Library and Information Science Commons^™

Jmu Libraries Magazine, Jenne M. Klotz, Kristen S. Shuyler, Emily Blake

Libraries

This magazine describes highlights from the JMU Libraries from 2020-2021.

Building An Inclusive Library Through Staff Accessibility Training, K.T. L. Vaughan

Libraries

Libraries provide a needed third place for students to engage with their peers and faculty, both academically and socially. Staff behavior, knowledge, and skills in providing an accessible and inclusive environment are key to helping students with disabilities feel that they belong in the libraries. This makes training in disability and accessibility awareness a necessary component of the overall program for the library. This study assessed a locally-developed, online training program for staff of all levels that was intended to improve staff knowledge and skills in disability etiquette, library services and spaces that support people with disabilities, and the policies …

How Accessible Are The Libraries?, K.T. L. Vaughan

Libraries

JMU's Carrier Library may be one of the most popular study and hangout spots on campus, but how accessible is it? How can we work to improve Carrier's accessibility? We developed and tested an accessibility audit instrument to identify areas of strength and need. This session will present findings and talk about how the libraries are working to redefine access and accessibility in the physical environment. Your voice is welcome to help co-construct an idea of library as third place that is accessible and inclusive for all students, faculty, and staff.

I Heart Communication In The Library: Exploring Communication Satisfaction, Jennifer A. Keach

Libraries

This poster presents findings about organizational communication within a mid-sized academic library. Discover if demographic differences, the number of connections, attendance at events, or use of technology helped or hindered communication. Learn about ways to do a communication audit at your own library.

You Are Welcome Here: The Genesis And Evaluation Of A New Employee Orientation Program Within The Library, Rebecca French, Jennifer A. Keach, Elizabeth Price, Susan Thomas, Michael Trocchia

Libraries

Your library may hire new employees throughout the year, but do you prepare them to succeed in your environment? Learn how James Madison University Libraries developed a new employee orientation program designed to meet the needs of new employees, their supervisors, and the entire organization.

Promoting Civic Engagement Through Academic Library Outreach Programs, Kristen S. Shuyler, Liz Chenevey, Ryan Winfree

Libraries

How are Virginia's academic libraries promoting civic engagement? This poster presents results of a statewide civic engagement survey and shares one academic library's civic engagement outreach activities. Civic literacy competencies, such as the ability to contact representatives, are related to information literacy skills, and libraries should continue to promote them.

Engaging With Black Lives Matter And Supporting Our Communities, Yasmeen Shorish, Michael Mungin, Kristen S. Shuyler

Libraries

In October 2016, the Diversity Council of Libraries and Educational Technologies produced book displays in Carrier and Rose Libraries that focused on "Understanding Black Lives Matter." The council wanted to provide information on this social movement within the context of national history and racial identity. A list of books that covered topic areas of criminal justice, Jim Crow, racism, and the Black experience - among others - was generated, along with two informational placards. One placard placed the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement within historical and social context, while the other placard offered a preemptive response to the question "Why …

Libraries On The Frontlines: Neutrality And Social Justice, Amelia N. Gibson, Renate L. Chancellor, Nicole A. Cooke, Sarah Park Dahlen, Shari A. Lee, Yasmeen Shorish

Libraries

Purpose

This article examines libraries’ responsibility to engage with and support communities of color as they challenge systemic racism, engage in the political process, and exercise their right to free speech. Many libraries have ignored the Black Lives Matter movement, citing the need to maintain neutrality. Despite extensive scholarship questioning the validity of this concept, the framing of library neutrality as nonpartisanship continues. This article examines librarianship’s engagement with, and disengagement from Black communities through the lens of the Black Lives Matter movement. It also explores the implications of education, engagement, and activism for people of color and libraries today. …

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"Why Are We Still Talking About Diversity?" Combatting Misconceptions In An Academic Library, Michael Mungin, Yasmeen Shorish

Libraries

This poster will present the assessment and intervention activities of individuals at a mid-sized academic library with respect to diversity personnel initiatives. Each year, library employees complete a survey designed to gauge satisfaction and areas for improvement. Qualitative data suggest that library staff are confused about definitions of diversity and/or lack requisite buy-in and interest in initiatives that address diversity concerns. The activities and outcomes of an intervention to address these issues will be discussed.

Connecting The Libraries And Athletics Through Information Literacy Instruction To Strength And Conditioning Interns, Lara Sapp, K.T. L. Vaughan

Libraries

Goal: To build a relationship between the libraries and athletics by connecting the Health Sciences Librarian and university athletics at James Madison University.

In the summer of 2015, the Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning approached the Health Sciences Librarian to discuss library support for their student interns.

A problem-based, information literacy instruction session was included in the didactic training of Strength and Conditioning interns. A collection of core journals and books was identified and developed. Access to these resources is facilitated through a guide tailored to the interdisciplinary nature of this population.

The methods closely parallel those used for …

A Tale Of Two Liaisons: Exploring Library-Writing Center Alliances, Carolyn Schubert, Lucy Green

Libraries

In this presentation, a writing center faculty member and a librarian will discuss their partnership at James Madison University, including how they have adapted the library liaison model for writing center use. Attendees will have the opportunity to consider models for writing center-library collaboration at their own institutions.

Chat Reference: To Schedule Or Not To Schedule?, Michael Mungin

Libraries

Students in distance programs often have no way of visiting the physical reference desk to seek assistance from and engage in a reference interview with a librarian. Lack of access to this crucial research resource presents a major challenge to distance education. Luckily, chat reference services, available through various products and software, are becoming an increasingly common service offered by libraries. This technology allows the students and librarians to work together in real time to achieve the back and forth dialogue required in reference interviews. Unfortunately, the literature on creating and providing a chat reference service does not delve deeply …

Data Curation Is For Everyone! The Case For Master's And Baccalaureate Institutional Engagement With Data Curation, Yasmeen Shorish

Libraries

This article describes the fundamental challenges to data curation, how these challenges may be compounded for smaller institutions, and how data management is an essential and manageable component of data curation. Data curation is often discussed within the confines of large research universities. As a result, master's and baccalaureate institutions may be left with the impression that they cannot engage with data curation. However, by proactively engaging with faculty, libraries of all sizes can build closer relationships and help educate faculty on data documentation and organizational best practices. This article describes experiences from one master's comprehensive institution as it engages …