Rare book collections do not belong in public libraries

Rare book collections are not appropriate for most public libraries because they make demands in terms of housing, staffing, and funding far out of proportion to their usefulness for the average public library patron. Although such collections have interest and value to selected individual, their existence is fundamentally counter to provision of meaningful library service to the general public.     

Building next generation video game collections in academic libraries

Most academic libraries do not yet have gaming collections, let alone gaming services and facilities that support the unique and growing teaching and research needs of campus environments. Academic libraries in particular need to start thinking about developing the next generation of gaming collections and services. This article examines the experiences in developing an academic library gaming initiative at a large research university, and works towards identifying the questions academic libraries need to be asking and the issues that need investigating in order to map out a path for developing next generation gaming collections that will meet the needs of academic instructors and researchers in the coming decade, and take advantage of the unique opportunities gaming and gaming technology provide.     

The book collections of British university libraries an American reaction

This study summarizes a survey conducted to discover the extent to which professional librarians in Nigerian university libraries have achieved academic/faculty status. The survey revealed that: (1) almost all professional librarians (16 or 80%) in Nigerian universities have full faculty status, coupled with mandatory research and publication for promotion, in 17 (85%) of the libraries; (2) publications in subject-fields and in library/information science carry equal ratings; and (3) academic librarians in Nigeria are entitled to the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as their teaching counterparts. This paper urges the Nigerian Library Association and the Committee of University Librarians to set standards for the attainment of faculty/academic status for professional librarians in Nigerian universities and colleges.     

我国高校图书馆虚拟馆藏开发探讨

论文通过对我国高校图书馆虚拟馆藏建设现状的分析,提出了现阶段我国高校图书馆虚拟馆藏之开发方略和发展途径.     

信息技术条件下高校图书馆馆藏变化

概略分析了传统高校图书馆馆藏特点，并论述了信息技术的发展对图书馆的冲击，认为面对信息技术的发展，高校图书馆应改变传统的藏书模式，制定新的藏书战略。     

Developing language and literature collections in academic libraries: A survey

Reports a 1995 survey of Wisconsin academic libraries regarding collection development practices in the subjects of languages and literature. In general, libraries rely heavily on faculty selections and course- relatedness, buying almost exclusively current English language material. An analysis of OCLC holdings indicates that Choice's 1993 “Outstanding Academic Books” are not widely held, confirming the survey results showing an emphasis on local demand over presumed quality.     

A recommended core book list for public health libraries.

Public health is a multidisciplinary field ranging broadly across the health care spectrum. In light of this diversity the selection of basic reference books and textbooks in the field is a complex task. This paper first defines the components of what is public health and then presents such a list to serve as a guide to the librarian faced with this task.     

Analysis of book circulation data and a book recommendation system in academic libraries using data mining techniques

The use of data mining modern technology in library management systems and information centers is of great importance. With the increasing availability of a large quantity of information, traditional tools and practices without wasting time and cost cannot respond to users accurately and quickly. The present study aims to analyze book circulation transactions and discover the user's book loan patterns to develop a recommender system. The data included 109,639 transactions and information from 8636 user records. Microsoft SQL Server and Matlab software were applied to analyze the data. Item-based collaborative filtering algorithms and decision tree methods were also applied. The results led to the extraction of rules for suggesting books to users. Analysis of the circulation data could be applied to address many issues like evaluation, collection acquisition policies, allocating funding for materials, and suggesting approaches to deselecting and allocating physical space for materials.     

高校图书馆图书采购质量控制探讨

加强高校图书馆图书采购质量控制,既是实现高校图书采购经费效益的最大化,满足高校师生教学和科研的迫切要求,又是提升图书馆自身形象和地位的有效途径。提高图书采购质量应建立严格规范的图书采购质量控制程序和相应的工作机制,重点加强三个环节的质量控制,即采购前期准备工作的质量控制,采购过程中图书的质量控制和图书到馆后验收图书的质量控制。     

信息沟通理论在高校图书采访工作中的应用

在阐述信息沟通理论概念、基本要素及过程的基础上,具体分析了在信息的发送、传递和接收过程中存在的各种沟通障碍及信息沟通理论在高校图书采访工作中的应用,提出了增强有效沟通的三项措施.     

论高校图书馆核心能力的培养

文章认为知识服务是高校图书馆信息服务的发展方向,而知识能力与服务能力则是高校图书馆的核心能力.核心能力是基于知识与服务的互动整合,通过实施知识战略与服务战略而形成的.核心能力促进了知识服务的实现以及高校图书馆的可持续发展.     

高校图书馆与图书供应商在中文图书采购中的博弈与合作

通过探讨高校图书馆与图书供应商在中文图书采购中的选择博弈、价格博弈、服务与成本博弈以及双方的合作本质,提出了馆配过程中重视服务与信誉、遵循市场规律、优势互补、蓝海战略的策略。     

"互联网+"与高校图书馆图书采访机制的构建

网络技术的发展对高校图书馆的图书采访工作来说是机遇也是挑战,图书馆需要在"互联网+"的模式下,通过对图书采访信息的传递、甄别、筛选、控制、决策机制的建设,形成公开、透明、畅通、有效的信息交流渠道,以提高图书采访工作的质量,满足当代网络信息环境下不同的读者群体对信息资源的不同需求.     

图书馆“藏”与“用”的互动效应分析

图书馆“藏”与“用”的互动一直是图书馆人关注的焦点,也是图书馆的主要矛盾。文章从“藏”与“用”互动的矛盾性、局限性、有机性和使命性入手,对“藏”与“用”的互动效应进行分析,得到了几点有益的启示。     

信息时代高校图书馆古籍资源整合与建设

通过对古籍和古籍资源概念的界定,调查高校图书馆古籍资源现状,提出如何整合原版、影印版、电子版三种载体形态古籍资源的原则,从原文传递、读者调研、团队建设等方面提出了加强高校图书馆古籍资源建设的途径。     

Using time-driven activity-based costing to improve the managerial activities of academic libraries

Nowadays, Academic libraries are required to provide high quality services despite their limited budget. Library managers should rely on valid information to keep the library's activities, resources and costs under control. In this paper, we present a case study implementation of Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) at the library of the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece. The TDABC is a reliable accounting method that considers many aspects that may affect the employees' efficiency and performance. We adopted quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the library's loan and return processes. In particular, we: i) analyzed cost data, ii) interviewed the library's staff, and iii) recorded the duration for all relevant activities with a stopwatch. The activities' duration was recorded via direct observation. The data were collected during the academic year 2017–2018 to cover all the different academic periods. According to our results, the automation of repetitive processes in the circulation department may decrease significantly the operating costs. This may be achieved by reducing the number of staff and replacing them by robotic services. Implementing TDABC in the lending and return processes helped the library managers to determine which activities demand more time and are costly, and to analyze their respective causes.     

Reading by Russian-speaking immigrants in Toronto: use of public libraries, bookstores, and home book collections

This article reports the results of a survey of the reading habits and interests of immigrants in Toronto who speak Russian as their first language, including their use of Canadian public libraries, ethnic and English-language bookstores, and their attitudes toward collecting books at home. The survey results show that Russian Canadians use the public library system extensively and for diverse purposes. They also make use of ethnic and English-language bookstores, purchasing materials in both Russian and English for leisure reading, educational and professional development, and expansion of their highly valued home collections. The peculiarities of the demands and behavior of first generation Russian-speaking immigrants are also discussed, especially with regard to changes in reading interests and attitudes associated with immigration, as well as the problems experienced by public libraries in meeting the needs of this clientele. Finally, recommendations for the improvement of public library services and collections for this linguistic group are provided.