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The adoption of an e-first or e-preferred strategy in academic libraries has become increasingly important due to digital advances in scholarly communication. This paper analyses the opportunities and challenges of an e-preferred strategy for academic libraries, particularly in electronic monographs (e-books). The diversity of the e-book market in terms of platforms, licensing models and DRM is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mit Blick auf das Jahr 2040 stellt der Beitrag die Auswirkungen der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) auf die Bibliotheken dar. Mit der zunehmenden Fähigkeit von Algorithmen, Texte zu generieren, könnten Maschinen in der Lage sein, ganze Bibliotheken zu lesen und auf individuelle Bedürfnisse zugeschnittene Fragen in natürlicher Sprache zu beantworten. Dies könnte dazu führen, dass Informationskompetenz und der Rückgriff auf (veraltete) Bücher für die Nutzer gleichermaßen verzichtbar wird. Dieses Szenario stellt jedoch eine dystopische Zukunft für die institutionelle Informationsversorgung durch Bibliotheken dar; es wird davor gewarnt, zu pessimistisch zu sein. Vielmehr muss festgestellt werden, dass frühere Prognosen über die Auswirkungen der Technologie auf die Bibliotheken falsch waren. Dementsprechend sollte die Zukunft der Bibliotheken nicht in einem aussichtslosen Kampf gegen digitale Trends gesehen werden. Stattdessen sollten sich Bibliotheken an das sich verändernde Umfeld anpassen, indem sie ihre Rolle als Lern- und Wissensinstitutionen neu definieren, die Differenzierungswirkung der digitalen Transformation in den Blick nehmen und sich die Frage stellen, wie das Analoge sich im digitalen Umfeld verändert bzw. wie eine sachgerechte institutionelle Antwort auf diese Veränderung aussehen kann. Looking ahead to 2040, the paper outlines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on libraries. As algorithms become more capable of generating text, machines could be able to read entire libraries and answer questions tailored to individual needs in natural language. This could make information literacy and reliance on (outdated) books less important for users. However, this scenario represents a dystopian future for institutional information provision by libraries; it is important not to be too pessimistic. Rather, it should be noted that previous predictions about the impact of technology on libraries have been wrong. Accordingly, the future of libraries should not be seen as a hopeless battle against digital trends. Instead, libraries should adapt to the changing environment by redefining their role as institutions of learning and knowledge, looking at the differentiating effects of digital transformation, and asking themselves how the analogue is changing in the digital environment, or what an appropriate institutional response to this change might look like. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with podcasting in the context of the librarian domain. After a more overall look at the phenomenon of podcasts, it also takes a more practical approach by a recount of the authors work on the research library podcast of the Library of the University of Vienna, as part of his final assignment of the library and information studies programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents selected results of two online surveys conducted at academic libraries in North Rhine-Westphalia in August and September 2012. The focus of the survey conducted among the library directors was on the significance of imparting information literacy with regard to the strategic development of the respective library's profile. Additionally, academic library educators were asked about specific practical needs and desiderata. The results of both surveys provide starting points for a greater focus on information literacy in the library training, especially concerning the didactic skills of future librarians. Furthermore, the results give impetus to specific issues of library continuing education and training. Eventually, suggestions for structural changes in the libraries with regard to institutionalisation and functional differentiation can be obtained from the survey results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyse and compare the opening hours of 50 randomly selected university libraries in Austria, Germany, Canada and the USA. Thus we want to answer five concrete questions concerning opening hours, such as ''Is there a correlation between opening hours and size of a library?'' The study reveals for example that larger libraries have extended opening hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the concept of new learning spaces in academic libraries in the UK and how they are designed. The different grids at the University of Warwick are examples for a new trend of developing specific services for different user groups. The architects focused in their design on physical flexibility, newest information technology and contemporary design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching information literacy is one of the main tasks of subject librarians at University of Tartu Library. The paper discusses the models of teaching information literacy at University of Tartu. The library developed a general e-learning course „Fundamentals of information literacy", which is offered at the university as an optional subject. The conception of the course as well as the study process will be presented. Subject librarians offer discipline-specific online courses which are taught as a part of some subjects and are compulsory for students. For doctoral students the library offers an online elective course „Introduction to information research". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the stations of a study tour to selected US American libraries which give particular attention to their special collections and whose special collections contribute to their distinctive image. Of particular interest was the question of what German libraries can learn with regard to practice and strategy related to their special collections. The authors visited among other libraries the New York Public Library, the Pierpont Morgan Library, the Yale University Library with the Beinecke Library and the Harvard College Library with the Houghton Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For planning library conservation measures like mass deacidification, microfilming or digitalisation in acidic book collections, it is nessessary to carry out a damage survey first. This survey should, on the one hand, make it possible to assess the extent of the damage and the suitability of the books for certain kinds of preservation, and on the other hand give direct access to the individual damaged book. With the Göttingen State and University Library as an example, it will be examined if and how a damage survey could be carried out in principle. For this a model is outlined as to how such a damage survey could be carried out. It is discussed if an item-by-item survey or a sample is more suitable, and a damage questionnaire is presented. Furthermore, the paper indicates how the questionnaire can be transformed into a database. Finally the possible course of the survey including preparations and evaluations is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]