Assessment from a Distance: A Case Study Implementing Focus Groups at an Online Library

Assessing library resources and services at a distance holds unique challenges in gathering data needed to make informed decisions. This article describes the complete process of piloting virtual focus groups—from planning and implementation through the analysis of results for a completely online student population. The virtual focus group method proved effective in getting qualitative feedback to spur library improvements, and it is transferable to many different library settings.     

Editorial Note

One pressing issue in libraries today is the censorship of information. This theoretical essay uses Kurt Lewin's gatekeeping theory to examine the decision-makers as well as the different pressures and constraints that are at issue in decisions regarding challenges and censorship attempts that occur in regards to library collections. Knowing who the decision-makers, or gatekeepers, are in the decision-making process, whether it is library boards, library directors, or public officials, is crucial to the understanding of censorship in public libraries. Without a clear understanding of the function of gates and gatekeepers in the decision-making process, libraries may allow unintended censorship of ideas and information to persist.     

数字时代馆藏采购危机分析及对策

数字时代,图书馆在馆藏资源建设中面临多重危机,如馆藏类型多样化为馆藏采购决策带来更大的挑战,经费短缺导致图书馆对各类型资源的采购不均衡,获取渠道多样化使馆藏采购质量难以保证,因缺乏知识产权保护意识与方法而陷入多重知识产权危机。为此,图书馆应在馆藏采购中增强危机意识,选择适当的资源引进内容和资源保存形式,重视对销售市场的调研,加强图书馆之间的交流与合作,妥善解决资源建设中涉及的知识产权问题。     

A multi-campus usability testing study of the new Primo interface

Abstract

When the 23-member California State University Libraries merged integrated library systems in 2017, a unique opportunity arose to conduct multi-tenant usability testing on user experience in the Primo discovery service, collectively branded OneSearch. In 2018, librarians at five campuses conducted a round of task-based individual user testing on their separate instances, seeking to review individual campuses’ decisions about customizations designed to provide optimal performance of the system and provide insight into group decisions about our shared customization choices. Along with the findings of the test results and recommendations for enhancements to existing modifications, we discuss the challenges and opportunities that are present in conducting multi-campus usability testing and share recommendations for future consortium-based testing efforts.     

大数据时代来临，图书馆何以应对

在分析大数据给图书馆带来的挑战基础上,提出有针对性地提升图书馆数据服务能力的举措,以期为图书馆在大数据时代提高自身核心竞争力提供参考。     

Selection for preservation: considerations for the health sciences

Just as no health sciences library can afford to collect every work on a subject, neither can any health sciences library afford to preserve every item that is added to its collection. In decision making for collection development, health sciences libraries apply a set of selection criteria. Those same criteria have direct application in selection for preservation decisions. This paper summarizes the literature of selection for preservation, describes the scholarly record of biomedicine, and presents criteria for selection for preservation decisions. The preservation priorities statement for microfilming of monographs and serials in the National Library of Medicine collection is included as an appendix.     

由一条微博引发的图书馆公关事件——杭州图书馆“微博事件”公关分析

微博作为图书馆公关的新平台,具有匿名性、自媒体特点,在给图书馆带来挑战的同时,也是图书馆应对挑战的有利工具。2011年初,杭州图书馆因一条微博而被称为"史上最温暖图书馆",馆长褚树青则获得"最感人馆长"等盛赞。此条微博引发了社会各界人士的广泛关注,杭州图书馆也对此作出积极回应,其及时、有效的公关活动宣扬了图书馆服务理念,树立了良好的公共形象,促进了图书馆社会功能的拓展。     

数字图书馆知识利用策略研究

数字图书馆是网络信息资源组织的有效方式,其馆藏知识资源的有效利用更是对它存在价值的充分体现,而阐述数字图书馆知识资源利用的重要性、面临的挑战、和未来数字图书馆知识利用的策略则成为此文的重中之重。     

面对跨业竞争的图书馆行业发展对策研究

图书馆作为传统信息资源管理机制的中心，其地位与作用，在新的社会环境和技术条件下，面临跨行业竞争者的激烈竞争。图书馆要在挑战中生存和发展，必须扬长避短，采各行业众家之长，积极应对。本文分析了图书馆面对的跨业竞争态势，提出了具体的应对措施。     

ISO26000融入图书馆实践的思考

图书馆的决策和活动能够影响社会和环境,是图书馆承担社会责任的缘由。ISO 26000拓展了图书馆社会责任理论与实践的领域。详述ISO 26000各条款内容,阐述其对图书馆社会责任发展的意义。指出图书馆应从宣传教育、制定图书馆社会责任指南、加强规章体系建设等方面全面融入ISO 26000,以推动图书馆的社会责任实践。     

数字图书馆读者信息权利及其立法保护

保护读者信息自由权是图书馆的基本职能,数字图书馆与传统图书馆有着质的不同,它的产生给读者权利的保护提出了前所未有的挑战。如何在网络环境下有效地保护读者的基本权利,已经成为当今图书馆事业发展中的一大课题。显然,单靠图书馆自身的管理来解决这一问题是极不现实的,国家应当通过立法来保护数字图书馆环境中读者的权利。     

Proactive Outreach to Adult Students: A Department and Library Collaborative Effort

The number of adult learners in institutions of higher education is increasing, and these students' reasons for attending, ways of learning, challenges, and methods for overcoming challenges often differ from those of traditional-age students. Faculty and library personnel can support these students in their research efforts using several collaborative endeavors. One department and university library recognized the struggles of many of their adult students as they sought to conduct research for coursework, as well as theses or dissertations. Collaborative activities proved effective in reducing students’ anxieties and frustrations with using the library and its resources.     

Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Entertainment: An Academic Library's Experience With a Popular Reading Ebook Resource

ABSTRACT

Ebooks pose many challenges in library collection development, mostly due to the lack of standards and the many different platforms available. These challenges are faced by both public and academic libraries, but the challenges inherent in collecting popular reading ebooks can be different from the challenges that come with collecting scholarly ebooks. This article describes the purpose and processes behind an academic library, University of Wyoming Libraries, providing popular reading ebooks to its faculty and students, and focuses on the experience of being a 3M Cloud Library early adopter.     

图书馆资源公益性增值利用的优势、挑战与开发定位——面向三网融合环境的考察

图书馆公共资源具有丰富性、系统性、权威性和稳定性的优势,但是利用效率有待提高。三网融合新环境为图书馆资源的深度利用与延伸服务创造了条件,但面临资源与大众化需求的有效匹配、资源组织与融合环境的有效对接、收藏资源传播可视化和知识产权等因素的挑战。论文在分析这些机遇与挑战的基础上,建议图书馆从公益性开发、合作性开发、增值性开发、均等性开发和规范性开发等方面对三网融合环境下图书馆资源开发与服务进行科学定位。     

Review of "The Living Library: An Intellectual Ecosystem," by Patricia Steele,David Cronrath,Sandra Parsons Vicchio,and Nancy Fried Foster

This study was conducted in order to establish an objective basis for managerial decisions relating to the preservation of library books. The investigation was concerned with the operational issues underlying such decisions, focusing specifically upon the problem of accurately and efficiently assessing books in terms of their present physical condition and past utility. Its objectives were: (a) to determine if date of publication and/or measures of library use (i.e., frequency of circulation and date of last circulation) constitute reliable indices of a book's current physical condition; (b) to determine if the frequency with which a book has been circulated tends to correspond with its date of last circulation; and (c) to devise a systematic approach to the preservation of library books based upon the results of the inquiries (a) and (b).     

BiblioTech: Closing the Gap between Traditional and Digital Literacy

In 2013, Bexar County launched BiblioTech, the first all digital public library in the United States. BiblioTech capitalizes on technology to reach beyond the library walls and integrate the public library in facets of everyday life previously unavailable through paper and print. At its core, BiblioTech changes the traditional understanding of how libraries operate. BiblioTech’s digital model prompts a paradigm shift and challenges the library to seek out new ways to serve otherwise disengaged patron populations.

This article discusses the launch of BiblioTech---its impetus, mission, timeline, and challenges. The evolution of BiblioTech over its first four years of operation is presented, along with various community and intergovernmental partnerships that the library has forged in fulfillment of its mission. Finally, future opportunities and plans for development are also explored.     

Balancing Act for the Future: How the Academic Library Engages in Collection Development at the Local and Consortial Levels

ABSTRACT

Collection development remains a major focus and concern of current interest for all types of libraries. Consortia began as a means of sharing resources and of leveraging purchasing power for its members. How does a library balance its individual collection needs, both present and future, when it is a member of a consortium? Do the expectations of the consortium outweigh the needs of the individual library member? This article will address how an academic library engages in collection development at the local and consortia levels, addresses the benefits and challenges of consortia memberships, and responds to its local patrons in light of its obligations and commitment to a consortium.     

基于MOOCs的图书馆发展策略

基于MOOCs的发展现状,分析了MOOCs的特点及其与图书馆服务的一致性,揭示MOOCs环境下图书馆面临的机遇和挑战,包括服务用户多元化、版权危机和知识服务,提出了图书馆采取的应对策略,包括开辟版权服务新领域、提高用户信息素养、学习大数据、完善MOOCs配套服务等。     

Library Study Behaviors in the Age of Ubiquitous Mobile Devices: An Observational Study in Four Academic Libraries

In this study, researchers observed student study behaviors in the libraries of four post-secondary institutions. In all, 2,773 observations were made. This research replicates and expands an earlier study and addresses its limitations. The results of a logistic regression test indicate whether students had a mobile device readily available and where students chose to study in the library best predicted whether they demonstrated a study, as opposed to a non-study, behavior. Specifically, if students were found in quiet study or computer areas, they were more likely to be performing study behaviors. This research has implications for library stakeholders making decisions about the use of library space. Most importantly, this research demonstrates that library spaces are widely used for diverse purposes.     

MOOC及其在医学图书馆的应用

介绍了MOOC的定义、兴起及其在国内外的发展现状,探讨了图书馆在MOOC环境下的定位,重点阐述了医学图书馆如何借助MOOC深化服务及其面临的挑战。