Empowering Ethical Practice: Activities for Access Services

The library profession is guided by a Code of Ethics which explains our values, including privacy, copyright and fair use, equal access, stewardship, and integrity. We continue to serve our publics and garner good will because libraries are perceived as institutions operating in an ethical manner. The Clark Library, University of Portland, desired to empower its staff with a deepened understanding of library ethics. The Access Services Unit, composed of Circulation, Interlibrary Loan, Course Reserves, Reference, Instruction, and a Digital Lab, implemented four activities to intentionally focus on ethics as applied to the day-to-day work of each unit

1947 Ruby Yearbook

A digitized copy of the 1947 Ruby, the Ursinus College yearbook.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/ruby/1049/thumbnail.jp

Social Services Will Not Touch us with a Barge Pole’: Social Care Provision for Older Prisoners

Older prisoners are the fastest growing subgroup in the English and Welsh prison estate. Older prisoners have high levels of health and social care needs. This mixed method study involved the distribution of a questionnaire examining the availability of health and social care services for older prisoners to all prisons housing adult males in England and Wales, followed by qualitative telephone interviews with representatives from eight prisons. Over half of establishments had some contact with external social care services but reported significant difficulties in arranging care for individuals. A professional lead for older prisoners had been identified in 81% of establishments; however the value of this role to positively affect practice appeared questionable. Statutory social care was often non-existent in prison due to the lack of understanding of what it constituted and who was responsible for its provision

1946 Ruby Yearbook

A digitized copy of the 1946 Ruby, the Ursinus College yearbook.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/ruby/1048/thumbnail.jp

1944 Ruby Yearbook

A digitized copy of the 1944 Ruby, the Ursinus College yearbook.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/ruby/1046/thumbnail.jp

1976 Ruby Yearbook

A digitized copy of the 1976 Ruby, the Ursinus College yearbook.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/ruby/1079/thumbnail.jp

USE OF A SPATIALLY WEIGHTED MULTIVARIATE CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL PROPERTIES, TERRAIN AND REMOTE SENSING DATA TO FORM LAND MANAGEMENT UNITS

ABSTRACT Research has been conducted to develop a methodology that can delineate land management units (LMU's) that is, zones within a paddock which can be identified, mapped and managed according to their land-use or productive capabilities. Soil sampling and analysis is a crucial component in depicting the landscape characteristics, however it is a time consuming and costly exercise to undertake. Data from a 10m resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and high resolution digital multi spectral imagery (DMSI) has been used in association with field sampled data on soil properties to investigate the variability in the landscape at large scale. The paper describes the design and implementation of a two stage methodology based on Oliver and Webster's (1989) spatially weighted multivariate classification, for delineating LMU's intended for precision agricultural applications. Utilising data on physical and chemical soil properties, topographic variables derived from a DEM and spectral information from DMSI collected at 250 stratified random sampling locations within a 1670 ha property in Western Australia, the methodology initially classifies sampling points into LMU's based on a geographically weighted similarity matrix. The second stage delineates higher resolution LMU boundaries by using the geographic location, DMSI and DEM data on a 10m grid across the remaining study area and assigning each pixel to an appropriate LMU. The method groups sample points and pixels with respect to their variables and their spatial relationship on the ground, thus forming contiguous, homogenous LMU's that can be adopted in precision agricultural applications

Accessing elite nurses for research: reflections on the theoretical and practical issues of telephone interviewing

Abstract Elite groups are interesting as they frequently are powerful (in terms of position, knowledge and influence) and enjoy considerable authority. It is important, therefore, to involve them in research concerned with understanding social contexts and processes. This is particularly pertinent in healthcare where considerable strategic development and change are features of everyday practice that may be guided, or perceived as being guided, by elites. This paper evolved from a study investigating the availability and role of nurses whose remit involved leading nursing research and development within acute NHS Trusts in two heath regions in Southern England. The study design included telephone interviews with Directors of Nursing Services during which time the researchers engaged in a reflective analysis of conducting research with an 'elite' group. Important issues identified were the role of the gatekeepers, engagement with elites and the use of the telephone interview method in this context. The paper examines these issues and makes a case for involving executive nurses in further research. The paper also offered strategies to help researchers design and implement telephone interview studies successfully to maximise access to the views and experiences of 'hard to reach groups', such as elites, whilst minimising the associated disruption.