Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Growing New Librarians Through Meaningful Internships, Nicole Lewis

Faculty Publications

Internships have the potential to be incredible learning experiences for students, but without thoughtful preparation, they may be nothing more than short-term jobs. Using a metadata internship as a case study, this presentation will discuss how using effective teaching and course design principles could create more thoughtful and meaningful internship experiences, specifically how crafting an internship objective and learning outcomes can help with creating content and learning activities that prepare interns for their hands-on projects. The result is an internship that combines theory and practice into a meaningful experience for the student and delivers needed work for the library.

Connecting Local Archive Data To Wikidata: Focusing On The Archives Of National Debt Redemption Movement, Jaehyuk Yun, Sam G. Oh

Journal of East Asian Libraries

This study aims to enhance accessibility and data utilization of digital cultural heritage preserved by the National Debt Redemption Movement (NDRM) digital archive. The NDRM archive wants to promote the historical value of cultural heritage, but it struggles with data openness, a common problem for small local archives. In order to overcome this limitation, the research proposes using Wikidata and its SPARQL-based query service. This includes analyzing NDRM materials, the current state of the archive, and metadata elements, and then mapping these to Wikidata properties. Research shows that integrating archival data into Wikidata has the advantages of data expansion, quality …

From Vision To Legacy: Walter Gellhorn And The Establishment Of The Toshiba Library For Japanese Legal Research, Yukino Nakashima

Journal of East Asian Libraries

This paper chronicles events surrounding the creation of the largest academic Japanese law library in the United States, while focusing on two extraordinary law faculty members at Columbia Law School and their successful fundraising efforts from the initial concept of building a Japanese law library through the establishment of permanent funding. It recounts others who tirelessly supported carrying through this arduous plan. It is about insightful visions, perseverance, and lasting personal relationships, as well as building a foreign law collection in the United States. It examines lessons to be learned.

Children In The Workplace: An Exploration In Library Policy Making, Sharolyn Swenson, Marissa Anne Bischoff, Ryan Lee

Faculty Publications

Children in the workplace are becoming a more common discussion in various work environments, including libraries. Since the university has no policy addressing this issue, a task force was charged to draft a recommended policy for the university library regarding bringing children to the workplace. The task force reviewed existing policies and conducted a survey and interviews with library employees. The resulting policy provided guidelines for employees and their supervisors without being overly prescriptive. This article provides a case study of how the task force used assessment methods and tools to create an appropriate and inclusive policy. While the specific …

Creating An Inclusive Metadata Policy, Nicole Lewis, Jeremy Myntti

Faculty Publications

Best of Core Forum webinar series

The BYU Library has created an Inclusive Metadata Policy for metadata creators to use when creating and remediating descriptions to be more inclusive. Accompanying the policy is a companion document with recommendations and examples, including links to many external resources. In addition to working with stakeholders in the library to develop the policy, we consulted with the University’s Office of Belonging. This presentation describes the process we used to undertake the creation of the library policy and recommendations document.

Professionalizing A Student’S Library Employment Through Experiential Learning Workshops, Marissa Anne Bischoff, Matt Armstrong, David Waddell

Faculty Publications

If intentional, college students in campus jobs can develop professional skills valued in the post-college workforce. However, many students are not likely to realize the potential of their experience without advisement or instruction that teaches them how to reflect on experience and articulate its value, usually in the form of a resume or in an interview. This study examines the value of three workshops to help students reflect on their development of NACE career readiness competencies as a result of their library work experience. Survey and focus group data suggest students’ confidence in their ability to articulate and apply their …

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, And Anti-Racism Engagements At The Uw Libraries: A Report On A Presentation Given At The Committee On Technical Processing Session, March 23, 2022, Jian Lee, Keiko Hill

Journal of East Asian Libraries

Report on the presentation, “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Engagements at the UW Libraries” at the Committee on Technical Processing program session on March 23, 2022, by Jian Lee and Keiko Hill from the University of Washington. Addressing the theme of the program, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and Cataloging/Metadata, Lee and Hill shared their experiences with equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDIA) work particularly in the areas of cataloging at their institution.

Unique Collections And Digital Humanities Initiatives: From Concept To Creation–Exploration And Practice At The University Of Pittsburgh Library System, Edward Galloway, Haihui Zhang

Journal of East Asian Libraries

This report provides a overview of the Digital Humanity projects undertaken by the East Asian Library within the University of Pittsburgh Library System over the past decade. The review encompasses the genesis and original objectives behind initiating these projects, the challenges and difficulties encountered, the procedural aspects of implementation, and the insights gained.

Creating An Inclusive Metadata Policy, Nicole Lewis, Jeremy Myntti

Faculty Publications

The BYU Library is creating an Inclusive Metadata Policy for metadata creators to use when creating and remediating descriptions to be more inclusive. Accompanying the policy is a companion document with recommendations and examples, including links to many external resources. In addition to working with stakeholders in the library to develop the policy, we consulted with the University’s Office of Belonging. This presentation describes the process we used to undertake the creation of the library policy and recommendations document.

Could Our Universe Have Been Initiated Intentionally: An Epistemological Framework, Dan Broadbent

Faculty Publications

The possibility that our universe was initiated intentionally is a compelling philosophical and scientific question that can be evaluated probabilistically based on four primary considerations: fine-tuning in our universe, hypotheses about the multiverse, the likelihood that intelligent life may be able to initiate a universe, and the possibility that we live in a simulation. This paper offers an equation analogous to the noteworthy Drake equation that is intended to be used as a structured thought experiment to help identify factors related to the initiation of our universe and to facilitate examining each in terms of what we know, do not …

Discovering Your Family In Digital Libraries, Jeremy Myntti

Faculty Publications

Presentation on using digital libraries in family history research for the BYU Family History Library webinar series.

Key Elements Of A File Format Strategy, Tyler Thorsted

Faculty Publications

Within the Digital Preservation Community there are many references to policies on file formats, acceptable file formats, preservation policies and strategies, risk matrices, and action plans. All have the intention of defining and describing file formats and guiding decisions on which formats to preserve how, and when. My team and I originally created a File Format Action Plan, which was later migrated from OneNote to Confluence and then included more strategic plans for hundreds of file formats. This paper explores which key elements should be included in an effective file format strategy and the different ways such data can be …

Semi-Automated Techniques And Tools For Efficiency: The Case Of Etd Cataloging, Nicole Lewis

Faculty Publications

Technological advances in the library industry have opened doors for new approaches and techniques for efficiently managing, manipulating, and remediating metadata. However, the thought of automation can often bring visions of garbage in the catalog or, worse, job consolidation or loss. With the right balance of automation and manual review, catalogers and metadata experts can optimize workflows for efficiency and quality. This frees up time for other essential projects. Developing efficiency skills may also help increase productivity and excellence in current job duties and provide job advancement opportunities regardless of background. Using an ETD cataloging workflow as a case study, …

Leveraging The Power Of Wikipedia And Wikidata For Your Library, Nicole Lewis, Rachel Helps

Faculty Publications

Wikipedia is one of the most popular sources of information on the internet. As information professionals, we can change information on Wikipedia to be more accurate and complete. By using Wikidata, librarians can affect information searches at a deep, machine-readable level. This session will discuss some ways that librarians can increase the accessibility of the media and information in their libraries and bring their hidden collections to light.

Unlocking The Mysteries Of Serials, Nicole Lewis, Sharolyn Swenson

Faculty Publications

Serials cataloging can be confusing with its unique properties. This session will discuss some of the challenges involved in cataloging serials including choosing a title, what to do if you do not have the first issue or an early issue of the serial, determining the dates of serials, frequency changes and cataloging serials in languages that are unfamiliar to the cataloger.

Data For Caveat Emptor-Scan Quality Of Elsevier’S Digital Backfile Pdf Collection, Gregory M. Nelson, Paul Kj Robbins

ScholarsArchive Data

The data set contains two Supplementary Files that contain (1) metadata for 31 of Elsevier's journal backfile packages and (2) metadata and results of a PDF scan quality study.

Tracing East Asian Librarianship In Correspondence: A Data Analysis Of Eastlib Messages From 1995 To 2020, Tang Li, Junjiro Nakatomi, Xiang Li

Journal of East Asian Libraries

The Eastlib listserv, established by the Council on East Asian Libraries (CEAL) as its official mailing list in the early 1990s and hosted at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill until the end of May 2022, has been the primary communication channel for East Asian librarians in North America for nearly 30 years. In 1999, Eastlib’s functionality was enhanced to allow its subscribers and the general public to browse and search through email discussions online. However, due to unanticipated system setting changes, it was discovered in March 2020 that access to the online Eastlib archive was limited to postings …

A Guide To Secondary Scholarship For Pure Land Buddhism Using Japanese Periodicals, Rebecca A. Stover

Journal of East Asian Libraries

This paper presents the process of locating Japanese language periodicals relating to Pure Land Buddhism and compiles a bibliography of open-access Japanese language sources for students in the process of Japanese Language acquisition. The paper attempts to scaffold the research process for students in the process of language acquisition and function as a guide to finding information.

The User Experience: Student Perspectives On Library Course Reserve, Sara Foster, Duane Wilson, Shannon Sanders, Justin Johnson

Faculty Publications

A group of researchers from an academic library surveyed students to understand how and why the members of their community use course reserve services. Students were happy with the service and used it as a replacement for purchasing textbooks. Frequent users requested more textbook offerings, and both users and nonusers indicated a need for increased promotion of the service. Users provided specific suggestions for improvement that should be examined. Findings illustrated the value of course reserve services as a way to help students with college affordability and to support instruction and learning.

Book Censorship In Post-Tiananmen China (1989-2019), Yuwu Song

Journal of East Asian Libraries

Abstract: Censorship has become more prevalent in Chinese cultural and social life since the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. Modern commentary on Chinese censorship focuses on news media and Internet, but neglects print books, which is part of a broader crackdown on dissent. To fill this gap, the project aims to map the contours of book censorship in China during the past 30 years. The emphasis is on the Chinese authorities’ increasing attempts to dominate people’s minds under Xi Jinping, who ascended to power as the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012. The project reveals different levels of …

Incorporating Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Principles Into Our Metadata, Nicole Lewis, Allie Mccormack, Rachel Jane Wittmann

Faculty Publications

This presentation was given at the Core Forum 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In early 2021, a group of librarians at two university libraries embarked on a journey to review and update harmful subject headings and other metadata in their catalog, digital library, and finding aids. This session will discuss the background of the project and where the librarians currently stand in the process of remediating these records, including their efforts to create student internships to address problematic language in archival finding aids as well as create a community user advisory group. Special attention will be given to creating …

Personal Digital Archiving, Jeremy Myntti

Faculty Publications

Jeremy Myntti, Associate University Librarian for Metadata and IT at the Brigham Young University Library, presents on ways you can preserve your digital memories.

Watch the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNo5W1jRzfs

Using Student Researchers To Assess The Digital Collections User Experience, Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Lindsey Memory, Jonathan Jarvis, Greg Seppi, Madeleine Meldrum, Hannah Bozue

Faculty Publications

Following the closure of the Harold B. Lee Library’s special collections during the pandemic, the presenters designed a study to assess the usability of our CONTENTdm system. The library collaborated with a sociology professor to have students from his qualitative research methods class administer the study, observing other undergraduates using the system to perform tasks, and interviewing them about their experiences. In this presentation, the librarians, the sociology professor, and two students will share lessons learned from this experience, including small disappointments and unexpected benefits. We’ll also share the study methodology and suggestions for optimizing this type of professional collaboration …

In Their Own Words: Perspectives On Collection Weeding From Library Employees And Teaching Faculty, Dan Broadbent, Megan Frost, Gregory M. Nelson, David Pixton

Faculty Publications

Following a Science and Engineering collection weeding project of over 350,000 print items, our research team conducted interviews with 20 library employees and 19 teaching faculty involved in the project. The purpose of the interviews was to assess the interviewees’ perspectives and feelings relating to the time required to complete the project, inter- and intra- library communication, the decision-making processes, and their personal assessment of the costs and benefits of the project. The interviewees also offered their views of the overall project’s successes and areas for improvement. Drawing from a qualitative analysis of the interviews, we provide guidance for other …

Cataloging Conundrums: Challenging Items That Have Crossed Our Desks, Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Sharolyn Swenson, Kjerste Christensen, Jessie Louise Christensen

Faculty Publications

Some of the most interesting items that cross the cataloger’s desk present difficult cataloging challenges. When cataloging a collection of suspected forgeries, how do you determine the “publication” date for faked documents? Which cataloging workform do you use for a LEGO model of the Salt Lake Temple? Is it a kit? A game? A sculpture? In this session, we will share examples of unique items we’ve cataloged and demonstrate how to effectively solve the questions that come up when trying to help patrons discover exactly what they’re looking for.

Incorporating Inclusivity In Our Catalog, Nicole Lewis, Rachel Jane Wittmann

Faculty Publications

This presentation was given at the Utah Library Association Annual Conference in Layton, Utah.

In early 2021, the University of Utah embarked on the journey to review and update harmful subject headings in their catalog, digital library metadata, and finding aids. This session will discuss the background of the project and where we are currently at in the process of changing harmful subject headings.

Marcedit For Beginners, Nicole Lewis

Faculty Publications

This presentation was given at the Utah Library Association Annual Conference 2022 in Layton, Utah.

MarcEdit is a powerful - and free - tool available for editing, enhancing, and transforming MARC21 data. This workshop-style session will present the variety of editing options available in MarcEdit, as well as possible use cases. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop with the latest version of MarcEdit installed for hands-on use of the program.

University Archives And Etds: Exploring Best Practices, Cory L. Nimer, Rebecca A. Wiederhold

Faculty Publications

This poster reports on a preliminary study of current best practices for the management of theses and dissertations (TD) by university archivists in the United States. This will include procedural concerns, such as the maintenance of print copies, digital preservation, microfilming, and participation in external databases of TDs. It also begins to explore the relationships between university archives programs and institutional repositories in electronic TD submission/management, and the status of theses and dissertations as student records.

Assessing Our Digital Asset Management System (Contentdm) From The Undergraduate Patron Perspective, Lindsey Memory, Abby Beazer, Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Brent Ellingson

Faculty Publications

COVID underscored the desire of the student population to access library and special collections materials online. After two decades of hosting BYU’s digitized content in the digital asset management system CONTENTdm, we decided in summer 2021 to evaluate its interface for ease of use and reliability. We wanted to determine how our system was performing for an undergraduate population specifically, and to understand the typical undergraduate students’ experience searching for and accessing digitized materials. Our study involved the use of Gen-Z student researchers, who observed undergraduate patrons via a Zoom screenshare. These patrons performed a variety of user tasks and …

Byu Scholarsarchive Open Access Journals, Ellen Amatangelo

Faculty Publications

Brigham Young University's institutional repository, ScholarsArchive, is currently home to over 40 Open Access scholarly journals run by faculty, students, and societies. This presentation will highlight some of the journals' features, explore how the library's Scholarly Communications team works with editors, discuss the requirements for having a journal housed in the repository, and examine readership statistics and discoverability.

Learning objectives:
Learn more about the process of managing online journals
Tips for working with journal editors