A Review of “Facebook: The Missing Manual, 3rd ed.”

Abstract

This case study describes the process of proposing and implementing a wiki for use in an academic library setting, based on the process used by Iowa State University Library. Using the Iowa State University Library Wiki as a model, this article lays out the decisions necessary at each step of the process of establishing a new wiki. Control of potentially sensitive data and other security concerns led the Iowa State University Library to implement a PmWiki installation on its own server. This article provides helpful advice for any librarian who is thinking about implementing a wiki but unsure of where to start. As librarians everywhere discuss the potential of wikis and their potential pitfalls, this article offers an example of a successful project with an eye on what might have made it successful.     

Attitudes of OhioLINK Librarians Toward Google Scholar

ABSTRACT

Almost three years after Google Scholar's inception, only a third of Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK) member libraries link to it from their Web sites. This article reports the results of a July 2007 survey of OhioLINK academic librarians, conducted to find out about their attitudes and current practices regarding promotion of Google Scholar. It compares the findings about placement of Google Scholar on Web sites and inclusion in library instruction with previous research, and includes recommendations for libraries about Google Scholar.     

Shifting Responsibility for Electronic Reserves Copyright Permissions from the Academic Departments to the Library

Abstract

Copyright permissions for reserves at Washington State University Vancouver have always been the responsibility of the instructor who submits the reserve request. Concerned that this practice could, at worst, place the University in danger of infringing copyright and, at best, in unnecessary duplication of effort, the Library undertook a pilot study to find out what would be involved, both in terms of workflow and direct costs, for moving copyright clearance to the Library. In cooperation with the Business department, the Library developed workable procedures for the Library to handle permissions.     

Certificate and Associate Degree Education for Library Paraprofessionals: Distance Makes It Possible

ABSTRACT

Distance education makes library paraprofessional education possible and desirable to meet needs in library staffing. Lexington Community College (LCC) developed online certificate and associate degree programs to meet the legal requirements for Kentucky paraprofessional library staff. In collaboration with the Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET), in Spring Semester 2004, the LCC courses were offered to SOLINET member library staff at the in-state tuition rate. The enrollment and completion rates of students in the online LCC courses show a high degree of interest in library science education at the undergraduate level. Furthermore, formal education for library paraprofessionals is taking on a new significance with the “professionalization” of paraprofessional employees. The American Library Association (ALA) has begun to explore the desirability and possibility of accreditation of paraprofessional programs, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has funded projects for undergraduate library science education.     

RLG and PCC: An Interview with Karen Smith-Yoshimura*

Abstract

It is important to remember that there were two bibliographic networks, OCLC and the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN), which together with the Library of Congress enabled the sharing of bibliographic and authority records amongst PCC members. Karen Smith-Yoshimura was active in the early years of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) representing RLIN. In this interview with Smith-Yoshimura in the summer of 2019, Joan Schuitema poses five questions which provide an opportunity for Smith-Yoshimura to share her memories about her participation in PCC prior to RLG’s merger with OCLC.     

The Douglas County Model in Western Colorado

ABSTRACT

In 2012 the Marmot Library Network implemented the Douglas County Library Model of ebook collection and circulation. By 2014 Marmot had loaded 838 ebooks purchased direct from publishers and independent authors to an Adobe Content Server, and made them available in an open source discovery layer based on VuFind. In late 2015, after 3 years of disappointing circulation and tedious acquisition processes, Marmot decided to move some of this collection to OverDrive and abandon the local ACS. This article reports lessons learned from that experiment.

Column Editor’s Note This column focuses on formal collaboration and networking among libraries through consortia. It offers in-depth examinations of issues facing modern library consortia including (but not limited to) e-resource licensing, ebooks, next generation integrated library systems, shared print programs, shared digital repositories, governance, cooperative services and other relevant topics. Contributions are accepted for this column and must be submitted to George Machovec (george@coalliance.org). Contact the column editor for suggested topics, deadlines and formatting.     

A Study of Changes in the Library and Information Science Curriculum with Evaluation of Its Practicality

PurposeThis study analyzed the process of changes in Korean Library and Information Science curriculum and evaluated the courses currently available by using a perception survey of librarians in the field. It also explored a possible demand for new courses, while suggesting compulsory, core, and optional courses for Bachelor's degree curriculum in Library and Information Science worldwide including Korea and the US.Design/Methodology/ApproachThis study progressed through a total of 5 steps as follows: investigating the background of why current courses of Library and Information Science were offered (interview), finding out the current courses in Library and Information Science (homepage search and phone interview), finding out which courses students have actually completed among those available (literature and resource research), evaluating the practicality of the available courses by librarians in the field (survey), and exploring the demand for new courses (survey). In addition, this study analyzed the process of change in the courses offered by investigating the curriculum over the last 20 years.FindingsFirst and foremost, it was found that the decision of which course will be offered is strongly influenced by faculty. Second, in the analysis of the process of opening up new courses, it was revealed that the number of courses is growing and the courses are becoming more diversified and more specific. Third, the survey results of the completion of curriculum for the last three years in 10 universities demonstrate that only 50% of the available courses are being completed. Fourth, in the survey of which courses the librarians in the field think are necessary among the 90 courses suggested, 21 courses scored more than 4 points in a 5-point Likert scale regarding the demand for new courses. Fifth, the new courses which scored high levels of demand points were: Practice in Organizing and Managing Web Resources, Library Planning, Marketing, and Assessment, Understanding Information Technology for Managing Digital Collections, and Information and Communication in a Digital Age. Sixth, this study shows that there is a high level of agreement between courses completed by students and those which gained high levels of demand points in the practicality evaluation.Limitations/ImplicationsAs this study was performed in Korea where the Bachelor's degree course is fundamental, it will contribute valuable information to countries where universities have recently opened or are trying to open programs for Bachelor's degrees in Library and Information Science such as the US, or to curriculum study in countries such as China and Japan which have educational environments similar to Korea. However, similar studies need to be performed in different countries.Originality/ValueThis study has great significance as it has analyzed not only the curriculum of the last 20 years but also discovered how many of the newly created courses have actually been completed by students and the opinions of librarians in the field on these courses; there has not been such an encompassing study as this either inside or outside of Korea.     

E-struction

Summary

During the fall of 1999, the libraries at the University of New Orleans (UNO) and Louisiana State University (LSU) embarked on a collaborative effort to instruct faculty members to access and use electronic library resources. The libraries, both members of the “Louisiana Library Network” and the LSU System, coordinated the instruction program and implemented it at the respective institutions. The program was successful at both universities, receiving positive feedback from the participants. At LSU, the program has expanded to include student and staff participants as well as faculty. Moreover, the program is available for implementation by other libraries through the Internet.     

Bilingual Authority Files at the Central Library of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,Greece

Abstract

The creation and the maintenance of three (name, title and subject headings) authority files in the Central Library of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, is discussed. The reasons for establishing bilingual (Greek and English) authority files are explained, and the necessary modifications of the AACR2 Rules, which were imperative for the establishment of bilingual headings in the authority files, are represented. The benefits of an OPAC that uses bilingual authority files, which allow one to search in two languages, are described.     

Merged Reference Desks in a Merged Library Environment

Abstract

A new library in San José opened on August 1, 2003. This library is the result of a unique collaboration between San José State University Library and the San José Public Library. The planning for this new library highlighted merging several key areas of operation, including Government Publications. Several years before the two libraries merged, the University Library merged government publications reference functions into the general reference service of the Reference department. Depository library status at the federal and state levels impacted the planning and implementation stages. This paper discusses the background, planning, and implementation of merging the reference service for government publications, first within an academic environment and then in the unique joint library environment.     

(1) Statute

Abstract

This paper is an account of the activities of the Library Council of Papua New Guinea from its inception in 1975 up until 1990. It is based on the minutes of meetings and on a working paper produced for the first Council meeting of 1989. That paper was meant to assist in suggesting fresh directions for Council. A recent brief account of the Council is also available in the literature¹ that points out that the idea of gatherings of librarians had a respectable history in Papua New Guinea prior to the actual formation of the present Library Council. While the author has been a member of the Council since 1985 and was for a while its Secretary, this is a personal account and is not an official view from the Library Council.     

Meeting Changing Information Needs of Illinois Firefighters

Abstract

The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library, established in 1990 to support instructional teaching and research, continued to support the academic programs in the Institute while initiating and developing its Outreach Program in 1998. This program provides library and information services to Illinois fire departments and firefighters throughout the state. Since establishing the Outreach Program, the IFSI Library has accumulated more than 7,000 entries in a “Reference Request Database.”

This paper reports and analyzes the data, including request methods, delivery methods, types of requests, and types of resources. Trends indicate a change over time in request and delivery methods. Different regions of the state and different user groups have begun to use the library. The research can serve as a model for designing, developing and evaluating outreach reference service in a special or small library dedicated to meeting the information needs of remote library users.     

Improving Library User Experience: Wi-Fi Network Assessment

Abstract

Librarians have been seeking solutions to improve library user experience. The popularity of mobile devices leads to the increasing demand for reliable and efficient wireless communication in libraries. The City Tech librarians make an effort to improve Wi-Fi network to address such challenge. The Wi-Fi survey results indicate that students are dissatisfied with the library Wi-Fi access and hope to get better wireless communication for their mobile devices. To seek approaches to the improvement of Wi-Fi speed and reliability, the authors adopted NetSpot Pro loaded with the library building map to audit wireless network performance. The Wi-Fi site survey shows the library Wi-Fi network has not only weak Wi-Fi signal strength, but also experiences severe interference and overlapping channels. The study suggests that the Library and campus IT can enhance the Wi-Fi network performance by adding more wireless APs and optimizing the locations of existing APs, Wi-Fi network setting, and wireless connection procedure. By upgrading the CUNY Fiber Network and network improvement strategy, the Library can provide effective wireless communication for student learning and research, and ultimately give students memorable library experiences.     

Outreach at a Public,Academic, Regional Library- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Summary

Bell Library at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has reached beyond its walls to utilize as well as to enrich the diverse community resources in our midst. In terms of distance education library support, the purpose is to compensate libraries that support A&M-Corpus Christi students living in their locales. In terms of consortium arrangements, we have played an integral part in the creation of the Coastal Bend Health Information Network, which is a unique blend of local college/university libraries and local hospitals. We have implemented the rather novel idea of having a specialized library, specifically a hospital library, outsource its library operations to our university library. When the local Art Institute of South Texas was brought under the university's organizational umbrella, Bell Library's contribution was to provide acquisition, processing, and cataloging support for Art Institute library holdings. We have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a “sister library” in Mexico. In summary, Bell Library strives to know and cultivate community interests that parallel our own.     

Designing Library Services for the PDA

Abstract

Handheld electronic devices are becoming popular and are playing an increasingly important role in the distributed learning environment. Enabling library users to maximize their access to library resources through these devices involves challenges that include determining the level of interest among users, identifying relevant resources, and establishing technical and compatibility standards. Affordability of devices for consumers, and availability of resources and support for handheld computing initiatives within libraries must also be considered. This study examines issues and challenges surrounding the design and delivery of library services and resources for personal digital assistants (PDAs) at Royal Roads University Library, finding that there are beneficial research applications for handheld devices that can be implemented even while related technologies continue to evolve.     

Building the Global Legal Information Network (GLIN)

ABSTRACT

Although the quantity of sources of foreign and international law available on the World Wide Web is rapidly growing, users quickly discover that everything is not available, and the quality of much of what exists is suspect. Driven by its mission to collect, preserve and provide access to reliable legal information from around the world, the Law Library of Congress is developing the Global Legal Information Network (GLIN), a database containing statutes, regulations and related legal materials from countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. This article describes the history of this effort; the future plans for development; standards for quality, and the organizational structure of the GLIN network. The article concludes that although the creation of a comprehensive digital law library is a mammoth undertaking, the need for GLIN is obvious.     

Services to Distance Learners: Planning for E-Reserves and Copyright

Abstract

This paper focuses on the outreach to over 3,000 students taking classes at over 80 locations within the State of Maine, as well as students taking classes nationally via the Web through the University of Maine System Network (UNE1). The discussion will briefly note the wide range of collections and services available through the University of Maine System's digital library and the Off-Campus Library Services Office. In particular, the discussion will center on reserve services for students at remote locations, using traditional paper copies and particularly electronic reserves, and the copyright issues that surround the e-reserve service.     

Of sentimental value: collecting personal diaries from the First World War

ABSTRACT

Weeks after the Armistice was declared, Principal Librarian William Ifould of the Public Library of New South Wales recommended to Library Trustees that the institution begin to collect ‘private and official documents’ produced during the war. By early December 1918, advertisements began to appear in Australian and New Zealand newspapers, encouraging returning soldiers to sell their personal diaries to the Library. Known as the European War Collecting Project, this acquisition program was the first of its kind in Australia. This paper explores the Library’s acquisition of personal diaries written by those who served and analyses the appraisal methodologies carried out by State Library staff. This case study underscores the recent archival debate which has re-assessed the role of archivists in assessment, appraisal, preservation (and privileging) of some collections over others and argues that archivists mediate and consequently shape the collections in their institutions.     

Romanization in Cataloging of Korean Materials

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzes cataloging rules for Korean materials focusing on the McCune-Reischauer (MR)¹ system, the Korean romanization scheme currently used in the United States. This system has been used for a long time in many Western countries, and was officially adopted by the Library of Congress (LC) for use in the cataloging of Korean language materials. Considering users' information-seeking behavior and searching abilities, however, the MR system has many drawbacks for increasing users' ability to retrieve information. This paper analyzes bibliographic records in academic libraries, the LC, and the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN) to identify the issues and problems of the MR system. A user survey conducted demonstrates that the MR system is not a user-customized tool based on users' searching ability. Several solutions are suggested to overcome the limitations of the MR system.