Students' Perceptions of Academic Librarians

Summary

Academic librarians, eager to participate in the education of college students, have been researching library anxiety, students' aversion to asking questions, and other problems with interactions between students and library staff for decades. Misconceptions about librarians' professional status, teaching roles, knowledge and expertise, and attitudes toward students are often proposed as causes of dysfunctional interactions and as reasons why some students don't ask questions. It is important for students to know that librarians are willing and able to help, so that they feel free to ask questions that will help them advance their education. This study reports the findings of a survey of 48 undergraduate students regarding their perceptions of academic librarians, and discusses ideas for addressing existing misconceptions.     

Graduate Students' Perceptions of Library Support Services for Distance Learners

Abstract

A survey was conducted in Spring 1999 to assess the library support services for distance learning within the Texas A&M University System. Graduate students actively enrolled at remote sites in one or more courses taught on the system's interactive video network were surveyed. Results of this survey provide insight for improving library services.

“People want what they want when they want it. They don't want something else, they don't want less than they want, and they certainly don't want it at some other time” (Forsha, 1992).     

A Study of Nontraditional Students' Perceptions of Their Library Research Skills

Abstract

The focus of this study is nontraditional students and their perceptions of their library research skills. Governors State University (GSU) in Illinois has a majority of returning adult students. The average age of students is 36 years old. This is a unique population to survey because nontraditional college students are becoming more prevalent. Not all college students are ages 18-22. There is a growing percentage of older students attending college. The findings from the survey discuss how students perceive their library research skills and how their skills have or have not progressed since attending GSU. The issue of the academic library becoming automated since some of these students last attended school is addressed. Recommendations are given for those students who will attend GSU in the future.     

Influences on Undergraduate Business Students' Perceptions About the Adequacy of Library Information Resources

This qualitative study was designed to provide insight into the responses of undergraduate business students to a survey item about the adequacy of library resources. Interviews with seven business majors revealed that students were not aware of the information resources available to them and that they found library resources overwhelming and confusing. The findings of this study did not reveal that additional business information resources should be provided to support students, but the study did yield useful information about what influences undergraduate business students' perceptions of and expectations about the information resources provided by the library. The article includes recommendations for increasing students' awareness of specialized business databases and improving students' perception that the content of these databases is useful for their coursework.     

Accommodating Employees with Disabilities: Perceptions of Irish Academic Library Managers

This research study investigated the views and practice of third level academic library managers in the Republic of Ireland regarding reasonable accommodation of employees with disabilities (as defined in the Irish Employment Equality Act 1998 as amended by the Equality Act 2004 Equality Act. 2010. 2010 Chapter 15. 8 Web. Apr. 2010 <http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010.aspx> [Google Scholar]).

A mixed methods study (sample of 163 library managers) employed both an online survey (response rate 108/163) and follow-up telephone interviews (23% of respondents). Questions were based on a literature review.

Library managers were aware of a legal duty to accommodate. A majority of library managers subscribed to the social model of disability rather than the medical model. They were less aware of the needs of employees with less visible disabilities. A small majority of library managers reported the presence of an accommodation procedure at their college. A large majority of library managers would not spend more than 0–10% of the library budget on accommodation—in practice, this should be sufficient. A small majority believe that a legal obligation to accommodate is necessary. A majority would adopt a graduated approach (informal to formal) in relation to discriminatory conduct.

On the whole, the legislation was working in practice. However, further disability awareness training of staff was required, and further research should examine the views of library staff with disabilities.     

Undergraduate Perceptions of the Reference Collection and the Reference Librarian in an Academic Library

Abstract

Many undergraduate students have no clear idea of the purpose and function of the reference collection and the services offered by the reference librarian. Uncertainty about these resources may cause students to overlook their usefulness, unsatisfactorily complete assignments, and develop a negative attitude concerning libraries. Through a survey, students related their perceptions of the reference collection and reference librarian. The results are intended to give the reference team insight into the students' conceptions and perhaps improve and enhance reference services to undergraduates.     

高校图书馆网站建设与大学生创新能力的培养

创新能力的培养是当前素质教育中一项重要任务。文章分析了我国大学生创新能力的现状,探讨了高校图书馆网站建设在培养大学生创新能力方面的优势,提出了高校图书馆网站建设应从网页设计、信息资源建设以及信息服务等方面来促进大学生创新能力的培养。参考文献4。     

Marketing the Academic Library

Abstract

Academic libraries do not often launch public relations campaigns. However, recent changes and enhancements at the Geoffrey R. Weller Library at the University of Northern British Columbia prompted librarians to embark on a public awareness campaign built upon the “@ your library” framework. The campaign featured multiple strategies, including posters, displays, brochures, newspaper ads, and giveaways. The goal of the campaign was to break away from the stereotypical image of the library as a research necessity, and show it instead as the beating heart of the University. The campaign is evaluated and the continued need for marketing and promotion of academic library services is examined.     

Leaving the Academic Library

A survey was distributed to former academic librarians to determine why they left the field and which career they pursued afterward. Results suggest that former academic librarians are unhappy with administration, image, and salary. Time spent as librarians helped individuals in their new careers.     

No Natives Here: A Focus Group Study of Student Perceptions of Web 2.0 and the Academic Library

This study explores Web 2.0 technologies in an academic library through focus groups with undergraduates at Kent State University. Results reveal that students, despite being heavy users, are less sophisticated and expressive in their use of Web 2.0 than presumed. Students set clear boundaries between educational and social spaces on the Web, and the library may be best served by building Web 2.0 into its site and extending its services into course management systems.     

Academic Library Websites

Abstract

This article considers two components identified as essential to effective academic library Websites-satisfaction of user needs and adherence to university Website guidelines-and how they sometimes contradict one another. A literature review is provided, followed by results of a survey the author created and distributed that measures a librarian's perception of his/her school's Web-administration scenario. The author concludes with suggestions for balancing university Web guidelines and user satisfaction.     

高校图书馆管理工作三题

本文从高校图书馆应坚持“读者第一”的服务理念，确立“以人为本”的现代管理思想，建立科学的工作质量评估体系三个方面阐述了自己对图书馆管理工作的观点。     

Knowledge Management Perceptions in Academic Libraries

Despite the increasing interest taken in knowledge management (KM) by a wide range of practitioners as well as the library and information science (LIS) community, knowledge management is not systematically applied in libraries. Due to the complexity of knowledge, as well as the multifaceted nature of knowledge management, there is no consensus among LIS professionals regarding its relation to information management. In this context, the current study aims at exploring how library employees perceive knowledge management, as well as which KM tools and techniques are adopted by academic libraries. The results indicate that although practitioners are aware of knowledge management and appreciative of its benefits not only for library performance but also for LIS professionals' future career options, there is a lack of clarity on fundamental KM issues. Finally, academic libraries take steps towards capturing the knowledge of their users and internal explicit knowledge; however, social practices such as communities of practice, which facilitate tacit knowledge and expertise sharing, are not adopted.     

图书馆学术规范探索

图书馆学术规范是针对图书馆学术互动建立的一套科学、合理的准则,决定着图书馆学术发展的方式和未来走向。当前我国图书馆学术活动中的不端行为反映出图书馆学术规范存在表述晦涩、内容深奥等弊端。从价值论角度分析图书馆学术失范问题,并对其在人际关系、利益关系、自我个体约束等方面进行探究,有助于促进图书馆学术研究健康发展。默顿的科学规范理论对图书馆学术规范的实施做了相应的探讨,研究其理论对我国图书馆学术规范的建设实践具有较强的启示意义。     

高校图书馆“非读者”解析

非读者是高校图书馆文化环境的读者,是整个高校图书馆的用户。文章分析了非读者现象,并就如何服务非读者提出建议。     

Perceptions of Transformational Leadership in Academic Libraries

ABSTRACT

Transformational leadership is highly correlated with effective organizations and successful change, yet few studies of this leadership style exist in the library literature. This study examined perceptions of transformational traits in academic library leaders. The study asked academic librarians at 4 year institutions to rate their library's leadership using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. While the librarians perceived their library leaders to be more transformational than transactional, the mean score for transformational leadership was middling, as were the scores for each of the transformational components. This could indicate a lack of change readiness in these libraries.     

基于网络的高校图书馆个性化服务:我的图书馆(My Library)

个性化服务是根据用户需求提供的特定服务，基于网络的个性化服务是高校图书馆服务的必然趋势。“我的图书馆”(My Library)是基于网络的高校图书馆个性化服务的一种方式，它将成为未来高校图书馆个性化服务的重要方向。     

提高合并高样图书馆办馆效益的思考

高校图书馆合并后已取得了初步效益，但仍存在一些问题，如何解决这些问题以实现合并办馆的最大效益，更好地为高校提供信息服务，以达到高校合并改革之目的，值得深入思考。     

Acquiring Software for the Academic Library

As academic institutions commit to supporting research and teaching through electronic resources, libraries become involved in the collection and delivery of these resources, and national initiatives are being developed which will encourage the dissemination of electronic information in the academic setting. Some libraries already are acquiring software, and in the process, encountering new problems and challenges. This paper describes the impact the change is having on the acquisitions process and suggests how these changes might be addressed. Some new possibilities for acquisitions departments are also outlined.