Predicting the Future: Library Technologies to Keep in Mind

It can be difficult to keep up with library technology, let alone with technology in general. This essay describes several technology trends (virtual reality, augmented reality, the Internet of Things, and adoption of a “buy the data, build the interface” approach to service provision) that librarians should be aware of as they are likely to prove foundational to the services libraries will offer, as well as the services library users will expect.     

Academic Subject Specialist and Special Librarians: Exploring a Shared Interest in Developing Information Literacy Skills

Academic librarians who work as subject specialists within a discipline and special librarians have a shared interest in information literacy instruction, despite differences in their library settings and culture. Collaboration between these parties would decrease the gap between information literacy skills developed in the classroom and in the workplace. Practical issues relating to collaboration, as well as a reviewed case study engage the dialogue surrounding this kind of partnership.     

Exploring the Application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Acquisition of Information Resources in Three Academic Libraries in North-West Nigeria: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) incursion has brought a lot of changes to libraries activities. ICTs are used to manage libraries more efficiently and in meeting customers’ demands more appropriately at the right time. Despite the contribution of ICTs to library and information work, many libraries are yet to adopt these technologies especially in the acquisitions of library materials. This study was carried out in three selected university libraries in North West Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of performance expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; establish the influence of effort expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; find out the extent of social influence and facilitating conditions on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition and lastly to proffer recommendations. This study adopted a positivistic approach and used a questionnaire administered to 224 librarians to collect data in the three selected libraries. The study is guided by the Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh. Findings from the study reveals that academic librarians are supportive on the use of ICT in their work; ICTs are significantly important, trainings were organized mainly for librarians on general use of ICT not only on acquisition, but also on the general issues related to library activities; librarians also have the knowledge necessary to use ICT for acquisition in their libraries. The study recommends among others that the parent universities should increase the funding of their libraries with adequate supervision, so that such funds are well utilized for ICTs application; university libraries should continually sponsor their academic staff on modern computerized ways of using ICTs to source for materials and the acquisition of information resources in academic libraries should be given all the seriousness it deserves by enacting legislation to allocate a reasonable percentage of the university’s budget to it.     

Applying a Software Development Product Cycle to Library Technology Adoption and Development

Product cycles have long been used in software development, but libraries can also benefit from a structured product life cycle to help manage technology development and acquisition. This article outlines a proposed product cycle for library technology management with information on implementing each step of the cycle. It will also include information for librarians assessing the success of structured technology management.     

Play It,Learn It,Make It Last: Developing an Online Game to Create Self-Sufficient Library Information Users

ABSTRACT

Library orientation at an academic health sciences library consisted of a five-minute overview within new student orientation. Past experience indicated this brief presentation was insufficient for students to learn about library resources. In 2014, an effort was made to supplement orientation by developing an online game aimed at enabling students to become self-sufficient through hands-on learning. A gaming model was chosen with expectations that competition and rewards would motivate students. Although the pilots suffered from low participation rates, the experience merits further research into the potential of a broader model of online library instruction in the health sciences environment.     

Chile: From the Pay-for-Access Model to a Civic Right to Information

The earlier funding model adopted by Chile to implement programs of access to scientific information had been unique within Latin America. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico had successfully tested charging the service provision to the nation’s general budget, and had achieved a model of universal access. Chile, on the other hand, had followed a path where a co-financing model and the derived logic regarding action of the state created the Electronic Library of Scientific Information Program (BEIC), which limited benefits to only those users who belonged to the institutions that had the ability to pay and already had a consolidated community of researchers. This article reviews public policy options adopted to ensure access to resources of scientific information by the communities of researchers and reflects on the important change that occurred in 2012, when the Chilean State decided to finance the entire cost of the BEIC Program and to define access to information as a de facto universal right. The article also discusses future challenges and new programmatic features as a result of periodic assessments of the program.     

A New Cataloging Curriculum in a Time of Innovation: Exploring a Modular Approach to Online Delivery

Cataloging librarianship has a tradition of innovation. Currently, professional and instructional innovations must be considered in a new Cataloging curriculum. Using as a framework Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation, this reflective study explores one solution being considered at the University of Missouri while revising the Cataloging curriculum. A balance between theory and practice is suggested through the establishment of a set of core theoretical topics to be covered in the first part of the Cataloging class; Web-based modular elements to be covered in the second part will focus on cataloging practice in specific kinds of libraries.     

Social Media and Communications: Developing a Policy to Guide the Flow of Information

The use of social media is ubiquitous in the daily lives of nearly three quarters of the population in the United States. This article addresses the process and results of a policy development project for a National Network of Libraries of Medicine Regional Medical Library. Content, scheduling, editing, and author responsibilities are addressed for each of the chosen media outlets, as well as the preparation of prefatory material using an online social media policy development tool.     

Recent Changes to Reference Services in Academic Libraries and Their Relationship to Perceived Quality: Results of a National Survey

ABSTRACT

A national survey of academic librarians was conducted to examine relationships among reference service staffing changes, reference service innovations, adoption of reference technology, library type and size, and service quality. Analysis of the 606 response sets reveals trends toward reduced use of librarians and increased use of student staff at in-person service points, widespread increases in appointment-based and self-service reference, intensive efforts to reduce demand for reference by improving library instruction, and general improvements in reference service quality. Factors strongly associated with decreases or increases in quality are discussed in detail and implications for reference managers are provided.     

The Librarian as a Member of the Education Department Team: Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Improve Access to Education Materials and Information

The part-time solo librarian at St. James Healthcare in Butte, Montana, serves physicians, staff, patients, and other health care professionals in the area. The library is part of the Education Department within the hospital's organizational structure. Recent developments have expanded the requirements of the Education Department, creating new challenges. The librarian is a member of the team developing solutions to the many ways that continuing education needs have to be met for the staff and physicians. A free website that houses education information and material is one of the projects that has been created and is maintained by the librarian.