Core Journal Lists: Classic Tool,New Relevance

Reviews the historical context of core journal lists, current uses in collection assessment, and existing methodologies for creating lists. Outlines two next generation core list projects developing new methodologies and integrating novel information/data sources to improve precision: a national-level core psychology list and the other a local institutional core list for the interdisciplinary field of urban studies and planning. The paper is based on the authors’ panel presentation at the 2009 ACRL National Conference (Seattle, Washington) titled “Core Journal Lists Re-viewed and Re-imagined.”     

ACRL Framework: Integrations for Special Libraries

Abstract

This column examines the potential applications of the ACRL Information Literacy Framework within special libraries. The authors address the current literature related to the ACRL Framework in special libraries and present two case studies detailing its usage in instruction and outreach initiatives. The first case study relates to an instruction session for interns at Mt. Cuba Center. The second case study relates to teaching users to edit Wikipedia at the New York Botanical Garden. Suggestions for how to integrate the ACRL Framework into future projects as well as suggestions for how information literacy can take on a greater role within the special libraries field are included in the conclusion.     

Comparative Usage of Science E-book and Print Collections at Texas A&M University Libraries

This study compares usage figures between equivalent e-books and print books owned by the Texas A&M University Libraries in the physical sciences and technology. For NetLibrary, the top 10 science e-books were used over six times more than the print books, and the top 10 chemistry e-books were used over three times more than their print counterparts. For ebrary, the top 17 science e-books were used at least 17 times more than the same print books. In Safari, the top 10 computer science e-books were used 207 times more than their print counterparts. Usage statistics such as these can help librarians make informed e-book purchase decisions, especially in times of retrenchment.     

Enhancing Resource Sharing Access Through System Integration

The application and IT ecosystem of academic libraries typically includes multiple systems, with crucial functions requiring using or sharing information between them. However, library systems are often not well integrated, making workflows and system interactions less than optimal for both staff and patrons. The method to integrate systems that the IDS Project took was to create a middleware platform, IDS Logic, that can connect multiple library systems and open or vendor web services to create the best resource sharing experience for staff and patrons. One specific application that is hosted within the IDS Logic middleware platform is Article Gateway, which uses resource-sharing technology and workflows to deliver fast or instant access to research material to users with little or no staff time and removes as many barriers to user access as possible. Where resource sharing has typically sought to deliver articles in one-to-two days, libraries using Article Gateway typically deliver a significantly higher percentage of articles to patrons within a few hours.     

PREFERRED INFORMATION SOURCES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

To effectively communicate with potential students, it is important to utilize their preferred information sources. Survey data were gathered from 716 high school students who planned to attend college. There were communication source differences based on race and intent to attend two-year vs. four-year institutions. Important information sources for potential community college and university students include media, social normative, and direct sources. Recruiting and marketing strategies are discussed.     

Systems,Experts, and Computers: The Systems Approach in Management and Engineering,World War II and After,edited by A.C. Hughes and T.P. Hughes

Since its inception in the early 1990s, e-commerce has grown swiftly in Mexico, making inroads into some of the most dynamic sectors of the Mexican economy. The actual extent of e-commerce use, however, is still very limited, as diffusion is hindered by both the low income levels of most Mexican households and the fact that the overwhelming majority of business establishments are very small, lacking the resources to invest in computers and the business culture to go online. This article examines the emergence of e-commerce in Mexico arguing that the main drivers of the process have been the initiatives of large private firms and the work of specialized organizations. It concludes that this is not just a passing boom but a concrete step toward the rise of an Internet-based economy in Mexico along the lines of the New Economy that took shape in the United States in the 1990s and is assumed to spread into developing nations.     

The Criterion-Related Validity of the Sit and Reach Test: Replication and Extension of Previous Findings

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the stability and consistency of the Caltrac accelerometer (Hemokinetics, Madison, WI) and an activity record to assess physical activity in children and adults (Experiment 1), and (b) to determine if there is a relationship between parents and their children in physical activity level (Experiment 2). Thirty 5–9-year-old children and their biological parents wore Caltrac accelerometers for three consecutive days (including one weekend day). At the same time, parents completed a Caltrac Activity Record (CAL REC) for themselves and their child. Dependent variables were counts per day for the Caltrac and minutes of light activity and activity for the CAL REC. Between-day correlations for the Caltrac ranged from r = .73 to .87 for the parents (p < .001) and from r = .38 (p < .04) to .79 (p < .001) for the children. An analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated no significant differences for the Caltrac between days for parents and children. Between-day correlations for CAL REC ranged from r = .67 to .91 (p < .05) for parents and r = .36 to .72 (p < .05) for children, and there were no significant differences between days. In Experiment 2, χ² analyses were used to examine familial resemblance in physical activity. Using the Caltrac, familial resemblance occurred in 67% (father and child) and 73% (mother and child) of the families. Using the CAL REC, familial aggregation was present in 70% (father and child) and 66% (mother and child) of the families. Thus, children of active and less active parents exhibited physical activity patterns similar to their parents.     

TEACHERS' VIEWS ON PRIMARY SCHOOL STREAMING

The ability and attainment of pupils at 10 RAF secondary schools overseas is compared with that of their contemporaries in the UK, and the effect of frequent changes of school, which the overseas pupils sometimes undergo, is also discussed. The inquiry reveals little difference in the average ability and attainment of the two groups, except that the overseas CSE candidates, unlike the GGE candidates, did less well in their examinations than their ability seems to warrant.     

Architecture versus librarianship

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires states to test specified subjects and grades, to establish minimum performance standards for students, schools and school districts, and to provide assistance and impose sanctions on schools and districts that do not meet performance goals as a condition of receiving federal aid. NCLB builds on earlier federal and state education reform initiatives, and its success depends on the willingness and capacity of states and localities to enact its more stringent provisions. This article examines challenges facing states as they implement the new law and concludes that most lack the human and fiscal resources to support school improvement.