Instant Messaging, a Synchronous Virtual Reference Tool The Mirrors Higher Education\u27s Mission and Students\u27 Needs: How Grounded Theory Placed the Library in the Middle of the Mix

Most academic libraries provide instant messaging services to their users. For this research project, the authors wanted to discover what occurs during synchronous virtual reference interviews at Iowa State University library. In order to asses the totality of synchronous virtual reference service, the researchers implemented a qualitative, holistic approach that generates a theory about what happens during these interviews. Grounded theory formed the philosophical framework for this qualitative assessment. Classical grounded theory minimizes preconceptions, does not start with a research problem, and does not recommend a literature review before starting a project. Additionally, synchronous learning is a topic of interest in educational research. Analyzing the primary documents, in this case the IM transcripts, involved coding the text. The patterns that developed from these codes became axial or code families. From the code families emerged networks. Three networks emerged: titled teaching and learning; community awareness; and service quality. This assessment illustrated that reference services provided essential community mapping and teaching and learning opportunities for users. This research defined community mapping as the service librarians provide during the synchronous virtual reference transaction that point users to a place, a service point, or virtual marker either within or without the library. This service builds users awareness of their surrounding community. Synchronous virtual reference increases users’ ability to access and assess research materials, and builds users knowledge of their campus community. Synchronous virtual reference illustrates the library central role in supporting the teaching and learning experiences of users and in complementing the mission of research institutions

Library Assessment Trends Report, 2010–2011

The field of library assessment continues to grow. The annual Library Assessment Trends Report provides a brief synopsis of the more important trends in library assessment. It is hoped these brief reports will facilitate the Dean of the Library’s understanding of assessment trends. These reports provide information that supports data driven decisions. Additionally, the reports are an outreach method that supports a greater institutional understanding of library assessment. Library assessment supports strategic planning, improved processes, and a greater understanding of our users’ needs

The Role of Synchronous Virtual Reference in Teaching and Learning: A Grounded Theory Analysis of Instant Messaging Transcripts

Electronic communication technologies continue to change the landscape of reference services. For many users, virtual communication is the preferred means of conversing. Synchronous virtual reference, similar to other synchronous means of communication, is an important method for reaching students and for providing teaching and learning opportunities. Grounded Theory (GT) research provides a method for examining the transcripts of synchronous virtual reference. In this study, the library implemented the instant messaging (IM) application known as Meebo. Using the qualitative software ATLAS.ti, Iowa State University Library researchers uploaded, analyzed, and coded the instant messaging transcripts. From the analysis, a snapshot developed of the library’s central role in educating the university community about research resources. This paper describes ongoing challenges that occur during synchronous virtual reference interviews and staff training needs that cannot be captured by number crunching alone. Synchronous virtual reference can provide essential teaching and learning experiences that complement the educational mission of most research universities

Standardizing the Assessment Cycle: The Development of an Assessment Rubric for Effective Project Planning and Data Reporting

This is a preprint of a paper submitted for publication in the proceedings of the 2011 9th Northumbria International Conference on Performance Measurement in Libraries and Information Science. </h1

Instruction Assessment Task Force Report

The Instruction Assessment Task Force was formed in May 2011, and charged to develop a standardized set of questions and standard scale to be used for all Instructional Sessions (IS), including primarily course-related instruction (CRI) sessions, workshops, and seminars. The Task Force was also charged with recommending a model for centralized IS assessment procedures, including collection (electronic and in print), analysis, retention, and reporting. The Task Force was also asked to recommend a model for data use for teaching improvement and annual professional development, and to consider privacy of data issues. The following is the Task Force’s Report on these respective issues

Instant Messaging, a Synchronous Virtual Reference Tool The Mirrors Higher Education's Mission and Students' Needs: How Grounded Theory Placed the Library in the Middle of the Mix

Most academic libraries provide instant messaging services to their users. For this research project, the authors wanted to discover what occurs during synchronous virtual reference interviews at Iowa State University library. In order to asses the totality of synchronous virtual reference service, the researchers implemented a qualitative, holistic approach that generates a theory about what happens during these interviews. Grounded theory formed the philosophical framework for this qualitative assessment. Classical grounded theory minimizes preconceptions, does not start with a research problem, and does not recommend a literature review before starting a project. Additionally, synchronous learning is a topic of interest in educational research. Analyzing the primary documents, in this case the IM transcripts, involved coding the text. The patterns that developed from these codes became axial or code families. From the code families emerged networks. Three networks emerged: titled teaching and learning; community awareness; and service quality. This assessment illustrated that reference services provided essential community mapping and teaching and learning opportunities for users. This research defined community mapping as the service librarians provide during the synchronous virtual reference transaction that point users to a place, a service point, or virtual marker either within or without the library. This service builds users awareness of their surrounding community. Synchronous virtual reference increases users’ ability to access and assess research materials, and builds users knowledge of their campus community. Synchronous virtual reference illustrates the library central role in supporting the teaching and learning experiences of users and in complementing the mission of research institutions.Published in Proceedings of the 2010 Library Assessment Conference: Building Effective, Sustainable, Practical Assessment, October 24–27, 2010, Baltimore, MD, by the Association of Research Libraries.</p

2012 International Students Survey Report

Results of 2012 library survey of international students at Iowa State University