scholarly journals Usage-Based Collection Evaluation with a Curricular Focus

2013 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen C. Kohn
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
Evaluation Methods ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
The Past

Systematic evaluation of a library’s collection can be a useful tool for collection development. After reviewing three evaluation methods and their usefulness for our small academic library, I undertook a usage-based evaluation, focusing on narrow segments of our collection that served specific undergraduate courses. For each section, I collected data on the number of books owned, number of checkouts in the past four years, and number of unique books used. Using examples from the data, I discuss possible ways to interpret and act on the data. I also note how the knowledge gained from this evaluation fits into the larger toolkit of librarian competencies for collection development.

To stream or not to stream?

2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 485-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara E. Morris ◽  
Lea H. Currie
Keyword(s):  
Development Policy ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
University Of Kansas ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Feature Films ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Streaming Services ◽  
The University

Purpose The University of Kansas (KU) libraries has faced increased requests for streaming video in the past five years. While we have provided access to many databases of films, feature films remained a problem. To write a collection development policy, the library undertook three investigations to ensure the outcome reflected the needs of the university. Design/methodology/approach Film titles included in Swank 300 and Criterion-on-Demand were checked against the CanIStream. it? website to check for availability through streaming, rental or purchase services. Student library users were surveyed to determine if they had streaming subscriptions and, if so, which ones. KU librarians also examined academic library collection development polices to understand how others have addressed this issue. Findings More than half of the feature films provided by the two vendors are available through subscriptions, renting or purchasing methods. A majority of students subscribe to one or more of these services. Many academic libraries are deciding not to provide streaming feature films. Originality/value There are no previous studies on students’ subscriptions to streaming services linked to availability of feature films offered from commercial vendors to libraries.

scholarly journals Can you Find Yourself in the Stacks?

2021 ◽  
pp. 81-116
Author(s):  
Suzanne M. Estelle-Holmer ◽  
Amy Limpitlaw ◽  
Michelle Spomer
Keyword(s):  
Theological Education ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Vision Statements ◽  
The Past ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Library Collections

The past year has brought renewed attention to the need for academic library collections to support an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) in the curriculum and to reflect the increasing diversity among students and faculty.  The urgent calls for maximum inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of theological education have led collection development librarians to re-examine and re-calibrate their collecting practices.  Three librarians offer practical suggestions on how to approach the challenges of developing diverse collections by engaging with key stakeholders, aligning collecting with the institution’s mission and/or vision statements, utilizing approval plans, and promoting collections through outreach and diversity programming.

Disorders of Musical Cognition

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Stewart ◽  
Katharina von Kriegstein ◽  
Simone Dalla Bella ◽  
Jason D. Warren ◽  
Timothy D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
The Past ◽  
Musical Cognition ◽  
Musical Listening

This article presents an overview of case studies of acquired disorders of musical listening. Like any cognitive faculty, music is multifaceted, and the identification of the neural basis of any complex faculty must proceed, hand in hand, with an elucidation of its cognitive architecture. The past decade has seen an evolution in the theoretical models of musical processing, allowing the development of theoretically motivated instruments for the systematic evaluation of musical disorders. Such developments have allowed reports of musical disorders to evolve from historical anecdotes to systematic, verifiable accounts that can play a critical role in contributing to our understanding of the cognitive neuroscience of music.

scholarly journals Problems and Methods of Specialized Libraries Collection Development under Modern Conditions

2011 ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Mariya P. Konovalova
Keyword(s):  
Collection Development ◽  
Library Collection ◽  
The Past ◽  
Special Library ◽  
Changing World

Problems and ways of forming the library collection over the past decade and its distribution under the conditions of changing world are analyzed on the example of the Kaluga Regional Special Library for the Blind.

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>

Assessing an academic library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in UAE

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoulaye Kaba
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Significant Difference

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to assess and compare the performance of an academic library, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on data collected from the library management system, usage reports of online databases, and monthly reports and archives to evaluate and assess library performance in managerial activities, collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, usage of digital resources, quality control, reference services and information literacy activities. Frequency distributions and non-parametric tests were used in identifying differences and testing hypotheses.FindingsThe study found that library performance before the COVID-19 pandemic outperformed library performance during the pandemic in collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, access and use of digital resources, quality control and information literacy. On the other hand, the library demonstrated higher performance in managerial activities and reference services during the COVID-19 pandemic than that of before the pandemic period. Interestingly, the analysis of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test revealed statistically no significant difference in the library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results supported all the eight hypotheses stated in this study.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study based on data collected from an academic library in the UAE before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings may not be generalized and may differ if more data are analyzed from many academic libraries.Practical implicationsCOVID-19 pandemic is a turning point for library managers to increase the number of digital resources and services, to ensure that library staff are equipped with essential and up-to-date information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge, to ensure that library users are equipped with essential and up-to-date information literacy skills and knowledge. These will enable them to satisfy users' information needs and ensure library operation in disasters and crisis periods.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies conducted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to evaluate library performance before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study could be an important reference in understanding how libraries responded to COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East. The results of the study may contribute to the provision of digital resources and services during the pandemic and disasters in the UAE and the Arab world.

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.

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