UBC Library Research Articles

News from the Field

UBC Library digitizes William Shakespeare’s First Folio ACRL 2023 early bird registration ends January 20 UC-San Diego Library launches 2022–2027 Strategic Plan MIT Press shares D2O metrics Academic Librarian Burnout: Causes and Responses Cultural Heritage and the Campus Community: Academic Libraries and Museums in Collaboration Gale launches Gale Business: Insights

When the Doors Close: Promoting Academic Library Services in a Remote Environment through Strategic Storytelling

During times of upheaval, storytelling can become a bridge to establish organizational trust and convey essential service information. When the doors to the University of British Columbia Library’s physical branches closed in March 2020, the work performed by librarians and library staff across campus didn’t stop—instead, it pivoted, shifted and expanded. UBC Library's Communications & Marketing team created a three-part story series to strategically draw the focus of the wider campus community to promote these new and adapted services and reinforce the library’s essential role in research, teaching and learning. Using this series as a case study, this article explores how to craft and pitch a compelling academic library services story.

News from the Field

UBC Library’s Joan Gillis Fonds added to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Canada Memory of the World Register UC San Diego announces 2022 Undergraduate Library Research Prize winners PALNI awards Library Innovation Grants to three supported institutions New from ACRL—The Data Literacy Cookbook AALL launches new legal information resource AALL launches new legal information resource CUPA-HR releases research data on higher education workforce gains, declines IMLS releases research on COVID-19 library services

Repurposing Problematic Books into Critical Literacy Kits

In response to varied needs from Education students, faculty and researchers, UBC librarians and library students repurposed problematic books from Indigenous children’s literature collections into Critical Literacy Kits. By repackaging these problematic books, along with librarian-created learning materials and activity guides, these kits mediate access to problematic books and become a new tool for pedagogy. This article explores the intersection between critical literacy and the development of children’s literature collections in academic libraries, proposing that the creation of kits like this increases the learning potential of problematic books, and prevents the erasure of critical engagement with these materials.

Strength and Aerobic Exercise for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Background: Arthritis is a prevalent joint disease characterized by joint inflammation. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis which causes progressive cartilage breakdown at the ends of bones and may affect surrounding ligaments, menisci and muscles. Osteoarthritis puts individuals at an increased risk of developing comorbid conditions. The use of exercise is growing as a low-risk treatment for symptoms of osteoarthritis. Purpose: The purpose of this narrative review is to examine how strength and aerobic exercise interventions can be used for the management of osteoarthritis symptoms. Methodology: A literature search was conducted utilizing PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and UBC Library. Selected literature included quasi-experimental studies, randomized-controlled trials, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and exercise guidelines. Results: The literature indicates that strength exercise is beneficial to symptom management and physical function among individuals with osteoarthritis. Research specific to quadriceps strengthening showed significant improvements in physical performance, walking self-efficacy, and pain. While aerobic exercise plays a vital role in overall well-being, it also is shown to be as effective as strength exercise for symptom management and physical function. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that strength and aerobic exercise can enhance the quality of life among individuals with osteoarthritis. Greater dissemination of evidence is needed to increase awareness of strength and aerobic exercise as a valuable treatment option for osteoarthritis. Further research is required to determine optimal exercise parameters prescribed for individuals with osteoarthritis. Health & Fitness Journal of Canada 2019;XXX(X):X-XX. https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.XXX.XXX Keywords: Physical Activity, Quadricep Strengthening, Exercise Prescription, Randomized-Controlled Trial, Systematic Review, Medications

Investigating the Factors that Affect Osteoporosis in an Aging Population

Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health issue that has been a large topic of discussion for the last 20 years. It is largely prevalent in an aging population and primarily in post-menopausal women. Sufferers of osteoporosis experience enhanced bone fragility, contributing to an increased risk of fractures and falls. Purpose: This student driven narrative review provides a brief overview of osteoporosis and examines the modifiable factors that contribute to the effects of osteoporosis in an aging population. Methods: Information was gathered through databases including PubMed, UBC Library, and Google Scholar. Results: Adequate consumption of calcium and vitamin D as well as regular exercise are factors that are recommended to increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Additionally, engaging in alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle should be avoided to optimize bone health. Conclusion: Lifestyle factors and the consumption of relevant nutrients required for bone health can be modified in order to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in an aging population. Further research should aim to investigate the effects of a variety of different levels of physical activity and alcohol consumption, as well as the effects of calcium supplementation on cardiovascular health.

Roundtable: How has the profession changed since you graduated?

Roundtable provides an opportunity for librarians to reflect on their own practice and experiences related to a particular question. In light of our 10th anniversary issue, the topic for this issue’s Roundtable is “How has the profession changed since you graduated?” Three librarians share their thoughts on this topic. Roundtable fournit une opportunité aux bibliothécaires de réfléchir sur leur pratique et leurs expériences liées à une question particulière. À la lumière du numéro de notre dixième anniversaire, le sujet du Roundtable de ce numéro est «Comment la profession a-t-elle changé depuis que vous avez reçu votre diplôme? » Trois bibliothécaires partagent leurs pensées à ce sujet.

Preservation Projects of Japanese-Canadian Materials at UBC Library

Preservation Projects of Japanese-Canadian Materials at UBC Library

Exploring Social Software at UBC Library: The TOTS Series

Keywords: Web 2.0, social software, collaboration, library 2.0, professional development Background The Tools for Outreach and Teaching Series (TOTS) was created in May 2007 to provide a venue for librarians and library staff at University of British Columbia to explore emerging social software tools that might be used in their work in library and for outreach and instruction. The creators and coordinators of series are three reference librarians from different branches at UBC Library: Susan Atkey, Humanities and Social Sciences; Katherine Miller, Woodward Library (Life Sciences) and Lindsay Ure, David Lam Library (Business). The series was born out of a desire to provide a collegial, informal, and non-threatening atmosphere for exploring emerging technologies and their potential use in an academic setting while reducing some of fear of unknown that often surrounds new technologies. The series acronym TOTS reflects playful, exploratory approach to these potential new tools that creators wanted to inform sessions. TOTS was inspired by other library efforts to address need to keep pace with emerging technologies, such as original PLCMC Learning 2.0 Program http://plcmcl2-about.blogspot.com/, Five Weeks to a Social Library course http://www.sociallibraries.com/course/ , and Learning 2.0@Mac http://macetg.wordpress.com/2007/02/12/learning-20-mac-week-1/ The series is a grassroots effort which has enabled us to move quickly to keep pace (or, attempt to keep pace) with seemingly never ending stream of new social software tools that are being developed. Although series is a grassroots enterprise, we did approach two relevant librarywide committees to sponsor series, including assisting with facilitating group discussion and sponsoring refreshments for sessions. We would like to acknowledge support of members of eLibrary and Reference and Instruction committees at UBC Library. Structure Each two hour session has three key elements: speakers, sandbox, and discussion. Firstly, series draws on local knowledge and experience. We have a standing invitation to all UBC librarians and library staff to speak about new tools they are passionate about using, either personally or professionally. We also approach librarians and staff who we know are already advocates or fans of a particular technology to participate as speakers, highlighting how they have applied these tools in their work. The second core element is focus on hands on, exploratory learning, which is reflected in series acronym TOTS. Each session provides participants with opportunity to engage with technology in an informal, experimental environment which we call the sandbox. The format of sandbox depends on specific tool: it may involve bringing in laptops and letting staff try out specific tools, or setting up a wiki and inviting staff to create their own page. Finally, each session includes a group discussion on potential value of tools to our work, and advantages and challenges they might bring. Sessions Sessions are planned and offered at relatively quieter times of year, when we have fewer reference and instructional obligations and can think ahead and plan for coming year. Eight sessions have been offered so far: Wikis Virtual Worlds Social Networking Tools RSS Social Bookmarking Tools Google Tools: Part 1 Google Tools: Part 2 Real-Time Communication and Teaching Tools Another session, Mobile Devices is planned for July 2009. Most sessions have been attended by 30 or more participants, which is a full house for teaching spaces we used. To date, 15 speakers, representing a number of UBC Library branches, have shared their experiences with their colleagues, some in multiple sessions. …