Environment

Abstract

This study surveys the development of collections of foreign-language ethnic newspapers in American libraries and archives since the 1960s. Relying on a review of historical and media studies scholarship as well as library and archival science literature, the article aims to identify the main sources of non-English ethnic newspapers available in the United States and to examine the difficulties such newspapers present for libraries, from older print publications to today’s born-digital media, regarding collection development, bibliographic control, and preservation. After a brief historical survey of the foreign-language ethnic press in the United States, the article analyzes the development of library collections since the 1960s as well as libraries’ efforts to preserve them and improve access to them. It then evaluates the state of digitization and online availability of foreign-language ethnic newspapers and initiates a reflection on the need to collect current print and digital ethnic newspapers.     

Batten Down the Hatches! Collection Management in Rough Seas

Abstract

Rising rates in publishing combined with flat funding can make it challenging to maintain the library’s collection within an academic library. Add in university-wide funding reductions, and libraries must further reduce expenditures to balance the budget. This article will present a case study on the steps and initiatives deployed at the William E. Laupus Health Sciences Library to address impacts to the library’s collection budget for fiscal year 2020. Issues covered will focus on the decision-making process, working with vendors, and communicating with library stakeholders.     

Government Publications

Abstract

The Scholarly Communication Interest Group of the New England Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries sponsored a workshop titled “Partnering with Faculty: Scholarly Communication Conversations,” held on July 29, 2010, at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts. Partnering with EBSCO and the North American Serials Interest Group, Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries hosted the ninth MidSouth eResource Symposium at MSU's Mitchell Memorial Library in Starkville, Mississippi, on Thursday, September 16, 2010. ITHAKA Sustainable Scholarship was a two-day meeting at the Westin Times Square, New York City, September 27–28, 2010. Finally, published herein is a summary of the NISO Webinar “It's Only as Good as the Metadata: Improving OpenURL and Knowledge Base Quality,” held October 13, 2010.     

Tips for Teaching Library Instruction and Information Literacy to First-Gen College Students,Nontraditional Students,or English as a Second Language (ESL) Students

Abstract

Librarians are charged with providing effective library instruction (i.e., how to utilize the library, how to conduct research, etc.) while also effectively teaching library users information literacy skills (how to interpret and evaluate the information they are accessing). Challenges that librarians face when trying to accomplish these tasks may include time constraints in the classroom, students who are not tech savvy, students who don’t understand library terminology, and students who don’t understand information literacy as a whole. The purpose of this article is to briefly describe scenarios that librarians could encounter when both teaching library instruction as well as teaching information literacy—scenarios that could hinder the learning processes for students and library users. Tips and suggestions are provided that can help librarians assess the diverse makeup of the class attendees to tailor their instruction session. Tips and suggestions are also provided to help librarians better engage students and users during library instruction and information literacy instruction.     

“Serials at Warp Speed: Navigating Transitions,” the 2007 North Carolina Serials Conference

Abstract

Reports on four major serials conferences, the 2007 North Carolina Serials Conference, the 2007 meeting of the Ohio Valley Group of Technical Services Librarians, the Canadian Library Association’s 2007 Pre-Conference, and the 2007 North American Serials Interest Group Conference.     

Reports of Conferences,Institutes, and Seminars

Abstract

This quarter’s column offers a report from the 2018 annual meeting of the Ex Libris Users of North America (ELUNA), as well as coverage of sessions from the annual meeting of the Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians (NOTSL). A handful of reports were also collected from courses offered at the FORCE11 Scholarly Communications Institute. Topics covered include features within ExLibris’s Alma library that support print serials operations, current and future developments in serials librarianship, and critiques about open peer review.     

Reviews

Abstract

The chronological entries in Weblogs or blogs record musings, opinions, news or other information supplied by individuals or groups. The nature of blogs is ephemeral in that the content is closely tied to the time period of the posting. The author examines the library and information science blogs listed on Susan Herzog’s “BlogBib: Select Librarian/Library Blogs” to see if they were being updated thirteen months after Herzog stopped maintaining the Web site.¹ Active, inactive, ceased, and blogs with changed URLs were recorded. Extra content was noted.     

Implementing New Bibliometric Services at EPA-RTP Library

Abstract

The EPA-RTP Library is a federal research library established on the campus of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Historically, one of the ways the library has supported the information needs of researchers on campus is through the provision of basic bibliometric-related reference support. As these requests evolved in complexity due to the nature of organizational and scientific research impact demands, library staff recognized an opportunity to expand the library’s offerings to form two distinct services with product deliverables. The resulting services analyze and package metrics at the author, article, and journal levels with graphical data visualizations to provide researchers with a portfolio-style product they can use to demonstrate their individual scholarly output and research value. Development of Research Impact Reports and Article Impact Reports is explained in detail along with reflections on implementation processes and prospects for future expansion in bibliometric analysis services.     

Preserving Open Access

Abstract

Libraries have an established track record of preserving the scholarly record, but this stewardship role has generally been exercised over materials the library has purchased or otherwise acquired. With open access publishing, the library’s role in preservation is less certain, as libraries may facilitate access to a wide array of freely accessible materials without ever obtaining any copies. Additionally, the open access landscape includes many small noncommercial publishers with limited resources that may not be able to invest in long term preservation and access. In this column, Courtney McAllister, Electronic Resources Librarian at Lillian Goldman Law Library, Yale University, discusses preservation concerns and strategies for open access publications and how libraries may be affected by unstable or unpredictable long-term access.     

Book Reviews

A First Course in Probability Models and Statistical Inference. J.H.C. Creighton. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994. xxxi + 717 pp. $49.95. Reviewed by Bruce Kino

Statistical Methods: An Introductory Text. J. Mehdi. New Delhi: Wiley Eastern Limited, 1992, xii + 438 pp. $37.97. Reviewed by William D. Warde

Regression Analysis—Concepts and Applications. Franklin A. Graybill and Hariharan K. Iyer. Florence, KY: Wadsworth Inc., 1994, 701 pp. $59.95. Reviewed by Larry Winner     

Building a National Strategy for Digital Preservation: Issues in Digital Media Archiving

Abstract

Workflow mapping can yield valuable results wherever complex processes are used. Some of its many benefits include knowledge retention, identification of inefficiencies, and more effective decision making. However, despite the promise of improved productivity and stewardship of library resources, tackling diagrams of complex and often long-unexamined workflows can seem too daunting a task to even attempt—at least without the right tool. This review takes a look at the robust features for flowchart creation offered by Lucidchart, a free online software that greatly reduces the challenges of constructing complicated diagrams. Lucidchart’s intuitive interface and built-in library of templates and design elements bring the benefits of visual mapping well within the reach of busy librarians and managers attempting to chart, understand, and streamline workflows in their units.     

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.     

Is Check-In Checking Out?

Abstract

Technological innovations have made changes in library procedures commonplace. Nonetheless, many librarians have been startled by the University of Nevada at Reno's decision to quit checking in print serials. Four serialists address the future of serials acquisitions in light of the technological advances that continue to transform library procedures. Serials Review 2003; 29:224–229.     

Serials Spoken Here - Reports of Conferences,Institutes, and Seminars

Abstract

This column includes reports on sessions from the American Library Association Midwinter Conference 2019, with a report on how libraries can be part of a shared community with developers and users through the use of future of libraries, is open (FOLIO) library services platform and a report reflecting on future technological developments. Additionally, conference reports from the 14th Annual Electronic Resources & Libraries Conference, which includes reports on implementing troubleshooting training programs for public services staff and using budget cuts as an opportunity to generate goodwill. The remaining reports are from American Library Association Annual Conference 2019, which includes a report about the parallels between managing campaigns and managing an integrated library system (ILS) migration, how to improve a collection development plan with resources about Cheyenne and Arapaho people, and an exploration of the challenges of hosting student and faculty journals.     

Serials spoken here: Reports on conferences institutes and seminars

Abstract

This installment of Bits and Bytes addresses Geac's ADVANCE integrated library system release 6.82. By tracing serial titles through the entire library processing route, the reader follows how ADVANCE facilitates each routine, from ordering to receiving to check-in (including claiming and binding). Serials Review 2002; 28:116–125.     

The Evolution of SPARC

Abstract

Standards are critical to the library industry. They allow libraries to share data and search each other's catalogs. They also allow integrated library systems (ILS) vendors to develop one interface between disparate systems rather than many. This paper outlines existing standards, how these standards are being used in the process of software development, and the role of ILS vendors in developing and maintaining standards.     

The Conversation of Scholarship

Abstract

At its core, scholarship is a long, threaded, multiparticipant conversation. Scholars, students, librarians, and publishers all are engaged. There are side conversations addressing specific fields and larger conversations asking probing questions about the nature of scholarship as a whole. Librarians’ contributions to the broader conversation have not always accounted for our side conversations, among ourselves or with other participants. Our choices in acquisitions, our choices in services, even our choices in library job titles and responsibilities signal and shape the scholarly conversation in ways that are often opaque. It is imperative that we openly acknowledge the influence and impact of our side conversations to ensure our full participation in the conversation of scholarship.