Academic Libraries Supporting the Research Needs of Student Veterans: A Bibliography

The number of Student Veterans entering higher education is growing especially after the passing of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008. Veterans are using their educational benefits and transitioning from a military to civilian environment. In order to meet the needs of student veterans, administrators, faculty and staff are trying to make available support services for veterans. There is a range of services that can be provided and the library is one that can provide both a physical and virtual environment to support veterans. Although not always mentioned in articles on student veteran transition, it is important that libraries be aware of this population of students to support their research needs. This annotated bibliography looks at fifteen resources that discuss the issues of Student Veterans and their transition to higher education

Government Information For Your Mobile Phone

A tasting menu of selected apps, created by U.S. government agencies, that provides information accessible from your mobile phone

Mobile Apps in Collection Development: Supporting a Mobile Learning Environment

We will discuss our rationale and thoughts on why we believe mobile apps should be part of a library’s collection development policy. An updated policy with apps encourages a mobile learning environment that is technologically diverse while being holistically supportive of its users and research

Adopting Universal Design in Libraries: Collaborating for Student Success

Faculty grapple with resources such as skill (experience with accessible features and devices), time (teaching students how to navigate software and devices in the library), and expense (software, hardware, eBooks, databases). This presentation will provide an overview of accessible features in library research databases, computer technology, mobile devices, and apps. The presenters will report on their collaboration with Lehman College’s Access and Technology Center (ATC) and Student Disability Services to share how to better approach issues and challenges in order to more successfully support students’ access needs. We will also consider the following questions: As librarians and faculty, how can we more effectively consider and then apply Universal Design features to support student retention and success? How can we share and communicate our experience and expertise among Lehman’s faculty and staff to ensure our students’ accessibility needs are met? What innovative approaches facilitate collaboration between CUNY faculty, students, administrators, disability services providers and libraries to foster the adoption of universal design throughout Lehman College as well as CUNY

Apps in Higher Education: Criteria and Evaluation

In this article, the authors will consider different evaluation methods for mobile applications. A closer look is taken at app criteria and benchmarks by librarians, by topic, accessibility, and rubrics

Collaboration Between the Library and Office of Student Disability Services: Document Accessibility in Higher Education

Purpose – The paper aims to discuss the relationship between interdepartmental stakeholders in higher education and the information identified as a result of collaborations. It proposes that collaborations can help clarify issues to then advocate for them. Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted for a naturalistic case study design, gathering direct and participant observation of interdepartmental collaborations including 1 Student Share, 12 one-hour collaborative sessions and 1 Accessibility Conference. Findings – The paper provides observed insight about student needs to have documents that are accessible for assistive technologies to recognize and read how change is brought about during internal brand building. It suggests that successful accessibility implementation in higher education calls for collaboration with stakeholders. Originality/value – This paper shows how a collaboration between the library and Student Disability Services can work to understand document accessibility issues. It also reveals that students with disabilities are adept with current mobile trends and technology, and need to be, for productivity in college. It will be valuable to librarians, faculty, staff and other technology stakeholders that work with students with disabilities

Planning a Reading and Discussion Series in an Academic Library

Planning a reading series for an academic library takes an initial investment of time, energy and attention to detail. When you consider all the elements involved with planning and executing a reading, the initial investment of time and effort to devise a smoothly run event series is well worth the results. It can be as creative a venture as you have time for. Do what is comfortable for yo

Apps and Technology Share - A Student Disability Services and Library Collaboration

The Library and Office of Student Disability Services at Lehman College provide a collaborative presentation on engaging students in sharing apps and technology they use in higher education to support their educational needs for a successful academic career. Presented at the 6th Annual CUNY Accessibility Conference, Student Success in the Digital Age, May 1st, 2015, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City

Future is Now: Introducing eReaders to CUNY Libraries

Amazon.com’s announcement in July 2010 that eBooks out sold print books for the previous three months indicates that eBooks are here to stay. What effect will this have on teaching and learning? Will ease of access and portability facilitate cheating and plagiarism? How will eBooks and eReaders work in an urban academic environment? Are eReaders and eBooks the new digital divide? Faculty from the Leonard Lief Library at Lehman College will share their experience with Sony eReaders and downloadable eBooks via OverDrive. Following this presentation there will be a guided discussion on eReader and eBook issues, such as: How do we loan and secure devices? Which eBook formats is better? Proprietary (Kindle) or open source (epub)? What is the best way to access content: online only (Ebrary) or downloadable (OverDrive)? Should libraries buy eReaders? And if so, which ones? Selection of eBook providers, who will still exist in the future? How is ownership and copyright (Digital Rights Management) managed? Are eReaders ADA compliant

Mobile App Usage Assessment in the Academic Library

This column discusses different approaches, and methods to assess app usage. In the following we exemplify mobile strategies and initiatives set up by some universities that libraries can adopt