project that forms connections between design experiment and informed learning approaches to designing learning activities supportive of open information literacy and scholarly communication among library and information science graduate students. Open information literacy is defined as information literacy relating specifically toward leveraging open access and open educational resources. Focus is placed on implications for research and practice by exploring one example of a hybridised, informed learning design experiment that fused subject content and open information practice. This project report represents an early step in thinking about the possibilities of infusing informed learning research structures and strategies …

Leadership And Innovation Within A Complex Adaptive System: Public Libraries, Darin S. Freeburg

Faculty Publications

Viewing public libraries as Complex Adaptive Systems, the current study analyzed leadership within these systems in terms of complexity and innovation. This included a leader’s capacity for ambiguity and emergence, features of leadership in different contexts, and perceptions of success and innovation. From a list of current public library directors and managers, 15 participants completed a 30-minute phone interview that followed a semi-structured guide. By analyzing the intersection of complexity of approach with complexity of context, eight leadership approaches were uncovered through coding. Results suggest that most participants engaged with most of the leadership approaches at some point. In addition, …

Comparison Of Personas Between Two Academic Libraries, Holt Zaugg, Donna Harp Ziegenfuss

Faculty Publications

Purpose: A persona describes a group of library patrons as a single person to better identify and describe user patterns and needs. Identifying personas in academic libraries can assist in library planning by focusing on patrons. Initially personas were thought to be unique to each library; additional insights led the researchers to rethink this assertion. This article seeks to determine if personas, developed in one library, are unique or more universal than previously thought.

Design/methodology/approach: In this study, 903 surveys were completed across two institutions asking library patrons to identify use patterns within each library. Mean score responses were analyzed …

Minimizing And Addressing Microaggressions In The Workplace: Be Proactive, Part 2, Shamika Dalton, Michele Villagran

Faculty Publications

Our nation’s history plays a huge role in the way we perceive underrepresented groups. From slavery to segregation, to the inequality in compensation for women and people of color, to the refusal to wed same sex couples, discrimination and opposition has plagued the United States for decades. Since the Civil Rights Movement, discrimination towards underrepresented groups has shifted from overt acts to subtle and semiconscious manifestations called microaggressions. These manifestations reside in well-intentioned individuals who are often unaware of their biased beliefs, attitudes, and actions. They can lead to inequities within our relationships and affect our work productivity.

Minimizing And Addressing Implicit Bias In The Workplace: Be Proactive, Part One, Shamika Dalton, Michele Villagran

Faculty Publications

Librarians and information professionals cannot hide from bias: a prejudice for or against something, someone, or a group. As human beings, we all have biases. However, implicit biases are ones that affect us in an unconscious manner. Awareness of our implicit biases, and how they can affect our colleagues and work environment, is critical to promoting an inclusive work environment. Part one of this two-part article series will focus on implicit bias: what is implicit bias, how these biases affect the work environment, and best practices for reducing these biases within recruitment, hiring, and retention in the library workplace.

More Than A Pretty Interface: The Louisiana Digital Library As A Data Hub, Scott Ziegler, Cara M. Key

Faculty Publications

The Louisiana Digital Library (LDL) is an online platform for libraries, museums, archives, and historical organizations across the state. The books, manuscripts, oral histories, maps, and photographs held in the LDL showcase the cultural resources of Louisiana.

The metadata about these items is also a great asset. When explored in their entirety, the data held in the LDL is as valuable as the digital facsimiles. This talk will explore the LDL as a data hub, a place to gather and share the metadata of the participating institutions. Open data is a growing trend in archives and special collections, enabling new …

Pal: Toward A Recommendation System For Manuscripts, Sl Ziegler, Richard Shrake

Faculty Publications

Book-recommendation systems are increasingly common, from Amazon to public library interfaces. However, for archives and special collections, such automated assistance has been rare. This is partly due to the complexity of descriptions (finding aids describing whole collections) and partly due to the complexity of the collections themselves (what is this collection about and how is it related to another collection?). The American Philosophical Society Library is using circulation data collected through the collection-management software package, Aeon, to automate recommendations. In our system, which we’re calling PAL (People Also Liked), recommendations are offered in two ways: based on interests (“You’re interested …

Begin Again, Holt Zaugg

Faculty Publications

One of the hallmarks of any assessment or evaluation is that it serves as an agent for improved change. However, not all changes are positive. In some cases, improvements in one area of library service delivery have negative effects in other areas of service delivery. In addition to this, no assessment is ever perfectly planned nor conducted. Each of these factors contributes to the need for library assessments to be periodically repeated. This chapter begins with a description of an assessment planning guide and journal to chronicle how the assessment was planned and unfolded. From here it discusses factors of …

Makerspaces For All: Serving Lgbtq Makers In School Libraries, Vanessa Kitzie, Healther Moorefield-Lang

Faculty Publications

The article discusses makerspace that is defined by Laura Fleming as a metaphor for a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play, and open-ended exploration for all. It mentions that makerspaces are considered safe spaces for LGBTQ youth as they can create products that establish and communicate their LGBTQ identities. Also discussed is LGBTQ students perception regarding libraries.

Lessons Learned After A Disaster: Investigations Of Public Librarians’ Health Information Services To The Community And Community Members’ Information Needs Following A Catastrophic Flood, Feili Tu-Keefner, Jingjing Liu, Darin Freeburg, Elizabeth Hartnett, Denise Lyons, Mike Corbo, April Hobbs

Faculty Publications

In times of crisis, public libraries, in addition to health, fire, and police departments, are community outreach centers and sources of credible information. In October 2015, several counties in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America experienced catastrophic flooding that caused severe damage. Situation-specific research was conducted to investigate public libraries’ value to their communities in providing critical information services, as well as the libraries’ legitimacy as partners of public health agencies. The research framework is one recommended by public health experts for risk communication preparedness and implementation during pandemic influenza. In 2015, a case study …

Popular With Whom?: Usage Demographics Of Popular Science Nonfiction At An Academic Library, Megan Frost, Rebecca Walton

Faculty Publications

There is a large body of nonfiction written for a general audience which is infrequently promoted in popular reading collections at academic libraries. The aim of this research is to look at the usage of nonfiction science literature at a large university library in comparison to the science collection as a whole. This information can help librarians to not only determine how best to prioritize the collection of nonfiction science literature, but it can also be used to provide insight into how popular nonfiction science books can be most effectively promoted to library patrons.

Book Review: Street Style In America: An Exploration, Todd J. Wiebe

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Differently Abled Staff Welcomed By Library Recruiters, Bec Muir Aalia, Kim M. Thompson, M. Asim Qayyum

Faculty Publications

The article focuses on the benefits of reading therapy for improving health and well being for people living with disability. Topics discussed include providing knowledge or skills to provide services or resources to people living with a disability; encouraging library employers to form job advertisement with diversity and disability in mind; and encouraging employment of the same.

Virtual Reality: A Survey Of Use At An Academic Library, Megan Frost, Michael C. Goates, Sarah Cheng

Faculty Publications

We conducted a survey to inform the expansion of our current Virtual Reality (VR) service in the library. We were primarily interested in user experience, demographics, academic interests in VR, and methods of discovery.

Going Viral (Virtual Institutional Repositories And Asdal Libraries): An Added Value For Our Stakeholders, Terry Dwain Robertson, Lawrence W. Onsager

Faculty Publications

In June, 2015, Andrews University launched an institutional repository. Terry Dwain Robertson will tell the story of the first three years of the repository, concluding with a report on its global impact. Lawrence W. Onsager will discuss how the repository is, could, and should be leveraged to demonstrate the value of the library to the University, including branding, marketing, recruiting both faculty and students, fundraising, and more. Finally we will explore ways in which ASDAL libraries with repositories might collaborate to enhance and enrich the impact of Adventist education globally.

Bringing Culture Back: Managing Unconscious Bias To Strengthen Your Corporate Culture, Michael Sholinbeck, Michele Villagran

Faculty Publications

Have you ever examined the sources of unconscious bias and how bias can influence interactions with others? Have you ever explored how cultural values impact our own biases and interactions? Cultural awareness and seeking to understanding unconscious biases are critical first steps towards improving our performance; however, we cannot stop there. Awareness alone does not guarantee success; individuals need to put that awareness into action in order to ensure these biases do not influence judgments about others. When done effectively, these actions can have a direct and positive impact on a library’s inclusive work environment and the strength of the …

Competencies Through Community Engagement: Developing The Core Competencies For Cataloging And Metadata Professional Librarians, Bruce J. Evans, Karen Snow, Elizabeth Shoemaker, Maurine Mccourry, Allison Yanos, Jennifer A. Liss, Susan Rathbun-Grubb

Faculty Publications

In 2015 the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services Cataloging and Metadata Management Section (ALCTS CaMMS) Competencies for a Career in Cataloging Interest Group (CECCIG) charged a task force to create a core competencies document for catalogers. The process leading to the final document, the Core Competencies for Cataloging and Metadata Professional Librarians, involved researching the use of competencies documents, envisioning an accessible final product, and engaging in collaborative writing. Additionally, the task force took certain measures to solicit and incorporate feedback from the cataloging community throughout the entire process. The Competencies document was approved by the ALCTS Board …

The Global Transformation Of Libraries, Lis Education, And Lis Professionals (American Library Association Annual Conference), Sandra Hirsh

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Hot Type: Digitizing Utah’S Historical Newspapers, Jeremy Myntti, Tina Kirkham

Faculty Publications

1.History of Utah Digital Newspapers (UDN) Program

2.Tour of UDN

3.How can YOU help build UDN?

4.Future of UDN

5.UDN for Family History

School Library Research From Around The World: Where It's Been And Where It's Headed, Karen W. Gavigan

Faculty Publications

This article examines studies conducted by school library researchers around the world. The selected studies were conference papers, and articles published in School Libraries Worldwide. Findings from these studies are relevant to researchers and practicing school librarians, who may want to incorporate the findings into their library programs.

Experiencing Evidence-Based Library And Information Practice (Eblip): Academic Librarians' Perspective, Lili Luo

Faculty Publications

This study investigates practitioners’ involvement in Evidence-Based Library and Information Practice (EBLIP) at an academic library. Through focus group interviews, the study reveals that most of the evidence-bases decisions in academic library practice are considered “Know-what (works)” and serve the “instrumental” purpose, seeking to determine what actions will lead to desired outcomes in addressing a specific problem. Practitioners use a wide range of evidence sources to support their decision making. Challenges they encounter in EBLIP related to time, mentoring/training, availability and accessibility of evidence, organizational culture, and personality. Study findings will help increase the awareness of evidence-based practice in academic …

Ict Women Professionals' Perceptions Of Workplace Ethical Problems: A Quantitative Survey, Yeslam Al-Saggaf, Kim M. Thompson

Faculty Publications

Which ethical problems are most frequently experienced by ICT women professionals? Which ethical problems experienced by ICT women professionals are of most concern to them as individuals? A quantitative survey of 2,315 Australian ICT professionals of whom 15.4 percent were females revealed that the top 15 most frequently faced ethical problems that the females identified were nearly identical to those identified by males. Of these 15 problems, five were judged to affect females personally. These are overworking staff, blaming others for own mistakes, bullying, unprofessional behavior, and discrimination. Of these five problems, gender only predicted three problems that affect females …

An Evaluation Of The Classification Scheme For Adventists And Ellen White, Felipe E. Tan, Terry Dwain Robertson

Faculty Publications

Libraries at Seventh-day Adventist affiliated colleges and universities collect their denominational materials exhaustively. Many use the Library of Congress Classification Scheme (LCC). The challenge is that these exhaustive collections must fit in a classification scheme based on a general collection that does not typically hold much on this topic. LCC uses BX6151- 6155 for Seventh-day Adventists. Following the LCC notation without modification or expansion results in the proliferation of decimals, impeding both library users and staff. When a number of institutions share this same need, finding a standard notation they all can use is a mutual benefit. This paper reports …

Vignettes: Implications For Lis Research, Allison Benedetti, John Jackson, Lili Luo

Faculty Publications

Vignettes, brief descriptions of fictional characters and situations, serve as a tool to study people’s lives, perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about specific situations. Although not widely used in library and information science (LIS) research, vignettes can depersonalize responses to controversial situations or behavioral responses related to abstract concepts when employed in focus groups, in-depth interviews, or surveys. We use two research projects, one focused on the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education and one on the vocabulary used to describe library services, to discuss the strengths of vignettes and implications for LIS research.

How Cultural Intelligence Makes A Difference In The Information Profession: Are You Culturally Competent?, Michele Villagran

Faculty Publications

It is not enough to simply be ‘aware’ anymore. We must go beyond our own self-awareness and awareness of others to understand the impacts of how we work and interact effectively in culturally diverse situations, whether domestic or global. As the information profession operates in an ever changing, global environment, we need to be prepared to handle any diverse situation. As our workforces become more diverse, we face an even greater challenge and problem: that is how to successfully manage increasingly diverse interactions. To address this concern, organizations are applying the framework of cultural intelligence.Cultural intelligence is a person’s capability …

If We Built It, Would They Come? Creating Instruction Videos With Promotion In Mind, Leticia Camacho

Faculty Publications

This article reports on a video project done in an academic library where faculty were included in the production and marketing of the library instruction videos. The videos allowed the librarian to provide a shorter presentation and spend most of her time working individually with each student. The results showed that 97% of the students watched the videos and were able to benefit from the content. The implementation of the videos was a success due to the collaboration of the professors teaching the three courses and the buy-in of the course coordinator; both factors were essential in the success of …

Poster Competitions: Teaching Effective Scholarly Communication, Michael C. Goates, Gregory M. Nelson, Megan Frost, Jed Johnston

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Scholarly communication is at the heart of science. Poster sessions are a time honored method of presenting research results in a visually appealing, concise format. However, designing scientific posters that are both informative and easy to navigate can be a daunting task, even for the most experienced researcher. What role does the academic library play to help students learn the artful skill of conveying complex scientific results in a clear and succinct poster presentation? METHODS: Librarians from Brigham Young University sponsored a research poster competition for undergraduate students in the life sciences. As part of the competition, poster judges …

Western Name Authority File: Linked People And Corporate Bodies, Jeremy Myntti, Anna Neatrour

Faculty Publications

Presentation at the ALA ALCTS/LITA Linked Library Data Interest Group.

Cummings, Merrill, And Borrelli’S Inquiry Into Small Screen Use By Academic Library Users: Timing Is Everything, Catharine Reese Bomhold

Faculty Publications

Objective – The authors undertook this study to understand the relatively new phenomenon of handheld computing and the use of small-screen devices among academic library users. They sought to determine if users would be inclined to search the online library catalogue on their devices and, by extension, if there would be a growing demand for small-screen compatible library services.

Design – Online and paper surveys were used with both closed and open questions. Respondents included students, faculty, and staff at Washington State University (WSU).

Setting – Washington State University Library, Pullman, Washington, United States of America. Subjects – The survey …

The Secret Lives Of Ebooks: A Paratextual Analysis Illuminates A Veil Of Usage Statistics, Jonathan H. Harwell, Erin Gallagher

Faculty Publications

This study applies the method of paratextual analysis to six electronic books, or ebooks, in an academic library collection at a small liberal arts college. Two books are selected from each of three platforms: ebrary, EBSCO, and SpringerLink. The characteristics of each book are described, including design and readership, as well as 2 years of usage statistics from the specific library, and altmetrics where available. The paratextual study leads to a closer investigation of the usage statistics themselves and concludes that despite industry standards, they are not calculated consistently across vendor platforms and that while these data are invisible …