Beyond ECDL: basic and advanced IT skills for the new library professional

This paper reports on a new multimedia-centred ICT module, called Fundamentals of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) for Postgraduate Information and Library Studies students at the Graduate School of Informatics at Strathclyde University. It had radical aims (introducing novel ICT skill content in a progressive manner, encouraging deep learning and self-directed study) and used a weekly survey and a post-module survey to investigate its operation. Skills learnt were compared to skills required during student placement in libraries. Conclusions are drawn as to its success in matching the needs of future library professionals

Justify or die? - using contingent valuation of service provision in a UK public library

The public library service in the UK is currently under pressure to justify its existence. An Audit Commission report suggested that if current borrowing rates for libraries continue into the future, libraries would be effectively issuing no books by 2020. Recently the Coates Report asserted about book loans that, "in simple terms, if a service is without separate charge and the public decides not to use it, then the service is de facto without any value to these individuals". Yet Coates' simplistic notions of the services public libraries provide lies at the heart of the problem. Performance indicators based on book loans are unable to assess 'the totality of library effectiveness'. Conversely, qualitative analysis, interviewing users about service impact, shows that libraries 'promote social cohesion and community confidence'. However qualitative findings are by nature not quantitative and not comparable. To try to produce a measure for service quality, contingent valuation was chosen. It elicits economic value judgements from users on both services they use and services they do not use. A major independent study using contingent valuation was conducted by the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Strathclyde on East Renfrewshire Library Services, near Glasgow, which is recognised as an exemplary public library service. The study revealed the inability of contingent valuation to adequately assess the complex mix of services provided. The study concludes that an urgent rethink is required regarding measures for public library service evaluation

Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day in East Renfrewshire libraries

This paper discusses the implementation of a community portal and CD-ROM in East Renfrewshire Council, Scotland, aimed at commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day. The area has one of the largest Jewish populations in Scotland and with some residents being Holocaust survivors, their own testimonies were used to ensure the portal was relevant to the local community. The site, which was runner-up in the CILIP/LiS Libraries Change Lives Award, also discusses other Holocausts throughout the world, and stands as a testament to all who have suffered in such atrocities. The site has been well received by the community and reflects how local immigrant communities can contribute to resources that can inform their local community and the world

The distance selling directive: consumer champion or complete irrelevance?

This paper investigates the origins, significant content, UK and EU implementation and outcomes of Directive 97/7/EC on distance selling, hereafter referred to as the Distance Selling Directive (DSD). The DSD has been implemented in national legislation by all EU Member States. In the UK this legislation was the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 2334), hereafter referred to as the CPDSR

Evaluation of SCRAN subscription to Scottish public libraries

This report commissioned by the Scottish Library and Information Council evaluates the year-long Scottish Executive-funded project to give all public libraries in Scotland access to the SCRAN service. The implementation of the project was supported by a Project Steering Group with both SLIC and SCRAN representation, and a wider steering group with membership from Heads of Service, Scottish Executive, and SCRAN and chaired by Elaine Fulton of SLIC

Detecting and deterring public computer misuse : the FRILLS project

This presentation looks at forensic readiness for local libraries in Scotland (FRILLS). FRILLS aims to develop simple, low-cost techniques to provide a basic forensic readiness regime for public access ICT facilities, in order to deter misuse of those facilities by better detection of misuse

(S)-Geranylgeranylglyceryl phosphate synthase. Purification and characterization of the first pathway-specific enzyme in archaebacterial membrane lipid biosynthesis

Journal ArticleThe first pathway-specific step in the biosynthesis of the core membrane diether lipids in archaebacteria is the alkylation of the primary hydroxyl group in (S)-glyceryl phosphate by geranylgeranyl diphosphate. The reaction is catalyzed by (S)-3-O-geranylgeranylglyceryl phosphate ((S)-GGGP) synthase. The cytosolic enzyme was purified to homogeneity from the moderately thermophilic archaebacterium Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, four chromatographic steps (DE52, Q-Sepharose, phenyl-Superose, and Protein Pak), and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of gel-purified GGGP synthase gave a single band at 29 kDa. The enzyme requires Mg2+ for optimal activity, although prenyltransfer is also seen in buffers containing Mn2+ or Zn2+. A well defined pH optimum occurs between 6.0 and 7.5. Maximal activity is seen at 50-65 degrees C. The Michaelis constants for GGGP synthase are Vmax = 4.1 +/- 0.5 mumol min-1 mg-1, KMGGPP = 4.1 +/- 1.1 microM, and KMGP = 41 +/- 5 microM

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases: protein sequence comparisons, a phylogenetic tree, and predictions of secondary structure

Journal ArticleIsoprenyl diphosphate synthases are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the basic chain-elongation reaction in the isoprene biosynthetic pathway. Pairwise sequence comparisons were made for 6 farnesyl diphosphate synthases, 6 geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases, and a hexaprenyl diphosphate synthase. Five regions with highly conserved residues, two of which contain aspartate-rich DDXX(XX)D motifs found in many prenyltransferases, were identified. A consensus secondary structure for the group, consisting mostly of a-helices, was predicted for the multiply aligned sequences from amino acid compositions, computer assignments of local structure, and hydropathy indices. Progressive sequence alignments suggest that the 13 isoprenyl diphosphate synthases evolved from a common ancestor into 3 distinct clusters. The most distant separation is between yeast hexaprenyl diphosphate synthetase and the other enzymes. Except for the chromoplastic geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Cupsicum unnuum, the remaining farnesyl and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases segregate into prokaryotic/ archaebacterial and eukaryotic families

The Extent of Sectarianism Online

Study focusing on the extent and nature of online sectarianism often connected with football in Scotland

The Extent of Sectarianism Online : Project Report produced for Nil by Mouth

Study focusing on the extent and nature of online sectarianism often connected with football in Scotland