Cómics en bibliotecas: ¿sigue mejorando su aceptación y presencia?

The aim of this article is to present the positive evolution of the presence of comics in libraries while also identifying the reasons why their effective incorporation into libraries continues to be nonuniform rather than generalized. Large comic collections are not common in Spain, and the few examples present in most centers continue to be considered a strange element among other formats. Although some misunderstanding from librarians may persist, we identify some known difficulties regarding their inclusion, including persistent problems regarding their acquisition, a preference for other formats due to budget shortfalls, and the difficulty regarding the bibliographic processing of comics. Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo es, por un lado, mostrar cómo ha evolucionado la valoración de la presencia del cómic en las bibliotecas; y, por otro, identificar algunos factores por los que su incorporación efectiva y real sigue siendo desigual y no generalizada, pues las grandes comictecas no abundan en España, y los escasos ejemplares presentes en la mayoría de los centros siguen apareciendo como un elemento extraño entre otros formatos. Al margen de que pueda seguir habiendo cierta incomprensión desde el entorno bibliotecario, identificamos algunas dificultades ya conocidas para su extensión. Entre ellas, los persistentes problemas para su adquisición; la preferencia de compra de otros formatos ante la escasez presupuestaria; y la dificultad en el tratamiento bibliotecario de los cómics con multitud de formatos difícilmente compatibles entre sí.

Fiscal Pressures and Discriminatory Policing: Evidence from Traffic Stops in Missouri

This paper provides evidence of racial variation in traffic enforcement responses to local government budget stress using data from policing agencies in the state of Missouri from 2001 through 2012. Like previous studies, we find that local budget stress is associated with higher citation rates; we also find an increase in traffic-stop arrest rates. However, we find that these effects are concentrated among White (rather than Black or Latino) drivers. The results are robust to the inclusion of a range of covariates and a variety of model specifications, including a regression discontinuity examining bare budget shortfalls. Considering potential mechanisms, we find that targeting of White drivers is higher where the White-to-Black income ratio is higher, consistent with the targeting of drivers who are better able to pay fines. Further, the relative effect on White drivers is higher in areas with statistical over-policing of Black drivers: when Black drivers are already getting too many fines, police cite White drivers from whom they are presumably more likely to be able to raise the needed extra revenue. These results highlight the relationship between policing-as-taxation and racial inequality in policing outcomes.

Reason minus zero/no limit: Trying to bring it back home

Negotiations connected with database renewals are sharply critical and ultimately impact renewal decisions. Today, academic libraries face an ever-consolidating marketplace, often accompanied by disruptive cost increases that toss sound reasoning aside. Instances of super-exponential cost increases transfigure once reasonable practices based on sound criteria to unsustainable subscriptions and inappropriate access models. Most troubling is that libraries have seldom been asked to participate in stakeholder discussions before these models and decisions were made. The paper reviews University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Libraries struggle with these changing metrics. In context, the paper looks at how recent political upheaval in Wisconsin has overturned Wisconsin’s progressive heritage and contributed to a rapid dismantling of state funding for public higher education and its’ associated services. Wisconsin has been known as a ‘laboratory for democracy’ with its’ Wisconsin Idea, publicly championing higher education’s mission and expertise in service of the common good. Times are changing. Today, not only does Wisconsin’s public higher education confront losses of state funding, it faces changing demographics, reduced FTE’s, all equating to even less budget dollars. In turn, budget shortfalls have made it nearly impossible to address declining infrastructures, needs for academic program reorganization and institutional restructuring, much less maintain and enhance existing services.

The Relationship Between Open Enrollment and School Bond Voting

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify an association between student mobility through open enrollment and voter support for school bond proposals. Specifically, we hypothesized that higher percentages of nonresident enrollment in a school district and resident exit from a district would be associated with lower levels of voter support for bond proposals. Data Collection and Analysis: We utilized publicly available data on bond proposals placed on ballots between 2009 and 2015, publicly available data from the State of Michigan for information on percentages of nonresident enrollment and resident exit, and publicly available data from the U.S. Census Bureau for data on district resident characteristics. Regression analysis was used to identify associations between nonresident enrollment and resident exit with the percentage of “yes” votes on school bond proposals controlling for community and resident characteristics. Findings: We failed to reject the null hypotheses, finding no statistically significant association between nonresident enrollment and resident exit and average voter support for school bond proposals, ceteris paribus. Implications for Research/Practice: We laid some groundwork for reconceptualizing the relationship between open enrollment policies and communities’ willingness to support local public schools. This has potential implications for both local- and state-level policies regarding enrollment issues and issues of school finance. As local boards continue to struggle with budget shortfalls and mounting capital needs, they may need to further weigh their own communities’ interest in supporting local public schools in the wake of increased student mobility in and out of districts.

Southern Solutions for Wisconsin Woes

Since 2011, a number of states have amended their collective bargaining laws covering state and local government employees. Debate rages about whether the goal of the proponents of change was to address budget shortfalls or weaken labor unions. Regardless of motive, legislatures in several states accomplished the goal of severely limiting or eliminating collective bargaining for some or all employees. The question facing unions, employers and employees in those states is �what now?� An answer may lie in looking to southern states like Virginia and North Carolina that have historically prohibited or severely restricted bargaining. This article explores the lessons that that might lie in the labor relations climates there for parties in states facing new and unfamiliar landscapes.The article first discusses labor relations in the southern states, with a primary emphasis on Virginia, and analyzes the factors that contribute to successful union-management relations where they exist. Then, the article considers how these factors might apply in states with newly enacted changes to their collective bargaining laws, focusing specifically on those states that eliminated or virtually eliminated bargaining rights. The article concludes that while labor relations might change in those states, unionization will survive as employees continue to seek a voice in the workplace.

A rationale for choosing the mechanism of public-private partnership for the sustainable development of social infrastructure facilities

Using the mechanism of public-private partnership (PPP) is an effective way to attract investment for the modernization of urban infrastructure in the face of budget shortfalls, which is especially important for the sustainable development of the social infrastructure of the territories. The aim of the study is to analyze the models of public-private partnership (PPP) and substantiate the choice of the model to ensure sustainable development of the social sphere. The life-cycle cost (LLC) model is represented as the most effective one for realizing municipal facilities development projects.

Queering South Mississippi: Simple and seemingly impossible work

Our purpose in writing this is to recount and analyze the push for queer-positive policy at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) over the past several years, understanding the spaces that opened for such work, and why such spaces rapidly open and close on the USM campus. We cannot begin to tell the story of our experience working for queer-positive programming and spaces, and the challenges we have encountered in that work, without first contextualizing that work within the institution of The University of Southern Mississippi, the system in which it exists, and the state of Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, hovers near the 15,000 mark in enrollment, and has campuses in Hattiesburg, MS and Long Beach, MS, plus some small research sites along the Gulf Coast. It, like many in Mississippi, has constant budget shortfalls, and a cycle of enrollment/financial emergencies, while struggling to find consistent quality of students and enrollment numbers. It exists in a system that places it alongside the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Mississippi State University for budgeting and evaluation purposes, an unfortunate reality many years.

South Sudan oil sector expansion will prove elusive

Significance Since independence in 2011 -- and during the preceding six years of autonomy -- the budget has depended overwhelmingly on oil revenues. However, production has contracted significantly since the outbreak of conflict in 2013, and revenues have suffered further from declining global oil prices. With savings and credit almost entirely depleted, the government needs new revenue to fund budget shortfalls, and is looking to the only reliable income source it has known. Impacts Logistics, equipment and technical issues will further complicate efforts to boost production. Plans to build a domestic refinery could ease domestic fuel shortages, but may face delays. Budget revenue targets will be missed, putting pressure on expenditure requirements.

Structural burdens will weigh on Ghana's energy sector

Subject Ghanaian oil and gas prospects Significance On May 20, Italy's Eni announced the start of oil production from the Sankofa development, to be followed by gas in 2018. The Ghanaian government also plans to increase gas imports, but this is only part of the solution to a complex set of energy sector problems. President Nana Akufo-Addo's new administration faces significant challenges clearing internal debt and meeting domestic demand while also dealing with larger-than-expected budget shortfalls. Impacts The government will prioritise the large number of power project agreements signed by its predecessor. Further exploration in Ghana and Ivory Coast’s deep water will depend largely on the oil price. More domestic gas supply could help bring down Ghana’s high electricity tariffs.