scholarly journals On the front line?

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Melanie Boyd ◽  
Ozouf Senamin Amedegnato
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Collective Effort ◽  
War Metaphor ◽  
Justifiable Reason

Is there room for war metaphor in academic libraries? Is there a good, or justifiable, reason for its use? In this paper, we argue the answer to these questions is no. The paper will discuss the nature of metaphor in general, the effects of its use, and why those effects matter. Grounded in this discussion, it will consider and analyze the use of war metaphor, specifically in the academic library world. Finally, it will offer suggestions for how, through individual and collective effort, the metaphor of war might be purged from the academic library lexicon.    

scholarly journals User agreements and makerspaces: a content analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 358-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Michele Moorefield-Lang
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The Body ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis Software

Abstract – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the user agreements of makerspaces in public and academic libraries. User agreements, also known as maker agreements, user forms and liability forms, can be very important documents between library patrons, staff and faculty. User agreements are similar to the earlier creation of acceptable use policies for technology use in libraries. The author of this study will delve into the user agreements created for public and academic libraries across the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher used content analysis to investigate 24 different user agreements written for public and academic library makerspaces. NVivo qualitative data analysis software was integrated into this research to aid in the breakdown of commonalities across terms, themes and purpose within the user agreements. Findings – Although makerspaces are a very exciting topic in the field of library science at this time, the implementation of a maker learning space is still new to many libraries. Creating a user agreement for a makerspace is newer still. Most user agreements in this study were six months to a year old. Some consistencies found across makerspace user agreements include liability waivers, permissions for minors, safety, copyright and technology replacement costs. Originality/value – At this time, most publications on makerspaces are held in the realm of popular publications (blogs, magazines, zines, etc.). The body of peer-reviewed and scholarly research on makerspaces is growing. Makerspace user agreements are new to this growing field of interest, and a content analysis of these documents will pave the way for the writing of future forms.

scholarly journals The Internationalization of the Academic Library: A Systematic Review of 25 Years of Literature on International Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda B. Click ◽  
Claire Walker Wiley ◽  
Meggan Houlihan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
International Students ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Conference Papers

This study is a systematic review of the library and information science (LIS) literature related to international students and academic libraries. A systematic review involves the methodical collection and analysis of a body of literature and is growing in popularity in the LIS field. Three well-known LIS databases were systematically searched for articles related to the topic, and manual bibliography searches were conducted to find additional publications. Journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers were included or excluded based on established criteria. Findings show that articles published about international students and academic libraries have increased steadily between 1990 and 2014. The majority of authors are affiliated with universities and institutions in the United States, although an increase in represented countries is apparent. Fewer than half of the articles can be considered original research, and surveys are the most popular method for data collection. The LIS field—and international students—would benefit from further exploration of this topic, particularly from original research with practical implications.

scholarly journals Extending McKinsey’s 7S model to understand strategic alignment in academic libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 313-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Martin Cox ◽  
Stephen Pinfield ◽  
Sophie Rutter
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Influences ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Strategic Position ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise the issues of alignment for changing academic libraries by using and extending McKinsey’s 7S model. Design/methodology/approach Theoretical work was conducted to consider and extend the 7S model for the situation of academic libraries. Empirical data were then used to confirm the value of these extensions and suggest further changes. The data to support the analysis were drawn from 33 interviews with librarians, library and non-library academics and experts, and a survey of UK library staff. Findings In the academic library context, the 7S model can be usefully extended to include three library functions (stuff, space and services) and users. It can also include institutional influences and stakeholders, and aspects of the external environment or situation, including suppliers and allies. The revised model then provides a useful framework within which data about library change can be analysed. Perceived barriers to successful performance fit the model and enable the identification of seven challenges of alignment. Research limitations/implications The resulting model has potential applications such as in the structuring analysis of academic library performance, mapping future directions of development and for exploring variations across the sector and internationally. Practical implications The revised model can be used by practitioners to think through their own strategic position and to act to shape their future, in the light of seven major areas of alignment. Originality/value The paper extends a well-known model used in strategy, to produce a more comprehensive, sector-specific analytic tool.

scholarly journals Increasing the Pace of an Integral Library System in China: Moving toward the Twenty-First Century

1998 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Zhu ◽  
Sha Li Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
System Development ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
First Century ◽  
Information Networks ◽  
Integral System ◽  
Library System ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Twenty First Century

Academic libraries in China are transforming traditionally isolated and separated operations by initiating an integral library system (also known as integral system development) to connect all academic libraries nationwide, and to connect them with other information networks abroad. A three-tier network at the national, regional, and campus levels should be developed. This paper describes the current academic library environment in China, the concept of the integral library system, and the major goals to be realized in the next five years.

Assessment committees: good practices from ARL libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H. Brannen ◽  
Sojourna J. Cunningham ◽  
Regina Mays
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Library Assessment ◽  
Current State ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Assessment Activities

Purpose Assessment activities in academic libraries continue to grow as libraries explore assessment endeavors. Ranging from basic stats gathering and reporting to surveys, focus groups, and usability studies and beyond. Many practitioners are finding it necessary to create new processes and programs, with little guidance. The purpose of this paper is to paint a broad picture of assessment activities in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) university libraries with the goal of creating a resource for libraries developing or improving their assessment programs. Design/methodology/approach A survey was developed that asked questions about assessment personnel, activities, mission, and website. A total of 113 surveys were sent to academic library members of ARL. Survey results were analyzed to compile a list of recommended good practices for assessment and working with assessment committees in academic libraries. Findings The investigators had a response rate of 43 percent. The open-ended nature of the survey questions allowed for the respondents to specifically narrow down the problems and opportunities inherent in library assessment committees. Originality/value This study takes the temperature of the current state of assessment programs in ARL libraries, demonstrating the growth of assessment programs. It begins to document the practices of these libraries, particularly in regards to the sometimes informal and hard to track use of committees and other in-house collaborations, as a first step toward developing best practices for the field. The results illuminate productive areas for further study, including investigating how to measure a culture of assessment and maximizing impact of assessment information presented on assessment websites.

scholarly journals A Portrait of a Place: A New Frame to View Artwork in the Academic Library

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Celia Andrea Mallory Austin
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Public Art ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Art Objects

<p>The act of displaying artwork and art objects in academic libraries has been called both a “natural idea and common practice” (Cirasella and Deutsch, 2012, p. 2), but this position lacks a considered and critical analysis. The motivation for displaying artwork in academic libraries and an evaluation of its impact on the library environment, as perceived by librarians, similarly lacks meaningful examination. This absence of previous inquiry provides a major stimulus for this research project, which uses a case study approach to examine and explore the ‘natural’ preoccupation for displaying artwork in academic libraries, and additionally considers such environments as public art spaces.</p>

scholarly journals A Survey of Weeding Practices in New Zealand  Academic Libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Angus Johnston
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Academic Curriculum ◽  
The Future

<p>Weeding is the removal and disposal of materials from a library’s collection that meet criteria set out in the collection development policy. Weeding the print collection of an academic library should be viewed as a means of continuously improving the quality of the collection, reflecting changes in the university’s academic curriculum and meeting patrons’ research needs (Dubicki, 2008). Weeding is often neglected however because of time constraints, a desire to maintain the size of a collection, and the belief that a book may be needed some time in the future ...</p>

scholarly journals A Survey of Weeding Practices in New Zealand  Academic Libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Angus Johnston
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Academic Curriculum ◽  
The Future

<p>Weeding is the removal and disposal of materials from a library’s collection that meet criteria set out in the collection development policy. Weeding the print collection of an academic library should be viewed as a means of continuously improving the quality of the collection, reflecting changes in the university’s academic curriculum and meeting patrons’ research needs (Dubicki, 2008). Weeding is often neglected however because of time constraints, a desire to maintain the size of a collection, and the belief that a book may be needed some time in the future ...</p>

scholarly journals Replicable services for reproducible research: a model for academic libraries

Bibliosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
F. Sayre ◽  
A. Riegelman
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Reproducible Research ◽  
Library Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Data Intensive ◽  
Academic Librarianship ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Research Faculty

Over the past decade, evidence from disciplines ranging from biology to economics has suggested that many scientific studies may not be reproducible. This has led to declarations in both the scientific and lay press that science is experiencing a “reproducibility crisis” and that this crisis has consequences for the extent to which students, faculty, and the public at large can trust research. Faculty build on these results with their own research, and students and the public use these results for everything from patient care to public policy. To build a model for how academic libraries can support reproducible research, the authors conducted a review of major guidelines from funders, publishers, and professional societies. Specific recommendations were extracted from guidelines and compared with existing academic library services and librarian expertise. The authors believe this review shows that many of the recommendations for improving reproducibility are core areas of academic librarianship, including data management, scholarly communication, and methodological support for systematic reviews and data-intensive research. By increasing our knowledge of disciplinary, journal, funder, and society perspectives on reproducibility, and reframing existing librarian expertise and services, academic librarians will be well positioned to be leaders in supporting reproducible research. Citation: Sayre F., Riegelman A. Replicable services for reproducible research: a model for academic libraries.

scholarly journals How Libraries Make us Believe

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-88
Author(s):  
Vanja Stojanovic
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Spatial Changes ◽  
Spatial Configurations ◽  
Concept Of Truth ◽  
Physical Spaces ◽  
Physical Materials

This paper considers how the physical spaces of academic libraries actively assert the belief of intellectual pursuit upon users. Taking up Thomas Gieryn’s concept of “truth-spots,” this paper argues that the academic library is particularly effective at encapsulating and expressing this pursuit through its own spatial configurations. Library spaces achieve this through the manipulation of time, spatial gathering and separation, an imposed order, exposure and obfuscation, as well as the library’s unique or standardized configurations. This paper invites us to think about the library’s metaphysicality in terms that connect abstract beliefs to the library’s physical materials and spaces. The purpose of this paper is to identify the subtle, yet powerful, spatial changes occurring in recent efforts to reconfigure academic library spaces. The implications of such a consideration may aid to inform future (re)designs of library spaces.

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