Community connections, community collections

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gwynn
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Community Partnerships ◽  
Community Collaboration ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Youth Service ◽  
Library Community

Purpose This paper aims to explore library–community collaboration from both a theoretical and practical perspective, highlighting successful collaborative strategies and projects and illustrating important considerations for libraries that are considering community partnerships. Design/methodology/approach This paper consists of a literature review and several “capsule” case studies of projects completed at one academic library to illustrate principles that can result in successful collaborative projects. Findings Library–community collaboration presents significant benefits if the needs and priorities of all collaborating partners are taken into account. Successful projects will use the strengths of one partner to balance the weaknesses of another, will be based on shared goals, will offer credit to all partners and will result in stronger relationships for all involved. Originality/value Although library–community partnerships are not uncommon, many of these partnerships are housed in public libraries or involve only large, institutional players. This paper explores several non-traditional academic library initiatives involving youth service learning and outreach to smaller community groups that might otherwise be ignored by large university libraries.

Considerations for collecting Japanese anime for academic libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
Glenn Masuchika
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
Areas Of Concern ◽  
Japanese Animation

Purpose Too often, academic library selectors of DVDs purchase Japanese animation (anime) for their popularity without any further concern of their important contributions to the combined wealth of researches of an academic library. The purpose of this paper is to offer considerations for an academic selector to ponder before adding this particular type of animation. These considerations do not necessary pertain to the collection development considerations for selectors at public libraries. Design/methodology/approach This paper will discuss the major problems of actively adding anime to an academic library, the present areas of concern, and will offer warnings and suggestions based on a conceptual framework of anime having true academic value. Findings Anime cannot be chosen independently as if it has any apparently intrinsic value sui generis. Anime must be added concomitantly according to the collection development policies with other resources, especially DVDs, to create a full, rich and useful collection to scholars. Originality/value Academic studies concerning anime and collection development for academic libraries are usually comprised of only long lists of suggested anime, with no further discussions about its implications to the general worth of an academic library. This paper offers no such lists. Instead, it offers considerations selectors must take into account before investing time and money adding anime to an academic library collection.

ILL and collection management in Norwegian Public Libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Cathrine Undhjem ◽  
Arnhild Tveikra
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Collection Management ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Community ◽  
New Literature

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the results from a survey on interlibrary loan (ILL) in Norwegian public libraries. Work processes within ILL have changed significantly in Norway in recent years, and new challenges have emerged. County libraries, public libraries and The Norwegian Library Association’s Special Interest Group saw the need for a survey to understand how these changes were affecting ILL-work in the public libraries in Norway. The library community as a whole needed updated information to respond to the present challenges in ILL. Design/methodology/approach – In March 2014, Sentio Research Norway conducted a survey on ILL among Norwegian public libraries. The survey was commissioned by the county libraries in Norway. In total, 425 questionnaires were sent to all the main libraries. There are 428 main public libraries, but three of them were without staff at the time of the survey. Further, 336 answers provided a response rate of 79 per cent. The survey had 48 questions. Findings – An interesting result from the survey is that 53 per cent of the public libraries want no restrictions on what to borrow, while 45 per cent believed there should be some restrictions on lending. This shows a difference in the attitudes to lending compared to borrowing library material. However, 58 per cent of the libraries have not implemented restrictions on what to lend on interlibrary loan. One of four had restrictions on lending new literature. The public libraries were, in general, highly interested in better access to curriculum literature from universities and colleges. To some extent, they wanted better access to new literature, e-books and nonfiction (the category was named “special subjects and topics” in the survey). The survey shows that most libraries still prefer to order interlibrary loans for their users rather than encourage users to order themselves. Originality/value – This study is the first systematic survey of ILL in Norwegian public libraries.

Initiatives towards formation of academic library consortium in Malaysia

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 102-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafsah Mohd ◽  
Rosnah Yusof ◽  
Rohaya Umar
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
Ministry Of Higher Education ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to report on several initiatives towards formation of national consortium among academic libraries in Malaysia. The consortium focused on subscription of online databases. Design/methodology/approach – In July 2004, CDC on behalf of PERPUN members made several initiatives towards formation of national consortium of Malaysian academic libraries. Proposal paper on the formation of the consortium has been submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education. Through “loose consortia” formed, CDC and later known as Malaysian Online E-Resources Consortium (MOLEC) succeeded in negotiating for subscription of online databases and was able to get financial aid from the Ministry of Education to subscribe several databases since 2002. Findings – A commercial databases committee (CDC) was formed in year 2000 as a platform for academic libraries to evaluate, select, negotiate and manage the online databases. Complications involved in online databases subscriptions such as cost increase, license agreement, various formats of usage statistics, merger and takeover of publishers have made PERPUN (Malaysian Standing Conference of National and University Libraries) realize that there is a need for a formal consortium to be formed. Research limitations/implications – An improved service was established for the benefit of the academic libraries in Malaysia. Practical implications – A more coordinated approach to consortial dealings is being established in Malaysia. Originality/value – This is a report on the process and outcomes.

Digitizing the intellectual output of Ghanaian universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Patience Emefa Dzandza
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Digital Asset ◽  
Asset Management System

Purpose With the emergence of ranking of universities by organizations, one major factor considered in the rankings is the intellectual output of the universities. For universities to remain part of the global academic competitive society, intellectual output of universities can no longer be stored on shelves in libraries. Academic libraries have engaged in digitization of the intellectual works of their institutions which is a core mandate of any academic library. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the state of digitization initiatives among university libraries in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was adopted. Nine top universities in Ghana were selected to participate in this study. Interviews were conducted with heads of libraries. Findings The findings of the study revealed that seven out of the nine libraries studied have embarked on some sort of digitization initiative, and all libraries studied are using the same digital asset management system (Dspace). Major challenges reported by the participants that are common to all the libraries studied are lack of adequate and modern equipment, lack of trained personnel and lack of cooperation from faculty members. Originality/value This study brought fore the initiatives undertaken by academic libraries in Ghana to establish and maintain institutional repositories (IRs) amidst a number of challenges. It is a major contribution to the literature from West Africa as not much literature on IR is found from this part of the world.

A survey of WeChat application in Chinese public libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunmei Gan
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
History Information ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
Service Mode ◽  
Current Characteristics ◽  
Chinese Public

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the current characteristics and status of WeChat application in Chinese public libraries. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 46 sub-provincial and provincial public libraries in China, this study collected data from their WeChat official accounts. Statistical analysis and content analysis were employed for data analysis. Findings The results show that 82.6 percent of the 46 libraries had applied for WeChat accounts and offered services, of which the earliest created time was March 20, 2013. Differences were found among history information regarding their numbers, types and contents. Moreover, as for service mode, 84.2 percent of the libraries present custom menus, and 68.4 percent provide self-inquiry information. In addition, three types of reference services are revealed: real-time services (28.9 percent), services via telephones or e-mails (36.8 percent) and menu services (7.9 percent). Originality/value This study illustrates an overall picture of WeChat application in Chinese public libraries. Extant research has mainly focused on Web 2.0 applications in university libraries, and less attention has been paid to the application of mobile social media in public libraries. This study attempts to fill this research gap.

A study to evaluate the digitization level of Korean libraries (part II)

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-403
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Library Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
College And University ◽  
The World ◽  
Library Program

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current digitization levels of Korean libraries by identifying key elements of library services and measuring them for conventional vs digital approaches and use. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilized previous research related to digital libraries and consultations with experts to arrive at 13 evaluation elements and components within them to analyze. For the purpose of this study specialized libraries, college and university libraries, and public libraries were surveyed, and their responses analyzed to rate their current digitization levels vs more conventional approaches. Findings – First, after determining the elements that characterized the conventional and digital libraries by analyzing different pieces of literature and consulting with experts, 92 factors were identified for each of the conventional and digital elements based on the axis which was composed of 13 items. Second, this study indicated that the libraries obtained one of the conventional or digital characteristics independent of the situation, rather than that the digital library was more effective than the conventional library. Third, in evaluating the chosen libraries used as the examples, it was observed that the libraries had more conventional characteristics among the elements of the digital and conventional libraries. Also, based on the axis used for comparison of 13 items, elements such as the next generation service, the SNS service, and the library program service were more conventional, but elements such as classification and cataloging, acquisition, and the organization were more digitized. Originality/value – This study is the first study in the world to measure the level of digitization of the library. Therefore, hereafter, each library will be able to measure and determine its digital position based on these elements. Up to now, some research was performed in pursuit of extracting the elements of a library but it had relied solely on literature review. Comprehensive research had never been performed as in this study.

Competing eBook acquisition models: which model best serves a community college library?

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Michael LaMagna ◽  
Erica Swenson Danowitz ◽  
Andrea Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Community College ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Community ◽  
College Library ◽  
Usage Data

Purpose Academic libraries continue to invest in eBooks to ensure access to content in various formats. This paper aims to examine eBook acquisition models, including patron-driven acquisitions, one-time purchases, focused collection subscriptions or large-scale subscriptions, to better understand how users engage with this content based on usage data. Design/methodology/approach Usage data provide insights into eBook acquisition and how access models influence use. This study defines the acquisition model for each eBook purchase. Data were examined to determine usage by acquisition model and cost-per-use. Findings This paper finds that for a large suburban community college, a large-scale subscription model has the lowest cost-per-use and serves the largest portion of students. Focused collection subscriptions supported small, specialized programs in the Allied Health, Emergency Services, and Nursing fields. Originality/value This paper examines how eBooks are acquired to determine which model best serves an academic library community, specifically a community college library, which is currently underrepresented in the literature.

Interviews with collection development managers

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 134-135
Author(s):  
Kay Ann Cassell
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Yale University ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Princeton University ◽  
Development Officers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present interviews of two collection development managers: David Magier, Princeton University and Daniel Dollar, Yale University. Design/methodology/approach – The approach was interviews. Findings – These interviews showed what goes into the thinking of collection development officers in large university libraries. There are probably more similarities than differences. Originality/value – This is the first of a series of interviews with collection development managers.

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.

The library succession planner’s decision-making style

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 497-510
Author(s):  
Gihani S. Rajapakse ◽  
K. Kiran
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Succession Planning ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Decision Style ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Making Styles

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore succession planning in academic libraries, specifically to understand how succession planning is carried out and how the decisions-making styles of library managers influence each stage of the succession planning. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used to gather data through a document analysis and interviews with library managers at four Sri Lankan university libraries. Data analysis was done applying the framework analysis (FA) tool. Findings The study revealed that succession planning has been practiced in Sri Lankan university libraries to develop a bench strength, skilled backup for key positions at all levels, while inculcating leadership competencies in their respective positions. The dominant decision style is the identifiable decision-making style within the succession planning process. Research limitations/implications The volume of the data obtained depends largely on the participants’ responses, and the interpretation of the data is subjected to minimum personal biasness of the researcher. Practical implications An understanding of how decision-making styles influence practices of succession planning contributes to assist library managers to carry out succession planning within the limitations of their autonomy to do so. The findings of this study benefit library managers in recognizing their own decision-making styles and the level of succession planning they have achieved. Social implications Library managers’ decision-making style can have an influence on how succession planning is carried out successfully at an academic library to ensure continuity of the library’s mission and vision. Originality/value This is the first known study to investigate how decision-making style of the manager influences each level of the succession planning at an academic library. The use of a systematic FA method for the qualitative data analysis reveals trustworthy results.

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