State University Libraries Research Articles

Updating a Commitment to Openness

In 2021, the Iowa State University Library passed a new Open Access Commitment, replacing an outdated document with one that better supports the diverse range of work done by the library staff at Iowa State University.

“Active and Vital Resources”: A Thematic Analysis of Congressional Collection Policies

ABSTRACT This article describes the process of updating and broadening the collection policy of the Ohio Public Policy Archives (OPPA) at The Ohio State University Libraries to include a more diverse representation of policy and policy making on the national level. The author conducted a thematic analysis of peer congressional collecting policies to determine whether a notable difference exists between language describing the acquisition of congressional collections and language describing the acquisition of public policy collections. The thematic analysis highlights new areas of focus and reinforces the research value of congressional collections. OPPA's updated collection policy built on the identified themes to further illuminate the research value of congressional collections while also making room for the addition of new perspectives on the U.S. policy-making process.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF ONLINE LIBRARY SERVICES IN THE NEW NORMAL: THE WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE

As higher education institutions strictly follow health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moving of classes including the closing of libraries is a way of helping the government to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus. To that effect, libraries have also responded to the challenging needs in the educational system. In the Western Mindanao State University library where online services are offered, where the purpose of this study attempted to look into the challenges and opportunities faced by its stakeholders and the extent of satisfaction. The quantitative-qualitative research design employing a descriptive survey method was used. In the selection of respondents, systematic random sampling was also employed, and the five (5) point Likert-type questionnaire checklist was utilized. While a purposive sampling was also employed to library personnel. A total of 384 respondents coming from the students, faculty administrative personnel/staff, and library personnel were utilized. Based on the findings, OLC or the Online Library Cart facilitated by a social media platform was a big help to educators and learners in the academic community. The challenges and opportunities have also brought in the delivery of online services’ operation. The low internet connectivity and lack of personnel competency in the online delivery, among others were considered as challenges. In attaining quality library service, increase in the acquisition of e-resources, upgrading of personnel’s skills as well as strengthening the culture of partnership and collaboration are major factors to create an avenue to improve library services, the online delivery, in particular. The overall mean of 4.74 revealed a high level of satisfaction result from the three groups of respondents, implying that WMSU library online services are very much effective and functioning excellently. It is, therefore, concluded that online services offered by the WMSU Library should be sustained not only to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic but also to support the challenging needs of blended learning education in Western Mindanao.

Art’s Work in the Age of Biotechnology: Shaping Our Genetic Futures

Art’s Work in the Age of Biotechnology: Shaping Our Genetic Futures

Organization, Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials: A Case Study of Lagos State University Library, Ojo-Lagos

Basically, since the main purpose of every library is to collect, organize, preserve, conserve and provide knowledge and information materials available to users, hence the researchers decides to examined and understudy the trends in collection development department and how information resources are preserved in Lagos State University Library, Ojo-Lagos. This study revealed that the collection development in library helps in conserving information resources in order to reflect the library mission which is collect, organize, preserve, conserve. Also, this study recommended that policies in collection development should be given serious consideration in the building library collections. Therefore, there is need for tertiary institutions especially Lagos State University to provide adequate funding for resources and maintain a good and up-to-date maintenance ethics for better preservation and conservation of the information resources.

Knowledge Hoarding at a State University Library in Zimbabwe

Despite the need to bridge the knowledge gap introduced by technology, knowledge hoarding by library staff seems to affect service delivery at a state university library in Zimbabwe. The study employed a qualitative research approach in a case study design, informed by the interpretive paradigm. The target population of this study consisted of senior library management personnel and their subordinates. Maximal variation purposive sampling strategy was chosen to sample twenty-six library staff/ individuals that differ on some characteristics. Data were generated using interviews and observations. Key findings revealed that mistrust, unfair treatment, poor interpersonal relations, lack of recognition, and absence of a reward system induce knowledge hoarding and discourage library staff from sharing experiences. Furthermore, the study revealed that while librarians hoard knowledge as a security strategy for indispensability, hoarding knowledge has led to individualism and privatisation of knowledge. The study concluded that withholding of knowledge, for whatever reason, results in negative implications on the performance of new roles and service delivery. The study recommends that library staff should change from knowledge hoarding to sharing their knowledge; that the state library should implement a knowledge sharing policy; that the university library should reward knowledge sharing and recognize knowledge contributions from subordinates.

Designing an open-source application to record library gate counts in response to COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oklahoma State University Library developed an open-source application to record real-time building capacity. Library student security tracks building entrances and exits via the program, with current visitor numbers appearing on the library’s website via an API. This effort helps administrators have a clear picture of building capacity during opening hours for data-driven decision-making and provides users information regarding the library’s level of activity.

Grants and Acquisitions

Penn State University Libraries has expanded its robust scholarly research potential of one of America’s foremost 20th-century writers through the acquisition of the Toby and Betty Bruce Collection of Ernest Hemingway. The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently announced grants totaling $5,253,000 through three programs designed to support and improve library services of Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) has awarded PALSave Textbook Creation Grants to faculty authors from three of its supported institutions.

Diving Deep into Dissertations: Analyzing Graduate Students’ Methodology and Data Practices to Inform Research Data Services and Subject Liaison Librarian Support

We present findings from an exploratory quantitative content analysis case study of 156 doctoral dissertations from Georgia State University that investigates doctoral student researchers’ methodology practices (used quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods) and data practices (used primary data, secondary data, or both). We discuss the implications of our findings for provision of data support services provided by the Georgia State University Library’s Research Data Services (RDS) Team and subject liaison librarians in the areas of instructional services, data software support and licensing advocacy, collection development, marketing/outreach, and professional development/expansion.

Academic Library Video Services: Charting a Post-COVID Course

The vast majority of academic libraries offer streaming video services to support teaching and research, and demand for this already popular format from faculty and students increased when libraries closed their physical locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its popularity, many users are unfamiliar with copyright and terms of use for video content. Use of streaming video is further complicated by its availability on a variety of platforms using different licensing models. This case study shows how the Penn State University Libraries (PSUL) helped librarians, faculty, and students navigate access to video content for remote instruction during the pandemic. The examples of training library staff, educating faculty and students, and streamlining internal processes can be adapted by all academic libraries to provide greater access to video content. Demand for streaming video will continue even when libraries return to full in-person operations, so these approaches will continue to be relevant.

Between Two Strategists: A Conversation between Collections and Scholarly Sharing at The Ohio State University Libraries

Between Two Strategists: A Conversation between Collections and Scholarly Sharing at The Ohio State University Libraries

Assessment of Motivation Factors on Librarians’ Job Performance in Federal University Otuoke and Lagos State University Libraries of Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the relationship that exists between motivational factors (remuneration, work environment, promotion and training) on librarian’s job performance in federal university otuoke and Lagos state university libraries. To achieve the objective, research question with corresponding hypothesis was formulated to give direction to the study. The correlation research design was used for the study. The population of the study consisted of 18 librarians drawn from federal university otuoke and 18 librarians from Lagos state university libraries. 36 librarians used for the study, and no sample size due to the small population. Data was collected using researcher’s developed instruments titled ‘Motivational Factors and Librarian’s Job Performance Questionnaire’ (MFLSJPQ). The instrument was found reliable with a reliability coefficient of .714 using Multiple Regression Coefficients. Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient to answer the research question while Multiple Regression Coefficient was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the data analysis showed that the motivational factors being (remuneration, work environment, promotion and training) have significant influence on librarians’ job performances in federal university otuoke and Lagos state university libraries. Upon the findings, it was concluded that remuneration, work environment, promotion and training determine the relationship that exists between motivational factors and Librarian’s Job Performance in federal university otuoke and Lagos state university libraries. Consequently, it is recommended that Governments and parent institutions should provide good salary packages and additional incentives in order to motivate librarians to be committed and dedicated to their required duties. Also, government should provide librarians with adequate remuneration, conducive work environment and regular promotions as well as in-service-training, they will be committed and dedicated to their duties effectively and efficiently, and this would elicit higher productivity from them.

Free Lunch? Vendor Offers during COVID-19

Academic libraries received numerous free offers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing business literature suggests that there are benefits and costs associated with free offers for both the businesses that provide them and their customers. This study analyzes the free offers received during a three-month period at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. The author monitored direct offers from vendors, LIBLICENSE-L@LISTSERV.CRL.EDU, information obtained from peers, and publicly available data from the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC). The offers that would normally require paid institutional subscriptions were included in the study. Databases were the largest offer category (41%), followed-by e-books (20%). Most (76%) required registration by library representatives, allowing vendors to track usage data. Only a small portion (8%) of these free offers was already held at the study site, Penn State University Libraries (PSUL). The implication might be that most of the offers were either new, not high-priority or not affordable for PSUL. The findings of this study suggest free offers provide intangible value for both libraries and vendors that cannot be measured through cost-per-use data analysis. For example, libraries gained opportunities to trial new products without any risk, temporarily expand their collections, and help users during the crisis when access to the library buildings was disrupted. Vendors increased product visibility, gained customer information and usage data, identified potential customers, and created goodwill with the library community. This study is relevant to business librarianship not only because these free offers included business and related disciplines but also because some business librarians engage with vendor relations and need to understand different business models including free offers.

A Tale of Two Levels: Analyzing the Discoverability and Impact of Item-Level Description in EAD Finding Aids

Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services unit investigated the discoverability of local EAD finding aids. Two versions of the same finding aid were described at the file level and item level, respectively. Analytics for each guide were assessed to discover which descriptive level was most frequently accessed. Patron search terms and finding aid tags was also assessed. Data shows that personal names are the most common type of search term, search terms are most commonly found in the Collection Inventory, and that the availability of item-level description improves discovery by an average of 6100% over file-level descriptions.

Contributors

Other| October 01 2021 Contributors Pedagogy (2021) 21 (3): 565–567. https://doi.org/10.1215/15314200-9137158 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Contributors. Pedagogy 1 October 2021; 21 (3): 565–567. doi: https://doi.org/10.1215/15314200-9137158 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search Books & JournalsAll JournalsPedagogy Search Advanced Search Gautam Basu Thakur is associate professor of English and director of the critical theory minor at Boise State University, where he teaches theoretical psychoanalysis, postcoloniality and globalization studies, and literature of the British Empire. His books include Postcolonial Theory and Avatar (2015), Lacan and the Nonhuman (coedited, 2018), Postcolonial Lack (2020), and Reading Lacan's Seminar VIII (coedited, 2020).Saradindu Bhattacharya teaches at the Department of English, University of Hyderabad, India. His recent publications have been in the domains of trauma studies, young adult literature, and the pedagogy of English. He has been teaching cultural studies, Renaissance literature, and new literatures in English at the postgraduate level. Additionally, he has also taught elective courses on nation, media, and popular culture and on children's literature. He particularly enjoys teaching English poetry and reading dystopian fiction.Jolie Braun is curator of modern literature and manuscripts at The Ohio State University Libraries, where she... Issue Section: Contributors You do not currently have access to this content.

What Would Janeway and Roslin Do?: A Sci-Fi–Watching Library Historian Confronts COVID-19

What Would Janeway and Roslin Do?: A Sci-Fi–Watching Library Historian Confronts COVID-19

Framing a Gallery Program:

The Sonoma State University Library Art Committee curates exhibits and develops programming for its library gallery to support the library and university missions, the library’s curriculum philosophy, and the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. These exhibits complement various disciplines, foster curiosity, provide opportunities for reflection, present primary sources for research and inspiration, and invite campus and community engagement. The Art Committee also develops course-integrated programming and aligns exhibit components with the ACRL Framework to engage visitors with information-literacy concepts. In this article, the authors discuss examples of framework-driven curation and programming, methods for collaboration, lessons learned, and future directions for the gallery program.[This article is based on a poster session prepared for the 2020 ARLIS/NA virtual conference.]

Merchant Libraries in the Cultural Heritage of Irkutsk

The article considers the role of merchant libraries in the history of the city. The reviewed books open a new publishing series of the scientific library of Irkutsk University, dedicated to merchant libraries of Irkutsk. Its publications provide an opportunity to get familiar with the old book collections of Irkutsk residents, know more about the interest in books and reading in our city as well as the history of private libraries. The first book in the series, published in 2019, was dedicated to the book collection of the largest Irkutsk merchant, the philanthropist and bibliophile V.N. Basnin, whose estate was one of the largest cultural salons in Irkutsk in the first half of the 19th century. The book under review contains the most complete catalog of Basnin’s library, which he had been collecting for more than 40 years. It should be noted that he was not only a reader, but also quite a professional bibliographer, ordered by mail novelty books, making their systematization and description. The second book in the series is dedicated to other merchant libraries. Its compilers have done a lot of research work to find these publications, systematize them and identify their owners. The catalog presented by the Irkutsk State University library most fully reflects the merchants’ interest in printed publications. It includes 969 book titles, reflecting 1 194 editions with exlibrises, autographs and notes of their owners. Despite the purely bibliographic nature of the peer-reviewed publications, which are considered in the research, they are of interest to different groups of people. The author notes the importance of the books not only to library workers, but also to all the readers who are not indifferent to the history of cultural life in Irkutsk, as well as to the role of books and home libraries in personality development and formation of human abilities.

Identification of Barriers Associated with Information Products and Information Service Marketing in University Libraries in Sri Lanka

Libraries and information centers are not profit-making organizations, but they are information and service providers. The concept of marketing captures not only the buying and selling for monetary purposes but also the fulfillment of organizational objectives effectively in non-profit organizations which are constantly and inextricably linked to meeting its client's information needs. Marketing performances in the field of library and information science includes planning, organizing, dissemination, and controlling of information products and services through motivational and user convenience way. As a result of marketing, these organizations should be able to achieve their aims while satisfying their customers and fulfilling their information needs as well as wants. Academic libraries such as university libraries represent the “heart” of the learning organization. However, in the literature, it is reported that university libraries face many difficulties and there were many failures in providing the information sources and services to their users. It is therefore important to identify how the concept of marketing can be used in the university libraries effectively. This study, therefore, aims to identify the barriers faced in marketing information products and information services in university libraries in Sri Lanka. The quantitative research methodology has been used as a research methodology of this study while the case research method has been used as a research strategy. The study sample consisted of 15 state university librarians in Sri Lanka and structured questionnaires were distributed to gather data for this study. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). This study identified barriers in the marketing of information products and services in university libraries such as lack of professional human resources with marketing knowledge, lack of proper marketing policy for library management, The inactivity of the marketing mix, Failure of the promotion activities, Lack of understanding about the importance of public relation, lack of recognition for libraries in the society/organization, ignorance of the activities of staff in one section of the library. Overall marketing of information products and information services in the university libraries of Sri Lanka was not at a satisfactory level.

How Diverse is the Academic Library Children’s Picture Book Collection? Using Diverse Bookfinder’s Content Analysis, Demographic Data, and Historical Bibliographies to Analyze a Picture Book Collection

The purpose of this study is to determine how diverse the academic children’s library picture book collection is at San Diego State University Library and how well it represents the members of the community who use it. Using the results of a Diverse BookFinder’s Collection Analysis Tool (DBF CAT) report, the researcher compares ethnic group representation in a library’s holdings to local patron demographics to analyze how well the collection represents the community that uses it. More specifically, the DBF CAT data were compared to demographic statistics of the university student body and to demographic statistics of local school children whose teachers use the collection to develop lesson plans. While this comparison broadly identified some strengths and gaps in the collection, the demographic category mismatch between the DBF CAT data categories and the demographic statistical sources was problematic. Assessment of the historical part of the picture book collection was also explored and led to a recommendation for further collection diversity assessment research using historical bibliographies and book reviews.