Publishing Perils in Academe

Abstract

The continual escalation in academic journal prices threatens the quality and future of academic library collections. This situation arises from market forces that react to, and take advantage of, the unique characteristics of academic libraries and scholarly publishing. These characteristics include the unique role of academic libraries, in their mission of serving as accessible repositories of knowledge, and the unique activity of scholarly publishing, in which every journal title is unique without a close substitute. The combination of these of factors leads to the lowest price elasticity of demand for the libraries and the highest degree of product differentiation for each journal title. While some solutions being offered to alter the dilemma hold promise, the unique characteristics of the market appear to discourage more equitable pricing without a radical restructuring of the industry or of the relationships between the consumers and the producers of academic journals.     

Consortial Cataloging Guidelines for Electronic Resources: I-Share Survey and Recommendations

In 2009, the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) charged a task force to update and revise recommendations that address cataloging practice and catalog access to electronic resources for libraries participating in the I-Share union catalog. This article presents the results of a survey and recommendations developed by the 2009 Task Force that cover all types of e-resources. Issues covered include: single or separate records for electronic and print versions of a title; the use of aggregator-neutral and provider neutral records; the construction and placement of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and notes; and the use of vendor records.     

Interlibrary Lending as an Alternative Means to Improve Resource-Poor Ghanaian Libraries

ABSTRACT

The importance of science and technology information in technological advancement and research and development is obvious. It contributes directly to economic development of a country. The paper highlights major problems facing Ghanaian academic and research libraries in their attempt to provide science and technology information. These include poor collections, inadequate funding, a lack of hard currency for ordering needed documents, a lack of trained manpower, poor communication networks, lack of cooperation among existing libraries and no firm government policies to support initiatives.

The paper describes international initiatives and efforts including the IFLA/DANIDA Interlending and Document Delivery Project aimed at establishing global electronic links in order to improve availability of publications and information, which will lead to information transfer and ultimately to development. A training programme organized for six Ghanaian librarians in the United Kingdom and Denmark is described.

It is concluded that access to online databases in the developed countries is essential since it provides the most up-to-date information. It is recommended that communications infrastructure be installed so that Ghanaian libraries can access scientific and technology information held in the developed countries.     

高校图书馆电子期刊资源管理与开发问题浅析

文章全面分析了电子期刊的基本概念、类型与特点，介绍了电子期刊在高校图书馆的作用和影响，重点论述了我国高校图书馆电子期刊在管理和开发方面出现的一些突出问题及其相应的对策。     

试论电子资源的规范化采购

结合集美大学图书馆电子资源采购的具体实践,从采购准备阶段、采购进行阶段、使用跟踪评价阶段三方面论述了电子资源的规范化采购.     

以高校本科教学评估为契机，全面加快图书馆建设步伐

分析了高校本科教学工作水平评估指标对图书馆提出的要求,提出了滨州医学院图书馆在评估中对硬件条件、馆藏文献建设,办馆理念,馆员队伍建设等方面的一些做法与体会。     

Employer Expectations for Archivists:

No abstract available for this article.     

Cataloging from the Center: Improving e-Book Cataloging on a Consortial Level

In 2014, the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK) overhauled its consortial cataloging workflows by switching to what has been termed a model of “cataloging from the center.” For more than 20 years, the Ohio academic library consortium relied on volunteers from its member institutions to catalog consortially purchased materials. Consolidating the consortial cataloging into the OhioLINK office allowed for revising the various workflows. Since 2014, the cataloging workflows for these shared electronic resources have improved efficiencies, allowing records to be provided to members in a more timely manner.     

The Future of Networks and OCLC

No abstract available for this article.     

Why Did We Buy That? New Customers and Changing Directions in Collection Development

This article describes the new role of academic libraries in higher education and shows how it has changed collection development objectives to serve a nontraditional constituency not served in the past. This is illustrated, in part, by Kent State University Library's review and selection of language-learning software, motivated by the university's strategic initiatives for globalization. It demonstrates a new trend to purchase resources that support administrative agendas and non-teaching programs, and the impact this has on how libraries frame collection development policies and allocate dollars for library content. As collection managers are redirecting support to revenue-building objectives, are they compromising support of educational objectives?     

高校图书馆服务新农村建设研究综述

高校图书馆是我国信息资源的重要组成部分,在我国的社会主义新农村建设进程中高校图书馆在不断探 索服务新农村建设的途径、方法,如何发挥高校图书馆信息资源的优势服务好资源贫乏的农村地区成为研究者持续关 注的课题。本文运用文献计量学的方法,从研究论文的年代分布、作者和内容主题等角度对1979 -2010 年有关高校图 书馆服务新农村建设的相关论文进行了定量和定性分析,以期了解该领域研究现状及特点,为今后开展这方面的研究 提供一定的参考。     

Getting Our Foot (Back) in the Door: Reestablishing a Freshman Instruction Program

SUMMARY

In 1999, librarians at the University of Alabama (UA) developed a program to reintroduce library instruction into the English Department's mandatory Freshman Composition Program. This article discusses the development, execution, outcome, and assessment of the program and includes tips for developing a similar program. Through negotiation and open discussion with the Director of Freshman English, the library successfully convinced the Director to allow a program of instruction back into the English 101 program. Library instruction sessions were paired with one of the essays/assignments common to all English 101 classes. A survey conducted to assess the library's efforts concluded that the instruction had a positive effect on students' understanding of library resources.     

Attitudes among German- and English-Speaking Librarians toward (Automatic) Subject Indexing

The survey described in this article investigates the attitudes of librarians in German- and English-speaking countries toward subject indexing in general, and automatic subject indexing in particular. The results show great similarity between attitudes in both language areas. Respondents agree that the current quality standards should be upheld and dismiss critical voices claiming that subject indexing has lost relevance. With regard to automatic subject indexing, respondents demonstrate considerable skepticism—both with regard to the likely timeframe and the expected quality of such systems. The author considers how this low acceptance poses a difficulty for those involved in change management.     

Managing an Academic Reference Department

Abstract

To be an effective academic head of reference in the 21st century will require many of the same characteristics and skills necessary in the 20th century. While the traditional ways of providing reference services are changing, the fundamental need to provide access to information remains, and effective utilization of staff and other resources is paramount. Balancing the increasing pressures from shrinking budgets, growing costs, proliferation of expensive electronic resources, and high expectations from faculty and students creates a greater need for strong management expertise. The head of reference must be both an exceptional manager and an exceptional librarian.     

Using Google Scholar at the Reference Desk

ABSTRACT

Google Scholar has multiple uses as a reference tool of last resort, including citation completion, an alternative when catalogs are down, and interdisciplinary metasearching and database suggestion. During the reference desk transaction, users can be taught effective Google Scholar search techniques such as advanced search functionality and the nuances of results' groupings. In addition, reference desk interactions with Google Scholar give insight for instructional workshops.     

Training Tech Services’ Student Employees Well: Evidence-based Training Techniques in Conjunction with Coaching and Mentoring Strategies

Librarians in higher education who work in technical services must frequently rely on student employees to accomplish tasks previously assigned to professional staff. Hiring, training, managing, and mentoring student workers for the performance of high-level library functions can prove challenging. However, working side-by-side with student employees can be a positive experience when evidence-based training techniques and effective coaching and mentoring strategies are utilized. This article focuses on training techniques integrated with ongoing coaching and mentoring strategies to promote a positive work environment and motivated, successful student employees.     

Cooperative e-Book Cataloging in the OhioLINK Library Consortium

Since 2004, members of OhioLINK's Database Management and Standards Committee have worked together to produce and distribute bibliographic records for over 44,000 electronic books. Using historical evidence, as well as the personal experience of key personnel, this article examines the ways in which division of labor, cataloging standards, and procedures are negotiated within the consortium. Two case studies illustrate the ways in which cooperative e-book cataloging projects are created, developed, and adapted in response to changing circumstances. Challenges to current practices are discussed, and recommendations are offered to other libraries and consortia preparing to embark on cooperative cataloging projects.     

Benefits of Batch Reclamation: The Kent State University Libraries Experience

Bibliographic records in the Innovative library catalog at Kent State University Libraries had fallen out of synchronization with the Libraries’ holdings represented on OCLC's WorldCat database. The Libraries made a decision to undertake a batch reclamation project with OCLC to re-synch their holdings on WorldCat. This project was beneficial for both parties. OCLC received a clean copy of the Libraries’ database, while the Libraries were able to improve the quality of their local bibliographic data and address problem areas in the catalog. This case study is intended to provide a reference for other libraries considering OCLC batch reclamation projects.