Teaching E-journals: Building a Workshop for an Academic Health Sciences Library

Abstract

Prompted by survey results from users of the University at Buffalo Health Sciences Library, the Coordinator of Information Management Education created a workshop about electronic journals (e-journals). Common reference questions regarding accessing and using e-journals led to the development of specific course objectives. The workshop focused on the commonly held myths surrounding e-journals, and the recommended methods for accessing journals through the University at Buffalo Libraries. This article details the process of building the workshop and suggests reasons and methods for implementing similar instructional opportunities in other libraries. Serials Review 2002; 28:88–92.     

Reports of Conferences,Institutes, and Seminars

ABSTRACT

This quarter's column reports on sessions from NASIG 2017: Racing to the Crossroads, held in Indianapolis, IN, June 8 to 11, and ALA Annual 2017: Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves, which took place in Chicago, IL, June 22–27.     

The Impact of Web-Scale Discovery on the Use of Electronic Resources

Abstract

In 2015, the University of California, Berkeley, launched EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS), a web-scale discovery tool, with a goal of improving visibility and usage of collections. This study applies linear regression analysis to usage data for ebooks, ejournals, and abstracts and indexing (A&I) databases before and after implementation of EDS in order to identify correlations between the discovery layer and usage of library electronic resources across platforms. Our findings diverge from conclusions drawn in the previous literature that indicates that resource use generally increases after a discovery tool is implemented. We examine data from a longer period of time than the previous literature had, looking for statistically significant changes in resource use. The discovery layer at UC Berkeley did not lead to equal increases across platforms, but rather to a complex array of increases and decreases in use according to a variety of factors.     

The Role of an Electronic Resources Librarian in Procuring Accessible Online Resources

Abstract

Per the 2019 NASIG Core Competencies for electronic resources librarians (ERL), ERLs “work with concepts and methods that are very much in flux … [they are] knowledgeable about the legal framework within which libraries and information agencies operate… [including] laws relating to… equal rights (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act)”. However, the Core Competencies do not define the level to which an ERL is responsible for determining the accessibility of an electronic resource. This article aims to create a better understanding of the steps an ERL can take to develop an accessibility statement pertaining to procuring accessible content. This article synthesizes key laws and policies that ERLs should be aware of in order to draft an accessibility procurement statement for their institution. It will also discuss licensing strategies, documentation collection, and conducting potential audits of electronic purchases.     

Negotiating Accessibility for Electronic Resources

Abstract

Accessibility of library electronic resources is a must. Its importance derives from professional ethics of librarianship, rising total costs of acquisition, and mounting legal challenges to colleges and universities that fail to provide resources accessible to users with disabilities. Library staff are responsible for ensuring the accessibility of vendor-licensed eresources. This column reviews the accessibility clauses of nine model license agreements for electronic resources. It describes terms that should go into an optimal accessibility clause and creates a composite model clause. It also provides guidance for library staff seeking to negotiate stronger accessibility language into vendor license agreements. Finally, it addresses the impact of accommodation requests on the total cost of acquiring library eresources, concluding with a call to redouble efforts to advocate for greater accessibility and educate both vendors and library staff about its importance.     

Digital Accessibility as a Core Competency for E-Resources Librarians

Abstract

This article will outline the electronic resources life cycle and identify key elements involved in e-resource management that exhibit potential for growth in terms of accessibility remediation. The aim of the article is to convey an understanding of the importance of digital accessibility to electronic resources librarians and the role they may play in making digital collections more available to users with impairments.     

Electronic Resources Forum - Managing Researcher Identity: Tools for Researchers and Librarians

Abstract

Researchers have increasing opportunities to identify themselves and raise the profile of their research and scholarship through online researcher identity management and researcher profile systems. This column provides a basic introduction to researcher identity management and examines four widely used researcher profile systems: Google Scholar Citations, Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier (ORCID), Scopus Author ID, and Web of Science ResearcherID. System benefits and comparisons are provided, with the purpose of helping researchers and librarians to select appropriate researcher identity management tools to support their work.     

No Mind Reading Necessary: Conducting Evidence-Based Electronic Resource Marketing and Outreach Using Marketing Research Assessment

Abstract

In her presentation entitled “No Mind Reading Necessary: Conducting Evidence-Based Electronic Resource Marketing and Outreach” at the North Carolina Serials Conference April 2019, Kate Hill discussed marketing research strategies and outreach tools used to increase online users’ access to electronic resources and primary resources. In an effort to connect users to seldom-used resources, Jackson Library collaborated with university partners to develop surveys to identify the information-seeking behavior of its users and apply the gathered marketing research to strategically plan outreach activities.     

Just Popping In: Collections and Outreach Collaborations to Increase Student Engagement with Electronic Resources

Abstract

Promoting electronic resources in a physical space takes ingenuity and cross-library partnership. This article discusses a collaborative approach to promote electronic resources by an outreach librarian and an electronic collections librarian. As members of the teaching and research assistance team, the librarians observed how students relied on “big name,” multidisciplinary databases and were often intimidated by the expansive list of digital materials and electronic resources available to them. A literature review on the topic of similar promotional activities introduces the pop-up methodology used for the event. The purpose of the collaboration was to not only promote ebook collections but to also create awareness of the library outside of the traditional space, and librarians as resources. This collaboration resulted in student-librarian engagement, and a spike in ebook use was reported for the collection promoted.     

Coming to TERMS with Electronic Resource Management: An Interview with Jill Emery,Graham Stone,and Peter McCracken

ABSTRACT

In this column of Serial Conversations, Elan May Rinck interviews Jill Emery, Graham Stone, and Peter McCracken, the editors of TERMS (Techniques in E-Resource Management) 2.0. Emery, Stone, and McCracken discuss developing best practices for electronic resource management and what lies ahead for TERMS 2.0.     

Me and My Shadow: Observation,Documentation, and Analysis of Serials and Electronic Resources Workflow

Abstract

Librarians in the Metadata & Cataloging Department at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries embarked on a comprehensive project to document and review the Libraries' serials and electronic resources workflow with the goals of introducing greater efficiency, clarity, and simplicity into processes across the serials unit and of increasing training opportunities for department-wide understanding of the serials lifecycle. This paper examines the method used to observe and collect information about serials and electronic resources work, the process of synthesizing that information into a graphical representation of the serials lifecycle, and the workflow analysis undertaken to introduce improved serials processes. The value of the project is demonstrated through a discussion of efforts for workflow education, analysis, and improvement at the NCSU Libraries directly instigated by review of the process documentation by technical services staff members.     

The Hard Task of Soft Skills: Project Management for the Materials Review Process

Abstract

This article summarizes a presentation given by Kurt Blythe and Jennifer Solomon at the 28th annual North Carolina Serials Conference in 2019. Blythe and Solomon were brought on to lead a project to review resources in anticipation of budget constraints in 2018 and 2019. The presentation sought to answer why libraries should apply project management principles in such a situation and what the presenters learned from their experience and offered tips to any audience members considering applying project management practices to their own work.     

陕西油气资源开发与区域经济增长的关联效应分析

研究油气资源开发与陕西区域经济增长的关联效应,对陕西油气资源合理开发利用以及陕西区域经济增长具有重要的参考价值。利用陕西省2007年投入产出表,对陕西油气资源行业的投入效应、产出效应、产业关联效应以及收入分配效应进行了实证分析,结果显示油气资源开发行业特别是下游的石油化工行业具有较高的产业关联效应,能较好地促进区域经济增长。     

野生动物资源最优管理的动态经济模型及实证研究

研究自然条件、社会发展和经济政策等多方面对野生动物资源管理的约束与系统分析野生动物资源管理的动态经济均衡,对于野生动物保护管理具有十分重要的理论支持和实践指导。在自然条件方面,以开放生物种群资源生长的Logistic增长模型作为约束条件;在社会发展方面,考虑产业资本投入的影响;在经济政策方面,以税收或补贴为约束条件,运用成本收益分析建立野生动物资源持续利用的动态经济均衡模型,并利用常微分方程、最大值原理等数学方法求解得到最优资源存量水平和最优收获量。同时以麝为例进行应用性实证分析,得到麝类资源的最优种群水平为143．01万只,最优持续收获量为66．24万只。当贴现率从0．01到0．1之间变化时,麝类资源最优种群水平将在149．93到134．36万只之间,而最优持续产量将维持在66．44到65．59万只之间。     

Hey! What About Us?! Changing Roles of Subject Specialists and Reference Librarians in the Age of Electronic Resources

For the acquisition of periodicals and indexes, the selector role of subject specialists and reference librarians has been transformed by electronic access. In the past these librarians made independent recommendations for new periodicals, indexes, and abstracts by using traditional selection criteria (e.g., relevance, quality, and cost). With electronic resources, considerations such as licensing negotiations, consortial agreements, and technical issues have complicated the decision-making process and have sometimes removed it from individual librarians or even individual libraries. The author discusses the opportunities for individual librarians, particularly in public service roles, to participate in serials collection management decisions and provides a case study of business periodicals collection management in an academic library. Serials Review 2002; 28:283–286.     

陕西能源资源产业指标对资源税调整的响应态势拟合

对所筛选出的能源资源的有关指标进行相关性分析,辨识出与资源税相关性较高的指标,进而对其进行Granger因果检验.甄别出与资源税因果关系可能性较大的变量,基于Eviews平台,通过实验进行线性曲线拟合,对这些因变量构造拟合方程,并对拟合结果进行检验.研究显示,分别构造全省煤炭采选业新增固定资产投资、规模以上煤炭采选业工业总产值、规模以上煤炭采选业工业销售产值、石油消费量、单位GDP能源消耗五个拟合方程能够较好地模拟对资源税变动的响应关系,进而为预判资源税调整后可能对能源资源产业发展所带来的变化和为采取相应的对策提供定量化的决策依据.     

区域电子信息产业竞争力评价研究

为了清晰认识中国区域电子信息产业竞争力现状和区域间存在的差距,找出影响区域电子信息产业竞争力的关键要素,提升产业发展水平。以全国2009—2012年统计数据为依据,通过构建区域电子信息产业竞争力评价模型,运用熵值法对全国29个省市的电子信息产业综合竞争力进行了实证分析。结果表明:各区域电子信息产业在创新能力、生产能力、市场实现能力等方面存在一定差距,各省份依据其综合竞争力指数可划分为竞争实力强弱不均的四类地区,各地区内部省份之间电子信息产业发展水平仍存在区域性差异。     

Innovative Interfaces' Electronic Resources Management System: A Survey on the State of Implementation and Usage

This paper presents the results of a survey on Innovative Interfaces' Electronic Resource Management System (III's ERM). The authors distributed the survey to III ERM users through LISTSERVS in November 2009 and received sixty-one responses. The survey contained seventeen questions that focused on three themes: satisfaction with implementation, impact on workflow, and impact on patrons. The results indicated that difficulty with implementation caused some dissatisfaction with staff workflow, although a majority of informants indicated that III's ERM improved staff workflow to some degree. The major benefits of III's ERM were listed in terms of the product's impact on patrons.     

Effectively Evaluating the Accessibility of Electronic Monographs Using VPATs and Other Resources at the College of Staten Island Library- CUNY

Abstract

This study, building upon previous research work at the College of Staten Island (CSI) library, attempts to evaluate the accessibility of select digital monograph platforms and file formats utilized at the City University of New York (CUNY). The usability of CSI library’s locally developed ER-ACT tool to assist librarians with limited technical knowledge to review VPATs and to perform simple testing was also evaluated with challenges and successes reported. It was determined that the use of color-coded results in this study can help identify serious accessibility issues within ebooks and to communicate the results within libraries to assist with collection development decision-making. The study also includes a review of new court rulings related to accessibility issues in higher education and discusses where accessibility staffing reports in terms of job roles and duties held by university professionals. The testing of the accessibility of library ebooks, with various accessibility tools, are reviewed within the context of Section 508 revisions and new VPAT standards.