Implications for academic libraries

This paper may present a more restricted view of the academic library interface with collective bargaining than might have been anticipated, primarily for three reasons. First, I am more familiar with the Canadian academic library situation than with the American, although I have studied the pattern which appears to be emerging in American libraries. In addition, I am convinced that if academic library administrators had realized at any point within the past ten years that library management is a unique and demanding scientific discipline and had borrowed some of the techniques and methodologies being practiced in the business community, they could have been in a position of bargaining from strength rather than from weakness. Finally, I am firmly committed to the belief that academic librarians should achieve their status and any ensuing rights and privileges through their own merit, and not by accepting a system designed for another profession with similar, but not identical, objectives and requirements.published or submitted for publicatio

IC 106 Gude to South Central Academic Medical Libraries Consortium Records, 1981-2004

This collection contains the records of the South Central Academic Medical Libraries Consortium (SCAMeL) from 1981-2013, with the bulk dating 1981-2004. Many of the records relate to or appear to have been gathered in preparation for the semi-annual SCAMeL Board of Directors meetings. Examples of documents included are bylaws, agendas, meeting minutes, budgets, member surveys, correspondence, and reports from various groups. Also present are data and discussion on various library programs such as interlibrary loan supported by the organization or otherwise of interest to members. See more at https://archives.library.tmc.edu/ic-106

Public Relations of Academic Libraries

published or submitted for publicatio

E-books in academic libraries

This paper provides an analysis of the current state of the art in e-books, and attempts both to set the scene and provide reasons for their low uptake. Publishers, e-book providers and aggregators, academics and intermediaries (i.e., librarians and information specialists) should concentrate on raising awareness of what is available and what are the advantages related to e-books for specific categories of users. At the same time e-book suppliers should make e-books easier to find and purchase

Print Program 2014

PDF of the complete print program from the 2014 Colloquium on Academic Libraries & Service Learning

Evaluating EReaders for Academic Libraries

Academic libraries are currently questioning whether or not to invest in mobile EBook readers to increase access to electronic books (EBooks). While academic libraries decide how to increase access to EBooks, and where to build EBook collections, the focus on “convenience” often overrides a deeper conversation on how a fast, large-scale replacement of paper books with EBooks may affect student reading comprehension or retention of information. Although adding EBooks and EReaders would address diverse reading styles, some libraries are considering fully electronic collections without a notion of how this will affect their patrons or basic library processes. This poster session will address the strengths and weaknesses of the major EReaders on the market (Kindle, Sony EReader, Nook, and iTouch) as well as preliminary data from a study examining differences in the reading comprehension of students and anonymous individuals on their experience reading from EReaders as compared to traditional print books

Beyond books: the concept of the academic library as learning space

© 2016, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose: The paper aims to explore the issues surrounding the user conceptualisation of academic libraries. The paper will solidify the role of academic libraries as learning spaces and problematise how libraries are conceptualised by users. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a literature-based conceptual paper and draws on a wide range of literature to challenge the concept of academic libraries and presents how they are becoming reframed as different spaces. Findings: The paper argues that the concept of a library is at risk. While libraries have undergone substantial changes, the concept of a library has lingered. This paper demonstrated that libraries need to proactively engage users in this debate. Originality/value: The spatial approach taken by this paper demonstrates the complicity behind the user conceptualisation of libraries. Developing an understanding of this process is an important foundation for libraries to develop their user engagement

Academic Libraries and Creation Science Resources

Although there is significant debate over whether or not to teach creationism alongside evolution in public schools, there has been little discussion on the role of libraries and librarians in this debate. In this article I argue that academic libraries in particular have a potentially vital role to play in that the majority of science-based research takes place in institutions of higher education; and that academic libraries have an obligation to provide empirically based creation science materials because the debate centers around science. I support my argument through a brief analysis of the institutions that subscribe to the Creation Research Society Quarterly, one of the only peer-reviewed journals focusing on creation science

Assessment of Environmental Consciousness among Patrons in Selected Academic and Public Libraries in Lagos Metropolis

The study examined environmental consciousness patterns among patrons in academic and public libraries. Using the survey method, data was collected from 383 patrons who were conveniently selected from six libraries in Lagos metropolis. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to determine the internal consistency and reliability of the multiple item scales. The least Cronbach’s Alpha value returned for the variables in the questionnaire was 0.79. Q uantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Waste disposal was found to be the most disturbing environmental issue. Respondents from both academic and public libraries agreed that there is not enough useful information on adopting pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs). Further findings showed that respondents from both academic and public libraries demonstrate similar pattern of motivation towards environmental consciousness. It is recommended that libraries should include services that will foster eco-friendly behaviour among library patrons