Information encountering re-encountered: A conceptual re-examination of serendipity in the context of information acquisition

Purpose In order to understand the totality, diversity and richness of human information behavior, increasing research attention has been paid to examining serendipity in the context of information acquisition. However, several issues have arisen as this research subfield has tried to find its feet; we have used different, inconsistent terminology to define this phenomenon (e.g. information encountering, accidental information discovery, incidental information acquisition), the scope of the phenomenon has not been clearly defined and its nature was not fully understood or fleshed-out. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, information encountering (IE) was proposed as the preferred term for serendipity in the context of information acquisition. Findings A reconceptualized definition and scope of IE was presented, a temporal model of IE and a refined model of IE that integrates the IE process with contextual factors and extends previous models of IE to include additional information acquisition activities pre- and postencounter. Originality/value By providing a more precise definition, clearer scope and richer theoretical description of the nature of IE, there was hope to make the phenomenon of serendipity in the context of information acquisition more accessible, encouraging future research consistency and thereby promoting deeper, more unified theoretical development

The impact of change in web-based IR systems on users' experience

Information retrieval changes. Users, their knowledge and expectation changes as well as environment. Presentation deals with these changes and also explains possible implications they may have on users and systems that are part of IR process

The impact of change in web-based IR systems on users' experience

Information retrieval changes. Users, their knowledge and expectation changes as well as environment. Presentation deals with these changes and also explains possible implications they may have on users and systems that are part of IR process

An exploratory survey of reference source instruction in LIS courses

We surveyed 40 reference instructors at 28 North American ALA-accredited programs of library and information studies about instructional methods they used in teaching about reference sources in print and electronic formats. Results indicated that instructors spent more time teaching students about electronic than about print sources. General reference courses included a larger variety of instructional methods for teaching print sources than did subject-specific courses. Commonly-used instructional methods for print sources included instructor-led discussion of the sources and hands-on assignments completed outside of class time. For electronic reference sources, commonly-used instructional methods were instructor-led discussions and modeling searches. The study identified an apparent conflict between instructors’ desires to develop a deeper knowledge of print and electronic sources, and their ability to ensure access to sources, work with technology, and manage changing interfaces. We conclude with three options that LIS practitioners and educators might take to address this conflict.Post-printIncludes bibliographical references

Reference source instruction : a model for teaching

The ideology of American librarianship places a very high value on librarians' ability to find information and make that information accessible to the public. A broad and deep knowledge of reference sources is one of the facets of a "competent" reference librarian. The study of reference procedures and information sources has consequently been regarded as one of the staples of library and information science (LIS) education. Our 2004 survey of reference instructors revealed that respondents use a variety of methods to present reference sources to students. Survey results were used to support an exploratory investigation into the frequency of use of various teaching methods for information resources. We used Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning to classify instructional levels, and analyzed types of teaching methods based on their fit within these categories. Final results suggest that much reference source instruction occurs at the lower level, while higher level instruction falls to students to complete outside of class.Presentatio

Banded murex Hexaplex trunculus as bioindicator of contamination in the Adriatic

Volak Hexaplex trunculus se često koristi za praćenje onečišćenja morskog okoliša organokositrovim spojevima, u prvom redu tributilkositrom (TBT). Radi se o vrsti koja razvija imposeks već pri niskim razinama onečišćenja TBT-om. U ovoj disertaciji predstavljeni su rezultati istraživanja povezanosti imposeksa kod volka H. trunculus i onečišćenja TBT-om provedenih na području srednjeg dijela hrvatskog Jadrana na 7 postaja tijekom 2014. godine i 12 postaja tijekom 2015. godine. Kod svih istraživanih populacija zabilježena je pojava imposeksa, a mjerenjem masenog udjela TBT-a u tkivu volka H. trunculus i sedimentu potvrđena je i prisutnost onečišćenja TBT-om. Istraživanjem provedenim 2014. godine nije potvrđena povezanost onečišćenja TBT-om s aktivnošću odabranih biomarkera (katalaza, glutation S- transferaza, glutation reduktaza, malondialdehidi, karbonili, acetilkolinesteraza), iako je uočena povećana aktivnost glutation reduktaze i glutation S-transferaze kod volaka s jače onečišćenih postaja. Istraživanje učinkovitosti zabrane korištenja TBT-a, koja je u Republici Hrvatskoj na snazi od 2006. godine, provedeno je 2015. godine na istim postajama na kojima je istraživanje imposeksa provedeno i 2005. godine, kategoriziranim prema razini brodske aktivnosti (nautičke marine, lučice, uvale koje se koriste samo sezonski, referentne postaje koje se rijetko koriste). Rezultati istraživanja sugeriraju da je u desetogodišnjem razdoblju došlo do smanjenja razine onečišćenja TBT-om. Ipak, smanjenje nije rezultiralo oporavkom istraživanih populacija budući da je kod svih utvrđen visoki udio imposeksa kao i povećanje udjela sterilnih ženki. U svrhu potencijalnog korištenja vrste H. trunculus kao bioindikatora u ocjeni ekološkog stanja priobalnih voda u okviru Direktive o vodama, a s obzirom na onečišćenje voda TBT-om i posljedičnim razvojem imposeksa, predložene su granične vrijednosti omjera ekološke kakvoće (OEK) . Istraživanjem stabilnih izotopa dušika (Ł15Nair) i ugljika (Ł13CVPDV) u tkivu volka H. trunculus nije potvrđena povezanost sadržaja stabilnih izotopa sa stupnjem onečišćenosti istraživanih postaja TBT-om.Banded murex Hexaplex trunculus is used in the marine environment monitoring of organotin pollution, as this species develops imposex at very low tribytiltin (TBT) concentration. In this thesis relationship between imposex in H. trunculus and TBT pollution was investigated along the central Croatian Adriatic coast at 7 sites in 2014 and 12 sites in 2015. Imposex was recorded at all investigated sites on which also TBT pollution was demonstrated, both in tissue of H. trunculus and in sediment. Investigations performed in year 2014 showed no connection between degree of TBT pollution and activity of specific biomarkers (catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, malondialdehydes, carbonyls, acetylcholinesterase) in gastropod, although the increased activity of glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase in banded murex from the most polluted sites was observed. Investigation on effectiveness of the ban of organotin compounds in antifouling coatings, which is in force in the Republic of Croatia since 2006, was performed in 2015 at the same sites previously investigated in 2005 which were categorized according to intensity of boating activities to nautical marinas, village harbours, sheltered bays and reference sites. Obtained results suggested that TBT pollution has decreased in this ten years period. However, this decrease was not sufficient for the recovery of H. trunculus populations, since in 2015 all populations showed high degree of imposex and even higher number of sterile females than in 2005. The Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR) values for the potential use of imposex in H. trunculus as bioindicator in assessment of the ecological status of coastal waters regarding TBT pollution in the frame of Water Framework Directive (WFD) are proposed. Relationship between carbon (Ł13CVPDV) and nitrogen (Ł15Nair) isotopes content in H. trunculus and degree of TBT pollution was not established

LIS programs in pandemic: Challenges, resilience & opportunities

Panel overview: Library & information science programs and their parent schools and universities are no strangers to experiencing natural disasters. Many are situated in environments prone to hurricanes, flood, winter storms and wildfires and have experienced one or more of such events in the past. As a field that prides itself for supporting people’s informational needs, especially of those under-served populations, we as LIS educators have often stepped up to support our students and broader communities in a time of need. However, the experience of global COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to not only our organizations and profession but also to our personal lives. In this difficult and complex situation how are LIS programs coping and looking into the future? A panel of four LIS Program/School directors and program chairs will share their personal experiences in leading their organizations during the time of COVID-19. The panelists will reflect upon challenges that their programs experienced as the pandemic crisis emerged and evolved, the lessons we are learning about our preparedness and resilience to function during the time of crisis and the emerging opportunities for the future. Panel structure: The panel will be organized into three thematic units. Each unit will start with panelists’ sharing their reflections through illustrative examples and narrative stories reflecting their own experiences and experiences of their faculty, staff and students. Following introductory remarks on each of the themes, the audience will be invited to contribute their own experiences and observations. Panel Topics: - COVID-19 is here! This topic will focus on the first signs of pandemic and how the LIS programs were prepared, especially the emergency activation mechanisms, immediate challenges and first responses. From the perspectives of their different geographical locations and settings (large urban, small urban, rural) and program modalities, the panelists will share how they experienced “pivot” to functioning under conditions of COVID-19. - It’s a marathon, not a sprint! In this topic the panelists will discuss the issues and creative solutions for organizing continuity and success of educational processes in their programs under the conditions of pandemic. The panelists will discuss actions taken to ensure physical safety and mental health of both faculty and students; academic accommodations that were provided and monitoring mechanisms for ensuring engagement and feedback from LIS communities in their programs. - Challenges are new opportunities! The final topics will explore challenges that still need to be addressed (such as the impact of pandemic on faculty productivity; concerns about student enrollment) and new ideas that are emerging about providing LIS education (e.g., flexibility of instructional formats; online collaboration; unique LIS research contributions). The panelists will identify lessons learned and changes that are being evaluated and planned in their programs. Prior to the panel the panelists will create a collaborative digital whiteboard (Google Jamboard - https://jamboard.google.com/) that will include the three main themes of the panel. During the presentation, audience participants will have an opportunity to contribute personal comments and artifacts related to the panel topic. Following the panel, this digital white board will be preserved to commemorate our collective experience with pandemic. Panelists: Sanda Erdelez, Professor and Director at Simmons University School of Library and Information Science. She is a human information behavior researcher and educator with more than 25 years of experience in the LIS field, including teaching at University of Texas and Austin and University of Missouri- Columbia. Dr. Erdelez’ contribution to the panel will focus on the importance of effective and participatory communication processes during pandemic and on LIS programs/schools taking on a leadership role at their home institutions in the areas of specialized expertise, such as online learning and information needs and uses research. Jenny Bossaller, LIS Program Chair and Associate Professor at the iSchool at the University of Missouri – Columbia. Her teaching and research focus encompasses public libraries, information policy, and the history of libraries and information. She co-developed a public library leadership program, with Denice Adkins, that emphasizes community and professional immersion (PuLL). She is currently working on an interdisciplinary team to revitalize the iSchool's health librarianship program, which focuses on community engagement, which has proven to be especially difficult to manage during COVID. Dr. Bossaller will discuss problems and opportunities that arose during COVID regarding students’ community engagement and practicum options. Lisa O’Connor is Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Previously, she taught at the University of Kentucky and was an academic librarian, serving as both an information literacy education coordinator and business librarian. She has published in the areas of IL assessment and information behavior. Dr. O’Connor’s contributions to the panel will address the challenges of managing growth in the midst of the pandemic, including enrollment management and onboarding and mentoring new faculty. R. David Lankes, Professor and Director of the School of Information Science and Associate Dean, College of Information and Communications at the University of South Carolina. He has served on advisory boards and study teams in the fields of libraries, telecommunications, education, and transportation including at the National Academies. Lankes has been a visiting fellow at the National Library of Canada, The Harvard School of Education, France’s national library school Enssib, and was the first fellow of ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy. Dr. Lankes will present how through active research and advocacy agendas with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion LIS programs are well situated to help our society in a time of need

Mjesto i uloga strateške procjene utjecaja na okoliš u integralnom upravljanju obalnim područjem Republike Hrvatske

Strateška procjena utjecaja na okoliš predstavlja jedan od upravljačkih alata pri integralnom upravljanju obalnim područjem. Prema zakonodavstvu Republike Hrvatske, strateška procjena utjecaja na okoliš obvezna je za većinu strategija, planova i programa. Principi integralnog upravljanja obalnim područjem, kao što su interdisciplinarnost, usklađenje sektorskih interesa i ekosustavni pristup svoju realizaciju mogu postići kroz stratešku procjenu utjecaja na okoliš u sektorima relevantnim za obalno područje, kao i u prostornim planovima jadranskih županija. Polazeći od specifičnih obilježja istočne obale Jadrana, rad daje pregled zakonske regulative u Republici Hrvatskoj vezane uz integralno upravljanje obalnim područjem i stratešku procjenu utjecaja na okoliš, kao i pregled sektorskih strateških dokumenata i županijskih prostornih planova relevantnih za obalno područje. Donosi se također kratki pregled dosadašnje primjene strateške procjene utjecaja na okoliš u Republici Hrvatskoj. Prednosti i nedostatci primjene strateške procjene utjecaja na okoliš, kao jednog od alata integralnog upravljanja obalnim područjem, predstavljeni su SWOT analizom

Observing Serendipity in Digital Information Environments

We often interact with digital information environments to find useful information. But sometimes useful information finds us unexpectedly, propelling us in new and exciting directions. We might come across information serendipitously when looking for information on something else, or when we are not looking for anything in particular. In previous studies, people have self-reported that they come across information serendipitously. However, there has been limited success in directly observing people doing so. To see if we could have more success, we conducted naturalistic observations of 45 users interacting with different types of digital information environments. Without priming them about serendipity, we asked the users to conduct self-chosen naturalistic information tasks, which varied from broad tasks such as browsing online news to narrow tasks such as finding a particular product to buy. We noted several examples where users either 1) stated they were looking for information on a particular topic or product and unexpectedly found useful/potentially useful information about something else or 2) unexpectedly found useful/potentially useful information when not looking for anything in particular. Our findings suggest that, with a carefully-considered approach, serendipity-related information interaction behaviour can be directly observed. Direct observation allows designers of digital information environments to better understand this behaviour and use this understanding to reason about ways of designing new or improving existing support for serendipity

My favorite unreliable source? Information sharing and acquisition through informal networks

Informal information networks are the personal connections of friends, family and colleagues that people use to help them find information. Recently, a great deal of attention has been paid to social network sites, and other social media, as a key source of information and misinformation in contemporary society. This panel will probe deeper, to investigate the personal connections that underpin and lie behind the social connections visible on social network sites. This issue is of increasing importance as more of our everyday lives are moved online. We will debate what we actually know, and do not know, about how people find information through others, both on‐ and off‐line. From the panel we hope to create a network of scholars interested in creating a research agenda to make informal networks a focus of study going forward.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163474/2/pra2294.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163474/1/pra2294_am.pd