Reference Librarians Speak for Users: A Learning Commons Concept That Meets the Needs of a Diverse Student Body

ABSTRACT

This article describes creating a learning commons at a main campus library.     

美国高校图书馆学术共享空间的规划与构建

在界定学术共享空间的概念和回顾研究现状的基础上,选取scholarly commons、academiccommons、research commons等三种美国高校图书馆学术共享空间的主要类型作为分析样本,通过采取内容分析法和归纳法,从促使高校图书馆建立学术共享空间的因素、服务对象、服务设施与设备、服务项目以及人力资源等方面进行分析,揭示美国高校图书馆学术共享空间的基本情况和实践经验,并对我国高校图书馆学术共享空间的规划和构建提出对策建议。     

Telephone Calls Received at an Academic Library's Reference Desk: A New Analysis

ABSTRACT

It has been established that much of the assistance provided to library patrons at reference desks does not require the knowledge and expertise of a professional librarian. Is the same thing true of the telephone calls received at reference desks in academic libraries? This article reports the results of one academic librarian's reference desk transaction log analysis which focuses on the categories of assistance provided to patrons who called the library's reference desk.     

The Information and Learning Commons: Some Reflections

The Information and Learning Commons mode of library organization has become more prevalent over the past few decades and allows academic libraries to provide wider-ranging and more cohesive services to their constituents. Several issues, including relying upon a single, mythical “Patron” in planning for services; poor organization; a lack of cohesion and centralized leadership; and the “digital divide” may hinder the effectiveness of the Commons and negatively impact both patrons and staff. If these problems can be surmounted, this model shows great promise for both current and future application in academic libraries.     

IC and e-SCI: Postcards from the Egg

This article examines two current issues from the perspective of a librarian in a Russell Group university: the increasing importance attached to the development of teaching and learning in a research-led university, particularly the “integrated learning environment” and developments in e-research and management of the resulting “data deluge.” The role of the librarian and the need for collaboration and coordination are stressed.     

基于信息共享空间的大学信息素养教育

以大学图书馆信息共享空间与大学信息素养教育关系为基础,分析大学图书馆信息共享空间服务与信息素养教育目标、内容的一致性,认为大学图书馆信息共享空间的构建不仅为大学信息素养教育提供最佳场所,而且实现了信息素养教育与大学生学习、研究的融合,大学图书馆信息共享空间已成为大学图书馆公共服务的一个有效模型和未来大学信息素养教育的主要实践基地。     

Impacts of an Information Commons on an Academic Library's Service Points

Abstract

The impacts of technology upon traditional library resources are sometimes unexpected. The library at California's University of the Pacific discovered that usage of print materials was dwindling, even though the addition of a 50-station “Information Commons” had bolstered overall library use. At first it was anticipated that the circulation desk might, within several years, be downsized into a mere information kiosk. Nevertheless, a study of the two service points-the Information Commons and the Circulation Desk-concluded that patrons still seek library services with a personal touch and continue to demand print materials. A “user satisfaction” survey revealed no mandate from users for the abandonment of print materials. As in the past, the services of the circulation desk have adapted to fit its users.     

Barron's Online (barrons.com)

ABSTRACT

In this article Jenkins and Beall, librarians at Auburn University, have identified free Web sites for providing answers to business reference questions most frequently asked in academic libraries. The authors determined these questions by polling other business librarians, researching the topic on the Internet and in business literature, and drawing upon their business reference backgrounds. Web sites were selected by searching the Internet extensively, querying other business librarians and business faculty, combing numerous business academic library Web pages, and experience by the authors in answering business reference questions via the Web. The researchers sought answers and noted productive sites for each question. Jenkins and Beall expect this article will help other librarians determine the most useful Internet sites for answering business reference questions. They also hope this research will provide guidelines for librarians in developing solid lists of essential Web sites for business researchers.     

REVIEWS

No abstract available for this article.     

A Study of the Variables Influencing Academic Library Staff's Attitudes Toward Marketing

This article aims to present an insight into some of the factors influencing the attitudes of academic library staff in three UK university libraries toward marketing and how these factors could be incorporated into an existing model. An online questionnaire about attitudes to marketing and personality was completed by 54 academic library staff from three UK universities. Four academic library management staff were also selected for in-depth interviews. The results indicated that academic library staff have a positive attitude toward marketing and feel that it is vital in the current environment. The research found that personality factors such as extroversion and openness to change, experience and training influenced marketing attitudes. It also revealed that academic library staff were unclear of the definition of marketing, leading to a possible misunderstanding and mistrust of the terminology. The research discovered a gap in marketing knowledge and understanding that must be addressed for marketing success to be achieved. The findings supported the definition of marketing for individual academic libraries as a prerequisite to strategic marketing planning and the importance of considering the attitudes of staff when implementing marketing strategy.     

中国科学院国家科学图书馆阵地服务的转型探索

在数字化网络化冲击下,基于图书馆物理空间的服务受到大范围压制,出现明显的“空化”现象。中国科学院国家科学图书馆的阵地服务转型,经历了信息共享空间、学习共享空间、研究共享空间的发展过程。阵地服务转型主要凸显了图书馆服务功能的转变和转化。在分析图书馆阵地服务转型挑战、转型历程的基础上,总结分析中国科学院国家科学图书馆的阵地服务转型的实践探索,阐述其开展科技创新与创业信息服务平台建设的思路和做法。