Rachel Fleming-May Presenter

Bio: Rachel Fleming-May Presenter is an academic researcher from University of Tennessee. The author has contributed to research in topics: Assistant professor & Information science. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 18 citations.

Downloads or Outcomes?: Measuring and Communicating the Contributions of Library Resources to Faculty and Student Success

Abstract: How can libraries proactively demonstrate, quantitatively and qualitatively, return on investment in an academic environment that is increasingly concerned with tangible results? As speaker for Mississippi State University Libraries' 9th MidSouth eResource Symposium, Dr. Rachel Fleming-May, Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences, articulated the need for libraries to communicate their true value and indispensability to campus communities, particularly through the measurement of electronic resource usage. The concept of “use,” however, is complex and must be fully understood for meaningful incorporation into assessment measures. A brief summary of this session, also authored by Amanda Price, appeared in the “E-Resource Roundup” column of the Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, Volume 23, Issue 1 (2011: March).

2012 top ten trends in academic libraries A review of the trends and issues affecting academic libraries in higher education

Abstract: The ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee is responsible for creating and updating a continuous and dynamic environmental scan for the association that encompasses trends in academic librarianship, higher education, and the broader environment, e.g., economic, demographic, political; providing an annual environmental scan “snapshot.” The committee also is responsible for identifying the ACRL “top ten trends” for release every two years. In order to identify the trends, the com

Garbage In, Gospel Out: Twelve Reasons Why Librarians Should Not Accept Cost-per-Download Figures at Face Value

Abstract: The ease with which journal usage statistics can now be collected and ingested into e-resources management systems encourages librarians to make renewal and cancellation decisions based on a simple cost-per-download metric. However, to avoid basing decisions on erroneous data it is important to consider the reliability of this metric. There are many reasons why the cost-per-download of one journal is not as directly comparable with that of another journal as might be expected. Nevertheless there are steps that libraries can take to identify and to apply corrections to misleading usage statistics. A balance needs to be struck between usage analyses being rigorous but time consuming, and being pragmatic but “good enough.”

Notes on Operations: Combining Citation Studies and Usage Statistics to Build a Stronger Collection

Abstract: Citation studies and analyses of usage statistics are two approaches academic librarians take to determine if their journal collections support the needs of research faculty. Librarians at a small, regional liberal arts university compiled a list of faculty journal publications covering a thirteen-year span from four academic departments—nursing, chemistry, biology, and mathematics—and, from these publications, generated a list of the journals that were cited. As expected, this university’s faculty members publish in many of the same journals that they cite. However, faculty members cite a wide range of sources. Wiley journal usage statistics were examined from 2011 and 2012 to determine if the number of PDF downloads of articles in the published in and cited Wiley journals were higher than the average numbers of PDF downloads of Wiley journals. Combining an analysis of usage statistics with citation analysis provides a more strategic way to look at a Big Deal package. This information is of interest to the departments represented and other stakeholders, and the implications for collection development purposes are addressed.

The academic library’s role in student retention: a review of the literature

Abstract: Purpose This paper aims is to present and discuss the personal and educational underpinnings of undergraduate and graduate students’ persistence decision, identify initiatives and strategies academic libraries are adopting which correlates positively with student retention, identify and discuss the main causes leading to attrition and present James White Library’s experience contributing to student retention efforts at Andrews University Design/methodology/approach A bibliographic search using databases in the areas of education and library and information science was conducted to review the literature on the relationship between library use and services and university students’ retention Findings The main overall factors which contribute to student retention are: user-centered philosophy; involvement and engagement; student identification and sense of belonging; academic success and achievement; and point grade average (GPA) in the context of libraries, the main factors which contribute (or correlate) to student retention are: library instruction; spaces which provide social interaction and learning; and general materials’ use Research limitations/implications This study does not provide results of actual in-person investigations conducted at libraries, rather, identifies presents, and discusses reported studies in the Education and Library & Information Science (LIS) literature Practical implications A summary and structured presentation of the main issues concerning the library’s role in university student’s retention identifies the main personal, including non-academic and academic problems leading to student’s attrition, as well successful efforts and strategies which libraries are adopting to curtail this pressing problem within academic institutions The paper can be used as general guidelines which academic library managers and library service providers can adopt to contribute to the university’s overall efforts to increase its graduation rate Social implications Higher education presupposes large expenditures from providers (Universities) and students Millions of dollars are spent by both parties each year without yielding the expected results, considering that attrition levels can reach more than 40 per cent at any given university during an academic year in the USA Also, purposeful or intentional expensive recruitment efforts and programs can be greatly curtailed by high attrition rates However, these can be greatly diminished by successful retention strategies Also, society is greatly benefited with the talents, skills, and services rendered by a professional with a higher education degree Originality value This study organizes and systematizes the many study results, ideas, and considerations concerning academic libraries and student retention which are dispersed in the literature of the field, allowing the reader and practitioner to better understand the theoretical and practical issues concerning this subject It provides the reader with practical experiences and data which will enhance one’s decision-making process in developing retention policies and strategies at the library level