Showing papers in "Serials Librarian in 2011"
TL;DR: Ithaka S+R's What to Withdraw study focuses closely on the preservation considerations associated with print for scholarly journals where print no longer serves an important access role.
Abstract: For scholarly journals, the academic community is today in the midst of a major format transition away from print and toward an electronic-only future. Ithaka S+R's regular Faculty Survey, most recently conducted in the fall of 2009, indicates that faculty members have grown increasingly comfortable with relying on local journal collections in electronic formats. For those journals where print no longer serves an important access role, preservation is the format's principal remaining role. Ithaka S+R's What to Withdraw study therefore focuses closely on the preservation considerations associated with print.
58 citations
TL;DR: Sarah Sutton discussed using the position requirements in job advertisements as a way to learn what competencies employers are seeking in prospective applicants.
Abstract: As the demand for electronic resources librarians increases, there is an expectation that graduate programs and continuing education will supply librarians with the appropriate qualifications. However, there are no agreed-upon competencies for this specialty. Sarah Sutton is conducting research for her doctoral dissertation to develop a definitive set of core competencies for electronic resources librarianship. She discussed using the position requirements in job advertisements as a way to learn what competencies employers are seeking in prospective applicants.
26 citations
TL;DR: Eric Miller described what the concept of linked data is, practical applications for linked data space, and how libraries can contribute to linked data efforts and suggested new opportunities for libraries to assist organizations with their information needs.
Abstract: Eric Miller described what the concept of linked data is, practical applications for linked data space, and how libraries can contribute to linked data efforts. He defined linked data as the next phase of the World Wide Web. Whereas the Web made it possible to link and connect documents, linked data are leveraging the Web to connect data regardless of where those data reside. Miller suggested new opportunities for libraries to assist organizations with their information needs and to weave knowledge workers, library users, and librarians together in a new enterprise.
22 citations
TL;DR: Fleming-May and Price as mentioned in this paper discussed the need for libraries to communicate their true value and indispensability to campus communities, particularly through the measurement of electronic resource usage, which is complex and must be fully understood for meaningful incorporation into assessment measures.
Abstract: How can libraries proactively demonstrate, quantitatively and qualitatively, return on investment in an academic environment that is increasingly concerned with tangible results? As speaker for Mississippi State University Libraries' 9th MidSouth eResource Symposium, Dr. Rachel Fleming-May, Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences, articulated the need for libraries to communicate their true value and indispensability to campus communities, particularly through the measurement of electronic resource usage. The concept of “use,” however, is complex and must be fully understood for meaningful incorporation into assessment measures. A brief summary of this session, also authored by Amanda Price, appeared in the “E-Resource Roundup” column of the Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, Volume 23, Issue 1 (2011: March).
19 citations
TL;DR: The study concludes that subject specific databases are more effective than search engines, but the complexity of accessing the invisible web is hindering their popularity.
Abstract: The literature shows that students are more likely to begin their search via Google, as it is perceived to be easier and more accessible than other databases or publisher platforms. The invisible web, specifically publisher platforms, is sometimes too difficult for students to access; there are also suggestions that Google Scholar in particular may outperform other paid-for databases. The ease of access and the somewhat misguided notion that Google Scholar has more reliable information than that provided by libraries makes search engines all the more attractive. This culture of searching using a single search box is reflected in the increase in the number of libraries opting for single resource discovery systems such as Summon or Primo, which use a single search covering all the library holdings. The findings suggest that whilst Google Scholar can perform well in some circumstances, it performed only moderately well when compared with LISTA and Summon – the single resource discovery system tested. It was ...
17 citations
TL;DR: This article opens new areas of scholarly inquiry by assessing the quality of contents of repositories at American colleges and universities across the academic spectrum, using citation indexing to identify an institution's articles and authors of highest impact.
Abstract: Open access institutional repositories were created to promote access to information, encourage scholarly communication, and demonstrate institutional prestige. While these repositories have been widely adopted, the quality of their contents often fails to represent their institution's scholarly output. Moreover, current research uses measurements of quantity, not quality, to assess their value. In response, this article opens new areas of scholarly inquiry by assessing the quality of contents. This is accomplished through a cross-sectional study of repositories at American colleges and universities across the academic spectrum, using citation indexing to identify an institution's articles and authors of highest impact.
16 citations
TL;DR: This session described the implementation of a purchase-on-demand e-book collection developed on MyiLibrary, with content from Ingram's Coutts Information Service, and then they analyzed the pros and cons of this collection development model.
Abstract: Purchas on demand is an emerging e-book collection development model that can help academic libraries satisfy their patrons' changing needs In this session, Jonathan Nabe and Andrea Imre of Southern Illinois University Carbondale described their implementation of a purchase-on-demand e-book collection developed on MyiLibrary, with content from Ingram's Coutts Information Service, and then they analyzed the pros and cons of this collection development model Benefits include lower cost-per-title and higher usage rates; challenges include avoiding duplication of print titles and adapting to restrictions in license agreements
14 citations
TL;DR: The methodology and systems used at the University of St. Thomas Libraries to analyze usage statistics for both print and electronic resources in order to support collection development decisions are described.
Abstract: Linda Hulbert and Dani Roach described the methodology and systems used at the University of St. Thomas Libraries to analyze usage statistics for both print and electronic resources in order to support collection development decisions. They discussed how the usage statistics are collected, how cost-per-use is calculated, and how standards development will facilitate these processes. Roles of subject liaisons and the collection development committee in the decision-making process are examined.
14 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that increased indexing of open access art journals in the traditional, subject-specific indexes will be integral to their acceptance within the discipline of art history.
Abstract: This article evaluates the indexing of open access art journals in four frequently utilized art indexes: Art Full Text, ARTBibliographies Modern, Art & Architecture Complete, and Bibliography of the History of Art/International Bibliography of Art. The authors also compare the indexing of open access journals in Google Scholar to that in the traditional indexes mentioned above and demonstrate that the commercial indexes currently lag behind Google Scholar in terms of content coverage. This article argues that increased indexing of open access art journals in the traditional, subject-specific indexes will be integral to their acceptance within the discipline of art history.
13 citations
TL;DR: This column reviews some of the roadblocks that impede consistent implementation of these standards as well as proposes recommendations that could form the basis of a community profile for these standards.
Abstract: The Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources (COUNTER) Code of Practice and Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI) are two standards whose successful adoption will greatly assist librarians in performing accurate and timely usage analysis of their online collections and thus make more informed collection management decisions. Variations in how these standards have been applied by content providers to their SUSHI and COUNTER implementation are currently impacting their widespread adoption. The standards themselves are not broken—what is needed is concise guidelines on their implementation. This column reviews some of the roadblocks that impede consistent implementation of these standards as well as proposes recommendations that could form the basis of a community profile for these standards.
9 citations
TL;DR: The author discusses issues and controversy concerning the new cataloging code Resource Description and Access (RDA) and the results of a test of RDA conducted by the Library of Congress, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Agricultural Library.
Abstract: The author discusses issues and controversy concerning the new cataloging code Resource Description and Access (RDA) and the results of a test of RDA conducted by the Library of Congress, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Agricultural Library.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of research conducted into opinions within the academic library community on digital preservation and present a survey to build on and complement recent research done by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) into publisher strategies for preservation.
Abstract: Colin Meddings of Oxford University Press presented the results of research conducted into opinions within the academic library community on digital preservation. In this context the term digital preservation refers specifically to the preservation of electronic scholarly literature with the goal of ensuring materials remain accessible to future scholars, researchers, and students. Oxford University Press intends this survey to build on and complement recent research done by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) into publisher strategies for preservation.
TL;DR: A comprehensive analysis of what libraries can and should do to help users access their databases is presented and an ongoing project to update her library's database Web pages to enhance their utility for library patrons is discussed.
Abstract: Amy Fry, Electronic Resources Coordinator for Bowling Green State University (BGSU), presented a comprehensive analysis of what libraries can and should do to help users access their databases. She discussed an ongoing project to update her library's database Web pages to enhance their utility for library patrons. During her presentation she explained how she identified best practices in Association of Research Libraries member libraries, made recommendations based on these best practices, and discussed the work in implementing her recommendations. Fry also discussed a Web page usability study conducted with her colleague, BGSU's Reference Coordinator, Linda Rich.
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship of commercial publishers to the Open Access movement is compared to that of the creators/users of file sharers and the Record Industry, and the contention that U.S. laws favor copyright owners over consumers, and pre-existing models over innovation.
Abstract: This article reviews the contention that U.S. laws favor copyright owners over consumers, and pre-existing models over innovation. The relationship of commercial publishers to the Open Access movement is compared to that of the creators/users of file sharers and the Record Industry. The library literature bears out the contention that journal publishers have exhibited some of the behaviors that contributed to the decline of the major record labels. Librarians who support free scholarship will find the music industry plight instructive; just as iTunes fulfilled consumer demand, Open Access and other alternatives will transform publishing.
TL;DR: The supporting justifications, outreach mechanisms, and logistical procedures undertaken at American University Library to relocate the entire bound journal collection to offsite storage in order to address severe physical space constraints and to support patron use of and preference for electronic journal content are examined.
Abstract: With the advent of e-journal preservation projects and publisher digitization of journal backfiles, academic libraries have begun to move their corresponding print volumes of these titles to storage to avoid duplication and save space. This article examines the supporting justifications, outreach mechanisms, and logistical procedures undertaken at American University Library to relocate the entire bound journal collection to offsite storage in order to address severe physical space constraints and to support patron use of and preference for electronic journal content. In addition, the article presents preliminary data regarding the use of bound volumes sent to storage and an overall analysis of this transformational project.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined circulation statistics for print materials published in the past five years and found that only one third of the print materials ordered over the past 5 years have circulated, many only one time.
Abstract: During the fall of 2008, the librarians at Rodgers Library and the Associate Dean for Collections examined circulation statistics for print materials published in the past five years. At the same time, they were examining use of electronic resources in science and engineering. The difference in use was staggering. While the use of electronic resources continues to rise, the circulation of print materials falls. Statistics showed that only one third of the print materials ordered over the past five years have circulated, many only one time. Based on this information, the authors began discussing alternatives. While e-books will constitute a possible substitute for print books, they know that the two formats are complementary and will continue to maintain a balance in their collection. E-book acquisitions continue to evolve as new options become available.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the efforts of an academic library in the Caribbean to address the need for increased electronic information to users and explore the role of the Acquisitions and Serials Unit in making this transition possible.
Abstract: This article seeks to add to the body of literature about the provision and management of electronic resources in academic libraries in developing countries. It recognizes the importance of providing increased electronic information to users and describes the efforts of an academic library in the Caribbean to address this need. The role of the Acquisitions and Serials Unit in making this transition possible is explored. Furthermore, an assessment of the progress attained in the transition process is documented, including issues encountered, many of which have not yet been resolved. Future plans for successful development of an increased electronic resources environment have also been proposed.
TL;DR: This article will provide a brief survey of current and future standards and initiatives related to e-resources and discuss why they should matter to you.
Abstract: Successful implementation of standards like Shared E-Resource Understanding (SERU), Counting Online Usage of NeTworked Electronic Resources (COUNTER), Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI), and I2 (Institutional Identifiers) can simplify and improve your ability to manage your e-resources. Other initiatives like the Journal Usage Factor, EigenFactor™, and Metrics from Scholarly Usage of Resources (MESUR) are envisioned to become the basis for future tools to evaluate the impact of scholarly information. This article will provide a brief survey of current and future standards and initiatives related to e-resources and discuss why they should matter to you.
TL;DR: The Ohio State University's Magda El-Sherbini led a preconference session providing details about Resource Description and Access (RDA), the long-awaited successor to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2) cataloging standard.
Abstract: Ohio State University's Magda El-Sherbini led a preconference session providing details about Resource Description and Access (RDA), the long-awaited successor to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2) cataloging standard. As RDA is primarily based on the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) model, El-Sherbini provided an in-depth background in FRBR's philosophical constructs and how they apply to RDA. She also illuminated a number of the biggest changes that catalogers will face when describing items using the RDA standard, most notably the elimination of abbreviations, and the identification of relationships between manifestations of works. El-Sherbini also described the RDA testing process and timeline for the major national libraries. RDA was officially released June 23, 2010.
TL;DR: Through the use of popular movie metaphors, Kent Anderson of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery discussed how the Internet is driving an evolution in publishing and how changes in information behaviors are shaping Publishing 2.0.
Abstract: Through the use of popular movie metaphors, Kent Anderson of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery discussed how the Internet is driving an evolution in publishing and how changes in information behaviors are shaping Publishing 2.0. As consumers of information adopt new Web-enabled devices, they expect information to be published where they are and on their devices of choice. Culture is pushing toward a disintermediation of knowledge, reducing hierarchies, and changing the traditional publishing model.
TL;DR: A pilot program to study the viability of supplying faculty with journal content via pay-per-view in lieu of journal subscriptions and positive reactions to the service coupled with the savings to the library prompted the adoption of this access method for a significant number of serials titles.
Abstract: The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point deployed a pilot program to study the viability of supplying faculty with journal content via pay-per-view in lieu of journal subscriptions Librarians took advantage of a University of Wisconsin system pay-per-view plan with publishers Wiley and Elsevier Journal articles were requested and delivered using modified existing interlibrary loan (ILL) software Along with journal content, a survey was distributed to library users to measure their reaction to this manner of delivery Users' positive reactions to the service coupled with the savings to the library prompted the adoption of this access method for a significant number of serials titles
TL;DR: This article traces some of the historical developments of this lack of transparency in the library marketplace and reports on a survey conducted exploring the amount of publicly available information on websites of database and journal bundle publishers.
Abstract: There is a perceived lack of transparency in publisher pricing models for databases and journal bundles, creating a sense of secrecy around important collection development decisions for online resources. This article traces some of the historical developments of this lack of transparency in the library marketplace and reports on a survey conducted exploring the amount of publicly available information on websites of database and journal bundle publishers. A discussion on how a lack of transparency can affect consortia, and perceived reasons why transparency in pricing can be seen as both beneficial and detrimental by librarians, will follow. It concludes with a short summary of what libraries can do to increase transparency for their libraries.
TL;DR: A case study of one library's move to a discovery layer in the catalog in order to help users discover and access electronic resources is presented.
Abstract: This session presented a case study of one library's move to a discovery layer in the catalog in order to help users discover and access electronic resources. The presenters described the entire process of evaluating the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and deciding which provider to choose for the discovery layer. Both presenters shared strategies and decision-making methods with the audience.
TL;DR: In this session, Holly Mercer presented a case for finding global solutions to improve the metadata that are available for journals, particularly small, independent, open-access journals.
Abstract: In this session, Holly Mercer presented a case for finding global solutions to improve the metadata that are available for journals, particularly small, independent, open-access journals. She discussed the scholarly communication lifecycle and described how in her view the metadata value chain underpins the scholarly communication system. Examples of the importance of metadata to discovery, access, and use of publications were provided. Suggestions of how librarians can help editors and publishers enhance discoverability and usability for patrons were also provided.
TL;DR: The tension between the structures by which the library organizes and presents information, and the ways in which students and researchers access, use, and conceptualize knowledge is explored.
Abstract: This article explores the tension between the structures by which the library organizes and presents information, and the ways in which students and researchers access, use, and conceptualize knowledge. I suggest that while knowledge structures are vital to learning and research, an overemphasis on structurality is mistaken, and can lead to an inappropriately positivist approach that impedes the research mission. The article examines various metaphoric ways of negotiating meaning and navigating information structures, and of crossing the threshold of structurality.
TL;DR: Background information on why participants in the University of California system Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER) Funnel use Web conferencing software is shared and results of an informal survey are discussed.
Abstract: Web conferencing software can be a useful tool for training sessions or other kinds of information sharing across distances. Background information on why participants in the University of California system Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER) Funnel use Web conferencing software is shared. Results of an informal survey and information gleaned from session audience on the topic of Web conferencing software are also discussed.
TL;DR: The role and interrelationships among authors, publishers, intermediaries, libraries, and consortia in the production, selling, and procurement of serial publications are discussed in this paper.
Abstract: The opening column offers an overview of the roles and interrelationships among authors, publishers, intermediaries, libraries, and consortia in the production, selling, and procurement of serial publications and generally traces the evolution of the commerce over the last several decades.
TL;DR: The Electronic Serial Correction Form and the Electronic Order Form were described, which were developed to change paper workflow into an electronic one, making the routing process easier and the forms clearer, more accurate, and searchable.
Abstract: After the technical service department at the University of Northern Colorado's James A. Michener Library underwent a major reorganization, Rick Kerns and his team were given the task to streamline and enhance various electronic resource workflows using internally developed tools. Kerns discussed the development of an interactive form to check e-journal holdings using a Microsoft Access database. He then described the Electronic Serial Correction Form and the Electronic Order Form, which were developed to change paper workflow into an electronic one, making the routing process easier and the forms clearer, more accurate, and searchable. A brief summary of this session, also authored by Ning Han, appeared in the “E-resource Roundup” column of the Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, Volume 23, Issue 1 (2011: March).
TL;DR: Nine years after an end to the check-in of print periodicals in exchange for allocating staff resources to support electronic resources at the University of Nevada, Reno, current print serials management practices in a new and changed environment are assessed.
Abstract: In 2001, librarians at the University of Nevada, Reno, carried out what some considered a radical experiment in the library world: an end to the check-in of print periodicals in exchange for allocating staff resources to support electronic resources. Nine years later, the authors assessed current print serials management practices in a new and changed environment through a survey and interviews. This article presents the assessment results, discusses the directions taken over the years, the benefits and challenges, and offers suggestions for other libraries interested in exploring such a project.
TL;DR: The role of Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources, Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative, and Knowledge Bases and Related Tools are each considered from the perspective of the environment within which the librarian is operating.
Abstract: This column examines several standards and best practices that impact the gathering and analysis of usage data. The role of Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources (COUNTER), Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI), and Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART) are each considered from the perspective of the environment within which the librarian is operating. The column also considers how the quality and consistency of the data exchanged while using these standards contributes to a successful outcome.