Collection Development Policies

Although what appears in this article could apply to any library's attempt to project its collection development efforts into the 1990s, these thoughts are more relevant to an academic library with a relatively small acquisitions budget of approximately $650,000, where 80% of the funds are allocated to the academic departments, as is done in Kent Library on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The model presented, which uses multiple funding procedures, departmental library liaisons, and departmental library collecting profiles, gives rise to several large problems. However, it does offer the unique challenge of having teaching faculty and library staff work closely together in the acquisition of library materials with a limited number of dollars.     

Integration of Library Impact Statements into the Curricular Review Process

ABSTRACT

Library impact statements can be key tools in evaluating a library's collection and determining what additional resources should be acquired to support a new course, major, or program. An academic institution's curricular review process can benefit from the inclusion of library impact statements. The application of library impact statements at Missouri State University and Southwest Baptist University will be examined. Information will be presented concerning the creation process, the types of research required, presentation formats, how the impact statements benefit both the library and the institution, and a selective review of how a number of other libraries handle the process.     

Librarians Team Up with Marketing Research Class

The Library Assessment Committee at Central Missouri State University has conducted numerous user surveys within the past three years. In an effort to come up with some creative new ideas, the Committee worked with one of the University's Marketing Research classes. The class's term project was to design a methodology to assess students' impressions of library service. Several of the ideas have been implemented, and an intern form the Marketing Department has been hired to assist with future surveys.     

A Study of the Impact of Medical Libraries on Clinical Decision-Making in Nigeria University Teaching Hospitals

This study is aimed at examining the impact of an institution's medical library on the clinical decision-making of medical officers in two Nigerian University Teaching Hospitals. Medical information sources consulted by medical officers in Nigeria University teaching hospitals were examined. The results of the study revealed that the information provided by the library was appropriate to their clinical decisions. Medics rely mostly on their institution's library and personal data collections for information. Information is sought for the purposes of managing patients, evaluating new drugs, and support for the diagnosis of ailments. Scientific and technical journals, Index Medicus, Excerpta Medical, CD-ROM (MEDLINE) databases and foreign magazines are widely consulted. Respondents judged the library collection as fair. The study recommends that the existing medical libraries and information centers in Nigeria be well stocked for the retraining of librarians in modern information technology.     

A Study of the Impact of Medical Libraries on Clinical Decision-Making in Nigeria University Teaching Hospitals

This study is aimed at examining the impact of an institution's medical library on the clinical decision-making of medical officers in two Nigerian University Teaching Hospitals. Medical information sources consulted by medical officers in Nigeria University teaching hospitals were examined. The results of the study revealed that the information provided by the library was appropriate to their clinical decisions. Medics rely mostly on their institution's library and personal data collections for information. Information is sought for the purposes of managing patients, evaluating new drugs, and support for the diagnosis of ailments. Scientific and technical journals, Index Medicus, Excerpta Medical, CD-ROM (MEDLINE) databases and foreign magazines are widely consulted. Respondents judged the library collection as fair. The study recommends that the existing medical libraries and information centers in Nigeria be well stocked for the retraining of librarians in modern information technology.     

Integrating with users is one thing,but living with them? a case study on loss of space from the Medical Center Library,University of California,San Diego

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center is the primary hospital for the UCSD School of Medicine. The UCSD Medical Center Library (MCL), a branch of the campus''s biomedical library, is located on the medical center campus. In 2007, the medical center administration made a request to MCL for space in its facility to relocate pharmacy administration from the hospital tower. The university librarian brought together a team of library managers to deliberate and develop a proposal, which ultimately accommodated the medical center''s request and enhanced some of MCL''s public services.     

Teaching Computer Literacy

Teaching computer literacy to library patrons is an entirely appropriate activity for librarians in their role as liaisons between information and those who are seeking it. At the Norris Medical Library of the University of Southern California there are four main computer activities: information management workshops, provision of a microcomputer laboratory and classroom, formation of user groups, and installation of a campus-wide electronic bulletin board. Benefits to the library include: increased computer knowledge for librarians, better understanding of the information needs of the campus community, mutual respect and friendshid between librarians and partons, and introduction to the library of patrons who may otherwise never have come.     

Reevaluating Point-of-Care Resources: Community Engagement in Difficult Collection Choices

Rising collection costs sometimes necessitate tough decisions regarding cancellation of popular products. In 2015–2016, the East Tennessee State University Medical Library subscribed to UpToDate and DynaMed Plus, both clinical point-of-care products, with the understanding that one product would be canceled at the fiscal year end. The librarian team undertook a year-long community engagement campaign to inform library users about the pending product cancellation decision. Ultimately, DynaMed Plus was selected and UpToDate was cancelled. The campaign generated user engagement with the decision making, along with perceived benefits including increased awareness of the library's budget constraints, increased discussion of scholarly publishing, and greater faculty/student knowledge of evaluating evidence-based products.     

Implementing an institution-wide electronic lab notebook initiative

Background:To strengthen institutional research data management practices, the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) licensed an electronic lab notebook (ELN) to improve the organization, security, and shareability of information and data generated by the school''s researchers. The Ruth Lilly Medical Library led implementation on behalf of the IUSM''s Office of Research Affairs.Case Presentation:This article describes the pilot and full-scale implementation of an ELN at IUSM. The initial pilot of the ELN in late 2018 involved fifteen research labs with access expanded in 2019 to all academic medical school constituents. The Ruth Lilly Medical Library supports researchers using the electronic lab notebook by (1) delivering trainings that cover strategies for adopting an ELN and a hands-on demo of the licensed ELN, (2) providing one-on-one consults with research labs or groups as needed, and (3) developing best practice guidance and template notebooks to assist in adoption of the ELN. The library also communicates availability of the ELN to faculty, students, and staff through presentations delivered at department meetings and write-ups in the institution''s newsletter as appropriate.Conclusion:As of August 2021, there are 829 users at IUSM. Ongoing challenges include determining what support to offer beyond the existing training, sustaining adoption of the ELN within research labs, and defining “successful” adoption at the institution level. By leading the development of this service, the library is more strongly integrated and visible in the research activities of the institution, particularly as related to information and data management.     

Law School and University Libraries

Abstract

Over time changing circumstances in legal education, scholarship and practice influenced law school library collections. Currently, increased demands for non-legal material and new technological enhancements are changing the law school library's environment. As a result, cooperative and collaborative collecting activities are flourishing between the University of Denver's law school library and its general library despite the autonomous administrative structure of the law school library.     

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.     

FROM THE EDITOR

Abstract

American University Library participated in the LibQUAL+ survey of library service quality sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries. Upon analyzing the results, the library's Assessment Team decided to engage in follow-up assessment in order to gain a better understanding of undergraduate perceptions of and priorities for library service. The team conducted three focus groups of randomly selected undergraduate students. This article addresses the team's methodology, implementation, and results of the focus group study. It also describes how the results of LibQUAL+, the focus groups, and other assessment activities are being incorporated into the library's short- and long-range planning and marketing activities.     

The Global Library: Providing Resources and Services to International Sites

As institutions of higher learning focus on positioning strategically in the global and online education market, it is critical for academic libraries to realize their roles in supporting the institutional missions, one of which is to assist scholars, faculty, and students, regardless of location. This responsibility is fulfilled not only through the talents and dedication of librarians and library staff, but also with technology. The Brooklyn Campus Library of Long Island University (LIU) seized the opportunity and took a proactive approach to providing library resources and services to the university's Global College (GC) community. After carefully evaluating the needs of faculty and students across the globe, the authors recount how the library supports the teaching and learning activities of this unique user group. A library portal enables users at various international sites to use the library's abundant resources and customized services with ease, as well as to ensure that the library serves the Global College's mission of scholarly achievement. This article describes the LIU Brooklyn Campus Library's efforts to promote and implement customized resources and services to users on different continents.     

Going Global: Providing Library Resources and Services to International Sites

ABSTRACT

The Brooklyn campus library of Long Island University (LIU) seized the opportunity to take a proactive approach to providing library resources and services to the university's Global College community. An active link connecting the library, Global College headquarters, and international sites has been created. After carefully evaluating the needs of faculty and students across the globe, the authors recount how the library supports the teaching and learning activities of this unique user group. This article describes the LIU Brooklyn campus library's efforts to promote and implement customized resources and services to users on different continents.     

From the Library Plaza to the Golden Dome

Abstract

Creative, effective use of a committee can accomplish much toward increasing library outreach to the various constituents served. This article will address the outreach activities of the Georgia State University (GSU) Pullen Library's Communications and Public Relations Committee (C&PR), a library standing committee that has developed into a major contributor for Pullen Library public relations. The communities served by the library's C&PR are defined as GSU students, faculty and staff, and the wider metropolitan community of Atlanta, especially Georgia legislators and university and library donors. C&PR has responsibility for a variety of projects and events that serve these communities, such as Leadership Appreciation Night (the event for Georgia Legislators), Faculty Authors Exhibits, and displays for students and staff, such as Freshmen Week and Staff Information Day. This paper will also address the changing role of the committee as needs for public relations activities change in the university and     

Social media as a platform in academic library marketing: A comparative study

Social media like Facebook have become popular tools for different organizations like libraries in marketing practice. To build relationships with library users, libraries hope social media can engage its user communities actively with their collections, services, and activities. This paper aims at evaluating the effectiveness of using social media as a platform in marketing through a questionnaire on the Facebook page of the University of Hong Kong Libraries (HKUL), comparing the perspectives of students and faculty members. Both the current situation of HKUL's Facebook page and the reasons affecting users' interest and participation in the page are evaluated, in order to suggest better strategies for the library to deal with the needs of library users in the future. Other university libraries can also gain new insights from the study.This research has the following key findings: 1. The marketing practices of HKUL's Facebook page generally did not receive adequate attention and reactions from users; 2. Students were more engaged than faculty members in HKUL's Facebook page, as students use more varieties of library services than faculty members; 3. User needs, social media content, and interactions generally affected user acceptance of the library's Facebook marketing.     

Improving medical education in Kenya: an international collaboration

This paper describes a partnership between the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences (CHS) Library and the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL). The libraries are collaborating to develop best practices for the CHS Library as it meets the challenge of changing medical education information needs in a digital environment. The collaboration is part of a Medical Education Partnership Initiative. The library project has several components: an assessment of the CHS Library, learning visits in the United States and Kenya, development of recommendations to enhance the CHS Library, and ongoing evaluation of the program''s progress. Development of new services and expertise at the CHS Library is critical to the project''s success. A productive collaboration between the HS/HSL and CHS Library is ongoing. A successful program to improve the quality of medical education will have a beneficial impact on health outcomes in Kenya.     

One Work in Two Places

Abstract

Over the years, the publishing industry has packaged single works of printed resources with accompanying media such as 3.5″ disks, CD-ROMs, videocassettes, audiocassettes, or web sites. Recognizing the importance of the information provided in the accompanying media and the library clients' access to them, the Library of Rush University (LRU) at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center developed and implemented “mixed media” policies and procedures. This paper discusses issues and Rush Library responses to the issues surrounding the management of “mixed media” titles in selection, cataloging, labeling, housing, circulation, loading data files, and the publicity that puts them in the client's hands.     

从查新项目统计调查看我省基层医疗单位科研工作现状

以中山医科大学图书馆查新部保存的档案材料为情报信息源，对2000年1-12月受理的广东省84项地市级医院查新课题从查新项目委托人职称结构、地区分布、委托查新项目类别、委托查新项目学科类别及专业分类、要求出具查新报告的急级等五个方面进行统计分析，对地市级及基层医疗单位科研工作现状及其存在的问题进行了剖析。