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This article is written by Marci Wicker, a Public Services Law Librarian and Assistant Professor of at the University of Mississippi School of Law. She holds a JD from the University of Mississippi, is a Registered Nurse, and will soon have an MA in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi. This article explores a case study that highlights how the Grisham Law School Library actively cultivates academic exploration and safeguards the intellectual freedoms of its patrons, encompassing both students and faculty. This commitment is particularly pronounced against the historical backdrop of civil rights challenges in Mississippi and the University of Mississippi, exemplified by the 1962 riot. In negotiating these historical intricacies, the library adopts a nuanced approach, transparently acknowledging the past without causing undue distress. Through meticulous archival and collections scrutiny, bolstered by educational initiatives and collaborative endeavors, the library not only underscores its enduring consistency but also demonstrates remarkable resilience as the flagship law school and law library in Mississippi. The Grisham Law School Library, striking a delicate balance between historical awareness and forward-thinking initiatives, emerges as a beacon of adaptability, dedicated to preserving legacies and nurturing learning for the benefit of both current and future legal scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of implementing a peer greeter service point on increasing library use and decreasing library anxiety at a busy academic library. Researchers analyzed service point interaction data and conducted focus groups with both library student employees and students from the general student population in order to understand the impact of the peer greeter service point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is written by Mari Cheney, Assistant Director, Research and Instruction at Boley Law Library, Lewis & Clark Law School. She holds a MLIS from the University of Washington and a JD from American University, Washington College of Law. This article enumerates challenges that hearing-impaired law library patrons may encounter when using the library and its resources, and ways academic librarians can increase accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citation management programs are tools used to organize references and to create citations and bibliographies. Libraries are often the central point for providing training and support in using these tools. To determine how we could improve our support and training services, we surveyed users to determine what software in being used, why they chose that particular program, what features are important, and how they use citation management programs to collaborate. Results indicate that users chose a particular program because it was freely available or recommended to them by others and that they thought that importing references and creating citations were important features. We also found a majority of respondents used citation management programs to collaborate and turned to the library for training and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Column description.TheTechnologycolumn examines current and developing technology topics in libraries. The column’s focus is creative uses of technology, introductions to new technologies, and critiques of current technologies, their uses, or their future. Readers interested in contributing ideas or writings to this column may contact column co-editors Suzanne Townsdin and Susan Whitmer. The rising popularity of augmented reality (AR) was punctuated by the Pokémon Go craze of 2016. Individuals of all ages were glued to their phones, attempting to catch creatures that displayed on their phone but were not physically in front of them. There are free and low-cost applications that libraries can use to harness the magic and create their own AR content to enhance library usability and marketing. This column explores the history of AR, explains how it works, and provides some examples of how librarians can use it to market their services and provide additional assistance to library users. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Column description. Special Libraries, Special Challengesis a column dedicated to exploring the unique public services challenges that arise in libraries that specialize in a particular subject, such as law, medicine, business, and so forth. In each column, the author will discuss public service dilemmas and solutions that arise specifically patentin special libraries or subject-matter librarians interested in authoring a piece for this column are invited to contact the Column Editor, Ilana Stonebraker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study on the impact of 3D printing services on stakeholders of the Frisco Public Library. It mentions the concerns of intellectual property and 3D printed weapons for 3D printing in libraries, It also states the effect of 3D printing services on library users and library staffs. It highlights the challenges of printing restrictions and fair use of the printing services.

Service blueprinting is a process that businesses use for analyzing and improving service. Originally presented in theHarvard Business Reviewin 1984, it has retained a strong following ever since. At present, it is experiencing a revival at numerous academic institutions. The authors of this article present the process of service blueprinting. They illustrate it with an example that will be familiar to a range of librarians at academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Signage is an essential way of communicating with users and is a vital way to alert patrons to important information, news, upcoming events, policies, and directions. Literature on library signage has emphasized the importance of consistency and clarity, to avoid clutter and contradictory messaging, and the need for buy-in from library staff, faculty and patrons. However, few scholarly studies address user preferences in signage. This article fills the void between theory and practice, and offers step-by-step details for revamping signage, specifically in an academic library. At the heart of the authors' thesis is that library signs are living documents. Libraries are always in the process of reinventing themselves, and library signage must adapt to the constant movement of a library “in motion.” If properly designed and well placed, library signage should help create a meaningful experience for its patrons. This study is a follow-up to the article, “Do You See the Signs?: Evaluating Language, Branding, and Design in a Library Signage Audit,” which outlined the first stage of the authors' signage redesign project. This article addresses the implementation of new signage, which includes developing best practices, a signage policy, gaining departmental buy-in, developing a signage map, and creating new signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses special libraries to distribute social media duties for increased success by aligning it with existing duties. Topics discussed include 72 percent of online adults are social networking site users, special libraries should consider having a distributed social media strategy, and participating fully in social media as a special library means listening to the patrons, and other organizations. Other topics discussed include presence on social media attracts comments.

The article discusses the idea of personal information about a library patron being available to others. Topics discussed include ambiguity about meaning, ubiquitous information technologies, and demands for improved efficiency, and libraries have faced the challenge of managing patron confidentiality, and librarians serve as the custodians of patron privacy. Other topics discussed include citation of the book "Privacy in the 21st Century: Issues for Public, School and Academic Libraries".

The article focuses on geospatial services and discusses the role of geographic information systems (GIS) in information management and visualization. It mentions about the adoption of GIS by libraries as a new avenue to grow their specialized services. It states that the implementation of geospatial services requires purchasing and maintenance of servers, hiring new personnel such as GIS Librarians and application developers and time spent troubleshooting and educating users. It provides guidance to librarians interested in the incorporation of geospatial services into their special libraries.

Libraries are constantly challenged to find ways to demonstrate their value to their institutions. Can hosting a National Library of Medicine (NLM) exhibition increase a library's impact? In 2012 the University of Toledo engaged their constituents by hosting and developing programming for the NLM exhibit Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine. The process is synthesized into five stages: choosing, visioning, finding allies, budgeting, and marketing. Recommended practices for each stage are presented. Measures of impact (attendance, views, tweets, feedback) are discussed. Author concludes that hosting NLM exhibitions can be cost effective ways to advance a library's mission, improve visibility and user's perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the usability testing at the Alden Library at the Ohio University and its future with the use of different type of usability testing software. It says that usability testing provides valuable knowledge on how users interact in website that can be used to enhance the overall experience of library user. It consists of several qualitative and quantitative research methods including focus groups, surveys, and expert review. It also mentions that library users are being tested as to whether the product, particularly the website satisfies the intended goals with efficiency and ease.

Librarians who provide virtual reference services often perceive that their patrons self-identify to some degree, even when transactions are anonymous. They also develop a sense of patrons' greatest research-related needs over time. In this article, two librarians analyze two years' worth of virtual reference transcripts to determine what patrons actually disclose about their identities and their needs. The authors discuss the benefits of both preserving anonymity and perceiving needs and identity. The authors also suggest a framework and methodology that other librarians may use to perform similar investigations at their libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines how librarians may relate video game choice to how students conduct research to add value to common cultural experiences and interests. Video games are said to provide a strong model for the information literacy process, a modeling process that makes games a strong analogy for all libraries to use with students and library patrons. Librarians are advised to use players' experiences with social-driven games on the Facebook site, which require persistence in order to succeed, in discussing research habits.

As learners and information users are changing, so must library services. Meeting user needs and expectations is a priority within the academic library experience. Embracing a proactive approach to library service is necessary in order to be successful and relevant in the academic environment. Breaking out of the stereotypical librarian mold, this profile of one academic library's embedded librarian program can offer insight into a tiered strategy targeting the campus, department, and classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights research on the causes, effects, and means of reducing library anxiety in academic library users. In Heather Carlile's article "The Implication of Library Anxiety for Academic Reference Services: A Review of the Literature," published in an issue of "Australian Academic and Research Libraries," she gives an overview of the topic and recommends the application of library anxiety literature for reference services. In Constance Mellon's article "Library Anxiety: A Grounded Theory and Its Development," printed in an issue of "College and Reseach Libraries," she analyzes the students' writings regarding their hard experiences using the library and explains that personal contact with librarian will reduce library anxiety.

This article aims to uncover the practicalities that lie behind the use of 2.0 technologies by libraries. It warns about the utilization of attractive technologies by libraries. It suggests to consider criteria for selecting a library technology. It reminds about the impact of fundamental uniqueness of user, library and institutional cultures on the selection process. It also notes the emergence of uncertainty due the presence of too many choices. In addition, the article offers ideas for using a culture of meta to streamline the messier aspects of managing multiple identities associated with experimentation.

This article looks at the components of library marketing. It discusses the areas covered by library marketing, including improvements in the library's image as an organization and libraries as a welcoming place for patrons. It indicates the importance of developing a connection with users. It also explains how circulation can be a viable part of effective marketing. In addition, the article examines the utilization of Web 2.0 technologies by libraries to improve communication with students and library users.

Special Libraries, Special Challenges is a new column dedicated to exploring the unique public services challenges that arise in libraries that specialize in a particular subject, such as law, medicine, business, and so forth. In each column, the author will discuss public service dilemmas and solutions that arise specifically in given subject libraries, while drawing links to how such issues affect librarianship in general. Special or subject-matter librarians interested in authoring a piece for this column are invited to contact Tammy R. Pettinato at pettinato@law.ucla.edu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposals for guest columns should be sent to Elizabeth Breakstone, Technology Column Editor, Public Services Quarterly , John E. Jaqua Law Library, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403 (ebreak@uoregon.edu). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the issue of branding in library marketing. It states that branding provides libraries the opportunity to break from the old stereotypical image and present a new robust representation, and allows libraries to shape a more positive image in connection with the materials they provide. It stresses the importance of defining the library's image to the branding process. It cites the other components of the branding process, including logos, slogans and promotional identifying characteristics. According to the article, branding can provide libraries a mechanism to inform patrons and let them know that the access to Web content has been provided by the library.

The article presents a review of several articles that stress what is best for the library user. In "Conduciveness to Scholarship: The Essence of Academic Library as Place," the authors survey and research the faculty on the University of Oklahoma in Norman to decipher their use of the library's physical space. The article "Finding Information in a New Landscape: Developing New Service and Staffing Models for Mediated Information Services," the authors include the survey they used to improve services, data supporting the changes they made and the cost data spreadsheet. The study "User Preferences in References Services: Virtual Reference and Academic Libraries" addresses user preferences for potentially competing methods or technologies for obtaining reference assistance.

The article examines technologies used to provide library patrons with the same kind of success in finding information as achieved with Google searching. It is recommended to simulate Google, and then move beyond Google. One technology that allows libraries to emulate the "do not make me think" environment provided by Google is federated searching. With this kind of searching, users can access article's indexes, the library's online catalog and locally developed or Web databases all at the same time. Another technology, faceted browsing or search clustering, allows the user to narrow down their search results contextually.

This article reports the results of a survey of cell phone policies in university libraries conducted over a three-month period in 2005. The authors sought information about the libraries' problems regarding cell phone use and attendant noise by students and other library users. The authors began with an 18-question survey of one hundred libraries, with at least one library from every state. When the response was low, the authors expanded their research by looking at every library Web page that had the word ‘University’ in its title. Finally, they contacted several larger libraries that had policies banning cell phone use altogether to see whether they worked. Most respondents found cell phone noise a problem. Most respondents indicated that public service staff and security officers enforced the policies; comments from the original survey were insightful concerning compliance solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's views on reference assessment. The author scrutinizes several articles and case studies examining different areas of reference assessment including librarian behavior, patron satisfaction, virtual reference and evaluation design. These articles include "Evaluating the Quality of a Chat Service," "Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information" and "The Viability of Live Online Reference: An Assessment."

The article presents the author's opinion on the need to popularize the use of the library's reference resources and services. He suggests the implementation of "Inreach," a strategy involving the advertising and promoting of reference resources within the library. This strategy directs librarians to develop a personal relation with library users, by voluntarily offering them the personal attention so that they can express their requirements.

Beginning in July 2002, the Health Sciences Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill underwent an 11 million dollar renovation. During three phases of the renovation, parts of the collection were inaccessible to patrons. In order to continue to make the library's collection available, library staff created a paging system. Patrons submitted requests for needed library materials using paper and electronic forms and library staff retrieved the requested items. The paging service was modified three times based on prior experience. Patrons were generally satisfied with the service. The renovation ended in December 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creative, effective use of a committee can accomplish much toward increasing library outreach to the various constituents served. This article will address the outreach activities of the Georgia State University (GSU) Pullen Library's Communications and Public Relations Committee (C&PR), a library standing committee that has developed into a major contributor for Pullen Library public relations. The communities served by the library's C&PR are defined as GSU students, faculty and staff, and the wider metropolitan community of Atlanta, especially Georgia legislatorsand university and library donors. C&PR has responsibility for a variety of projects and events that serve these communities, such as Leadership Appreciation Night (the event for Georgia Legislators), Faculty Authors Exhibits, and displays for students and staff, such as Freshmen Week and Staff Information Day. This paper will also address the changing role of the committee as needs for public relations activities change in the university and community. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article considers the role of public relations in promoting the relationship of academic libraries with their communities of students, faculty and townspeople. The basis of public relations for academic libraries is providing the community of information related to services it can offer. A key factor to achieving this goal is drafting a public relations plan detailing the target group, library-related resources that they are interested in and the modes of advertisement that will attract them into the library.

A library and media center orientation program was developed for administrators, faculty and support staff after examining their information seeking behaviors, prior research, and demographics of this group. The goal of the orientation was to promote the library's and media center's services and resources; to encourage this user group to make use of them; and to teach the basic skills needed to address their information needs. This article includes a literature review; explanation of the processes involved in creating a library orientation program for this group; and discussion including ideas and thoughts as to where further research about this user group or library orientation programs might be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]