Archival Science Commons^™

The Expansion Of Digital Services In Mississippi Public Libraries, Xinyu Yu Mills, Ph.D. Usm Slis

SLIS Connecting

A content analysis of 53 public library systems’ websites listed on the Public Library Directory of Mississippi Library Commission was conducted. The purpose of the study was to find types and levels of digital services offered by these library systems. The term “digital services” has been more used in recent literature, which suggests that more libraries started offering more since the start of COVID-19. This study intended to look closely how Mississippi’s public libraries follow the national trend.

Slis Notes: What Is A Library In Crisis?, Stacy Creel, Ph.D. Usm Slis

SLIS Connecting

What is a library in crisis? One definition is that a crisis is an event beyond the normal situation that acts as a disruption to library operations and services and can damage the library’s reputation (Pedraza, 2010). These situations draw attention, usually negative attention, and scrutiny by the library’s user population, political/government entities, and even at times, the attention of the nation via outlets such as social media. Crisis management requires action in three phases—before, during, and after. The goal of crisis management is to prevent or reduce the impact of the crisis on the library. What can libraries do …

Slis Notes: Censorship Turbulent Times, Stacy Creel, Ph.D. Usm Slis

SLIS Connecting

Just this past year in 2021, the American Library Association (ALA) had to release a statement in response to an increase in censorship of materials centered on LGBTQIA+ issues and books by Black authors, Indigenous authors, or other people of color. The statement in its entirety is found here: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/statement-regardingcensorship. The statement reaffirms that ALA and its Executive Board, Divisions, Roundtables, and other units stand firm in the freedom to read and against censorship.

From The Gas: Congratulations, Publications, Presentations, Stacy Creel, Ph.D. Usm Slis, Teresa S. Welsh, Ph.D. Usm Slis

SLIS Connecting

Updates on USM SLIS alumni, faculty, and students.

Spotlights: Faculty, Alum, Kaigler Children's Book Festival, Stacy Creel, Ph.D. Usm Slis

SLIS Connecting

Meet Dr. Brendan Fay, new Associate Director, and alumni Kristen Hillman, and get insights on the Fay B. Kaigler 2023 Children's Book Festival.

Slis Director's Report, Stacy Creel, Ph.D. Usm Slis

SLIS Connecting

Welcome to the Summer/Fall issue of SLIS Connecting.

Slis Connecting, Volume 10, Issue 2 Fall/Winter, Stacy Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

SLIS Connecting -- the whole issue with all three Columns, one editorial, one professional article, and seven research articles.

Common Ground: How The First Amendment And Intellectual Freedom Provide Room For Diverse Voices, Heather Smith, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study examined the legal history and evolution of the LIS core value of intellectual freedom in the United States of America, explained how the convictions of both conservative and liberal ideations are rooted in this common national foundation, and, thereby, endeavored to reconcile perceived enemies and dispel misconceptions and prejudices within the world of information science.

Lgbtq+ Picture Books: A Collection Assessment Of Lonesome Pine Regional Library System, Stephanie Griffin, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study assessed the ownership of Rainbow List LGBTQ+ picture books within the Lonesome Pine Regional Library. It looked at which titles were owned, the classification of the title, and collection placement.

Analysis Of Free Browser-Based Accessibility Tools: Wcag 2.1 Evaluation Of Mississippi Gulf Coast Public Library Websites, Jessica Dawn Brown, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This webometrics study compared free browser-based accessibility tools and determine the WCAG2.1 compliance levels of Mississippi Gulf Coast public library websites based on homepage analysis through free browser-based accessibility tools—ARC Toolkit, Lighthouse, Accessibility Insights for the Web, and Axe Accessibility.

Censorship In Libraries: A Retrospective Study Of Banned And Challenged Books, Jessica Aucoin, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study surveyed the ALA’s Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books lists from the past 30 years to see if there was a change in the themes and age groups of the books that are being challenged or banned.

Ransomware: A Bibliometric Research Study, Allyce Andrew Sears, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study gathered and analyzed data of published scholarly literature regarding ransomware in order to share this knowledge with LIS professionals for their own use and education. It focused on scholarly journals over the last decade (2010-2020).

Pathways To Discovery For Lgbtq+ Archival Materials: An Analysis Of Discovery Tools And Descriptive Quality In Online Finding Aids, Ashlee Dale Parker, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study investigated and assessed the availability of online archival finding aids and descriptive metadata for LGBTQ+ materials at research universities in the Southeastern United States.

A Quantitative Analysis Of Digitized Archival Collections From Mississippi’S Public Universities, Sarah Parrish, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study provides a quantitative analysis of the digitized archival collections made available online by public, 4-year universities in Mississippi to determine how many collections have been digitized and to reveal which topics are most represented in digitized archival materials.

Archives And Cemeteries, Jeffery Hirschy, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

After a conversation on alternative definitions of archives in LIS 646: Introduction to Archival Theory, Mandy Hornsby, of the Biloxi Public Library, invited classmates to a tour of the Old Biloxi Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi. These types of valuable experiences offer connecting with students and fostering a sense of community here at the School of Library and Information Science.

Poster Presentation, Sarah Williams, Stacy Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Posters are an important part of scholarly and professional communication. In an effort to encourage students at the School of Library & Information Science to be active participants in these types of events, students may participate in an optional student symposium, but they are required to create research posters in their capstone LIS 695. These are helpful resources and recent examples.

From The Gas: Congratulations, Publications, Presentations, Stacy Creel, Ph.D., Teresa S. Welsh, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Words from the SLIS graduate assistants about what makes being a SLIS GA "a good thing" beyond the job duties: outreach, office work, recruitment, teaching, research, data collection, transcribing, course preparation, and social media creation. News, updates, and congratulations from students, alumni, and faculty.

Spotlights: Faculty, Alum, Kaigler Children's Book Festival, Stacy Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Dr. Sarah Mangrum joined the School of Library and Information Science faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) as an Assistant Teaching Professor in Fall 2021. Carlos B. Crockett, Reference Library at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library earned his Master’s in Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi (2013). A star-studded Virtual 2022 Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival takes place on April 6-8, 2022 with Brian Selznick (Medallion winner), Jen Bryant, Nic Stone and Angie Thomas, Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome, Raúl the Third, Eric L. Tribunella and Donna Washington.

Slis Director's Report, Stacy Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Welcome to the Fall/Winter issue of SLIS Connecting. Since Dr. Welsh’s retirement in August of 2021, it has been a busy and exciting fall and start of the spring semesters with the return to in-person activities on campus and continued growth and productivity in SLIS.

Slis Connecting, Volume 10, Issue 1, Spring/Summer 2021, Stacy Creel, Ph.D., Teresa S. Welsh Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

No abstract provided.

The History And Current Challenges Of Libraries In Japan, Francis A. Alix

SLIS Connecting

Japan's libraries have many positive attributes and continue to evolve. However, many library sectors struggle with serving users because of staff outsourcing, library leadership, and a focus on circulation statistics that prevent them from developing into 21st-century information and community centers. This paper reviews the history and current status of each library sector, including their services and staffing. It then examines their current challenges and how professionalism, librarian education, and community engagement are the main challenges to their success and suggests recommendations to elevate them to compete in the global arena.

Locating Banned Books: A Collection Analysis Of Libraries In Arkansas And Tennessee, Floyce Thomas

SLIS Connecting

No library can make everything available to its patrons. However, libraries should adhere to the American Library Association (ALA) for guidance on what items are banned from the library's collections. Censorship and intellectual freedom have gained attention for how it affects libraries and the restraints it individualized for banned or forbidden items. Difficulties are characterized as formal, composed complaints recorded with a library or school asking for specific materials to be expelled from view because the substance may not be considered appropriate for the users.

The purpose of this study is to compare a selected set of previously banned books …

Reaching Out: A Publication Trend Analysis Of Scholarly Articles Discussing Graphic Novels And Reluctant Or Struggling Readers, Mary Kirkham

SLIS Connecting

Graphic novels combine short text and pictures to tell a story or convey information while still engaging the reader visually. This is a potentially useful tool for reaching out to struggling and reluctant readers. Struggling readers have difficulty reading and understanding what it is they are reading. Pictures allow for more context clues than just text alone, allowing for the potential for greater success in comprehension for struggling readers. Reluctant readers, on the other hand, may have more of a distaste for reading. In some cases, they are capable of understanding what they read, but they do not enjoy the …

Ethics And Cyber Libraries: Challenges Facing The Values And Ethics In Lis, Jessica Omer

SLIS Connecting

Cyber libraries face many challenges when it comes to access. These challenges can lead to cyber libraries failing in following the guidelines for the values and ethics of the LIS professional. Some authors have argued that cyber libraries are the future of libraries. They argue that patrons want information immediately at their fingertips. The fact that library budgets are shrinking and electronic sources can be cheaper cause many libraries to lean more towards the idea of cyber libraries. However, while digital libraries do have their advantages, they are not perfect. We live in a time where librarians have their feet …

Out-Of-Print Books As E-Books: A Collection Analysis, Mary Frances Calix

SLIS Connecting

In recent years, archival institutions have begun to digitally archive or preserve the items in their collections. This way, items are more accessible to those wanting to perform research but not necessarily handle the original documents and are not likely to be permanently damaged. One example of a digital preservation project is the one that forms the basis for this paper- the Oklahoma Historical Society's collection of out-of-print historical books that have been made available as e-books. Created over three years ago, this collection contains 22 books about Oklahoma and Texas history. The original publication dates of the books cover …

Thriving Places, Thriving People: A Look At Usm's Master Of Library And Information Science, Karlie Herndon

SLIS Connecting

Article in Arete (Winter 2020/21, p. 9-11) featuring two recent MLIS graduates, Carrie Pennington Mastley and Laura Valliant. Reprinted with permission from USM Graduate School.

From The Gas: Congratulations, Publications, Presentations, Teresa S. Welsh Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

News and congratulations from SLIS Director and Graduate Assistants for student, alumni, and faculty accomplishments, publications, and presentations.

Spotlights: Faculty, Alumna, Kaigler Children's Book Festival, Stacy Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Spotlighting SLIS Faculty Dr. Laura Clark Hunt, SLIS alum Floyce Thomas, and the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival.

Slis Director's Report, Teresa S. Welsh Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

News and updates from Southern Miss School of Library and Information Science Director, Dr. Teresa Welsh.

Volume 9, Issue 2, Fall/Winter 2020/21, Stacy Creel Ph.D., Teresa S. Welsh Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

SLIS Connecting refereed open-access e-journal, Volume 9, Issue 2 (Fall/Winter 2020/21)