The school-housed public library

Discusses the issue of school-housed public library. Some basic considerations in public libraries; Role and function of public libraries; Importance of advance planning for joint operations of public libraries; Importance of the location of the public library; Significance of personnel selected to operate the public library; How the funding of public library can affect the operation; How the collection of material should be develop in the library; Importance of constant evaluation

Automated user modeling for personalized digital libraries

Digital libraries (DL) have become one of the most typical ways of accessing any kind of digitalized information. Due to this key role, users welcome any improvements on the services they receive from digital libraries. One trend used to improve digital services is through personalization. Up to now, the most common approach for personalization in digital libraries has been user-driven. Nevertheless, the design of efficient personalized services has to be done, at least in part, in an automatic way. In this context, machine learning techniques automate the process of constructing user models. This paper proposes a new approach to construct digital libraries that satisfy user’s necessity for information: Adaptive Digital Libraries, libraries that automatically learn user preferences and goals and personalize their interaction using this information

Using Organization Theory to Explore the Changing Role of Medical Libraries

This historical research review uses organization theory to describe and interpret the evolution of American hospitals, medical libraries, and the role of the professional librarian. Various organization theories are applied to explain changes in hospitals and medical libraries over time. The interaction between the organization and the environment as described in organization theory shaped the emergence of today\u27s information services. For readers unfamiliar with health sciences libraries, the study will provide a glimpse into the social forces that framed the development of this type of special library

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

The Relevance of Academic Libraries in the Twenty-First Century

The biggest challenge facing the library profession in the twenty-first century is staying relevant to its users. It is often stated that the Internet and Google have changed librarianship. This challenge, while significant, does not mean that libraries will go away. It is causing us to re-evaluate what we do, how we do it, and what role libraries have in the academy and in our culture at large. This column addresses some of the ways in which academic libraries can stay relevant throughout the twenty-first century

Reinventing the Library at Eastern Washington University: An Intensive Strategic Planning Experience with Faculty

In the spring of 2006, Eastern Washington University Libraries received an institutional strategic planning grant to hold a two-week strategic planning institute with faculty members representing the six colleges at Eastern Washington University (EWU). The purpose of the institute, titled “Reinventing the Library,” was to articulate a five-year vision for the role of the library within the university. The institute was held at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library on the Cheney campus of EWU from July 24 through August 4, 2007, and was planned and facilitated by Dean of Libraries Patricia Kelley. Thirteen faculty members, including two members of the library faculty, participated. The curriculum for “Reinventing the Library” included presentations by guest speakers on national and institutional trends affecting EWU Libraries, group discussion, and planning activities. In the last days of the institute, participants achieved consensus on the future role of the EWU Libraries and drafted a vision statement. The institute has had a significant impact on library planning and operations

Harvesting for disseminating, open archives and role of academic libraries

The Scholarly communication system is in a critical stage, due to a number of factors.The Open Access movement is perhaps the most interesting response that the scientific community has tried to give to this problem. The paper examines strengths and weaknesses of the Open Access strategy in general and, more specifically, of the Open Archives Initiative, discussing experiences, criticisms and barriers. All authors that have faced the problems of implementing an OAI compliant e-print server agree that technical and practical problems are not the most difficult to overcome and that the real problem is the change in cultural attitude required. In this scenario the university library is possibly the standard bearer for the advent and implementation of e-prints archives and Open Archives services. To ensure the successful implementation of this service the Library has a number of distinct roles to play

New Trends in Digital University Libraries

The nature of the changes that university libraries face in the digital age is addressed in the document. Work and training schemes for all those involved in the process of electronic publishing within universities are proposed. The role of libraries and computing centers as change agents is defined. The author describes the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations(ndltd) in Humboldt University at Berlin, Germany

Australian public library alliance achievements 2010-2015

Overview: The ALIA Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) is the peak body for public libraries in Australia. Our committee comprises the chair of every state-based public library association, a senior representative from the ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmanian library services, and expert members. We represent 94% of all the 1500 public libraries across Australia through membership subscription. APLA (or, as it was previously known, the ALIA Public Libraries Advisory Committee) was formed following a highly successful ALIA Public Libraries Summit in July 2009. At the summit, libraries leaders called for, ‘Australia’s public libraries, united behind common goals and ambitions, sharing best practice, contributing to strong communities, valued by people and government, continuing to provide universal free access to information, knowledge and ideas, and confirming the importance of their role for future generations.’ A national alliance, supported by every state and territory, and Public Libraries Australia, was the primary outcome of the summit and was ratified by the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration in July 2010