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C&RL
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- The Use of Library Material.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article discusses the documented low rate of usage of academic library collections. The author suggests discontinuing low-use or no-use books and journals to drive publishers to electronic models or to low-cost, open-access, peer-reviewed institutional repository programs. He further suggests that libraries develop shared print storage programs cooperatively for legacy collections. Duplication of low-use material, he says, is wasteful and inessential. (AN 43381396) Academic Search Premier - Letters to the Editor.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 A letter to the editor is presented in response to a review of "Selected Reference Works, 2007-08" by Sarah White and Mary Cargill. (AN 43381397) Academic Search Premier - Letters to the Editor.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 A letter to the editor is presented in response to a review of the book "Encyclopedia of Race and Racism" in the March 2009 issue. (AN 43381398) Academic Search Premier - Where There's a Will There's a Way?: Survey of Academic Librarian Attitudes about Open Access.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 Academic libraries are becoming increasingly involved in scholarly communication through work with institutional repositories and other open access models. While academic librarians are being encouraged to promote these new models, their opinions about open access have not been documented. This article reports on the results of a national survey conducted in the summer of 2006 of academic librarians' attitudes toward open access principles and related behaviors. While attitude responses were largely positive, there were differences in levels of support related to respondents' job descriptions and funding of open access activities. Surveyed librarians appear to be more comfortable with tasks that translate traditionally held responsibilities, such as educating others, to the open access environment. Most significant is the discrepancy between stated support of library involvement in open access initiatives and significantly lacking action toward this end. The results offer insight into how open access proponents may better focus their advocacy efforts. (AN 43381399) Academic Search Premier - Undergraduate Perceptions of Information Literacy: Defining, Attaining, and Self-Assessing Skills.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 This investigation uses interview data on student conceptions of and experiences with interacting with information. In addition, student scores on the Information Literacy Test (ILT) provide data that allow for comparison of student perceptions to their level of information literacy as measured by a standardized test. A relational approach, informed by competency theory and the imposed query model, provide the framework for the study design and interpretation of the data. Findings reveal a general view of information literacy focused on product rather than process, a perception of achieving information skills on their own, a preference for people over other information sources, and an emphasis on personal interest as key to successful information seeking. (AN 43381400) Academic Search Premier - The Federal Depository Library Program in 2023: One Perspective on the Transition to the Future.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The Government Printing Office (GPO) administers a depository library program that provides the public with access to government publications, including digital ones. For years, the GPO, its Depository Library Council, and documents librarians have discussed the future role of member libraries. This article explores a different, but critical, perspective: that of directors of university libraries within the Association of Research Libraries. Thirty directors reviewed different scenarios and selected the one they envision their university assuming. The findings have implications for librarians in any depository library program and others interested in the future role of libraries as collection and service centers for government information resources. (AN 43381401) Academic Search Premier - Unless Otherwise Indicated: A Survey of Copyright Statements on Digital Library Collections.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 This study examines the copyright statements attached to digital collections created by members of the Digital Library Federation. A total of 786 collections at twenty-nine institutions were examined for the presence of statements and their content evaluated for common themes. Particular attention was paid to whether the institutions in question are meeting their obligation to educate users about their rights by including information about fair use and the public domain. Approximately half the collections surveyed had copyright statements, and those statements were often difficult to distinguish from terms of use and were frequently vague or misleading. (AN 43381402) Academic Search Premier - An Assessment of the Completeness of Scholarly Information on the Internet.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 In this paper, the authors propose an assessment framework of the completeness of scholarly information on the Internet, and then obtain a list of Web pages by searching for 32 key terms in eight subjects through Google, Yahoo, and Altavista. The 2,814 sample pages are examined according to the evaluation framework. The results reveal that the overall mean score of the completeness of online scholarly information was 2.92; only 11 percent of samples provide complete scholarly information. There is a statistically significant difference (P - Books as History: The Importance of Books beyond Their Texts.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Books as History: The Importance of Books Beyond Their Text" by David Pearson. (AN 43381404) Academic Search Premier - The Illustrated Shakespeare, 1709-1875.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article reviews the book "The Illustrated Shakespeare 1709-1875" by Stuart Sillars. (AN 43381405) Academic Search Premier - A Guide to Library Research in Music.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article reviews the book "A Guide to Library Research in Music" by Pauline Shaw Bayne. (AN 43381406) Academic Search Premier - Managing Congressional Collections.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Managing Congressional Collections" by Cynthia Pease Miller. (AN 43381407) Academic Search Premier - Convergence and Collaboration of Campus Information Services.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Convergence and Collaboration of Campus Information Services." edited by Peter Hernon and Ronald R. Powell. (AN 43381408) Academic Search Premier - E-learning and Business Plans: National and International Case Studies.
College & Research Libraries; 07/01/2009 The article reviews the book "E-Learning and Business Plans: National and International Case Studies" by Elaina M. Norlin and Tiffini A. Travis. (AN 43381409) Academic Search Premier - Bringing Librarianship to E-Science.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The author reflects on whether librarians should be involved in data management and e-science. The historical involvement of librarians in the collection, preservation, and organization of research publications is explored. Connections are drawn between challenges presented by electronic data management and the development of classification, cataloging, and indexing practices. The author encourages librarians to use their skills in meeting scientific digital data management needs. (AN 40507816) Academic Search Premier - Leveraging Lean Six Sigma to Culture, Nurture, and Sustain Assessment and Change in the Academic Library Environment.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 This paper explores the application of Lean Six Sigma, a business improvement philosophy and methodology, in the academic library environment as one means to nurture and sustain a culture of assessment and change. It includes an overview of the philosophy and an example of an actual virtual reference improvement project that was conducted using Lean Six Sigma tools and principles at The Ohio State University Libraries. It concludes with a discussion of the benefits and limitations of deploying a Lean Six Sigma initiative within a library organization. (AN 40507817) Academic Search Premier - How Scholarly Is Google Scholar? A Comparison to Library Databases.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 Google Scholar was released as a beta product in November of 2004. Since then, Google Scholar has been scrutinized and questioned by many in academia and the library field. Our objectives in undertaking this study were to determine how scholarly Google Scholar is in comparison with traditional library resources and to determine if the scholarliness of materials found in Google Scholar varies across disciplines. We found that Google Scholar is, on average, 17.6 percent more scholarly than materials found only in library databases and that there is no statistically significant difference between the scholarliness of materials found in Google Scholar across disciplines. (AN 40507818) Academic Search Premier - The Role of Academic Libraries in Mentored Undergraduate Research: A Model of Engagement in the Academic Community.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 Mentored undergraduate research is an emergent pedagogy in higher education. It differs fundamentally from course-related student research and is largely independent of the curriculum. Academic libraries should engage formally with the undergraduate research community. To do so, librarians will need to think and work beyond traditional models of library service, most notably in information literacy programs. The intent of this article is to raise awareness about opportunities for library involvement with undergraduate researchers and programs. Lessons from one university, including a formal partnership between a library and an undergraduate research center, suggest some general strategies that academic libraries might explore. (AN 40507819) Academic Search Premier - The Presence of IT Skill Sets in Librarian Position Announcements.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 What skills do librarians need in today's world with its Google-esque movement toward ubiquitous instant information? Anecdotal evidence suggests librarians are acquiring a wider range of information technology (IT) skills. This study examines the IT skills employers deem essential by conducting a content analysis of randomly selected job ads from ALA's online JobList over a five-month period. We found a substantial need for Web development, project management, systems development, and systems applications. This suggests that librarians are incorporating a significant subset of IT professionals' skill sets. This trend poses challenging questions for their identity and profession. (AN 40507820) Academic Search Premier - Serving Generation 1.5: Academic Library Use and Students from Non-English-Speaking Households.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 This study examined ways in which the library is utilized by students of Generation 1.5. Generation 1.5 refers to those students who appear fully conversant in English but are in reality still learning the language. The study is based on a survey of 1,396 students at California State University, Bakersfield. Patterns of library use between Generation 1.5 students and their non-Generation 1.5 counterparts were found to differ. The results indicated that, to Generation 1.5 students, the library is a particularly important provider of a physical space, unstructured social learning, and technology. (AN 40507821) Academic Search Premier - Job Satisfaction among Academic Cataloger Librarians.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 This article details the results of a May 2007 study of job satisfaction of cataloger librarians at ARL member libraries in the United States. Eighty-eight percent of the cataloger librarians studied were satisfied with their current job and the majority would make the same career choice again. Job facets that cataloger librarians found most important were the benefits package, relationships with coworkers, and opportunities to learn new skills. Catalogers wanted to be treated fairly, be consulted about issues directly related to their work, be informed about current activities in their department, have their opinions respected and considered, and have an administration that supports catalogers. Topics for future research are suggested. (AN 40507822) Academic Search Premier - Afro-Americana 1553-1906: Author Catalog of the Library Company of Philadelphia and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Afro-Americana 1553-1906: Author Catalog of the Library Company of Philadelphia and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania," 2nd edition. (AN 40507823) Academic Search Premier - Case Studies in Library and Information Science Ethics.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Case Studies in Library and Information Science Ethics," edited by Elizabeth A. Buchanan and Kathrine A. Henderson. (AN 40507824) Academic Search Premier - Two Bits: The Cultural Significance of Free Software.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Two Bits: The Cultural Significance of Free Software," by Christopher M. Kelty. (AN 40507825) Academic Search Premier - College and University Archives: Readings in Theory and Practice.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The article reviews the book "College and University Archives: Readings in Theory and Practice," edited by Christopher J. Prom and Ellen D. Swain. (AN 40507826) Academic Search Premier - The Desk and Beyond: Next Generation Reference Services.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The article reviews the book "The Desk and Beyond: Next Generation Reference Services," edited by Sarah K. Steiner and M. Leslie Madden. (AN 40507827) Academic Search Premier - Core Collections for Children and Young Adults.
College & Research Libraries; 05/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Core Collections for Children and Young Adults," by Rachel E. Schwedt and Janice DeLong. (AN 40507828) Academic Search Premier - What We Need Is a Knowledge Management Perspective.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The author discusses the importance of knowledge management in academic librarianship. The author believes that the responsibilities of academic librarians extends beyond the collection and development of the libraries' scholarly resources. These librarians need to be able to effectively navigate the digital resources available in academic libraries. The author discusses how digital media has impacted the library service model. (AN 37194545) Academic Search Premier - Letter to the Editor.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 A letter to the editor is presented in response to a review of the book "Streamlining Library Services," that was written by Scott Walter. (AN 37194546) Academic Search Premier - Collaboration between Marketing Students and the Library: An Experiential Learning Project to Promote Reference Services.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 As with most academic libraries, declining reference transactions has been a concern at Illinois Wesleyan University's Ames Library. After grappling with the problem unsuccessfully, librarians sought input from students on how to address this issue. Collaborating with a professor in the Business Administration Department, a two-class series focusing on real-world marketing issues took on the challenge of how best to promote reference services to students. Student-generated surveys and marketing ideas proved useful for making changes to the library's reference services and for publicizing the service, resulting in an increase in reference transactions between students and librarians. (AN 37194547) Academic Search Premier - "Publishers Did Not Take the Bait": A Forgotten Precursor to the NIH Public Access Policy.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 This article compares the recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy (2005-07) with the United States Office of Education policy on copyright in funded research (1965-70). The two policies and the differing technological and political contexts of the periods are compared and contrasted. The author concludes that a more nuanced approach to copyright, the digital information environment, and the support of an energized user community auger well for the success of the NIH policy, but that it is still too soon to tell. (AN 37194548) Academic Search Premier - Information Desk Referrals: Implementing an Office Statistics Database.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 In fall 2006, Colorado State University Libraries in Fort Collins, Colorado, underwent an administrative reorganization. Part of this reorganization involved changing Morgan Libraries' Reference Desk to an Information Desk from which staff and student assistants would provide reference referrals to librarians. To gather statistics and track the success of this new service, the College Liaison Librarians, formerly known as Subject Librarians, implemented an office statistics database to record and track referrals received in their offices from Information Desk staff. This data- base evolved to also provide a centralized online area to collect numbers of office reference transactions. This paper discusses the reasons behind the office statistics database's creation and the statistics it provides CSU Libraries College Liaison Librarians. (AN 37194549) Academic Search Premier - Preparing the Underprepared: Current Academic Library Practices in Developmental Education.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 This qualitative study examines academic libraries and developmental education. The study was based on semistructured telephone interviews with 31 librarians from 21 states. Interview questions focused on instruction services for developmental students, library collections for developmental students, collaboration with developmental education instructors and learning centers, and professional development related to developmental education. Analysis of the results shows that librarians apply sound pedagogy when infusing basic library skills into developmental education and academic success courses, design assignments with high probability of student success, reduce library anxiety and build student confidence, and develop and promote library collections beneficial to developmental students. (AN 37194550) Academic Search Premier - Think Locally, Act Globally: Understanding Home Institution Library Engagement among Study-Abroad Students.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 This study focuses on developing an understanding of U.S. study-abroad students' knowledge and confidence levels in using their home institution libraries from abroad. Data from a questionnaire survey administered to students at the time of active engagement in ten different study-abroad programs in Costa Rica are presented; the data reveal relative uncertainty by the students about the possibilities of interfacing with their home institution libraries while abroad. Further consideration of this distinct user group is warranted, and the article includes data-driven recommendations for better serving our study-abroad students. (AN 37194551) Academic Search Premier - Selected Reference Works, 2007-08.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 This article follows the pattern set by the semiannual series initiated by the late Constance M. Winchell more than fifty years ago and continued first by Eugene Sheehy and then by Eileen McIlvaine. Because the purpose of the list is to present a selection of recent scholarly and general works, it does not pretend to be either well balanced or comprehensive. A brief roundup of new editions of standard works is provided at the end of the articles. Code numbers (such as AC527) have been used to refer to titles in the Guide to Reference Books, 11th ed. (Chicago: ALA, 1996). (AN 37194552) Academic Search Premier - A Dictionary of English Manuscript Terminology, 1450-2000.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The article presents a review of the book "A Dictionary of English Manuscript Terminology, 1450-2000," by Peter Beal. (AN 37194553) Academic Search Premier - The Portable MLIS: Insights from the Experts.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The article presents a review of the book "The Portable MLIS: Insights from the Experts," edited by Ken Haycock and Brooke E. Sheldon. (AN 37194554) Academic Search Premier - A Disciplinary Blueprint for the Assessment of information Literacy.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The article presents a review of the book "A Disciplinary Blueprint for the Assessment of information Literacy," by Dorothy Anne Warner. (AN 37194555) Academic Search Premier - Navigating Legal Issues in Archives.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The article presents a review of the book "Navigating Legal Issues in Archives," by Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt. (AN 37194556) Academic Search Premier - The Prayer Book of Charles the Bold: A Study of a Flemish Masterpiece from the Burgundian Court.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The article presents a review of the book "The Prayer Book of Charles the Bold: A Study of a Flemish Masterpiece from the Burgundian Court," by Antoine de Schryver. (AN 37194557) Academic Search Premier - Sherlock Holmes on the Stage: A Chronological Encyclopedia of Plays Featuring the Great Detective.
College & Research Libraries; 03/01/2009 The article presents a review of the book "Sherlock Holmes on the Stage: A Chronological Encyclopedia of Plays Featuring the Great Detective," by Amnon Kabatchnik. (AN 37194558) Academic Search Premier - Mountain View: the Agreement among Google, Publishers, and Authors.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 The author discusses the results of a settlement involving the Google Book Search service from the Internet firm Google. The author suggests that the service will improve access to research library collections, aid education and increase public library patronage. He notes Google's use of Internet search tools such as full-text searching and keyword indexing but cautions that limitations regarding downloading and printing of books through the service have not been defined. (AN 36321151) Academic Search Premier - Revitalizing a Mentoring Program for Academic Librarians.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 Many new employees naturally seek out coworkers and informal advisors as a way of learning about their new positions and organizations. However, a formalized mentoring program is a way to meet the needs of new employees and effectively impart the information and advice in a coordinated, ongoing process. This paper focuses on the process of revitalizing a formalized mentoring program in an academic library. Included are details of the process developed by one institution, an extensive bibliography, sample checklists, and assessment tools. (AN 36321152) Academic Search Premier - The Impact of Electronic Journals on Use of Print in Geology.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 This study examines the use of geology journals at Washington State University (WSU), before and after electronic access was provided, to determine if the use of the print collection increased as in the previous studies at WSU of three other science disciplines. The number and source of articles cited by WSU geologists from 1998 to 2004 is also examined to determine the impact of electronic access on citation patterns. In light of inflation and package deals, librarians need to understand how faculty use journals. This analysis will assist librarians in better understanding journal usage to inform future serial purchasing decisions. (AN 36321153) Academic Search Premier - Without Merit: One Library's Attempt to Put "Merit" Back in "Merit Pay".
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 This article outlines a proposal developed at the University of North Carolina of a method for awarding merit pay to librarians. The library has a two-tiered structure that includes faculty who are tenured and others who work on contract. Because of this, the Acting University Librarian created two task forces to investigate ways to make merit pay equitable. Each task force developed a proposal that eventually was merged into one document. This article examines the process of developing a plan for merit pay and library faculty reactions to the plan. (AN 36321154) Academic Search Premier - Judging Books by Their Covers: Managing the Tensions between Paperback and Clothbound Purchases in Academic Libraries.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 Book purchases are a significant portion of an academic library's budget. Selecting paperback rather than hardback editions can stretch collection development dollars. This study examines the collection development statements of forty-six academic libraries regarding the selection of paperback editions. Some libraries provide vague guidance, while others identify specific price differentials between the costs of paperback and hardback editions as a decision criterion. A new method of using price difference ratios is proposed and tested using four academic disciplines. The results suggest that libraries using such ratios can achieve greater control over costs while meeting collection development goals. (AN 36321155) Academic Search Premier - Measuring Quality in Chat Reference Consortia: A Comparative Analysis of Responses to Users' Queries.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 Academic libraries have experienced growing demand for 24/7 access to resources and services. Despite the challenges and costs of chat reference service and consortia, many libraries are finding the demand for these services worth the cost. One key challenge is providing and measuring quality of service, particularly in a consortia setting. This study explores the quality of service provided in one academic library participating in a 24/7 chat reference consortium, by assessing transcripts of chat sessions using in-house reference quality standards. Findings point to both similarities and differences between chat interactions of local librarians versus consortia staff. (AN 36321156) Academic Search Premier - Media in the Digital Age.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Media in the Digital Age," by John V. Pavlik. (AN 36321157) Academic Search Premier - Information Literacy Instruction Hand-book.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Information Literacy Instruction Handbook," edited by Christopher N. Cox and Elizabeth Blakesley Lindsay. (AN 36321158) Academic Search Premier - Documentation: A History and Critique of Attribution, Commentary, Glosses, Marginalia, Notes, Bibliographies, Works-Cited Lists, and Citation Indexing and Analysis.
College & Research Libraries; 01/01/2009 The article reviews the book "Documentation: A History and Critique of Attribution, Commentary, Glosses, Marginalia, Notes, Bibliographies, Works-Cited Lists, and Citation Indexing and Analysis," by Robert Hauptman. (AN 36321159) Academic Search Premier