Search

The article cites a study that examines the cultural factors that may lead to plagiarism by English as a second language (ESL) students from Confucian-influenced societies and suggests steps that can be taken to address "cultural plagiarism," hoping to aid students in their transition into a Western educational culture. In an educational culture where texts and authors are revered and it is a sign of arrogance for a student to question the "masters" work, one finds students practicing a "cut and paste" technique to assemble research papers in order to fulfill the ethical obligations of their cultural heritage. The first step is to identify, research, and understand the educational cultures of the ESL students on campus. The second is to incorporate those findings into an institutional policy on plagiarism. The reality of cultural plagiarism on campus is a pressing and on-going issue. As educators in Western theological graduate schools, educators are obligated to their ESL students to provide them with the academic support they need to fulfill their responsibilities to produce academic writing in accordance with the standards of intellectual property of the Western culture.

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to consider replacing two service desks with one. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with his experience of providing library services from a two-story Carnegie library and a multi-desk one-story library to make an argument for a single service desk. Findings – Providing one service point creates a seamless experience for patrons and necessitates teamwork from all service staff – professional and non-professional. Originality/value – Offers a "common-sense" perspective on providing reference and circulation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to reconsider the future value of their paper book collections. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with developing trends to make an argument for supporting paper book collections in the digital age. Findings – The liquidation of Borders Group Inc. provides the public library with an opportunity to market its paper collections to publishers and paper book buyers. Originality/value – The article offers a contrarian perspective on the enduring value physical book collections will play in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage caution when considering plans to migrate from physical materials to e-materials. Design/methodology/approach – The author's argument to encourage caution when considering plans to migrate from physical materials to e-materials is based on published statistics and personal observation. Findings – When considering current usage of e-books in comparison to physical materials, the usage of e-books is statistically insignificant. Originality/value – Offers statistical evidence that e-books will not supplant, now or in the foreseen future, the demand for physical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage annual dramatic visual change. Design/methodology/approach – The author incorporates principles of retail merchandising and his experience in retail grocery to make the argument for annual dramatic visual change. Findings – A recent reset of the children's collection led to increased circulation, improved staff contact with patrons, and a project narrative to share with elected officials. Originality/value – The paper offers anecdotal evidence from a unique experience as a grocery retail clerk that annual dramatic visual change boosts the library's status in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage substantive personal interaction with public library patrons. Design/methodology/approach – The argument for implementing a service model based on personal interaction is presented. Findings – By using the story of a library cat, library staff can replicate a similar emotional bond and loyalty with its patrons. Originality/value – Affectionate animals can teach us a lot about ourselves and help to improve service to library patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]