On the Merit of Case Studies in Access Services

ABSTRACT

The creation of “Access Services” departments in academic libraries did not translate into the creation or offering of new services for patrons. Instead, it was typically just the combination of three already existing departments. Recent changes and trends in Access Services, including new NCIP and ISO standards, an increase in the use of electronic reserves, and the availability of items in various formats, now allow librarians to reconsider if this departmental arrangement is the best for today's library customers. This paper argues that the traditional configuration of Access Services needs to be dismantled if academic libraries are to provide excellent customer service to faculty and students.     

Does Access Services Have a Future?

Abstract

Access Services appeared as an organizational unit in libraries relatively recently, in response to some very specific trends in the library environment. Will this organizational model survive as new trends affect libraries in the future? This essay discusses some of the essential features of access services and speculates as to how they will evolve and remain relevant in the future.     

An Interview Forum on Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery with Lynn Wiley and Tom Delaney

Abstract

The Virginia Boucher-OCLC Distinguished ILL Librarian Award is the most prestigiouscommendation given to practitioners in the field. The following questions about ILL were posed to the two most recent recipients of the Boucher Award: Tom Delaney (2002), Coordinator of Interlibrary Loan Services at Colorado State University and Lynn Wiley (2001), Information Resource Retrieval Center Coordinator at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Questions were written by Douglas Hasty, a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Access Services.     

A Question and Answer Forum on the Origin,Evolution and Future of Access Services in Libraries

Abstract

Access services in libraries has a brief, but dynamic history and will have a vibrant future. It is time to assess accomplishments, but also to look ahead. Ten questions on general topics related to the origin, evolution and future of access services were posed to five members of the editorial board of the Journal of Access Services. Among them are represented a variety of perspectives, experiences, and expertise. They are, in the order of their responses as listed in the text: Mary Anne Hansen (MAH), Jakob Harnest (JH), Virginia Steel (VS), Joan Ellen Stein (JES), and Pat Weaver-Myers (PWM).     

Charting a Course toward Embracing Evolving Technical Services Horizons

ABSTRACT

Technical Services departments have been navigating rough and uncertain waters while charting courses toward hazy horizons for years. Battling swelling expenses, blustering winds of reduced resources, and tumultuous tempests of electronic resources clashing with print resources, we steer toward an increasingly digital skyline with steadily leaner crews, needing support and new skills to sail these seas of continuous change and challenge. Now more than ever it is necessary to build a team empowered to maneuver efficiently and effectively. Leading and managing are central to positioning for and embracing these emerging horizons. The presenters have been studying and implementing various aspects of “servant leadership” with an eye toward growing people within our departments and communicating in multiple directions. During this session, we will focus particularly on the following processes: discernment, discovering purpose, and building capacity (relationships and communication). This presentation will explore the what, how, where, who, and when for leading and managing toward our Technical Services horizons.     

Personal librarian programs in medical and academic health sciences libraries: a preliminary study

Objective:This preliminary study examined how personal librarian programs are implemented within medical and academic health sciences libraries. Increasing awareness of these programs and how they are implemented could create a larger and more accessible knowledge base for establishing best practices that similar libraries can look to when creating their own programs.Methods:To characterize existing programs, a twenty-two-item survey was sent to MEDLIB-L, AAHSL-ALL, ARCL-HSIG, and PSS-Lists email listservs in October 2018 to reach a broad audience of medical and academic health sciences librarians. Survey responses were analyzed using Qualtrics and Excel.Results:Of the 2,882 potential email recipients, 49 survey sessions were recorded, and a total of 38 survey sessions were completed (1.3% response rate). Of the 38 completed responses, representatives of 12 libraries (31.5%) reported that a personal librarian program had been implemented at their institution. For implementation, eight libraries involved 1–5 librarians, and four involved 6–10. Librarians were assigned 50–100 (n=6), 101–150 (n=1), or 151 or more (n=1) students each. The identified programs served medical students (n=11), nursing students (n=7), health professions students (n=7), dental students (n=2), and students in other fields (n=4). Services provided and communication methods were also identified.Conclusions:The personal librarian programs identified by the survey were uniquely structured to best meet the needs of their users, though similarities in implementation existed across institutions. Medical and academic health sciences libraries can look to these libraries as practical examples when starting their own personal library programs.     

STARS Portends a Bright Future for Resource Sharing

ABSTRACT

Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS) is a new section of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) that will bring together librarians and library staff involved with interlibrary loan, document delivery, remote circulation, access services, cooperative reference, cooperative collection development, remote storage, and other shared library services, as well as publishers, producers, and suppliers of products and services that support resource sharing activities. This brief article provides information about the section and its activities.     

Merger,Reorganization and Technology Meet Technical Services

Abstract

For a variety of reasons, academic institutions across the country have had to reorganize their campuses. A number of universities have done so by merging several smaller departments with the library and consolidating similar functions. The resulting changes have had a significant impact on those who work, in these departments and generate much interest in the wider library community. This workshop detailed the process and effect on Technical Services staff of merging Lehigh University's libraries with computing, media services, and telecommunications to form one organization called Information Resources.     

Publication Services at the University Library Graz: A New Venture,a New Role

ABSTRACT

Establishing Publication Services in the library at the University of Graz did more than broaden the service portfolio of the library. A convergence of expertise at the library, needs of researchers at the university, and ongoing changes in scholarly communication also contributed to the evolution of the library's role and profile. The new services offer first-level support for matters pertaining to scholarly publishing and communications. Furthermore, Publication Services has developed into a knowledge sharing platform, extending beyond the library to other administrative departments and creating a community of practice.     

Survey of Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Student Assistants' Job Satisfaction: Communication,and Feedback

Abstract

The Texas A&M University Libraries' Interlibrary Services department (ILS) conducted a series of interviews and surveys to ascertain student employees attitudes toward their jobs, suggestions to improve working conditions, effectiveness of training, and other areas of concern. The results and suggestions for improvement are applicable to all interlibrary departments.     

Research Output of Academic Librarians From Irish Higher Education Institutions 2000–2015: Findings From a Review,Analysis, and Survey

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to quantify, review, and analyze published research output of academic librarians from 21 higher education Institutions in Ireland. A mixed approach using an online survey questionnaire, supplemented by content analysis and extensive literature scoping were used for data collection. Factors inhibiting and predicting the likelihood of research publication are identified. Motivations, barriers, and collaboration are examined. Qualitative perspectives from survey respondents are offered. The survey response was 30%. The main findings are presented and contextualized. There is evidence of moderate research growth and publication rates among the Irish LIS community; Open Access pathways are increasingly accepted. The paper has original value with both exploratory and analytical perspectives. This is the first comprehensive national study of this cohort; it adds value and a new perspective to the existing literature on academic librarians' participation in scholarly endeavours and communication.     

Czech Open Access for the Humanities and Social Sciences

ABSTRACT

This article examines the current state of Open Access for the humanities and social sciences in the Czech Republic. Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, and following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in January of 1993, the Open Access movement in the Czech context remains understudied. This article focuses on the current state of affairs of Open Access in the Czech Republic within the European Union framework for Open Access.     

CONSER's Aggregator Survey and the Work of the PCC Task Group

ABSTRACT

The author presents the results of the December 1998 CONSER “Survey on Providing Access to Serial Titles within Aggregator Databases.” Major findings include 71% of respondents desiring to see full-text serial titles incorporated into the online catalog and nearly 75% interested in acquiring record sets. Also included are an analysis of the numerous survey comments received, strategies toward creating the necessary records and integrating them into OPACs, examples of aggregator analytic records, and other background information on the work of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging's Task Group on Journals in Aggregator Databases.¹     

X marks the spot: Creating and managing a single service point to improve customer service and maximize resources

ABSTRACT

This article will describe how merging service points in an academic library is an opportunity to improve customer service and utilize staffing resources more efficiently. Combining service points provides libraries with the ability to create a more positive library experience for patrons by minimizing the ping-pong effect for assistance. The Access Services Department at the University of North Texas Libraries was charged with management of the circulation and reference services offered at the service desk. Streamlined planning and modernized management of the desk and its impact on customer service in a changing library environment will be discussed.     

BEST OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Welcome to the new “Best of the Literature” column of Public Services Quarterly. Every issue of this column will provide a survey of the best of the recent library literature either on a particular topic within public services (as with this first column on services to distance learners) or on public services broadly conceived. I hope that this column can highlight library literature that deserves to be read by every public services librarian. Ideally, readers of the column and I will collaborate to select the best of the literature. In that spirit, suggestions for great articles or special topics are always welcome.     

An Experiment: Combining Interlibrary Loan with a Science/Engineering Reference Department

ABSTRACT

This article reports on survey findings investigating the impact of statewide library consortia on Interlibrary Loan departments and their potential impact in the State University of New York library system as it moves toward creating its statewide integrated system, called SUNY Connect. The surveys were sent to a sampling of 75 libraries in three existing statewide library consortia, VIVA in Virginia, GALILEO in Georgia and OhioLINK in Ohio. The results of this survey indicate what changes Interlibrary Loan departments may see in workflow, staffing, and technology when joining a statewide consortia.     

Consortial and Reciprocal Agreements in Academic Libraries

Abstract

This article presents the results of a survey of consortial and reciprocal agreements among academic interlibrary loan departments. An electronic survey was created using SurveyMonkey software. The survey consisted of 18 questions (Appendix A). The questions covered the types of consortial agreements by geographic area, what types of items are loaned, the number of reciprocal agreements, fees for non-member libraries and resource sharing agreements that use integrated library systems. The purpose of the survey was to gather information on the various types of consortial agreements in use today in interlibrary loan departments.