Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Strengthening Your (Dublin) Core For Stronger User Discoverability (And Possibly Abs), Andrea Payant, Paul Daybell, Liz Woolcott, Becky Skeen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services unit investigated user search behavior using web log analysis to determine how users interacted with CONTENTdm, which categories of search terms were used, and where search terms were found in a metadata record. This presentation will discuss the key findings from data analysis and how this will influence metadata practices to improve digital collection user experience.

Library After Hours: Reinventing The First-Year Experience, One Epic Party At A Time, Katie Strand, Niki Fullmer, Paul Daybell

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

What if we could transform student perceptions of the academic library in one night? Our library orientations may be the key to changing the library image from that of a stuffy and intimidating place to a hub for exploration, creativity, and fun. This presentation will highlight how one institution threw out the rule book on the traditional library orientation, trading in our tired PowerPoints and scavenger hunts for laser tag and escape rooms, to give students a night to remember. Presenters will share details about the planning, execution, and assessment of an after-hours library event attended by 1,500 first-year students.

We're Bringing Spacers Back: Secondary Processing At Utah State University Archives, Kelly Rovegno, Heather Housley, Paul Daybell, Becky Skeen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Processing can be an iterative process but finding time and resources to re-evaluate existing collections is difficult, especially with backlogs and new acquisitions. However, secondary processing can greatly improve access, discoverability, and the physical condition of the materials. This session examines the process in which Utah State University Archives, as part of a larger cataloging project to modernize University began and carried out an evaluation of collections for secondary processing and rehousing.

The Revised Dacs Principles In Action: Applying Modern Practice To Legacy Description, Ryan Lee, Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Becky Skeen, Paul Daybell, Heather Housley, Kelly Rovegno

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Since SAA revised DACS's archival description principles from 8 concepts into 11 reworked value statements in 2019, archivists have wondered how to incorporate the revised principles into existing description practices. Archivists from BYU and USU libraries have undertaken large projects on legacy collections informed by these principles. We invite attendees to learn from our experiences in implementing current DACS principles while grappling with less-than-ideal records. BYU will describe a project to revise the description of a significant collection of Mesoamerican materials after discovering the finding aid had serious problems introduced by previous revisions by archivists. USU will describe an undertaking …

It's Time For An Ead Glow Up! How To Make Finding Aids More Attractive To Users, Paul Daybell, Liz Woolcott, Kelly Rovegno, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Heather Housley

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

USU Libraries investigated discoverability of local Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids using different levels of description. The research team created two dueling finding aids of the same collection; one with an MPLP stripped down box level inventory, and the other with a more robust item level of description. Both finding aids were posted online simultaneously and left untouched for over a year. The data was then pulled and assessed for each collection with the more 'glowed up' item level finding aid being, on average, 61x more discoverable than the finding aids described at the file level. Presenters will discuss …

Apcs And 123s: Estimating How Much Your Faculty Are Spending On Article Processing Charges., Erica Finch, Lindsay Ozburn, Becky L. Thoms

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

No abstract provided.

Library Instructional E-Resources As Oer: Finding The Right Home, Erica Finch, Niki Fullmer, Stephanie Western

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

No abstract provided.

Analyzing Discoverability In An Mplp World: How Levels Of Description Impact Findability, Anna-Maria Arnljots, Paul Daybell, Kurt Alan Meyer, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Libraries and archives have differing opinions on how much effort to put into content description. Yet, descriptive practices meant to reduce processing time and increase exposure to collections can have unintended impacts on long-term user discovery. This project tests minimal and full description to determine the effects on discoverability.

Level Down To Level Up: The Impact Of Item-Level Description On Finding Aid Discoverability, Paul Daybell, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services unit investigated the discoverability of local Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids using different levels of description. The research team created two nearly identical versions of the same finding aid for five collections and posted them online. The only difference in the finding aids was the level to which the collection contents were described. For each collection, one version of the finding aid was described at the file (box or folder) level and the other version was described at the item level. Over a year later the team pulled the analytics for …

Media Moguls: Finding And Using Creative Commons Media In The Classroom, Erica Finch

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Pictures, videos, music, and other types of media can help engage your class, but how do we find and use media in a way that sets a good example for students? As students navigate the confusing landscapes of copyright, citation, and media use in their course work, can we help them chart a path to success by engaging in practices they can emulate?

Creative Commons licenses make it easy to use media with confidence and avoid copyright pitfalls. This session will explore what Creative Commons licenses are, how they work, and how to find Creative Commons media. Come ready to …

Avoiding A "Level Of Discontent" In Finding Aids: An Analysis Of User Engagement Across Ead Levels, Paul Daybell, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

USU Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services unit investigated the discoverability of local Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids. The research team put two versions of the same finding aid online with one described at the file (box or folder) level and the other described at the item level. Over a year later the team pulled the analytics for each guide and assessed the descriptive level most frequently accessed as well as the search terms patrons utilized and where they were found in finding aid tags. Presenters will discuss the methodology of the project and research outcomes.

None Of Our Business: Examining The Economics And Business Dynamics Of The Library And Information Industry, Jason Folkman, Alex J. Sundt, Robert Heaton, Erica Finch, Stephanie Western, Nick Gittins

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Librarians are often referred to as information professionals and talk of the "information industry," but how much do we actually know about the business side of publishing and library vendors? As vendors and publishers continue to consolidate, and costs increase for libraries and our communities, the business side of libraries deserves greater scrutiny from the library community which often shies away from critically examining our role in the greater information industry. Building our awareness and engaging in critical discourse of the library industry is essential for securing our bargaining power, navigating our role as stewards of our collections, and situating …

University Treasure – Collections Of Secrets: How Utah State University Libraries Modernized Their University Archives, Paul Daybell, Quinn Gerber, Heather Housley, Kelly Rovegno, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Starting in 2018, Utah State University Libraries undertook a largescale cataloging project to modernize the University Archives. Before 2018 the University Archives was largely inaccessible to patrons with only 2% of collections having online finding aids and no existing electronic shelf list inventory. Using a workflow-driven approach, a team of catalogers, archivists, and student technicians embarked on a four-phase journey to inventory over 21,000 items, create EAD finding aids and MARC catalog records for over 2700 unique collections, and ingesting all collections into the Library’s newly implemented archival management system. Presenters will discuss the process developed, tools used, and outcomes …

Research Impact Fluxkit: A Playful Exploration Of Research Assessment, Erica Finch

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Librarians sure do love their toolkits—but what happens when the tools we use reinforce systems of discrimination and exclusion? The Research Impact Fluxkit is a playful and interactive interpretation of the library toolkit intended to spark discussion about how we assess the impact of our research.

On Your Marc, Get Set, Code!, Anna-Maria Arnljots, Paul Daybell, Kurt Alan Meyer, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

How are MARC records performing in our search environment? This presentation will look at the process and results of a research project that analyzed how users’ search terms matched up with MARC fields, as well as how and where MARC records were displayed in search results lists. Presenters will discuss the process, the results of the project, and outline how attendees can implement similar research projects at their institutions, including tools and techniques they can use to analyze how their own records are surfacing in a search environment.

Engaging ≠ Engagement: Assessing Students' Behaviors Following Gamified Orientation, Katie Strand, Makenzie Boatright, Pamela N. Martin

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

What do students retain from first-year workshops? In fall 2019, Utah State University Libraries assessed our interactive orientation when it became optional rather than required for USU’s first-year seminar, creating two populations to study, participants and nonparticipants. By convening focus groups and analyzing campus data, we investigated if the orientation helped freshmen engage with library spaces, services, and materials. Findings revealed workshop strengths and weaknesses, as well as broader student preferences, behaviors, and expectations. Join librarians and students to discuss first-year students’ anxieties and needs concerning not only the library, but also campus belonging and student independence.

You Feel Special When You Get A Library Card: Replicating Latinx Students' Public Library Feelings In Academic Library Spaces, Niki Fullmer

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

The goal of academic and public libraries is to support the community by contributing to life-long learning, access, and knowledge. However, the feelings produced by these institutions are dissimilar although both use similar practices to reach their communities. Researchers administered surveys and interviews at a university to understand Latinx students’ perceptions of the academic library. Many of the questions inquired about their feelings towards public libraries as well as cultural affirmation wishes they wanted implemented in academic libraries. In our proposed presentation, we will share how Latinx students view public and academic libraries in relation to their culture and ethnicity.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work: Collaboratively Navigating Information Literacy Instruction In The Classroom, Niki Fullmer, Katie Strand

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Teaching students to critically think and effectively research and write is a tall task, but an important one in ensuring students become informed citizens. The good news is we don’t have to face these challenging concepts alone. In Spring 2022, USU Librarians conducted a research study to better understand information literacy instruction that is occurring in our local high schools as well as understand teacher/librarian collaborations. Presenters will share key findings from this study and facilitate a discussion about how our expertise as teachers and librarians might intersect in ways that will better support our students. Participants will also discover …

Just Keep Cataloging: How One Cataloging Unit Changed Their Workflows To Fit The Pandemic Remote, Hybrid, And In-Library Work, Becky Skeen, Andrea Payant, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services (CMS) unit, including student workers, transitioned to remote cataloging in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation will outline the process undertaken by supervisors to evaluate and modify services and workflows to continue cataloging materials through the different phases of library capacity from shutting down most of the library, to a hybrid limited staff capacity, through staff back in the library full-time.

The Format That Time Forgot!!! The Return Of The Microcards, Jen P. Kirk, Mel Desart, Laura Sare, Sinai Wood

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Hidden away in the darkest recesses of some libraries you will find... Wait! Don't! Don't open that microcard drawer!!

Seriously, it feels that way when you walk by those long-neglected microcards. Very few cataloging records exist so discoverability is close to zero, and if there are records how do you read the cards? Wouldn't it be great if you could bring that microcard back to life so the content could be used? Good news! A collaborative open-access effort to do so is underway. After two successful pilot projects, working with roughly 2700 Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) reports on microcard, the …

Marc-Y Marc And The Coding Bunch, Anna-Maria Arnljots, Paul Daybell, Kurt Meyer, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

MARC records were identified, isolated from the other search results, then analyzed and individually coded. Coding identified where search terms appeared in a record, determined whether search terms were present in full or in part within those fields, and ascertained what prominent categories of fields were missing from records. Analysis of results ultimately showed that including notes and summaries into catalog records is important for content retrieval, while subject headings were not as impactful for access, but may be valuable to a subset of users who take the additional step of viewing the complete records.

Homeward Bound: How To Move An Entire Cataloging Unit To Remote Work, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services (CMS) unit, including student workers, transitioned to remote cataloging in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation will outline the process undertaken by supervisors to evaluate and modify services and workflows to continue cataloging service during the time when the library was shut down.

‘Theses’ Going To Be Good!: A How To Guide On Dealing With Large Complex Cataloging Projects, Paul Daybell, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott, Melanie Shaw, Seth Westernburg

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Utah State University Libraries undertook a complete barcoding and cataloging of their Theses and Dissertations. Due to irregular cataloging policies, only 1/3 of the collection had been cataloged. Using a workflow-driven approach, the cataloging team of student technicians and catalogers used a combination of automations, batch processing, and a relational database to pull existing record information and build new, improved records. Presenters will discuss the process developed, the tools that were used, and the outcomes of the project.

But Were We Successful? Using Online Asynchronous Focus Groups To Evaluate Library Services, Rebekah Cummings, Lindsay E. Ozburn, Andrea Payant, Michael Shelton, Ryan Bushman

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

USU launched a program in 2016 to connect researchers seeking federal funding with librarians to assist them with data management. This program assisted over 100 researchers, but was it successful? Our presentation will discuss how we evaluated the success of this program using online asynchronous focus groups (OAFG) in conjunction with a traditional survey. Our cross-institutional research team will share our findings as well as the challenges and successes of using OAFGs to assess library services.

Library Structures As Sites To Rethink: Using Established Workflows To Open A New Understanding Of Edi Unit Culture, Dory Rosenberg, Erin Davis, Jessica Sandberg, Katie Strand

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

This panel of presenters explored how established workflows, documentation, and cross-campus connections could be re-purposed to promote EDI unit goals. The purpose of this panel will be to 1) model how one library unit is working to integrate EDI conversations and practices into established library and unit structures 2) offer a reflective and interactive component to help participants identify what structures they already have in place at their institutions that could be recast with an EDI focus, and 3) share professional development examples that can support EDI needs and open conversations within a unit.

Past Perceptions, Present Usage: Latinx Students And Academic Libraries, Niki S. Fullmer, Brittany Paloma Fiedler

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Over the last two decades, the population of Latinx students enrolled in higher education has increased by 142%, but they are still underrepresented overall. According to 2015 United States census data, only 16% of Hispanic adults have a Bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 54% of Asian Americans, 36% of (non-Hispanic) white people, and 23% of Black people. The needs of Latinx students in higher education are obviously not being met. Academic libraries have long seen themselves as integral to student success, but there is little research about how they are (or are not) serving Latinx students specifically. The IFLA/UNESCO …

Presidential Records & Materials, Jen P. Kirk

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Research using presidential records can be quite complex. Presidential records are mix of public and private materials, and are located in a variety of archival, library, and museum settings. Understanding a little bit about the history of presidential records helps researchers understand where they can find information about the topics they seek to understand or explain. This display provides an overview of key institutions and a timeline of developments. An associated research guide provides direct access to key collections for each U.S. president.

Cataloging Broadsides & Posters, Becky Skeen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Catalogers are increasingly responsible for creating metadata for a variety of unusual items. These may be part of a library’s special collections department or interfiled with the general collection. Luckily, technical services librarians have developed a number of guidelines for cataloging these special formats. This is the fourth installment of ULA’s technical service’s round table cataloging webinar series and will focus on how to catalog broadsides and posters following format specific guidelines and standards.

Project Management: A Library Perspective, Becky Skeen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Agenda

▪ Basic terminology and concepts

▪ Project life-cycle phases

▫ Initiation

▫ Planning

▫ Executing

■ Monitoring and Controlling

▫ Closing

▪ Application/Conclusion

Learning Analytics With Library Instruction Data And Student Data, Kacy Lundstrom, Britt Fagerheim

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

USU Libraries has an on-going learning analytics project combining library instruction data with student data.

We are examining connections between:

• when and how often students receive library instruction
• during their college career student GPA and retention