The subject specialist librarian in an academic library: his role and place

1974 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 236-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles A. Crossley
2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Mierzecka ◽  
Andrius Suminas

The digital revolution has had a particular impact on the functioning of libraries: it has changed both the means of communicating with the users, and the nature of the service itself. In the case of academic libraries, an online presence is crucial due to the increased rate of Internet usage among their stakeholders, academics and students alike. From their perspective, library websites serve as digital gates to library services and resources. However, an academic library website may fulfil a wide array of functions and their importance can be variously prioritized. The purpose of our research was to find out which functions of academic library websites are viewed as the most important by a selected group of users: the students. To answer this question, we identified the main functions of academic library websites on the basis of desk research and designed a survey conducted among students of the University of Warsaw (Poland) and Vilnius University (Lithuania) ( n=680). The picture of users’ information needs with regard to content of the academic library website revealed by our research allows us to draw conclusions about the functions of the academic library website distinctive from those already mentioned in the subject literature. From the perspective of a user-centric approach we distinguished five functions of the academic library website: (1) supporting the usage of the collection (online and traditional); (2) promotion of culture; (3) gateway for locating information on the Web; (4) education; (5) creation of library’s online image.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 117-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Day ◽  
John Novak

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 281-294
Author(s):  
Mingyue Chen ◽  
Joyline Makani ◽  
Michael Bliemel

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze factors affecting decision-making on libraries’ electronic resources management under the situation of tight budgets in Canadian research universities. Design/methodology/approach Interview was adopted to investigate library resources management leaders’ opinions from English-speaking university members of the Group of Canadian Research University Libraries. Findings A comprehensive model is developed for library resources’ management. Subject specialists are the key of the model integrating marketing roles and evaluation roles. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are the small sample size of interview candidates, which may have application limitations on other types of libraries and universities in different areas. Practical implications This study generates a comprehensive model based on past research, contributing to future library decision-making practices. Originality/value It develops a subject specialist-centric model of library resources’ value assessment and brings the element of culture into future studies of academic library.


Author(s):  
Hilde Daland ◽  
Birgitte Kleivset ◽  
Patricia Flor ◽  
Siv Holt

One of the main tasks of an academic library is to guide students in critical evaluation and the ethical use of sources so that they can interpret, evaluate and create information in a correct and proper way. This should be integrated into the subjects, which is a huge challenge. Many students are told that they can freely select the reference style as long as they are consistent. But it is difficult to be consistent when you barely know what a reference style is. It is not easy for the librarian to answer how one refers to a governmental white paper in a self-designed reference system. To do this in a simple way, it is desirable to share the task between academic tutors and the library.  The recommendation of a reference style should come from the subject department of a faculty and from the sample collections provided by the library. The libraries at the University of Agder (UoA) and Telemark University College (TUC) joined forces to create a survey in which various reference styles were listed, complete with examples. The respondents were asked to choose the style they preferred  and would advise their students to use.  The response rate among the academic staff at the TUC and the UoA was 40%. We consider this to be a representative sample. The purpose of the final web resource aims to be as simple as possible. Students who do not know what a reference style is, and students who do not know which style they should choose, are now guided to make a confident choice of style.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Wójcik

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to subject the potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technology for libraries in terms of the possible scope and usage forms of this technology in public and academic library services. Design/methodology/approach – Based on analysis of the subject literature, the main areas of IoT applications in commercial institutions were identified, then an analysis of Library and Information Science English-language literature from the years 2010 to 2015 was conducted in order to create a profile of modern library services. The range of activities of commercial and non-commercial institutions were compared to ascertain if areas in which commercial entities using or planning to use IoT could also be an inspiration for libraries. In this way, a theoretical model of IoT use in library activities was developed. Findings – The research showed that IoT technology might have the potential to be used in library services and other activities, similar to how it is implemented in the commercial sector. Research limitations/implications – The aim of the paper is to determine the possible, not the actual, scope and forms of using this technology in public and academic libraries’ services. Practical implications – The results can be widely used in libraries as an inspiration for the use of IoT technology in modern library services. Social implications – The use of new technologies in libraries can help to improve the image of these institutions in the eyes of users, especially the younger generation. Originality/value – The use of IoT in libraries is a new issue that has not been studied much yet. The issue of using the potential of this technology for the needs of libraries has, in recent years, been raised at international conferences, become a subject of interest to librarian associations, and been widely discussed in the blogosphere, thus proving that this topic is important to practitioners. It is difficult, however, to find any scientific, comprehensive studies of this topic.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document