Showing papers in "Journal of Web Librarianship in 2010"
TL;DR: There are some differences between public and academic libraries, including the number of tweets, linguistic differences, and content, but it seems that using Twitter in libraries enables both kinds of libraries to broadcast and share information about their activities, opinions, status, and professional interests.
Abstract: Microblogging is a relatively new phenomenon in online social networking that has become increasingly prevalent in the last few years. This study explores the use of Twitter in public and academic libraries to understand microblogging patterns. Analysis of the tweets was conducted in two phases: (1) statistical descriptive analysis and (2) content analysis. The research findings show there are some differences between public and academic libraries, including the number of tweets, linguistic differences, and content. However, it seems that using Twitter in libraries enables both kinds of libraries to broadcast and share information about their activities, opinions, status, and professional interests. The research findings are relevant for librarians and information scientists who wish to better understand and explore the phenomenon of library tweets.
84 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on extracting common themes from the literature that might help the reader better understand why e-books have not yet become the cornerstone of the academic library.
Abstract: E-books have yet to assume a significant place in academic library collections. This article focuses on extracting common themes from the literature that might help the reader better understand why e-books have not yet become the cornerstone of the academic library. Patrons do not use e-books because they find the experience of using e-books incongruous with their experience of using other electronic resources, and many of the unexpected limitations they encounter when using e-books are not inherent to the format. Most often, they are purposefully imposed limitations tied to digital rights management techniques. Librarians do not purchase e-books because the titles they want to acquire are often not available electronically, because they are priced or packaged in a way that makes them less appealing than their print counterparts, or because acquiring e-books does not easily integrate into their normal acquisitions workflow.
70 citations
TL;DR: This case study summarizes how Morris Library at Southern Illinois University Carbondale implemented Google Analytics on its Web site and used the reports to inform a site redesign.
Abstract: Web site usage statistics are a widely used tool for Web site development, but libraries are still learning how to use them successfully. This case study summarizes how Morris Library at Southern Illinois University Carbondale implemented Google Analytics on its Web site and used the reports to inform a site redesign. As the main campus library at a research university with about 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the library included resources from multiple library departments on a single site. In planning the redesign, Morris Library's Virtual Library Group combined usage reports with information from other sources, such as usability tests and user comments. The Virtual Library Group faced barriers to interpreting and applying the usage statistics in the site redesign, including some that were specific to the library's implementation of the Google Analytics tool and some limitations inherent with Web usage statistics in general. Some key barriers in applying the usage statistics to a redesign i...
30 citations
TL;DR: The requirements for an information portal are explored and the challenges University of Nebraska-Lincoln faced when implementing Encore are described, along with recommendations for future usability studies to evaluate where additional improvements should be made.
Abstract: Libraries today face an increasing challenge: to provide relevant information to diverse populations with differing needs while competing with Web search engines like Google. In 2009, a large group of libraries, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, joined with Innovative Interfaces as development partners to design a new type of discovery tool. The concept of information portals best supports the research and instructional needs of our communities by organizing and presenting information that incorporates licensed databases, text, multimedia, and other relevant sources. The discovery tool under examination by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Encore integrates searches of the catalog, locally created full-text and image sources, and articles from licensed databases with navigation options that facilitate narrowing and expanding search results. This information portal development is an ongoing process with the goal of providing a tool that is as easy to use as Web search engines and tha...
23 citations
13 citations
TL;DR: Using case studies of catastrophic disaster response at libraries, this article begins with an analysis of human resource management problems common to disaster response coordinators worldwide and discusses Auburn University Libraries’ uses of free Web 2.0 applications in support of library disaster preparation, response, and recovery.
Abstract: Successful disaster response is an exercise in managing human resources under very difficult conditions. Catastrophic disasters can disrupt both the physical communication networks and the social networks critical to efficient response and recovery. While a well-designed disaster plan serves as a framework, it often requires communication and collaboration between responders to adapt it to the situation at hand. Displacement of library staff adds to the chaotic nature of post-disaster communications, increasing the need for collaborative Web spaces to adapt to changing situations. Using case studies of catastrophic disaster response at libraries, this article begins with an analysis of human resource management problems common to disaster response coordinators worldwide. It then discusses Auburn University Libraries’ uses of free Web 2.0 applications in support of library disaster preparation, response, and recovery. While Auburn University's location on the coastal plain of Alabama is vulnerable to both ...
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries, illustrates one approach to using new technologies as additional methods for internal communication, which is one reason internal staff wiki and blogs were implemented at the University Libraries.
Abstract: This case study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries, which has one main library, three branches, and more than 110 staff, illustrates one approach to using new technologies as additional methods for internal communication. At large academic libraries, communication within the organization can be challenging. The potential that Web 2.0 tools have to increase opportunities for communication and collaboration is one reason internal staff wiki and blogs were implemented at the University Libraries. The staff wiki is predominantly used to archive committee meeting minutes, policies and procedures, and departmental information, while blogs are used mainly for news items and departmental updates. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, library staff were surveyed to assess the changes in communication after the implementation of blogs and an internal wiki. The authors theorized that Web 2.0 technologies would reduce barriers and improve communication. Results indicated an overall improvem...
13 citations
TL;DR: This study used library-specific terms to search public social networking sites, blog search engines, and social bookmarking sites for activity associated with librarians and library users and found the results follow a curve resembling the 80/20 rule and also resemble Chris Anderson's “long tail” effect.
Abstract: Library 2.0 literature has described many of the possibilities Web 2.0 technologies offer to libraries. Case studies have assessed local use, but no studies have measured the Library 2.0 phenomenon by searching public social networking sites. This study used library-specific terms to search public social networking sites, blog search engines, and social bookmarking sites for activity associated with librarians and library users. Blog search data about the recentness of activity or the popularity of a blog post indicate that Library 2.0 technology has many early adopters but provides less evidence of sustained use. The results follow a curve resembling the 80/20 rule and also resemble Chris Anderson's “long tail” effect, in which very few authors create the vast amount of content. These exploratory results can be used as a starting point for future studies. Librarians who use tags to describe Web-based content might use these findings to select more effective tags. Librarians implementing a blog or a socia...
11 citations
TL;DR: Landman Library is two-thirds of the way through a three-stage process of migrating to the Koha open-source integrated library system, and has learned various lessons about project management, problem solving, and communication between the library and IT.
Abstract: Landman Library is two-thirds of the way through a three-stage process of migrating to the Koha open-source integrated library system (http://koha-community.org). We are an academic library with roughly 143,000 volumes, six professional librarians, and three support staff. The migration to open source was driven by the desire to access our own data as well the need for more flexibility in our public search interface. After evaluating two open-source solutions, we selected Koha because it included modules for all major functions of the library. The phased migration process allowed us to spread costs out over multiple fiscal years and to make the most urgent changes sooner than would have otherwise been possible. The two phases that we have completed so far have taught us various lessons about project management, problem solving, and communication between the library and IT. We learned to involve stakeholders very early, provide specific examples when reporting problems, and have a designated liaison betwee...
11 citations
TL;DR: Staff interviews showed that common goals for an intranet, such as information dissemination, knowledge sharing, communication, and collaboration, are not necessarily easier to achieve when an Intranet is equipped with Web 2.0 functionalities.
Abstract: This article presents a case study of the intranet implementation and adoption process of a SharePoint intranet at a small academic library and investigates why the many Web 2.0 tools of the library intranet are currently underused. Staff interviews showed that common goals for an intranet, such as information dissemination, knowledge sharing, communication, and collaboration, are not necessarily easier to achieve when an intranet is equipped with Web 2.0 functionalities. The same level of thorough planning and organizational efforts required to make an intranet succeed before Web 2.0 is still necessary to realize the promise of Intranet 2.0.
8 citations
TL;DR: How the document management team (circulation and interlibrary loan) at the University of Maryland University College implemented Microsoft's SharePoint product to create a central hub for online collaboration, communication, and storage is explained.
Abstract: This article explains how the document management team (circulation and interlibrary loan) at the University of Maryland University College implemented Microsoft's SharePoint product to create a central hub for online collaboration, communication, and storage. Enhancing the team's efficiency, organization, and cooperation was the primary goal. Although the group is already highly effective, it is always interested in making further improvements. Document Management consists of three technicians and two professionals, and this small staff is responsible for providing services to 86,000 students plus faculty and staff at a distance education-focused institution. The team's previously adopted tools to improve internal operations had been adequate but not optimal. Also, a long-standing and overarching concern about the potential loss of some or all of the document management knowledge base existed. These reasons prompted the team to carefully examine SharePoint as a prospective tool. It was hoped that this ea...
TL;DR: The overall project management of the intranet redesign process is outlined, including methods used for collecting staff feedback, evaluating existing and potential content, creating a new information architecture focused on departments and committees, establishing new internal communication channels, creating staff enthusiasm and buy-in, and training the entire library staff.
Abstract: Library intranets require flexibility and efficiency and enhance the internal communication and collaborative nature of creating and organizing the institution's information. At the University of Houston Libraries, the focus was on public services, so little attention was given to the intranet—the tool every department relied on for quick access to their content. Text-heavy, static Web pages with poor organization and outdated information made the site unusable. In 2008, the University of Houston Libraries assembled a team to begin the considerable task of redesigning the intranet with Drupal, a popular open source content management system that would allow for interactive information sharing, user-centered design, and new ways of collaboration. This article outlines on the overall project management of the intranet redesign process, including methods used for collecting staff feedback, evaluating existing and potential content, creating a new information architecture focused on departments and committees...
TL;DR: A survey of reference staff indicates satisfaction with the RefPortal, but more training is needed for the portal to be used to its maximum potential, and the Reference Department plans to explore unused SharePoint components to solve additional departmental needs.
Abstract: In September 2008, the Albert S Cook Library at Towson University implemented an intranet to support the various functions of the library's Reference Department This intranet is called the RefPortal After exploring open source options and other Web 20 tools, the department (under the guidance of the library technology coordinator) chose Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 30, a proprietary product, as their intranet platform Various components of SharePoint fulfill the Reference Department's needs, which include recording reference transactions, publishing policies and procedures, and sharing pertinent information at the reference desk Several lessons and best practices have emerged since the department's initial SharePoint implementation A survey of reference staff indicates satisfaction with the RefPortal, but more training is needed for the portal to be used to its maximum potential Staff use of the portal has served as an example for other departments in the library and for the university
TL;DR: McClure and Jaeger as mentioned in this paper proposed a new list of proposed "Internet-enabled" social roles and responses, selected from the Pew Internet and American Life Project report (Estabrooke, Witt, and Rainie 2007).
Abstract: All of this leads to a new list of proposed “Internet-enabled” social roles and responses, selected from the Pew Internet and American Life Project report (Estabrooke, Witt, and Rainie 2007). The roles the authors selected from this list are broader than those provided by the Public Library Association and provide examples of the variety of services that public libraries provide. It is worth noting that these roles are descriptive of what public libraries are already doing. From here, McClure and Jaeger set out three main points that inform the rest of the book: public libraries should not let technology solely define their social roles, being so Internet focused could cause the federal government to rely too heavily on public libraries without providing more support, and “loosening the focus on the established social roles related to the marketplace of ideas risks the loss of the soul of librarianship . . .” (55). This concern counterbalances their fears about libraries losing their way by becoming too technologically focused. Effectively interspersed throughout the book are a number of wellwritten chapters covering a variety of statistical summaries and how-to methods, including compilations of the services that public libraries provide, Internet-related training for the public and staff, and an assessment of government policies and their effects. The how-to methods include selecting Internet-enabled roles, planning advice, and an examination of arguments from inside and outside of the profession against using Internet-enabled roles. Ultimately, McClure and Jaeger succeed in their stated goals: framing the discussion by examining the public library’s role in the Internet age and carefully noting the issues. However, their bias for conserving the current shape of public libraries could chafe more technologically forward-looking librarians. This book should be of great interest to library policy-setters and scholars and is also a worthwhile read for frontline librarians and staff.
TL;DR: The Digital Initiatives department at Miami University, like most digital initiatives and special collections departments, has a large number of rich digital image collections, stored primarily in a third-party database, which are not findable to the average Web user.
Abstract: The Digital Initiatives department at Miami University, like most digital initiatives and special collections departments, has a large number of rich digital image collections, stored primarily in a third-party database. Typically, these databases are not findable to the average Web user. From a desire to expose these collections to the wider Web environment, thoughts immediately turned to Flickr, the most prominent Web site for image discovery and sharing. The problem was scale: the default uploading interface was too inefficient for the project. A set of PHP scripts were developed, devised to interact with Flickr's application programming interface to allow for quick and efficient uploading of images as well as metadata such as titles, subjects, tags, and hyperlinks back to the collections. Once the scripts were in place, the uploading process was completely automatic. Miami University Library's Digital Initiatives department has uploaded more than 5,000 images using this method, and the results have be...
TL;DR: The number of ways in which the authors access information is making their personal computing environment very complex, and this creates tension between how I manage information and its availability in my everyday life.
Abstract: The number of ways in which we access information is making our personal computing environment very complex. My own personal computing infrastructure includes two personal computers, multiple data-...
TL;DR: The new intranet is a one-stop source for internal information and includes features to promote communication, professional development, and collegiality and is designed to be an integral part of librarians’ daily workflow.
Abstract: Intranets should provide quick and easy access to organizational information. The University of Alabama Libraries’ intranet was only partially satisfying this basic expectation. Librarians could use it to find forms, policies, committee assignments, and meeting minutes, but navigating the libraries’ intranet was neither quick nor easy, and it was only one of multiple sources for essential internal information. The Web Services Department of the University of Alabama Libraries was responsible for directing the redesign of the intranet. Moving to the open-source Drupal content management system (http://drupal.org), Web Services launched a revamped public Web site in January 2009. The intranet was slated for a similar redesign and conversion to Drupal by the end of the same year. The goal was to build a site that served as a center for information for library faculty and staff, provided a stream of information to keep librarians throughout the system connected, contained personalized features based on an ind...
TL;DR: Future phases of the project will focus on integrating other internal communication tools used by staff in their day-to-day work, including internal file-sharing drives, staff e-mail and instant messaging platforms, meeting scheduling software, and external document sharing tools such as Google Docs.
Abstract: The days of top-down communication and controlled internal messages at a library organization are—or should be—behind us. Modern libraries must be fluid and flexible organizations with equally nimble internal communication infrastructures in place to keep up with the fast-paced environments that have been created in these organizations. As is the case at many institutions, McMaster University Library (about 100 employees) put a great deal of effort into public-facing resources and content, while the library intranet languished as an afterthought. Static Web pages were haphazardly created and linked to from the site's index page. As the site grew, the lack of global navigation, search functionality, and clarity about content ownership led to a large, confusing collection of pages that was increasingly difficult to maintain. In 2009, a project was undertaken to redesign the staff intranet and implement Drupal, an open-source content management system, to power the new site. This case study outlines the issu...
TL;DR: This case study of a small, virtual academic library, created to serve a non-traditional student population, faculty, and community, illustrates the use of measures such as the saturation rate ofStudent population, the percentage of bibliographic sessions and orientations compared to number of courses offered, and Web site traffic patterns.
Abstract: Measuring quality of service in academic libraries traditionally includes quantifiable data such as collection size, staff counts, circulation numbers, reference service statistics, qualitative analyses of customer satisfaction, shelving accuracy, and building comfort. In the libraries of the third millennium, virtual worlds, Web content and remote customer populations mean that traditional measures of quality service are no longer complete. Applying methods to quantify effectiveness is vital to future success, and is a necessary precursor to examining quality of service. This case study of a small, virtual academic library, created to serve a non-traditional student population, faculty, and community, illustrates the use of measures such as the saturation rate of student population, the percentage of bibliographic sessions and orientations compared to number of courses offered, and Web site traffic patterns. As library services are affected by factors such as self-sufficient customers, declining physical...
TL;DR: This article presents several strategies for incorporating libraries and library resources into Web sites and course management systems appropriate for many types of libraries and work with most Web-based systems.
Abstract: Web 2.0 has made information more accessible and offers opportunities to make library resources more visible. This article presents several strategies for incorporating libraries and library resources into Web sites and course management systems. The tools presented are appropriate for many types of libraries and work with most Web-based systems. Readers who are exploring ways to integrate resources into other sites will find a convenient list of ideas.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the ways other academic libraries design their Web sites for particular user groups, specifically graduate students, in order to determine how the Oregon State University Libraries Web site compared to peer institutions.
Abstract: A library's Web site is well recognized as the gateway to the library for the vast majority of users. Choosing the most user-friendly Web architecture to reflect the many services libraries offer is a complex process, and librarians are still experimenting to find what works best for their users. As part of a redesign of the Oregon State University Libraries’ Web site, entry points for specific user groups were created. One of these user groups was graduate students. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways other academic libraries design their Web sites for particular user groups, specifically graduate students, in order to determine how the Oregon State University Libraries Web site compared to peer institutions. This study analyzed 112 Association of Research Libraries’ Web sites and 26 Oregon academic libraries’ Web sites to determine the availability of resources and services specifically promoted to graduate students. Since graduate students may view the library Web site through the lens of...
TL;DR: An increase in the number of libraries in the Association of Research Libraries with federated search engines is identified, and a common problem of mismatching federatedsearch context to the resources included is revealed, which has significant implications for users.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate how federated search engines are incorporated into the Web sites of libraries in the Association of Research Libraries. In 2009, information was gathered for each library in the Association of Research Libraries with a federated search engine. This included the name of the federated search service and the presence, placement, and context of federated search boxes and links on library home pages, secondary pages, electronic resource lists, research guides, and course pages. Information was also gathered to compare whether the context of the federated search engine matched the resources included. During this study, a number of Web site redesigns affected how federated search engines were incorporated. A few of these site changes are described to illustrate the evolving nature of federated search engines on library Web sites. Building on a previous study, this study identified an increase in the number of libraries in the Association of Research Libraries with fed...
TL;DR: The implementation of an intranet wiki at the San Diego State University Library & Information Access indicated that librarians were more active and more comfortable using the editing features of the wiki software.
Abstract: Intranets can be crucial tools in fostering communication within an academic library. This article describes the successful implementation of an intranet wiki at the San Diego State University Library & Information Access. The steps involved with implementing, marketing, and supporting the MediaWiki software are described, and the results of a user survey are discussed. The survey, which was answered by 50 percent of intranet users, indicated that while the intranet was well used by all respondents, librarians were more active and more comfortable using the editing features of the wiki software. Recommendations for similar projects are offered based on the findings and experiences.
TL;DR: A qualitative study of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library's Web site identified the ways in which students and faculty of the University of Montana used the site for research purposes and led to Web site modifications and a formalized process by which the library will approach subsequent Web site design.
Abstract: A qualitative study of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library's Web site identified the ways in which students and faculty of the University of Montana used the site for research purposes. This study employed open-ended interview questions and observations to spontaneously capture a user's experience in researching topics in which they specialized. Four thematic recommendations emerged from nine study participants: increase the readability and consistency of the library's Web site, provide research guidance and ease of navigation, offer task-based services that maximize technology, and enable customization. The study led to Web site modifications and a formalized process by which the library will approach subsequent Web site design.
TL;DR: The degree to which recent advances in commercial Web hosting and open-source applications have reduced the process of administering Web services, once time consuming and technically demanding, to near point-and-click simplicity is demonstrated.
Abstract: The explosion of Web 2.0 into libraries has left many smaller academic libraries (and other libraries with limited computing resources or support) to work in the cloud using free Web applications. The use of commercial Web hosting is an innovative approach to the problem of inadequate local resources. While the idea of insourcing IT will seem daunting to some, the process of setting up and administering hosting and applications is remarkably accessible to staff with basic word processing and Web skills. This article demonstrates the degree to which recent advances in commercial Web hosting and open-source applications have reduced the process of administering Web services, once time consuming and technically demanding, to near point-and-click simplicity. This article reports on the Kraemer Family Library's use of commercial Web hosting to develop and host a Web 2.0 staff intranet. The staff of 9.5 full-time equivalent librarians and 21.5 full-time equivalent staff serve 8,000 students and 700 faculty and ...
TL;DR: Traditional intranet theories and best practices in relation to the two generations of the Web 2.0 intranets at the Technical Services Department at the Miami University Libraries are explored.
Abstract: With the growth of Web 2.0 library intranets in recent years, many libraries are leaving behind legacy, first-generation intranets. As Web 2.0 intranets multiply and mature, how will traditional intranet best practices—especially in the areas of planning, implementation, and evaluation—translate into an existing Web 2.0 intranet infrastructure? This article explores traditional intranet theories and best practices in relation to the two generations of the Web 2.0 intranet at the Technical Services Department at the Miami University Libraries. The case study explores the evaluation of the first-generation Web 2.0 intranet (implemented in 2005) and the planning and implementation of the second-generation Web 2.0 intranet in 2008. While the technologies are different, the case study shows many of the best practices established for traditional intranets still hold true for the Web 2.0 intranets in the case study. Following many of the traditional best practices helped the second Web 2.0 intranet to succeed, w...
TL;DR: This example presentation is part proof-of-concept, part instructional piece, and it is part of a larger site on HTML5 and how you can use it to create rich Web-based applications.
Abstract: I recently created a presentation using HTML5 based on a tutorial put together by Marcin Wichary (http://slides.html5rocks.com). The example presentation is part proof-of-concept, part instructiona...
TL;DR: In the twenty years since its launch by Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web has gone through a number of surprising evolutions as discussed by the authors, from simple text-based documents to sharing our daily lives through f...
Abstract: In the twenty years since its launch by Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web has gone through a number of surprising evolutions. From simple text-based documents to sharing our daily lives through f...
TL;DR: Libraries have been looking at user behavior in Web spaces and are asking questions similar to those confronting physical building planners, including whether library Web spaces should be designed to support the habits of residents as opposed to visitors.
Abstract: Libraries have been considering visitor use of their physical buildings for a long time. Spaces have been reconfigured and updated as times have changed. In some libraries, patrons are making thems...