Wayfinding: Navigating Archival Theory in Times of Technological Change

Are new technologies creating better frameworks for achieving “best practice”? What impact might tools like ArchivesSpace have on the future of the profession? Implementing ArchivesSpace at the Archives and Special Collections Department at the University of Minnesota brought internal practices in closer alignment with archival standards, and in doing so drastically changed the way we intellectually and physically manage our repositories. This article will explore whether or not these changes undermine traditional theoretical frameworks for archivists, or simply represent a realignment of professional principles.     

EAD Encoding and Display: A Content Analysis

ABSTRACT

The study investigated implications of variations in EAD-encoded finding aids on the Web. A content analysis methodology was used to examine five different aspects of EAD finding aids: (1) data elements; (2) labeling terminology; (3) navigation; (4) browsing; (5) searching. Seventeen EAD finding aid web sites selected from 161 RLG member institution web sites, were examined. The results of the study showed that variations in EAD finding aids existed. These include inconsistency in the use of data elements, labeling terminology, and browsing attributes. In addition, some of the EAD finding aid web sites did not provide navigational aids within a finding aid or search functions for access to it. Findings suggest that increased navigational aids, as well as more browsing and search functions are needed to provide better access to EAD-encoded finding aids.     

Online Finding Aids with BASYS-Fox in the Bundesarchiv,Germany

SUMMARY

This article discusses the process for the production of online finding aids with BASYS-Fox system and it describes the scope of application of EAD in the Bundesarchiv. In 2000, the project “Presentation of Online Finding Aids with the EAD system” was started at Bundesarchiv. The project was promoted by the German Science Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft). The objectives were, first, to examine whether EAD could be applied to German archives, especially to the federal archives. Second, the possibilities for software development were to be assessed. BASYS-Fox is the result of this software development. Fox is an acronym for “Finding aids Online with XML.” The production of finding aids with BASYS-Fox starts with an XML export from the archive database of the federal archives (BASYS-S). After the XML file is imported into the BASYS-Fox system, different elements, which at present are not available in the database, have to be added to the file. After the completion of these additions, the finding aid is published with BASYS-Fox. Publishing in this context means the production of XML files according to EAD and to the local BArch DTD, which are saved in a file system. Access to these online finding aids is made possible by the classification scheme and via the Lucene search engine. At present there are about 200 online finding aids (list of Fox-Finding aids: http://www.bundesarchiv.de/foxpublic/index.html).     

First Entry: Report on a Qualitative Exploratory Study of Novice User Experience with Online Finding Aids

ABSTRACT

Many of those now accessing archives through online finding aids are encountering primary materials (albeit virtually) for the first time. These users are often unfamiliar with finding aid structure, terminology, and principles. This article reports on a qualitative, exploratory study of a subset of these novice users. The study concentrated on four key components of online finding aids: terminology, navigation, display, and structure. The goal was to discover by what route users accomplished a given task, to determine what elements on the site helped or hindered them in completing the task, and to gain insight into their overall experience with a range of styles of online finding aids. Findings suggest that site structure often presupposed users' knowledge of archival principles. Therefore, what may seem to archivists and their web designers to be elegant solutions to resolute issues in online finding aids, in fact, confused or eluded novice users. However, findings suggest, as well, that participants went through a rapid self-education process while completing the study, leading them to more efficient searching and to a higher level of ease and confidence as they explored a variety of online finding aids.     

Keeping Up with the Flow: Electronic Resource Workflow and Analysis

This article describes a project documenting and analyzing the electronic resource workflows for the library at Baruch College, CUNY (City University of New York). The presenter discusses her approach, how background research informed the documentation process, and explains the methodology and framework used to analyze the lifecycle of the electronic resources. Multiple interviews conducted with staff, faculty, and stakeholders involved in these workflows offered clarification of the steps involved and afforded the opportunity to delve into lengthier discussions about the process. This presentation highlights some outcomes of the project, focusing on “gaps” in the lifecycle, indications of where the workflow could be streamlined, and examples of beneficial conversations within library departments.     

浅谈筑波大学附属图书馆的管理之道

文章主要从机构设置管理、馆藏文献管理、图书馆工作人员管理和读者管理等方面剖析筑波大学图书馆的管理之道.     

University Libraries and Academic Strategic Planning at the University of Cincinnati

As part of a broadly defined academic strategic planning initiative at the University of Cincinnati, the Libraries developed a five-year plan. This article describes the process including its successes and failures, documents the most positive outcomes resulting from the process, and raises several issues related to university-wide planning processes.     

大学图书馆安全保障综合优化策略

安全管理是图书馆管理的一个重要方面,大学图书馆需要综合考虑优化安全保障策略。本文结合复旦大学图书馆近年来安全保障的实践,从制度、机制和重点措施等方面对优化大学图书馆安全保障策略进行了探讨。     

高校档案教育新形式的出现与发展——以福建师范大学首届档案职业技能大赛为例

档案学作为一门实践类学科,实践教学本就必不可少,但受到资源限制,学生实践机会较少。福建师范大学举办档案职业技能大赛,将档案竞赛活动同档案专业教育相结合,取得了较好成效,同时探索了适合档案专业实践特性的新型教育方式,也为高校档案教育的发展提供了新的思路。     

Analyzing Critical Incidents Stories to Understand Change Management Process in the Adoption of e-Resources at the University of Botswana Library

This study used the critical incidents technique to gather the University Botswana Library staff's stories relating to the change management process during the implementation of e-resources projects. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 13 individuals who were involved in the implementation of various projects at the library. Data was analyzed using grounded theory techniques of open coding, selective coding, and axial coding. The results of the study showed that communication, investing in resources, capacity building, team building, garnering external support through collaboration, and users' involvement were key change management strategies used. The library staff were involved in the coordination of projects, systems selection, liaising with stakeholders and consultants, benchmarking, and conducting in-house training. The findings also showed some challenges encountered, which included staff ignorance, reluctance, and fear to take decisions, and inadequate training facilities. The study recommends dedicated project team members with reduced workload and having knowledge and skills to lead the teams to fully participate and engage in the project process.     

瞄准社会需求 服务特殊群体——佳木斯市图书馆高考咨询活动的探索与实践

面对高考生及家长这一特殊群体,公共图书馆在高考志愿填报上所给予的信息咨询辅导援助,是公共图书馆社会教育职能的发挥、是特色服务的拓展、是信息服务及个性化服务的最佳体现。笔者通过分析社会整体志愿填报存在的问题,对公共图书馆高考咨询辅导的优势、咨询员应具备的专业素质和道德修养、咨询辅导的方式方法以及该活动所带来的启示等方面作了深入的阐述。     

英国文件档案管理标准体系典型案例研究及其借鉴

文件档案管理标准体系的构建是国家组织信息资源管理战略的重要组成部分,是国家信息资产有效管理、信息资源有效利用的根本保障。文章对英国文件档案管理标准体系及其构建机制进行了典型案例研究,在此基础上提出了文件档案管理的标准体系框架,并为我国文件档案管理标准体系的建设提出了参考性建议。     

Going the Extra Mile: Supporting Distance Education at University of Alaska Fairbanks

ABSTRACT

The Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has a long history of supporting distance education through state-of-the-art, remote access services. Harsh climate conditions (heavy snowfall and icing, high winds, and extreme temperatures), rugged terrain, limited road and telephone systems, and permafrost that prevents the installation of communications networks, all contribute to the challenge of delivering distance education. This article describes and explains the library's services while discussing the challenges of providing information access to a diverse student population living in an area covering over 500,000 square miles.     

Assessment of Electronic Reserves Services at the University of Colorado,Boulder

Abstract

Assessment is an important part of any library service, including electronic reserves. This paper describes the assessment of electronic reserves services by means of a survey instrument administered at the University of Colorado, Boulder during the fall semester, 2003. As the University Libraries had moved from a predominately paper reserves environment to an almost completely electronic reserves environment at the beginning of that same semester, the survey offered a unique opportunity to compare student attitudes towards the two formats. We addressed planning for the survey, administering the survey, evaluation of the collected data, and reporting the results to teaching faculty.     

高校学报编辑胜任特征模型的构建：一项实证研究

综合运用行为事件访谈法、问卷调查法和专家评定法,对全国202位学报编辑展开调查,经过探索性因素分析,构建高校学报编辑胜任特征模型。研究结果表明：高校学报编辑胜任特征模型由学术素养、人际技能、编辑技能、学习发展、责任心、服务意识、创新性7个要素构成。这一模型凸显高校学报编辑工作的时代需求和职业特点。高校学报编辑胜任特征模型可用于学报编辑的选拔、培训、职业生涯管理等人力资源管理工作。     

高校图书馆流通窗口的工作实践与感悟

本文以作者在流通窗口工作多年的实践体会,论述流通窗口“不良”行为的种种表现,提出若干解决对策,并阐述“急读者之所急”和“对读者不说NO”的至深感悟。     

The Concept of Record in Interactive, Experiential and Dynamic Environments: the View of InterPARES*

This article presents the concept of electronic record as articulated by the first phase of the InterPARES (International research on Permanent Authentic Records in Electronic Systems) Project (1999–2001) and discusses it in light of the findings of the second phase of the Project (2002–2006). While InterPARES 1 focused on records produced and/or maintained in databases and document management systems, InterPARES 2 examined records produced and/or maintained in interactive, experiential and dynamic environments. The authors describe the characteristics of these environments and of the entities found in them in the course of case studies conducted on systems used for carrying out artistic, scientific and e-government activities, and propose the new concept of record that InterPARES 2 is eleborating, which expands on that formulated by InterPARES 1.The authors would like to thank InterPARES 2 research assistant Randy Preston for his careful editing and constructive criticisms. Some of his suggestions have been incorporated in the text of this article.