UK Academic Libraries Research Articles

No more room aboard the ark! A UK higher education perspective on space management

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight some of the ways in which UK academic libraries are responding to the increasing space pressures in both their library buildings and their external stores.Design/methodology/approachA survey of academic libraries looks at current practice, with examples taken from the University of Leeds and a number of other UK universities.FindingsThe paper finds that relegation of stock has become a fact of life, and withdrawal is becoming more common. It is clear that the shortage of physical space cannot be solved by institutions in isolation, and that a collective strategy is essential in order to guarantee long‐term sustainable storage of low‐usage material.Originality/valueIt is hoped that the examples discussed can help inform stock management decisions in other institutions that are starting to face storage problems.

Captivating Open University students with online literature search tutorials created using screen capture software

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to share the experiences and challenges faced by the Open University Library (OUL) in using screen capture software to develop online literature search tutorials.Design/methodology/approachA summary of information literacy support at the OUL is provided as background information to explain the decision to experiment with screen capture software with particular subjects. A detailed consideration of the design, development and implementation stages of a literature search tutorial in information and communication technology is given before a critical appraisal of the problems encountered.FindingsThe paper highlights the challenges in writing and designing self‐guided online learning materials in a subject context. It considers the strengths and weaknesses of the particular screen capture software used, especially with regard to accessibility.Practical implicationsThe paper is of interest not only to other academic libraries, but also any organisation seeking to publish online help or learning materials for different audiences.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to document the use of screen capture software for information literacy purposes in a UK academic library and distance‐learning context.

Non-use of Library Services by Students in a UK Academic Library

Objective – This study examined low or non-use of the library at St. Martin’s College, UK and determined the possible reasons for this. Additionally, this study investigated the other sources of information non-users were accessing. The results were then fed into the library’s future strategic planning cycle.
 
 Methods – Using data from the TALIS management system, a postal survey was distributed to students who registered as low or non-users. Non-users were considered a hard-to-reach target group, and a further classroom-based survey was administered. 
 
 Results – The findings showed that students in part-time and distance learning courses were the largest group of non-users. Other factors influencing non-use included the purchase of books, use of the Internet, and a lack of awareness of services available.
 
 Conclusions – The library service needs to target non-traditional student groups, particularly those taught off-campus, with innovative induction techniques. This survey highlighted the need to embed information skills teaching into the curriculum and a recent restructure of the department has enabled this to happen with a more focused approach to academic liaisonship.

Testing usage-based e-journal pricing

Following the report of a study in 2004 into journals business models, the UK's Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) decided to arrange to undertake trials of two of the models addressed in the study. The models tested were: ‘Pay-per-View Converting to Subscription’ and ‘Core Plus Peripheral'. One of the reasons for the trials was to try to ascertain how the models compared with the Big Deals offered by publishers, but they also aimed to consider the technical, administrative, and commercial issues that might be involved in operating the models in practice. The trials took place during 2006 and involved five publishers and ten UK academic libraries. The models trialled in practice deviated from those addressed in the report of the original study and were based on accesses charged not on a pay-per-view basis, but on an agreed charge per full-text download. Users at the participating libraries had access during the year to all the journals published by the participating publishers. The trials produced a number of useful findings including the need to exclude charging for full-text downloads that were freely available, implications of usage data from intermediaries, issues of archival access, and budgeting and administrative considerations for both libraries and publishers.

The changing use of electronic document delivery in the inter‐library loan service: a survey

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline findings of a recent MSc study into electronic article provision in interlending and document supply presented to the Robert Gordon University in June 2007.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is primarily based on data from questionnaires circulated to UK ILL departments (in academic, public, industrial, health and special libraries), recent users of ILL in a UK academic library and library managers within UK academic HE and public libraries.FindingsElectronic document delivery was found to be used by half of libraries who responded: it was widespread in academic libraries, but seldom used in public libraries where demand for articles is comparatively low. Academic users appreciate the move to desktop delivery and the trend towards electronic delivery of articles in ILL is expected to grow in the future.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a survey data of libraries and users (in an academic environment) in the UK and Ireland. As such it provides a snapshot of the situation and represents the views of the participants at that time.Practical implicationsThe user survey shows that, in an academic context, users welcome the move to desktop delivery.Originality/valueThis paper provides a snapshot of the prevalence of, and attitudes to, electronic article delivery within the UK and Ireland.

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2006: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1995‐2005

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2006: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1995‐2005

LIBRARY 2.0 AND UK ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: DRIVERS AND IMPACTS

At a time that the term ‘Library 2.0’ has attracted attention in the professional and academic press of library and information science, there appears to be a lack of consensus as to what this nomenclature actually means. At one extreme Library 2.0 is purported to be primarily concerned with the implementation of web-based tools, and thus supports the view that its drivers are intimately related to technology. However, it has also been suggested that Library 2.0 is not solely about technology. Rather, the concept also incorporates changing the physical activities and services delivered by libraries, that is, Library 2.0 is services driven. Another perspective is that libraries have always had a history of adopting technology and user-centred improvements to services, and thus Library 2.0 may not even be anything new. This article reports on a research project which assessed the perceptions of Library 2.0, and the extent of its adoption, in the UK academic library sector. The main finding of the study is that Library 2.0 is predominantly viewed as the selective application of Web 2.0 tools and techniques with user services at the heart of any implementation. Although Library 2.0 does not present a new paradigm, its effects are felt in services delivery. Of particular interest are changes in the relationships between those who provide information services and the different generations of the end-users that they serve.

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2006: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1995‐2005

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2006: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1995‐2005

A guide to UK consortia for publishers, content providers and subscription agents

Serials: The Journal for the Serials Community has been digitised and can be accessed in full on this website. All content is freely available on an open-access basis. Serials was published between 1988 and 2011. In 2012, the journal was retitled and is now published as Insights: the UKSG journal.

One size does not fit all: user surveys in academic libraries

PurposeUser surveys in academic libraries are not generally widely publicised. The purpose of this paper is to analyse and comment on the results of a variety of user surveys and draw together some of that work.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the work of LISU at Loughborough University, which has analysed two main instruments – the LibQual+ surveys as they have been applied in the UK, and the standard Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) user survey template. The paper considers the implications of different response rates and sample sizes on the validity of results and issues concerning benchmarking with user survey data.FindingsOne aim of user surveys must be to improve the services provided to users. High overall satisfaction levels are good for publicity, and may persuade institutional management that all is well with the library, but they should not lead to complacency within the service. It is important to drill down into the detail of the results, to make comparisons within or between services, and to investigate examples of good practice.Originality/valueThe paper provides a useful overview of UK academic library user survey methods.

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2005: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1994‐2004

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2005: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1994‐2004

Benchmarking and library quality maturity

PurposeIt remains unresolved from the literature whether benchmarking is a useful and appropriate tool for the library and information services sector. The aim of this research is to gather evidence to establish whether benchmarking provides a real and lasting benefit to library and information services.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigated the long‐term effects of a benchmarking exercise on the quality level of three UK academic libraries. However, an appropriate framework for assessing the quality level of libraries is not present in the literature, and it was therefore necessary for such a framework to be developed. This article describes and provides initial characterisation of the framework developed – the Quality Maturity Model (QMM).FindingsThe evidence from the investigation showed that the two libraries which were at stage one on the QMM before the benchmarking exercise remained there; and the library which scored at the penultimate level, level four, before benchmarking, was, four years afterwards, at level five. The tentative conclusion drawn was that benchmarking may only be appropriate for organisations with a existing high level of quality maturity. Much further work is proposed.Originality/valueThe research provides evidence which establishes whether benchmarking provides a real and lasting benefit to library and information services.

Improving self service the six sigma way at Newcastle University Library

PurposeTo report on the collaborative project between Newcastle University Library and 3M which aimed to increase self‐issue levels using six sigma methodology.Design/methodology/approachThe six‐month long project is outlined and gives an insight into the process improvement methodology called six sigma. An explanation of why we ran the project is given and the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) phases of the six sigma are described.FindingsOutlines the long and short term measures which were needed to improve the self‐issue service.Practical implicationsUseful source for other libraries who may wish to improve their self‐issue levels. It is also useful for those who are interested in the use of six sigma in the service sector, more specifically in an academic library.Originality/valueIt was a unique project in that it was the first time 3M had collaborated with a UK academic library on a six sigma project and the first time Newcastle University Library had engaged in this type of process improvement exercise. It shows how in working objectively together both parties improved the self‐issue service in a systematic way.

USER SURVEYS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

This article brings together results from a number of separate studies carried out in 2004 and 2005 analysing the results of user surveys in UK academic libraries. Results from four LibQUAL + ™ surveys and six surveys based on a template available from the Society of College, National and University Libraries are compared. Several common themes emerging from the analyses are examined, including differences in response rates and library behaviour between the various user groups, and the relative importance of a range of library services. Discrepancies between the responses of library staff and their users in areas such as the provision of information resources are noted. Associations between campus libraries and subject disciplines are likely to influence interpretation of survey results within institutions. There are similarities in the overall picture of user behaviour provided by both survey instruments. The implications for service development and delivery are discussed and a pilot benchmarking study reported.

Is Google enough? Comparison of an internet search engine with academic library resources

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to compare an internet search engine, Google, with appropriate library databases and systems, in order to assess the relative value, strengths and weaknesses of the two sorts of system.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was used, with detailed analysis and failure checking of results. The performance of the two systems was assessed in terms of coverage, unique records, precision, and quality and accessibility of results. A novel form of relevance assessment, based on the work of Saracevic and others was devised.FindingsGoogle is superior for coverage and accessibility. Library systems are superior for quality of results. Precision is similar for both systems. Good coverage requires use of both, as both have many unique items. Improving the skills of the searcher is likely to give better results from the library systems, but not from Google.Research limitations/implicationsOnly four case studies were included. These were limited to the kind of queries likely to be searched by university students. Library resources were limited to those in two UK academic libraries. Only the basic Google web search functionality was used, and only the top ten records examined.Practical implicationsThe results offer guidance for those providing support and training for use of these retrieval systems, and also provide evidence for debates on the “Google phenomenon”.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies which provide evidence on the relative performance of internet search engines and library databases, and the only one to conduct such in‐depth case studies. The method for the assessment of relevance is novel.

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2004: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1993‐2003

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2004: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1993‐2003

Challenges in managing e-books collections in UK academic libraries

Challenges in managing e-books collections in UK academic libraries

Challenges in managing e-books collections in UK academic libraries

This paper reports on research into issues surrounding the collection management of e-books in tertiary education libraries in the UK. Focus groups were conducted with university librarians representing three disciplines—business and management; engineering; and health and medicine, and librarians in post-16 education. Semistructured interview schedules were employed, and the proceedings were recorded and transcribed. The research identified the types and levels of e-books required. The nature of bibliographical control and the selection, acquisition, modes of access, and issues surrounding the licensing of e-books were delineated. The study identified problems associated with these fields and confirmed the need for a national model licence.

Changing patterns in interlibrary loan and document supply

The article looks at a number of possible reasons for the current downturn in the volume of interlibrary loan (ILL) and document supply (DS) requests in the UK higher education (HE) sector. Figures quantifying the demand for these services are examined at the outset by means of a short survey that was circulated to ten HE institutions. The impact of electronic journals on ILL and DS services is scrutinised and proven to be a significant factor. The bibliographic searching behaviour of university researchers is investigated by means of a short questionnaire, and the results of the survey are evaluated. The recent rise in the number of postgraduate students in UK universities is confirmed. The topics of library budgets and the impact of end‐user services are also examined. The article concludes that it is the increase in the number of electronic journal subscriptions that has had the most significant impact on the recent decrease in demand for ILL and DS services in UK academic libraries.

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2003: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1992‐2002

LISU Annual Library Statistics 2003: Featuring Trend Analysis of UK Public and Academic Libraries 1992‐2002