Reference,Mental Models and Teaching Technology

Summary

It would be easy to say that technology is complicating things for reference, but things are more complicated than that. Technology should be a system for solving problems, but for many people, both librarians and users, it is the problem. But in some ways it hides an even older problem-understanding things from the user's point-of-view. Contemporary cognitive and educational theories note that we are not paying enough attention to the user/learner, that we do not understand the mental models of those who use libraries, library systems and reference. As more technology is used and complicates systems for users, we should focus more on what users bring to the reference/learning interaction.     

Mountains,Valleys, and Pathways: Serials Users' Needs and Steps to Meet Them

ABSTRACT

An overview of the preliminary analysis of focus group and semi-structured interviews identifies how and why college and university information seekers meet their information needs. In the age of immediate gratification, in certain situations users may settle for information that is quickly and easily available instead of library sources that are considered more authoritative and trustworthy. Meeting user needs in the library environment requires updating library catalogs to implement discovery and recommender services that provide the associations and links that are available to users in other Web-based environments and that meet these users' expectations of online systems and sources.     

Using Visualization to Understand Phrase Structure

Abstract

From a concern with helping users deal with information overload, we are developing suitable visual metaphors for representing the dispersion of information and developing tools for supporting the ability of users to interact with these metaphorical displays and to navigate the information landscapes that they represent. WordView, our initial application within the OverView project, was designed to be an easy-to-use tool to study naturally occurring phrases and to support the future design of intelligent text input systems. It embodies an easy to understand graphic summary and a user-controllable inspection facility.     

Technological Tools for Library User Education

Abstract

In today's world, library users are confronted with almost too many options for using information because of the ubiquitousness of technology. Yet, libraries can harness the power of the same technologies to help users find the information they need at the time it is needed. The tools described in this article represent a starting point for librarians looking for technologies that are easy to use, inexpensive, and have a reasonable learning curve. Technologies addressed include classroom technologies such as audience response systems and Web-based technologies, including Web tutorials and screencasting. These technologies enhance and offer flexibility and variety in many educational settings.     

Measuring Law Library Catalog Web Site Usability: A Web Analytic Approach

ABSTRACT

Although there is a proliferation of information available on the Web, and law professors, students, and other users have a variety of channels to locate information and complete their research activities, the law library catalog still remains an important source for offering users access to information that has been evaluated and cataloged by experts. The usability of the catalog needs to be effectively measured before any necessary improvements can be made. This study was undertaken to investigate the information retrieval patterns of users of the Rutgers Law Library Online Public Access Catalog and to develop the catalog into a more effective search tool for these users. This study used an experimental approach to measure the usability of our catalog by analyzing the transaction logs from the OPAC system and the results from Google Analytics. The findings provided not only important information on user demographics and their computer systems, but also more insight on the search behaviors of users. The specific findings included the following:

1. As a Web-analytic tool Google Analytics provided extensive information on the OPAC and the navigational behaviors of users.

2. Fifty-eight percent of our users visited the Web site regularly.

3. The most popular search method, which was employed by 37% of our users, was by title.

4. Most patrons used computer systems with a high resolution and color depth monitor and visited the catalog Web site with a high-speed Internet connection.

5. Suggestions were made by the authors to improve the users’ search experience of the catalog Web site.

This study is significant to libraries with Web catalogs because it demonstrates the potential value of using Google Analytics as a Web analytics tool in combination with the OPAC transaction logs to measure catalog usability.     

An Historical Look at the Studies on the Subject Authority File in Turkey

Abstract

Libraries are bridges between information and the library user in the context of information retrieval. Library users want to access information resources according to their topic. Therefore, it is important to create subject entries in bibliographic records. If subject added entries and their redirects are done correctly, it will make it easier for users to access the information they are looking for. In this article the collaborative studies and projects made in Turkey are being discussed.     

Information as a Tool for Development

Abstract

Argument surrounds the concept that information can only be a tool for development if it is useful for the intended users. A short discussion on information value is presented with a brief summary of the main findings of users’ studies and collections evaluations. These are considered as the basic requirement for the establishment of services/products useful for the target users. A case study describing the implementation of networks of information in Brazil is used to support the argument.     

The Information Explosion: Continuing Implications for Reference Services to Adult Learners in Academia

Summary

The reference environment is being transformed by constant changes in computer technologies and communications, as collections and information in general become increasingly accessible electronically. Academic library users now have access to seemingly unlimited information. The explosion of information choices has implications for reference services to all users, particularly adult learners —those students older than the typical undergraduate —who are becoming a large presence on university and college campuses. This paper will explore these implications, stress the need for information literacy, and challenge academic reference librarians to assert themselves in the information arena.     

Social Media Marketing: Determining and Comparing View of Public Library Directors and Users

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The present study aims to determine and compare the views of directors and users of public libraries on the use of social media for the marketing of library services.

Methodology: Data collection was done through two researcher-made questionnaires, one from the viewpoints of directors and one investigating the views of users. The questionnaires’ validity was done by four libraries and Information Science professionals, and the reliability was determined by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The statistical population of this research is made up of all directors and users of 12 public libraries of the city of Isfahan, one of the largest cities in Iran.

Findings: In users’ viewpoints, the “interaction capability” is the most important feature that social media marketing can have in libraries. From the viewpoints of the directors, “creating a true picture of the role of the library” and “informing users about library services” are among the most important reasons for the marketing of libraries in the social media. From the perspective of both groups, the Telegram is the most appropriate medium for the marketing of library services.

Results: To maintain their customers and their market position, libraries need to use more exciting tools such as social media for marketing. Library directors of this study emphasized on this fact and 79.1% of users expressed interest in receiving library information through social media.

Value: The findings of this study would help the library directors to better decide on the marketing of their library services in social media.

Type of the study: Scientific-Research     

Internet Engineering Reference-An Academic Strategy

Summary

The McKinney Engineering Library has always been an activist library-we play to win and winning means providing users with high quality help whenever and wherever they need it. This paper describes a multi level strategy for reaching out to engineering users wherever they are. This strategy includes the creation of several kinds of web based tools including: a full online tutorial aimed at new graduate students, specialized exploratory tutorials aimed at users who need only a quick introduction in how to use a specific tool, and topic guides on cross disciplinary design topics. An integrated part of our strategy is an aggressive marketing plan geared toward reminding our users that the Engineering Library and its website are THE places to find information and help. We have changed our thinking-the web makes the library remote from its users, not the Otherway around.     

Promise,Perils, and Planning

Summary

The promising future of new and better information services supported by the use of information technologies is well documented. Many journal articles describe successful experiences with better reference and instructional services, new services to new kinds of students who are engaged in distant independent learning or other non-traditional education, and better communication with library users. However, there are many perils on the way to delivering such improvements with the use of new finding tools, new software, new printing systems, and new telecommunication networks. An administrative overview of the sorts of planning which can smooth the implementation of information technology-based reference and instructional services outlines options for staffing, troubleshooting, fund raising, and budget development. Planning takes time and effort, collaboration and creativity. With appropriate emphasis on planning, the promise of implementing improvements in quality of services through information technologies can and should become a reality.     

Winners and Losers in the Global Research Village

Summary

I describe a set of automated archives for electronic communication of research information that have been operational in many fields of physics, and some related and unrelated disciplines, starting from 1991. These archives now serve over 35,000 users worldwide from over 70 countries, and process more than 70,000 electronic transactions per day. In some fields of physics, they have already supplanted traditional research journals as conveyers of both topical and archival research information. Many of the lessons learned from these systems should carry over to other fields of scholarly publication, i.e., those wherein authors are writing not for direct financial remuneration in the form of royalties, but rather primarily to communicate information (for the advancement of knowledge, with attendant benefits to their careers and professional reputations). These archives have in addition proven equally indispensable to researchers in less-developed countries.     

Modern State of the System of Information Provision of Agriculture in the Republic of Belarus

ABSTRACT

Formed in the former USSR, the system of scientific and technical information on agriculture and adjacent branches ceased to fulfil the tasks that had been set to it. Belarus Agricultural Library (BelAL) started the realization of the project of the existing system reformation. As a result of BelAL efforts nearly 80% of agricultural libraries are automated; Belarusian users got access to the international AGRIS, AGRICOLA, AGROS, CAB Abstracts, CARIS, FAOSTAT and other databases. BelAL users got the opportunity to order any document from any country of the world by international interlibrary loan within the frames of AGLINET. Belarusian information was included into international information systems AGRIS, AGRICOLA, AGROS, CABI and others. BelAL electronic catalogue and reference information presenting data on agricultural management, science, education and non-governmental organizations became accessible via the Internet. In spite of economic crisis, the process of reformation of the scientific and technical system of Belarusian agriculture still continues.     

What's Next

Abstract

What online features would users like to have in the next phase of access to electronic information? What other content, besides journals, do users want to access online? This workshop discussed features such as profiling, threading, and advanced search capabilities that will enhance online access for users.     

Researching Oregon Initiatives and Referendums

SUMMARY

Oregon voters are heavy users of the initiative and referendum, and they were pioneers of this form of democracy. This means that there is a good deal of information to be found about past initiatives and referendums, and the government of the State of Oregon and local civic groups have responded by making much of this information available online. This article outlines the sources for finding information on initiatives and referendums in Oregon.     

Collaborative Leadership

Abstract

In 1991, Joseph C. Rost published Leadership for the 21st Century (Praeger) in which he presented a definition of leadership that focused on the influence relationship among leaders and followers rather than on the traits of the leader or the functions of leadership. Rost's model is useful for academic reference leaders who usually head a group of professionals who are involved in a variety of responsibilities that require them to be leaders. This article applies Rost's theories to academic reference leadership and explores a model that will provide for better job satisfaction for librarians and improved services to library users.     

An Unexpected Discovery: One Library's Experience With Web-Scale Discovery Service (WSDS) Evaluation and Assessment

ABSTRACT

“Discovery” is today's term for user-centered information searching and access. A growing number of libraries have embraced Web-scale discovery services (WSDS) featuring one-stop searching of libraries’ owned and licensed collections. Recognizing potential benefits to users of these systems, a mid-sized ARL library formed a discovery-tool committee in spring 2012 to explore selection of a WSDS in keeping with its values, vision, and institutional mission. This article explores “discovery” as it assesses WSDS performance and reports results obtained from a request to WSDS vendors to showcase the search power of their system with actual reference questions.     

Using RSS Feeds to Alert Users to Electronic Resources

SUMMARY

RSS technology is growing in popularity among libraries as a way to distribute, or syndicate, information about new electronic resources and Web content to users. “Really Simple Syndication” is an effective communication tool for libraries because it supplies the user with to up-to-date links and announcements on the library Web site after only one initial setup function. RSS does not require the user to make frequent visits to the library Web site for updated information; rather, it gathers content from any Web sites designated by the user, and delivers news to the users in an aggregated format. The benefits of RSS are that the software to setup the service is often free for downloading and many users are already familiar with the application. The “orange button” now present on so many commercial Web sites ranging from news sites to blogs is gaining a presence on library Web sites.