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Showing papers in "Serials Librarian in 2015"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The importance of the library in narrowing the digital divide is highlighted in the literature as discussed by the authors, where the focus is drawn to meeting those needs in equal measure to maintaining access as the primary means of closing the Digital Divide in America.
Abstract: Mapping the digital divide in America is a multifaceted issue; however, the influence of underlying socioeconomic causes, the shift in the conversation to new divides including broadband accessibility and digital literacy, and the importance of the library in narrowing the divide are all prominent points of focus in the literature today. As conversations surrounding the digital divide begin to shift from a divide in access to a divide in skills and/or literacy, attention must be drawn to meeting those needs in equal measure to maintaining access as the primary means of closing the digital divide in America.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article found that the number of predatory publishers and their associated journals are fairly small in the three article database packages and one directory that were examined, and that the presence of predatory journals in library databases may put students at risk of including questionable content in their academic output.
Abstract: Much of the recent library literature related to scholarly communication and predatory publishers has focused on faculty concerns regarding publishing in questionable journals for tenure or promotion purposes. However, little attention has been paid to predatory publishers in the context of student research and library instruction. The presence of predatory journals in library databases may put students at risk of including questionable content in their academic output. While the results of this study reveal that the number of predatory publishers and their associated journals are fairly small in the three article database packages and one directory that were examined, predatory journal content was more prevalent in one particular resource and in certain subject areas.

37 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This overview of the current status of Open Access to peer-reviewed research describes the steps that need to be taken to achieve universal OA and urges more institutions and funders to adopt effective OA mandates.
Abstract: This overview of the current status of Open Access (OA) to peer-reviewed research describes the steps that need to be taken to achieve universal OA. Policy initiatives by universities and funding agencies as well as adaptations by publishers have resulted in some progress toward universal OA, but a significant portion of research remains inaccessible to its would-be users because of subscription barriers. Institutions are forced to support both journal subscriptions and “Gold OA” author publication fees; this is not affordable or sustainable. More and stronger OA mandates will accelerate the provision of universal “Green OA” (author self-archiving) and an eventual transition to affordable, sustainable Gold OA, in which author fees replace institutional subscription fees to cover the remaining essential costs of journal publication. To accelerate progress, more institutions and funders need to adopt effective OA mandates. All universities and funders should require: (1) institutional deposit (2) deposit fi...

22 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Survey respondents reported challenges related to hybrid OA, inaccurate metadata, and inconsistent communication along the serials supply chain, and recommended solutions included the creation of consistent, centralized article-level metadata and the development of OA collection development principles for libraries.
Abstract: While librarians, researchers, and the general public have embraced the concept of Open Access (OA), librarians still have a difficult time managing OA resources. To find out why, Bulock and Hosburgh surveyed librarians about their experiences managing OA resources and the strengths and weaknesses of management systems. At this session, they shared survey results, reflected on OA workflows at their own libraries, and updated audience members on relevant standards and initiatives. Survey respondents reported challenges related to hybrid OA, inaccurate metadata, and inconsistent communication along the serials supply chain. Recommended solutions included the creation of consistent, centralized article-level metadata and the development of OA collection development principles for libraries.

22 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The presenters gave an overview of ORCID and examples of how organizations are integrating OrCID identifiers (iDs) into their systems.
Abstract: Extracted text; ORCID is an international, interdisciplinary, non-profit organization with a twofold goal: provide an open registry of unique identifiers for researchers and work with the scholarly community to ensure that this persistent identifier is embedded in research workflows and becomes a core part of the metadata associated with works and activities. ORCID allows researchers to link their ORCID identifier (a unique 16-digit number) to publications and activities, helping them claim their works and solve the name ambiguity problem in research and scholarly communications. In concert with persistent identifiers for research works (such as DOIs), ORCID makes research more discoverable, reduces time spent entering data by extending interoperability across siloed research information systems, and supports more efficient and accurate analysis and reporting. Since its launch in October 2012, the ORCID registry has grown steadily and organizations within the publishing, funding, and academic research communities have integrated the ORCID identifier into their workflows. This presentation will provide an overview of ORCID and examples of how organizations are integrating ORCID iDs into their systems. The Modern Language Association is exploring how best to integrate ORCID iDs into the publication process and into its member services. Librarians are well-positioned to partner with new and established scholars in accurately capturing their record of scholarship, and to work with internal partners such as research offices and graduate schools. As a member of the University of North Carolina system, East Carolina University researchers are interested in the potential for ORCID profiles to supplement information in the statewide profile system REACH NC. Texas A&M University is one of nine institutions recently selected to participate in an ORCID Adoption and Integration Program (funded by the Sloan Foundation) for their proposal to integrate ORCID iDs into their open-source Vireo ETD management system, the university's institutional repository, and their VIVO profile system. The attached manuscript is is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in The Serials Librarian on 19/05/2015, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0361526X.2015.1017713.

19 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A contextual understanding of accessibility in higher education as well as strategies for evaluating, negotiating, and procuring accessible electronic resources licensed through third party vendors are provided.
Abstract: The increased development and use of electronic and information technology in higher education raises questions about accessibility for individuals with disabilities. In academic libraries, providing accessible electronic information resources ensures equal access and opportunity to information. This article provides a contextual understanding of accessibility in higher education as well as strategies for evaluating, negotiating, and procuring accessible electronic resources licensed through third party vendors.

19 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Kate Moore's presentation gave audience members an overview of the current e-book environment in academic libraries, including a review of the literature on motivations for moving to an e-preferred collection development policy, information on user preferences and behavior with e-books, and technological barriers and other obstacles that still impede library uptake.
Abstract: Kate Moore’s presentation gave audience members an overview of the current e-book environment in academic libraries. Her presentation included a review of the literature on motivations for moving to an e-preferred collection development policy, information on user preferences and behavior with e-books, and technological barriers and other obstacles that still impede library uptake of e-books. She concluded with a list of items to consider when incorporating e-books into a collection development policy.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an updated analysis based on interlibrary loan statistics, financial savings, and impact on the collections of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) and the University of Oregon (UO).
Abstract: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) and the University of Oregon each withdrew from several Big Deals with major commercial journal publishers from 2008 to 2010. Analysis of the impact of these decisions was originally conducted and reported in 2011 and 2012. This article provides updated analysis based on interlibrary loan statistics, financial savings, and impact on the collections. Results show that interlibrary loan of lost content still represents a small fraction of prior use, savings have been considerable, and the libraries have been able to address other needs in their collections because of the decision to withdraw.

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This presentation is an account of how NASIG’s Core Competencies for Electronic Resource Librarians are scalable to be used in restructuring staff positions that assist with managing resources.
Abstract: In 2012, the Colorado State University Libraries’ Technical Services Department reorganized, which provided the catalyst to reconfigure paraprofessional staff positions. Staff are either part of the state classified system or are considered administrative professionals; both categories dictate the extent to which positions can be expanded to encompass assisting with managing electronic resources. This presentation is an account of how NASIG’s Core Competencies for Electronic Resource Librarians are scalable to be used in restructuring staff positions that assist with managing resources. Special attention will be paid to various modes of training that enable paraprofessionals to learn processes associated with electronic resources work.

13 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This investigation sought to develop a broad view of discovery service user behavior by analyzing vendor-provided and Google Analytics usage data from discovery service implementations at two Indiana University campuses, revealing user behavior trends.
Abstract: This investigation sought to develop a broad view of discovery service user behavior by analyzing vendor-provided and Google Analytics usage data from discovery service implementations at two Indiana University campuses. The results of this analysis demonstrate how usage data can communicate both intermediary and end results of user interactions within discovery services. The findings reveal user behavior trends, which may be used to develop strategies to improve information literacy instruction techniques, as well as discovery service interface enhancements.

13 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show the development of UNT's strategy for determining cancellations using a variety of methods (overlap analysis, usage statistics, faculty input) and tools (EBSCO Usage Consolidation, Serials Solutions 360).
Abstract: The University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries are funded almost entirely by undergraduate student use fees. As the undergraduate enrollment has plateaued in recent years, the libraries have not been able to keep up with rising costs, resulting in a series of cuts to the materials budget totaling around $3.25 million. While some of these cuts took the form of reductions in firm orders and dissolution of approval plans, for the past three years the bulk has come from cancellations of serials and electronic resources. With each year’s cuts, the UNT Collection Development department has been forced to modify and refine their deselection process. This article will show the development of UNT’s strategy for determining cancellations using a variety of methods (overlap analysis, usage statistics, faculty input) and tools (EBSCO Usage Consolidation, Serials Solutions 360).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed recent literature that considers legal and social justice perspectives on homelessness and libraries, as well as the policies of four urban public library systems. And they concluded that blocking their access conflicts with the mission of public libraries to provide information to all.
Abstract: Many public libraries have rules against strong body odor, bringing large amounts of luggage into the library, sleeping, and bathing in restrooms. These rules disproportionately affect library patrons who are experiencing homelessness. This article reviews recent literature that considers legal and social justice perspectives on homelessness and libraries, as well as the policies of four urban public library systems. Although these rules may be legal and are widely used, people without homes have no other access to information and thus have an even stronger need for the resources of public libraries than other members of the general public. The author concludes that blocking their access conflicts with the mission of public libraries to provide information to all.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A half-day pre-conference focused on the ins and outs of assessing “Big Deals” at their institution, including their methods for evaluating usage statistics.
Abstract: This article describes a half-day pre-conference focused on the ins and outs of assessing “Big Deals.” The presenters gave an overview of issues related to “Big Deals,” and engaged the attendees in discussions about their own experiences with the topic. They then detailed the process of assessing “Big Deals” at their institution, including their methods for evaluating usage statistics. Attendees were provided with sample Excel spreadsheets for hands-on exercises to practice applying the methods described.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Open Access (OA) in scholarly publishing has gained momentum over the past decade, expanding in advocacy and application as discussed by the authors, while there is consensus around the intent and goals of the open access movement, the various stakeholders, such as scholars, researchers, publishers, academic institutions, scholarly societies and librarians, all offer different approaches to that end.
Abstract: Open Access (OA) in scholarly publishing has gained momentum over the past decade, expanding in advocacy and application. While there is consensus around the intent and goals of the open access movement, the various stakeholders, such as scholars, researchers, publishers, academic institutions, scholarly societies, and librarians, all offer different approaches to that end. This article traces some of the literature assessing different models of OA publishing; considers how the current status of OA compares to the initial goals set forth in the Budapest Open Access Initiative; and explores ways academic libraries can move beyond reiterating the ideals of OA to educating researchers and helping them navigate the realities of OA publishing.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sanjeet Mann of the Armacost Library at the University of Redlands used a series of availability studies to more accurately understand and troubleshoot the e-resources access errors that keep undergraduate students at the university from obtaining the full text of electronic resources.
Abstract: Availability studies are used to estimate the proportion of items in a library collection that are available to users, and the proportion of items in a library collection that are unavailable to users as a result of system and/or human errors. Sanjeet Mann of the Armacost Library at the University of Redlands used a series of availability studies to more accurately understand and troubleshoot the e-resources access errors that keep undergraduate students at the university from obtaining the full text of electronic resources. In this presentation, Mann shared the details of his process, his results, and the implications of those results for improving local search systems as well as a conceptual model of e-resource availability errors based on the results of his research.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study reveals many of the benefits and pitfalls of managing electronic journals within a knowledge base–driven system and highlights the need for greater standardization within the data supply chain, better communication with publishers and knowledge base providers, and increased collaboration to improve the e-resource management process.
Abstract: As electronic serials have shifted from being the exception to the norm, libraries are becoming increasingly reliant on knowledge base-driven systems to help manage electronic serial holdings. In 2011, the University of Toronto Libraries migrated its electronic resource holdings from a local database to a commercial electronic resource management (ERM) system. With two years of experience using a commercial ERM system, the presenters endeavored to analyze how the library is coping with e-serial management within this new environment. This study reveals many of the benefits and pitfalls of managing electronic journals within a knowledge base–driven system and highlights the need for greater standardization within the data supply chain, better communication with publishers and knowledge base providers, and increased collaboration to improve the e-resource management process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of current topics in Digital Scholarship and Scholarly Communications (DS/SC) and connections between these new areas and the traditional skill set of electronic resources librarians are drawn.
Abstract: This article will provide an overview of current topics in Digital Scholarship and Scholarly Communications (DS/SC) and draw connections between these new areas and the traditional skill set of electronic resources librarians. Commonalities between the skills outlined in the Core Competencies for Electronic Resources Librarians and those needed for success in DS/SC will form the basis of the author’s recommendations for involvement in these new areas.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In February 2014, the F&M College Library conducted a campus-wide survey about e-book usage and found practical suggestions on how to improve current acceptance and usage of e-books.
Abstract: Although e-books date back to the 1970s, the peak of academic adoption was in the early to mid-2000s. At the beginning of the 2012/2013 academic year, the Franklin & Marshall (F&M) College Library had roughly 500,000 print volumes cataloged and only 12 e-books. By the end of that year, the catalog contained approximately 120,000 e-books. In February 2014, the F&M College Library conducted a campus-wide survey about e-books. By comparing these results with F&M’s usage statistics, the Library found practical suggestions on how to improve current acceptance and usage of e-books.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: By providing insight from her years of experience, librarians learned how to develop a support network, build confidence, and be more effective negotiators.
Abstract: Licensing and the negotiating of electronic resources can be a daunting task for librarians who lack the proper skill sets and are unfamiliar with the intricacies of publisher agreements. Claire Dygert broke down the individual elements of a standard licensing agreement and explained the importance of protecting the rights of libraries. By providing insight from her years of experience, librarians learned how to develop a support network, build confidence, and be more effective negotiators.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This column offers a primer for library staff wanting to take advantage of the benefits of SUSHI, and shows an example of working with a COUNTER Journal Reports in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format to create a spreadsheet with a simple cost-per-use and package analysis.
Abstract: Project Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources (COUNTER) released its first code of practice in 2002. Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI) was introduced in 2007 as a way of automating the harvesting of COUNTER reports. Both initiatives have been well adopted yet there is still confusion about how to implement SUSHI. This column offers a primer for library staff wanting to take advantage of the benefits of SUSHI. It starts with a quick review of both COUNTER and SUSHI, then covers options for SUSHI clients, examines SUSHI configuration requirements, demonstrates how to use SUSHI to obtain a COUNTER report and shows an example of working with a COUNTER Journal Reports in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format to create a spreadsheet with a simple cost-per-use and package analysis. By the end the reader should gain enough knowledge to configure a SUSHI client, successfully harvest COUNTER statistics and to perform some basic analysis on that usage.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Electronic Resources and Serials Department of Auburn University set out to tackle the problem of the indispensable staff person, and discovered that expertise is never fully achieved, and competence is always a work in progress.
Abstract: What happens when the only staff member who knows how to do a particular task is no longer available? Using NASIG’s Core Competencies for Electronic Resources Librarians, the Electronic Resources and Serials Department of Auburn University set out to tackle the problem of the indispensable staff person, and discovered that expertise is never fully achieved, and competence is always a work in progress.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In addition to traditional evaluation measures, such as costs, usage, and faculty input, the authors looked at the overlap of indexing coverage, which demonstrates coverage of selected articles in the databases under study.
Abstract: With the growing predominance of full-text databases, publisher’s searchable websites, Discovery systems, and Google, abstract and index (A&I) databases are becoming less prominent in the academic library’s collection. The A&I databases enable the serious researcher to more carefully refine their search, but given the users’ growing expectations of ease and “good enough,” this may be a need that is of less importance today. For this reason and given the decreasing budgets for collections, librarians are looking at these resources with a more skeptical eye. In addition to traditional evaluation measures, such as costs, usage, and faculty input, we looked at the overlap of indexing coverage. Those who have conducted such overlap studies have approached them at either the journal or article level. Article-level overlap studies demonstrate coverage of selected articles in the databases under study. Conversely, journal-level studies examine the extent of indexing of journals among the selected databases. Both ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The greatest challenges in health reference today are highlighted and approaches to improve health-related training, outreach, and programming in American libraries are reflected on.
Abstract: Low health literacy in the United States is both dangerous and costly. Increasing health literacy is of even greater importance following the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which created millions of new health care consumers, each with particular health information needs. Public libraries are ideally positioned to provide access to high quality information tailored to fulfill health queries, but, unfortunately, low health literacy exists on both sides of the reference desk. This article highlights the greatest challenges in health reference today and reflects on approaches to improve health-related training, outreach, and programming in American libraries.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work shows a systematic and standardized manner to identify OA at the article level by using standard metadata elements that publishers are already familiar with to embed OA-related elements in the metadata freely exposed by publishers for aggregators and discovery services.
Abstract: An important current challenge for research information providers is ensuring the automated discovery of Open Access (OA) content in hybrid journals. We found no evidence of discovery services that are able to systematically identify the crucially important free full-text availability of OA articles regardless of where and how such articles have been published (i.e., in fully OA journals or in hybrid journals). A solution is important because hybrid journals are proliferating and consequently the chances of missing OA articles is real and is happening. Nearly all of the major publishers now provide such journals in order to take advantage of recent changes in research funder requirements, and to be competitive in the new OA business model. By working with a group of scholarly publisher partners and by using standard metadata elements that publishers are already familiar with, we show a systematic and standardized manner to identify OA at the article level. Our proposal is to embed OA-related elements in t...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The article presents arguments that interlibrary loan’s role is still evolving and stresses the need for increased cooperation and shared collection development among academic libraries.
Abstract: This article revisits the author’s 2001 article on resource sharing’s anticipated increased demand as a service and its larger role in collection management. The article presents arguments that interlibrary loan’s role is still evolving and stresses the need for increased cooperation and shared collection development among academic libraries.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Examination of usage patterns across academic libraries globally and establish benchmarks useful to libraries and consortia for local planning to inform the development of that study.
Abstract: Michael Levine-Clark and Kari Paulson examine 2013 worldwide usage data for ebrary and E-book Library (EBL) covering hundreds of thousands of titles. They examine usage patterns across academic libraries globally and establish benchmarks useful to libraries and consortia for local planning. Sessions versus availability, the use of higher-quality e-books, broad disciplinary differences, performance relative to predicted use, and level of immersion are considered. Levine-Clark is in the process of analyzing ebrary and EBL data for a forthcoming white paper, and this presentation and associated discussion will inform the development of that study.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The session highlighted how implementing a unified, global system allowed the University of Nebraska Omaha Library to streamline e-resource management.
Abstract: This session focused on migrating from a traditional electronic resource management system to OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.’s cloud-based WorldShare Management System, where e-resource data is created and maintained in a global environment. The session highlighted how implementing a unified, global system allowed the University of Nebraska Omaha Library to streamline e-resource management.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized the results from primary research conducted by Profera and Jefferson that aimed to understand what libraries are doing to reach library end users, and explored the relationship between the physical and virtual library space and if this has an impact on student and faculty use of library resources.
Abstract: This presentation summarized the results from primary research conducted by Profera and Jefferson that aimed to understand what libraries are doing to reach library end users. The authors aimed to explore the relationship between the physical and virtual library space and if this has an impact on student and faculty use of library resources. The study also sought to understand the extent to which libraries are already conducting marketing efforts, the success they have had in doing so, and how publishers can help to enhance the library/end user experience.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The kind of background work that has to take place first in order to make that kind of hard decision possible to not renew the American Chemical Society online journal package for 2013 is detailed.
Abstract: Jenica P. Rogers made headlines in the library world in late 2012 when she announced that State University of New York (SUNY) Potsdam, where she is director of libraries, would not be renewing the American Chemical Society online journal package for 2013 because of their pricing model. In this vision session, she detailed the kind of background work that has to take place first in order to make that kind of hard decision possible.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, three librarians who have extensive experience working in libraries or for publishers, vendors, or consortia presented an informal discussion on librarian-vendor relationships.
Abstract: Three librarians who have extensive experience working in libraries or for publishers, vendors, or consortia presented an informal discussion on librarian–vendor relationships. The audience was encouraged to participate. Problems were articulated; speakers and audience members contributed suggestions for better approaches or behaviors when handling difficult situations.