Urban Library Research Articles

The US urban university library: supporting research related to crime

PurposeThe academic library mission is defined based on the need to support the larger parent university mission. In the case of the urban university, which has been the focus of relatively little discussion and research in the library and information science literature, the research component of the mission potentially influences research agendas as well as the decisions of faculty who choose to teach and do research in such a setting, with a particular focus on “applied scholarship” or research that is community‐focused, considering social problems. Of the urban issues that have shaped the urban university mission, crime is also a key determinant of the resilience of urban areas. The breadth and depth of the research issues related to crime have been well‐documented. The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the research findings, indicating the complexity of the research and findings, as well.Design/methodology/approachThe research related to crime ranges from the basic documentation of crime statistics, to the analysis of trends in the data, to attempts to understand why factors as divergent as economic downturns, media coverage, drug use, population reductions, weather or season of the year, and sentencing guidelines impact crime rates. The research also addresses issues, such as the use of DNA and other forensic evidence in crime investigation and juror opinions and the fallibility of eyewitness accounts. The paper presents an overview and analysis of crime‐related research, reflecting the breadth of such research and examples, which indicate the fact that the research is frequently characterized by complexity, often manifested in findings that are inconclusive and conflicting, and rarely reflecting causality. The paper presents an analysis of the research related to crime, intended to be representative, not exhaustive, of a broad range of examples of findings and analyses, across a range of academic disciplines and professions, supported by academic libraries.FindingsThe analysis of research related to the causes of increases and reductions in crime, why crime rates vary by city, and a range of other related issues reflects broad interest in enhanced understanding of issues related to crime, among researchers across disciplines, public policymakers and law enforcement, as well as members of the general public. This interest is reflected, not only in the amount of published research, the publication of such research in disciplinary, scholarly sources, but also in the general interest literature, and the growth in research following increases in various types of crimes. The analysis also reflects interest in a number of specific research questions and the extent to which models, such as the broken windows theory, possibly the best known theory of this type, are effective in reducing violent crime. The results of research related to crime indicate the complexity, breadth and interdisciplinarity of the concepts studied by scientists and social scientists, as well as the complexity of research findings, as represented in inconclusive and conflicting findings and difficulty in isolating variables and representing causality.Originality/valueThe analysis of the nature, breadth, complexity, and interdisciplinarity of the research related to crime provides the basis for a more informed approach in considering the role of the urban university library, in particular, in supporting fulfillment of the larger institutional mission.

Canadian Public Library Users are Unaware of Their Information Literacy Deficiencies as Related to Internet Use and Public Libraries are Challenged to Address These Needs

Canadian Public Library Users are Unaware of Their Information Literacy Deficiencies as Related to Internet Use and Public Libraries are Challenged to Address These Needs

Public library strategies for building stronger economies and communities

National Civic ReviewVolume 97, Issue 3 p. 11-16 Research Article Public library strategies for building stronger economies and communities Danielle Patrick Milam, Danielle Patrick Milam Urban Libraries CouncilSearch for more papers by this author Danielle Patrick Milam, Danielle Patrick Milam Urban Libraries CouncilSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 October 2008 https://doi.org/10.1002/ncr.219Citations: 4AboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume97, Issue3Autumn (Fall) 2008Pages 11-16 RelatedInformation

The urban library program: Integrating theory and work

The paper reports on a collaborative education model involving library education, faculty and public library practitioners preparing under-represented and culturally diverse individuals for employment as support staff in public libraries. The Urban L

Smart spaces: creating new instructional space with smart classroom technology

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to describe the Long Island University Brooklyn Campus Library's experience with a Smart Space Project. This paper recounts how the library creates new instructional spaces, through the use of smart technologies. This study illustrates challenges facing the library, recounts collaboration with other campus units, and describes support service provided by Library Information Technology. This account contributes to the sharing and discussion of experiences among modern academic libraries regarding needs assessment, space planning, and utilization of technology to support library services.Design/methodology/approachThe literature review includes space planning, building renovation and construction, and instructional technology. Various aspects of the Smart Space Project are described and analyzed. Studies and experiences from other academic libraries are also discussed.FindingsSpace renovation projects may be complex, requiring a systematic approach encompassing vision, needs assessment, funding, planning, technological considerations, and collaboration with other campus units. Creativity, flexibility, open‐mindedness, and attention to details are keys to the success of renovation projects.Research limitations/implicationsIn the areas of library space, student learning behaviour, utilization of technology, and smart technology's impacts on online/distance library instruction, more research needs to be conducted.Practical implicationsThis account provides useful information and first‐hand experience for library administrators and faculty planning instructional space projects.Originality/valueThis article provides a snapshot of the efforts of a mid‐sized urban library to address issues of limited space, budgetary constraints, growing collections, and increasing user needs. It provides practical lessons and suggestions for other library administrators and faculty seeking to make building and instructional technology improvements. It also offers valuable information for library information technology units implementing smart instructional projects.

The Creativity Issue: Putting the Spotlight on Creative Work in Urban Libraries

The Creativity Issue: Putting the Spotlight on Creative Work in Urban Libraries

Listen Up: Discovering the Reference and Instructional Applications of Apple’s Tunes

Apple’s iTunes software permits people to import music onto their computer where they can listen, compile personalized playlists, and share their music with others, a practice that is ubiquitous among students on college campuses. This article examines the ongoing exploration of the potential applications of iTunes software at Union College ’s Schaffer Library, first, as a subtle but pervasive marketing tool used to raise student awareness of new and existing library resources, and second, as a means of reaching out to the campus population in an environment where students already feel at home. The article also discusses the role that iTunes—and specifically the free educational content available from the online iTunes Store—has begun to play in library efforts to respond to a variety of reference and curricular support needs. We describe several strategies for communicating the availability and value of this content to faculty teaching a variety of courses across the curriculum, and (taking advantage of Urban Library Journal’'s online format) we provide examples of tools we have incorporated and tweaked to deliver this content directly and conveniently into the hands of our students. We also discuss the problems and issues we have encountered and describe how we’ve attempted to contend with them.

Developing an integrated public library service in Dongguan, one of China's fastest growing cities

Purpose – The purpose of this case study is to explore the construction pattern and issues involved in the development of an urban library service system in China.Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted through an analytical evaluation of the development of an integrated public service system and its distribution of information among libraries and information centers in an urban community.Findings – Constructing an integrated public service system is an important trend in urban libraries in the new millennium. Drawing from the Dongguan library's integrated public service system that aims to master better various resources from whole service area, this text summarizes technology innovation and the significant results of the Dongguan library system redevelopment, providing an absorbing insight into developments in the Chinese public library service.Originality/value – While the ultimate goal of integration is to provide better services to meet the information‐seeking needs of urban residents,...

Canadian Library Human Resources Short-Term Supply and Demand Crisis Is Averted, But a Significant Long-Term Crisis Must Be Addressed

Canadian Library Human Resources Short-Term Supply and Demand Crisis Is Averted, But a Significant Long-Term Crisis Must Be Addressed

Leadership Diversity: A Study of Urban Public Libraries

Diversity has been identified as a priority in library and information services for some time. The limited published research on diversity programs in libraries, though, has focused on academic libraries. This article represents the results of a study of leadership diversity in large, urban public libraries. In the study of members of the Urban Libraries Council, data were gathered with regard to programs related to diversity awareness, staffing, collections, and information services. The research results indicate that diversity‐related activities and programs have been implemented in a high percentage of the libraries. However, the level of focus on areas such as retention has not been as consistent, as is the case with the provision of library services and collection development, for example. The research results also indicate the relationship between organizational leadership and administrative structure and activities related to operationalizing diversity in public libraries.

Locating public libraries in a multicultural city: A spatial mismatch?

Locating public libraries in a multicultural city: A spatial mismatch?

Sustaining the work of “Learning in libraries”

PurposeA model collaborative approach among three distinct library systems with common goals and missions but unique delivery systems. The primary goal was to improve the out of school environment in libraries and develop best practices in supporting youth during these hours. This paper deals with these issuesDesign/methodology/approachWith support from the Urban Libraries Council, the project maintained an outcome‐based approach with measurable goals, indicators, and outcomes.FindingsSubstantive progress was made in producing tangible products. Sustaining the work becomes the main focus as the funding runs out.Originality/valueSuggests options for collaborative project management among several large library systems.

Going Broke, Going Digital

ABSTRACT The following is a variable cost analysis of an urban university's first digital library project. In this case study, digital library team members tracked labor expenditures so that pre-digitization costs to the library could be quantified. Salaried individuals and administrative costs such as planning meetings were included in this study so that the total costs to the library could be determined. The authors also used document sampling to predict their digitization costs, suggest cost categories to track, and argue that libraries can expect high variable costs to their institutions for first digital projects in particular, when the learning curve will always be the highest.

Communication Breakdown: Librarian and Student Approaches to Virtual Reference Differ

A review of:
 
 Walter, Virginia A. and Cindy Mediavilla. "Teens Are from Neptune, Librarians Are from Pluto: An Analysis of Online Reference Transactions.” Library Trends 54.2 (2005): 209-227.
 
 Objective – To evaluate the effectiveness of an online reference and referral service for students (primarily those in middle school and high school) seeking homework help.
 
 Design – Analysis of 114 transcripts of reference transactions. 
 
 Setting – A centralized homework reference and tutor referral service provided on behalf of the California State Library by the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System. 
 
 Subjects – Virtual reference librarians at a large urban library system and middle and high school students in California.
 
 Methods – One hundred fourteen virtual reference transactions recorded between October 12 and November 8, 2003 were evaluated against the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) “Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers.” Secondly, the transcripts were subjected to discourse analysis.
 
 Main results – Performance of virtual reference librarians vis-à-vis RUSA guidelines
 In the majority of cases, there was some evidence that librarians communicated clearly (110 out of 114 transactions). In 78 cases, it appeared that a librarian was available quickly, and in 92 of the transactions a friendly greeting was given. What was striking, however, was that in a clear majority of cases, some of the classic reference interview strategies were not employed. In 100 or more cases each, the following strategies were not observed: repeating or paraphrasing the question; helping to interpret the question; verifying mutual understanding; asking if the question has been answered; asking if the student needs more information. Furthermore, in 75 cases librarians did not probe for further information to clarify the question, while in 87 cases they did not check that information had been clearly understood. 
 
 Possibly related to these findings, the researchers felt that the transcripts revealed “a conviction that homework questions are not the proper content for reference transactions” (222). In addition, librarians were found to be frequently too quick to refer students to a tutor, when a query might have been better answered as a reference question.
 
 Findings of discourse analysis
 In general, the virtual reference librarians used impersonal, formal language to “reinforce the professional’s superior position vis-à-vis the help-seeker” (217). There were repeated attempts by the students to interject a lighter or warmer tone (using humour, emoticons, informal language, introducing a personal note, etc.). These attempts were rarely reciprocated, with librarians continuing to use impersonal language, including stock messages such as:
 “we are experiencing a very busy time right now,” (217); or,
 “I am going to send you a page which will give you some help with your homework.
 After we disconnect this session, click on this link and follow the instructions to be connected with a tutor. Please do not click on any links on this page until after we have disconnected” (217).
 
 In several cases librarians were preoccupied with defining their roles—for example, specifying that they could give reference help but not advice. In all, the distancing mechanisms used by librarians, combined with occasional inaccurate referrals and technical problems with the software, were seen to create an enormous potential for frustration on the part of the student.
 
 Conclusions – The most important implication of the study was that librarians and students were worlds (or planets) apart in their approach to the reference interaction. While “teens attempted to create meaning by recreating the chat discourse environment in which they were most at home”, librarians “tried to create meaning in a parallel discourse environment that duplicated as much as possible the standard impersonal protocols of a face-to-face reference counter” (223). One suggested way to alleviate the disconnect between librarians and students was to involve students in the planning of the services. For now, however, the authors conclude that “teens are from Neptune, librarians are from Pluto. Better services would result if they could meet somewhere closer together” (224).

Inspired Design and International Partners Deliver Architectural Art and Urban Renaissance for Salt Lake City

A product of inspired design and unprecedented international precast concrete delivery, the spectacular 237,000 ft 2 (22,000 m2) Salt Lake City Public Library in Utah opened in early 2004 on a premium 9.5 acre (3.9 ha) downtown site. Built at a cost of $92 million, the library complex comprises three main buildings-including the landmark Crescent and Triangle Buildings-incorporating acid-etched architectural precast concrete panels. With gorgeous views of Utah's Wasatch Mountains all around, this new magnet for community life in the heart of Salt Lake City offers visitors the Urban Room, a city park, retail facilities, an amphitheater, a sunken garden, a waterfall, a reflection pond, a children's library, and a 600-space underground parking structure. Well beyond fulfilling its function as a magnificent, new urban library for the city planners, this architectural precast concrete design succeeded in becoming an unexpected catalyst for the city's renaissance. This article addresses the very complex precast concrete Crescent Building design, new production mold techniques, erection, and the challenging international transportation logistics required to make this daring architectural vision a reality.

Digital information access in urban/suburban communities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of public digital services on urban/suburban residents, to uncover the current usage of public digital services and levels of satisfaction with the digital resources/content in urban digital libraries (networked computers with specific information infrastructure designed free for public use).Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach is used as a main stream in the research framework as the method of inquiry. Qualitative one‐to‐one interviews include surveying users who use public library websites, observing the users, consulting librarians about the users, and interviewing the users.Findings – Provides demographic patterns of the patrons' interaction with the digital services public libraries provide, and the satisfaction and compliances the residents have regarding information access through the digital technology in urban/suburban Connecticut.Practical implications – Because of the small number of participants, this study has limita...

Two million dollars times three

PurposeTo address the issue of using grant funding in the US public libraries. With reduced funding as in most public libraries, the three New York City library systems have partnered with the Urban Library Council (ULC), funded by The Wallace Foundation, to provide additional funds from these alternative sources of income.Design/methodology/approachExplores the current programs and services offered at Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) under the grant‐funded sources. In using the funds, this project gave the library a chance to directly connect its goals with the new funds, as well as meet new capacity‐building goals to set the library in new directions.FindingsThe new funding resulted in new staff, retooling positions and activities, task forces and committee work to give buy‐in from different interested parties, and results included expanded services and programs.Originality/valueBeyond evaluating the need for the funding at this system, much success can be found in the city‐wide collaboration found in this project with all three systems and the ULC working together on this project. These Tri‐Li (three library system) working groups are just one of the many valuable elements of reading this case.

Delinquent readership in selected urban libraries in Nigeria

The issue of delinquent readership has been recognised as a perennial problem in libraries. This study was conceived, therefore, on the premise that there is need for containing the problem, at least to the barest minimum. Questionnaire and interview methods were used to collect the necessary data and frequencies and percentages of responses to variables 1‐19 were reported. The study found that every library has the problem of delinquent readership, although to varying degrees. The administration in the urban libraries studied appreciate and try to solve the problem of delinquency in libraries.

We shall soon be nothing but transparent heaps of jelly to each other

We shall soon be nothing but transparent heaps of jelly to each other

Content Analysis of Restrictive Publisher Copyright Policies for Electronic Reserves

A case study of a large urban academic library with an established electronic reserve system and copyright management database was attempted in order to analyze restrictions in publishers' electronic reserve copyright policies. The researcher proposed that publishers' electronic reserve copyright policies and the treatment of copyright permission requests restrict what and how much can be made available to students on an electronic reserve system. Background research on fair use, copyright laws, and library and publisher policies and positions on electronic reserve copyright issues is presented. The research methodology is outlined and analysis tools are explained. The results of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed. Appendices include samples of the analysis tools.