Showing papers in "Technical Services Quarterly in 2009"
TL;DR: The authors explored the gap between education obtained in library school and the technological skills needed to be successful on the job from both the employers' and new graduates' perspective by surveying new librarians to discover their perceptions about how library school prepared them for their career and about what technology skills their new employer expects them to have.
Abstract: Current scholarship identifies a gap between education obtained in library school and the technological skills needed to be successful on the job from both the employers' and new graduates' perspective. Students believe the courses for their accredited master's degrees will prepare them for their careers and are discouraged when they are met with unanticipated expectations from their new employers, while employers struggle with how much training they must provide to new employees so they can be successful in their jobs. This article explores the gap by surveying new librarians to discover their perceptions about how library school prepared them for their career and about what technology skills their new employer expects them to have. Suggestions are made for how new librarians can gain the skills they need to be successful in the workplace.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an overview of the crisis in scholarly communication and discuss the groundwork that must be laid in order to develop successful programs to address the crisis on college and university campuses.
Abstract: Given the rising costs of journal subscriptions and the difficulty that authors have in retaining rights to their own works, reform in the scholarly publishing industry is needed. This article, the first in a two-part series, presents an overview of the crisis in scholarly communication and discusses the groundwork that must be laid in order to develop successful programs to address the crisis on college and university campuses. As the de facto centers of scholarship and research on campus, libraries must educate faculty and advocate for more sustainable publishing models. Programs developed by the Boston Library Consortium and its member institutions are discussed.
16 citations
TL;DR: Auburn University Libraries was one of the charter institutions that participated in pilot testing the Project SAILS instrument and reported on how Auburn University Libraries analyzed the SAILS test data and presented findings to campus stakeholders as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Beginning in 2000, a team headquartered at Kent State University launched Project SAILS, with the objective of developing a standardized test for assessing information literacy skills. Auburn University Libraries was one of the charter institutions that participated in pilot testing the Project SAILS instrument. This article provides background information about Auburn's participation in Project SAILS, reports on how Auburn University Libraries analyzed the SAILS test data and presented findings to campus stakeholders, and outlines steps taken both inside and outside the library to incorporate information literacy instruction into the general education curriculum at Auburn University.
13 citations
TL;DR: The University of Central Florida Archives and Special Collections work hand in hand with the Library Development office to create lasting relationships with donors as mentioned in this paper, and the archives connected with alumni who have become advocates and participants in building a collection.
Abstract: At the University of Central Florida, the Special Collections and University Archives work hand in hand with the Library Development office to create lasting relationships with donors. University Archives staff began attending alumni events in 2005 to create publicity for the collection and encourage donations of materials about the university. Though this publicity, the archives connected with alumni who have become advocates and participants in building a collection. Faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers have come in to the archives to identify photographs and have donated their materials to build a collection documenting the university. Exhibits highlighting the history of the university served to interest the alumni community, and exhibit events have brought new faces into the library. By creating these activities within the special collections, donors become active in the library community, and bring potential for financial gifts.
12 citations
TL;DR: The library faculty at a small public liberal arts university created a blog to help generate more interest in their library and to promote resources and programs and have made further 2.0 leaps by employing RSS feeds, photo sharing, and Google Analytics.
Abstract: In April 2006, the library faculty at a small public liberal arts university created a blog to help generate more interest in their library and to promote resources and programs. With a minimal amount of time spent in development and promotion, they were able to produce a blog that is growing in popularity among the students and faculty. For over a year, they have used the blog to inform patrons about LibQual, new resources, power outages, computer and database problems, changes in hours, and to discuss library events and media issues in the news. After the blog's success, they have made further 2.0 leaps by employing RSS feeds, photo sharing, and Google Analytics to quickly and easily produce new content that is useful to students, faculty, and library staff.
10 citations
TL;DR: How the program began and how it works is outlined, including recruiting volunteers, training, and scheduling, and lessons learned along the way are shared.
Abstract: “Closing the Gap” is a volunteer program started by the Student Government Association of Illinois State University, allowing the library to stay open longer hours to meet student needs. The program is a collaborative effort between Milner Library and student leaders to bring in student volunteers from across the student body. This article outlines how the program began and how it works, including recruiting volunteers, training, and scheduling. In addition, lessons learned along the way are shared.
9 citations
TL;DR: How instant messaging reference service shook up American University's organization and made the sharing of training best practices an organizational norm for cross-functional endeavors is described.
Abstract: Shifting American University’s virtual reference service model from a consortial, vendor-based endeavor to an institution-only commercial instant messaging service required a team effort. This necessary service and resulting organizational change was comprised of nimble players (reference providers) and flexible management (administrative oversight). Performance guidelines were adapted from the vendor chat experience. Instant messaging service training required modifications to our library’s internal communication and development of staff performance guidelines, as well as the creation of innovative management workflow solutions. This article describes how instant messaging reference service shook up our organization and made the sharing of training best practices an organizational norm for cross-functional endeavors.
8 citations
TL;DR: The training program for the paraprofessionals and the ongoing support provided by weekly meetings to discuss works that are difficult to analyze are described.
Abstract: Oregon State University has trained paraprofessionals to assign subject headings to theses and dissertations. This article describes the training program for the paraprofessionals and the ongoing support provided by weekly meetings to discuss works that are difficult to analyze. The transition from copy cataloging to subject analysis is a major one for many paraprofessionals. The article identifies common errors made by new subject analysts and how they can be overcome. These meetings provide a venue for further training on subject analysis, practice in subject heading assignment, and building cooperation among staff. They also allow the cataloging supervisor to manage his/her own time better.
7 citations
TL;DR: In the spring of 2006, Eastern Washington University Libraries received an institutional strategic planning grant to hold a two-week strategic planning institute with faculty members representing the six colleges at EWU as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the spring of 2006, Eastern Washington University Libraries received an institutional strategic planning grant to hold a two-week strategic planning institute with faculty members representing the six colleges at Eastern Washington University (EWU). The purpose of the institute, titled “Reinventing the Library,” was to articulate a five-year vision for the role of the library within the university. The institute was held at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library on the Cheney campus of EWU from July 24 through August 4, 2007, and was planned and facilitated by Dean of Libraries Patricia Kelley. Thirteen faculty members, including two members of the library faculty, participated. The curriculum for “Reinventing the Library” included presentations by guest speakers on national and institutional trends affecting EWU Libraries, group discussion, and planning activities. In the last days of the institute, participants achieved consensus on the future role of the EWU Libraries and drafted a vision statement. T...
4 citations
TL;DR: The second part of a two-part series as discussed by the authors focuses on the roles that various library departments can and should play in the development of a robust scholarly communication program and discusses how the crisis in scholarly communication affects different work areas and groups of staff.
Abstract: This article, the second in a two-part series, focuses on the roles that various library departments can and should play in the development of a robust scholarly communication program. It discusses how the crisis in scholarly communication affects different work areas and groups of staff. A whole-library approach to addressing the crisis can reveal how each department's responsibilities require management of different scholarly communication issues. The article also addresses the ways in which technical services is particularly impacted by the crisis in scholarly communication in order to provide a more in-depth analysis of how a discrete work area within the library experiences the crisis.
4 citations
TL;DR: Information is provided about the creation, access, and use of the Assessment Reporting Database at Florida Atlantic University and discusses why there is a need for such an assessment reporting tool and how it can be used by other academic institutions to improve the overall quality of their library assessment studies.
Abstract: In anticipation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) visit in 2002, the Florida Atlantic University Institutional Effectiveness and Analysis (IEA) team began outcomes assessment planning with the creation and development of a searchable data-base that would be used to collect and archive assessment information. This database became known as the Assessment Reporting Database, and access to it was made readily available through a university-wide network. This article provides information about the creation, access, and use of the Assessment Reporting Database at Florida Atlantic University and discusses why there is a need for such an assessment reporting tool and how it can be used by other academic institutions to improve the overall quality of their library assessment studies.
TL;DR: In this paper, the DeTamble Library was made more "millennial-friendly" with wireless capability, a lounge with coffee, a small information commons and a refurbished information desk complete with a consultation area.
Abstract: A three-year plan to beautify the DeTamble Library facility to curb a drop-off in student use did not bring the desired increase. The staff studied four aspects of current major generational changes and developed a new two-year plan. It consisted of two makeovers: a “friendly” one, with cosmetic changes, and a “millennial-friendly” change, including wireless capability, a lounge with coffee, a small “information commons,” and a refurbished information desk complete with a consultation area. This plan succeeded. Student use of facility and resources increased. More impressive was the small amount of money spent. Using imagination, creativity, sweat equity, and teamwork, the numerous changes were accomplished for less than $8,000.
TL;DR: The use of Web 2.0 has become more the norm than the exception, and librarians will fall behind if they don't learn how their patro... as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Though the term Web 2.0 has only been around for a few years, use of this technology has become more the norm than the exception, and librarians will fall behind if they don't learn how their patro...