Instructor Development: A Model for Growth and Success

An Instructor Development Programming Task Force was appointed at the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries in the summer of 2010. The group was charged with investigating existing models of professional development programs for instruction librarians at other university libraries, as well as recommending a model for implementation at KU. A recommended model needed to provide opportunities for discussion of new trends, theories, and methods in instruction, as well as information literacy standards and concepts. The Task Force designed and administered a survey for all library faculty and staff who teach in order to gather feedback that could be used to design useful and focused professional development opportunities. In addition, Task Force members reviewed other professional development programming models in vogue at research universities across the country to learn about other aspects of program development that could be considered within the KU context. Discussion within the Task Force also focused on the structure of the model itself. While such discussions were informed by survey results and consideration of other models, Task Force members were aware of the greater emphasis placed on the assessment of instruction in current higher education environments. The purpose of this paper is to provide reflections about the work of the Instructional Development Programming Task Force as it worked to develop a model specifically focused on the needs of instruction librarians, informed by results of an in-house survey, review of other models, and consideration of current trends

Positioning Academic Libraries for the Future: A Process and Strategy for Organizational Transformation

Seeking to more effectively respond to campus initiatives and user expectations, the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries underwent a process of significant organizational review and transformation. Guided by a purposeful, open process, a diverse and representative group was elected to serve on the Libraries Organizational Review Team (ORT) to assess the existing organizational structure, determine major functions and cross-functional areas therein, and identify new and vital activities and positions essential for achieving our strategic priorities. Recognizing, too, the trends and challenges occurring within higher education and academic libraries, ORT sought to redefine professional roles and functions to strategically position the Libraries for the future. Utilizing peer institutional research, library literature and reports, and focus groups with each library unit, the team ultimately recommended a significant overhaul of the Libraries\u27 organizational structure. Broadly, the recommendation was for an adaptive and agile structure that is more responsive to university priorities, technological developments, and resource constraints. Specifically, ORT recommended a structure driven by contemporary user expectations and supportive of new modes of scholarly communication, new pedagogical methods, and data management. The recommended organizational design is fluid and user-focused with an emphasis on integrating into the academic life of scholars and students. This paper will report on the purposeful ‘grassroots’ approach undertaken by the team and its creative processes of organizational review. Additionally, the authors will present ORT’s final recommendations, as well as the rationale thereof. Finally, the authors will illustrate the new organizational model and analyze the efficacy and challenges of the reorganization

Analyzing data in LibStats to reveal trends in academic library usage at the University of Kansas

In recent years, academic libraries have been increasingly challenged to offer newer, more sophisticated ways to engage their community of users that keep pace with rapid technological development. Research shows that faculty, students, and other academic users place increasing value on digital scholarship and may not always view the academic library as the best gateway to access such information. At the same time, academic libraries have continued to rise to the challenge presented by rapid technological evolution can changing information seeking behavior among primary constituents by offering new services, providing greater access to traditional and digital collections, and offering creative approaches in reference services in order to reach library patrons. Reference staff in particular have been challenged to define, develop and implement new methods for reaching those who seek research assistance as traditional measures of reference service have revealed declining activities at ‘traditional’ settings, such as a ‘reference desk.’ Several new approaches that have been launched over the last several years at various institutions have included the wholesale abandonment of ‘traditional’ reference desks, combining service points into large multi-purpose service desks, introducing “roving” reference staff, providing IM and texting capabilities or mobile connectivity, and embedding librarians in academic departments and buildings, among other things, all designed to reach beyond the walls of the library to provide service to users in as many ways as possible. While many of these different strategies are being employed today, numerous academic libraries still maintain vital and active service desks, or at least a semblance of such reference outposts, that continue to provide services to users. These services more often than not include a combination of ways to interact with patrons: in person, telephone, IM, email, and text message, for example. At the University of Kansas, such daily interaction has been collected via the open source software known as LibStats since 2007 at the two largest campus libraries: Anschutz and Watson Libraries, which together contain the central collections in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. In light of continuing changes in patron information seeking behavior, and in an effort to understand more fully the patterns, modes, and disciplinary areas that can be uncovered by analysis of the data that has been collected, we propose to present a poster with the following aims: Who: To discover patterns of usage among patrons at the reference desks in Anschutz and Watson Libraries. What: To discover the kinds of research inquiries being asked at these libraries When: To discover the times when research assistance is being sought Where: To discover which locations and modes of communication (i.e., in-person, IM, etc.) are experiencing significantly greater volume than others Why: To try and help the KU Libraries organization answer increasing complex questions regarding how faculty and staff time should best be relegated within reference services

Charting Future Directions for Reference Service

At the University of Kansas Libraries, daily reference interactions have been collected since 2007 via the open source software known as LibStats at the two largest campus libraries: Anschutz and Watson Libraries. Together, these libraries contain the central collections in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. For the CULS conference, we propose to present information about the reference questions posed by users at these libraries, more specifically about the disciplines from which these questions emanate. Our proposal is based on a study done for the 2011 ACRL conference held in Philadelphia this past April. In that work, we presented information about the patterns, modes and disciplinary areas of patron interaction at these two reference desks. Reference questions were coded using a taxonomy based on subject headings used to organize databases into broad categories, in addition to corresponding to professional schools within the University. Using our earlier study as a point of departure, we will present additional information of a more detailed nature about questions asked in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Based on our research, we will discuss how this information reveals trends in queries posed by users at our reference desks. We will also consider broader implications to assist the Libraries in addressing increasing complex questions regarding how faculty and staff time should best be relegated within reference services. In addition, our aim is to reflect on our reference-related work within the context of other assessment activities currently underway at the University of Kansas. This past summer, for example, the Libraries hosted two consultants charged with examining the position of the Libraries within the wider University context. Further, the University has engaged with an outside agency to conduct a broad-ranging self-study with the goal of improving efficiencies and effectiveness of certain administrative functions, including the University Libraries. These reviews raise questions regarding levels of staffing, the nature of our work, and may determine how we approach our profession in the future at the University of Kansas

Reference Transactions at the University of Kansas Libraries: An Analysis and Evaluation of Transcripts from 2008-2011.

Purpose: At the University of Kansas Libraries (KU Libraries), daily reference interactions have been collected since 2007 via the open source software known as LibStats at the two largest campus libraries: Anschutz and Watson Libraries. Together, these libraries contain the central collections in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. We propose to present information that reveals trends about the patterns and modes of reference questions posed by users at these libraries, more specifically about the disciplines from which these questions emanate. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the transcripts (~27,0000) recorded in LibStats from a three year period (2008-2010), we reviewed a sampling of reference questions (4,200 or 15%) and tagged them by subject and discipline. The code was developed using a taxonomy based on subject headings on the KU Libraries website to organize databases into broad categories, in addition to corresponding to professional schools within the University. Usage patterns were also examined to determine the busiest times and days of the week and which patron types most frequently used reference services. Findings: Using an earlier study (presented at the A2011 ACRL Conference) as a point of departure, we will present additional information of a more detailed nature about questions asked in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Based on our research, we will present information revealing trends in queries posed by users at our reference desks. We will also consider broader implications to assist the Libraries in addressing increasingly complex questions regarding how faculty and staff time should best be relegated within reference services. Practical Implications/Value: Our aim is to reflect on reference-related work within the context of other assessment activities currently underway at the University of Kansas. The University has recently undertaken a wide-ranging strategic planning initiative which will have an impact on both administrative and academic functions, including the University Libraries. In 2011, for example, the Libraries hosted two consultants charged with examining the position of the Libraries within the wider University context. Further, the University has engaged with an outside agency to conduct a broad-ranging self-study with the goal of improving efficiencies and effectiveness of certain administrative functions, including the University Libraries. These reviews and other assessment activities will ultimately determine how we approach our profession, which includes reference and research assistance, in the future at the University of Kansas

Geographical variation in certification rates of blindness and sight impairment in England, 2008-2009

To examine and interpret the variation in the incidence of blindness and sight impairment in England by PCT, as reported by the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI). Design: Analysis of national certification data. Setting: All Primary Care Trusts, England. Participants: 23 773 CVI certifications issued from 2008 to 2009. Main Outcome measures: Crude and Age standardised rates of CVI data for blindness and sight loss by PCT. Methods: The crude and age standardised CVI rates per 100 000 were calculated with Spearman's rank correlation used to assess whether there was any evidence of association between CVI rates with Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the Programme Spend for Vision. Results: There was high-level variation, almost 11-fold (coefficient of variation 38%) in standardised CVI blindness and sight impairment annual certification rates across PCTs. The mean rate was 43.7 and the SD 16.7. We found little evidence of an association between the rate of blindness and sight impairment with either the IMD or Programme Spend on Vision. Conclusions: The wide geographical variation we found raises questions about the quality of the data and whether there is genuine unmet need for prevention of sight loss. It is a concern for public health practitioners who will be interpreting these data locally and nationally as the CVI data will form the basis of the public health indicator ‘preventable sight loss’. Poor-quality data and inadequate interpretation will only create confusion if not addressed adequately from the outset. There is an urgent need to address the shortcomings of the current data collection system and to educate all public health practitioners

Beverly Matthews

This case describes the difficult challenges facing Beverly Matthews as she returned to the workforce after taking time from paid employment in order to spend time with her two children. She desired a workplace that would give her the flexibility to excel in both the work and family domains. Beverly specifically chose the organization because of its award-winning family-friendly reputation and the positive word of mouth from a friend who worked there. Unfortunately, she has encountered a supervisor whose values conflict with the values of Beverly and the organization. Beverly is contemplating her options as the status quo has become intolerable. Readers are also presented with a teaching note as an accompaniment to the case. Numerous options guide instructors on how to enhance student learning using this case study for theory application in organizational behavior and human resource management courses

Seagrass Halophila ovalis is affected by light quality across different life history stages

Seagrass meadows provide crucial ecosystem services to the coastal zone but are threatened globally. Seagrass loss to date has mainly been attributed to anthropogenic activities that reduce light quantity (amount of photosynthetic photon flux density), such as dredging, flooding and eutrophication. However, light quality (wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum) is also altered by these anthropogenic stressors. This study addressed the effect of light quality changes on seagrasses. Aquarium-based experiments were conducted to determine whether the seagrass Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook f. responds to different light quality treatments. Separate experiments were performed in which adults, seeds or seedlings were subjected to monochromatic light treatments in the blue (peak λ %= 451 nm), green (peak λ = 522 nm), yellow (peak λ = 596 nm) and red (peak λ = 673 nm) wavelengths with a control of full-spectrum light (λ = 400 - 700 nm, at 200 µmol photons m-2 s-1). This study is unique in that it measured seagrass responses to light across several plant scales (physiology, productivity, morphology and biomass) as well as across life-history stages (seeds, seedlings, adults and flowering). Adult plants responded differently to seeds and seedlings but were generally consistent with terrestrial angiosperms: blue light decreased below-ground productivity; green light influenced morphology (through increased rhizome internode length); red light enhanced seed germination and survival. The findings indicate that both natural and human-induced changes in light quality could significantly affect seagrass growth and reproduction. As a range of anthropogenic activities are currently contributing to the global losses of seagrasses, this research provides timely information on how light quality influences different seagrass life history stages

Increased Risk of Cervical Dysplasia in Long-Term Survivors of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation—Implications for Screening and HPV Vaccination

AbstractAs more women survive allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), the development of genital human papilloma virus (HPV)-related squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) warrants study. Thirty-five of 38 females followed prospectively long-term after SCT for hematological malignancies (median: 7 years posttransplant) were adults and had cervical cytology testing. Acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) occurred in 9 and chronic (cGVHD) in 34 patients. Six (17%) continued receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy (IST) for cGVHD >3 years after SCT. Of 15 (43%) with abnormal cytology, 12 (34%) patients had HPV-related SIL (median time to SIL 51 months, range: 22-108) including high-grade SIL in 7 (20%). Patients requiring continued IST had the highest risk (odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-16.4; P = .019). This high incidence of SIL in long-term SCT survivors underscores the importance of gynecologic assessment after transplantation, especially in those requiring IST. This may portend an increased risk of genital or other HPV-related malignancies