Western Libraries Staff Publications

Shared Patron-Driven Acquisition Within a Consortium: the OCUL PDA Pilot

Harriet Rykse et al. — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:15:38 PST

In September 2010 members of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) participated in a Patron Driven Acquisitions (PDA) pilot to determine how this purchasing model might be adapted to a consortium. OCUL understood that developing a model that would allow patrons to purchase titles for different collections would be complicated. Careful thought went into balancing the needs of individual members with the needs of the consortium. This paper describes the project and examines the results from three distinct perspectives in the hopes of gaining a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of PDA at a consortial level.

A Review of Citation Analysis Methodologies for Collection Development

Kristin Hoffmann et al. — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:45:50 PST

While there is a considerable body of literature that presents the results of citation analysis studies, most researchers do not provide enough detail in their methodology to reproduce the study, nor do they provide rationale for methodological decisions. In this paper, we review the methodologies used in 34 recent articles that present a “user study” citation analysis with a goal of informing collection management. We describe major themes and outliers in the methodologies and discuss factors that require careful thought and analysis. We also provide a guide to considerations for citation analysis studies, so that researchers can make informed decisions.

Not Your Mother's PDA: The Transition From PDA Pilot to Full Acquisitions Integration

Harriet Rykse et al. — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:15:41 PST

Western Libraries and Ingram Content Group worked together to establish a Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA) program that has been incorporated into the regular acquisitions workflow at Western. Some features of the program include: all titles selected for addition to the PDA collection are filtered through the approval profiles established by the librarians, the library’s holdings are uploaded to Ingram weekly so that duplicate titles are avoided, invoices for purchased PDA titles are sent weekly and holdings for un-purchased and purchased PDA records are updated weekly. A Patron Driven Acquisitions Working Group established the program at Western by meeting with collections librarians to assist with profile adjustments and ease concerns of how this method of acquisition would impact the collection. The Working Group is monitoring the program and gathering data to assess the impact of PDA. In addition to collecting information about titles loaded and titles purchased, an online survey to assess user response to e-books is continuing. Western and Ingram have continued to work together closely to ensure the program is successful and to make profile adjustments as necessary.

Undergraduate Program Review Processes: A Case Study in Opportunity for Academic Libraries

John Costella et al. — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:15:39 PST

How can an academic library most effectively participate and expand its contributions to program reviews at the institutional level? By becoming involved in undergraduate reviews, college and university libraries can articulate new and enhanced roles for themselves on campus. Academic libraries have always contributed to a variety of institutional review processes. However, by embracing a more holistic view of its support, the library can expand beyond collection-related metrics to encompass all the ways the library interconnects with the program. Furthermore, by becoming proactively involved with the committee(s) responsible for managing institutional program reviews, libraries can contribute to the governance of this essential activity on campus. This paper describes one academic library's experience and efforts in becoming involved with undergraduate reviews at both the program and institutional levels. It is hoped that sharing our case study and the tools we have created, will benefit other academic libraries.

Provision of pandemic disease information by health sciences librarians: a multisite comparative case series.

Robin Featherstone et al. — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:50:29 PST

Objective: The research provides an understanding of pandemic information needs and informs professional development initiatives for librarians in disaster medicine. Methods: Utilizing a multisite, comparative case series design, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews and examined supplementary materials in the form of organizational documents, correspondence, and websites to create a complete picture of each case. The rigor of the case series was ensured through data and investigator triangulation. Interview transcripts were coded using NVivo to identify common themes and points of comparison. Results: Comparison of the four cases revealed a distinct difference between “client-initiated” and “librarian-initiated” provision of pandemic information. Librarian-initiated projects utilized social software to “push” information, whereas client-initiated projects operated within patron-determined parameters to deliver information. Health care administrators were identified as a key audience for pandemic information, and news agencies were utilized as essential information sources. Librarians' skills at evaluating available information proved crucial for selecting best-quality evidence to support administrative decision making. Conclusions: Qualitative analysis resulted in increased understanding of pandemic information needs and identified best practices for disseminating information during periods of high organizational stress caused by an influx of new cases of an unknown infectious disease.

Music Librarianship

Lisa Rae Philpott et al. — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:45:31 PST

Anyone who doubts that a music library is special -- and requires appropriately-trained staff -- has only to spend some time with us fielding day-to-day queries.

Dungeons and Downloads: Collecting Tabletop Fantasy Role-Playing Games in the Age of Downloadable PDFs

Dan Sich — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:09:58 PDT

Purpose – This paper aims to provide libraries with collections advice regarding fantasy role-playing games.

Design/methodology/approach – Current and emerging publication and sales models of pencil and paper, tabletop fantasy role-playing games are explored. Details of print, print-on-demand, free and purchasable downloads, and subscription-based options for major fantasy role-playing games and alternatives are provided.

Findings – Many options are available to libraries wishing to provide support for fantasy role-playing game programming. While an overwhelming quantity of publications are often available for purchase, usually only a bare minimum is required to run a role-playing game. Free or modestly priced options are available for libraries on a shoestring budget. Libraries interested in supporting fantasy role-playing game programming with collections need not spend much. Spending less on collections requires a greater amount of imagination, socializing, creativity, collaboration and literacy on the part of program participants.

Originality/value – Many libraries are interested in supporting fantasy role-playing games with collections, but do not know where to start. While much is being written about gaming in libraries, little has been written to help libraries navigate current role-playing game book publication and sales models.

John J. Huber. Lean Library Management: Eleven Strategies for Reducing Costs and Improving Customer Services

Nicole Nolan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:32 PST

Creating and Hosting Student-Run Research Journals: A Case Study

Adrian K. Ho — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:19:46 PST

This case study aims to examine an academic library’s roles in facilitating the creation and hosting of open access student-run research journals. In addition to providing an online platform to host the journals, the library acquaints students with scholarly publishing, assists them in securing various resources available on campus, and offers support for content management. There are challenges and opportunities for the library as it undertakes the responsibility of hosting student journals. The article concludes with a discussion of possible topics for future research.

Academic Libraries Should Consider a Strategic Approach to Promotion and Marketing of e-Books

Nazi Torabi — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:03:49 PST

Public Librarians with the Highest Retention Rate are More Likely to Choose their Entire Career Path in Public Libraries

Nazi Torabi — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:59:33 PDT

Hybrid Journals: Transition to Full Open Access or Here to Stay?

Adrian K. Ho — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:31:15 PDT

Information Workers in the Academy: The Case of Librarians and Archivists at The University of Western Ontario

Melanie Mills — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:11:12 PDT

For much of its history, the organizational culture for academic librarians and archivists at The University of Western Ontario was primarily a culture of the practitioner. While librarians and archivists supported teaching, research and service at Western, they did not directly engage in it. As a result of grassroots efforts undertaken by members of Western’s academic community in the mid-2000s however, the potential contributions of information workers to the teaching, research and service mandate of University began to garner recognition. Born out of this collective awakening, a successful union drive and shortly thereafter an inaugural Collective Agreement for The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association; Librarians and Archivists (UWOFA-LA). The following contribution describes the shift in organizational culture that is currently underway for the academic community at The University of Western Ontario, and for its information workers in particular. The nature of academic librarians and archivists’ digital labour is also examined here.

Measuring Quality in Chat Reference Consortia: A Comparative Analysis of Responses to Users’ Queries

Deborah L. Meert et al. — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:56:27 PDT

Academic libraries have experienced growing demand for 24/7 access
to resources and services. Despite the challenges and costs of chat
reference service and consortia, many libraries are finding the demand
for these services worth the cost. One key challenge is providing and
measuring quality of service, particularly in a consortia setting. This study
explores the quality of service provided in one academic library participating
in a 24/7 chat reference consortium, by assessing transcripts of
chat sessions using in-house reference quality standards. Findings point
to both similarities and differences between chat interactions of local
librarians versus consortia staff.

Are Bibliographic Management Software Search Interfaces Reliable?: A Comparison between Search Results Obtained Using Database Interfaces and the EndNote Online Search Function

Megan Fitzgibbons et al. — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:45:39 PDT

The use of bibliographic management software and its internal search interfaces is now pervasive among researchers. This study compares the results between searches conducted in academic databases' search interfaces versus the EndNote search interface. The results show mixed search reliability, depending on the database and type of search performed.

Cancon on the Web: A Survey of Freely-Available Musical Canadiana

Lisa Rae Philpott — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:36:46 PDT

Emusicquest: The Music-In-Print Series. Compiled by Donald Reese

Lisa Rae Philpott — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:36:44 PDT

Library School Curricula in the US Should Address Liaison Responsibilities for Students Interested in Academic Librarianship

Nazi Torabi — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:16:57 PDT

A Graduate Degree in Library or Information Science Is Required, but not Sufficient, to Enter the Profession

Nazi Torabi — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:42:37 PDT

The Quest for Full Text: An In-Depth Examination of Pubget for Medical Searchers

Robin Featherstone et al. — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:27:15 PST

This article examines Pubget, a free Web-based search engine for life sciences researchers for conducting searches of the medical literature and retrieving full-text PDFs. Its search functionality and add-on features are evaluated to determine potential for library instruction and promotion. With many libraries relying on OpenURL link resolvers to connect searchers with institutional subscriptions, Pubget offers an alternative by combining search, article-level link resolving, and authentication in a single platform. The authors determine advantages and disadvantages for using Pubget based on product testing and make recommendations for institutions interested in “activating” subscriptions in Pubget.