Re-visioning a Library Liaison Program in Light of External Forces and Internal Pressures

Liaison librarian roles have existed for many years within the academic environment. Initially taking the form of reference, instruction, and collection development – often with subject specialization – the activities of liaisons have adapted and evolved in response to changing library user needs. In response to such changing needs and internal pressures, the Health Sciences Library at McMaster University is in the process of re-visioning its liaison program. The result is a set of proposed models informed by the literature and institutional context which contributed to the selection of a new direction for liaisons. Key steps reported in this article include a review of the literature, rationale and context, a librarian survey, and final decision.     

Getting Our Foot (Back) in the Door: Reestablishing a Freshman Instruction Program

SUMMARY

In 1999, librarians at the University of Alabama (UA) developed a program to reintroduce library instruction into the English Department's mandatory Freshman Composition Program. This article discusses the development, execution, outcome, and assessment of the program and includes tips for developing a similar program. Through negotiation and open discussion with the Director of Freshman English, the library successfully convinced the Director to allow a program of instruction back into the English 101 program. Library instruction sessions were paired with one of the essays/assignments common to all English 101 classes. A survey conducted to assess the library's efforts concluded that the instruction had a positive effect on students' understanding of library resources.     

Difficult Library Patrons in Academe

Summary

Difficult patrons have been considered primarily from the perspective of the problem behaviours they present in libraries. Many have attempted to define the problem patron and to provide advice and develop guidelines for frontline public service staff. To understand the difficult patron in academic libraries we need to answer three questions-How well do we know our patrons? Do we unwittingly create difficult patrons through our failure to appreciate their needs? Do we regard patrons as difficult because the way they use libraries and conduct their information research does not match our idea of how it should be done? The answers to these questions suggest that we need to reconceptualize both our patrons and the services we provide. Library staff need to see difficult patrons not as problems but as challenges to the service ideas and standards we hold. A paradigm shift is necessary if we are to reconstruct our beliefs about our patrons, their information seeking behaviours, and the services we provide to meet their needs. Some strategies for developing the skills of library staff to work effectively with difficult patrons are presented.     

美国高校图书馆的本科生研究支持服务

文章调查美国高校馆开展的本科生研究支持服务,服务内容包括:研究咨询,提供研究用空间,为本科生讲授课程,设立图书馆研究奖,设立图书馆研究员计划,协助本科生发表、保存与展示研究成果,提供研究指导信息;归纳美国高校图书馆本科生研究支持服务的经验。对我国高校图书馆的启示包括:开展本科生研究支持服务研究,为本科生提供研究空间支持,选拔学生同伴为本科生提供研究支持服务,成立图书馆员导师团队,设立本科生研究奖项,等等。     

Student Responses to Using a Computerized Database

Summary

An overwhelming majority (94%) of surveyed students rely on assistance from librarians (80%), professors (9%), and friends (5%) when using ERIC-on-CDROM, even when they are not first-time users. Almost three-quarters of the students report that ERIC-on-CDROM improves research quality (74%) and learning (70%) and evokes feelings of motivation and accomplishment (72%). All students indicate that they will return to use ERIC-on-CDROM but only 39% feel capable of transferring their skills to similar databases. Responses indicate that ERIC-on-CDROM contributes to highly individualized learning situations in which students successfully find information through assistance from both humans and computers.     

Providing Circulation Services in a Temporary Location

Abstract

This article presents the experience of Circulation Services at Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, during a 31-month relocation to temporary facilities while the building was undergoing renovation. The move to temporary locations presented new challenges and required unique solutions. Issues such as the rationale for the move to the temporary facilities, the organization of the temporary branches, the delivery service, preservation and security, staffing issues, and the role of student workers are discussed. The article recommends extensive planning prior to a move to temporary facilities, as well as the adoption of a flexible approach during the duration of the stay in the locations.     

Using Electronic Course Reserves to Promote Information Literacy of First-Year Students in a University Writing Program

Abstract

The University of Florida is a large research institution with a freshman class of more than seven thousand students out of a total enrollment of about fifty thousand.Although a partnership with the University Writing Program has allowed the Libraries to reach almost four thousand students this past academic year, certain barriers still exist. There are just too many students to reach and the content is too vast to cover in only a single fifty-minute class period.Furthermore, problems encountered while working with students, as well as with their graduate writing instructors who run the classes, have reduced the effectiveness of the current library sessions.To solve these problems, our instruction team created targeted information literacy activities online, so writing instructors could have students complete them outside of class. This article covers some of the challenges in coordinating a first-year information literacyprogram in a large university setting and how electronic course reserves can be used creatively to deliver the desired content.     

高校图书馆学术类刊物助力科研支持服务探究——以北京大学图书馆《未名学术快报》为例

《未名学术快报》是北京大学图书馆创办的第一个面向科研的常规性信息产品,是其科研支持服务体系中的重要组成部分,也是高校图书馆创办学术类刊物的积极尝试。《快报》立足科研支持、突出学术性;关注人文社会科学学科发展,多维度展现北大科研成果和学科发展等,都是对高校图书馆创办学术类刊物的重要启示。     

A Case Study in the Evolution of Digital Services for Science and Engineering Libraries

ABSTRACT

Building on experiences from earlier digital initiatives and partnerships, the University of Virginia has developed new services and forged new collaborations between traditional information technology and library units in support of changing approaches to science and engineering research and education. Over the past 4 years, the library has evolved through numerous service models, changes in institutional vision, and budgetary shortfalls and has emerged with a new understanding of where to invest resources and energy for coming challenges.