Cultures of evaluation: tales from the end of the line

Experiences in and around aid agencies suggest that the results agenda militates against a culture of learning and improvement to which evaluations should usefully contribute. In this article, I argue that this is an issue with both ethical and operational dimensions. The reductionist and simplifying effects of quantitative indicators of achievement as instruments of performance management, which I see as characteristic of audit culture, are having a pernicious effect in many aid environments. The technical and instrumental ways monitoring and evaluation is understood within the everyday culture of aid agencies preclude the space and time necessary for an ethically premised culture of learning. These social effects of audit culture detract from our capacity as a sector to deliver positive change, and should be of concern to evaluators, commissioners and consumers of evaluations

Technical Services Librarians and Outreach: Communicating Our Value to Engage Students in Critical Thinking about Information

At the University of Memphis (UM), two technical services librarians were inspired to present at an institutional conference with the goal of engaging students in building professional competencies and, specifically, enhancing their understanding of an increasingly complex information landscape in which they learn and work. This case study presents an example of technical services outreach outside of the library, shares methods used to engage students in thinking critically about the behind-the-scenes work entailed in resource management, and explains some of the ways in which technical services relates to the information students encounter as researchers

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Airport Road - Area 1 City Of Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas

The City of Georgetown has proposed the Airport Road – Area 1 project, approximately 3,300 linear feet of improvements to Airport Road in north Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 4.76-acre project area. Because the City of Georgetown, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should a US Army Corps of Engineer permit be necessary or federal funding be utilized for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out in advance of ground disturbance under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8031, issued to Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Dr. Scott, with assistance from Caitlin Gulihur, MA. Records will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. The 3,300-linear-foot by 30- to 50-foot wide alignment (4.76 acres) was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on May 24, 2017. Several linear feet of the project area were agricultural fields and residential yards with ground visibility of up to 90%. Three shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas previously undisturbed; no artifacts were observed in these shovel tests. No archaeological sites were recorded or revisited during the course of this survey. No historic properties eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark were identified. It is Terracon’s recommendation that no historic properties will be affected and that the proposed project proceed as currently designed. In the unlikely event that human remains are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historic Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Victoria Avenue Improvements City Of College Station, Brazos County, Texas

The City of College Station has proposed the Victoria Avenue Improvements project where roadway improvements will be constructed in southern College Station, Brazos County, Texas. The project engineer, Jones & Carter, Inc, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 6.2-acre project area. Because the City of College Station, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should federal funding or permitted be utilized for this project. The work described herein was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 9084, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, RPA Principal Investigator, and in adherence to Title 13, Chapter 26 of the Texas Administrative Code. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Environmental Planning Group Manager Ann M. Scott. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. The approximate 6.2-acre parcel was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the project. Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel testing and mechanical scraping. The work was carried out on September 23, 2019. One shovel test was excavated. In general, the ground surface within the APE was heavily disturbed by driveways, drainage ditches, buried utilities, and previous construction of the existing roadway. Shovel test excavation was devoid of cultural materials; prehistoric or historic-age cultural materials were not observed on the ground surface. No archaeological sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no historic properties present within the project area. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no historic properties eligible for National Register of Historic Places inclusion or State Antiquities Landmark designation that will be affected by future construction of the proposed roadway improvements. In the unlikely event that human remains or intact cultural features are discovered during construction, those activities should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Little Elm Trunk Sewer City Of Temple, Bell County, Texas

The City of Temple has proposed the Little Elm Trunk Sewer project where an approximate 7,600- linear-foot wastewater line will be constructed in northern Temple, Bell County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 12.21-acre project area. Because the City of Temple, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the project is also receiving funding from the Special Appropriations Act Projects Grants, administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Thus, the action also falls under the purview of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The cultural resources survey was carried out in advance of ground disturbance under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8082, issued to Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Project Archeologist Caitlin Gulihur, MA, and Archeological Technician Juan Morlock under the supervision of Ann M. Scott. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. The 7,600-linear-foot alignment, with a 70-foot wide construction corridor (12.21 acres), was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on July 21 and 24, 2017. Several hundred linear feet of the alignment had good ground surface visibility and several hundred more were disturbed from previous construction of roads and railroads. Thirteen shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas that appeared to be undisturbed. No artifacts were discovered during the excavation of the shovel tests. A few isolated features were observed on the ground surface. No sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no historic properties present within the project area. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no historic properties eligible for State Antiquities Landmark designation or National Register for Historic Places inclusion that will be affected by future construction of proposed wastewater line. In the unlikely event that human remains are discovered during construction, activities should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Poison Oak Road Realignment City Of Temple, Bell County, Texas

The City of Temple has proposed the Poison Oak Road Realignment project, where an approximate 8,700-linear-foot road improvements and realignment will be constructed in southwest Temple, Bell County, Texas. The project engineer, Clark & Fuller, PLLC, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 20-acre project area. Because the City of Temple, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should a US Army Corps of Engineers permit be necessary or federal funding be utilized for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out in advance of ground disturbance under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8263, issued to Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Project Archeologist Caitlin Gulihur, MA, and Archeological Technician Juan Morlock under the supervision of Ann M. Scott. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. The 8,700-linear-foot alignment, with a 100-foot wide construction corridor (20 acres), was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on January 4-5, 2018. Several hundred linear feet of the alignment were disturbed from previous construction of the existing Poison Oak Road and associated utilities. Several hundred more linear feet had good ground surface visibility. Fourteen shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas that appeared to be undisturbed. No artifacts were discovered during the excavation of the shovel tests. One isolated historic-age feature was observed. No sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no historic properties present within the project area. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no historic properties eligible for State Antiquities Landmark designation or National Register for Historic Places inclusion that will be affected by future construction of the proposed road improvements and realignment. In the unlikely event that human remains or intact cultural resources are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted

Intensive Archeological Survey Of The Patterson Tract City Of Georgetown, Wiliamson County, Texas

Georgetown Independent School District has proposed to purchase the Patterson Tract, a project which is approximately 22.8 acres of land in southeast Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas. Georgetown Independent School District (GISD) retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 22.8-acre project area. Because GISD, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should a US Army Corps of Engineer permit be necessary or federal funding be utilized for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out in advance of ground disturbance under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8093, issued to Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Project Archeologist Caitlin Gulihur, MA, and Archeological Technician Juan Morlock under the supervision of Ann M. Scott. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. The 22.8-acre project area was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on July 12, 2017. Several acres of the project area either had good ground surface visibility or were disturbed from existing utilities. Ten shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas that appeared to be undisturbed. No artifacts were discovered during the excavation of the shovel tests or during the course of the survey. No sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no historic properties present within the project area. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no historic properties eligible for State Antiquities Landmark designation or National Register for Historic Places inclusion that will be affected by future construction of GISD facilities. In the unlikely event that human remains are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Little River Basin Water And Wastewater Lines City Of Temple, Bell County, Texas

The City of Temple has proposed the Little River Basin Water and Wastewater Lines project where water and wastewater lines will be constructed in southeast Temple, Bell County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximately 73.4-acre project area. Because the City of Temple, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission (THC). In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should federal funding or permitting be required for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 9392, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Archeological Technician Matthew Larsen. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. The alignments for water and wastewater lines, totaling 36,000 linear feet, with construction corridor widths of no more than 100 feet, was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). The acreage of the APE is approximately 73.4 acres. Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on April 27- 29 and May 1, 2020. Seventy-six shovel tests were excavated in areas that appeared previously undisturbed. Cultural materials were not observed during the excavation of shovel tests. Isolated finds, consisting of three concrete drainage features, agricultural equipment, and a small scatter of glass, ceramic, and metal artifacts in a secondary context, were observed during the course of the survey. Previously recorded site 41BL1371, recorded adjacent to the project alignment, was not revisited during the course of the survey. No archaeological sites were recorded or revisited during the course of the survey. Given the absence of eligible historic properties within the APE, it is Terracon’s recommendation that the proposed project be allowed to proceed as currently designed. In the unlikely event that human remains or cultural features are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities shall be contacted. On June 27, 2020, the THC concurred with the recommendations in the draft report

Intersections of Open Access and Information Privilege in Higher Education and Beyond

Despite its capacity to reach readers irrespective of affiliation or geographic location, conversations about Open Access (OA) frequently center academic stakeholders in high-income countries. This presentation will examine opportunities for technical services librarians to explore with students some of the inequities of the scholarly communications landscape, including various approaches to and aspects of OA, and to consider the disparate levels of access available to individuals based on institutional affiliation. Because higher education settings afford students a high degree of information privilege, academic librarians face the challenge of teaching students to appreciate the value of information, acknowledge barriers to it, and identify and evaluate the freely available resources and content to which they will have access post-graduation. Although technical services and scholarly communication librarians tend to have fewer teaching responsibilities than those working in public services, our experiences with collection development, licensing, and resource description provide insights to share with students regarding information value and privilege. A case study on student projects which included the editing of Wikipedia entries highlights tensions between institutional privilege and open resources. Teaching students about the costs, processes, and value of information production empowers them to understand their privilege and responsibilities