Library computing services going back to the future: a thin client approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
Anthony McMullen
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Staff Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thin Client ◽  
Computing Model ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Desktop Computing

Purpose This study aims to provide insights and commentary into issues encountered in providing computing services to library users in an era of shrinking budgets, reductions in staffing and increased utility costs. Design/methodology/approach The study uses examples and illustrations from a real-world deployment of thin client technologies to illustrate efficiencies achieved in not only maintenance and continued upkeep but also consumption of power. Findings Although thin client technologies were largely displaced with the proliferation of inexpensive and powerful desktop computing, great savings in both staff time and electricity can be achieved with a phasing out of desktop computing in favor of a thin client model. Originality/value This paper describes the benefits of a test of the viability of a thin client computing model in a highly utilized academic library computing facility. The consumption of power of the thin client model is compared and contrasted with the desktop systems that were displaced.

Leaning into sustainability at University of Alberta Libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Beasley ◽  
Trish Rosseel
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Staff Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Staffing Model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study that considers the links between cost avoidance, lean design, and sustainability in relation to two different library projects at University of Alberta Libraries (UAL) – the design of the Research and Collections Resource Facility and the development of new fee-based library services at UAL’s John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. Design/methodology/approach – This case study describes the analysis of each project’s workflows in relation to lean design in order to enhance processes and service delivery. Findings – Findings to date in both of these ongoing projects suggest that consideration of the lean philosophy has already led to process and service improvements. With regard to the new building design project, revised task design is already resulting in significant savings in staff time, and work space. And the staffing model for fee-based specialized services has already been redesigned, an alignment with lean principles. Research limitations/implications – While this paper does discuss and define lean design, it does not provide a comprehensive summary of research in this area. Originality/value – This paper highlights the value of lean design as a framework for designing, developing, and reviewing academic library buildings, services, processes, and workflows to ensure they are sustainable.

Transient technologies: the end of the username and password?

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-232
Author(s):  
Anthony McMullen
Keyword(s):  
Large Volume ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Help Desk ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Home Work ◽  
The Cost ◽  
At Home

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insights and commentary into issues encountered in providing computing services to library users in an era of shrinking budgets, reductions in staffing and increased costs. Design/methodology/approach Uses examples and illustrations from the technology literature and both anecdotal and analytic information from the author’s library to highlight some of the implications and resulting costs of password fatigue. Findings Web users are increasingly finding themselves in situations where they are overwhelmed by the stress induced by the need to remember many usernames and password combinations of varying complexities to complete their tasks at home, work and school. Originality/value This paper describes the shortcomings and counter-productive nature of the exceedingly complex and increasingly insecure world of usernames and password-protected web-based services. The cost of help desk-mediated password resets is enormous. Libraries are not immune to a large volume of calls generated by access issues.

Use of QR code and Layar app for academic library services

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Abaji Kharat ◽  
Bhausaheb M. Panage ◽  
Shubhada Nagarkar
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Qr Code ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Augmented Reality Application ◽  
It Support

Purpose This study completed action research in the library. The purpose of this study is to increase awareness of the QR code and the Augmented Reality Application (ARA) among library users. Design/methodology/approach This is a technical review. Findings The researchers arranged tables in the library called “Scan Me” tables, and arranged academic books, journals and magazines with the QR code and the Layar material on a “scan me table”. The researchers designed one video using movie maker and other supporting software to provide guidelines on how to use the scan me table in the library. The researchers have shared this video among selected MBA libraries that have Wi-Fi and library software members. Originality/value This research also incorporates how to prepare virtual data and how they are linked with real data, how to give training to library staff to solve users’ queries and how to help them at the time of downloading the application or scanning material. Creating a better platform for this research required support from a library software design team as well as in-house technical or IT support staff for good maintenance of the library server, Wi-Fi equipment and so forth.

Expanding outward: libraries broaden their impact

2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 407-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Massis
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Real World ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Library Users

Purpose The purpose of this column is to describe several examples of libraries providing services to their patrons to broaden their impact beyond their four walls. Design/methodology/approach Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners. Findings Mobility substantiates the claim that library users have certain expectations from their libraries, not the least of which is to maintain a currency with the latest technological advances through its services. Therefore, younger generations brought up on high-tech access to their library materials via an array of services outside the building itself is paramount to a public expecting its links to services anywhere, anytime. Originality/value The value in exploring this topic is to examine several real-world scenarios where libraries have provided exceptional services beyond the building to satisfy the ever-expanding expectations of their users.

Academic library for excellence today: a report from the panel discussion

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
Dinesh K. Siddaiah
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Sixth International

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present my panel discussion report on Academic Library for excellence today, a sub-theme of the Sixth International Library and Information Summit on Dynamics of Library for Excellence in Electronic Revolution (I-LIPS – 2017), IISER Mohali, India. In this report, two sets of academic and research support services have been highlighted, which can be developed more extensively and offer to academic library users. Design/methodology/approach Excerpts from the panel discussion on the academic library for excellence today. Findings Academic and research support can bring excellence in libraries today. Originality/value Today more and more focus is required on developing academic, research and digital literacy skills of our library users.

Improving recommender systems’ performance on cold-start users and controversial items by a new similarity model

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Mansoury ◽  
Mehdi Shajari
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cold Start ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Similarity ◽  
Active User ◽  
Similarity Model

Purpose This paper aims to improve the recommendations performance for cold-start users and controversial items. Collaborative filtering (CF) generates recommendations on the basis of similarity between users. It uses the opinions of similar users to generate the recommendation for an active user. As a similarity model or a neighbor selection function is the key element for effectiveness of CF, many variations of CF are proposed. However, these methods are not very effective, especially for users who provide few ratings (i.e. cold-start users). Design/methodology/approach A new user similarity model is proposed that focuses on improving recommendations performance for cold-start users and controversial items. To show the validity of the authors’ similarity model, they conducted some experiments and showed the effectiveness of this model in calculating similarity values between users even when only few ratings are available. In addition, the authors applied their user similarity model to a recommender system and analyzed its results. Findings Experiments on two real-world data sets are implemented and compared with some other CF techniques. The results show that the authors’ approach outperforms previous CF techniques in coverage metric while preserves accuracy for cold-start users and controversial items. Originality/value In the proposed approach, the conditions in which CF is unable to generate accurate recommendations are addressed. These conditions affect CF performance adversely, especially in the cold-start users’ condition. The authors show that their similarity model overcomes CF weaknesses effectively and improve its performance even in the cold users’ condition.

Evaluating the usability of the information architecture of academic library websites

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Mariann Silvis ◽  
Theo J.D. Bothma ◽  
Koos J.W. de Beer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
Web Developers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA set of 14 heuristics resulted from an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. A review of IA literature resulted in a framework for dividing academic library websites into six dialogue elements. The resulting heuristics were made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of recommendations based on a review of 20 related studies.FindingsThis study provides heuristics, a framework and workflow guidelines that can be used by the various evaluators of academic library websites, i.e. library staff, web developers and usability experts, to provide recommendations for improving its usability.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of the usability principles is the evaluation of the IA aspects of websites and therefore does not provide insights into accessibility or visual design aspects.Originality/valueThe main problem that is addressed by this study is that there are no clear guidelines on how to apply existing usability principles for the evaluation of the IA of academic library websites.

Unlocking the value of HR to drive a change-ready culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Campbell Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
World Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Organization ◽  
The Real ◽  
Personal Experiences

Purpose This paper aims to present a case study focused on developing a change-ready culture within a large organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on personal experiences gleaned while driving an organization-wide culture change program throughout a major financial advisory firm. Findings This paper details over a dozen key lessons learned while transforming the HR department from a fragmented, ineffective, reclusive and disrespected department into one that was competent, knowledgeable, enabling and a leader of change. Originality/value Drawing on the real-world culture change intervention detailed here, including results and lessons learned, other organizations can apply similar approaches in their own organizations – hopefully to similar effect.

scholarly journals Putting resilient sustainability into strategy decisions – case studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1598-1612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Winnard ◽  
Jacquetta Lee ◽  
David Skipp
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Real World ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Strategic Decision Support ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the results of testing a new approach to strategic sustainability and resilience – Sustainable Resilient Strategic Decision-Support (SuReSDS™). Design/methodology/approach The approach was developed and tested using action-research case studies at industrial companies. It successfully allowed the participants to capture different types of value affected by their choices, optimise each strategy’s resilience against different future scenarios and compare the results to find a “best” option. Findings SuReSDS™ enabled a novel integration of environmental and social sustainability into strategy by considering significant risks or opportunities for an enhanced group of stakeholders. It assisted users to identify and manage risks from different kinds of sustainability-related uncertainty by applying resilience techniques. Users incorporated insights into real-world strategies. Research limitations/implications Since the case studies and test organisations are limited in number, generalisation from the results is difficult and requires further research. Practical implications The approach enables companies to utilise in-house and external experts more effectively to develop sustainable and resilient strategies. Originality/value The research described develops theories linking sustainability and resilience for organisations, particularly for strategy, to provide a new consistent, rigorous and flexible approach for applying these theories. The approach has been tested successfully and benefited real-world strategy decisions.

The usage of ILLiad and Get It Now at a US medium-sized academic library over a three-year period

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Jaskowiak ◽  
Todd Spires
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Document Delivery ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Inflation Rates ◽  
Delivery Options ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Us University

Purpose As medium-sized academic libraries’ budgets continue to shrink or cannot compete with inflation rates, document delivery options like ILLiad and unmediated Get It Now can play a prominent role in providing content lost due to the inevitable cancellation of serial subscriptions. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of using these two options in a US university. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the usage of these two services for the three fiscal years following the implementation of Get It Now at Bradley University. Findings Questions addressed are as follows. How have they been used over the three-year time period? Which user status group has been using them, undergraduates, graduate students or faculty members? Which departments on campus have been using them the most? Originality/value This study is the first to look at the usage of Get It Now and ILLiad together over multiple years.

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