Attitudes among German- and English-Speaking Librarians toward (Automatic) Subject Indexing

The survey described in this article investigates the attitudes of librarians in German- and English-speaking countries toward subject indexing in general, and automatic subject indexing in particular. The results show great similarity between attitudes in both language areas. Respondents agree that the current quality standards should be upheld and dismiss critical voices claiming that subject indexing has lost relevance. With regard to automatic subject indexing, respondents demonstrate considerable skepticism—both with regard to the likely timeframe and the expected quality of such systems. The author considers how this low acceptance poses a difficulty for those involved in change management.     

Seeking Meaning: Capturing Patron Experience Through a User Survey

ABSTRACT

A well-crafted localized survey is an excellent opportunity to efficiently collect data about library user feelings and experiences on a large scale. 800 undergraduate students and employees of a mid-sized public university responded to an online survey about their feelings on library space, communication, services, and collections. Employing a variety of question types, the authors sought to include measures that would yield both pertinent and meaningful feedback. Results were analyzed and prioritized by significance and librarians culled the results for actionable findings and opportunities for further study or long-term benchmarking.     

Tools of Academic Library Assessment: the User Survey

ABSTRACT

Academic libraries are taking a closer look at how well they are serving the needs of their users. As a result assessment activities become more important. In this column, the authors will focus on and describe one major tool of assessment—the user survey.     

Use of NEXIS in a Medical Research Library

The NEXIS online system is used a great deal in business and law libraries, but has been virtually overlooked by medical librarians due to their perception of the system as expensive and difficult to search. The changing health care environment has placed new demands on medical searchers for just the type of legal, business, governmental, and news information found in the full-text files in NEXIS. Through the recent introduction of News Pius software, NEXIS can be searched as never before by those unaccustomed to full-text search techniques. Besides simplifying the search process, the new software has cost-savin features since search building and file selection are accomplished offline, and several activities may be done simultaneously. NEXIS via News Plus should be seriously considered as an addition to the repertoire of online systems accessed by medical librarians.     

Supporting Evidence-Based Medicine: A Survey of U.S. Medical Librarians

This study sought to identify medical librarians’ roles in supporting evidence-based medicine (EBM) practice; determine whether medical librarians’ work settings, work experiences, or job titles made a difference in their EBM responsibilities; and find out medical librarians’ perceptions of their roles in EBM practice. An online survey was distributed to U.S. medical librarians. The results showed that medical librarians had positive perceptions of their EBM-related responsibilities, which were diverse and specific. Their work experience, work settings, and job title categories related to some of their EBM responsibilities, as well as the nature of some of the responsibilities.     

For English,Press 1: International Students' Language Preference at the Reference Desk

Non-native, English-speaking undergraduate and graduate students were directly surveyed about their language preference at an academic reference desk. Most prefer reference transactions initially in English but, if uncertain about the outcome, would like follow-up help in their primary language. Differences by academic level and country of origin were observed.     

Virtual Reference Services

Summary

Traditional reference services are changing in response to the rapid growth of electronic resources available outside of the library. There are an increasing number of libraries that are providing digital reference services to meet the demands and expectations of remote users. This article provides an overview of virtual reference services at Louisiana State University (LSU) Libraries. It also examines the planning, implementation, marketing and user feedback of real time reference service after its first year.     

The Impact of “Scholar's Workstations” in an Undergraduate Academic Library

Summary

The Eastern Connecticut State University library planned, with the new facility, a new configuration for user computers to be one-stop-shopping “Scholar's Workstations.” The impact on reference services was dramatic, resulting in modifications in staffing, policies/procedures, printing practices, user orientation and education, etc. Moreover, the reference librarians were troubled by their perceptions of how these workstations were utilized, challenging us to conduct a user survey to determine the validity of these perceptions. In this article, we will describe (1) how we conceived this new configuration and its impact, (2) modifications made, and (3) an analysis of the user survey.     

Evaluating Usage and Impact of Networked Electronic Resources through Point-of-Use Surveys: A MINES for Libraries™ Study

This article presents a literature review of methods for evaluating serials, or networked electronic resources, usage, and focuses on point-of-use intercept Web surveys. In the context of the MINES for Libraries protocol administered by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and derived from the indirect cost study methodologies developed by Franklin and Plum, the article discusses a variety of point-of-use Web survey implementation methodologies used in libraries. It discusses sampling plan options and articulates issues related to the mandatory and optional versions of the point-of-use Web survey protocols with an emphasis on nonresponse bias. The article provides a set of methods that libraries can use to continue to evaluate their networked electronic services in innovative ways to better serve the research, teaching, and learning needs of their users.     

Australian Scholarly Journals

A sample of Australian journals in the natural and social sciences has been analysed with regard to their editorial procedures, costs, revenues, marketing, production methods and general well-being. The analysis shows that many scholarly journals have problems with management, marketing and distribution, and do not cover their costs. Most journals are increasingly subsidized by members of their parent societies or from other sources, and their longer-term future is unclear. The separation in most societies of the editing function from the policy and financial functions is thought to contribute to this situation, which in many cases is simply not yet recognized by those closest to it.