ERM on a Shoestring: Betting on an Alternative Solution

Some libraries are not ready, willing, or able to make a big commitment to an expensive electronic resources management system. But, with a bit of creativity and flexibility, librarians can come up with alternatives that will effectively manage the information they need at little or no additional cost. Although makeshift solutions may not be ideal, presenters Jennifer Watson and Dalene Hawthorne stress the importance of getting started with the task of gathering information about one's electronic resources in some workable way and using whatever tools are available.     

Expanding Access: An Evaluation of ReadCube Access as an ILL Alternative

ABSTRACT

ReadCube Access is a patron-driven, document delivery system that provides immediate access to articles from journals owned by Nature Publishing Group. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of ReadCube Access as an interlibrary loan (ILL) alternative for nonsubscribed Nature journals at Auburn University, a research university with a School of Pharmacy and a School of Veterinary Medicine. An analysis of ten months’ usage and costs are presented along with the results of a user satisfaction survey. Auburn University Libraries found ReadCube to be an acceptable alternative to ILL for unsubscribed Nature journals and at current levels of use and cost, consider ReadCube to be financially sustainable.     

An Investigation of Service Expectations: Developing and Validating an Alternative Scale for Service Quality Assessment in Academic Libraries

The article provides an overview of the expectations and perceptions of library service quality from university students in Bangladesh. A modified version of the five dimensional SERVQUAL instrument was used to collect data from the universities. Respondents were asked to indicate their opinion on three columns, i.e., desired, minimum, and perception of service performance using 28 service items. It was found that the students’ desired expectation for services is unreasonably high. The study, therefore, made an effort to examine the sources of their expectation to develop and validate an alternative item-scale for service quality assessment. The results indicate that the students’ expectation sources had a significant impact on their opinion on service quality. A large proportion of students felt that their expectation for quality services is their right. This led them to rate higher desired expectation score for services. It suggests that user's desired service expectation is unrealistic and is not reliable for quality measurement. Based on this, the study argues that the prior scales of service quality assessment, particularly the calculation of the gap difference between perception of service performance and desired service expectation cannot produce a realistic result. An alternative item-scale, called real service expectation, was developed to calculate the gap score between perception of service performance and real service expectations. The computation of real service expectation, and the corresponding gap analysis could provide a new strategic direction for service quality assessment in academic libraries.     

Home Away from Home: Extending Library Services for International Students in China's Universities

In response to the rapid growth of international students in China's universities, it is important for university libraries to extend their existing services, which were mainly designed for native Chinese students. This paper reports on a research study aimed at extending library services for international students by identifying and understanding their requirements. An exploratory case study research design was adopted. Specifically, the Wuhan University Library was selected as the case study, at which 23 international students were approached and interviewed using semi-structured questions. The analysis of interview data pointed to 14 library service requirements in four main themes: feeling welcomed, convenient accessibility, comfortable learning environment and diverse learning resources. On this basis, five practical strategies were formulated. This study focused on China's university libraries, however, the research findings provide useful implications and insights that can be shared across international borders.     

口述史:一种质的研究方法对传播学研究的启示

作为一种独立的研究方法类型和研究取向,口述史除具备质的研究范式的一般特征外,还具有一些自己的独立特征.在传播学研究中运用口述史是口述史跨学科性的一种体现,口述史的研究方法和研究理念不仅为传播学研究提供新的路径,丰富传播学研究的纬度,且为传播学研究带来新的研究理念,对传播学研究具有启示意义.     

作为观念的“同人报”:以“同人办报”为参照

本文试图从观念研究的角度,以"同人办报"为参照,探讨"同人报"何以既声名显赫,却面目模糊。实际上,在现已公开的史料中,"同人报"的提法始见于1957年,原本只是"集体所有制报刊"的同义词。由于初始意义并不具体,而看似相仿的"同人办报"又早就被认定为错误路线。在当时的历史情境下,"同人报"被重新解读、赋予意义,和"资产阶级报刊"等同起来;并藉此暴得大名,沉淀为集体的记忆,乃至成为基本的表述语汇。正因为从一开始,在不同理解之间,存在太大的差异,所以始终难以在理念上形成具体的共识。随着历史流转,当时语境逐渐消散,"同人报"的含义也就越发飘忽难定。     

As we may think: Information literacy as a discipline for the information age

The aim of this paper is to propose information literacy as a soft applied discipline, of key importance in the information society. This is contrasted with the characterization of information literacy as a personal attribute in the U.S. and Australian Information Literacy standards. Vannevar Bush's vision of the technologically connected and enabled scientist is used to introduce a discussion of citizen's information needs and responsibilities in an age of “cheap complex devices.” The authors emphasize the key role of information literacy in this information society. Information literacy is identified as a soft applied discipline, with reference to disciplinary indicators that have been identified in the literature. Building on this concept of an information literacy discipline, the authors propose a mission for information literacy education focused around three elements: information literacy for citizenship, information literacy for economic growth, and information literacy for employability. The paper concludes by identifying that in terms of preparing citizens for managing and taking action in society, information literacy has much to contribute, and that it is vital to nurture this emergent discipline.     

档案犯罪刑事惩治研究：反思与重构—— 基于最高人民法院公布案件的实证分析

确保档案安全需要《刑法》的有力保护。通过对我国档案犯罪案件刑事惩治的实证考察发现,当前还存在刑事立法缺乏规制的全面性,保护范围较窄;刑事司法缺乏制裁的严厉性,惩治力度较轻等问题。严重的故意毁损档案,伪造、变造档案,档案保管失职以及侵害非国有档案等达到刑法法理所要求的具有严重社会危害性的侵害档案行为目前并未纳入《刑法》予以规制。未来,应在结合我国档案保护实际,并参考借鉴域外档案犯罪刑事惩治经验的基础上,通过尽快修复档案犯罪立法漏洞,切实提升档案犯罪司法裁判力度等方式来增强我国档案犯罪刑事惩治质效。     

The Notion of Convergence As an Epistemological Base for Evaluating the Effect of Violent TV Programming on Psychologically Normal Children

The extensive reach of popular culture through global communication systems has given rise to the international celebrity. This study provides insight into the powerful influence that celebrities can have on those who identify closely with their mediated images. An ethnographic study was conducted of 35 Elvis Presley fans, including in-depth interviews of more than 2 dozen popular Elvis impersonators representing a broad demographic of this population. Results indicate that Elvis fans and impersonators develop strong identification with him by consciously role modeling his values and by changing their own lifestyles to emulate him. Based on these findings, we present some formative ideas for developing a theory of celebrity identification. We also discuss important implications of identification with celebrities and present suggestions for future research on accessing their mediated social influence.     

Towards an Understanding about Complexities of Alternative Media: Portrayals of Power in Alternative Media This paper was part of a larger dissertation written by the author at University of Missouri-Columbia.

In this study I conducted qualitative content analysis of alternative media in order to uncover the different categories about corporate power presented to activist audiences in social justice movements. I found that there were two dominant categories about corporate power disseminated through alternative media: (1) “traditional” corporate power and (2) hegemonic corporate power. “Traditional” corporate power is based on the idea that corporations dominate resources in society. Hegemonic corporate power is based on the idea that corporations dominate the ideological assumptions in contemporary society. Both of these categories hold significant implications for comprehension and classification of alternative media.     

大学图书馆网页内容设计标准及个案分析

本文尝试从图书馆网页的功能出发,建构一个大学图书馆网页内容设计标准,以期为大学图书馆网页内容评估和进一步完善图书馆网站内容建设提供操作性较强的参考依据.依据此标准,本文对韩国梨花大学数字图书馆网页内容进行了分析评估,并提出进一步改善的意见.     

Cronbach's Alpha Versus Components of Variance Approach (COVA): Dispelling Three Myths about Alpha and Suggesting an Alternative Reliability Statistic for Communication Trait Research

This study examined the effects of sociocultural factors and perceptions of mental illness on preferences for indirect disclosure. We surveyed 354 college students from China and the U.S. The results indicated that (a) males and members of the collectivistic culture reported more stigmatized attitudes; (b) stigma endorsement was positively associated with preferences for indirectness; and (c) males, members of the collectivistic culture, and individuals without previous interpersonal contact with someone with a mental illness were more likely to recommend an indirect disclosure strategy. The findings demonstrate the importance of considering how sociocultural factors can affect individuals’ preferences for disclosing stigmatized identities.     

Fabrics for the twenty-first century: As artist canvas and for the structural reinforcement of easel paintings on canvas

Abstract

The requirements for, and assessment of, suitable fabrics for artist canvas and for the structural reinforcement of easel paintings on canvas are presented. Crucially, the aesthetic and kinaesthetic, as well as physical properties of the canvas fabrics have been taken into account. To evaluate the fabrics the following properties were measured: stiffness, ultimate tensile strength, moisture response, crimp, drape, and lustre. Fabrics investigated include cotton, linen, polyester, polyamides, and carbonized fibres. Although polyester is yet to match linen or cotton kinaesthetically or aesthetically, overall it exhibits the best combination of properties. However, the results have shown that even when raw fibre material has suitable properties the finished woven fabric may not. This is because of the strong influence of the woven geometry on the final behaviour. It has been found that drape and lustre are very good properties to quantify some aspects of the feel and look of fabrics, in the context of conservation, and to provide a common language to ensure that the specification incorporates these aspects.