The Evolution of the Reference Interview

While the reference interview remains the vehicle whereby librarians are able to understand the information needs of users in order to assist them, the ways in which the reference interview is conducted have changed with time and technology. This chapter provides a brief history of the evolution of the reference interview, from the face-to-face transaction to the current trends of e-mail and chat software mediated reference interviews, and examines application of these current trends in virtual reference services. While the methods of conducting the reference interview have certainly changed, the ultimate goal of meeting the information needs of the user remains constant. Reprinted by permission of the publisher

Librarian Director as Manager of Union Employees

Over the past 5 years, directors of law libraries have been retiring at a rapid rate and this pace is only increasing. As a result, many new law library directors may have relatively little exposure to a director’s responsibilities before assuming the role. Academic Law Library Director Perspectives: Cases and Insights is a valuable guide and learning tool for any prospective or new law library director looking to learn the ins and outs of the position. Each chapter starts with a case study to provide a realistic context in which to examine the subject, followed by analysis and commentary by experienced directors. This case study focuses on the academic law library director’s role as a manager of union employees at the support staff level. It explores the ways in which union rules and the collective bargaining agreement control the contours of almost every aspect of the union employees’ work life, while explaining some ways in which directors may exercise discretion or use the terms of the collective bargaining agreement to benefit and protect union workers. The case study emphasizes the importance of clear communication, creative thinking, and a detailed record supporting and reflecting managerial decisionmaking

The Evolution of the Reference Interview

While the reference interview remains the vehicle whereby librarians are able to understand the information needs of users in order to assist them, the ways in which the reference interview is conducted have changed with time and technology. This chapter provides a brief history of the evolution of the reference interview, from the face-to-face transaction to the current trends of e-mail and chat software mediated reference interviews, and examines application of these current trends in virtual reference services. While the methods of conducting the reference interview have certainly changed, the ultimate goal of meeting the information needs of the user remains constant. Reprinted by permission of the publisher

Abnormal fatty acid metabolism is a core component of spinal muscular atrophy

Objective: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder leading to paralysis and subsequent death in young children. Initially considered a motor neuron disease, extra-neuronal involvement is increasingly recognized. The primary goal of this study was to investigate alterations in lipid metabolism in SMA patients and mouse models of the disease. Methods: We analyzed clinical data collected from a large cohort of pediatric SMA type I-III patients as well as SMA type I liver necropsy data. In parallel, we performed histology, lipid analysis, and transcript profiling in mouse models of SMA. Results: We identify an increased susceptibility to developing dyslipidemia in a cohort of 72 SMA patients and liver steatosis in pathological samples. Similarly, fatty acid metabolic abnormalities were present in all SMA mouse models studied. Specifically, Smn2B/- mice displayed elevated hepatic triglycerides and dyslipidemia, resembling non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Interestingly, this phenotype appeared prior to denervation. Interpretation: This work highlights metabolic abnormalities as an important feature of SMA, suggesting implementation of nutritional and screening guidelines in patients, as such defects are likely to increase metabolic distress and cardiovascular risk. This study emphasizes the need for a systemic therapeutic approach to ensure maximal benefits for all SMA patients throughout their life

Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome

Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome

Researching Judicial Opinions

Until approximately twenty-five years ago, researching judicial opinions was performed primarily using print resources and finding aids. Research texts and courses focused on the use of these print materials but gradually began to include more information about online access to opinions as databases developed ever-more refined and user-friendly ways of assisting researchers. In modern practice, researchers work predominantly on electronic databases and on the open web. While this format shift transforms the approach to finding cases, the fundamental principles of thorough and thoughtful case law research remain largely unchanged. This chapter explores the structure of the New York court system, the components of a judicial opinion, and the essential elements of excellence in researching judicial opinions with emphasis both on electronic access and on the bedrock principles of case law research that apply regardless of the format

Librarian Director as Manager of Union Employees

Over the past 5 years, directors of law libraries have been retiring at a rapid rate and this pace is only increasing. As a result, many new law library directors may have relatively little exposure to a director’s responsibilities before assuming the role. Academic Law Library Director Perspectives: Cases and Insights is a valuable guide and learning tool for any prospective or new law library director looking to learn the ins and outs of the position. Each chapter starts with a case study to provide a realistic context in which to examine the subject, followed by analysis and commentary by experienced directors. This case study focuses on the academic law library director’s role as a manager of union employees at the support staff level. It explores the ways in which union rules and the collective bargaining agreement control the contours of almost every aspect of the union employees’ work life, while explaining some ways in which directors may exercise discretion or use the terms of the collective bargaining agreement to benefit and protect union workers. The case study emphasizes the importance of clear communication, creative thinking, and a detailed record supporting and reflecting managerial decisionmaking

Collection Development 2009: Making the Cut, Part I

While preparing to write my first collection development column, I sought advice from several colleagues and friends. I asked them which topics I should tackle and what kinds of policies and practices I should explore. I wanted to choose a topic that was timely, relevant and interesting, yet still reflected the knowledge and experience I have gained in my years as a librarian. Their responses were unanimous: write about what you know. This sage advice was just what I needed, and that’s exactly what I plan to do throughout this series of articles. If there is one aspect of collection development I know best at this moment, it is the art of developing the collection during a period of reduced acquisition budgets. Not only have we been working through this process in my own library, but I have also spent the last year talking to other librarians across the country about their experiences with this difficult task. Many of us are like the financial planners for our libraries who have seen our traditional models for maximizing growth for our valuable portfolio (our collections) tossed out the window by current economic conditions. We must now work collectively (pardon the pun) if we want to devise the best practices to protect the yield on our portfolio in these uncertain and difficult economic times. When I recommended that this year’s Collection Development Roundtable at the AALL Annual Meeting focus on this issue, I was stunned at the number of enthusiastic and supportive responses I received. It has become abundantly clear to me that I am not the only collection development librarian grappling with this situation—not by a long shot

Honesty is the Best Policy: Collection Development Policy Revisions in an Era of Change

One of the most important functions of the regular review of a collection development policy is the opportunity to revisit the fundamentals of collection development. Regardless of whether we are public, private or academic entities, the basic considerations in creating and maintaining a collection development policy remain the same. We start with the library mission. Whom do we serve, and why? Knowing the focus and purpose of our service is important, but translating that knowledge into timely and relevant policies that inform our decisions is absolutely critical to excellence in service-oriented librarianship. And there is an even greater value in asking these questions as our organizations experience rapid and pervasive change. When the answers to these questions change, our policies should take those changes into account. What we do and how we do it should be derived from whom we serve and why. When one changes, it is incumbent on us to reconsider the other