Incivility and Dysfunction in the Library Workplace: Perceptions and Feedback from the Field

Issues associated with lack of civility, less than ideal functionality and employees that may not self-reflect as much they should are all challenges in the modern workplace and libraries are no exception. The purpose of this study was to determine which issues associated with a lack of civility such as mobbing, bullying, workplace dysfunction, and lack of abilities regarding self-reflection were found in the library workplace and to what extent. The data represents the feedback of 4,168 library employees through a self-reporting survey instrument designed by the authors with the help of the American Library Association. Data is both quantitative and qualitative and seeks to examine the issues addressed across all types of libraries. While useful for all library employees, this study and report are especially relevant to the modern library administrator

Technical Colleges on the Cutting Edge: Implementing New Technologies at HGTC Library

The integration of new technologies on college campuses is an imperative to enhance learning and prepare students for career success. This article describes the implementation of new technology at a technical college library. Thanks to a multi-layered grant from The Chapin Foundation HGTC Library was able to install a video wall, 10 zSpace machines, and a PolyCom system all in the same space located inside the library. Uses of this equipment in other settings as well as at HGTC are considered

The Impact of Information Literacy-Related Instruction in the Science Classroom: Clickers Versus Nonclickers

The goal of information literacy instruction is to enable students to develop skills that they can use for life to facilitate their empowerment through information. Instruction librarians, particularly those teaching Millenials whose need for “hands on” instruction has been widely emphasized, are constantly searching for methodologies that will provide appropriate levels of interactive instruction. Many methods for enhancing the relevance of library instruction have been discussed in the literature. This study, designed and developed by a collaborative team of librarians and science faculty, describes the effects of providing course-integrated, interactive (with clickers) information literacy instruction to undergraduates at a small private nonprofit university in the Southeast

The Use of Case Studies in Library Administration Courses and Work Student and Practitioner Perceptions and Insights

Library and information studies (LIS) programs generally require that students complete a series of core courses. One of these common core courses required is library management, and for many students this may be the only opportunity to explore issues and concerns related to library management. Contrary to what they may think, most of these future librarians will have to make significant decisions related to management at some point in their careers. Almost every job in a library requires an awareness of the concepts of organizational behavior that typically underpin the library management course. Obviously this will be of greater importance for some than for others. Given the task of overseeing a small academic library shortly after graduating with my MLIS twelve years ago, I was especially sensitive to this need (I had originally planned to be an instruction librarian, not a library administrator). While it may be difficult to prepare library science students for every situation, we can provide them with some ways to improve their thinking when faced with problems and challenges. Active learning, specifically through the use of case studies, is one of the best ways to do just that. In an attempt to explore this further, preliminary research was conducted to investigate student perceptions of the value of case studies employed within a specific context. Additionally, practicing librarians were polled to determine whether or not the use of case studies in their MLIS program benefited them when making library administration decisions in their careers. The findings summarized in this paper illustrate both the benefits and shortcomings to the use of case studies in library education. Some implications for both library science students and practicing librarians are considered

The Effectiveness of Direct-Instruction and Student-Centered Teaching Methods on Students’ Functional Understanding of Plagiarism

To improve students’ functional understanding of plagiarism, a variety of approaches was tried within a comprehensive information literacy program. Sessions were taught as a “module” inside a required communications skills class at a private university. Approaches taken included control, direct-instruction, and student-centered sessions. Students were taught content and definitions regarding plagiarism, what circumstances or instances constitute plagiarism, where to go for help in avoiding plagiarism, and what constitutes appropriate paraphrasing. Pretest and posttest scores indicated that no approach performed significantly better than the others; however, even though students improved across all methods, they nonetheless showed the need for more hands-on practice

Sob o signo neoliberal: as relações internacionais da América Latina

As relações internacionais da América Latina são vistas sob o ângulo da transição da diplomacia do desenvolvimento para a diplomacia neoliberal. Os estudos de relações internacionais, particularmente no Brasil e na Argentina, fundamentam a interpretação do autor sobre benefícios e malogros do paradigma neoliberal, visto como uma opção ideológica. A noção de Estado logístico é sugerida como alternativa estratégica ao Estado normal.<br>In this article, international relations in Latin America are analysed through the viewpoint of the transition from a diplomacy of development to a neoliberal model. Studies in International Relations as a discipline, especially those carried out in Brazil and Argentina, are the basis for the author's interpretation about benefits and failures of the neoliberal paradigm, understood as an ideological option. The author forwards the notion of Logistic State as a strategic alternative to the Normal State