Search

The article looks at the work of library science scholar John Carlo Bertot, outgoing editor of "Library Quarterly." It focuses on his work in assessing public libraries' Internet connectivity and engaging in a range of efforts to promote Internet use and digital access for the public through libraries. Topics include the 1990s Maryland state library network called Sailor and partnerships between libraries and related entities at the local, state, and national level in the U.S.

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, yet few Americans test their homes for radon, particularly in rural areas. The academic team and community partners engaged the public library systems in four rural counties to offer digital radon detectors for check-out as a means of increasing the public's access to free radon testing. The check-out procedures and instructional materials were created through an iterative process, and library personnel were educated on radon and home radon testing prior to launching the lending program. Library patrons reported high usability, feasibility, and acceptability of the program. Library patron-staff interactions mainly included discussions about the logistics of radon testing. Given that public libraries are invested in making communities thrive and promoting health, providing library lending programs for radon detectors is a novel, feasible, and acceptable way to reduce the risk of lung cancer in the community. • The radon detector library loan program was designed and evaluated using citizen science methods. • The radon detector library loan program was usable, feasible and acceptable to library patrons. • Library patrons were appreciative of having access to radon detector kits at no cost. • Public libraries can serve as partners to promote the health of communities. • Radon detector loan programs are innovative and attract community members who may not have otherwise utilized the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of an absence of dialogue, a tense relationship appears to exist between Wisconsin's gay men's book discussion groups and their local public libraries. Public library directors express interest in accommodating these groups if approached but face budget restrictions and local communities that may oppose these gatherings; gay men's book clubs prefer meeting in private homes and other openly gay-friendly environments largely because of the conservatism of cultural institutions in their collective memories. This qualitative study argues that, with consistent dialogues, gay discussion groups can help public libraries achieve their missions of diversifying their patrons, collections, and services, and that public libraries can assist gay communities with establishing themselves in the city or county's history by hosting visible public discussions of gay texts as markers of an entire community's cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon findings from a national survey of U.S. public libraries, this paper examines trends in Internet and public computing access in public libraries across states from 2004 to 2006. Based on library-supplied information about levels and types of Internet and public computing access, the authors offer insights into the network-based content and services that public libraries provide. Examining data from 2004 to 2006 reveals trends and accomplishments in certain states and geographic regions. This paper details and discusses the data, identifies and analyzes issues related to Internet access, and suggests areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief historical overview of the library instruction scene in the United States and Canada, an analysis of library instruction conference themes, and the identification of perceptions of librarians attending the LOEX, WILU, and LOEX of the West conferences in 2000 and 2001 reveal that the border may be responsible for significant differences between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of a survey of library users at Pennsylvania's Penn State University following the introduction of free laser printing. Tendency of students' printing to focus on their curricular needs; Sensitivity to the issue of wasteful printing; Willingness to pay for printing.

The article focuses on the user's experience of pertaining electronic resources available at libraries in U.S. Topics include locating the desired content to view inconsistency in the e-resource journey; designing the user interface with its focus on identifying, locating, and accessing desired content; and attempting to assess the e-resources for contracts at the trial phase and involving library staff. Author also mention efforts to improve the user experience for e-resource librarians.

The article contains news briefs of interest to librarians. An evaluation of the fifty worst inventions selected by "Time" magazine and their relevance to libraries and library services are presented. The influence of caregivers in the U.S. as a distinct user group is discussed. The social media web site Twitter processed 2 billion tweets per month beginning in May 2010.

The article reports on the role of library and information science professor in providing consumer health information in the U.S. It states that information professionals offers people with rigorous empirical research as well as patient information based on research using tools to which people are accustomed. The library users can create their own sense of authority about the health-related collection and inform the collection development decisions through reviewing the records periodically. They are also incharge of explaining the positive and negative side of social networks to maintain a sense of balance when recommending health-related resources.

Academic libraries have developed a wide range of emergency preparedness policies, procedures, and training programs. Libraries have traditionally focused on the recovery of collections after an emergency. Risk assessment has focused on collections, largely as an outgrowth of valuation for insurance purposes and the core responsibility of libraries to safeguard collections. Risk assessment has rarely been systematically applied to personal safety and security. There is an anecdotal sense that urban academic libraries are subject to higher risk from property and violent crime than other academic libraries. This study examines the level of risk of property and violent crime using Clery Act data and Uniform Crime Report data, distinguishing between urban and less-urban academic environments and comparing crime rates in academic environments with the general crime rates. It provides a model for risk assessment and for the prioritization of prevention and preparedness initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of a survey on the impact of the economic recession on access services of libraries in the U.S. in 2009. The survey received over 100 responses. It enumerated the economic problems that affected libraries, including the ability to purchase requested materials, reduction of hours and reduction of services. It also identified the positive impact of the recession on library services, including higher circulation as patrons use free resources and increased use of interlibrary loans (ILL).

The article presents the 2008 Guidelines for Library and Information Services to Older Adults. The guidelines were established by the American Library Association with the help of current and past members of the Committee on Library Service to an Aging Population and the Office of Literacy and Outreach Services Library Service to the Aging Subcommittee. The guidelines provides information on how to collect data about the older population and create programs aimed at their needs, how to incorporate the special needs and interests of older people into library services and how to make library facilities safe for this population segment.

The article reports on the need of librarians to focus library services to senior population in the U.S. It is said that librarians must emotionally and professionally understand how to help their elderly patrons. It is also stated that the influx of senior citizens into the library system alone must justify the creation of more librarian jobs aimed at information retrieval for seniors. The primary reason for high library use among seniors is retirement with its often endless stretches of free time.

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) serves a dispersed patron base, and its library has developed, over time, a circulation system for distributing physical research materials to its patrons throughout the United States. This article discusses the development of this system and its associated interface/database management system which links the disparate databases necessary for the processing and shipping of materials. Using the Object Oriented Programming language (OOP) Java, Unified Modeling Language (UML) and interface design techniques, a project team redesigned workflows, created a federated interface that is easy to use and streamlined the distance education circulation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the guidelines for library services to Spanish-speaking library users in the U.S. Factors such as nationality, regional differences and culture can increase the complexity of library services to Spanish-speaking users. Spanish-speaking communities in the country have different language skills and competencies in English and Spanish. Selection of Spanish language materials should follow the procedures for collection development. In order to understand the composition and needs of the target populations, create a profile of the Spanish-speaking communities the library intends to serve.

American libraries currently face a dramatic shift in how they are perceived, both by the public and by lawmakers. In order to preserve the traditional values observed by librarians, such as patron privacy and access to information, libraries must also preserve the traditional associations that have defined them. The value of libraries has been undermined by the threat of terrorism and the subsequent political pressure to find blame for the terrorist attacks. Librarians must choose whether or not to stick to the traditional library brand, or evolve and market libraries as something else. Without public support, definitions will not change easily. The American public still views the library as a place to read and find books, and this definition must prevail for libraries to retain their relevance in American life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to provide a business plan for libraries to offer profitable passport services to patrons. Design/methodology/approach - Gives an overview of demographic, financial, and management profiles of California libraries that offer passport services. Presents a plan for introducing passport service in two California libraries. Findings - Current political and demographic environments for the two libraries make the introduction of passport services a potentially lucrative opportunity. Research limitations/implications - Little to no correlation was found between patron demographics of libraries currently offering passport services and the amount of revenue the services produce. Practical implications - Passport services may provide libraries a simple but effective way to supplement their budgets. Originality/value - Suggests an innovative way for libraries to increase relevance to patrons through services as well as create a stable funding source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the opinion of Deanna Marcum, associate librarian of the Library Congress, on the condition of cataloging and function of catalog managers in the U.S. In a speech she delivered in a leadership seminar, she conveyed that a large amount of budget is allocated every year for the development of library catalogs in the country. Several studies on library cataloging and classification are briefly discussed to support her proposition about the dramatic changes in the behavior of library users in searching for information.

Libraries are a symbol of a free, democratic society. Open access to information and patron privacy allow intellectual inquiry and the creation of new knowledge. Librarians have a long tradition of protecting these liberties. In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, concerns have been raised that the passage of the USA Patriot Act and other anti-terrorism measures threaten these liberties. Librarians need to educate staff, users, and their communities as to the impact these measures have on libraries and access to information. Policies, procedures, and guidelines need to be developed that balance the traditions of intellectual freedom and issues of national security. This article examines access to government information issues and threats to patron privacy and confidentiality of patron records resulting from the passage of the USA Patriot Act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

The article discusses advantages and disadvantages of common young adult (YA) models of service in public libraries in the United States. A survey of service models showed that eleven percent of all public libraries had the specific YA specialist title which was related to the size of those libraries as measured by the number of patrons per week. A service desk is important because it symbolizes the place where service may be expected on site. Young adults prefer licensed, full-text online databases accessible in the library or at home.

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]

The article presents the text of a keynote address by Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) director Kate F. Nevins delivered at the General Session of the 2002 Conference of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL) held at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee in which she discussed technology in libraries, the three phases of information technology (IT) and practical steps for librarians that can be used in serving their library users in the future.

Evaluates the library surveys of Internet users at Seton Hall University. Importance of the Internet in library services; Role of librarians in teaching Internet searching; Factors affecting satisfaction among library users.

Provides information on a study which examined the perception of users in North America on library service quality using the LibQUAL+ instrument. Problem statement; Methodology; Participants in the study; Role of the library Web page; Conclusion.

Provides information on a study which examined user needs, satisfaction, and performance of the University of Washington Libraries in Seattle. Details on library user surveys; Methodology and design of the user survey; Results of the survey.

The article offers information on the modern online public access catalog (OPAC) which is available on the Internet through WorldCat in the U.S. As stated, modern OPAC improves on previous catalogs with enhanced search capabilities and is accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. In addition, WorldCat.org offers an interface that displays search results that guide users to the nearest library that holds the item in question, thus allowing the user to find the quickest way of obtaining the item from a library.

The article reports on the significance of using library catalogs in the U.S. As stated, library catalogs help patrons become better searchers. They also identify errors, evaluate the needs of patrons and provides alternative search strategies that yield additional and higher quality information. It also make the search process more interactive. Catalogs could also list a few books from similar subject headings, nearby call numbers or even commonly checked out library materials. In addition, catalogs can adapt faster to the changing needs of patrons.

The article provides information regarding the informal history of digital reference in the U.S. The author infers that the first digital reference transaction is sadly lost to the midst of digital time. Depending on one's definition, the author adds that it was more than likely a one-off message , sent to some library that had early email capability from a user who taught of firing off a question to a librarian on a whim. Several complicated and occasionally frustrating issues arose as services grew and developed and took form.

The article offers a report relating to the Oregon Digital Library Consortium. The section discusses how and why the association was formed, how it functions, and how it represents the libraries in the community. It provides informations about the public libraries of Oregon meeting during the Oregon Library Association conference, were they discuss the idea of combining resources to provide downloadable audio books to public library patrons in Oregon. It also reflects on several problems being experienced by the Oregon Digital Library Reserve since the opening of the Library 2 Go technological community.