Library and Information Science Commons^™

50th Anniversary: V.A. Artisevich Zonal Scientific Library, Saratov State University & William Robertson Coe Library, University Of Wyoming, 1957-2007, Jennifer Mayer, Alexey Zyuzin

Jennifer Mayer

No abstract provided.

William Robertson Coe Library: Reflections On The Past, Jennifer Mayer

Jennifer Mayer

No abstract provided.

Credibility On The Internet: Shifting From Authority To Reliability, R. David Lankes

Faculty Publications

Purpose – This paper seeks to understand how users determine credibility in the internet environment from a conceptual level and the implications of these new methods of credibility determination on internet tools (primarily software) and services.

Design/methodology/approach – The author first examines the underlying reasons for increased dependence on the internet for information, using electronic commerce as a starting point. The central concept of “information self-sufficiency” is introduced and then examined through the lens of the internet and conversation theory.

Findings – The author finds that users are shifting from more traditional “authority” methods of credibility determination, where users cede …

Librarians Attitudes Toward Conferences: A Study, Robert D. Vega, Ruth S. Connell

Ruth S. Connell

The authors surveyed librarians to determine the reasons why they do or do not attend conferences, as well as what their attitudes were toward the various conference offerings such as roundtables, poster presentations, and the like. Librarians were queried to gather a variety of demographic and professional data. The resulting data were analyzed to find significant relationships between respondents’ demographic information and their attitudes toward specific conference offerings. The two most cited reasons given for going to conferences were professional rejuvenation and networking, both benefits not directly related to conference content. In addition to quantitative results, respondents replied to open-ended …

Signs Of The Times: Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, And It Audit, Win Shih, John Cashaw

Win Shih

The rapid evolution of Web technologies and standards has fueled the development of a raft of highly interactive and personalizable Web applications. AJAX (Asynchronous javaScript and XML)-powered and RSS-enabled Web sites, such as Google/IG, Google Map, Start.com from Microsoft, and Flickr.com from Yahoo make Web interfaces out of normally-nonweb-eanbled functionalities as running typical applications on your local PC.

Using similar technologies, we have been exploring the possibilities to a library-based portal that allows users freely configure their customized portal with contents of their choosing. Be this content e-mail, news, weather, blogging, photos, library’s catalog, or any RSS feed from publishers, …

Acquisitions: The Next Generation, Antje Mays

Dacus Library Faculty Publications

This article reviews a broad range of trends and concerns regarding the recruitment, training, and retention of acquisitions librarians. The survey of trends benefits library educators and students, members of search commillees seeking to fill acquisitions vacancies, and working acquisitions librarians.

From Opac To Library Search Engine, Win Shih

Win Shih

No abstract provided.

Understanding Patron Needs And Resource Usage In The Networked Academy, Win Shih

Win Shih

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better understand various aspects of patrons’ access to library’s electronic resources and services via its Web site, their motivation, and the resources they used.

Brief Description: As library resources and services continue to evolve rapidly and ever-more-sophisticatedly along technological vectors, the imperative persists for librarians to develop an innovative, systemic methodology for fathoming the effectiveness in meeting the demands and necessities of our less-visible, yet omnipresent and “omni-diverse” patrons, as well as for promoting efficient resource management and capacity planning.

Methods: Traditional, web-transactional log analyses possess a raft of merits, including unobtrusive …

The Electronic Resources (Er)Librarian As Teacher: Bibliographic Instruction And Information Literacy, Cheryl Goldenstein

Cheryl Goldenstein

The transition to electronic resources (ER) creates opportunities and challenges for library instruction. Users have access to abundant information even without consultation with librarians. Instruction must address not only the mechanics of finding information, but also how to evaluate and ethically use information from any medium. Information literacy has been used to describe these competencies. Schools and post-secondary institutions are integrating information literacy (IL) into curricula, giving librarians a more prominent role in the educational process.

Empowering Web Experiences With Ajax And Rss Feed, Win Shih, Hongbin Liu

Win Shih

The rapid evolution of Web technologies and standards has fueled the development of a raft of highly interactive and personalizable Web applications. AJAX (Asynchronous javaScript and XML)-powered and RSS-enabled Web sites, such as Google/IG, Google Map, Start.com from Microsoft, and Flickr.com from Yahoo make Web interfaces out of normally-nonweb-eanbled functionalities as running typical applications on your local PC.

Using similar technologies, we have been exploring the possibilities to a library-based portal that allows users freely configure their customized portal with contents of their choosing. Be this content e-mail, news, weather, blogging, photos, library’s catalog, or any RSS feed from publishers, …

Incorporating Visual Literacy Into Academic Libraries, Jennifer Mayer, Cheryl Goldenstein

Jennifer Mayer

The brain is predominantly visual, with ninety percent of sensory input coming from visual sources (Jensen 2000). Visual arts in particular stimulate the right hemisphere of the brain, and combining visual with verbal activities helps reinforce learning. Millennials generally prefer graphics to text. At the same time, using images indiscriminately may simply serve as clutter—or even convey an inaccurate or negative message. How can librarians use visuals effectively in our web pages, tutorials, handouts, and classroom presentations? What constitutes an “image” and what are some resources for finding images? What services can librarians provide for students whose projects are becoming …

Incorporating Visual Literacy Into Academic Libraries, Jennifer Mayer, Cheryl Goldenstein

Cheryl Goldenstein

The brain is predominantly visual, with ninety percent of sensory input coming from visual sources (Jensen 2000). Visual arts in particular stimulate the right hemisphere of the brain, and combining visual with verbal activities helps reinforce learning. Millennials generally prefer graphics to text. At the same time, using images indiscriminately may simply serve as clutter—or even convey an inaccurate or negative message. How can librarians use visuals effectively in our web pages, tutorials, handouts, and classroom presentations? What constitutes an “image” and what are some resources for finding images? What services can librarians provide for students whose projects are becoming …

Clir Forms Advisory Committee For Scholarly Communication Report, Ann Okerson, Gordon C. Tibbitts

Gordon C. Tibbitts III

In January 2006 CLIR (the Council on Library and Information Resources) formed a committee of advisors to develop strategically directed scholarly communication and preservation agendas that would appeal to and create value for CLIR constituents and the broader communities of stakeholders whose existence is entwined with these two topics. This report represents the findings as presented by Ann Okerson (the committee leader) and the committee findings between mid-January and late March 2006, identifying possible directions and studies to be pursued in CLIR's scholarly communication programs over the next three years.

Usability Testing Of A Customizable Library Web Portal, John Steven Brantley, Annie Armstrong, Krystal M. Lewis

Steve Brantley

No abstract provided.

Virtual Evidence: Analyze The Footsteps Of Your Users, Win Shih

Win Shih

This paper presents a study of Web Crawler activities based upon Web access logs from the Web site of an academic library. It further compares crawler behavior with that of regular human visitors. The results provide practical insights and foster a culture of evidencebased practice for better managing network-based resources and maintaining a reliable IT infrastructure.

Working With Generation-D: Adopting And Adapting To Cultural Learning And Change, Win Shih, Martha Allen

Win Shih

Purpose – The paper aims to discuss the expectations and needs of Generation Y students for higher education specifically targeting issues relating to libraries and library management. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a brief overview of Generation Y personality traits and characteristics. This is followed by a discussion of organizational culture, explaining how to effectively adapt to meet the expectations of the Generation Y students. Two academic libraries’ programs designed to meet the needs of the new learners are discussed. Findings – The paper recognizes the need to address the challenges of the new learners from all levels of library …

A Brave New Web: Health Informatics And The Emergence New Technologies, Win Shih

Win Shih

The sky-rocketing evolution of web technologies and standards has fueled development of a raft of highly interactive, collaborative and personalizable Internet applications. Librarians and other information professionals are exploring innovative and creative ways to deliver increasingly indispensable web-based, media-rich content and services in order to encourage, as well as cultivate, a network of expanding communities across a geographically-swelling patron base.

Focusing upon the field of health informatics, we explore a wide range of technologies, based on two key elements of effective communication and value creation: personalization and interaction that will improve patrons’ information access experiences; unlocking and unblocking new outreach …

Working With Generation-D: Adopting And Adapting To Cultural Learning And Change, Win Shih, Martha Allen

Win Shih

Look around today’s college campus. You can’t help noticing students “tuned in” with “earbuds” securely fastened, a laptop and PDA in their backpacks, camera-phone affixed to their belts. Campus life now includes: Downloading lecture notes, viewing course videos and taking quizzes via class websites; checking E-mail every 30 minutes, interacting with friends locally/globally courtesy of IM/“blogging;” MMORPGing (“Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Play Gaming”); downloading music/video files in MP3/M4A formats; sharing multi-megapixellated jpeg photos with online friends, vis-a-vis highspeed internet “lines.”

Who are these students? They are “Generation D:” So-called “digital natives,” the “net generation;” the first ubiquitous cohort of learners raised …

South Carolina Goes Digital: The Creation And Development Of Usc’S Digital Activities Department, Kate F. Boyd, Douglas King

Faculty and Staff Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the University of South Carolina's Digital Activities Department's history and development.

Design/methodology/approach – This article recounts the development of the Digital Activities Department and examines local policies and procedures. In addition, the article discusses the fundamental issues of choosing a digital repository, creating metadata, and scanning images. The authors take a practical, in-depth approach in discussing their experiences.

Findings – After just a few years, the Library has launched the department and successfully provided online access to a growing number of digital collections. Collaboration has been the key element in …

Enhancing Web Life With Ajax, Win Shih

Win Shih

No abstract provided.

Training New Acquisitions And Collection Development Librarians: Some Technical And Philosophical Guideposts, Antje Mays

Dacus Library Faculty Publications

This article covers key competencies for success as acquisitions and collection development librarians, delineates between collection development's intellectual facets of curricular support and acquisitions' business functions and shows how the two interrelated. Also provided are best practices for training and mentoring and professional development information for new librarians entering acquisitions and collection development.

Learning Objects And Repositories, Win Shih

Win Shih

No abstract provided.

Virtual Evidence: Analyze The Footsteps Of Your Users, Win Shih

Win Shih

This paper will discuss a practice of utilizing Web logs and usage statistics to maximize library resource and improve services at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Library. Like many of its peers, in 2004 the Library switched most of its print journals to online subscription. In this transformational process, the Library was faced with unique issues related to digital resources and services. Questions concerning reliable usage measurements, proficient access management and control, adequacy of user licenses, robust system performance and IT infrastructure, strong compliance of copyright laws and contractual agreements lead to the development of a decision-support mechanism …

Using Interlibrary Loan Data As A Section Tool: Ill Trails Provide Collection Clues, Camille Livingston, Antje Mays

Dacus Library Faculty Publications

This article describes analyzing Interlibrary Loan data to help inform collection management decision and offers guidance for formulating policies for discerning borrowed titles indicative of gaps in the library from special-interest pursuits beyond the scope of the university curriculum.

New Programs And Accreditations: Meaningful Measurement & Assessment, Antje Mays

Dacus Library Faculty Publications

This article provides a blueprint for successful library strategies in support of accreditations for regional bodies as well as reviews of discipline-specific academic programs spanning a wide range of knowledge areas.

Eres - How An Instructional Technology Department Is Only As Effective As Its Resources, Win Shih

Win Shih

The success of a 24x7 electronic reserves service requires a well configured and robustly managed system. Based upon a five-year successful experience of supporting Docutek’s ERes system at Saint Louis University, this paper discusses and examines the technical issues affecting the proper operation of the system. Areas covered include selecting an adequate server and scanner; proper server management; reducing PDF file size using various Acrobat 6 features; and interoperability between ERes and other systems.

Using Technology To Increase Collaboration Between The Library, Teaching Faculty, And The Campus At Large, Antje Mays

Dacus Library Faculty Publications

This article outlines many different ways of using technology to better link academic librarians and faculty, focusing particularly on how the appropriate use of technology in Acquisitions can improve the image of the library. The article presents a comprehensive overview of how technologies can be used to make Acquisitions not just a book purchasing department, but a department that works proactively to impress consituents, helping to make the library a central and prestigious part of the campus community. While the article's primary focus is on academic libraries, much of the discussion is also applicable to other types of libraries.

Rocks In The Whirlpool, Kathleen De La Peña Mccook

School of Information Faculty Publications

“Equity of Access” for all to the records of humanity is a key action area of the American Library Association (ALA). By 2005 the Association has declaredthat it will be the leading voice for equitable access to information resourcesin all formats for all people.

I Never Learned About That In Library School: Curriculum Changes In Lis., Carol Tenopir

School of Information Sciences -- Faculty Publications and Other Works

Professional organizations are concerned that programs in Library and Information Science (LIS) may not be teaching up-to-date skills to prepare new information professionals for their first jobs. But good schools also need to provide the broader knowledge that will allow graduates to adapt and continue to function in a constantly changing information world. Due to these concerns, the Special Libraries Association, Association for Library and Information Science Education, Medical Library Association, American Library Association, and others are all looking into what LIS curricula includes now and ought to include in the future, to ensure that the educational programs are keeping …

Cluster Power - Library Internetworking In The Electronic Information Age, Win Shih

Win Shih

No abstract provided.