Library Association Research Articles

Evidence Synthesis Instructional Offerings in Library and Information Science Programs

Objective – The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which evidence synthesis (ES) is incorporated into American Library Association (ALA)-accredited master’s level Library and Information Studies (LIS) programs. The study considered the depth of coverage, interest in additional curriculum content, and preferences for expanding existing coverage. Methods – A cross-sectional survey was implemented. Program administrators and instructors currently involved with ALA-accredited master’s level LIS programs in Canada and the United States were eligible to participate. Recruitment emails targeted faculty and administrators from a directory of institutions offering ALA-accredited MLIS programs. Results – 26 eligible responses from 20 unique institutions were obtained. Most respondents reported that ES is incorporated into the curriculum, albeit only briefly in most cases. Most of the respondents expressed interest in incorporating more ES content into the curriculum, specifically as a portion of a course. A greater number of respondents would prefer to bring in external guest speakers to teach the ES content, but a small percentage were interested in training for existing LIS instructors. Conclusion – In-depth instruction on ES in LIS programs is currently limited. However, there appears to be interest in increasing ES content in curricula, primarily in the form of guest lecturers.

Development and validation of the Continuing Professional Development Scale: A knowledge transfer perspective

Purpose: Professional groups and bodies for librarians and information professionals such as the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) strongly encourage continuing professional development. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a scale for measuring the effectiveness of continuing professional development (CPD) and knowledge transfer (KT) among information professionals. The study identifies four factors (CPD purposes, forms of CPD, effectiveness of CPD and KT, and factors affecting KT during CPD) to measure the effectiveness of CDP and KT practices. Design: The pilot instrument, based on the literature, was empirically validated by collecting data from 220 library professionals having at least five years of professional experience. Findings: The construct validity of the scale was verified through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The scale reliability was further calculated through the Cronbach's alpha internal reliability coefficient. Consequently, a valid and reliable 72-item scale was developed to measure the effectiveness of CPD and KT among information professionals.

'Tis the season

Meg Barclay, education consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews picturebooks for December all about the festival of Christmas and how it is celebrated in different ways all over the world

The Music Companion to the Framework for Information Literacy: Background, Process, and a New Guiding Document

ABSTRACT: With its focus on process, habits, practices, and dispositions, the Association of College and Research Libraries' Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education presented an exciting challenge and opportunity to understand and teach information literacy in a way that reflects our increasingly complex information landscape. In response, the Instruction Subcommittee of the Music Library Association formed the Framework Working Group with an initial goal of expanding the Framework concepts to include composition and performance. Following a survey to gauge music librarians' understanding and use of the new document, the group decided to create the Music Companion to the Framework for Information Literacy that would work in tandem with the Framework. The new Music Companion explains the six existing threshold concepts of the Framework using music-specific language to fully encompass the possibilities of what constitutes information literacy in music and related disciplines. In addition to music-focused knowledge practices and dispositions, it also includes sample learning outcomes that offer ways to connect with what librarians might currently offer, as well as inspiration for new ways of thinking about instruction. This article provides an overview of the professional discourse and activities following the adoption of the 2016 ACRL Framework, culminating in the Music Library Association's October 2023 approval of the Music Companion to the Framework for Information Literacy, which is included in full.

Libraries and the 2030 Agenda: The Portuguese Case

Abstract This article studies Portuguese libraries that have won the “Libraries: Development and the 2030 Agenda” award promoted since 2018 by the Portuguese Association of Librarians, Archivists, Information and Documentation Professionals together with the General Directorate of Books, Archives and Libraries. The aim is to identify the common characteristics of the libraries that have won the award so that these success stories can help other libraries with guidance on what characteristics they should develop in their teams in order to develop projects and actions that contribute to a more sustainable world. The method used is grounded theory with human analysis and Iramuteq software. Six common characteristics were found among the libraries: partnerships, teamwork, a focus on the community, projects linked to the territory, support and alignment with senior management regarding the SDGs, and funding. These characteristics together can lead to successful projects in the context of the 2030 Agenda and promote innovative services. It is also desirable that the projects developed are constantly monitored and evaluated. We conclude that libraries that want to develop projects for the 2030 Agenda should invest in these characteristics.

Building bridges and the chance to do better tomorrow: global resource sharing moving forward

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the American Library Association (ALA) Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS) international interlibrary loan (ILL) Committee 2023 international ILL survey results and findings. The survey evaluates current international resource sharing operations, identifies trends and challenges and recommends promoting services within the global library community. Design/methodology/approach The survey used the Qualtrics platform and included multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The survey questionnaire was built upon the 2019 and 2015 instruments to facilitate longitudinal data analysis and comparison. The committee added new questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and controlled digital lending (CDL). The survey was distributed to libraries worldwide via multiple channels, in all seven official International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) languages. Qualitative comparative analysis methodology was applied to analyze the survey results. Findings The survey results reveal the challenges and opportunities to engage in international ILL activities. The importance of sharing electronic resource content continues to grow as library collections shift from print to electronic resources. Originality/value The 2023 international ILL survey is the first offered in all seven official IFLA languages and included questions on the topics of COVID-19 and CDL. It contributes to the literature by providing global trends and perspectives on current international resource sharing practices, challenges and opportunities facing the global resource sharing community and recommendations on building bridges to do better in the future.

Report of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Document Delivery and Resource Sharing (DDRS) Section February 2024 Webinar “Relationships, Not Just Technologies: Why Connections Matter for Global Resource Sharing”

Report of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Document Delivery and Resource Sharing (DDRS) Section February 2024 Webinar “Relationships, Not Just Technologies: Why Connections Matter for Global Resource Sharing”

Expanding Horizons: From Information to Inspiration at the AAAS Annual Meeting

The authors attended the 2024 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as part of a cohort of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) librarians sponsored by the partnership between the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and AAAS. We describe two sessions, one on combating misinformation and one on open science. For these topics especially, hearing the perspectives of scientists was particularly valuable and interesting to us as librarians. We share our reasoning for attending a science disciplinary conference rather than a library conference in these days when one must carefully weigh a national or international conference against all the other demands on a librarian’s professional development budget.

2024 Georgia Library Association Scholarship Recipients

2024 Georgia Library Association Scholarship Recipients

2024 Georgia Library Association Award Recipients

2024 Georgia Library Association Award Recipients

Review of Theological Libraries and Library Associations in Europe

Review of Theological Libraries and Library Associations in Europe

User Satisfaction To The Quality Of Repository Services At An Academic Library: Applying Libqual+

<div><p>Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Prof Saifuddin Zuhri's Library has a collection of theses, dissertations, and research reports from print to digital, which can be accessed through the institution's repository. Thesis and repository services are needed by final-year students who are completing thesis assignments. This paper assesses the quality of repository services using the LibQual+TM standard as set by the Association of Research Libraries (see http://libqual.org). The research method is quantitative, with the UIN student population from semester 8 and semester. The number of samples was 93 taken randomly. The results showed that the quality of repository services got an average value of 3.12 on a scale of 4.0, which indicates The lowest value of 2.76 shows that although users are satisfied as a whole, they still feel that the facilities in the institutional repository are incomplete with several proposals for improving the benefits of institutional repositories. Student suggestions for improvment include: an adequate internet network, an easy search menu, instruction of the functions of the repository and more intensive promotion of the repository to heighten access to research information. This study contributes heightened understanding for the value of digitized repository services in academic libraries as a vital information literacy tool for college students.</p></div>

Bibliometric analysis of the flow of publications of Russian journals of the Higher Attestation Commission under the code 5.10.4 Library Science, Bibliography and Book Studies

The authors discuss the results of the bibliometric analysis of Russian journals in the field of library science, bibliography and book studies. The purpose of the study is to build the rating of scientific journals on the List of the Higher Attestation Commission in the code 5.10.4 Library Science, Bibliography and Book Studies, which will allow potential authors to navigate publications: in their citation, the average Hirsch index of regular authors, the number of views and downloads of articles, the quartile of the journal that determines the journal relevance and authority with the scientific community. These indicators, especially the quartile, are crucial for the authors who seek publishing their papers to prepare for their dissertation defense, so that they avoid mistakes when choosing a journal.The bibliometric approach to professional periodicals, its analysis based on the ratings of the RSCI and the Higher Attestation Commission, is embraced by the leading library scientists which is evidenced by publications of the Russian State Library, Russian Library Association, State Public Scientific Technological Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences Siberian Branch, etc.The significance of this study lies in studying the periodicals included in the List of the Higher Attestation Commission, and providing the comparative analysis of indicators affecting the journals ratings. According to the authors, the systematic bibliometric analysis based on RSCI indicators reveals the potential of individual journals, directions for their improvement and enables to determine the core serials of the industry documentary stream.The findings of the study are seen as significant in the light of the changing specialty itself, the growing interest to domestic periodicals against the background of sanctions in the field of scientific information. The authors have developed their recommendations for journals’ editorial boards.

North Carolina's Special Libraries Revisited

When North Carolina Libraries published its fall 1967 issue surveying the status of libraries in the state, Dr. Doralyn J. Hickey, an Assistant Professor of Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, contributed “Special Libraries: A ‘Coming Force’ in North Carolina.” She had every reason to choose this optimistic title. There had been a steady rise in special libraries since the North Carolina Library Commission first began to record them in the 1930s, and their membership had seen a substantial increase during subsequent decades. Hickey attributed this growth to the expansion of the state’s industries, which needed dedicated repositories and subject specialists to serve the needs of individual businesses and further the state's social and economic goals. The recent establishment of the North Carolina chapter of the Special Library Association in 1966 added legitimacy to these unique repositories and anchored the state to its national parent organization. In this environment, it was easy for Hickey to imagine a world where special librarians across North Carolina would join together, through shared interests and better communication, to achieve “maturity and self-confidence as a profession.” However, this positivity belied her deep frustration with ongoing challenges yet to be sufficiently addressed within the field. These included the absence of a clear definition of a “special library,” problematic methods of statistical documentation, and deficient library staffing. Her concerns were prophetic, as these issues would plague the field for years and continue to do so today.

LIS Curriculum Coverage of Sustainability

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Edcuation calls for higher education to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has advocates for libraries’ unique and important contributions to the global sustainable development efforts (2016). In 2019, the American Library Association added sustainability as a core value of librarianship. Under this environment, LIS publications on libraries and sustainable development identified a lack of the awareness and knowledge of sustainability among librarians and called for it to be covered in LIS curriculum. This study explores the coverage of sustainability in LIS curriculum and aims to explore how LIS profession understands sustainability, whether sustainability should be in LIS curriculum, and what competences it develops in LIS students. Findings from this study will further the discussion on libraries’ roles in society and how to equip LIS professionals with needed knowledge and skills to act on those roles.

No Evolution Without Revolution: Historical Revelations for LIS Education

As the field evolves and adapts to emerging technologies and societal changes, the rich historical context and radical changes that have shaped libraries and information systems risks being overshadowed. This SIG panel presentation will feature presentations ranging from understanding the role of caucuses in the LIS field, using creative storytelling to illuminate LIS history, and how AI will impact our ability to tell, know, and make history. Following the presentations, we expect to have a conversation about how we preserve and share LIS history in the face of technological change. National Associations of Librarians of Color Provides Historical Context to Teach Social Justice Work - Long Before DEI and social justice were integrated into statements, core principles, standards, or competencies for LIS education, there were efforts conducted by BIPOC library leaders who moved the needle in the profession by establishing professional associations that represented their communities. This presentation makes the connection between diversity efforts in LIS history and LIS pedagogy, by proposing the use of the specific historical context of social movements to substantiate and inform the social justice work that current LIS graduates will encounter. Demystifying the Past to Examine the Present and Shape the Future: Historical Research and Creative Storytelling in LIS Education - Ely-Ledesma Unpacking the complicated history of libraries in the United States, and recognizing historical threads that connect past to present, is vital as the profession continually adapts to emerging technologies and societal changes. When considering implementing historical perspectives into LIS education, we must ask a basic question: How can we infuse historical perspectives into LIS courses in an effective way? Historical research and creative storytelling are one way to address this question. To this end, I propose a three-step process for a project suitable for foundational courses or courses on library history. Teaching the History and the Evolution of the Information and Knowledge Profession - Hawamdeh According to Marcus Garvey “A person without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots." Understanding the LIS history, evolution and the radical changes is a key to the continued transformation of the information and knowledge profession. The continued expansion, evolution, and the emergence of concepts such as knowledge management, data science and generative AI are raising questions like how these concepts are related to LIS, how can they be woven into LIS curriculum, and how historical perspectives can be used to shape the future of the information and knowledge profession.

Curriculum SIG: The Ethics and Evolution of Truth and Information

The Curriculum SIG will examine how library science education curricula can prepare future librarians to engage with the ethics and evolution of truth and information. The session will begin with presentations of each paper, followed by an interactive discussion inviting attendees to participate in an open dialogue and Q&A with the presenters about the issues raised by the papers, implications for practice, and potential areas for future research. Dr. Natalie Taylor will deliver a presentation titled “Core Competencies, Core Courses: How Accredited MLIS Programs Interpret the ALA’s Core Competencies through their Curriculum.” This paper aims to examine the way that the 66 accredited degree programs describe their programs’ relationship with the ALA Core Competencies (ALACCs) and whether these descriptions can demonstrate a measurement of the influence of the ALACCs on curriculum. This finding will serve two purposes: 1) a representation of the strength (or weakness) of the connection between the library profession (as represented by the American Library Association) and MLIS degree programs and 2) a better understanding of how the curriculum of these programs represents the competencies called for by ALA. Dr. Cynthia Stogdill and Dr. Elizabeth Burns will present “Information Literacy: A Case Study in Inquiry Instruction.” Information literacy is a set of skills we expect school librarians to teach K-12 learners. AASL embeds these competencies within their instructional standards for learners and school librarians however, there is little agreement on a model of inquiry that should be used with K-12 learners. Further, there is little consistency in pre-service school librarian information literacy instruction. This exploratory case study examines the information literacy instructional models used with one cohort of pre-service school librarians. Findings discuss practices that can be shared and further developed for LIS education. Dr. Rhonda Clark, Dr. Xiaofeng Li, and Dr. Angela Jones will present “A Study of US Public Library Strategic Plans: Trends and Trajectories.” This paper reports the results of a content analysis, reviewing strategic plans from public libraries across multiple states in the U.S. The presenters will make recommendations based on their analysis to help library educators teach an effective writing style for strategic plans. They will also advocate for the importance of strategic planning as a necessary skill in the curriculum. Additionally, they will invite attendees to discuss how library schools implement curriculum development through strategic planning. Overall, these presentations will provide valuable insights into how library science education programs address core competencies, information literacy instruction, and strategic planning to better prepare future librarians for the evolving challenges of the profession.

Navigating the Modern Libraryscape: The Changing Roles, Labor, and Education of Public Librarians

Public libraries and their staff have recently faced a wide array of challenges. Some of these challenges include supporting services for incarcerated individuals, unhoused patrons, and others experiencing crises (American Library Association, 2023; Gross et al., 2024; Knox, 2023; Wahler and Johnson, 2024). These recent challenges give us, as scholars and educators, an opportunity to take a step back and trace the dynamic work of public library professionals. In response, public library workers take on a variety of tasks. These may involve connecting patrons to social service resources, partnering with community organizations, or creating programs to support specific community needs and interests. Some of this work undertaken by public library staff involves routine, everyday tasks. Other labor is in response to community crises. Understanding this work is central to our ability to consider how the realities of public library work impact LIS scholarship and education. This panel provides a space for open conversation among panelists and the ALISE community to address the following overarching questions: What does the work of public librarianship look like, in terms of roles and labor? How can a better understanding of these roles and the reality of public library work inform how we approach LIS scholarship and teaching? Our panel will consider several aspects of public library work, with a view toward connecting theory, research, and practical workforce preparation.

Re-imagining Librarianship: An Observation of Job Advertisements for Librarian Positions in the US

In the current artificial intelligence (AI) and post-pandemic era, libraries are compelled to accelerate digitalization and automation (Nugroho et al., 2023; Pressreader Team, 2023). Revisiting the core values of librarianship is critical to understanding the opportunities and challenges for libraries and librarians in this trend. Advertisements define, convey, and uphold ideologies by including specific ideas and excluding others (McIntosh & Cuklanz, 2014). Job advertisements for librarian positions, therefore, are designed to convey the values of librarianship in the United States. The study aims to identify the values by answering the following research questions: (1) How do libraries describe themselves in job advertisements? (2) How do libraries describe ideal librarians in job advertisements? Between February 15 and March 15, 2023, we collected job advertisements for librarian positions in the US on ALA JobLIST and Indeed. We will use a qualitative research design to analyze the data. The codes are generated from the core values of librarianship, including sustainability, service, intellectual freedom, literacy and learning, equity of access, privacy, democracy, and public good (American Library Association [ALA], 2024; Gorman, 2015). By investigating the values embedded in library job advertisements, we reflect on what core values of librarianship affirm professionalization in social transformation and whether new principles need to be added to the core values. The study also responds to the burnt-out among librarians by emphasizing the boundaries of librarianship. Additionally, it offers insights into Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs on how to prepare future librarians for the job market.

Forward Together: Working with the New Standards for Accreditation

The American Library Association Committee on Accreditation (COA) will host an interactive session on working with the newly approved Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Science (2023). The 2023 Standards were adopted by approval of the Council of the American Library Association (the Council) on November 30, 2023. These revised Standards eliminate redundancies, improve clarity, and infuse concepts of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion throughout the standards. The collaborative process that supported this work will ensure that these revised standards support a responsive, 21st century library and information education rooted in the fundamental principles of the profession as espoused by the American Library Association. The 2023 Standards take effect for all programs with comprehensive review visits scheduled for Spring 2026 or afterward, and programs with comprehensive review visits in 2025 may choose to respond to the new standards if they wish. COA members will discuss the structure and intent of the 2023 Standards and how those can be applied across diverse programs. Panelists will discuss how programs with reviews after 2025 might transition from the 2015 to 2023 standards. Additionally, the panel will share their thoughts on types of evidence sufficient to meet the needs of the new standards and reporting expectations for those standards in program statistical reports, biennial narrative reviews, and comprehensive reviews. Finally, attendees and panelists will discuss opportunities and challenges in responding to the new standards. Attendees and panelists will discuss strategies for reporting on the standards to demonstrate that the program embraces the values of the LIS professions while also taking into account those programs’ local and regional contexts.