“I Fell into Librarianship”: Experiences of Post-Soviet Librarians at the National Academic Library in Astana,Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the attitudes of librarians in post-Soviet Kazakhstan regarding their roles at the new National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NAL). Using ethnographic observation, interviews, and surveys of library staff (n = 24), we find that Kazakhstani librarians either sensed a “calling” to librarianship or “fell into” library careers given life circumstances, and value their library for its contribution to cultural preservation and digital access on a national scale. This pilot project presents NAL to an international community, sharing the voices of Russian- and Kazakh-speaking librarians to highlight the role of libraries in the development of the post-Soviet nation.     

The Jewish Archival Survey: Tracing Jewish Records in the Former Soviet Archives

SUMMARY

As the rigors of the Soviet-era prohibitions in the post-Soviet archives were eased in the early 1990s, students of Russian-Jewish history in the former Soviet Union, as well as from abroad, have been using this opportunity to search for records of the Russian-Jewish past. The Jewish Archival Survey, a joint program of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, and the Russian State University for the Humanities has been among the earliest initiatives in this field.     

The University of Texas at Arlington's Virtual Reference Service

Abstract

The University of Texas at Arlington's Library began using an online chat reference in 2002. The service, called Collaborative Digital Reference Service, later became “Ask a Librarian.” Slightly over one year later, the library joined the University of Texas System's “Ask a Librarian” service. Both services are powered by software suite called QuestionPoint. In May 2003 and May 2004, the library's reference staff shared their views towards this new reference tool by completing a questionnaire. Statistics and staff members' responses are analyzed in this study.     

Research on Library Services for Distance Learning

Abstract

This paper examines the research that has been conducted to date on the topic of library support for distance learning programs and identifies some priorities for future research. The two main types of studies prevalent in the literature on this topic are surveys of libraries and user studies. Research findings from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada provide a perspective on the knowledge base in this area and enable some generalizations to be made about service provision and user needs. The results of a recent survey of librarians indicate that the number one research priority in distance learning library services is collaboration with faculty to integrate library and electronic resources into Web-based distance learning courses.     

A Survey of Catalogue Use by Engineering Students in Nigerian Universities

This article is a survey of catalogue use by engineering students in Nigerian universities libraries. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one thousand three hundred and sixty-eight engineering students from three universities in the country. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument for data gathering. Some of the findings revealed that a majority of the student survey participants make use of the catalogue occasionally and prefer to browse through the shelves when searching for information in the libraries. This article recommends that library use instruction should be included in the university curriculum and that librarians should provide practical demonstrations on the use of various catalogues to students during orientation programs.     

Name Authority Work in Public Libraries

Random samples of U.S. public libraries were surveyed in summer 2010 to ascertain their name authority cataloging practices. Comparisons of authority work processes and types of authority work done were made among public libraries of different sizes. Results were compared to previous studies of public and academic libraries.     

Using Survey Sites for Information Literacy Scheduling and Teaching

ABSTRACT

Active Information Literacy (IL) programs require scheduling management to ensure that librarians have adequate time to prepare, and that computers and classrooms are available. Collecting this information from busy faculty members can be time consuming. Internet survey sites can be used to collect the required information. These sites allow a library's IL staff to structure a questionnaire that elicits all of the information (instructor contact information, discipline, desired dates, times, number of students, and session topics) required to design instruction and schedule busy classrooms. doi:10.1300/J106v14n03_07     

The Aurora Public Library Business Resource Center:

The Business Resource Center represents the Aurora, Colorado Public Library's response to a tremendous growth within the business community over the past decade. This essay details what factors led to the decision that a separate service point was needed to meet this growth. Issues discussed include what statistical data proved helpful in developing a plan of action; collection development considerations; analysis of factors concerning library functions and service; and, initial reaction from patrons and staff. The study is also presented as a model for other medium-to-large suburban libraries intending to initiate a similar project.     

河北省大学生运动会发展的现状与对策分析

通过对近四届河北省大学生运动会的发展状况进行分析,并通过与全国大学生运动会参赛项目的对比,寻找河北省大学生运动会的优点和不足,为河北省大学生运动会的发展提出一些可行性建议。