Showing papers in "College & Research Libraries in 2001"
TL;DR: This paper found that students think they know more about accessing information and conducting library research than they are able to demonstrate when put to the test, which is consistent with earlier study findings that students continue to be confused by the elementary conventions for organizing and accessing information.
Abstract: Although national standards for information literacy have been developed and approved by the Association of College and Research Libraries, little is known about the extent to which undergraduates meet these or earlier sets of standards. Since 1994, the Teaching Library at the University of California-Berkeley has conducted an ongoing Survey of Information Literacy Competencies in selected academic departments to measure the “lower-order” information literacy skills of graduating seniors. The most fundamental conclusion that can be drawn from this survey is that students think they know more about accessing information and conducting library research than they are able to demonstrate when put to the test. The University of California-Berkeley library experience is consistent with earlier study findings that students continue to be confused by the elementary conventions for organizing and accessing information.
229 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that students are using unevaluated resources and that there is a gap between what instructors expect students to use and what students actually use, and they discussed ways to alleviate "worries with the Web".
Abstract: The purpose of this research project was to determine whether students are using unauthenticated resources, whether they are evaluating their resources, and whether there is a gap between the quality of resources expected by instructors and the quality of resources used by students. Using case study methodology, the authors interviewed instructors and students and analyzed Web resources cited in research papers in two English composition classes. The findings show that students are using unevaluated resources and that there is a gap between what instructors expect students to use and what students actually use. Ways to alleviate “worries with the Web” are discussed.
168 citations
TL;DR: The emerging field of knowledge management offers academic libraries the opportunity to improve effectiveness, both for themselves and their parent institutions as mentioned in this paper, and current applications in academic libraries and higher education are described.
Abstract: The emerging field of knowledge management offers academic libraries the opportunity to improve effectiveness, both for themselves and their parent institutions. This article summarizes knowledge management theory. Current applications in academic libraries and higher education are described. Similarities and differences between knowledge management and academic library practices are discussed. Issues needing resolution are presented.
166 citations
TL;DR: A content analysis of 220 job advertisements between 1973 and 1998 demonstrates that by 1998, all academic library jobs routinely included computer technologies, that instruction had become an integral part of reference work, and that behavioral skills had emerged as new job requirements.
Abstract: A content analysis of 220 job advertisements that appeared in College & Research Libraries between 1973 and 1998 demonstrates that by 1998, all academic library jobs routinely included computer technologies, that instruction had become an integral part of reference work, and that behavioral skills, especially oral and written communication skills, had emerged as new job requirements. The master’s degree from a program accredited by the ALA continues to be widely accepted as the appropriate professional degree for academic librarians.
151 citations
TL;DR: The authors concluded that library Web sites fail to take into account how people approach the information problem and often reflect traditional library structures.
Abstract: Today’s savvy library users are starting to equate the library Web site with the physical library. As they accomplish, virtually, many personal activities such as online shopping, banking, and news reading, they transfer those experiences to other activities in their lives. This increases their expectations about the functionality of a library Web site and how one interacts with it. The purpose of this study was twofold: to assess the usability of an academic library Web site and to better understand how faculty and students complete typical tasks using one. Thirty-three typical users successfully completed 75 percent of a set of typical tasks in about two minutes per task and were satisfied with the clarity and organization of the site. Despite their success in completing the tasks, however, they experienced difficulties in knowing where to start and with the site’s information architecture—in particular, with interpreting the categories and their labels. The authors concluded that library Web sites fail to take into account how people approach the information problem and often reflect traditional library structures.
148 citations
TL;DR: E-journal, printed journal, and database usage data from campus polls conducted annually, 1998-2000, at one large research university show increased use of e-journals and decreased use of printed journals by faculty and graduate students.
Abstract: E-journal, printed journal, and database usage data from campus polls conducted annually, 1998–2000, at one large research university show increased use of e-journals and decreased use of printed journals by faculty and graduate students as the number of available e-journals increased from two hundred to more than three thousand. Little or no statistical correlation between age and frequency of use was found. The majority of frequent users of all three types of resources were from departments in the sciences. Transcripts from the 1998 poll provided insights into attitudes toward replacing printed journals with e-journals. The advantages and disadvantages mentioned were consistent with previous studies.
111 citations
TL;DR: It is confirmed that a single second-order factor is associated with the delivery of high-quality library services in a research university environment, but a hierarchical factor analysis also demonstrated that research library users simultaneously think about library quality at multiple levels.
Abstract: This study confirms that a single second-order factor is associated with the delivery of high-quality library services in a research university environment. However, a hierarchical factor analysis also demonstrated that research library users simultaneously think about library quality at multiple levels. The LibQUAL+ diagnostic tool, a product of the ARL’s New Measures Initiative, shows that although a single factor dominates user thinking about library service quality, all of the items used in the survey suffuse this factor. Nevertheless, several first-order factors contribute important unique information to the notion of service quality. As different types of users place varying degrees of importance on the first-order factors, the utility of the hierarchical model is demonstrated.
96 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined factors that influence undergraduates' academic library use during the first three years of college and found an interesting relationship between undergraduate library use and self-reported and objective critical thinking scores.
Abstract: This study examines factors that influence undergraduates’ academic library use during the first three years of college. Undergraduates’ high school library use, student–faculty interactions, and active learning and engaged writing activities predicted library use for all three years of the study. There was an interesting relationship between undergraduate library use and self-reported and objective critical thinking scores. These findings are useful for the redesign of current academic library services and future research studies on information-seeking behavior.
86 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the attributes that present and future directors of the academic libraries in the Association of Research Libraries need to possess to remain in the same position for as many years as their predecessors did.
Abstract: Using multiple means of data collection, this study identifies the attributes that present and future directors of the academic libraries in the Association of Research Libraries need to possess. Present-day directors must possess a wide variety of attributes and are less likely to remain in the same position for as many years as their predecessors did. With the aging population of academic librarians, matching the right individual with the right institution is likely to be increasingly difficult in the future.
83 citations
TL;DR: Results show that although faculty members generally feel positive about the Web as a research tool, they question the accuracy and reliability of Web content and are concerned about their students’ ability to evaluate the information found.
Abstract: Although undergraduates frequently use the World Wide Web in their class assignments, little research has been done concerning how teaching faculty feel about their students’ use of the Web. This study explores faculty attitudes toward the Web as a research tool for their students’ research; their use of the Web in classroom instruction; and their policies concerning Web use by students. Results show that although faculty members generally feel positive about the Web as a research tool, they question the accuracy and reliability of Web content and are concerned about their students’ ability to evaluate the information found.
52 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that specific guidelines must be created for electronic path finders because they pose particular problems that are not addressed in the current literature about pathfinders in general.
Abstract: Forty-five electronic pathfinders were selected from nine Canadian university libraries to assess their degree of conformity to suggested guidelines in the existing literature about pathfinders. The content and the format of the chosen pathfinders were assessed in terms of consistency and scope. Also considered were overall readability and whether they were effectively constructed to be used as starting points for further research. The analysis revealed that the guidelines were not uniformly followed, leaving some pathfinders more complex and less useful than others. Further, it demonstrated that specific guidelines must be created for electronic pathfinders because they pose particular problems that are not addressed in the current literature about pathfinders in general.
TL;DR: Correlations drawn between student confidence in using the Web or conducting library research revealed that confident students reacted more favorably toward the Highlander Guide than average students did.
Abstract: Over the past thirty years, libraries have increasingly used forms of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in place of librarians for basic instruction tasks. This study evaluates student and faculty perceptions of the Highlander Guide, a Web-based tutorial to library research. Overall, students (particularly those required to use it) and faculty reported positive views of the guide. Correlations drawn between student confidence in using the Web or conducting library research revealed that confident students reacted more favorably toward the Highlander Guide than average students did. In contrast to previous studies, the results of this study indicated that students and faculty were not strongly in favor of using the tutorial to replace traditional library instruction.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the types of data available, using as its starting point the elements defined by the International Coalition of Library Consortia's (ICOLC) “Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-based Indexed, Abstracted, and Full-text Resources.
Abstract: To manage Web-based resources effectively, librarians need to evaluate vendor-supplied data about their use. This article explores the types of data available, using as its starting point the elements defined by the International Coalition of Library Consortia’s (ICOLC) “Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-based Indexed, Abstracted, and Full-text Resources.” It discusses the problems and issues of comparing use data from different vendors. Then, illustrated with data from one library, the article addresses five measures that have implications for collection management: variability of ICOLC data elements over time, which demonstrated the need to examine data continually; ratios of queries per session, which showed more stability over time than individual ICOLC elements; use by hour, which documented remote use but confirmed that most use occurred during regular library hours; use of electronic journal collections, which was more scattered than the classic 80/20 distribution; and use of Web-based resources in relation to a disciplinary population, which provided an index of value for assessing use of a particular resource. This study identifies aspects of data collection that librarians need to pay special attention to, recommends that vendors report the maximum number of simultaneous users per day and data gaps in addition to ICOLC elements, and suggests per capita use as a comparative measure among libraries.
TL;DR: This paper examined how employees in Florida community college library and learning resource centers are dealing with technological change in their work environment and found that staff are reacting positively to the change and that greater attention needs to be directed toward improving their inclusion in decision-making, revising job descriptions, and experimenting with alternative reward systems.
Abstract: It is a commonly held belief that technostress caused by change is affecting library personnel, although research on its impact in two-year colleges is practically nonexistent. This investigation examined how employees in Florida community college library and learning resource centers are dealing with technological change in their work environment. The results of the investigation indicated that staff are reacting positively. However, greater attention needs to be directed toward improving their inclusion in decision-making, revising job descriptions, and experimenting with alternative reward systems.
TL;DR: The authors explored the practical implications of these views for university funding and other support using the philosophical stance of cultural pragmatism and by applying the sociological perspective of the "stranger,” tacit knowledge gained by the author as a researcher and a faculty member in an LIS program and as chair of a university Committee on the Library, and insights from a spectrum of publications.
Abstract: This theoretical essay uses tacit knowledge, the often-undocumented wisdom of expert practitioners and practitioner communities, to explore future prospects for the academic librarian. Traditional and emerging valuations of the academic librarian held by higher education stakeholders are identified. The practical implications of these views for university funding and other support are explored using the philosophical stance of cultural pragmatism and by applying the sociological perspective of the “stranger,” tacit knowledge gained by the author as a researcher and a faculty member in an LIS program and as chair of a university Committee on the Library, and insights from a spectrum of publications. In the process, the March of Dimes, an organization that successfully repositioned itself after accomplishing its primary purpose, is examined as a possible model for enhancing the academic librarian’s perceived value.
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey of faculty, student, and library staff attitudes toward credit courses, as well as various other instructional methods, for teaching library and research skills was assessed, and a surprising number of faculty and students did not know about the courses offered.
Abstract: Faculty, student, and library staff attitudes toward credit courses, as well as various other instructional methods, for teaching library and research skills were assessed. A surprising number of faculty and students did not know about the courses offered. Although other methods, such as Web tutorials and written guides, are preferred, credit courses may still be considered a viable option. To be successful, the courses must be well marketed to both faculty and students, and their importance and content must be clearly understood by faculty advisors.
TL;DR: Using bibliometric methodologies, this paper analyzes the publication and citation patterns of a sample group of structural biologists from multiple institutions, demonstrating the multidisciplinary nature of this subfield.
Abstract: This paper defines and examines structural biology as a subdiscipline of molecular biology. Using bibliometric methodologies, it analyzes the publication and citation patterns of a sample group of structural biologists from multiple institutions. The citations analyzed covered a very large subject range, demonstrating the multidisciplinary nature of this subfield. The results were consistent with several models for journal selection. These models were used to compile a short list of specialized titles supporting structural biology. Although the research was performed on a relatively small group of local researchers, it has broader applications for other institutions attempting to develop similar collections.
TL;DR: This article focuses on the collection of Web and exit survey responses in a two-week period, the transformation of response data for analysis, a comparison of the two samples, and discussion of the potential use of the results.
Abstract: Although authors have done validation or comparison studies of Web-based and paper-and-pencil surveys for different samples, few have published such studies for library patrons. After publishing its previous Web-based library satisfaction survey, Western Kentucky University Libraries developed a similar survey with identical content for library Web and exit patrons to compare these groups’ responses. This article focuses on the collection of Web and exit survey responses in a two-week period, the transformation of response data for analysis, a comparison of the two samples, and discussion of the potential use of the results. Future research on the Web-based and paper-and-pencil methods themselves is indicated.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a methodology to determine the life cycle costs of collections based on readily available statistical data collected annually by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and they found that the cost structure of a research library is largely driven by its monograph collection.
Abstract: An important issue for research librarians is the life cycle cost of acquiring and maintaining a collection. While purchase costs are easy to identify, associated acquisition, cataloging, circulation, and maintenance expenses are difficult to measure and attribute to specific collections. This paper develops a methodology to determine the life cycle costs of collections based on readily available statistical data collected annually by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). ARL cost data (e.g., salaries and wages, materials expenditures, and operating expenses) for a specific library are allocated to collections (e.g., manuscripts, serials, and microforms) based on the size of the collection and its relative space requirements. By aggregating allocated costs, total life cycle costs for a collection can be estimated. Results of this research indicate that life cycle costs of collections are many multiples of their purchase costs. Results further suggest that the life cycle costs of monograph collections overwhelm the costs of other collections in research libraries—the cost structure of a research library is largely driven by its monograph collection. These results should prove useful in efforts to control costs and improve performance in research libraries.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the impact of electronic technology on libraries and scholarship, focusing on some of the challenges of using electronic resources in research libraries, which include the cost of acquiring electronic formats and the effect that such expenditures have on other library services and collection development practices.
Abstract: This article examines the impact of electronic technology on libraries and scholarship. It focuses on some of the challenges of using electronic resources in research libraries, which include the cost of acquiring electronic formats and the effect that such expenditures have on other library services and collection development practices. The article also explores how electronic resources have changed the way students and scholars conduct research. The goal of this essay is not to criticize or condemn electronic formats but, rather, to illustrate that electronic technology is simply one tool, among others, for the dissemination of information. As such, electronic resources should complement rather than replace other formats.
TL;DR: This article identified the key evaluation factors that library administrators consider most important for measuring internship/residency programs, as well as the frequency, format, and sources of input for effective program evaluation.
Abstract: Academic libraries are turning increasingly to internship/residency programs to enhance their recruitment efforts. Yet, little evaluative information is available to measure the effectiveness of these programs or to justify funding for them. This article outlines the necessary components of an evaluation model for internship/residency programs based on a survey of academic library deans/directors and program coordinators. The study identifies the key evaluation factors that library administrators consider most important for measuring internship/residency programs, as well as the frequency, format, and sources of input for effective program evaluation.
TL;DR: Previous methods of selection and collection building are examined, and those supporting principles are applied to today’s collection-building efforts for digital collections.
Abstract: Electronic technology has begun to change the way scholars conduct their research. Before this new approach to scholarly inquiry becomes a viable and productive method in institutions of higher learning, the existing resources that a scholar normally would use in the library must be converted to a digital format in order to be accessible electronically. How do academic libraries set about creating a body of knowledge and begin to convert traditional print collections to a digital format in order to satisfy what today’s researchers want? This article examines previous methods of selection and collection building, and applies those supporting principles to today’s collection-building efforts for digital collections.
TL;DR: The usefulness of the Eisenberg–Berkowitz Information Problem-Solving model as a useful categorization for academic reference encounters is examined and major trends in the data include a high proportion of questions about location and access of sources and a consistent presence of system problems that impede the information-seeking process.
Abstract: The usefulness of the Eisenberg–Berkowitz Information Problem-Solving model as a useful categorization for academic reference encounters is examined. Major trends in the data include a high proportion of questions about location and access of sources, a lack of synthesis or production activities, and a consistent presence of system problems (such as hardware problems) that impede the information-seeking process. The implications of these trends for the reference process, librarian training, and campus organization are discussed.
TL;DR: In the academic community, efforts to foster diversity are generally supported by a rationale that relates to equity and changing societal demographics Private sector research indicates support for a rationale relating to overall organizational success as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the academic community, efforts to foster diversity are generally supported by a rationale that relates to equity and changing societal demographics Private sector research, however, indicates support for a rationale relating to overall organizational success Such research forms the basis for the consideration of the relationship between diversity and organizational success in the academic environment In addition, the research provides evidence that diversity continues to be valued in the private sector, which employs many of the graduates whose academic preparation is supported by the college or university library This article presents the results of a research study involving diversity and organizational success in the academic environment The results provide evidence that there is a relationship between diversity and organizational success and offers further support for the results of the prior research in this area, as well as offering data to enhance the rationale for the support of diversity efforts in the academic library community
TL;DR: A survey of instructors of business information courses in library schools was conducted to discover the areas of business considered important in their courses as mentioned in this paper, which indicated that traditional education and training for business librarians are less than adequate.
Abstract: Subject expertise has been regarded as an important contributing factor in determining the quality of information services provided in specialized academic libraries. A telephone survey of academic business librarians was conducted to ascertain their level of business education. A survey of instructors of business information courses in library schools was conducted to discover the areas of business considered important in their courses. Results show that a minority of academic business librarians have been educated in business administration. Broad areas of business are considered important for library school course, but specialized and technical areas are considered less important. These results suggest that traditional education and training for business librarians are less than adequate. Partnerships between schools of business and schools of library and information science are suggested as one way to improve levels of business education for business information specialists.
TL;DR: This article presented the model, the revision, and its application to the information literacy curriculum for engineering and technology students, which can be adapted to help undergraduate students understand the structure of the information they need to be able to use to succeed as students and as professionals.
Abstract: Krishna Subramanyam arranged scientific and technical literature in a circular model in the 1970s. As a pedagogical construct, the circle conceptualizes the processes of producing and consuming information. Although more than twenty years old, the model is still valid. Can it be adapted to help undergraduate students of today’s information literacy curriculum understand the structure of the information they need to be able to use to succeed as students and as professionals? This paper presents the model, the revision, and its application to the information literacy curriculum for engineering and technology students.
TL;DR: In this article, an econometric study of the pricing practices of publishers and their monopoly power is presented, which suggests that traditional publishers will retain their market clout as they shift to offering electronic publications.
Abstract: This econometric study tests pricing practices of publishers and their monopoly power. It suggests that traditional publishers will retain their market clout as they shift to offering electronic publications. Librarians’ common experience with price discrimination was corroborated by a powerful model comparing prices charged to institutions while holding constant for production costs, source of publication, discipline areas, and the availability of titles in electronic format. The model also provides a robust selection tool to compare actual prices to model-predicted prices among the subscriptions within any given collection and to predict those that, statistically, are significantly overpriced. The study results reveal that commercial publishers are not the only ones that appear to over-price titles by a statistically significant amount. Campuses face continued increases in prices for traditional and electronic resources, but statistical modeling offers an opportunity for controlling costs.
TL;DR: In this article, a planning process on an authority control project at a medium-sized university library is described. But the planning process is not presented in detail, and the authors do not provide a cost analysis of the project.
Abstract: Authority control is a vital part of providing students and faculty with adequate access to collections in university libraries. Although many large research libraries routinely maintain authority control, small and medium-sized university libraries find it challenging to meet rising user expectations and provide adequate access in an online environment through appropriate authority work. The smaller libraries have to provide persuasive data to demonstrate to their library administrations that tight staffing situations make it difficult to perform in-house maintenance on authority work and keep up with the dynamic and constant changes of new headings for bibliographic records. This article offers a planning process on an authority control project at a medium-sized university library.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on how the desire to better serve small business users for their government information needs led to a research survey of small business executives in New Jersey and how the research findings provided further motivation, guidance, and input to a successful Internet training program.
Abstract: Library research and service have the potential to be complementary. This paper reports on how the desire to better serve small business users for their government information needs led to a research survey of small business executives in New Jersey and how the research findings provided further motivation, guidance, and input to a successful Internet training program. The authors’ experiences show that academic librarians could improve effectiveness in both library research and service if they seek to integrate these two aspects of their career.
TL;DR: The indexes at Cushing/Whitney show that in 1998–1999, patron usage of electronic resources more than doubled, whereas print use declined, which indicates overall change in the group.
Abstract: Libraries are experiencing rapid change as they add electronic resources. These resources are popular with patrons, but their usage is not captured in traditional library statistics. Libraries must find a way to represent the diverse data available for electronic resources in some meaningful way that allows for comparison with statistics for print resources. To do this, the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library has created two indexes, the Electronic and Print Usage Indexes. An index is a simple tool that combines data on items from a group into one number and so represents overall change in the group. The indexes at Cushing/Whitney show that in 1998–1999, patron usage of electronic resources more than doubled, whereas print use declined.