North American Academic Libraries Research Articles

Applications of diversity language to descriptions of collection development activities at academic libraries: An exploratory analysis of strategic plans and diversity information webpages

Diversity is commonly invoked as a goal for libraries in a variety of domains, including collections. This study explores how diversity language is used to characterize collection development efforts at a sample of large North American academic libraries, through content analysis of strategic planning documents as well as library webpages providing information about diversity efforts. The topic of collection diversity was found to be not consistently addressed in these documents. While 90 % of the institutions whose strategic plans were examined mentioned diversity in some way, less than half of these did so in relation to collections; about one-third of the libraries with diversity information pages omitted reference to collections in these documents. Strategic plans and webpages that mentioned collection diversity often did so cursorily, and in vague terms that lacked specific details about the nature and purpose of diversification. This indicates that the academic libraries still have far to go in developing a shared conceptualization of what collection diversity involves. Analysis of updated documents, retrieved two years after the initial sample, suggests that there may be increasing attention to social justice concerns in these contexts, which would potentially enable greater precision in discussions of collection diversification.

Digital Initiatives in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities

Digital initiatives have become increasingly common in academic libraries, but inconsistent definitions, standards, and expectations limit and, in some cases, negatively impact the effectiveness of practitioners. This article explores the discourse surrounding professional titles and responsibilities in digital initiatives within North American academic libraries between 1990 and 2020. A review of job advertisements, position descriptions, and professional activities reveals ambiguously defined responsibilities, inadequate technical education, and limited opportunities for training. Current trends suggest digital initiatives will expand from traditional digitization and digital library projects toward more diverse and flexible digital project management. This change will require familiarity with software development, systems administration, and library practices. The implication for library science education is the need for course programming that reflects these trends.

Open Access in Estonia

ABSTRACT In the North American academic library and information studies literature, not much has been written about open access (OA) in Estonia. The present article addresses that lacunae by focusing on the country’s open access landscape, spotlighting essential OA resources in the Humanities and Social Sciences. UNESCO’s Global Open Access portal provides cursory information on Estonian OA and notes, “No national OA policy; no financial support for OA publishing; lack of awareness on OA/digital preservation among researchers and academics.” 1 This article examines the current state of open access in Estonia and argues that, despite the perceived lack of national OA policy in Estonia, OA remains a robust complementary alternative to proprietary databases. Estonian institutions have shown a keen initiative and interest in the development of the OA sources.

Leadership, Development, and Expertise: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Scholarly Communication Librarian Position Announcements

INTRODUCTION In 2012, the Association of Research Libraries reported that 95% of libraries identified their libraries as leaders of scholarly communication efforts on campus. While academic librarians have long been responsible for SC issues, institutions have explicitly tasked positions with these responsibilities increasingly over time. This qualitative analysis of position announcements focuses on the ways libraries expect these librarians to engage with SC issues and responsibilities, rather than describing the prevalence of SC-related functions. Specifically, this study asks the following questions: (1) How do administrators communicate leadership expectations of SC librarian roles through job advertisements? (2) In what ways could these leadership expectations be challenging or problematic for SC librarians in non-administrator positions? METHODS This study is a qualitative content analysis of scholarly communication librarian position announcements posted to ALA JobList between January 1, 2016, and July 31, 2019. The advertisements are predominantly from North American academic libraries. Qualitative content analysis is systematic but allows for flexibility of interpretation in describing themes and categories. The coding scheme developed over multiple readings of the data and the author identified categories through the process of subsumption. RESULTS & DISCUSSION Prevalent themes in position announcements include leadership, expertise, and development. Leadership responsibilities appear as management duties or, often in non-administrator positions, as an expectation to take initiative or be an exemplar. SC librarians are expected to be experts, often as the library’s campus liaison or as educators in a variety of SC issues. They may also be tasked with developing institutional repositories or SC programs, though it is not always clear in the advertisement what support is available. These themes are discussed in terms of the SC librarian as a boundary spanning role. Boundary spanners are positions within an organization that communicate with the outside environment. They may also serve as filters for information coming into the organization or facilitate communication between departments or units in an organization. CONCLUSION In SC librarian job advertisements, positional authority is often absent from positions that have a responsibility to lead or develop SC efforts, programs, or initiatives. Non-experts may bestow some level of authority to experts. However, leadership and development tasks may prove difficult for a SC librarian who lacks the ability to make decisions or organizational changes. Suggestions for institutions and potential further research are discussed. External Data or Supplements:Hackstadt, A. (2020). Data from: Leadership, Development, and Expertise: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Scholarly Communication Librarian Position Announcements. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/YIXNPG, Harvard Dataverse.

Building virtual collection and Spanish colonial imprints of the Philippines

PurposeThe access to the rare originals of the early Spanish colonial imprints of the Philippines remains problematic. The reference librarians often are restricted to directing the students and scholars to the secondary resources that are available both in print and as a part of the digital assets within the North American academic libraries. This paper aims to focus on the select primary source editions including select Spanish language colonial imprints that are available electronically on the Web along the Open Access. These Web-based resources serve as the reference tools for the early history of the Philippines and Southeast Asia. As many of these publications are rare and extremely expensive for most libraries, the Open Access resources serve as an aid to building a virtual collection of these items.Design/methodology/approachThe author had to create a data set of the early imprints of the Spanish Philippines using several bibliographic resources. The data set will be submitted as an Appendix for this research paper. The author did both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data set along with the voyant-based digital humanities approach for topic modeling.FindingsThe goals of this paper were to not only survey the early Spanish printing of the Philippines but also provide the reader with a somewhat complete picture of how the printing began in the Spanish Philippines, what kind of the first books were printed and how one can access them given their rarity and fragility. The collection building paradigms are undergoing significant shifts, and the focus of many academic libraries is shifting toward providing access to these items. As these items high-value low-use items continue to be part of the Special Collections, the access to these is problematic. The virtual collections thus serve as a viable alternative that enables further research and access. While the creators of these works are long gone, the legacy of the Spanish colonial domination, printing and the religious orders in the Philippines remain alive through these works.Research limitations/implicationsAs this is an introductory paper, the author focused on the critical editions rather than providing a comprehensive bibliographic landscape of the presses that produced these editions. He also did not take into consideration many pamphlets that were published in the same period. He also did not consider the Chinese language publications of the Islands. The Chinese had been block printing since medieval times (Little, 1996). In the context of the Spanish Philippines, the Chinese migration and trade have been studied in detail by Chia (2006), Bjork (1998) and Gebhardt (2017). The scope of this paper also was centered toward building a virtual collection of these rare books.Practical implicationsRare books are often expensive and out-of-reach for many libraries; the virtual collection of the same along the Open Access model represents an alternative to collect and curate these collections. The stewardship of these collections also acquires a new meaning in the digital milieu.Social implicationsThis research paper will allow scholars to see past the analog editions and help them focus on curating a virtual collection. The questions of electronic access are often ignored when it comes to visiting and using them in a controlled environment of the reading room in the Special Collections. The author argues that one way to enable access to these rare and expensive books is to provide access to their digital counterparts. These digital/virtual surrogates of the originals will facilitate further research.Originality/valueThe author could not find similar research on the publications of the early Spanish colony of the Philippines.

Effectiveness of Vernacular Library Orientation Videos in Comparison with the English Language Equivalent

Vernacular language videos with narration in non-English languages have been used in North American academic libraries to engage and empower international and non-native English-speaking students. This study investigated the effectiveness of McGill University Library’s orientation videos from the perspective of these students, using mixed methods to outline student learning, affective responses, and views on audiovisual features used in the video. Compared to the English video, vernacular language videos are equally effective in delivering content and more adept at invoking student enthusiasm about the library. These students’ perceptions on video design and audiovisual features are useful for librarians who use videos to engage a linguistically diverse campus.

Too Long; Didn't Read: The Case for Academic Zines

Too Long; Didn't Read: The Case for Academic Zines

Sharing Success: A Review of Strategic Planning, Annual Reports, and Publicly Available Information from Academic Libraries

Objective – This paper reports on a study which explored web-based information sharing practices in North American academic libraries. This study specifically focused on how selected academic libraries use data, reports, and other strategic planning documents to communicate success and demonstrate impact to stakeholders, administrators, and peers.
 
 Methods – An environmental scan was conducted to explore the assessment programs and communication practices of 97 North American academic libraries. The population for this study was identified on the basis of several metrics: consortial membership, Association of Research Libraries (ARL) ranking on various criteria, and institutional attendance at the 2014 and 2016 Library Assessment Conferences (LAC). Researchers conducted content analyses on the websites of the 97 libraries to identify measures of institutional support for assessment and to explore the range, depth, and quality of data made available. These iterative analyses were supported by the use of a rubric developed based on emergent criteria observed during multiple phases of review.
 
 Results – Of the libraries reviewed, 57% made some form of data available to the public. The most robust and effective use of data observed in this study involved the use of data to tell stories about the library and its impact. While this study found a positive correlation between libraries with clear investments in assessment and their use of data in public documents, it found that other factors such as an institution’s consortial memberships or funding model may more strongly influence a library’s decision to make data available.
 
 Conclusions – While observations gleaned from this study may serve as a benchmark for evaluating communication practices in academic libraries, further research is necessary to understand how factors within an academic library, its parent institution, or the profession at large may contribute to this decision making process.

The Evolution of GIS Services within North American Academic Libraries: Documenting Change through the Decades (1995–2016)

This review was conducted to identify articles written about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services offered in the United States (US) and Canadian university and college libraries. In the early 1990's, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) GIS Literacy Project, in partnership with Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), helped enable ARL member libraries to create GIS services within their libraries. By the mid to late 1990's, librarians from academic institutions began to write articles that discussed how their library developed GISservices and the components involved with operating a GIS service. Writing about GIS services in academic libraries continued on into the 2000's and 2010's. This review of the literature will document the areas of staffing, service, technology, and data provision for GIS service units from three decades (1990's, 2000's, and 2010's).

Current trends in collection development practices and policies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a snapshot of some major collections-related trends and issues in current academic libraries today. These include using collection development policies; demand-driven acquisition (DDA) models; big deals; using the collections budget; rationalizing legacy print collections; stewarding local digital collections; and demonstrating value. Design/methodology/approach A web survey was developed and sent to 20 academic librarians via e-mail during the summer of 2016, along with a statement on the purpose of the study. Findings The findings are as follows: the collections budget is used to fund many costs other than content (such as memberships and MARC records); most libraries are experimenting with DDA in one form or another; most libraries financially support open access investments; most libraries participate in at least one collaborative print rationalization project; and libraries have diverse methods of demonstrating value to their institutions. Research limitations/implications This was a very selective survey of North American academic libraries. Therefore, these findings are not necessarily valid on a broader scale. Practical implications Within the limitations above, the results provide librarians and others with an overview of current practices and trends related to key issues affecting collection development and management in North America. Originality/value These results are quite current and will enable academic librarians engaged in collection development and management to compare their current policies and practices with what is presented here. The results provide a current snapshot of the ways in which selected libraries are coping with transformative challenges and a rapidly changing environment.

Exploring Science Information Literacy Instruction at French and Spanish Libraries

Visits to university libraries in France and Spain offered an initial look at science information literacy practices in Europe. The study provides an overview of the information literacy programs at these libraries, discusses some of the similarities and differences in library instruction for sciences disciplines in these countries, makes comparisons to practices in North American academic libraries, and offers possible ideas that could be implemented in our own programs.

Surveying North American Academic Library Websites for Instructional Outreach and Delivery Reveals a Broad Range of Approaches Employed

A Review of: 
 Yang., S. Q., & Chou, M. (2014). Promoting and teaching information literacy on the Internet: Surveying the web sites of 264 academic libraries in North America. Journal of Web Librarianship, 8(1), 88-104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19322909.2014.855586 
 
 Abstract
 
 Objective – To determine the extent to which academic libraries have used the Web to market and deliver information literacy both as a service and as a concept.
 
 Design – Survey of web content.
 
 Setting – Websites of North American academic libraries.
 
 Subjects – A random sample of 264 libraries selected from Peterson’s Four-Year Colleges.
 Methods – The investigators reviewed and analyzed content on academic library websites by recording the presence of various types of information. Presence was recorded for the term information literacy, tutorial content, guides and tests, and delivery of information literacy instruction. The frequencies of tutorials and guides were also reported.
 
 Main Results – Approximately 65% of the libraries used their website to promote instruction, while 30% did not mention information literacy or library instruction. A wide range of terminology was used to denote library instruction, but information literacy was not highly used. Approximately 5% of libraries had no public web presence. Research guides, tutorials, or both were provided by 64% of libraries. More than 300 tutorials in a variety of formats, including Adobe Flash videos, static web pages with little or no animations, webcasts, documents, and presentations were offered by 111 libraries. The tutorials addressed general research topics, databases, concepts and technical skills, among others.
 
 Conclusion – While the majority of academic libraries sampled have incorporated information literacy and library instruction into their web presence, it is unclear why nearly one third did not mention these activities. Further study is needed to benchmark how libraries are using the Web for instruction and outreach.

Before Blogs, There Were Zines: Berman, Danky, and the Political Case for Zine Collecting in North American Academic Libraries

Recent attention has been paid to collecting born-digital, nontraditional, self-published forms, such as blogs and tweets. However, what of print-based, nontraditional, self-published materials? Before there were blogs, there were zines. Zines, much like blogs and tweets, are a challenging and difficult material to collect, but upon consideration of the concepts of Sandy Berman and James Danky, the onus is on academic libraries to have zine collections. An examination of ARL and CARL websites indicates that zine collecting is not a widespread practice in academic libraries; this article argues that, even in our contemporary digital, social-networked era, it should be.

North American Coordinating Council on Japanese Library Resources

PurposeThis paper aims to describe and promote the interlibrary loan and document delivery services between North American and Japanese academic libraries. An overview of the overseeing bodies, the North American Coordinating Council on Japanese Library Resources and the Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Committee, is also described.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive approach is taken to explain the library‐focused programs supported by the North American Coordinating Council on Japanese Library Resources.FindingsAccess to Japanese language resources is increasingly higher in demand. The National Coordinating Council on Japanese Library Resources has fully supported libraries by providing interlibrary loan/document services between Japan and North America.Originality/valueThis paper provides step‐by‐step instructions for interlibrary loan practitioners whose libraries participate in the Global ILL Framework (GIF) program.

Accessibility of academic library web sites in North America

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present longitudinal data on the accessibility of 56 North American academic library web sites, as well as insights into the connection between accessibility and certain design methods and technologies.Design/methodology/approachBobby 3.1.1 was used to evaluate compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. Also studied were the main method of page layout (CSS versus HTML tables), whether a content management system was used, and whether skip‐navigation links were employed.FindingsThe percentage of Bobby‐approved pages has remained consistent around 60 per cent in 2010 and 2012. However, the percentage of errors per page, a metric more sensitive to the pervasiveness of accessibility barriers, has steadily and significantly decreased. Sites whose layouts are built with cascading style sheets have fewer errors per page than those that use tables for layout. Sites that use a CMS have considerably higher percentages of approved pages and fewer errors per page than sites that are not built with a CMS.Research limitations/implicationsThe principal tool used, Bobby 3.1.1, is capable of detecting only a subset of accessible design principles. Future studies should examine compliance with the newer WCAG 2.0 guidelines.Practical implicationsThe use of a content management system may have a positive impact on accessibility. While this study reveals some promising trends, more education and continued advocacy is needed to increase web accessibility at libraries.Originality/valueThis is the only study that provides up‐to‐date trend information about the accessibility of a broader set of academic library web sites (a set not limited to one state) over an extended time period. It is also the only accessibility study comparing academic library web sites that use a content management system to those that do not.

Publishing services in North American academic libraries

Publishing services in North American academic libraries

A Study of Embedded Librarians in North American Academic Libraries

A Study of Embedded Librarians in North American Academic Libraries

Assessing the good will of community users in an academic library

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the second phase of a study on the impact of one North American academic library extending library privileges gratis to community users.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports the results of a web‐based survey of community users at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), Arkansas, USA. The survey was conducted to obtain information on demographics and community users' perception of the value of library privileges.FindingsCommunity users often have some connection to the university and tend to be satisfied with and value the privileges. Receiving the privileges may increase the users' good will toward the university and willingness to donate to development efforts. The benefits to the organization, such as increase in good will and social capital, are difficult to measure.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper reports a study of the perceptions of community users at one North American academic library and may provide guidance for other libraries contemplating the value of community outreach. The results of this study may or may not be generalizable to all academic libraries.Originality/valueThere has been little research that attempts to assess community users' perception of the value of an academic library extending library privileges to them. Previous studies surveyed librarians about their perceptions of the pros and cons of extending privileges.

Community users in North American academic libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the results of a two‐year experiment at one North American academic library with extending free borrowing privileges to community users.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews previous research on services to unaffiliated community users by academic libraries and employs quantitative measures to examine the costs and benefits of providing such services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), Arkansas, USA.FindingsThe data indicate that services can be provided to unaffiliated community users with minimal effort and cost. However, the benefits to the organization, such as increase in good will and social capital, are difficult to measure.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper reports on one North American academic library's experience providing service to unaffiliated community users and may provide guidance for other libraries in allocating resources for community outreach. The results of this study may or may not be generalizable to all academic libraries.Originality/valueThere has been little research that attempts to assess the economic impact of unaffiliated community users on academic libraries.

Analysis of Japanese undergraduate students' information behavior during academic tasks in a Canadian university

AbstractThis poster session will report preliminary results from doctoral research that investigates how Japanese students, as a sample of international students in Canadian universities, perform their academic tasks and to what extent they are information literate.The number of international students, particular from non‐North American and non‐European countries, has greatly increased in recent decades in North American post‐secondary academic institutions. Although their intellectual and financial contributions are significant, their experience after enrolment is often neglected, which leads to dissatisfaction. Thus, it is important for academic institutions to improve international students' experience to facilitate their academic success. Among various potential solutions, improvement of information literacy skills is especially important for students' academic success in today's information intense environment.However, academic libraries struggle to answer the question of how they can provide support for international students with diverse needs, experiences, and expectations. Before planning strategies to improve their skills, it is critical for academic institutions to understand how students conduct research and to what extent they are information literate. Using multiple qualitative methodologies, Japanese undergraduate students' information behavior will be investigated and assessed using information behavior models (how students behaved) and information literacy standards (how well the behavior was conducted).This research will generate knowledge of how they perform their research and the extent to which their behaviors during their research tasks are information literate. An understanding of how various factors affect their behavior will deepen understanding of why students are or are not information literate. The research findings will contribute to the capacity of North American academic libraries to facilitate international students' success in academia.