Search

This paper considers our library's attempt at applying a 'laissez-faire leadership' model to technical committee work. Since its introduction in the 1990s, scholarship on laissez- faire leadership has historically viewed the concept very negatively. However, we argue here that many of these perspectives are straw man arguments that do not adequately consider the possibilities of a laissezfaire model. Following some dissenting voices in the literature, we would like to reclaim the laissezfaire model as a way to facilitate library technical work under certain very specific circumstances. This paper will describe the organizational context where these laissez-faire methods worked for us. Our conclusion is that this approach can promote autonomy, responsibility, and productivity. We feel that this reevaluation of this concept can provide an important framework for self-organization when doing technical work., INTRODUCTION In 2021, the Kingsborough Community College Library undertook a major rebuild of the library's website (https://library.kbcc.cuny.edu). This paper focuses on the workflows and theoretical commitments that made this work [...]

Author(s): Jared M. Rhoads [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.414049.c, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, , Hanover, NH, USA It is important for university campuses to foster [...]

This article describes a case study in which a small team from the digital initiatives group and metadata services department at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) Libraries conducted a pilot of the Scrum project management framework. The pilot team organized digital initiatives work into short, fixed intervals called sprints--a key component of Scrum. Working for more than a year in the modified framework yielded significant improvements to digital collection work, including increased production of digital objects and surrogate records, accelerated publication of digital collections, and an increase in the number of concurrent projects. Adoption of sprints has improved communication and cooperation between participants, reinforced teamwork, and enhanced their ability to adapt to shifting priorities., INTRODUCTION Libraries in recent years have freely adapted methodologies from other disciplines in an effort to improve library services. For example, librarians have * employed usability testing techniques to enhance [...]

The research purpose was to learn about existing joint use public-academic libraries in Canada including their establishment, structure, benefits, and challenges and to determine the requirements for successful partnerships. Following a literature review, a short survey was conducted to gather data on the number, location, and types of public-academic library partnerships. In-depth telephone interviews were then held with key personnel from joint use libraries to learn more about the libraries and the nature of the partnerships. The research surfaced three unique examples of joint use public-academic libraries. In addition, key requirements for successful partnerships that were posited through the literature review were supported by the research data - commitment, a shared vision, and a need that requires fulfillment. Possible limitations of the research are the initial survey's reliance on responses from academic library directors and the survey timing. There is limited information about partnerships between Canadian public and academic libraries and no single document that brings together data on partnerships across Canada. With this study, public and academic libraries will learn of successful joint use Canadian public-academic libraries along with the key requirements for sustainable partnerships. Keywords: Partnerships; Public libraries; Academic libraries; Joint use libraries; Collaboration, Introduction While Canadian joint use public-school libraries are well established and documented, there is limited documentation on similar partnerships between Canadian public and academic libraries. This notable disparity led to [...]

This article describes the selection of a web content management system (CMS) at the Ohio State University Libraries. The author outlines the need for a CMS, describes the system requirements [...]

1. What is information literacy and why is it important for African studies? Today's information environment for African studies, as in other areas, is vastly different from what it was [...]

Abstract For numerous reasons, libraries contemplating the purchase of a web scale discovery service should very carefully complete their homework. The following set of questions can serve as a primer [...]

Abstract Ebsco Discovery Services (EDS) represents the first of the trio of web scale discovery services debuting in 2010. Built off the established EBSCOhost platform, EDS extends the platform into [...]

Abstract Web scale discovery services for the library environment have the capacity to more easily connect researchers with the library's vast information repository. This includes locally held and hosted content [...]

The Information Commons at the University of Calgary (http://library.ucalgary.ca/infocommons) is a 42,000 [ft.sup.2] facility on the 2nd floor of the main library building. It is an integrated service facility that provides both technical and library assistance. In this article, the author describes the main features of the planning process, the services and staffing, and highlights the collaborative partnerships which have developed over time. The next steps for the commons will be towards establishing new services, programs and partnerships in the Learning Commons in the new Taylor Family Digital Library, set to open in 2010. KEYWORDS collaboration, learning support, University of Calgary DOI: 10.1080/01930820903455008

This article describes the new Information Commons building at the University of Sheffield, which opened in 2007 as a joint project between the university library and the university's information technology services department. The building is described from architectural and operational viewpoints, and the planning processes that led to its construction are outlined. The impact of the Information Commons is assessed and some potential lessons for others considering similar projects are explored. KEYWORDS architecture, Information Commons, learning space, library DOI: 10.1080/01930820903455040

This article describes the genesis of Vanderbilt University's Peabody Academic Library Leadership Institute as an outcome of a particular philosopby. That philosophy is based on the concept that to fulfill their potential contributions, academic libraries need to direct their planning, resources, and services to support the priorities of their parent institutions. This article addresses the need for campus-focused leadership training; higher education leadership training for academic librarians; and the higher education context for libraries. It describes why Vanderbilt's Peabody College of Education and Human Development initiated a professional development institute for librarians. It describes the institute's history, curriculum, and assessment and explores future directions. KEYWORDS academic libraries, colleges, higher education, leadership, professional development, universities DOI: 10.1080/01930820903396913

The importance of preserving paper-based artifacts for collection management in academic libraries, despite the availability of microfilm and digitization, is emphasized. It is argued that since textual meaning is an interaction between information and physical form, the idea of reformatting texts to abstract information without loss disregards the significance of the text as a medium.

The management of the collections of electronic journals in Argentine private academic libraries is described.

Electronic resource management in academic libraries involves determining which subscriptions to continue, which to end, and which to start each period. This can be modeled as a typical capital budgeting problem, as resources are limited, with the complication that returns are non-financial. This article examines two such models with different objective functions used to 'value' subscriptions given the data available on their usage. The models are tested on data collected from 52 different journals subscribed to by Lehigh University over the past two years. It is believed that models of this type will become more useful as electronic usage data becomes more readily available and standardized., INTRODUCTION As the costs for acquisitions have been rising consistently faster than the increases in budgets, academic libraries are struggling to financially manage their subscriptions of electronic resources, including electronic [...]

This is the final article in a series examining globalisation and the role of Australian librarians in internationalising library, university, and international practice in higher education. It describes case studies of Australian academic libraries in which a successful pattern for internationalisation emerged The conclusions of the research are discussed, and recommendations for practice and further research are offered, Whatever specific characteristics we tend to associate with the concept of 'globalization', it is an expression of 'new geopolitics' in which a control over territory is of lesser importance than [...]

A few of the different ways that libraries are viewed as both institutions and places by a particular Latino population are identified which suggest ambiguous feelings toward libraries and a strong need for some sort of cultural reinforcement. The experiences of the students, as well as of other patrons, can be used to help recreate the library as a more pluralistic space.

Academic libraries in the United States are facing severe reduction in budget and are finding it very difficult to maintain their current collection of materials, meeting capital outlays, staffing needs and maintenance requirements and are looking for alternative, cost-effective ways to deliver information to the public. Six cost models involving the electronic access to journal articles and printed copies of journals to users in an academic environment are illustrated.

Community colleges serve a large and diverse student population. Vendors and community colleges would be well served by smaller database packages with focus on non-traditional studies. Untapped key elements vendors should consider in promoting sales with community colleges include: timely responses, practical license structures, and consistent database offerings. Fostering positive vendor/community college relationships is assisted by strategies to address current economic realities, customizing database contents, focus groups and other forums to communicate mutual needs and capabilities. Proactive librarians should assist vendors in understanding the unique needs of community colleges. KEYWORDS. Community colleges, California, collection development, library consortia, database selection, electronic resources

My job at the Galiwin'ku Indigenous Knowledge Centre is to search for information about old collections that represent local family histories, and to negotiate for digital copies of these materials [...]

The author argues that there is a need to reassess the direction of the academic library and the working practices of the staff within it to reclaim our libraries for [...]

Abstract The recent development of public health informatics as an interdisciplinary field, and the dissemination of this body of knowledge, have brought forth new opportunities for collaboration between the faculty [...]

This paper describes how copyright compliance is managed in a large Australian university, with consideration of both the role the university library plays and also how copyright matters external to the library are managed. The paper looks at the changes in distribution technology and copyright legislation over the last decade, and examines the changes in the university's ability to disseminate teaching materials, as well as the changes in the requirements for managing the use of copyright material. This paper looks at the major issues for copyright compliance are managed across a university and considers how a university library, as an integral and contributing part of the university, needs to be involved in this management., Libraries within educational institutions hold substantial collections of copyright material in the form of books, journals and audiovisual items, amongst other works. Increasingly, libraries provide electronic access to information resources [...]

This article focuses on the methodology used by the University of Melbourne Library to carry out a survey of in-house use of print serials at the Giblin Economics and Commerce Library in 2000. The article fills a gap in the existing literature in regard to surveys or measurements of the usage of print serials. It is intended in this article to focus on how the University of Melbourne conducted its in-house use survey and so a detailed methodology is included. The results of this survey were then used to identify low use titles in the collection that could be nominated for cancellation. The article also identifies some of the patterns in the results of the in-house use survey and discusses some of the issues related to measuring usage by this method and reviewing print serials subscriptions., Many academic libraries are faced, almost annually, with the challenge of reviewing their print serials collections. The ever-increasing cost of subscriptions and the roller-coaster value of the Australian dollar has [...]

Academic library performance measurements are analyzed.

The development of digital libraries and electronic information delivery systems for colleges and universities is discussed.

ABSTRACT An academic library manager's job is characterised by the expression of various aspects of at least four core themes and other themes. The `other' themes include some which would [...]

Recent research findings have documented the relationship between fostering diversity in organizations and overall organizational success. From the perspective of the library administrator, it is incumbent upon those in library and information science education to provide instruction and an academic environment, which facilitates learning about diversity among those who will be expected to contribute to the success of their employing organizations. However, there are difficulties associated with communication and instruction about issues such as diversity, race and gender. The scholarship associated with communication theory provides a worthwhile basis for understanding the nature of these difficulties and for identifying factors to consider in enhancing that instruction in better preparing graduates. KEYWORDS. Diversity, communication, higher education, management, teaching, instruction, organizational success, academic library management

This article is a qualitative study that identifies the need for diagnostic work before implementation of diversity initiatives. It is also a discussion of the development of an assessment instrument used to collect and report data from three pilot groups using the instrument. The goal of implementing diversity initiatives is to establish long-term strategies that will bring about positive change in human interaction in changing organizational culture in the workplace. To achieve this, it is important to assess where we are, and envision how the organization should continue to grow and change. KEYWORDS. Diversity, organizational behavior, assessment, diversity initiatives, strategic planning, organizational change, work climate, academic libraries

An analysis is presented of costs incurred in library administration, with reference to a project developed by the University and Regional Library located in Munster, Germany. The project tests activity-based costing and identifies the effects of cost analysis for library managers.

Self-service public and academic libraries in the UK are discussed.

The library element of the educational partnership between Okaloosa-Walton Community College and The University of West Florida is discussed. It has been found that it is vital to maintain daily contact with one or more of the institutions and local administrators.

Research into agreements among academic libraries in Kentucky to help off-campus students with their library requirements is presented. The key services covered by the agreements include course reserve services, circulation privileges and access to internet workstations.

In measuring the relative efficiencies of a set of decision making units (DMUs) via data envelopment analysis (DEA), detailed inputs and outputs are usually involved. However, there are cases where some DMUs are unable to provide all the necessary data. This paper adopts the concept of a membership function used in fuzzy set theory for representing imprecise data. The smallest possible, most possible, and largest possible values of the missing data are derived from the observed data to construct a triangular membership function. With the membership function, a fuzzy DEA model can be utilized to calculate the efficiency scores. Since the efficiency scores are fuzzy numbers, they are more informative than crisp efficiency scores calculated by assuming crisp values for the missing data. As an illustration, the efficiency scores of the 24 University libraries in Taiwan, with three missing values, are calculated to show the extent that the actual amount of resources and services provided by each University is away from the technically efficient amount of resources and services. This methodology can also be applied to calculate the relative efficiencies of the DMUs with imprecise linguistic data.

A discussion of library collection development focuses on some of the conditions influencing today's establishments and suggests that collaboration as the means to competitive advantage.

The selection criteria, cited by leading journal, is inappropriate for Australian university library serials management. The method would lead to the cancellation of many Australian publications, creating collections overwhelmingly weighted by foreign titles. To maintain a balance in source materials, librarians should ensure that locally relevant titles are included in the serials selection process.