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Plain Language is writing intended to be easily comprehensible by its intended audience. Used in government, legal, medical, and now educational writing, the primary goals of Plain Language are greater usability and equitable access. Current practices of describing databases to library users prioritizes marketing language and targets an audience of experts. In this article, the authors share applying Plain Language to library database descriptions to make them more understandable to novice undergraduate researchers. In revising the entire database list using Plain Language principles, they identified best practices for database descriptions. Initial usability results from the project are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this case study, the University of Idaho Library describes how advance planning, research, creativity, and collaboration enabled them to reopen to students during the summer of 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic and with reduced staff. By creating staging plans for computer labs and tables, a system for regular cleaning, backup staffing plans, eye-catching signage, quarantine protocols for library materials, and enforcing safety measures, the library was able to continue to provide services while keeping staff and patrons safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research libraries provide a significant portion of the open access materials available on the Internet, and an examination of the efforts of one such library will illustrate the role of these institutions in creating the current information environment. The Virginia Tech University Libraries established the Scholarly Communications Project (SCP) even before the Gopher protocol opened up databases housed at research libraries to librarians with Internet access. The SCP was primarily intended to take advantage of evolving technologies to produce and distribute academic journals without the costs associated with traditional publishing, and that journal archive, the EJournals, is still at the heart of what has become the Digital Library and Archives (DLA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of new technologies, changing librarian roles, and a generation of “digital native” students has led to an increase in noise levels in academic libraries. The authors present a review of the literature on increased noise levels in academic libraries in an attempt to identify best practices for adapting libraries to noise and to assist reference librarians who must confront disruptive patrons. They discuss such practices as zoning libraries, furniture arrangement, written policies, signage, and peer policing for noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facebook is an extremely popular social networking site with college students. Many academic libraries have created their Facebook profiles to reach more users. This article studies the Facebook presence of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions, particularly academic ones. Their Facebook pages are analyzed comprehensively in terms of content, launch time, and popularity. The majority of these libraries maintain at least one Facebook page whose content typically focuses on library events, resource updates, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

College librarians, like all librarians, should be effective advocates for their libraries. Advocating for academic libraries with elected officials is especially important. This article provides information and resources which will assist you in becoming a successful legislative advocate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first in a series of columns intended to report on the progress of the Open Access (OA) movement in scholarly communication, chart the changes OA brings to the methods libraries and library users employ to acquire information, and estimate the value of OA materials for undergraduate library collections. At this point, it is not clear how long commercially published academic journals will be a sine qua non for college libraries. However, it is already obvious that undergraduate instruction can benefit from the scholarship available through Open Access at the same time that our libraries need the budget relief such resources offer. Librarians who work with undergraduates have very good reasons to stay current with the range and quality of OA content as well as with the best means of providing access to that body of scholarship. In addition, faculty teaching undergraduates depend upon librarians to keep them informed about changes in the information environment. With that in mind, “Out in the Open” is an attempt to introduce readers to the people, resources, and trends identified with the rise of Open Access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current focus on libraries as place involves the collaborative needs of library users for features such as movable furniture, group work areas, and amenities such as coffee shops. Additional attention needs to focus on how the technology infrastructure can support collaborative work in academic libraries. The one-user-one-machine setup common in many academic libraries does not do this. A collaborative workstation that is inexpensive and readily assembled is described along with equipment needs and costs. The impact of such a collaborative workstation for both reference work and public use is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a study of academic libraries with sites at MySpace. From a selection of academic libraries with MySpace sites, the author brings to light the most common types of information and styles used to attract and inform patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binghamton University Libraries implemented an IM reference service using the Trillian client to monitor multiple IM accounts at two distinct reference service points. This paper addresses the process and practical considerations of implementing the service including selection of the appropriate software, creation of IM accounts for each service, development of a staffing schedule, and training of reference staff. Also included is an outline of future plans for improving IM services for students and academic library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each fall, the Tunxis Library hosts a party. Usually thematic, sometimes didactic, and always cerebral, the library uses the party to communicate our ‘party line’ to the entire campus community: we are here to snake your life easier. It's particularly effective when delivered at the start of the semester, before the unrelenting rhythm of classes, committee work, and meetings has begun. Showing the campus community that the library is here to support them is our core theme, wrapped in a party context. Our goal is to create a party that jump-starts the fall semester for everyone. In this article, we describe our most recent parties, focusing how we develop, plan, and execute these promotional initiatives, with little money, but plenty of creativity and teamwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Lucy Scribner Library at Skidmore College, we have produced 11 different postcards to promote services and collections. We have discovered the advantages as well as the limitations of using postcards as marketing/instructional/informational tools. There have also been some practical lessons to be learned along the way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A university library implemented a three-pronged marketing action plan to increase library visibility on campus. The plan included a publicity campaign, a formalized liaison program, and a user satisfaction survey. The year-long effort did return library instruction statistics to earlier levels but did not increase reference usage. Several factors are identified as potential causes for its limited success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing ideas and techniques can be found from observing and surveying patrons in your library. The marketing techniques discussed in this article were utilized over a seven-year period at the F. Franklin Moon Library, a small specialized academic library. These affordable, effective, and realistic marketing techniques include a variety of adaptable ideas including surveys, pencils, screen savers, signage, college newspaper columns, and e-mail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penn State University Libraries' Open House is a unique concept in library orientation. Rather than focusing on orienting new and first-year students to print and electronic resources, the event instead addresses students' affective feelings about using the library. A colorful party theme, decorations, and fun activities break down barriers between students and library faculty and staff, and encourage students to return to the library when they need help. This article offers a blueprint for plan- fling and hosting a program like this, discussing the value of this high-touch, user-centered approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A starter set of “rules” is provided as a way of governing patrons' use of cellular phones as a way to further annoy reference librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Library Web site usability testing has become justifiably commonplace; with minimal effort, this kind of assessment can detect design- related problems that are often easily corrected. Yet, extensive limitations of usability testing compromise the value of results. Rather than reflecting patrons' actual library Web site usage patterns, the testing instrument reflects librarians' interpretation of “good” library Web site usage, or “broccoli librarianship.” Furthermore, usability testing instruments in general are biased toward ease of use instead of usefulness, a key distinction in the library sector. Moreover, participants accustomed to Google and other Web search engines tend to weigh results in favor of simplicity and ease of use rather than usefulness. Unfamiliarity with library terminology and limited research skills can also undermine the reliability of usability testing. Effective usability testing requires that participants possess a basic understanding of scholarly research, library language, and the functions of a library Web site. In addition, testing instruments should be carefully constructed to account for usefulness, not just ease of use. Unless these conditions are met, usability testing will be misleading, ineffectual, and counterproductive. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Academic librarians detect a change in traditional-aged college students over the last one or two decades. Characteristics of students belonging to Generations X and Y suggest a postmodern condition exists that influences these library users. Understanding the postmodern mind-set can help academic public services librarians confront these changes and more effectively assist college students. Characteristics of college students are examined and solutions to dealing with challenges they present are offered. Academic libraries can adjust the methods they use to better serve this population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reviews the literature on outcomes assessment in academic libraries in the 1990s, focusing on performance measures and indicators, outcomes and impacts. More and more, academic libraries are being asked to demonstrate their impact on student learning and faculty research outcomes, and to frame their assessment in relation to the goals and objectives of the parent institution. Librarians need to find ways of measuring outcomes and impacts in relation to inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The ERIC database is available in many free Internet versions, mainly from ERIC clearinghouses. Paying for access to ERIC through a commercial vendor is a decision that needs to be justified by all libraries with finite budgets. This case study attempts to determine the relative merits of the features and functionality of the various free versions of the ERIC database in comparison with one commercial version. Conclusions are shared about decisions reached at one academic library. The conclusion centers on whether libraries can forgo a commercial version of the ERIC database. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The relocation of a small academic library to a new building gave the author an opportunity to reshape the user seating mix. Differences were found in what the library preferred to offer in the way of seating (primarily carrels to control noise) and what the users preferred to use (primarily tables so they could spread out their work or study with others). Recordings of actual user preferences after the move confirmed informal observations and led to a subsequent, more successful adjustment in the seating mix. The findings and methods should be useful for librarians planning to build new facilities or create more effective seating in existing buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fulfilling the ''promise inherent in the student workforce'' (Burrows 1995, 85) must be a collaborative effort involving the Library administration, Circulation staff, Reference librarians, and the students themselves. Advances in library technologies have dramatically changed the way that libraries do business. Just as access to Internet resources has widened the sphere of the Reference librarian, automation has expanded the role of the Circulation desk assistant in filling the information needs of library users. Library policy and training of student desk assistants must reflect the evolving electronic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Over a period of three days in 1995, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg moved its library of 73,000 volumes to a new facility. Careful planning and attention to detail resulted in a successful, economical and relatively stress-free move for the library staff and the campus as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article cites questions from the library survey of the journal "College and Undergraduate Libraries." One question is about the approximation of the number of linear feet of surveys a respondent would have if all past library surveys would be compiled. Respondents are also asked on the other factors that irritated them about library surveys. Other queries include the number of survey follow-up experienced by the respondent, reasons for filling out library surveys and respondents' plan on how to respond to the next library survey.

Academic librarians rely heavily on the Internet and e-mail to perform many of their job duties. This article is both a lighthearted and serious list of 25 things academic librarians can do when they cannot connect to the Internet or their e-mail. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]