Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Information Commons: The Future Is Now, Robert A. Seal

Robert A Seal

First established in the United States in the 1990’s, the information commons (IC) has become a common way to provide users of academic libraries with a variety of both library and technology services in the 21st century. Now a worldwide phenomenon, the information commons offers, in a centralized location, research and writing assistance, access to computers and other technology, high-speed Internet and wireless communication, loans of laptops and tablet devices, tutoring, both quiet and noisy work study areas, collaborative spaces, classrooms, digital media services, coffee and food items, and more. From the smallest to the largest institutions, the IC has …

The History And Current State Of The Information Portal In Libraries, Richard Hacken, Mathew Miles

Faculty Publications

This paper expands upon the concept of the information portal as introduced in the earlier-published article "The Role of Web Services in Portal Design: Approaches for an Algerian University Library." The categories and concepts involved are outlined as follows:
Defining the “portal” and its variants
Identifying variant functions of portals
Notions of portal user profiles and customization
History of portals
Library catalog models
Early library catalog models
Current library catalog models
Metadata repository models
Early metadata repository models
Current metadata repository models
Federated search models
Early federated search models
Current federated search models
Beyond Federated Searching (Centralized Indexes)
Digital library …

Information Commons: The Future Is Now, Robert A. Seal

University Libraries: Faculty Publications and Other Works

First established in the United States in the 1990’s, the information commons (IC) has become a common way to provide users of academic libraries with a variety of both library and technology services in the 21^st century. Now a worldwide phenomenon, the information commons offers, in a centralized location, research and writing assistance, access to computers and other technology, high-speed Internet and wireless communication, loans of laptops and tablet devices, tutoring, both quiet and noisy work study areas, collaborative spaces, classrooms, digital media services, coffee and food items, and more. From the smallest to the largest institutions, the IC …

Learning Outcomes For Library Student Workers, Jeanne M. Brown

Library Faculty Presentations

Our Dean of Libraries, Patty Iannuzzi has indicated that employment in the library can and should offer value to the student worker beyond convenience and flexible hours. In her words, "The libraries are well positioned to add value to our students' work experience in ways that can contribute to their academic success. As one of the largest employers of student workers on campus, we owe this to our students. As an organization, we want to clearly send a message that we care about them as students -- not just our employees." In Spring 2011, the Libraries partnered with Campus Life …

E-Books And The Use Of E-Book Readers In Academic Libraries: Results Of An Online Survey, Judith Brook, Anne A. Salter

Georgia Library Quarterly

To ascertain the use of e-books and e-book readers in academic libraries, a study was conducted by Judith Brook of Mercer University and Anne A. Salter of Oglethorpe University. The study was conducted during the period March through May of 2010. The target audience for the web based Survey Monkey study consisted of library professionals, rare book and history of the book academics, library staff and students. Participants were contacted through eight listservs. This survey was unique because of its focus on a wider variety of library related professionals and on policies that govern the use of e-books and e-book …

Read Fest: Academic Library Programming For Pre-Kindergarten Students, Laura Wright, Michael Holt

The Southeastern Librarian

Three factors influence an academic library’s decision to interact with the community; a need expressed from the community, the mission of the library, and a response to a specific problem (Schneider 2003). Odum Library at Valdosta State University (VSU) developed Read Fest in response to a perceived need in the community and in support of the library’s mission. Historically, South Georgia has had a high illiteracy rate; according to the National Center for Education Statistics most recent (2003) estimates, an average 22% of residents in Lowndes County and its neighbors lack basic literacy skills. Read Fest is an opportunity for …

Condition Survey Of The Circulating Collection: Joseph Anderson Cook Memorial Library, University Of Southern Mississippi, Scott David Reinke

SLIS Connecting

Building on the foundation of condition surveys that span the last 30 years, the current research provides library administrators at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Joseph Anderson Cook Memorial Library with information that can be used to plan mitigation strategies, create preservation policies, and further develop the existing preservation services to ensure that the collection remains accessible for future students and scholars. This survey serves as a pilot project to determine whether additional research in this area is warranted. It also provides a statistically valid set of data that indicate the current condition of the collection and an estimate of …

Report Of The Ad Hoc Digital Commons Task Force, Michael Vocino, Michael Cerbo, Margaret J. Keefe, Sarina Wyant

michael c vocino

March 2010 report to the faculty of the University Libraries, University of Rhode Island by the Ad Hoc Digital Commons Task Force. On December 17, 2009 in a letter to its members, the Ad Hoc Digital Commons Task Force was created by Dean David Maslyn at the request of the December 2009 Library Faculty Meeting. The charge from the Dean read: “Based upon the motion made at the faculty meeting of 12/4/2009, the Dean appoints the following people to an Ad Hoc Task Force to 'study and establish policy and procedures' for the possible establishment and implementation of a library …

Organizational Leadership In Academic Libraries : Identifying Culture Types And Leadership Roles, Monica Garcia Brooks

Monica Brooks

The purpose of this study is to identify organizational culture types and leadership roles among research and non-research libraries in higher education institutions in the United States and to reveal trends that can assist in enacting needed organizational change. Organizational culture and leadership are two intertwined concepts that are strongly aligned with the human element of any supervisory experience. According to Crosby, they help “nurture effective and humane organizations” (Crosby, 2004). This research project sought to test the claims brought forth by library researchers such as Kaarts-Brown et al. in which they reported a tie between the library manager’s ability …

Academic Librarians And Research Data Services: Preparation And Attitudes, Carol Tenopir, Robert Sandusky, Suzie Allard, Ben Birch

School of Information Sciences -- Faculty Publications and Other Works

Research funding bodies recognize the importance of infrastructure and services to organize and preserve research data, and academic research libraries have been identified as locations in which to base these research data services (RDS). Research data services include data management planning, digital curation (selection, preservation, maintenance, and archiving), and metadata creation and conversion. We report the results of an empirical investigation into the RDS practices of librarians in US and Canadian academic research libraries, establishing a baseline of the engagement of librarians at this early stage of widespread service development. Specifically, this paper examines the opinions of the surveyed librarians …

How Well Do Ontario Library Web Sites Meet New Accessibility Requirements?, Joanne Oud

Library Publications

New changes to Ontario law will require library web sites to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). This study evaluates 64 Ontario university, college, and public library web sites to see how well they comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines at present. An average of 14.75 accessibility problems were found per web page. The most common problems included invalid html, poor color contrast, incorrect form controls and labels, missing alt text, bad link text, improper use of headings, using html to format pages, using absolute units of measure, and issues with tables and embedded objects.

Guidelines For Media Resources In Academic Libraries (2012), Mary S. Laskowski, Cyrus Ford Zarganj, Nancy E. Friedland, Jacqueline Fritz, Jim Holmes, Lora Lennertz Jetton, M. Claire Stewart, Joe M. Williams

Library Faculty Publications

Technology used in teaching, learning, and research has created new challenges and opportunities for managers of college and university library media resource collections and services.

Moving images, sounds, and still images have become increasingly important in teaching, learning and research, and academic librarians are working closely with other agencies on campus to support faculty and student information needs. In some institutions, librarians have become true partners in the delivery of instruction, working with faculty, technologists, and instructional developers to create “new learning communities.”

Most academic libraries collect media, and these materials are as vital and diverse as any print collection …

Appearances Do Matter! What Libraries Can Learn From Clinton Kelly, Nancy E. Fawley

Library Faculty Publications

One could easily mistake Clinton Kelly’s closing keynote presentation at ACRL 2011 in Philadelphia last March as light fare. Kelly, cohost of TLC’s What Not To Wear, spoke enthusiastically about the importance of one’s appearance and the necessity of making an extra effort in the way individuals present themselves. His keynote address, and the fact that a fashion expert was a speaker at a conference for librarians, sparked debates on Twitter and in the blogosphere.

Do appearances matter? I say they do and add that this applies to buildings and objects, as well. Academic libraries, especially, could benefit from some …

Implementing Reference Statistics Collection Software At Multiple Library Service Points, J. Gabe Gossett, Elizabeth Stephan, Rebecca M. Marrall

Western Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Purpose– The purpose of this article is to explore the process of implementing LibAnswers, a reference statistics collection and analysis software, at multiple service points in an academic library and to outline the benefits of the process. Design/methodology/approach– The article outlines the process used to implement a statistics software, including initial testing, development of categories and terms used to define the question types, and training of library staff. Findings– Implementing a statistics program at multiple service points takes flexibility and patience. The biggest challenge faced was developing common terms to define what each desk did and how the statistics would …

New England Technical Services Librarians Spring 2012 Conference: Ilibrary: Digital Futures For Libraries (May 3, 2012, Worcester, Ma), Andrée J. Rathemacher, Michael A. Cerbo Ii, Julia A. Lovett

Technical Services Department Faculty Publications

This report discusses the program of the 2012 New England Technical Services Librarians (NETSL) annual spring conference, held on Thursday, May 3 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, titled “iLibrary: Digital Futures for Libraries.” NETSL is a section of the New England Library Association and a regional group of the American Library Association.

Academic Libraries And Research Data Services: Current Practices And Plans For The Future, Carol Tenopir, Ben Birch, Suzie Allard

DataONE Sociocultural and Usability & Assessment Working Groups

The report highlights the need and imperative for research data services in colleges and universities. Academic libraries may be ideal centers for research data service activities on campuses, providing unique opportunities for academic libraries to become even more active participants in the knowledge creation cycle in their institution.

Crowdsourcing Course Design: Tapping The Collective Intelligence Of Campus Stakeholders, Patrick Griffis, Steven Hoover

Scholarship Colloquium

Background

• UNLV General Education Reform

– led to First Year Experience Course in College of Business

• Course taught by advisors in College Of Business

• Collaboration between Librarians and BUS103

• Libraries hosted Faculty Institute for First Year Seminars

– Collaborative course design with business instructors, civic engagement and student success professionals, technology specialists, and librarians

Scholarship Colloquium Flyer, University Libraries

Scholarship Colloquium

List of presenters and presentations

Juvenile Literature E-Books In A Curriculum Materials Library Setting: Love Them Or Leave Them?, Amy L. Johnson

Scholarship Colloquium

So What's The Problem?
CML’s juvenile literature collection serves a three-fold purpose

• Supporting academic study of children’s/young adult literature

• Leisure reading collection

• Providing materials for use by CCSD teachers and students

Which means…

• Amazon’s e-book sales (and other info.) can guide leisure reading trends

• BUT…we also need input and buy-in from UNLV instructors and CCSD teachers

Reaching Out To Business Communities: Best Practices For Libraries, Patrick Griffis, Sidney Lowe

Scholarship Colloquium

Origin of Book Project

• Presented about Business Community Outreach

– Reference Renaissance Conference: August 2010

• Approached by Managing Editor of Libraries Unlimited

– Asked to submit proposal for a book

• Proposal accepted and book contract signed

Academic Libraries And English Composition Programs: A Literature Review Of Current Trends, Erin E. Rinto

Scholarship Colloquium

This literature review examines a sampling of the last ten years of research on the relationships between academic libraries and English Composition Programs in an effort to uncover potential methods for a new collaboration between the Lied Library and the English Composition Program at UNLV. Three general trends are identified and discussed in terms of their strengths and weaknesses for local implementation.

Presentation On E-Books To The University Of Rhode Island Deans' Council, Andrée Rathemacher

Technical Services Faculty Presentations

Slides and notes for a presentation on e-books to the University of Rhode Island Deans' Council on May 16, 2012.

Ebookmobile: Delivering Subject-Specific Ebooks To Your Inbox, Kathryn Lybarger

Library Presentations

Today's users are overloaded by the massive amount of information available to them, even within their own library's collection. Ebooks cataloged in batches of hundreds (or thousands) make a generic new ebook shelf prohibitively large and mostly uninteresting to a subject researcher. The Ebookmobile helps researchers become aware of new ebooks in the library collection in their specific area of interest, so they can start using them immediately. Ebookmobile checks the Voyager database daily for newly cataloged ebooks and creates feeds for ranges in a classification scheme. Researchers can choose to receive a daily e-mail or subscribe to an RSS …

Student Engagement And Library Use: An Examination Of Attitudes Towards Use Of Libraries And Information Amongst Undergraduate Students At A Turkish University Library, Gulcin Cribb, Ilkay Holt

Research Collection Library

The competitive environment in which university libraries operate and provide their services and resources is one of the biggest challenges to engage today’s undergraduate students. There is a limited amount of high quality attention and time students have, to be able to be engaged with what the library offers them. Planning and designing library awareness and information literacy programs, particularly for new students, has presented itself as an on-going challenge for librarians worldwide in recent times. However, the goalpost keeps on moving and the players are becoming more restless, demanding and seeking instant gratification. The purpose of this paper is …

New E-Resources At The University Libraries, Andrée Rathemacher

Technical Services Department Faculty Publications

LibGuide providing a list of electronic resources purchased by the University of Rhode Island libraries in recent months.

Twenty Years After: Armenian Research Libraries Today, D. Aram Donabedian, John Carey, Arshak Balayan

Publications and Research

Since achieving statehood in 1991, Armenia has faced major economic and political obstacles which have significantly affected the nation’s research libraries. This research paper will quantitatively and qualitatively examine the challenges facing Armenian research libraries just over twenty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Specifically, the authors analyze their interviews with five library administrators at five major institutions, respectively. These include Yerevan State University Library, the National Library of Armenia, the Fundamental Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, the Republican Scientific-Medical Library of Armenia, and the Papazian Library of the American University of Armenia. …

Academic Libraries: Sustainability In Action, Marianne A. Buehler

Library Faculty Presentations

Faculty and Librarian Collaborations:
- Sustainability Across the Curriculum
- Sustainability Research
- Sustainable Activity
- Opportunities

Not On The Same Page: Undergraduates’ Information Retrieval In Electronic And Print Books, Selinda Adelle Berg, Kristin Hoffmann, Diane Dawson

Kristin Hoffmann

Academic libraries are increasingly collecting e-books, but little research has investigated how students use e-books compared to print texts. This study used a prompted think-aloud method to gain an understanding of the information retrieval behavior of students in both formats. Qualitative analysis identified themes that will inform instruction and collection practices.

Living The Future 2012: Educational Role Of Libraries, Jennifer L. Fabbi, Jeanne Brown, Anne E. Zald, Steven Hoover

Library Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

From Art On The Wall To Something For All: How An Academic Library Turned Its Art Collection Into A Campus Attraction, Jill Cirasella, Miriam Deutch

Publications and Research

An important feature of the Brooklyn College Library is its art collection, the college’s only permanent art collection. In this article, we explain how the library came to have an art collection; how we supplemented the collection with museum-style wall labels, an online catalog, and an audio tour; and how we promoted the collection and sparked student creativity with an annual art contest. We pay particular attention to the decisions and details that might help other libraries working on similar projects.