Medium-sized Academic Library Research Articles

Cutting the Gordian (workload) Knot? Adding data services to academic library public services

The data librarianship as a profession produces on workloads can't give us the answers we seek. The library and information science literature wants two irreconcilable things out of its workload data: 1) aggregate comparable data to document and measure use of libraries and its value; and 2) accurate descriptions to document and measure the individual work done by librarians. That is our Gordian Knot. We propose here to change the question asked: how can we achieve a reasonable balance of workload within a group of librarians? That of course implies a focus on a library of a specific type: here a medium-sized academic library of an R2 institution. The goal was to answer a common and longstanding question: we are in continual process of assessing what needs to be done and how/where to shift workloads, but how do we know we're doing it in a reasonable and fair way beyond anecdotes and intuitions? We developed a weighted measure of public services workload in order to assess and track and assign a) areas of declining workload, b) areas of increasing workload (data services), and c) a balance between library divisions contributing to public services.

Redesigning Library’s Website with SpringShare Products

This article chronicles the website redesign process of a medium-sized academic library using Springshare products, namely LibGuides CMS, LibAnswers, LibCal, and LibWizard, at Stockton University in New Jersey. The project was completed in such a short timeframe and with limited resources that the focus was placed on reconstructing the information architecture (IA) in order to establish the navigation system of the website. The topics of the rationale for the redesign, detailed procedures, lessons learned, and suggestions for future improvement are discussed.

A perspective on collaborative partnerships to expand campus buy-in for digital collections

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore, from the perspective of a medium-sized academic library, how libraries can pursue and use collaboration with other units on campus to increase support and buy-in for digital collections.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is approached from the perspective of a medium-sized academic library located in Alabama, USA. This study examines ways to foster collaboration with diverse campus units, the challenges that can be encountered and ways to overcome these barriers to collaboration. Examples of the potential and realized benefits are also enumerated.FindingsThis paper demonstrates that, while there are challenges that must be overcome, regular and sustained collaboration with nonlibrary campus units can result in the creation of unique digital collections that such units are not capable of pursuing without library partnership. These partnerships increase visibility for the library and its services, as well as buy-in and support for digital collections from other campus units and, importantly, university administration.Practical implicationsAcademic libraries, especially those at small- to medium-sized institutions, face continual budget restrictions and calls to justify the resources expended. This impacts all aspects of library services, but especially the creation of digital collections, which are cost- and labor-intensive. By offering examples of collaboration, libraries can explore ways to partner that will foster buy-in and support at their own institutions.Originality/valueThis paper provides examples and details considerations that can make the process of collaboration simpler and more effective for other academic libraries to pursue.

Weeding A Music Collection for the First Time: A Commonsense Approach

ABSTRACT Music collections in academic libraries present a host of unique considerations when it comes to their management, particularly with regard to the weeding, or deselection, process. This article presents a case study in weeding the music collection of a medium-sized academic library. It outlines steps taken to carefully and efficiently reduce an overgrown collection using circulation statistics, and shows how unused library space provided in-house storage for less-circulated materials.

The whys and hows of academic library space assessment: a case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advocate for change in academic library space assessment and use philosophy in favor of a more user-centered approach emphasizing space designed for and by users themselves. This goal is achieved by analyzing the implementation of a recent space assessment project at the University of Northern Colorado Libraries to investigate specific patterns of library space utilization. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a case study for which data were collected through a multi-method approach, including flip chart and whiteboard questions, brief semi-structured “tabling” interviews, and more in-depth “roving” interviews. Findings The current library literature on space assessment does not encompass broader, more holistic approaches to how library space is used by students, faculty, staff and community users. The findings from this study highlight the diversity of ways patrons may use an academic library, many of which are related to academic work. However, visitors also come to the library for other purposes, such as socializing or attending an event. It is imperative that the space be adequately equipped to meet varied visitor needs and to create a welcoming environment for all patrons. Originality/value The paper has several implications for planning and managing the operations of medium-sized academic libraries. It contributes to the larger conversation in higher education about the importance of user research for enhancing visitor experience through data-informed decision-making. Furthermore, the project it details is not an isolated assessment effort but part of the library’s ongoing space assessment work.

Nimble Collection Development Policies: An Achievable Goal

This paper identifies and reviews some of the currently relevant components of collection development which contribute to the need for having a written collection development policy (CDP) in place. The requisite elements for a pertinent and usable CDP are identified, keeping in mind the need to customize these policies to each library’s unique needs. A literature review is presented to demonstrate the long-standing purposes of collection development policies (CDPs), quantitative studies of existing CDPs, and some of the inherent drawbacks in the creation and application of these policies. The author presents a case study which demonstrates the processes undertaken to create a CDP for a medium-sized academic library. This includes more current and relevant considerations for a modern day CDP. The paper also includes the best practices identified throughout the policy creation process and which has the potential to be applied to other similarly situated libraries.

“A Lot of Flexibility within the Structure”: Academic Library Collection Development & E-Resources Management from an Athletics Perspective

There is an established history of academic libraries collaborating with their institutions’ athletics departments to provide learning and research support to student-athletes in order to achieve positive educational outcomes. It is rarer to find documented the effect that athletics has had on the professional life of an academic librarian. The author details how the skills acquired and lessoned learned being an athlete and collegiate coach directly influenced his approach to providing leadership in various collection development and electronic resources management initiatives at a medium-sized academic library.

A Best Practice of Book Inventory Project at a Medium-Sized Academic Library: How to Choose Hand-Held Inventory Devices and Handle Inventory Exceptions

ABSTRACTRecently, a book inventory project was conducted at a medium-sized academic library. Based on best practices, the author elaborates on the cost-effective inventory process, how to choose appropriate hand-held inventory devices, and how to handle inventory exceptions regarding a variety of related issues, including missing, mishelving, on-going shelf-reading, and varied inventory exceptions. Inventory could greatly reduce user frustration by providing more accurate information regarding the library collection for users. The author suggests useful recommendations based on the lessons learned from the project experience. The project experience presents in this article should be instructive for libraries undertaking similar inventory projects.

In Their Own Voices: An Ethnographic Perspective on Student Use of Library Information Sources

ABSTRACTA medium-sized academic library system conducted a multi-year (2012–2016), large-scale ethnographic study using a survey, observations, and in-depth interviews. The goal of the project was to better understand how students conduct research and study in the library. The analysis of the large pool of data resulted in various reports of theoretical and practical nature. This article addresses one aspect of the findings: undergraduate and graduate student use of library resources. The findings offer an array of considerations for designing effective library services and provide a more nuanced understanding of how student use the library website, libguides, and library databases as well as print and electronic collections.

Using Freely Available RDA Resources to Provide In-House Training to a Medium-Sized Academic Library

Recent surveys have indicated that training available for the new cataloging standard, Resource Description and Access (RDA), has been slow to reach many academic institutions, particularly small- and medium-sized libraries. These surveys have shown that smaller institutions have reported being particularly behind in transitioning to RDA due to lack of training and also indicate that in-house training, while preferred by a large population of catalogers and metadata specialists, is typically not available due to constraints on staffing, cost, and time. By discussing a case study of in-house RDA training provided at Oakland University, this paper addresses RDA training needs in small- to medium-sized academic institutions and the potential to provide the personalized, in-person training desired by the professional community. Training was offered in a hybrid online and in-person environment to the entire library faculty and staff for a 6-week period, resulting in the transition to RDA shortly after the official Library of Congress adoption date of March 31, 2013.

Scholarly communications competencies: open access training for librarians

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe one example of an academic library using existing internal expertise and targeted events to provide training for liaison librarians in support of new scholarly communication initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – This article presents a case study of how a medium-size academic library without a designated scholarly communications librarian or office presented a series of open access (OA) training opportunities for the liaison librarians in preparation for the official launch of the institutional repository and the campus’ inaugural participation in OA week. Findings – The multiple opportunities to engage with the topics in diverse ways resulted in librarians being more comfortable with discussing OA with their departmental faculty. Opinions of OA were changed as a result of attending the events. Participants found the activities to be useful and were engaged enough with the topic to ask for specific areas where they would like more training opportunities. Look to other colleagues both on campus and in the broader region to tap their expertise or explore professional organizations or free webinars. Taking the initiative to organize events that require minimal effort can have a big impact. Practical implications – Librarians have limited opportunity for in-depth training to gain new competencies and re-tool their skills to match current demands; this article demonstrates that utilizing internal expertise to provide a variety of training can positively impact participants’ attitudes and confidence. Originality/value – This article presents methods and rationale for librarians to facilitate similar professional development opportunities for building new scholarly communication competencies in support of the emerging research and scholarly publishing trends.

Library Involvement in Faculty Publication Funds

A faculty publication fund is a fairly new concept in scholarly communication, and academic institutions are experimenting with different models for the administration of funds designed to assist faculty who face prohibitive journal publication charges. Findings are reported from a survey-based, qualitative study of small and medium-sized academic libraries involved with open access faculty publication funds. The survey results and a case study of one library's involvement in fund development are considered in light of the broader research questions: How are libraries engaging as facilitators of scholarly publishing, and what successes and challenges are they facing in this new role?

Constrained? An Analysis of U.S. Academic Library Shifts in Spending, Staffing, and Utilization, 1998–2008

The study provides an analysis of U.S. academic library spending, staffing and utilization trends from data collected during the period between 1998 and 2008. Data used in this study are part of the NCES biennial survey of approximately 3,700 degree-granting postsecondary institutions. Confirming previous studies, there has been an order of magnitude change in the expenditure of e-books and e-serials; but, contrary to the view of being fiscally restrained, libraries have received investments and increases of approximately 12 percent above inflation over the period with significant increases in nearly every area of library operation. Library staffing is being diversified, while use of physical library assets are in decline for every metric in the study—gate count, reference service, general and reserve circulation. Academic libraries cannot be treated as a homogenous group of institutions, and the study analyzes shifts by type, size, and Carnegie class of institution, illustrating significant difference among these classes of academic libraries, particularly among large doctoral institutions and other academic libraries, with large public and doctoral private institutions driving growth, while small and medium-sized academic libraries have fallen behind in both collections and staff investments.

Using Education Informatics to Improve Library Services to Doctoral Students: An Embedded Approach

Introduction For more than a decade libraries have struggled to provide effective library training for both undergraduate and graduate students. While much of the focus has been on undergraduate students, usually, graduate students and specifically doctoral students are at a disadvantage because it is generally assumed that doctoral students are self-directed learners capable of independent research (Green & Macauley, 2007). However, many researchers (Boote & Beile, 2005; Tunon & Ramirez, 2010) have acknowledged that very often doctoral students lack the requisite library research skills. These problems are enhanced when institutions are faced with serving doctoral students who also happen to be taking classes online or from a distance. Researchers Tunon and Ramirez (2010) assert that effective library service to doctoral students can be the difference between an ABD (All But Dissertation) and an EdD (Doctorate of Education). This article will discuss the efforts made to provide effective library services to the (EdD) students at Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern). Background and Institutional Context Southeastern is located approximately 50 miles north of New Orleans. This university began in 1925 as a grass roots movement by the people of Hammond and the surrounding area. Southeastern has since grown to meet the evolving needs of southeast Louisiana and the Florida parishes and now has an enrollment of approximately 15,000. Southeastern is largely a commuter campus and is considered the second largest provider of distance education in Louisiana. In fall 2006, Southeastern added its first doctoral program in Educational Leadership, offered in consortium with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (Southeastern Louisiana University Profile, 2006). Graduate doctoral students at Southeastern in Educational Leadership need information literacy skills. The average graduate student in this group is returning to school after an extended period, and, therefore, lacks the appropriate sets of skills required to be successful. For example, these students use course readings, Google, and Wikipedia for their primary sources. Since these limited sources are inadequate, the students may begin the research process engaged and curious, but become frustrated and overwhelmed as it progresses. Additionally, Southeastern students are served in cohorts and do not have many opportunities to come to campus and, therefore, interact with other cohorts or have face to face contact with the librarian. The literature is replete with indications that the doctoral students are in need of more than the traditional one-shot Bibliographic Instruction (BI) (Li, 2007). They need periodic interaction with a librarian. The Embedded Librarian provides this opportunity. Linus A. Sims Memorial Library (Sims) is a medium-sized academic library of Southeastern and serves as the main library of the campus. Each librarian serves as liaison to one or more academic departments on the campus. The purpose of the library liaison program is to build relationships with faculty members and provide personal communication about library sources, information literacy, and collection development. The library liaison program gives faculty a personal contact in the library and facilitates collaboration. The Problem Doctoral students are in need of more than just one-shot Bibliographic Instruction sessions (BIs). At Sims, several attempts were made to provide effective information literacy and library support to doctoral students. Initially, the Education liaison conducted orientation in the form of a one-time three-hour workshop during the second semester. When asked for feedback, the students revealed that, while this session was very helpful, they wished the information had been provided earlier. As a result, the timing of the one-shot three-hour workshop was adjusted to occur earlier by placing it in the first semester. …

Library in an App: Testing the Usability of Boopsie as a Mobile Library Application

Boopsie, Inc. develops mobile applications for libraries, universities, conferences, and businesses. The researchers in this study investigated the usability of the Boopsie mobile application for a medium-sized academic library. Based on data collected from a series of qualitative interviews with undergraduate students, this research captured the users' experiences finding several types of information using a mobile application created by Boopsie. Three thematic findings emerged from seven study participants: Libraries should carefully select resources and features for inclusion in mobile applications; the simplicity of the mobile application interface offers some advantages over a conventional library Web site; and users may find the application more compelling for in-depth research than for answering quick questions. As result of this research, one library made modifications to its Boopsie application to improve usability. The results offer librarians or libraries practical advice about the promises and pitfalls of implementing a mobile library application.

Reexamining Content-Enriched Access: Its Effect on Usage and Discovery

Content-enriched metadata in bibliographic records is considered helpful to library users in identifying and selecting library materials for their needs. The paper presents a study, using circulation data from a medium-sized academic library, of the effect of content-enriched records on library materials usage. The study also examines OPAC search transactions of circulated items to learn how enriched metadata is used. The findings show that enhanced records were overall associated with higher circulation rates and that keyword search was the most frequently used search option directly associated with circulation. Contents data can play a key role in discovery. Libraries should continue to provide and exploit content-enriched metadata. The combination of optimal library system data mining capability, postsearching evaluation, and OPAC display are crucial to achieve content-enriched access.

True Serials: A True Solution for Electronic Resource Management Needs in a Medium-Size Academic Library

A desire for more functionality seemed to clash with the fiscal reality of limited funds, but after investigating alternatives, Mount Saint Mary College was able to provide its faculty and students with a more useful and function-rich electronic resource management through a move to a hosted open source service.

Labour Costs for Inventory Control Less Expensive than Repurchasing

Labour Costs for Inventory Control Less Expensive than Repurchasing

Relevance Recognized: Value-Added Cataloging for Departmental and Digital Collections

A medium-sized academic library's cataloging department describes the strategies employed when requests for materials-cataloging services from university departments outside the library, followed by the initiation of an Institutional Repository (IR) project, brought opportunities to redefine its perceived role. A service-oriented mindset facilitated the creative repurposing of staff, students, and skills in order to integrate these new formats and processes (both physical and digital) into departmental workflows. Cataloging staff rose to the challenges, gaining satisfaction with new skills learned and a sense of accomplishment at creating order from chaos.

Low-cost method of removing periodical duplicates using a collection growth formula at a medium-sized academic library

Low-cost method of removing periodical duplicates using a collection growth formula at a medium-sized academic library