Storage of Legacy Print Collections: The Views of Australasian University Librarians

This article reports on the results of a qualitative survey conducted with seven managers of university libraries from Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of the survey was to explore both library responses to, and librarians’ attitudes toward, issues related to the long-term storage and management of legacy print collections. There is a focus on issues related to future planning for print storage, including the prospects for collaborative storage; the balance between on-site and off-site storage; the impact of mass-digitization programs; and the desirability of collaboration outside the university library sector.     

Dutch library services to disadvantaged persons

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Public Library Unions:

A recent survey of 2317 unionized and nonunionized public librarians found that public librarians who were pro-union were most likely to (1) be employed in larger libraries, (2) have worked less years as librarians, (3) command lower salaries, (4) be politically liberal, (5) have had less administrative experience, (6) be employed in libraries without staff associations or in libraries where union representation was nationally affiliated, and (7) be union members. The study also found that public library union members held less favorable attitudes toward service than their col- leagues who were not members of the union. The findings indicate that unions may not be the preferred mode of representation for public librarians and [hat they may be causing a decrease in professionalism within the field.     

Attitudes and practices of Canadian academic librarians regarding library and online privacy: A national study

Libraries have always been places where individuals feel free to explore new ideas and seek out information in the pursuit of creative and intellectual growth. Fear of exposure or surveillance could threaten an individual's inclination to search for and access information. Understandably then, privacy is understood to be a core professional responsibility of librarians. This study builds on a national report and a qualitative study, completed in the United States, which explored librarians' attitudes on privacy. Adding a Canadian voice to the literature, this study examines survey results from academic librarians in Canada on their perceptions and attitudes related to library practices and online privacy behaviors. Overall, Canadian academic librarians believe that protecting patron privacy and educating patrons about issues related to online privacy is important. However, many Canadian academic librarians doubt that libraries are doing all they can to protect patron privacy. Academic librarians stand to gain knowledge and understanding of peer attitudes toward online privacy, as well as how patron privacy is being advocated for and protected on university campuses across Canada. The results will guide future library policies and programming aimed at creating an environment where privacy rights are protected and patrons can make informed choices about their online actions.     

Libraries in transition: How librarians in Mongolia are re-visioning the role of libraries in the new democracy,a case study

This paper reports on a study that sought to understand the effects of transition on librarians' perception of their role in Mongolian society. Ten librarians were interviewed by a native Mongolian speaker in the summer of 2006 in Ulaanbaatar. Findings from the study indicate that libraries are emerging from the difficulties of the transition period, which eroded the role of libraries and resulted in declining library services and readership, severely reduced library budgets, the closing of many libraries, and the laying off of hundreds of librarians. In contrast to socialist times, Mongolian librarians currently believe that libraries should respond to the demands of its users, provide proactive information services, and help individuals achieve their own personal goals. The main obstacles they see to achieving the kinds of services they would like to offer are lack of funding, inadequate government policy towards libraries, and centralization of the budget. The librarians have absorbed many of the attitudes prevalent during economic transition to the point where even the language of the market place has permeated library discourse.     

Impact of changing health care economics on Michigan hospital libraries: report of a survey

In an attempt to determine how efforts to contain the soaring cost of U.S. health care in the 1980s have affected the size and stature of Michigan hospital libraries, a survey was sent out in April 1988 to 156 hospitals across the state. Fifteen of the 97 responding institutions did not maintain libraries during the survey period and were subsequently excluded from the study. Total FTEs in the 82 responding libraries decreased by 6.1%. In the 69 libraries reporting budget data, materials budgets increased, but by less than 7% a year. Eighteen of the 82 libraries had positions reclassified, with 12 (14.6%) assigned downgrades. The trend toward reduced size and perceived value of hospital libraries that emerged from the survey points to the need for regular collection of comprehensive hospital library statistics to assist hospital librarians in effective direction of their profession's course.     

Environmental sustainability: Awareness and practices among library professionals in University of Calicut

Although environmental sustainability is not a novel concept, society does not give much attention to protecting the environment. Protecting our environment for future generations is everyone's responsibility. Academic institutions should include green movement activities. In this investigation, environmental sustainability related awareness, attitudes, and practices of the Calicut University library professionals were examined. The study was conducted among the library professionals working at University of Calicut central library, 35 department libraries, and 20 study centers. Data were gathered via questionnaires. A total of 83 questionnaires were distributed but only 70 were returned. The majority of library professionals are not very knowledgeable about environmentally friendly procedures. However, they have a positive attitude toward environmental sustainability in libraries. The degree to which librarians are aware of environmental issues and the library's current green activities/practices are positively correlated.     

高校图书馆志愿者服务管理思考

志愿者是高校图书馆可利用的重要资源与宝贵财富,具有无可替代的积极作用。在阐述高校图书馆引入志愿者服务意义的基础上,探讨了高校图书馆志愿者服务管理。     

Facebooking It: Promoting Library Services to Young Adults through Social Media

With social media a normal part of the daily lives of young adults, librarians are using these sites to promote library services. This article investigates the perceptions and attitudes of librarians toward social media as a tool for libraries and explores the way librarians utilize social media to portray professional roles and responsibilities to young patrons. This author focuses on the pastoral role of librarians and discusses possibilities for performing this role through social media. Although presently under-researched, social media provides librarians with one more avenue to advocate for, engage with, and support young adults.     

(1) U.S.A.

The authors of this study assess the attitudes and perceptions of academic librarians at three university libraries in China regarding library services for international students and scholars. The study directs particular focus on librarians at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, Fudan University in Shanghai, and Wuhan University of Technology, China, and follows logically upon a study conducted in 2008 that explored the perceptions of international students at two Chinese universities regarding the effectiveness of library services and collections for their research needs. In particular, this study documents information about Chinese academic librarian perceptions regarding services for international students and attitudes toward future outcomes. The ultimate goal of the study is to lay a foundation for developing strategies for improving library services and resources for international students and scholars in Chinese academic libraries in particular, which in turn can serve to improve services for international students world-wide. The results support the assumption that academic librarians in China are strongly interested in improving services for international students and scholars while continuing to face challenges and trying to find ways to fulfill the information needs of international students and scholars.     

A university library management model for students’ learning support

Abstract

This research was aimed at developing a university library management model that would support students’ learning. The research was conducted in three phases: 1) an investigation into the requirements of a university library service of instructors; 2) an investigation into the attitudes of librarians, libraries’ administrators, and university’s administrators toward the roles of library and policy concepts relating to university library management that promote students’ learning; and 3) the development of a university library management model for students’ learning support. A mixed research method was applied comprising qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected using in-depth interviews and questionnaires. The findings have led to a proposal of a university library management model that supports student learning, which is comprised of five components: 1) management policy and system; 2) learning resources; 3) learning support services; 4) learning environments; and 5) the competency and roles of information professionals. It can be stated that studies into Thai university library implementation, strategic plans, and self-assessment reports under the quality assurance system showed that even though libraries have updated resources and services following changing situations in policies, technologies, and users’ needs, there is no clear indicator that Thai university libraries have any strategy for acquiring roles to support students’ learning with practical outcomes. Through reliable research work, this study into a model for university library management would result in a means of developing university libraries that truly supports university student learning based on information from instructors, library administrators, and librarians.     

"Ask A Librarian": the experiences of four hospital libraries

The librarians at four hospital libraries describe the electronic reference service, "Ask A Librarian," offered at their institutions. The hospitals are vastly different in size and in number of library staff, and offer the "Ask A Librarian" service to different clientele. The article illustrates that both large hospitals with a large library staff and small hospitals with a solo librarian and some volunteers can offer this type of service.     

美国图书馆职业资格认证标准与实施制度分析

美国图书馆职业资格认证标准分为公共图书馆员、中小学图书馆员、图书馆管理者3类,其中公共图书馆员职业资格认证标准根据是否需要图书馆学硕士学位或图书馆学与信息科学硕士学位可细分为两类及其对应的不同等级;中小学图书馆员职业资格认证标准分为全国通用的和州立的两种类型,后者较为普遍,涉及教师许可证、硕士学位、图书馆媒体内容测试、其他测试和资格证书评价需满足的条件5个方面;图书馆管理者职业资格认证标准包含预算与经费、技术管理、组织与人事管理、建筑规划与管理等9个领域需达到的要求。上述3类认证的认证机构是不同的,但认证程序基本相同,且都可采用等级认证、学历认证、考试认证或交叉认证。对美国图书馆职业资格认证标准与实施制度的分析有助于为我国图书馆职业资格认证提供借鉴。     

The academic library: Structure,space, physical and virtual use

This mixed-methods study aims to characterize the appropriate structure of the academic library in the information age according to the perceptions of the faculty members who use the library and the academic librarians operating it. Two main issues were addressed: centralization versus decentralization, and the provision of physical versus virtual services. The study population included members of the faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences in three academic institutions in Israel and academic librarians working in these institutions. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with 20 faculty members and 15 librarians, while quantitative data was collected through questionnaires filled by 191 faculty members and 50 librarians in the above-mentioned institutions. Analysis of these data reveal that faculty members generally prefer a concentration of materials—rather than decentralization—and they show a similar preference toward a faculty library model, a combined faculty/departmental library model, and a central library model. Similarly, the academic librarians prefer either faculty or combined faculty/department libraries, but their preference toward a central library model is lower than that of the faculty members. The decentralized, departmental library model was the least favored by both groups. In addition, our findings indicate that both the faculty members and the librarians appreciate the virtual services that the library provides as well as its physical presence, although fewer faculty members than librarians perceived the latter as an important role of the library. Taken together it appears that the preferred model for the academic library in the information age is of large, multidisciplinary libraries that contain materials from a variety of fields and provide comprehensive virtual services.     

Determining Librarian Research Preferences: A Comparison Survey of Web-Scale Discovery Systems and Subject Databases

The success or failure of any tool, service or system used in a library is predicated on the audience it finds. While web-scale discovery systems have developed widespread adoption in academic libraries, there is a sense from librarians that they continue to be in search of their true audience. Librarians play a key role in the utilization of web-scale discovery systems, and their experiences as an end user of these systems may influence their attitudes in many ways. The survey discussed in this article looks at the attitudes librarians have toward web-scale discovery systems when using them for their personal research, including feature preferences and inquiries into opinions regarding strengths and weaknesses of the system. The results of this survey provide some insights into why some librarians struggle with the idea using of web-scale discovery systems by themselves and by the patrons with which they work.     

Attitudes of School and Public Librarians Toward Combined Facilities

A stratified random sample of Iowa school and public librarians were surveyed to determine their attitude toward combination school-public library facilities. The survey instrument was based on one developed by L.J. Amey and R.J. Smith for a survey of Toronto school and public librarians. The survey determined that their was little difference in attitude of Iowa elementary and secondary school librarians toward combined facilities, nor was there much difference in attitude of Iowa public librarians serving populations under 2,500 and those serving more than 2,500 toward combined facilities. School and public librarians did demonstrate statistically significant differences in responses to fifteen of the twenty-six statements relating to combined facilities. Compared to the respondents in the Toronto study, a larger percentage of Iowa public librarians were less concerned about the geographic inconvenience of combined facilities and perceived less duplication resulting from combination. Although a larger percentage of Iowa librarians seemed to see some advantage in combined facilities, both groups indicated some important concerns relating to combined school-public libraries.     

Attitudinal Correlates of Selected Nigerian Librarians Towards the Use of Information Technology

The explosion of information technology (IT) since the beginning of the 20th century rendered manual-based library systems, in academic, research, special and public libraries, irrelevant. Implementing information technology in the digital age depends largely on librarians' attitudes. This study examines the attitudinal correlates of selected Nigerian librarians towards the use and application of IT in their libraries. Forty-one librarians were surveyed from the four selected automated libraries in state of Oyo in Nigeria form the study's population. Two research questions were developed to guide the study. The results indicate that four out of the five variables age, gender, educational qualifications and prior knowledge of IT significantly correlate with the librarians' attitudes towards IT. The other variable, IT anxiety, correlates negatively with the librarians' attitudes towards IT. Findings further show that all the five variables significantly predict librarian's attitude towards IT with prior IT experience showing the greatest predictive effect. Based on these findings, libraries in the developing countries should consider sending their librarians, who do not have knowledge of IT, to IT training in order to remove fear and anxiety hindering them from developing a better attitude towards the use of IT in their libraries.     

Trends in hospital librarianship and hospital library services: 1989 to 2006

Objective:

The research studied the status of hospital librarians and library services to better inform the Medical Library Association''s advocacy activities.

Methods:

The Vital Pathways Survey Subcommittee of the Task Force on Vital Pathways for Hospital Librarians distributed a web-based survey to hospital librarians and academic health sciences library directors. The survey results were compared to data collected in a 1989 survey of hospital libraries by the American Hospital Association in order to identify any trends in hospital libraries, roles of librarians, and library services. A web-based hospital library report form based on the survey questions was also developed to more quickly identify changes in the status of hospital libraries on an ongoing basis.

Results:

The greatest change in library services between 1989 and 2005/06 was in the area of access to information, with 40% more of the respondents providing access to commercial online services, 100% more providing access to Internet resources, and 28% more providing training in database searching and use of information resources. Twenty-nine percent (n = 587) of the 2005/06 respondents reported a decrease in staff over the last 5 years.

Conclusions:

Survey data support reported trends of consolidation of hospitals and hospital libraries and additions of new services. These services have likely required librarians to acquire new skills. It is hoped that future surveys will be undertaken to continue to study these trends.

Highlights

• Data support reported trends in the decrease in the number of hospitals and hospital libraries.
• About 44.0% of hospitals had some level of onsite library service in 1989, compared with between 33.5% and 29.1% of hospitals in 2005/06.
• More electronic services and resources, such as Internet access and online materials, are being offered by hospital libraries, in addition to more traditional services
• Library staffing appears to be more unstable today than in 1989, with more libraries reporting a decrease in the number of staff.

Implications

• Hospital libraries continue to change in response to changes in the health care environment as health care administrators respond to financial pressures, library staff are downsized, degreed librarian positions are eliminated, and reporting structures change.
• MLA must continue to track the status of hospital librarians and libraries in light of the changing environment with surveys and other means, in partnership with others such as the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.

     

Action Research,Assessment, and Institutional Review Boards (IRB): Conflicting Demands or Productive Tension for the Academic Librarian?

This article puts forward an “assessment/action research/publication” cycle that integrates aspects of the assessment, research, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes to provide academic librarians with a systematic approach for balancing competing workplace demands and give library managers a roadmap for creating a “research culture” (Jacobs, Berg, and Cornwall) within their libraries. The article argues that librarians and library managers have much to gain by integrating action research into librarians’ everyday work loads, including increased ease in meeting publication demands for tenure and/or promotion, institutionalizing habits of reflective practice across all library service areas, and overall library improvement.