scholarly journals Walk-In Users and Their Access to Online Resources in Canadian Academic Libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Pamela Carson ◽  
Krista Louise Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Free Access ◽  
The Public ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Site Access ◽  
User Access

In the past, a member of the public could access an academic library’s collection simply by visiting the library in person and browsing the shelves. However, now that online resources are prevalent and represent the majority of collections budgets and current collections, public access has become more complicated. In Canadian academic libraries, licences negotiated for online resources generally allow on-site access for walk-in users; however access is not granted uniformly across libraries. The goal of this study was to understand whether members of the public are indeed able to access online resources in major Canadian university libraries, whether access to supporting tools was offered, how access is provided, and whether access is monitored or promoted. The study used an online survey that targeted librarians responsible for user services at Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) member libraries. The survey results indicated that some level of free access to digital resources was provided to walk-in users at 90% of libraries for which a survey response was received. However, limitations in methods and modes of access and availability of supporting resources, such as software and printing, varied between the institutions. The study also found that most libraries did not actively promote or monitor non-affiliated user access.  

How assessment websites of academic libraries convey information and show value

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Clunie ◽  
Darlene Ann Parrish
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Black College ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Canadian Association

Purpose As libraries are required to become more accountable and demonstrate that they are meeting performance metrics, an assessment website can be a means for providing data for evidence-based decision making and an important indicator of how a library interacts with its constituents. The purpose of this paper is to share the results of a review of websites of academic libraries from four countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia and the USA. Design/methodology/approach The academic library websites included in the sample were selected from the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, Research Libraries of the United Kingdom, Council of Australian University Libraries, Historically Black College & Universities Library Alliance, Association of Research Libraries and American Indian Higher Education Consortium. The websites were evaluated according to the absence or presence of nine predetermined characteristics related to assessment. Findings It was discovered that “one size does not fit all” and found several innovative ways institutions are listening to their constituents and making improvements to help users succeed in their academic studies, research and creative endeavors. Research limitations/implications Only a sample of academic libraries from each of the four countries were analyzed. Additionally, some of the academic libraries were using password protected intranets unavailable for public access. The influences of institutional history and country-specific practices also became compelling factors during the analysis. Originality/value This paper seeks to broaden the factors for what is thought of as academic library assessment with the addition of qualitative and contextual considerations.

scholarly journals Fostering Research and Publication in Academic Libraries

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Sassen ◽  
Diane Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Support Measures ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Faculty Status ◽  
Over Time

This study concerns administrative support provided to encourage the research and publishing activities of academic librarians working in Association of Research Libraries member libraries. Deans and directors of these libraries were asked to respond to an online survey concerning the support measures that their libraries provide, as well as their thoughts on support measures that academic libraries should provide. When compared to earlier studies, the survey results indicate that most support measures have grown over time. Results also suggest increases in the requirements for publication in academic libraries, as well as in the number of libraries at which librarians have faculty status.

Resources on the Net: Current Challenges to Public Education and Public Libraries and Responses from Academic Libraries

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Chris Bober
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Education System ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Education System ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Academic Librarianship ◽  
Contested Terrain

The idea for the present theme originated from an upcoming Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Librarians Conference called Contested Terrain: Shaping the Future of Academic Librarianship. The conference, to be held in Ottawa on October 26 and 27, 2012, will look at ways that academic libraries can withstand and fight back against efforts to marginalize our profession and devalue our libraries. This review of recently published web literature begins with a look at the underlying issues as to why privatization has become a burning issue in both the public education system and public libraries. There are lessons to be learned here by academic libraries that are now faced with similar challenges. Within this climate of uncertainty, academic libraries have begun to respond by demonstrating value to their stakeholders. [...]

scholarly journals Sustaining Transparency in Government Information and the (r)evolution of Cloud Computing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Million
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Government Information ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
The Public ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Site Access ◽  
Information Providers ◽  
Official Records

Libraries play an important role in ensuring access to government information. Prior to the digital age, libraries provided on-site access to government information using print and print facsimile sources (e.g. microfiche and CD-ROM disks). The emergence of distributed computing models, however, has led many government resources to move online, thus challenging libraries’ capacity to serve as civic information providers. Moving from a geographically dispersed group of analog sources to a centralized collection in the cloud introduces the potential for restriction and revision, especially with regard to official records of policy and actions. This paper explores thecharacteristics of cloud computing that undermine libraries’ ability to sustain free access to government information. We propose that libraries, and their advocates, should engage with governments and their information providers to craft legally-binding agreements that establish protections which facilitate sustainability. Cloudcomputing may undermine libraries’ ability to guarantee government information access, but it does not necessarily impugn their capacity to serve patrons and the public interest.

scholarly journals Specialised recreational fishers reject sanctuary zones and favour fisheries management

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha McNeill ◽  
Julian Clifton ◽  
Euan S. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
User Access

Policy-makers are faced with the ongoing challenge of designing management interventions which conserve marine ecosystems while maintaining a sustainable level of resource user access. Recreational fishers are a key user group to consider as their activities can have significant impacts on fish populations. In some contexts, recreational fishers also represent a significant proportion of the public and can hold considerable influence on governing authorities. This issue is particularly pertinent for marine protected areas as significant opposition exists within some local communities, including recreational fishers, and community support is critical to achieving success. An online survey was employed across Western Australia to investigate recreational fishers' motivations and their attitudes towards fisheries management and different types of spatial closures, including marine protected areas. The results show the most specialised fishers demonstrate stronger support for traditional fisheries management compared to other groups, but stronger opposition to closed fishing zones specified as sanctuary zones. In comparison, no strong opposition is present for temporarily closed fishing zones or those protecting unique or fragile places. Our results suggest that rather than spatial fishing closures, it is the designated purpose of sanctuary zones for precautionary management which some specialised fishers reject. Understanding patterns of support are vital for policy-makers to design and communicate policy which is seen as appropriate and legitimate amongst stakeholders, particularly to those specialised fishers who hold significant influence in fishing communities.

scholarly journals Boosting Student Success and Reducing Inequalities with Free Access to Course Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Cuillier
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Course Materials ◽  
University Of Arizona ◽  
Course Material ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
The University

Research shows that COVID-19 has exacerbated student challenges and inequalities. One of the most impactful ways the University of Arizona Libraries foster student success and reduce inequities is through our course material initiatives: providing students with free day-one access to required materials. We are seeing greater demand for online resources, which can be challenging for academic libraries to provide. Our approach leverages campus partnerships, advocacy and education, and a “do-it-yourself” model supplemented with one-on-one assistance as needed. These practices can be replicated at other libraries with limited resources.

Exception from informed consent for emergency research: The experience of the public access defibrillation trial

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent N. Mosseso ◽  
◽  
Lawrence H. Brown ◽  
Shannon W. Stephens ◽  
Tom P. Aufderheide ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Emergency Research ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Access Defibrillation

Information Seeking in a Global Context. The Creeping Influence of Economic Globalization & Corporatization: Neoliberal Discourse in Canadian Academic Libraries

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Waugh
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Economic Globalization ◽  
Institutional Discourse ◽  
The Public ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Institutional Values ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Key Sites

Strategic planning documents are "key sites to institutional discourse" and reflect the public face of the library. This research explores the extent to which Neoliberal discourse permeates the strategic plans of three Canadian academic libraries, and examines how they are responding to global economic and political pressures. Through content analysis, the tension between libraries as a public good versus libraries as commodity is examined. Within this context, the disconnect between librarian core values and changing institutional values is also explored.Les documents de planification stratégique sont des « sites clés pour tout discours institutionnel » et reflètent le visage public d’une bibliothèque. Cette recherche tente de prendre la mesure dans laquelle le discours néolibéral imprègne les documents de planification stratégique de trois bibliothèques universitaires canadiennes, et examine comment ces institutions répondent à la montée et à la diversification des pressions économiques et politiques mondiales. En utilisant l'analyse de contenu et un regard critique, cette recherche exploratoire examine la tension entre la conception de la bibliothèque comme bien public et sa conception comme produit de marchandisation.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Working Conditions, Employment, Career Development and Well-Being of Refugee Researchers

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Svetlana Dimitrova ◽  
Marin Barzakov ◽  
Saad Yaseen ◽  
Vasilis Gavalas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
The Public ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Impact

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.

scholarly journals Chinese views on nuclear weapons: Evidence from an online survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316802110328
Author(s):  
Naomi Egel ◽  
R. Lincoln Hines
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
Text Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
The Public ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Chinese Public

What are Chinese public attitudes regarding nuclear weapons? Although scholars have studied Chinese elites’ views on nuclear weapons, surprisingly little is known about the views of China’s public. To understand Chinese public views on nuclear weapons, we conduct an online survey ( N = 1066) of Chinese respondents. This is, to our knowledge, the first survey of Chinese public attitudes towards nuclear weapons. We find that although Chinese citizens view the possession of nuclear weapons as important for their country’s security, they strongly oppose the use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. We also provide respondents an opportunity to describe their views on nuclear weapons in their own words. Using computer-assisted text analysis, we assess patterns in these open-ended responses and compare across age groups. We find that younger respondents emphasize non-material factors such as having a greater voice internationally, whereas older respondents emphasize self-defense. Overall, this analysis sheds light on the public attitudes that may shape China’s evolving approach to nuclear weapons.

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