Faculty Services in the 21st Century: Evolution and Innovation

SUMMARY

Law faculty in the 21st century present new challenges for law librarians. Traditional services such as document delivery and interlibrary loan are improved. New services are developed to meet the needs of law faculty researching in disciplines other than law and facing a changing environment of publication of legal scholarship. Faculty services in 2000 and 2006 are compared and trends for the future analyzed.     

The Evolution of Law Library Support to Law School Administrative and Staff Offices: What We are Doing and Why

SUMMARY

This article looks at what law librarians are doing to support law school administrative and staff offices. The history of academic law libraries explains why this area of public services has been slow to develop. The article then discusses the type of services currently provided, including researching alumni for the alumni development staff, developing content for law school Websites, and serving on/assisting law school committees. The article concludes with a discussion of the costs and benefits of expanding services to these offices.     

Foreign and International Law Librarianship

Abstract

Many librarians, lawyers, and law students express interest in becoming foreign, comparative, and international law (FCIL) librarians. This paper answers common questions about the job duties, salaries, qualifications, satisfactions, and frustrations of FCIL librarians.     

User Fees in Academic Law Libraries

Summary

Fees for services in 58 academic law libraries are reviewed using results from a national questionnaire and interviews with law library staff. Five fee-based services were investigated: printing, document delivery, reference services, unaftiliatcd borrowing, and library access. The primary factors intluencing tees include: the reason for the fee, the type of services, geographic location, and whether the law school is private or public. Additional factors include the receptiveness of the student body to the fees and the impact the fee may have on fund-raising. Libraries should consider reevaluating fee policies based on the data presented.     

Wanted: UX Specialist with Reference Preparation or Reference Classes Assist Students in Preparing for UX Careers

ABSTRACT

One of the most versatile and dynamic career paths available to information specialists is that of UX or user experiences. Graduate students seeking careers in UX may benefit by enrolling in and completing a basic reference class. This article provides support for this option through the reflections of a faculty member teaching reference courses, a UX specialist who was one of her students, and the director of career services who helps students and apply for UX positions and others in the information fields.     

Applying User-centered Design to Discovery Layer Evaluation in the Law Library

Abstract

Usability and user experience are an important factor in the overall value of products and services offered by law libraries. User experience evaluation tools can help librarians make better decisions for their users when choosing databases to purchase or subscribe to, designing a library website, or selecting and implementing discovery layers. This article describes an array of evaluation tools and discusses how and when they can be implemented in the law library context.     

Copyright and Electronic Library Resources

ABSTRACT

As electronic resources represent a larger percentage of libraries' purchases and services, copyright law, licensing, and other information laws are changing some traditional library functions. This article reviews the law of electronic resources through an outline of affected library services, including acquisitions and collection development; gifts, exchanges, and sales; archiving and preservation; circulation; interli-brary loan and document delivery; reserve; and research, reference, and instructional services. Legal issues considered include copyright, licensing, and database protection.     

How to Avoid the Unauthorized Practice of Law at the Reference Desk

Summary

A librarian's duty to avoid the unauthorized practice of law limits what reference services can be provided. Traditional approaches to reference services are being influenced by new initiatives in delivering legal services and information. Pro se patrons and the reference librarians who serve them benefit from the web-based resources, authorized non-lawyer assistance programs, and other innovative programs now available. Identifying new resources and using them effectively should enable a librarian to provide excellent reference service while avoiding the unauthorized practice of law.     

Social Media Marketing: Determining and Comparing View of Public Library Directors and Users

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The present study aims to determine and compare the views of directors and users of public libraries on the use of social media for the marketing of library services.

Methodology: Data collection was done through two researcher-made questionnaires, one from the viewpoints of directors and one investigating the views of users. The questionnaires’ validity was done by four libraries and Information Science professionals, and the reliability was determined by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The statistical population of this research is made up of all directors and users of 12 public libraries of the city of Isfahan, one of the largest cities in Iran.

Findings: In users’ viewpoints, the “interaction capability” is the most important feature that social media marketing can have in libraries. From the viewpoints of the directors, “creating a true picture of the role of the library” and “informing users about library services” are among the most important reasons for the marketing of libraries in the social media. From the perspective of both groups, the Telegram is the most appropriate medium for the marketing of library services.

Results: To maintain their customers and their market position, libraries need to use more exciting tools such as social media for marketing. Library directors of this study emphasized on this fact and 79.1% of users expressed interest in receiving library information through social media.

Value: The findings of this study would help the library directors to better decide on the marketing of their library services in social media.

Type of the study: Scientific-Research     

Creating a Logo to Market Distance Learning Services

ABSTRACT

With distance education rapidly expanding at many institutions, the successful promotion of services designed for distance learning faculty, staff, and students is essential since most of the students will never visit the library building.

While many libraries have created a logo for their main web page that is also used on publications and handouts, an evaluation of distance learning sites and portals reveals that few libraries use a logo specific for distance learning. Creating a brand identity is a marketing element underutilized in promoting distance learning library services.

In the fall of 2004, it was determined that a distance learning specific logo would help to better promote services. The logo is used on all the library's distance learning sites as well as publications including brochures, bookmarks, and presentations. The goal is to create a unique “brand” to unify all of the library's distance learning materials.

This poster session focuses on the history of the design and selection of the logo. During the creation process, several images were considered as logos. The poster describes the reasons for selecting one design over others, and includes tips for the institutional approval process.

This poster demonstrates the uses of the distance learning logo to brand presentations, publications, and Web pages to successfully increase use of distance learning services, and create a name for the services.     

Reference Services and Media in Academic Libraries

Summary

This paper examines the impact of new and developing media on academic libraries, specifically discussing technology which enables video and movie clips to be transferred over intranets and the Internet. This Web technology could have implications for other electronic media and databases, for offering extended services, including training and orientation for new staff and students; and for online library instruction modules. More generally, the article will discuss some issues, ramifications, protocols, and legal implications involved when libraries introduce and implement new multimedia services and other web-based resources.     

EBSCODOC vs. CARL UNCOVER: A Comparison of Document Delivery Services at the University of Evansville Libraries

ABSTRACT

From Jan.-April 1996, the University of Evansville Libraries compared the EBSCODOC and CARL UNCOVER document delivery services in the context of fulfilling article requests that were not completed using the OCLC/ILL subsystem as well as in providing “rush” service. Both services had comparative strengths and weaknesses. EBSCODOC's strength was its comprehensiveness; its weakness was speed of delivery. CARL UNCOVER's strength was the speed and reliability of delivery; its weakness was a 41% rate of fulfillment. Recommendations include further testing of full-text document suppliers in order to identify the best service or services to completely meet the needs of academic libraries.     

Serving Pro Se Patrons

Abstract

Historically, non-lawyer patrons in law libraries have been viewed with discomfort, and library services, even in libraries open to the public, have been geared toward members of the legal community. However, changes in both the needs of the public and in the demographics of library patrons are challenging the traditional allocation of services in public law libraries. This article discusses the reasons for the traditional allocation of services, the cultural and economic forces that are bringing the public to law libraries in greater numbers, and new modes of service that can better meet the needs of public patrons.     

Book Selection Services

Abstract

Book selection services are just one of the resources used by law libraries for collection development purposes. They function as a new title pre-selection service, saving collection development staff hours of time sifting through thousands of new publisher offerings to access those materials which meet their specific collection needs, resulting in far more efficient use of library staff time. They also serve as a one-stop shopping center, providing materials without the hassle of dealing with individual publishers and staff. This article is based on a yearlong study comparing just two services used by the Law Library at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona, and examines a few specific areas of concern to that institution. It is not meant to be a comprehensive review or comparison of either service.     

Scholarly Use of Web-based Information Resources and Services in University Libraries in Kerala (India)

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the use of web-based information services in university libraries in Kerala, India.

Design/methodology/approach: A survey method was used for the collection of data. The questionnaire method was used to collect data for the study. The study was conducted among the research scholars of four selected universities in Kerala, India.

Findings: This study has analyzed the services and resources in the libraries which are provided through the medium of the internet and also the usage patterns of web information services by the scholars of the selected universities. The analysis reveals that most of the university libraries have implemented web-based information services. However, the extent of usage is not to the expected level and this is due to the lack of sufficient awareness about the usage methods of web resources and services. With the help of proper user education and training programs, the present situation can be ameliorated. The findings of this study can be helpful to the authorities to improve the services in the libraries.

Originality/value: Proper use of library resources is essential for scholars to bring forth productive research outputs. This study provides recommendations for enhancing web-based services in university libraries in Kerala to provide better services to the users.     

Reference Services in Law Firm Environments

SUMMARY

Law firm libraries have undergone drastic changes in recent years. This chapter chronicles the evolution in the size of the law firm library and its collection, the changing expectations of law firm library users, and the inventive ways that law firm librarians are fulfilling the needs of the law firm library users with technology and other means. This chapter also explores how law firm libraries can improve service and overall efficiency through limited outsourcing of reference services.     

Rediscovering Dr. Arthur S. Beardsley: A Brief Introduction to His Life and Work

ABSTRACT

Arthur Beardsley was one of the early giants of academic law librarianship. He developed one of the great law libraries in the country and began the process that would develop the University of Washington law library into the cradle of law library directors.     

Developing Law Library Resources in Eritrea

Summary

This article discusses the author's experiences in helping to develop and revitalize the law school and law library collections in the East African nation of Eritrea. This project was part of a rebuilding effort following a thirty year struggle for independence from Ethiopia in which much of Eritrea's infrastructure and public institutions were destroyed. Among the pressing issues presented to the author were funding, collection development, space-planning, staffing and services needs.     

Digital Discovery and Architectural Interface Design: Prototyping Architectural-Scale Interfaces for Discovery Across Digital and Tangible Collections

Abstract

How do researchers search for knowledge? What are their behaviors and habits, and what technologies do they use? This article proposes that three design shifts – involving more human senses, enabling comparative and simultaneous viewing, and allowing immediate access to full content – will create a more fruitful research process for scholars who conduct a literature review, learn about a new topic in a related discipline, or catch up on advances in their field. The three proposed designed shifts were tested with prototyping. The systematic prototyping procedure is a method that can be employed by others to advance this field.