An Unlikely Collaboration: How Academic and Special Libraries Can Help Each Other Survive

This column uses the occasion of James Matarazzo and Toby Pearlstein receiving the 2016 John Cotton Dana Award from the Special Libraries Association to reflect on their unique partnership, which has lasted decades and resulted in a wealth of research results and tools for corporate librarians. Despite the tools available to them to measure and demonstrate their value, however, special libraries continue to face closures, downsizing, and increasing pressure to do more with less. Today, special libraries are not alone in feeling this pressure, as even the academic libraries that have been so central to campus life find their place questioned. As Matarazzo and Pearlstein formed the unlikely yet lasting partnership of scholar and practitioner, perhaps academic libraries and non-academic special libraries can join forces to effectively leverage their collective experience and knowledge in demonstrating their worth to stakeholders.     

Factors Working Against Collaboration Among Omani Academic Libraries

The current study attempts to identify the factors working against collaboration among academic libraries in Oman. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were used to obtain the views, experience, and opinions of research participants from the four university libraries involved in this research regarding the issue of library collaboration. Many of the Omani librarians in this study viewed cultural and psychological issues, including resistance to change, lack of understanding, mistrust, and, on occasions, an unconcerned attitude, as barriers to library collaboration efforts. However, opinions regarding the significance of these factors varied dramatically. This investigation identified many relevant factors that can impede efforts of collaboration in any society, which included: financial, technical, cultural, and administrative. The findings of this study also confirm the impact of these factors on library collaboration in Oman.     

Volunteers in Special Libraries

The contributions of volunteers in special libraries have not been well-documented or researched. However, anecdotal evidence shows that volunteers have played a key role in the formation of many special libraries and continue to lend their skills and knowledge to these libraries. This column explores examples from the literature and gives a brief case study on the various ways philatelic libraries use volunteers. The scope of the column includes traditional unpaid volunteers, remote volunteers, crowdsourcing, internships, job training programs, and other voluntary or nontraditional work. Volunteer labor is far from free in terms of cost to the organization, but can provide benefits beyond simply unpaid labor including subject expertise, special skills, and community building. Special libraries looking to begin or expand volunteer programs are advised to study the lessons learned from other types of libraries and organizations with successful volunteer programs. Successfully managing volunteers requires careful planning and coordination just as managing paid staff does.     

ROIs and Surveys in Special Libraries: One Corporate Experience

Special libraries, especially in corporate environments, face a challenge in measuring their value and communicating it to their customers and management. This can be especially difficult in organizations where libraries or information centers are perceived as cost centers that make minor financial contributions. A return on investment study, when combined with contextual information, can help overcome this perception while providing valuable information on customer needs.     

专业图书馆的服务创新

根据专业图书馆的性质和特点,阐述建设独具特色的专题数据库和建立专业门户网站及专业资源导航库的必要性;介绍网络环境下改善服务内容和方式,开展个性化服务的具体内容;并指出提高信息服务人员素质,使其努力成为知识导航员的重要性。     

Collaboration in Electronic Resource Provision in University Libraries: SHEDL,a Scottish Case Study

This case study examines the growth of collaboration among Scottish higher education institutions. Following a summary of the work of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), more detailed information is provided on collaboration in the fields of acquisition, licensing, selection, and purchasing. Some of the UK background is outlined, relating to NESLi2 in particular, in order to illuminate the options within Scotland. The origins of negotiations on electronic resource provision within Scotland are described, drawing on developments in other countries including Ireland and Scandinavia. After initial setbacks, the implementation of the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) from 2007 to 2009 is detailed. Current benefits arising from SHEDL are explained, and some possible future developments are discussed.     

Special Academic Libraries and the Millennial Patron

ABSTRACT

Special academic libraries are in the unique position to blend the innovative and user focused services of academic libraries with the niche collections of special libraries when serving their Millennial student population. Millennials are a highly researched generation, but special libraries may have not updated their services to reflect the needs and expectations of this rising generation. Maine Maritime Academy's Nutting Memorial Library serves as a case study of methods in which special academic libraries can incorporate Millennials' expectations of library spaces, services, and collections in sustainable ways.     

Current Development of the Chinese Special Libraries

1General introduction　　 The special libraries in the Chinese mainland have experienced 3development periods. 1From thebeginning of5 0 s to the end of70 s,all the special libraries focused on the collection development,in thatperiod relatively backward and limited library service were provided. 2 After the end of 70 s,computertechnology was introduced to the field which caused a large amount of bibliographic and secondary publicationdatabases'construction.That is to say,on the basis of the p…     

The Delphi Project: Transforming Flemish Libraries Into User-Oriented Points of Information

ABSTRACT

Flemish libraries have historically been praised by visitors and valued by the general public, but since the turn of the century, they have seen a decline in usage. A group of libraries in Flanders believed the role of libraries should be substantially reevaluated. They embarked on the “Delphi Project” to establish methods for libraries to become centers of their local communities by focusing on the information needs of their customers. The emergence of technology supported a shift from libraries as lending institutions to information centers. In addition to a customer service philosophy and training, online tools have helped staff reach library users. An online tool called the “Bronnenwijizer” combines searching the local library catalogue, provincial and state catalogues, and the Internet. The tool also supports the creation of “baskets” for a patron's information needs that can be shared with other staff. Delphi libraries have also used “Infopleinen,” Web-based guides to topics featuring printed media and online sources. Finally, a new online question registration system was developed that fit the new Delphi service philosophy. Over half the libraries in West-Vlaanderen are entitled to call themselves Delphi Libraries, and the philosophy is being disseminated more broadly through the Delphi Project Web site. Due to governmental changes in provincial authority, the future of the project is challenged because coordination among libraries has been critical for the project's success.     

基于知识协同的高校图书馆企业信息服务研究——以五邑大学为例

在高校图书馆企业信息服务研究的基础上,结合知识协同的内涵,提出建立基于知识协同的企业信息服务模式,并分析了该模式的特点、优势和过程模型,最后结合五邑大学图书馆的实际情况,探讨利用ScrewTurn Wiki知识协同平台开展企业信息服务。     

Fake News,Special Libraries and What It Means to Be American

This column is written by column editor Ilana Stonebraker and guest columnist Emily Johnson. Ilana Stonebraker is Business Information Specialist and Assistant Professor at Purdue University. Emily Johnson is the Middle School Librarian and Library Coordinator at Daystar Academy in Beijing, China. They both received an MSI from the University of Michigan. This column focuses on the “fake news” phenomenon and how it affects special libraries.     

Broadening Our Scope: International Collaboration for Retooling the Academic Library

The internationalization of higher education and the continuing expansion of technology as a means for learning and sharing information have radically changed the way in which academic libraries offer services and perform outreach. Retooling is essential to maintaining a vibrant and responsive workforce. Continual innovation on the part of training and development professionals is required to manage the expansion of relevant competencies. Through analysis of the current literature and using the results of an exploratory study, which engaged library associations globally, the author demonstrates the need and desire for increased international dialog and collaboration in the area of professional development.     

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.     

地方音乐院校图书馆的专业藏书特色刍见

本文结合天津音乐学院图书馆的专业藏书建设的实际，就地方音乐院校图书馆专业藏书特色的形成问题提出了个人的一些见解。     

Hidden Leadership in Small Special Libraries

“The Specialist” addresses the administration of special libraries, however, identifying the administrator of a small special library is problematic. In these small libraries within organizations, the librarian often works alone and the library is overseen by a non-librarian manager. In these cases, it is not as easy to identify or define the library's administrator as it would be in a public or academic library, or even a larger special library. This column introduces a model where the administration of small special libraries is a collaboration between librarians and non-librarian managers. In this model, information professionals exercise hidden leadership and management skills without leading a staff or possessing a management title. The column also suggests ways information professionals without explicit management responsibilities in the workplace can develop these skills and apply them in their jobs.     

公共图书馆与高校图书馆联盟的模式

通过分析公共图书馆与高校图书馆现状,阐述建立公共图书馆与高校图书馆联盟的现实性与必要性,提出建立公共图书馆与高校图书馆联盟,以便建立统一的文献资源共建共享平台,进一步满足广大读者的多元化信息需求,实现公共图书馆和高校图书馆信息资源的高效使用,并共同开展学术研究。     

The Flipped Classroom as a Tool for Engaging Discipline Faculty in Collaboration: A Case Study in Library-Business Collaboration

This case study focuses on an innovative approach to the flipped classroom as a tool for productive library-discipline faculty collaboration on information literacy instruction. The argument is presented that the flipped classroom can be a pathway into the disciplines that can be used in overcoming the disadvantages of the one-shot and other barriers to collaboration. The case study will outline the reasons for a successful collaboration on integrating information literacy into this undergraduate business course and for its extension to five additional business courses. Practical examples of learning outcomes, in-class activities, and assessment are provided.     

The Forecast for Special Libraries

ABSTRACT

Special libraries exist in an ecosystem consisting of the information industry, the library world, their own organizations, and workforce demographics. Librarians need to be aware of the trends shaping all of these facets. This column takes a close look at Outsell's Information Industry Outlook report for 2016 and its implications for special libraries. The outlook for special libraries is neither the previously forecast Baby Boomer retirement crisis nor the dire end of special libraries many feared during the recent recession. Instead, the special library world is transforming, creating both challenges and opportunities for special librarians. Millennials entering both the workforce at large and the library workforce will make their presence known. Savvy information professionals will stay on top of these trends and find their niche, whether in a traditional physical library or in emerging careers outside the library.

Column Editor’s NoteSpecial libraries share concerns with their more general academic, public, and school counterparts, but they also have unique characteristics and concerns which merit separate consideration. Libraries of all types are evolving, and just as special libraries can learn from the general literature on libraries, practitioners in all types of libraries can learn from the experiences and best practices of special libraries. “The Specialist,” appearing in even-numbered issues of this journal, addresses the administrative concerns of special libraries. The column's scope is a broad umbrella of specialized librarianship and includes corporate, non-profit, government, and independent libraries as well as the specialized departments and branches of academic and public libraries. Contributions from practitioners and scholars on any aspect of special libraries are welcome. Interested authors are invited to contact the editor at tmurray@stamps.org for submission guidelines.     

The Need For Networks Among Public,Academic, and School Libraries in Metropolitan Sierra Leone

Metropolitan Sierra Leone is made up of Freetown, the capital city and its environs. Within its bounds are dispersed a variety of libraries, each with the mission of providing adequate, relevant and up‐to‐date materials tailored to the needs of their numerous clientele. However, because of stringent budget cuts and a lack of human and material resources, these institutions are unable to carry out their missions. One way to improve this situation is through collaboration in the provision of materials and services. This article explores the need for the establishment for networks among public, academic and school libraries in metropolitan Sierra Leone. The article begins by defining metropolis followed by a brief recounting of some features of a metropolis, the library scene in metropolitan Sierra Leone and a consideration of plausible areas for networks among these libraries. The article concludes with a discussion of some issues that have to be faced if the proposed network is to materialise.     

民营图书馆的界定、类型与研究现状

针对我国民营图书馆开展专门图书馆学理论研究尚未出现的状况，本着明确民营图书馆的界定、民营图书馆类型及其研究现状，分别从三个方面向读者展示民营图书馆研究的几个主要领域，从而明确民营图书馆的内涵及外延，为进一步加强对民营图书馆的研究打下基础。