Image retrieval with SINCERITY

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a search engine dedicated to image retrieval in a bilingual (French and English) context. This paper presents the first phase of user testing that was carried out to validate and refine SINCERITY, the new search device. Design/methodology/approach – This first phase of the search engine testing involved a small group of image searchers (10 French-speaking and 10 English-speaking participants) who were asked to retrieve a sample of images (30) using the new tool. A questionnaire was also developed to compile the comments of the users. Findings – The results of this first phase of testing revealed that even though image indexing was sometimes problematic, the participants did not encounter major difficulties retrieving images with SINCERITY. Comments and suggestions received will be taken into consideration to improve the performance and aesthetics of the search engine. Originality/value – Once fully operational, SINCERITY will allow users to search images in an attractive and user-friendly manner. Eventually, other types of images (documentary and artistic) will be added to the image database linked to the image search engine, as well as other languages.

The role of institutional repositories in developing the communication of scholarly research

Purpose – This paper aims to uncover the central purposes of institutional repositories, how developments are being affected by policies and researcher behaviour and also what services and approaches are appropriate in supporting repositories from those partners involved in scholarly communication with a particular focus on services that support the publication of research. Design/methodology/approach – The research reviews the literature and current practices within higher education with regard to the core purposes of institutional repositories, the possible causes of low population of repositories in some institutions and subject disciplines, how this is being addressed and likely future developments. A qualitative survey using semi-structured interviews explores current best practices and tests the specific research questions that emerged from the literature review. Findings – The rate at which institutional repositories have grown in number has been very fast in recent years, but the population of repositories with research has been relatively slow. The research identified a number of reasons as to why the population of repositories was likely to accelerate in the future and have a more significant impact on scholarly communication. The main catalysts are: strengthening of national and funder policies that serve to both mandate open access (green or gold) and raise awareness of open access amongst faculty; the alignment of repositories with current research information systems within universities; and the development of metadata and open archives initiative harvesting that will improve discoverability and usage data. Research limitations/implications – As many of the issues around the development of repositories centre on the attitudes of faculty, it would also provide an interesting extension to the research to understand their views of the role of institutional repositories, too. Practical implications – The study presents a number of possible new ways of working by both information professionals and publishers to improve scholarly communication through the inclusion of research within institutional repositories and how perceived barriers could be overcome. Social implications – The study provides guidance on how the communication of scholarly research could be improved and reach a wider audience. This, in turn, will benefit researchers, corporate organisations and the public at large. Originality/value – The paper provides a review of current best practices in managing institutional repositories and identifies new ways of addressing some of the perceived barriers to populating repositories and the benefits for each stakeholder in the scholarly communication process.

Internal customer service assessment of cataloging, acquisitions, and library systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that an internal customer service survey approach to assessment delivers many benefits to technical services and library systems units. Findings from such a survey provide the evidence needed to implement process improvements, conduct strategic planning and more. The survey used in this case study can be adapted by other libraries or library units to conduct assessment, gauge customer satisfaction and identify areas for process improvements. Design/methodology/approach – The Technical Services and Library Systems Division of the University at Albany Libraries conducted an internal customer service survey to gauge customer satisfaction with its services. Findings – Survey results demonstrated that customer surveys are a valuable assessment tool and can be used as an evidence-based approach to library management. Technical services and library systems units should use this tool to identify whether customers are satisfied with the services provided, whether the services are still needed, whether additional services are needed and more. Practical implications – This paper provides an approach to conducting a customer service survey, an analysis of potential benefits and a survey instrument that others could adapt to use in their own libraries. The survey instrument can be used not only for assessment of technical services and library systems, but by other functional units in all types of libraries. Originality/value – This paper and approach is original research; there are no other papers on this topic in the library and information science literature.

Paths of the mind

Purpose – This column aims to take a brief look at wayfinding in the digital age, and explores several opportunities that are on the horizon for libraries that could enhance the user experience for their patrons. Design/methodology/approach – This column provides a survey of the current views of wayfinding in the digital age. Findings – There is new technology being developed that increasingly blurs the lines between the digital and the physical. Originality/value – Devices such as the HoloLens and iBeacon, while nascent, will quickly become a standard for new approaches that people can use to interact with their environments integrating digital information. This affords libraries a unique opportunity over the course of the next 5-10 years to take advantage of this technology to assist patrons with their information needs.

Partnerships: the engaged university and library publishing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to delineate a model of library publishing, the library as publishing partner, that reflects the diversity of institutions in higher education. Design/methodology/approach – The model is based on a particular case, but also on the integration of literature on institutional theory, emerging scholarships and library science. Findings – The paper argues that increasing diversity in higher education requires us to think creatively and strategically about different models for library publishing. The library as publishing partner model is presented as an alternative to a one-size-fits-all model based on the experience of research institutions. Research limitations/implications – The library as publishing partner model is intended to spark further research and conversations about models for other institutional types. Practical implications – The library as publishing partner model has potential applications at other public comprehensive institutions (or those with similar missions). Social implications – The library as publishing partner model is intended to combat the tendency in higher education toward academic drift and to contribute to an increasingly diverse landscape in higher education. Originality/value – This paper presents an original model, the library as publishing partner, but also argues for an original perspective, in which academic libraries at different types of institutions can be constructively differentiated from each other.

Information organizations and the Lean approach to service delivery

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Lean services methodology as a mechanism for improving products and services in libraries and information organizations. Through a high-level exploration of the philosophy, goals and principles of the methodology, the reader will gain an understanding of the methodology and its usefulness to information organizations. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a general overview of the philosophy, goals and principles of the Lean services methodology. As such, it serves as a brief introduction to the topic. Findings – The Lean services methodology is an important tool for libraries and information organizations as they attempt to improve customer satisfaction and service. Having been adapted from the principles used in manufacturing to improve processes and customer satisfaction, Lean services is an appropriate tool to enable organizational improvement through individual empowerment. Originality/value – While the Lean services methodology has been widely adopted in other service-based industries, there is scant literature about the role of Lean services in libraries and information organizations.

Digitizing oral history: can you hear the difference?

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to answer the questions: Can students discern the difference between oral histories digitized at archival quality (96 kHz/24-bit) versus CD-quality (44.1 kHz/16-bit)? and How important do they believe this difference is? Digitization of analog audio recordings has become the recommended best practice in preserving and making available oral histories. Additionally, well-accepted standards in performing this work are available. However, there is relatively little research that addresses if individuals can hear a qualitative difference in recordings made with best practices versus those that have not. Design/methodology/approach – In all, 53 individuals participated in the study, where they listened to three sets of oral histories and had to decide which was the archival-quality recording versus the CD-quality recording and mark their answer on a survey. Findings – Students could discern less than half of the time on average which was the archival quality versus the CD-quality recording. Further, after listening to the differences, they most often indicated the difference was “a little bit important”. Practical implications – This research does not suggest that archivists abandon well-established sound digitization practices that produce results that audio archivists (and those able to hear fine-grain audio differences) find superior. Rather, it does imply that additional work may be needed to train listeners to discern these fine-grain differences, and appreciate the highest-fidelity replication of original audio recordings. Originality/value – This research addresses a gap in the literature by connecting audio digitization practices to its impact on listener perception.

The McGill library chapbook project: a case study in TEI encoding

Purpose – The purpose of this case study is to describe a multi-year text encoding initiative (TEI) project that took place in the McGill University Library, Rare Books and Special Collections. Design/methodology/approach – Early nineteenth century English language chapbooks from the collection were digitized, and the proofed text files were encoded in TEI, following Best Practices for TEI in Libraries (2011). Findings – The project coordinator describes the TEI file structure and customizations for the project to support a distinct subject classification of the chapbooks and the encoding of the woodcut illustrations using the Iconclass classification. Research limitations/implications – The authors focus on procedures, use of TEI data elements and encoding challenges. Practical implications – This paper documents the project workflow and provides a possible model for future digital humanities projects. Social implications – The graduate students who participated in the TEI encoding learned a new suite of skills involving extensible markup language (XML) file structure and the application of a markup language that requires interpretation. Originality/value – The McGill Library Chapbook Project Web site, launched in 2013 now provides access to 933 full-text works.

Streamlined request services: the integration of ILS, ILL and Consortia borrowing systems

Purpose – This paper aims to study streamlined request services based on discrete systems’ integration in an academic library. The integration of discrete systems allows patrons to use the library’s online public access catalog to send requests and have the requests automatically transferred to the local integrated library system (ILS), the consortia borrowing system, and an interlibrary loan system. The integration of discrete systems also allows adding the consortia service without adding any library staff. Design/methodology/approach – The authors introduce library holdings behind the search interface, the discrete library systems and the authentication system. The paper illustrates how patron requests can be automatically transferred to discrete library systems. Findings – Resource sharing has become a hot topic in the library world where libraries are facing budget cuts, space limits and employee shortage challenges. Systems’ integration will help libraries to add new services without adding staff. Practical implications – The consortia borrowing system can be seamlessly integrated into discrete library systems and a campus authentication system. Pepperdine University’s experience can serve as an example for libraries which have a plan to implement consortia borrowing systems or want to streamline their workflows. Originality/value – This paper takes a fresh look at the traditional request services using cloud-based systems.

Illusory bastions

Purpose – This column explores issues regarding the exposure of online patron information, privacy and intellectual freedom. Several angles are explored and ways in which libraries can effectively respond to these issues are proposed. Design/methodology/approach – This is a regular journal column. Findings – There is a need for balance in our concerns over the use of technology and patron privacy and freedom. On the one hand, libraries have an obligation to maintain patron privacy to promote intellectual freedom. On the other hand, once reasonable steps are taken to protect patrons, an informed-consent approach seems to strike the right balance between protection from constraint and the freedom to research as a person sees fit. Originality/value – The Internet is known as the “information highway” but is also an “Internet of Things” where smart devices are connected to one another either through centralized services or peer-to-peer networks. This growing phenomenon is a result as much of the desire to automate as it is the increased expectations for convenience and ease of use. Libraries need to be prepared to protect patrons from external threats to privacy as a response to this situation, as well as educate patrons on the risks associated with data aggregation and exposure through the use of online services.