Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Poc In Lis Summit 2025 Impact Report, Jennifer Masunaga, Aisha Conner-Gaten, Nataly Blas, Nicole Murph, Marisa Ramirez, Jessea Young

Librarian Publications & Presentations

While there are many conferences for information workers, very few highlight the voices of marginalized identities and provide a platform for discussion for their research interests. According to a 2010 American Library Association survey, 88% of credentialed librarians identify as white. In our vision for this summit and the future of libraries, People of Color in Library and Information Science Summit at Loyola Marymount University encouraged the representation of diverse topics and perspectives and as a part of this work acknowledged that the racial disparities we see in the library and information science (LIS) field reflect inequities in other parts …

Teaching Generative Ai Literacy: Approaches And Challenges, Susan G. Archambault, Nicole Murph, Shalini Ramachandran

Librarian Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Best Practices Checklist For One-Shot Library Instruction Session, William H. Hannon Library Reference & Instruction Department

Librarian Publications & Presentations

The Best Practices Checklist for One-Shot Library Instruction is a practical tool designed to help librarians implement inclusive, accessible teaching practices within the constraints of one-shot instruction sessions. Developed by the Reference & Instruction Department at the William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University, this checklist uses a two-tier structure: Essential Practices (must-do items for every session) and Enhanced Practices (recommended when time and context allow). The checklist is organized chronologically across five key areas that mirror the natural preparation and delivery flow: Pre-Session Information Gathering, Materials & Access, Content & Search Instruction, Teaching Strategies, and Classroom Environment. Grounded in …

Introduction To Systematic Review For The Health Sciences (Spring 2025), Bethany S. Mcgowan

Libraries Faculty and Staff Creative Materials

The course syllabus for the Spring 2025 iteration of the graduate course ILS 595: Introduction to Systematic Review for the Health Sciences.

Cultivating Ethical Data Stewardship For Undergraduate Research: A Framework And Toolkit Duo, Wei Zakharov, Senay Purzer, Carla Zoltowski

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Data drives nearly every aspect of research today, from the earliest stages of problem definition to the final dissemination of results. Undergraduate students—often at the beginning of their research journeys—are increasingly working with complex, data-intensive projects. Yet many enter these environments without sufficient training in how to manage, share, and use data responsibly. They may know how to run code or analyze a dataset, but questions of ethics, reproducibility, preservation, and stewardship are rarely an explicit part of this preparation. To address this gap, our interdisciplinary research team at Purdue University launched a multi-year, NSF-funded project entitled Prioritizing Data Life …

Foreword: Censorship Is A Drag, Emily Drabinski

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Designing For Neurodiversity In Web Spaces, Kelly Getz, Kimberly Shotick

Faculty Books & Book Chapters

In this chapter, we share how we carried out library website usability studies with neurodivergent students. The research is situated within the Social Model of Disability and places value on students' experiences challenges. Through usability studies and inclusive web service redesign plans, we center the opinions and expectations of neurodivergent student users in ways neurotypical users have been centered and designed around in the past. The chapter will share methods and best practices for conducting usability studies with neurodivergent individuals as well as findings from our own study.

A Textbook Equity Student Advisory Board, Karlee Colby, Anne Marie H. Gruber

Faculty Publications

Engaging college students in advocacy related to open educational resources (OER) is an important way to raise awareness and encourage OER adoption on campuses in higher education. The student perspective is vital to encouraging instructors and administrators to be responsive to student needs, concerns, and preferences related to course materials access, and to consider affordability and usage rights. This case study describes the library-facilitated Textbook Equity Student Advisory Board at the University of Northern Iowa, a medium-sized regional comprehensive university. The board serves as a two-way communication outlet between textbook equity campus leaders and students, including student government. This article …

A Battle Of The Chatbots: An Exploratory Comparison Of Chatgpt, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity And Huggingchat, Karen Okamoto

Publications and Research

This exploratory study compares the output of the free versions of six generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots—ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity and HuggingChat. Five questions were submitted to all of the chatbots and examined according to the length of the response, tone of the response, and any additional features provided by the chatbots such as citations, web links, and helpful follow-up questions. This comparison found that Perplexity excelled at responding to all of the questions though others provided strong outputs as well, pointing to the possible importance of using multiple chatbot for answers and for continually examining different chatbots given …

Showing Our Resolve, Michael Fernandez, Rachel E. Scott

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

[In the absence of an abstract, the opening of the editorial is provided.] New Year’s resolutions tend to be ephemeral things, conceived in the waking fog of the early morning (or afternoon, no judgment) on January 1 and usually abandoned before the first bloom of spring. Here at Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS), we strive not to be fair weather planners, and so our resolution for 2025 (and beyond) has been years in the making. The editors of LRTS, working alongside Core Journal editors and within the broader family of American Library Association (ALA) publications, resolves …

Lbsci 723: Advanced Subject Cataloging And Classification, Shuheng Wu

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Predicting Crises On The African Frontier Stock Markets With Investor Sentiment Indicators: A Machine Learning Approach, David Korsah, Lord Mensah

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This study examined the predictive ability of machine learning algorithms in identifying crises within African stock markets. The study employed seven distinct machine-learning models, analyzing historical stock prices from eight stock markets, three major sentiment indicators, and the exchange rates of local currencies against the US dollar, with each data spanning from May 1, 2007, to April 1, 2023. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) emerged as the most effective algorithm for predicting crises. Historical stock prices and exchange rates were identified as the most critical features for prediction. On the sentiment side, investors’ perceptions of potential volatility on the S&P 500, …

Preventive Health Care Information Seeking Behaviors Among Baby Boomers In Taiwan, Alexander N. Chen, Michael J. Rubach, Tracy Suter, Hsin Ke Lu, Mark E. Mcmurtrey

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Preventive health care is widely acknowledged as one of the most effective ways to reduce medical costs and enhance people's health. Preventive health care information (PHCI) is a crucial component. This study examines the PHCI-seeking behaviors of Taiwanese baby boomers. The study found some support for the idea that the preferred media used influenced the likelihood of Information seeking behavior. People with good health conditions were found to be more likely to seek PHCI, while people with greater health care needs sought out PHCI less frequently. The study examined social influences, which were found to be important. Three different types …

Pedagogy In The Age Of Ai: Exploring Generative Ai For Higher Education, Alison Munsch Phd

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities for higher education, enabling personalized learning, enhanced student engagement, and efficient pedagogical practices. This tutorial-style article guides educators in integrating generative AI into their classrooms through hands-on activities, practical strategies, and reflective exercises. It explores the capabilities of AI tools such as ChatGPT, their applications across disciplines, and the ethical considerations for their use. By cultivating critical thinking and fostering student readiness for AI-driven futures, this article underscores the transformative potential of generative AI in higher education with an emphasis on the academic areas of business analytics, information systems, and computer science.

Surviving And Thriving In The Hybrid Cloud: A Review Of The Current Cloud Computing Landscape, Peter Munsch, Alison Munsch

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Background and Purpose

Both academic and industry institutions have increasingly migrated essential services to public cloud providers (e.g., Microsoft, AWS, Google) with mixed outcomes. Some industry leaders attempted to fully replace their on-premises data centers with public cloud services, a move not advised without thorough performance and cost analyses (Potel, 2023). Despite some organizations pulling back from the “Cloud First” strategy, the public cloud services market continued to grow, with revenue increasing by approximately 20% year-over-year since 2020 and surpassing half a trillion dollars in 2022 (IDC Worldwide Semiannual Public Cloud Services Tracker, 2H 2022). Cloud technologists suggested that hybrid …

Predicting Global Healthcare Supply Chain Delays: A Machine Learning Approach Leveraging Country-Level Logistics Metrics, Jeevan Sai Gali, Nima Molavi, Sepideh Alavi

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

In global healthcare logistics, ensuring the timely delivery of medical commodities is critical, particularly in low- and middle-income countries characterized by infrastructural limitations and operational uncertainties. This research introduces an advanced, data-driven predictive framework designed to forecast delivery delays by synthesizing granular, internal shipment-level data from the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program (GHSC-PSM) with external country-level logistics capabilities indicators derived from the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI). Rather than relying on retrospective trend analyses, this study employs machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) to detect …

Managing Compliance: The Role Of Leadership Styles In Information Security Practices In Nigerian Public University Libraries” Insights From North-East Nigeria, Musa Giade Ya'u Musagiade, Gaberial O. Alegbeleye, Madukoma Ezinwanyi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Background: Information security compliance comprises adhering to established policies, protocols and to ensure absolute security. Despite the importance of security compliance in academic libraries, evidence from previous studies reported a low level of information security compliance among personnel in public university libraries in North-East Nigeria. However, proper leadership styles influence information security compliance leading to absolute protection of information systems. So, this study explored the influences of leadership styles in security compliance in public university libraries in North-East, Nigeria.

Method: This study adopted a survey research design. The population consisted of 618 library personnel from the 14 public university libraries …

Looking Into Mirrors And Windows: School Librarians' Perspectives On Diverse Representation In Book Collections, Kimberly Reichenbach Krutka

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Librarian professional standards include the development of collections with diverse representation, and the study of multicultural literature is often part of masters programs. However, there is a lack of scholarship examining what multicultural literature signifies for librarians. In addition, the current landscape surrounding libraries has jeopardized students’ access to literature, furthering a narrative that attempts to exclude specific identities and portrays librarians as irresponsible and harmful. This study aimed to build a foundation of understanding and critical insights into this problem through a survey distributed to Texas school librarians. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis to understand …

The Sisu Of It All: Authentic Application Of Vital Skills, Samantha Hull

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The article focuses on the integration of multiliteracy and media literacy within the Finnish education system and the role of school librarians in supporting this initiative. Multiliteracy is defined as the ability to obtain, combine, modify, produce, present, and evaluate information across various contexts and tools, fostering critical thinking and learning skills. The Finnish national curriculum emphasizes collaboration between classroom teachers and librarians to enhance educational experiences, with public libraries serving as vital partners in promoting lifelong learning. The article highlights the importance of creating authentic learning environments where students can practice real-world skills, ultimately preparing them to be engaged …

Why Should I Stay? Canadian Black Youth And Public Libraries, Amber Matthews

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This study used narrative inquiry and critical approaches to race to explore Black youth perceptions of public libraries and community-based programs. The study was conducted in Ontario with youth aged 13 to 24 and parents of youth. Data was drawn from semi-structured interviews with youth and parents and an arts-based qualitative tool. Libraries were identified as safe and welcoming community spaces. However, youth feel poorly represented and seek youth programs with a race-conscious and inclusive approach. Core recommendations include equitable approaches to representation, strengthening relationships with partner organizations, and addressing performative approaches to inclusion.

Library Committee Report, 2025-01, Elizabeth Mamo

Rochester Regional Health authored publications and proceedings

The Library Committee is a requirement of the RGH Medical/Dental Staff and is facilitated by Dr. Scott Schabel. After RGH and Unity merged, the Libraries formed one department and expanded access and services to all RRH sites. The Library committee, composed of staff from across the health system, provide feedback and share library news with their teams. The committee meets 2x/year via Zoom.

This report highlights library activity from 2024.

Claude Ai And Literature Reviews: An Experiment In Utility And Ethical Use, Max Sparkman, Alan Witt

Milne Library

Generative large-language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Claude have sparked debate throughout higher education about their potential and threats to the current pedagogical models for research. This paper scans the literature on the benefits and drawbacks of using LLMs in teaching and research, and compares and contrasts two literature reviews on the subject, one written by a human author and one produced by Claude. The comparison explores areas where the generative AI excels, such as quickly summarizing points of agreement across sources, as well as its limitations, like struggling with synthesis, providing incomplete citations, and hallucinating false information. While …

International Students' Information-Seeking Experiences With A Library Discovery Tool, Kristen Jacobson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this parallel convergent mixed methods study was to assess how international students from non-native English-speaking backgrounds that represent significant subgroups of the U.S. international student population interact with an academic library website with a discovery tool, and the usability of the tool for these students. It explored the information-seeking behavior of a group of international students (n=14) from Asia, Saudi Arabia, and Africa, who were enrolled at a Midwestern National University. It provides usability information about the issues those students encountered and their experiences when completing 10 common academic research tasks using the university library’s discovery tool. …

Don’T Do More With Less: Sustainable Work As A Management Value, Amanda Koziura

Library Faculty Research

Discusses a series of decisions a middle manager made to keep the work of her department sustainable and how she incorporated her values into her process.

Fostering Success: How Cross Campus Partnerships Can Improve Accessibility, Engagement, And Inclusion For Autistic Undergraduate Students, Mercedes Rutherford-Patten, Luna Nombrano Larsen

Library Scholarship

The academic library, with its long history of student support and social justice advocacy, is the perfect organization to lead the way in dismantling systemic barriers to student success. Research shows that college students who regularly use library services are more successful academically (Shea & Derry, 2022). Another vital support the library can provide is community. Inclusion and belonging are integral to the success of autistic college students: “feeling like part of a community” and “to always feel like I’m welcome [on-campus]” were ways students measured their own success in a study by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (2020, p. …

Data Literacy Competencies In Context: Employee Perspectives From The Workplace, Patricia Condon, Wendy G. Pothier

Faculty Publications

Data literacy is essential in today’s workplace, and professionals across roles and experience levels recognize its value. This article reports on findings from interviews with 16 supply chain and logistics professionals. The study examines how seven proposed data literacy competencies align with workplace needs, how employees address the data literacy gap, and how librarians can support workforce readiness. Findings highlight opportunities for libraries to bridge the data literacy gap through instruction and resources development that integrate technical and non-technical data skills with information literacy.

Searching Effectively: Basic Principles And Practical Tips For Better Results, Roy E. Brown

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

This handout updates Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips, originally published in 2024. It outlines the basic principles of doing a good search, from identifying a topic and formulating a clear question to selecting and searching at least two databases. It also includes information on Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), subject headings, and Google Scholar. New to this iteration of the document are best practices for using artificial intelligence in literature and evidence searches.

Remember: Searching is an iterative process, which involves repeated cycles of refinement. Your approach will shift depending on the specific question you're trying …

Review Of Digital Degrowth: Technology In The Age Of Survival, Michael Kirby

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

The Bib Record In The Age Of Digital Reproduction, Michael Kirby

Publications and Research

Taking both structural and thematic inspiration from Walter Benjamin’s “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” this article posits that the movement from physical card catalogs to ALSs [Automated library systems] and ILSs [Integrated library systems] was not solely the result of technological progress. Rather, this transition had its genesis in a process Marx called primitive accumulation—in this case a form specific to the library profession. In other words, this article seeks to recast the history of digitized catalogs within libraries, seeing them, first and foremost, as harbingers of disenfranchisement and dispossession, specifically of catalogers. The article …

Fant Memorial Library Annual Report, 2025, Hillary A. H. Richardson

Fant Library News and Reports

A report of the activities from Fant Memorial Library in 2025.