Digital and Physical: Coevolving Formats in Today\u27s Research Libraries

Academic libraries have been at pivotal crossroads for some years as deans and their staffers realize the perplexing shortage of shelf space for print volumes while at the same time determining the optimum balance of physical resources on shelves in light of the exploding world of online digital information. The question of what is the best format for the library users’ research, teaching, and scholarship continues to be analyzed, assessed, and discussed. As a result, new and innovative library business models are evolving that consider dramatically revisioning floors of library space to accommodate the ever‐changing needs of library users while at the same time providing a limitless quantity of research resources. Various methodologies, as it relates to library collections, have emerged from pioneering thinkers affiliated with such organizations as OCLC, ITHAKA with its JSTOR & Portico initiatives, the HathiTrust Digital Library, and the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). There are a host of challenges and possibilities as library systems collaborate and dialogue with each other and with these organizations’ representatives. When actions are implemented to effectively accommodate what the evolving society of information‐seeking users must have for their educational and research needs, then positive perceptions of a library’s critical role in higher education can and will surface. The University of Maryland Library System, one of the newest members of the CIC, has been able to take enormous strides in its evolving business model. Perfecting the coevolution of formats—print and digital—thus meeting the demands of an ever‐growing number of users, paired with the libraries’ renewed confidence in reducing the physical collections’ redundancy based on the notion of shared print repositories (SPR) have been tested and the new model is working. This discussion will center around the various stages, some of the challenges, and a few promising outcomes resulting from co‐evolving information formats at the University of Maryland Libraries—one of the CIC’s east coast hubs of collective collections

Portico--CLOCKSS--LOCKSS: Digital Preservation Services That Work

Electronic resources are research formats of choice and of necessity in today’s world. The digital transformation of information delivery in this technological age has successfully invaded libraries located in organizations, in public and private settings, in colleges and universities. A library’s Collection Development department is dedicating an exorbitant percentage of its resource funds to the purchase of e-format in lieu of print or microform materials. Constituents need immediate access to research information whether in dorm rooms, in cafes, in classes, at home, or while waiting for a train or bus. Such information access happens beyond the walls of library buildings. This shift in format preference requires digital preservation with rigorous guidelines that safeguard a massive corpus of information. How will libraries ensure that digital resources purchased in 2017 sustain accessibility 24/7, with uninterrupted service, and have trusted content integrity for patrons of all ages and at all levels of education in a year, in ten years, or in the future? Three trustworthy digital preservation services, LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe), CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS), and Portico – a service under the umbrella of ITHAKA that also operates JSTOR, are the foci of this presentation. These services have costs; however, such services address digital caveats in our changing information environment. It would be next to impossible to calculate the immeasurable cost of information that could be lost simply because of fail-safe initiatives not considered for purchase. Therefore, implementing digital preservation methods that ensure perpetual access and secure the e-format version of mankind’s knowledge should be a major component of any library’s strategic mission

Asian Studies Scholars and Their Research at the University of Maryland

Report documenting research practices and needs of Asian Studies faculty at a public university.This local report summarizes the findings of scholarly research practices and needs of faculty members specializing in Asian Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park (hereafter UMD). UMD Libraries were invited to participate in ITHAKA S+R’s Research Support Services Project, which is part of a series of investigative studies regarding the research support needs of scholars by their discipline, specifically those underrepresented in the existing literature, such as Asian Studies. Two UMD librarians conducted the project’s protocol through in-depth qualitative analyses of the research practices of academics in Asian Studies at UMD. This project allowed participants the opportunity to voice their opinions on support and services along with the juxtaposition of their field to other disciplines on campus and in academe, in general. Objectives of the study included 1) understanding resources and services that the interviewed faculty members required to be successful in their research; 2) recognizing challenges faced within their research approaches and practices; 3) comparing and contrasting choice of publication venues, including open access; 4) documenting interviewees’ opinions on what would simplify and/or promote their research; and 5) expressing their opinions on the current and future state of this field of study. The interviews provided insight into ways to improve the academic experiences of scholars and their research

Diversity and Inclusion at UMD Libraries Survey Results

The survey was made available online to library faculty, staff, and student workers. Participation in the survey was completely voluntary, and each individual question was entirely optional. In accordance with UMD policy, responses were treated as confidential. Fewer than five responses in a particular category were considered identifiable by the U.S. Department of Education and were not included in this report. Those who participated in the survey represent a significant portion of the Libraries’ community.The Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) conducted a Diversity Climate Assessment Survey in order to assess the diversity health of the University of Maryland Libraries. The survey was initially conducted for three weeks in July-August, 2014 and re-activated, per Dean Steele’s instructions, for another week in September to get as good a view of diversity issues in the Libraries as possible. This DAC snapshot reports findings on how library faculty, staff and student workers perceive the current state of diversity and inclusion within the Libraries. It also provides information about what organizational changes, training, and programs will be most beneficial to the library staff

Development of a native plant agroforestry system to restore the understory of a lowland wet forest in Hawaiʻi

Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2014.Includes bibliographical references.Native plant agroforestry enrichment systems established in already degraded or altered environments have the potential to protect existing native habitat and provide plant material for cultural purposes while potentially favoring the reestablishment of other non-target native species. Limited information is available on the survival and growth of native Hawaiian plants planted in the understory of secondary forests dominated by nonnative species. This study investigated an understory agroforestry system that utilized native plants with both economic and cultural value and was designed to provide desired plant material while also complementing restoration activities with the removal of invasive species. Research objectives were: 1) Measure establishment and growth response of three native species planted in removed or intact nonnative understory and determine to what extent light availability, soil moisture and nutrient availability influenced these responses; 2) evaluate the effects of understory nonnative species removal, particularly the dominant invasive species Ardisia elliptica, and the planting of native species on nonnative and native seedling recruitment; and 3) examine the photosynthetic light-response and functional differences of the native fern, Microlepia strigosa, planted in the two understory treatments. Results of this research suggest that within lowland wet mesic forests dominated by nonnative species, light availability is the most critical resource limiting establishment and growth of understory native species. Successful and sustainable cultivation of these native species will require some level of canopy opening or manipulation to ensure adequate light levels. The relatively high survival of M. strigosa under varying understory light conditions suggests it is a good species for establishing an understory groundcover. Additionally, M. strigosa shows increases in photosynthetic capacity when planted within removed understory, but is photosynthetically limited to relatively low light and shaded environments. Results from this research also indicate that established native plantings may provide some resource competition for nonnative species but manipulation of environmental resources, such as decreasing available light, plus continued weeding is more effective at reducing nonnative species recruitment. Consequently, management for a more homogenous nonnative canopy cover can provide more uniform reductions in light transmittance to the understory and limit nonnative seedling recruitment

Out with the old, in with the new: A reliable workflow in writing a report on diversity and inclusion

The Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) will discuss the dynamics of the process of assessing the diversity health at the University of Maryland Libraries. From designing the survey instrument through analyzing the results to the final writing of the report of diversity and inclusion, the committee members will unveil their challenges and achievements in presenting unbiased conclusions from this assessment project. In completing this project, the committee consulted the university’s wisdom, including (1) the College of Information Studies for creating the survey; (2) the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment (IRPA), and Division of Information Technology (DIT) for analyzing the results; and (3) the Campus Assessment Working Group (CAWG) model for organizing the content of the final report

Telemedicine along the cascade of care for substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of healthcare service delivery. This review aims to describe telemedicine-delivered substance use disorder (SUD) treatments and services along the cascade of care in the U.S. after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA literature review was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library (Wiley). English-language articles that describe any healthcare services for patients with SUDs using telemedicine in the U.S. since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were identified (N = 33). We narratively summarized telemedicine-based service provision along the cascade of SUD care, such as screening/assessment, prescription, monitoring, recovery support, and other services.ResultsSoon after the onset of COVID-19 and mandated restrictions, cadres of healthcare providers from different specialties mobilized to ramp up video- and audio-based services to remotely treat patients with SUDs. Medication prescription (48.5%) and individual counseling (39.4%) were the most frequently reported services delivered via telemedicine. Other steps of SUD care delivered by telemedicine characterized in our review included SUD screening and assessment (30.3%), induction (21.2%), medication management (27.3%), monitoring (27.3%), recovery support (15.2%), and referral (24.2%). Feasibility issues and challenges to implementing telemedicine included patients' lack of access to technology and health insurance coverage, providers' capacity limits and concerns, and clinics' financial and office-space constraints.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has offered a window of opportunity to advance telemedicine expertise by formalizing clinical guidance and routinizing provider in-service training in virtual SUD treatment. Findings suggest enhanced efforts to reduce disparities in telemedicine-based services