Showing papers in "College & Research Libraries in 2010"
TL;DR: The Eigenfactor Metrics (Eigenfactor Score and Article Influence Score) as mentioned in this paper are two metrics that use an iterative ranking scheme similar to Google's PageRank algorithm to rank citations from top journals more heavily than citations from lower-tier publications.
Abstract: Limited time and budgets have created a legitimate need for quantitative measures of scholarly work. The well-known journal impact factor is the leading measure of this sort; here we describe an alternative approach based on the full structure of the scholarly citation network. The Eigenfactor Metrics—Eigenfactor Score and Article Influence Score—use an iterative ranking scheme similar to Google’s PageRank algorithm. By this approach, citations from top journals are weighted more heavily than citations from lower-tier publications. Here we describe these metrics and the rankings that they provide.
153 citations
TL;DR: This narrative, single-case study examines how liaison librarians at the University of Minnesota came to include advocating for reform of the scholarly communication system among their core responsibilities, and explores the context of these changes, systems thinking, and new mental models.
Abstract: This narrative, single-case study examines how liaison librarians at the University of Minnesota (UMN) came to include advocating for reform of the scholarly communication system among their core responsibilities. While other libraries may hire a coordinator or rely on a committee to undertake outreach programs, UMN has defined baseline expertise in scholarly communication for all librarians who serve as liaisons to disciplinary faculty members. By “mainstreaming” scholarly communication duties, UMN is declaring these issues central to the profession. 1 This intrinsic study uses evidence gathered from open-ended interviews with three participants, supplemented by documentation. It explores the context of these changes, systems thinking, and new mental models.
108 citations
TL;DR: An information literacy skills gap was found between what faculty (and librarians) want for their students and the practical reality and what faculty actually did to incorporate the skills within curricula.
Abstract: Surveys of faculty were conducted at two higher education institutions in England and the United States to ascertain their perceptions of information literacy. Faculty were also asked about the extent to which they incorporated information literacy skills into their courses. Similarities were found across the two institutions both in the importance that faculty attached to information skills and what they actually did to incorporate the skills within curricula. The results reflect an information literacy skills gap between what faculty (and librarians) want for their students and the practical reality. Librarians and faculty should work collaboratively together to bridge this gap.
97 citations
TL;DR: The David Ellis model of information-seeking behavior for social scientists, which includes six characteristics: starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring, and extracting, is extended.
Abstract: This article focuses on how electronic information resources influence the information-seeking process in the social sciences and humanities. It examines the information-seeking behavior of scholars in these fields, and extends the David Ellis model of information-seeking behavior for social scientists, which includes six characteristics: starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring, and extracting. The study was conducted at Tennessee State University (TSU). Thirty active social sciences and humanities faculty, as well as doctoral students, were interviewed about their use of electronic information resources for research purposes, their perception of electronic and print materials, their opinions concerning the Ellis model, and ways the model might apply to them. Based on the interview results, the researcher provides suggestions on how current information services and products can be improved to better serve social sciences and humanities researchers. The author makes recommendations for improving library services and technologies to better meet the needs of social sciences and humanities scholars.
97 citations
TL;DR: The paper presents a synthesis of existing literature on the increasingly popular topic of “green libraries” and prepares a background toward developing a framework for sustainable strategies in academic libraries.
Abstract: There is growing concern that a variety of factors threaten the sustainability of academic libraries: developing and preserving print and digital collections, supplying and supporting rapidly changing technological and networking infrastructure, providing free services, maintaining growing costs of library buildings, and lowering libraries’ ecological footprint. This paper discusses the multidimensional issues of sustainability in academic libraries and identifies needs for designing an integrated framework for sustainable strategies in academic libraries. Additionally, the paper presents a synthesis of existing literature on the increasingly popular topic of “green libraries” and prepares a background toward developing a framework for sustainable strategies in academic libraries.
83 citations
TL;DR: The authors recreated the 1993 study, using the revised set of proficiencies for Instruction Librarians and Coordinators to find the new set ofProficiencies to be more relevant to their jobs than the older set ofproficiencies.
Abstract: In 1993, based on the proficiencies for bibliographic instruction librarians (1986), Diana Shonrock and Craig Mulder investigated if and where librarians were acquiring these proficiencies. In 2007, ACRL approved a revised set of proficiencies: Proficiencies for Instruction Librarians and Coordinators. The authors recreated the 1993 study, using the revised set of proficiencies. Librarians find the new set of proficiencies to be more relevant to their jobs than the older set of proficiencies; however, they are still most likely to acquire the proficiencies primarily outside their library school education.
79 citations
TL;DR: Findings reveal a lack of a single path through the literature review research process, but they do indicate that attending a literature review workshop can have long-term benefits.
Abstract: This article discusses findings from a longitudinal research study that examined the way graduate students carry out the literature review and how they were impacted by attending a library literature review workshop. The literature review research process serves as an important gateway for graduate students into their scholarly communities’ practices and can be a logical place for librarians to offer assistance. This study was carried out to gain insights into the ways librarians can better meet graduate students’ needs to shape the services offered to graduate students. Findings reveal a lack of a single path through the literature review research process, but they do indicate that attending a literature review workshop can have long-term benefits.
65 citations
TL;DR: The many challenges faculty librarians face in balancing their work load with service and scholarship are described; why academic librarian need tenure is justified; and it is proved that tenure and faculty status for academic librarian are an absolute necessity.
Abstract: Tenure status for library faculty in the academic environment is coming under increasing attack from administration, faculty members in other departments, and non-academics. This is due to incorrect perceptions about what academic librarians do and how they serve their profession. This paper describes the many challenges faculty librarians face in balancing their work load with service and scholarship; justifies why academic librarians need tenure; and ultimately proves that tenure and faculty status for academic librarians are an absolute necessity.
47 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that the archiving of articles is not a regular practice in the field; articles are not being deposited in institutional or subject repositories at a high rate; and, overall, the percentage of available open access articles in LIS was similar to the findings in previous studies.
Abstract: To examine the open access availability of Library and Information Science (LIS) research, a study was conducted using Google Scholar to search for articles from 20 top LIS journals. The study examined whether Google Scholar was able to find any links to full text, if open access versions of the articles were available and where these articles were being hosted. The results showed that the archiving of articles is not a regular practice in the field; articles are not being deposited in institutional or subject repositories at a high rate; and, overall, the percentage of available open access articles in LIS was similar to the findings in previous studies. In addition, the study found that Google Scholar is an effective tool for finding known LIS articles.
47 citations
TL;DR: This article reports on the experience gained by librarians at Texas Tech University Libraries while developing and implementing pre- and post-assessment surveys that were administered in eleven sections of a library research course taught in the fall of 2008.
Abstract: Articles reporting the experiences of librarians in assessing what students are learning in information literacy classes are as of yet not as well represented in the professional literature as they should be. This is especially the case for library skills courses that are for-credit. Librarians who have experience assessing student learning should share what they have learned with colleagues who, in turn, need to know what methods are working and how the assessment process can be used to improve teaching and learning. This article reports on the experience gained by librarians at Texas Tech University Libraries while developing and implementing pre- and post-assessment surveys that were administered in eleven sections of a library research course taught in the fall of 2008.
43 citations
TL;DR: The study finds that future leaders of academic libraries perceive a significant gap between their current and preferred organizational cultures and that current organizational cultures limit their effectiveness.
Abstract: Research libraries will continue to be affected by rapid and transformative changes in information technology and the networked environment for the foreseeable future. The pace and direction of these changes will profoundly challenge libraries and their staffs to respond effectively. This paper presents the results of a survey that was designed to discern the perceptions and preferences of future library leaders related to organizational cultures in these times of precipitous change. The study finds that future leaders of academic libraries perceive a significant gap between their current and preferred organizational cultures and that current organizational cultures limit their effectiveness.
TL;DR: A statistical analysis of responses to a LibQUAL+™ survey was conducted to investigate factors related to patrons’ satisfaction with electronic collections and it was found that a respondent’s discipline was not related to his or her satisfaction with the Libraries’ electronic collection.
Abstract: A statistical analysis of responses to a LibQUAL+™ survey at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) was conducted to investigate factors related to patrons’ satisfaction with electronic collections. It was found that a respondent’s discipline was not related to his or her satisfaction with the Libraries’ electronic collection, nor was the frequency with which the respondent used the Libraries’ facilities or used commercial search engines. The factors significantly related to users’ satisfaction with electronic collections were the frequency with which they used the Libraries’ Web site, and, most interestingly, the physical library they most often visited.
TL;DR: This study used content analysis to determine the degree to which the privacy policies of 27 major vendors meet standards articulated by the library profession and information technology industry.
Abstract: Librarians have a long history of protecting user privacy, but they have done seemingly little to understand or influence the privacy policies of library resource vendors that increasingly collect user information through Web 2.0-style personalization features. After citing evidence that college students value privacy, this study used content analysis to determine the degree to which the privacy policies of 27 major vendors meet standards articulated by the library profession and information technology industry. While most vendors have privacy policies, the policy provisions fall short on many library profession standards and show little support for the library Code of Ethics.
TL;DR: The authors suggest that the READ Scale has the potential to transform how reference statistics are gathered, interpreted, and valued.
Abstract: The READ Scale (Reference Effort Assessment Data) is a six-point scale tool for recording qualitative statistics by placing an emphasis on recording effort, knowledge, skills, and teaching used by staff during a reference transaction. Institutional research grants enabled the authors to conduct a national study of the READ Scale at 14 diverse academic libraries in spring of 2007 and test its viability as a tool for recording reference statistics. The study data were collected from 170 individuals and 24 service points with over 22,000 transactions analyzed. There was a 52 percent return rate of an online survey of participants, with more than 80 percent of respondents indicating they would recommend or adopt the Scale for recording reference transactions. The authors suggest that the READ Scale has the potential to transform how reference statistics are gathered, interpreted, and valued. This paper presents the findings of a nationwide study testing the Scale in spring 2007 and suggests practical approaches for using READ Scale data.
TL;DR: Until this descriptive study, the faculties of the ALA-accredited library schools had not been surveyed as a population in regard to their perceptions about faculty status for academic librarians, nor had they been surveyed about how education at library schools prepared academic librarian for faculty roles.
Abstract: The faculties of the library schools listed as ALA-accredited are directly involved in setting the direction of the education provided to academic librarians through curriculum development and teaching. The curricula and teaching at ALA-accredited library schools revolve around aspects of librarianship such as providing research assistance at a reference desk, collection development, and cataloging; but they do not address preparing the recipients of the MLS for the demands of faculty status at a college or university library. Thus, while academic librarians may be well prepared to assume professional duties in an academic setting, they may be less well prepared to perform activities such as research and publication that are required of faculty members seeking tenure and promotion. Until this descriptive study, the faculties of the ALA-accredited library schools had not been surveyed as a population in regard to their perceptions about faculty status for academic librarians, nor had they been surveyed about how education at library schools prepared academic librarians for faculty roles. As a result, it was vital that the faculties of the ALA-accredited library schools were surveyed so that their thoughts on faculty status for academic librarians and the education that prepares librarians for faculty roles could be known.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that involving faculty in the assessment of tutorials is a beneficial way to improve and promote tutorials and learn more about the interests of the faculty and related curriculum.
Abstract: Communication and collaboration with faculty are increasingly important in the development of both curriculum-integrated and stand-alone “just in time” library tutorials. In the final developmental stages of the Evidence-Based Practice online tutorials, faculty members were asked to provide input during structured faculty feedback sessions. These sessions aimed to gather feedback on tutorial structure, discipline-specific content, integrating the tutorial with class curriculum, and best marketing practices. The results demonstrate that involving faculty in the assessment of tutorials is a beneficial way to improve and promote tutorials. Another important outcome was learning more about the interests of the faculty and related curriculum.
TL;DR: The study provided valuable insight into how patrons approach and locate information on the Web site and demonstrated a need for additional training, improved site design and navigational aids, and future discussions of staffing alternatives for the IM service.
Abstract: After one year of providing virtual reference service through an instant messaging (IM) service, Binghamton University (BU) Libraries, under the purview of its Digital Reference Committee (DRC), undertook a study of collected session transcripts. The goals of this work were to determine who was using the IM service and why; if staffing for the service was adequate and met our in-person reference standards; and if improvements to the libraries’ existing reference services were needed. The findings revealed that 31 percent of identifiable users were students and 5 percent of users were campus community members. The analyses also revealed that many used the service for complex questions and not just ready reference, policy, and directional questions as had been expected. The most common question types were Web site navigation help (29% of all sessions), research assistance (22%), and instructional questions (23%). The American Library Association Reference & User Services Association (RUSA) Guidelines for the Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers were used to measure quality of service. The findings reveled that approachability, showing interest, and listening were each demonstrated in over 80 percent of sessions, indicating these activities can be demonstrated effectively in a virtual environment. The study also found that questions were correctly answered 84 percent of the time. The study provided valuable insight into how patrons approach and locate information on our Web site and demonstrated a need for additional training, improved site design and navigational aids, and future discussions of staffing alternatives for the IM service.
TL;DR: Although more research is warranted, it appears that librarians at academic institutions tend to publish more frequently in top-tier journals, enhancing the authors' professional literature.
Abstract: This article relates an investigation of tenure and promotion practices for librarians at academic institutions. The study employed two surveys. The first survey determined the level of impact on promotion and tenure by recent publication in two top-tier peer-reviewed journals: College & Research Libraries and Journal of Academic Librarianship . The second survey was developed and distributed to authors of articles in the two journals requesting information about the nature of their library positions. Although more research is warranted, it appears that librarians at academic institutions tend to publish more frequently in top-tier journals, enhancing our professional literature.
TL;DR: Support for the modular system of building construction, touted in the second half of the 20th century as the best basis for academic library building design, appears to be waning.
Abstract: Support for the modular system of building construction, touted in the second half of the 20th century as the best basis for academic library building design, appears to be waning A study of “green” libraries in 2008 revealed that not only has energy conservation become important, but that spaces designed for users rather than books have become paramount The modular system worked particularly well for housing ever-expanding book collections, but collection growth is no longer a practical goal Users want and need a greater variety of spaces, which purpose-built rooms are better at meeting
TL;DR: A traditional mixed methods research model of citation analysis, a survey, and interviews was selected to determine if the Bruce T. Halle Library at Eastern Michigan University owned the content that faculty cited in their research, if the collection was being utilized, and what library services the faculty used.
Abstract: A traditional mixed methods research model of citation analysis, a survey, and interviews was selected to determine if the Bruce T. Halle Library at Eastern Michigan University owned the content that faculty cited in their research, if the collection was being utilized, and what library services the faculty used. The combination of objective data gleaned from the citation analysis and survey coupled with the personal, in-depth information gained from the interviews was instrumental in increasing the value of the study for its use in collection management decisions, and showed how effectual the services and collection are in supporting the research needs of the faculty at EMU.
TL;DR: A qualitative analysis of student responses from these class sessions between 2002 and 2008 reveals the impact that direct experience has on primary source education and how outreach and user instruction in the archives can transform research, education, and the place of special collections within the institution.
Abstract: The collaborative effort between two Special Collections librarians and a history professor at DePaul University led to a quarter-long undergraduate project in the archives using China Missions Correspondence. In a reversal of traditional methods that assumes archival use to answer a question, this project looks at the document as the source of the questions. A qualitative analysis of student responses from these class sessions between 2002 and 2008 reveals the impact that direct experience has on primary source education and how outreach and user instruction in the archives can transform research, education, and the place of special collections within the institution. As a case study, this paper examines planning, administration, identification, instruction, and assessment of the project from the librarians’ perspective.
TL;DR: Ideas and strategies for institutional journal hosting gleaned over two years by the York Digital Journals Project are discussed, including suggestions for startup including policy considerations and service models.
Abstract: Embarking on a universitywide journal-hosting initiative can be a resource-intensive undertaking. Providing such a service, however, can be equally rewarding, as it positions the library as both partner and colleague in the publishing process. This paper discusses ideas and strategies for institutional journal hosting gleaned over two years by the York Digital Journals Project. Suggestions for startup including policy considerations and service models are discussed. Ideas for advertising and networking are explored as well as the question of project sustainability.
TL;DR: Although monographs and literary works predominated, the usage of volumes of collected essays showed significant increase and the age of materials referenced was examined in an effort to gain insight into the shelf-life of these materials.
Abstract: The goal of this study is to examine the characteristics of scholarly communication, with particular emphasis on the usage of the monograph, in the field of Spanish and Latin American literature over a 30-year period. In addition, this study examines the age of materials referenced in an effort to gain insight into the shelf-life of these materials. Although monographs and literary works predominated, the usage of volumes of collected essays showed significant increase. Monographs, collected essays, and journal articles published within the preceding 20–25 years were most referenced.
TL;DR: It is found that international students do seem to engage in language learning when using library databases, and it identifies and describes their strategies.
Abstract: This study explores how non-native speakers of English think of words to enter into library databases when they begin the process of searching for information in English. At issue is whether or not language learning takes place when these students use library databases. Language learning in this study refers to the use of strategies employed by students to develop English vocabulary knowledge. This study found that international students do seem to engage in language learning when using library databases, and it identifies and describes their strategies.
TL;DR: The paper demonstrates that the concept of authorized users has been shaped by a mix of social and technical elements, including changes to information providers’ and libraries’ business models and missions, shifts in norms for license terms, and development of technological tools used to facilitate or constrain access.
Abstract: This paper analyzes changes to the definitions of “authorized users” contained in electronic resources licenses and embedded in access control technologies from the mid-1990s to the present. In analyzing changes to the license and technology-based definitions, it tracks shifts in major stakeholders’ perceptions of authorized users and describes developments in licensing and access control technologies. The paper demonstrates that the concept of authorized users has been shaped by a mix of social and technical elements, including changes to information providers’ and libraries’ business models and missions, shifts in norms for license terms, and development of technological tools used to facilitate or constrain access.
TL;DR: A case study analyzing the research output of Oregon State University Libraries’ faculty using the Boyer Classifications and Blake’s research methodologies finds that broadening the authors' view of acceptable formats and outlets and learning how to communicate and assess their scholarship within the academy are key issues that require continued exploration.
Abstract: Library faculty are often tenure track, requiring a record of significant publishing and service before achieving tenure. However, meaningful tools and methods for evaluating the scholarship of librarianship frequently fall short of providing an accurate picture of the scholarship of any particular candidate. The authors conducted a case study analyzing the research output of Oregon State University (OSU) Libraries’ faculty using the Boyer Classifications1 and Blake’s research methodologies.2 Broadening our view of acceptable formats and outlets and learning how to communicate and assess our scholarship within the academy are key issues that require continued exploration.
TL;DR: Results suggest that most of the libraries studied do not aggressively collect graphic novels, and libraries will need to reexamine their collecting policies.
Abstract: This study examines the extent to which ARL academic libraries collect graphic novels. Using a core list of 176 titles developed from winners of major comics industry awards and a library-focused “best of” list, the holdings of 111 ARL academic libraries were searched using the libraries’ online catalogs. Results suggest that most of the libraries studied do not aggressively collect graphic novels. Also examined were associations between date of publication, prior serialization, overall collection size, monograph budget, and ARL ranking and graphic novel holdings. To better serve scholarly research in this area of increasing interest, libraries will need to reexamine their collecting policies.
TL;DR: Though the academic library’s primary mission is to serve the students, faculty, and staff of its parent institution, would-be users not officially associated with the institution frequently call upon the library to provide services and/or resources, posing a moral quandary for public-service staff.
Abstract: Though the academic library’s primary mission is to serve the students, faculty, and staff of its parent institution, would-be users not officially associated with the institution frequently call upon the library to provide services and/or resources. Requests by these nonaffiliated users (sometimes called community users) pose a moral quandary for public-service staff. Library personnel must weigh the demand to be helpful against their responsibility to make students, faculty, and staff their top priority. The authors employ W.D. Ross’s pluralistic framework of prima facie duties to examine the conflicting obligations at the heart of this ethical dilemma.
TL;DR: Using data from the 2003 National Survey of College Graduates, earnings in the library science labor market and the impact of gender on the income attainment process are examined and a theoretical model of income attainment for librarians is built.
Abstract: Using data from the 2003 National Survey of College Graduates, this paper examines earnings in the library science labor market and assesses the impact of gender on the income attainment process. We use this cross-sectional dataset to determine if there are significant income differences between male and female library science professionals. The approach taken in this paper is to build a theoretical model of income attainment for librarians. We then discuss the methodology used to analyze the data and test the model, followed by a discussion of the results and recommendations for further research.
TL;DR: This study analyzed 2005–2006 Web of Science bibliometric data from institutions belonging to the Association of Research Libraries and corresponding ARL statistics to find any associations between indicators from the two data sets to authentically assess academic libraries’ influence on research outcomes.
Abstract: This study analyzed 2005–2006 Web of Science bibliometric data from institutions belonging to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and corresponding ARL statistics to find any associations between indicators from the two data sets. Principal components analysis on 36 variables from 103 universities revealed obvious associations between size-dependent variables, such as institution size, gross totals of library measures, and gross totals of articles and citations. However, size-independent library measures did not associate positively or negatively with any bibliometric indicator. More quantitative research must be done to authentically assess academic libraries’ influence on research outcomes.