Developing an institutional repository using Digital Commons

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise A. Brush ◽  
Jonathan Jiras

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share the knowledge and lessons learned about the process of developing an institutional repository (IR) using a hosted solution, Digital Commons from bepress, and to make the case that Digital Commons is still the best IR solution for smaller university libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis is a case study based on Rowan University Libraries developing an IR using the Digital Commons platform.FindingsTo implement a hosted solution successfully, key actions include defining the repository’s scope and mission early in the process, including a variety of stakeholders in promoting the repository, integrating the repository with a faculty profile system and being able to effectively work collaboratively with both internal and external professionals in developing the system.Originality/valueThis paper will be valuable to academic librarians considering implementing an IR on, or migrating an existing repository to, the Digital Commons platform.

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Campbell Macpherson

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Renkema ◽  
Tanya Bondarouk ◽  
Anna Bos-Nehles

Purpose Although self-management is not a new phenomenon, there is a lack of understanding about how to transform organizations towards self-managing teams (SMTs). The purpose of this paper is to propose a guiding framework for how the empowerment process can be managed. Design/methodology/approach The paper sets out 12 guidelines on how to address the transition towards SMTs based on a case study at a large Dutch healthcare organization. The lessons are drawn from observations, documents and more than 55 interviews with key informants. Findings This paper provides a holistic overview of lessons learned from the transformation process towards SMTs. The 12 recommendations are targeted at four stakeholder groups, namely, the management/board, HRM department, coach-managers and members of the SMTs. Originality/value The originality lies in the systematic approach including lessons learned for all levels of the organization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-257
Author(s):  
Rebecca Hill Renirie

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine teaching intent of information literacy threshold concepts via asynchronous reference transactions. Instructional content in academic librarians’ replies to research requests are analyzed for and mapped to threshold concepts contained in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) framework. Design/methodology/approach The author mapped the instructional content of a research request reply template to the content of the ACRL framework, then took a random sample of research requests using the template during the calendar year 2016. Additional instructional content provided in the sample replies was also mapped to the framework. Findings In providing written instruction for students to create searches from keywords and search subject-specific databases, every frame is at least partially addressed in the template except Scholarship as Conversation. However, individual librarians adapt the template to teach as needed and there are examples in this case study of teaching aspects of all six frames asynchronously. Practical implications This study provides support for librarians to teach the threshold concepts of the ACRL framework asynchronously at the point of need during virtual reference, and the effective use of a research reply template to accomplish this instruction. Originality/value Few recent studies examine instructional intent in asynchronous/email reference. This study examines teaching the ACRL framework via reference rather than instructional sessions. A portion of this research was presented as a poster at the 2017 ACRL Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.


2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 49-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Cunningham ◽  
Graham Walton

Purpose – This paper aims to explore at Loughborough University (UK) how informal learning spaces (ILS) are used by students in the Library and elsewhere on campus. Focus includes learning activities undertaken by students, reasons why the ILS is chosen, suggestions on how they can be improved and how technologies are used. Comparison will be drawn between how students use Library ILS and other ILS. Design/methodology/approach – Case study based at Loughborough University and its Library. Semi-structured interviews were held with 265 students in various ILS spaces across campus. Findings – Similarities and differences are present in the way students use Library ILS compared with other ILS campus spaces. These include impact of campus geography and individual academic levels of students. Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study and the results can only relate to Loughborough University. There may be some lessons and themes that are relevant to other universities. The number of interviewees is relatively small. Practical implications – Highlights the need for cooperation between various university stakeholders to strategically and operationally manage different ILS on campus. Originality/value – This is one of the very few studies that investigate together the range of ILS including the Library in a comparative approach.


2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eamonn McGettingan ◽  
Donal O'Neill

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline the approach taken within Kentz Engineers and Constructors to develop electrical technicians and other apprentices on an international basis.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted is that of a case study which describes activities and processes within the college and the rationale behind them supported by appropriate material.FindingsAn integrated approach is needed to developing qualified tradespeople as junior supervisors involving work rotation, mentoring, learning and development workshops and peer support. Corporate will, together with systems and infrastructure, is needed to be successful organization‐wide.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is a case study that focuses on reflections from practice. Lessons learned and proposed will need to be tested in other organizations.Originality/valueThe paper provides original, tested solutions to problems that face the majority of organizations in the global construction industry and which will be familiar to all who manage the transition of apprentices into supervisory positions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 219-225
Author(s):  
Joy M. Perrin ◽  
Justin Daniel

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assist library administration in avoiding cross-functional team pitfalls. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports the results of years of cross-fucntiional teams at an academic Library. Reports results of years of cross-functional teams at an academic Library. Findings Through shared trial and errors, readers will be able to avoid pitfalls and formulate questions not previously considered for their pursuit of cross-functional teams. Research limitations/implications While this is a case study, the lessons learned can be applied at any library where cross-functional teams are considered. Originality/value This study provides an account of teams at an academic library spanning a decade. Trials and tribulations are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Moulaison Sandy ◽  
Edward M. Corrado ◽  
Brandi B. Ivester

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider personal digital archiving (PDA) from an academic perspective. Although elements of research data management and personal information management are relevant, it is unclear what is available on university websites supporting PDA. The following question guided the research: where is “PDA” content housed in the top-level .edu domain and what is the format and nature of the content made available? Design/methodology/approach This descriptive study analyzed Google hits yielded by searching “PDA” within the .edu domain. Results were analyzed to determine where content was housed and its format and nature. Placement in the domain, delivery methods, topics, and the nature of the most highly ranking Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) were analyzed. Findings In the academy, PDA is not exclusively of interest in libraries; not quite half of the .edu URLs (45 percent) pointed to a library site. Scholarly papers were the most returned content, followed by blogs and conferences information. Closer analysis of the top 20 URLs showed that libraries are popular and papers, and blogs continue to be dominant. Research limitations/implications The results suggest good PDA practices and recommendations are evolving. Academic librarians should examine these practices, refine them, and make them available and discoverable on the web. Originality/value This is the first paper, to the knowledge, to consider PDA content from the perspective of universities and university libraries.


2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomalee Doan ◽  
Sammie L. Morris

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share successful strategies to enable mid‐level management academic librarians and archivists to raise major gifts from individual donors.Design/methodology/approachThe paper demonstrates the growing need for fundraising in university libraries and shows how participating in fundraising activities is an increasing expectation of librarians. Case studies are provided of successful fundraising by librarians and archivists, including their work with donors and collaboration with development professionals. The paper concludes with suggestions for maintaining donor relations.FindingsFundraising is increasing rapidly as an expected activity of librarians but is a slowly growing part of their education. More literature is also needed on the topic. Successful fundraising is dependent on clear definition of fundraising goals, effective communicational and other interpersonal skills, continuing donor follow up and regular collaboration with development staff.Originality/valueLibrarians and archivists can apply to their own fundraising needs the experiences narrated in the case studies of two successful major fundraising efforts, utilizing a team‐based approach to raising major gifts from individual donors.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arda Putri Winata ◽  
Raisa Fadelina ◽  
Sulistyo Basuki

Purpose This paper aims to share the activities of library services in the new-normal era. The paper describes libraries’ circumstances since their reopening in early June 2020. Furthermore, it provides details on how libraries have adopted several most appropriate practices changing physical to online services. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes various university library services in Indonesia in the new-normal era by using literature and documentary reviews as the approaches. The data were primarily collected from webpages, blogs, social media, newsletters and specific journals organized by university libraries. The survey was carried out by involving 126 university librarians incorporated in the University Libraries Forum. It highlighted the current conditions of university libraries and the most appropriate practices of library services in the new-normal era. Findings The most appropriate practices of university library services in the new-normal era are provided. Libraries in Indonesia have experienced a service transformation implementing the COVID-19 health protocols. Likewise, almost all university library services became virtual. Accordingly, there were several challenges faced by librarians and users in carrying out virtual activities in the library. Originality/value This paper provides a great value for libraries in responding to COVID-19 and those starting to reopen. It reveals the most appropriate library service practices and challenges in the new-normal era, which are useful for current and future insight development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Darren Sweeper ◽  
Karen Ramsden

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and to highlight lessons learned from the establishment of the institutional repository (IR) while collaborating in a state-wide initiative to showcase the scholarly output of New Jersey researchers. Design/methodology/approach The authors discuss how they used the case study method to collaborate with multiple stakeholders from across their university to establish an IR to support the University’s vision plan. Findings The authors found through strong relationship building and consistent outreach that they could launch a successful IR while enhancing the scholarly profile of their university faculty. Originality/value The authors contend that they have not exceeded the up to 20% overlap is okay according to Emerald’s originality policy.


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