Making Shared Print Management Happen: A Project of Five Canadian Academic Libraries

ABSTRACT

Five academic libraries in Ontario (Canada) are collaborating in a shared last print copy repository project. The project, called Keep@Downsview, aims to consolidate and rationalize low-use print materials held by the partner libraries and ensure long-term preservation of these important scholarly materials in Ontario while still providing access via document delivery and ILL. In doing so, each of the partner institutions demonstrates its commitment to the stewardship of print collections for future generations while repurposing valuable space on campus. This article describes the background, rationale, challenges, and lessons learned for this unique Canadian project--which leveraged funding from the province of Ontario and the University of Toronto's high-density preservation facility at Downsview--and the commitment of all partners to preserve the scholarly record in Ontario.     

“Living with electronic data interchange: Implementation and practical applications for EDI from the perspective of the ILS vendor,the librarian,and the book vendor,” a report from the ALCTS,automated acquisitions/in-process control systems discussion group session at the ALA midwinter conference,January 1996

Abstract

The libraries in the Western North Carolina Library Network (WNCLN) seek effective ways to provide patrons with a complete list of electronic journals provided through their various aggregator services, so patrons can determine e-journal access to article citations. The WNCLN libraries (Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and Western Carolina University) accomplished this through their shared catalog (Innovative Interfaces, Inc. [INNOPAC]), data provided by Serials Solutions, and local computer programming. Brief MARC records, with locally created key titles, provide an interim solution to the complexities of aggregator services. Serials Review 2002; 28:108–112.     

Shared Insights,Shared Collections

Abstract

Whitney Jordan, acquisitions librarian at Western Carolina University (WCU), presented “Shared Insights, Shared Collections” at the 28th Annual North Carolina Serials Conference. In her presentation, Jordan discussed the experiences of WCU and the Western North Carolina Library Network (WNCLN) in a consortium-based evidence-based acquisitions ebook pilot project. The three WNCLN consortium institutions partnered with Taylor & Francis to design an evidence-based ebook program, customized to each institution’s needs. Jordan emphasized the need for strong communication and effective project management in any collaborative collections project.     

Don't Be Frightened: It's Just a Backlog of Government Documents Serials Records

ABSTRACT

This article summarizes the presentation by Elisabeth Garner at the 26th annual North Carolina Serials Conference in 2017. Garner described the workflow she developed to reconcile previously cataloged government document serial records with newly updated U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) catalog records from MARCIVE, Inc., through the Cataloging Record Distribution Program (CRDP).     

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.     

Document Delivery as a Supplement or Replacement for Serial Subscriptions

Abstract

Increasing serials costs and shrinking budgets present challenges for academic libraries to continue providing sufficient access to scholarly articles. Rapid document delivery services can serve as an effective means to fill the gap caused by serials cancellations. This column examines several of the existing document delivery service providers and addresses issues involved in their implementation.     

Questions from Newbies—Facilitating Communication and Professional Development: A Case Study

Abstract

For new collection managers, it may be intimidating to ask questions about processes that seem to be common knowledge for their more experienced colleagues. To help with this issue, the Collections & Research Strategy department at North Carolina State University Libraries uses a shared document where new collection managers can log questions as they arise. The questions are shared at regular Collections Interest Group meetings and often generate interesting discussions that librarians both new and experienced can benefit from. This case study will provide an overview of the structure of the document, how it is used, and the types of questions that get asked.     

The Art of the Win-Win Deal

Abstract

“The Art of the Win-Win Deal,” presented by Rob Ross, executive director of NC LIVE, discussed the art of negotiation from both perspectives: the library and the vendor. Ross negotiates with vendors on behalf of over 200 libraries in North Carolina.     

Open Educational Resources and Institutional Repositories

ABSTRACT

This installment of The Balance Point column delves into the ways in which libraries create and store open educational resources (OER) in institutional repositories (IR), addressing issues such as preservation and versioning of OER content, copyright and licensing, funding, and staffing. Drawing on interviews and the literature, programs at institutions such as the University of Minnesota, the University of Kansas, and Grand Valley State University are highlighted.     

Authentication Methods and Recent Developments

Abstract

This segment of the “Sharpest Tool” column provides an overview of the current options for authentication for electronic resources and discusses recent developments in this area. Remote access to electronic resources is increasingly important as libraries purchase more and more electronic content. This column attempts to provide a baseline use for many terms relating to authentication, while incorporating discussions and concerns surrounding recent developments in authentication methods.     

Southern Highland Craft Guild

The collections of the Southern Highland Craft Guild are available to visitors at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina. Here visitors can explore library and archival materials that document traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, as well as southern Appalachian history and culture. The educational experience is enhanced through the Folk Art Center's rotating gallery exhibits, crafting demonstrations, and other educational and outreach events. Serials Review visits the center to learn about the library's history, collections, procedures, and initiatives.     

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.     

ORCID Pop-ups: Starting Small to Disseminate at Large

Abstract

In this lightning talk for the North Carolina Serials Conference, Lynnee Argabright describes the efforts of the ORCID team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to discussing the team’s pop-up outreach planning and documentation, Argabright shares advice from the team’s experience on how to run an effective ORCID pop-up event to facilitate faculty ORCID registration.     

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.     

Things Are Looking Up: Using Cloud-Based Technology Tools in Collection Management Workflows

Abstract

Between 2018 and 2019, two librarians at the College of Charleston Libraries incorporated cloud-based technologies into their collection management workflows. The following paper was derived from a presentation they prepared for the 2020 North Carolina Serials Conference, which was to be held on March 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper highlights which cloud technologies they use and provides an overview of the literature that has been published on project management and cloud-based technologies in libraries. It includes an explanation of how they use each tool, and provides examples for setting up each tool in different scenarios so that other collection management librarians may implement them into their own routines. The paper ends with an exploration of the advantages and disadvantages of integrating these tools into collection management workflows. Although the librarians had not prepared to discuss the role these technologies may play when working remotely, they have both found them invaluable during this unprecedented time when many librarians are working from home.     

Leveraging Vendor Assessments of Usage Data

ABSTRACT

This article summarizes a presentation given at the 2017 North Carolina Serials Conference by Judith Nagata. The speaker discussed how her library used vendor-supplied usage data and graphic representations of that data to make decisions about journals and journal packages.     

Streamlining Acquisition Workflows Through Collaboration and Innovation

Abstract

As a selector, have you ever wondered if the resource you requested was ordered? As an acquisitions staff member, are you struggling with keeping track of your order requests from various channels? As a manager, are you finding it challenging to monitor staff work? CORAL, an open source electronic resource management system, proved to be one solution to these concerns for North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries. This article discusses how to manage workflows in CORAL and outlines a NCSU initiative to evolve this tool through collaboration across departments and across the CORAL community.