Library and Information Science Commons^™

What Do Meatpackers & Librarians Have In Common? Library Related Injuries And Possible Solutions, Robert E. Kaehr

The Christian Librarian

This article examines the benefit of exercise to alleviate or prevent injuries common to librarians and library staff. The library literature discusses some interventions such as ergonomics and corrective surgery regarding work-related injuries, but it barely mentions prevention especially as it relates to exercise. Insurance claims filed by library workers rack up thousands of dollars each year. In addition, lost time at work to correct work-related injuries adds much frustration and lost production. Alleviating or eliminating many such occurrences is possible by initiating and maintaining simple exercise programs. Numerous exercises are given that if used conscientiously will curtail the need …

Next-Generation Librarianship: The Revolution Begins, Kimberley Wilcox, Shelley Harrell

The Christian Librarian

This article describes the distinctive traits, workplace habits, professional needs, and career goals of librarians from Generation X (born 1965-1979) and the Millennial generation (born 1980-1994). The authors discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by the entry of “next-generation” librarians into the workplace; they also offer practical advice for current library managers who wish to maximize the leadership potential of next-generation librarians.

Research Studies, Reports, And Surveys On The Web: Quality Resources For Internet-Focused Students, John Jaeger

The Christian Librarian

Librarians frequently complain that students prefer searching the Internet to searching academic databases when doing research. There certainly is good reason to think that students are more interested in searching Google than searching on a library site, as studies have confirmed. However, the response to this situation does not have to be an adversarial one. Librarians certainly want to guide the student to the quality print and online resources available specifically through the library; however, they also can guide the student to quality resources available freely on the web, such as online research studies, reports, and surveys.

Resources Available For Review, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Frontmatter (The Christian Librarian 52 : 1 & 2 )

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Wisdom In Information Literacy, Eric Nyrose

The Christian Librarian

What does wisdom have to do with Internet research? First year students from two small Bible Colleges in Canada participated in focus groups about how and why they used the Internet for research. One of the questions queried whether they used wisdom in the process. While this question seemed natural in a Bible College context, it caused quite a conversation at the library school. These Bible College students seemed to operate with the idea of wisdom even in Internet research. They were able to describe this wisdom and their responses to other questions corroborated their description. Do these students have …

Peer Review Is Here!, Anne-Elizabeth Powell

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Leadership Problems In Theological Libraries, Paul A. Tippey

The Christian Librarian

In the age of uncertainty, theological libraries must change from information gatekeepers on academic islands of the past to a culture that is fundamentally collaborative. We librarians can no longer rely on our own expertise stuck in what we have formerly known, with the concept that we have all the answers. Therefore, people need to treat people as people and not as tools to complete a task. People see themselves instead as a collaborator in the great endeavor of librarianship. Even though change is inevitable, the future is always unknown and that is what makes it exciting.

A Rubric Of Shared Leadership: “Revolutions Are No Trifles”, Steven L. Baker

The Christian Librarian

In a letter reflecting back on the heady times of revolt against the tyranny of England, John Adams makes the observation that “revolutions are no trifles.”1 Adams and other founders of the new republic knew full well the seriousness of declaring independence and setting out on a new course of governance for the colonies. While that is true on the macro level of geo-politics it is also true on the micro level of organizational culture. Embarking on a dramatic change in social structure, whether great or small, ought not to be taken lightly. Thorough planning and careful execution are important …

Resources Available For Review, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Retooling The Profession: Librarianship In An Era Of Accountability And Competition, Gregory A. Smith

The Christian Librarian

Librarianship has changed substantially in recent years. We who work in libraries must continually acquire new knowledge and skills. We must adapt to the reality that academic libraries, along with their parent institutions, face increased accountability. The functions that many of us have thought to be at the core of our profession are slipping from our grasp and will leave behind a mere managerial role. Nevertheless, many academic libraries will find a viable future by adopting and taking seriously the role of supporting learning. As we look at disruptive innovators in the information and learning scene, we should consider carefully …

Facebook For Libraries, Lori Thornton

The Christian Librarian

Libraries are looking for ways to reach patrons. Facebook is a Web site that students visit regularly. Opportunities exist to enhance our communication with our users, to promote our libraries, to increase information literacy, and to network with persons inside and outside our primary networks. Libraries should be finding ways to incorporate Facebook, reaching students where they are.

Christian Publishing: A Panel Discussion, Dennis Hillman, Mark Hunt, Jim Kinney, Jon Pott, Gregory A. Smith

The Christian Librarian

The 2007 conference of the Association of Christian Librarians convened in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the campus of Cornerstone University. Conference planners invited representatives of four prominent Christian publishers headquartered there (Baker, Eerdmans, Kregel, and Zondervan) to participate in a panel discussion on June 13. The panelists’ 65-minute exchange is transcribed here in slightly abbreviated form. At the beginning of the discussion, panelists were asked to reflect on general trends in the Christian publishing industry. This led naturally to a lengthy conversation about the publishers’ involvement in the creation and licensing of ebooks and other digital products. Finally, panelists were …

Exciting Changes Are Coming To The Christian Librarian, Anne-Elizabeth Powell

The Christian Librarian

Back in 1996 I came on board the TCL team with a dream. My hope was to make TCL a peer reviewed publication. Now, many years later, I am excited to say this dream will soon become a reality! Beginning in 2009, TCL will carry peer reviewed content.

Collection Development In A Small Library, Carol Reid

The Christian Librarian

“Libraries need to become fundamentally different institutions than they were twenty years ago.” So says Mark Sandler in his article, “Collection Development in the Day of Google” in the October, 2006 issue of Library Resources & Technical Services.1 Is your collection development policy up to date? Does it reflect user’s expectations? Does it provide for an expanded range of formats? Does it address funding issues?

As the small college library develops a collection that supports the curriculum of the college, the policy that governs that responsibility must be reflective of the community it serves. Overarching issues like information literacy and …

Electronic Books For Evangelical Libraries A Progress Report, John Jaeger, Gregory A. Smith

The Christian Librarian

In recent years, members of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL) have clearly stated their interest in seeing publishers – especially those with evangelical affiliation – offer electronic book products in formats that are friendly to libraries. This subject has generated conversation at our business meetings and on our listserv. In the summer of 2006, some 100 members of ACL’s Christian Library Consortium purchased a collection of 400 religion-oriented electronic books from NetLibrary®. At the 2007 conference, which convened in Grand Rapids, Michigan, representatives of four local Christian publishers participated in a panel discussion that was dominated by the subject …

Frontmatter (The Christian Librarian 51:2)

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Partnering With Faculty Through Liaison Activities, Linda Lambert, Tami Echevarria Robinson, Bob Triplett

The Christian Librarian

Anything worthwhile requires time and effort. Such is the case in building effective working relationships between librarians and teaching faculty. This article discusses collaborating and partnering with teaching faculty through library liaison relationships and shares experiences of the authors partnering with faculty at their institutions. This article is an outgrowth of a panel presentation at the 2007 ACL Conference by liaison librarians representing libraries in the Southeast, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. While partnering with faculty is both challenging and time consuming, it can be one of the most gratifying and productive activities in which librarians can be engaged.

Resource Reviews, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

The Next Generation: Mentoring, Recruitment And Library Education, Em Claire Knowles

The Christian Librarian

Good morning! Praise God for this wonderful day! I am greatly honored to speak to the audience of the Association of Christian Librarians. I also want to acknowledge the members of the Massachusetts Black Librarians Network who have come to support me. This presentation is so appropriate because I strive towards a commitment to Christian principles in my personal life, and my work life. In fact, my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, a private non-profit organization committed to academic excellence and community service, is based on Christian principles. We set aside time for spiritual readings in our business meetings, …

Academic Libraries And Creation Science Resources, Tyler Veak Ph.D.

The Christian Librarian

Although there is significant debate over whether or not to teach creationism alongside evolution in public schools, there has been little discussion on the role of libraries and librarians in this debate. In this article I argue that academic libraries in particular have a potentially vital role to play in that the majority of science-based research takes place in institutions of higher education; and that academic libraries have an obligation to provide empirically based creation science materials because the debate centers around science. I support my argument through a brief analysis of the institutions that subscribe to the Creation Research …

Resource Reviews, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Are Ethics Scriptural?: Comparing The Librarians’ Code Of Ethics With Scripture, Paula Gannaway

The Christian Librarian

Most professionals define themselves by codes of ethics, core values or principles of conduct. The American Library Association code of ethics has existed since 1939. The current code focuses on service, authors’ rights and employment issues. Does the ALA code of ethics principles exemplify God-honoring values for ethical guidance? This paper compares selected scriptures to the principles of the code with examples from the field of librarianship.

Frontmatter (The Christian Librarian 51:1)

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Hidden Under A Bushel? Evangelical Journals In An Era Of Web-Based Communications, Gregory A. Smith

The Christian Librarian

Evangelicals face significant obstacles as they seek to make their publications accessible to potential readers. This study measures the extent to which evangelical scholarly journals have made their contents available in electronic form. Thirty-five journals – all active, refereed, evangelical in perspective, and published in English – were chosen for analysis. Two serials management tools and individual journal Web sites provided data regarding electronic accessibility. Twenty-six of the journals are available in some electronic form – most commonly in one or more aggregated databases. Evangelical information professionals could play a significant role in helping to make additional evangelical journal content …

Navigating The Assessment Current: Developing An Information Literacy Assessment Program, Kimberley Wilcox

The Christian Librarian

This article begins with an introduction to the concepts and terminology frequently used in the literature of assessment, especially as it applies to the assessment of information literacy by academic librarians. The article then describes the benefits and drawbacks of various techniques used to assess information literacy, with the recommendation that a comprehensive assessment plan must include multiple forms of assessment to balance the drawbacks of individual techniques. After a discussion of information literacy efforts at Azusa Pacific University, the author offers advice to librarians just beginning the process of developing an information literacy assessment plan.

Resources Available For Review, Phyllis Fox

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

The Unquiet History Of The Jessie C. Eury Library, Robert Lowery

The Christian Librarian

On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, the Lincoln Christian College and Seminary campus community and special guests came together to celebrate and express gratitude for the new positive learning environment created for our students through the estate gift of the founding librarian and a local community foundation. Collectively we re-dedicated the Jessie C. Eury library to its vital role to facilitate the lifelong learning of its students by providing essential resources, services, and instruction. The highlight of this special event was the presentation of the following essay – “The Unquiet History of the Jessie C. Eury Library of Lincoln Christian College …

Frontmatter (The Christian Librarian 51:3)

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Being A Christian Librarian: A Partial Definition, Robert E. Kaehr

The Christian Librarian

In this essay, the intent is partially to define the meaning of the phrase, Christian librarian. Because of journal limits on the length of an article, only a partial definition is possible. As literature about Christian librarianship accumulates, I hope a clearer understanding will emerge. Gregory A. Smith’s Christian Librarianship: Essays on the Integration of Faith and Profession (2002) has given a good start to defining Christian librarianship.