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In the past, a member of the public could access an academic library's collection simply by visiting the library in person and browsing the shelves. However, now that online resources are prevalent and represent the majority of collections budgets and current collections, public access has become more complicated. In Canadian academic libraries, licences negotiated for online resources generally allow on-site access for walk-in users; however, access is not granted uniformly across libraries. The goal of this study was to understand whether members of the public are indeed able to access online resources in major Canadian university libraries, whether access to supporting tools is offered, how access is provided, and whether access is monitored or promoted. The study used an online survey that targeted librarians responsible for user services at Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) member libraries. The survey results indicated that some level of free access to digital resources was provided to walk-in users at 90% of libraries for which a survey response was received. However, limitations in methods and modes of access and availability of supporting resources, such as software and printing, varied between the institutions. The study also found that most libraries did not actively promote or monitor non-affiliated user access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library date due slips can potentially contain personal information (e.g., names) that compromises patron privacy. A survey was conducted of fifty-five Canadian English-language public library systems to determine what information is being printed on date due slips. While it was discovered that personal information was sometimes included, it was most often in the form of the borrower’s library card number, an almost anonymous identifier. The most commonly included information related to library services, such as the name of the library, the titles of items borrowed, and the due date. Respondents cited patron privacy as the main reason for not including personal patron information. It appears that Canadian public libraries are aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality in regard to library user records, at least in terms of the content of date due slips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public libraries can, and should, challenge and aid their users in being more informed about the world and their place in it. This process is supported by collections that not only introduce new knowledge and ideas but also reflect back to the user their life in a realistic and affirming way. This paper will outline some of the arguments for developing a core collection of work for, and about, Aboriginal women in Canada that explores and celebrates the diversity and complexity of Aboriginal women's lives. In addition, this paper will suggest some criteria and selection sources critical to ensuring that this collection reflects the well established strength of the scholarship and creativity in this area, while highlighting the emerging trends in research, publishing, film and music. . In an attempt to keep the paper focused and succinct, international material (except from the United States) that would be of significance and interest to Canadian Aboriginal women has been excluded. For this paper, Aboriginal women in Canada includes any woman who self identifies or has been identified as First Nation, Inuit Metis, Native or Indian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Statement of Diversity and Inclusion adopted by the Canadian Library Association in February 2008. It is said that the statement directly references the CLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom and serves as an umbrella for other pre-existing statements. It recommends that librarians value Canada as a pluralistic society and directs librarians to identify diversity and work towards inclusion of all Canadians, as well as to assure patrons can enjoy services free from any attempts by others to enforce values, customs or beliefs.

The article reports on the International Evidence-Based Librarianship conference held in Brisbane between October 16-19, 2005. Nearly 200 participants attended the conference, from many countries around the world. The Great Britain, Canada, U.S., Australia and New Zealand were all represented, with a very stimulating mix of practitioners and researchers/academics. The focus was on developments in evidence: linking research with practice. A range of workshops and presentations throughout the event elicited much greater interaction and questioning than generally occurs in U.S. conferences. At the conference a \vide range of research projects in library and information science were reported and discussed. During the conference the emphasis was led on the point that libraries have a very active interest in understanding what their users needs are, what services they should be delivering and how they should be developing their services to better meet these needs. Workshops included case studies of generalised library activities and services to develop research questions which were not limited to the health sectors.

Reclassification was a popular trend during the 1960s and 1970s for many academic libraries wanting to change from Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) to Library of Congress (LC) Classification. In 2002, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's Morris Library changed from DDC to LC. If one academic library recently converted, might other DDC academic libraries consider switching, too? Conversely, for those academic libraries that remain with DDC, what are the reasons they continue with it? A survey of thirty-four DDC academic libraries in the United States and Canada determined what factors influence these libraries to continue using DDC, and if reclassification is something they have considered or are considering. The survey also investigated whether patrons of these DDC libraries prefer LC and if their preference influences the library's decision to reclassify. Results from the survey indicate that the issue of reclassification is being considered by some of these libraries even though, overall, they are satisfied with DDC. The study was unable to determine if patrons' preference for a classification scheme influenced a library's decision to reclassify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A user-focused design approach was taken to develop a new "live reference" service at the Health Sciences Library, University of Saskatchewan. The name of the service, the placement of the links, and the design of a graphical button were seen as key elements in creating service awareness and its subsequent use. Methods: To ensure library users recognized and understood the label for the new service, selected library users were given an opportunity to choose a phrase that would best describe the service. The top two preferred phrases were then placed on the library Web pages as text and graphic images for further testing. Some pages had links in multiple locations to determine which placement worked best. Task-based usability testing was carried out with participants who were unaware of the new service. Participants were observed as they completed seven Website tasks arranged in increasing levels of difficulty to see whether they would notice the live reference service and seek assistance. Results: The high level of recognition and use of the service indicate that the label name and link placement were effective with library Website users. Conclusions: Using user-centered design methodology helped ensure that the new live reference service was visible and used and demonstrated the effectiveness of the user-centered design approach for adding new services to an existing Website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]