Anne Marie Casey

Research Readiness Self-Assessment: Assessing Students' Research Skills and Attitudes

Abstract Librarians and learning researchers at Central Michigan University collaboratively developed an online tool that assesses how student research attitudes and perceptions correlate to their actual research skills in order to educate them about state-of-the-art library resources and prepare them to write high-quality research papers. This article describes the reasons for developing the assessment as well as the design process and technical characteristics.

How Does a Pre-Assessment of Off-Campus Students’ Information Literacy Affect the Effectiveness of Library Instruction?

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact that pre-tests have on the effectiveness of library instruction when students are given feedback on their pre-test performance. Librarians and academic faculty partnered to measure library instruction outcomes in two Masters degree classes. The Research Readiness Self-Assessment (RRSA) was used as a pre-test (before instruction) and a post-test (after instruction) in Class 1 and as a post-test only in Class 2. Students who completed both tests performed significantly better on a post-test, earning higher scores on obtaining information and overall information literacy. They reported greater library/research experience and less reliance on browsing. Compared to students who did not take a pre-test, students who received pre-test-based feedback had higher scores on library/research experience and lower scores on reliance on browsing. To enhance the effectiveness of library instruction, students can be given pre-test-based feedback that compares their actual and perceived literacy and encourages the use of library databases.

Do Off-Campus Students Use E-Books?

ABSTRACT The number of electronic books (e-books) that are available is increasing rapidly. Libraries are acquiring them individually, in large groups, and as part of collections. Off-campus librarians perceive them to be the best solution to the problems and expenses related to loaning and shipping print books to off-campus students. This study looks at the usage of e-books by off-campus students at Central Michigan University (CMU) to see if usage patterns can assist librarians with e-book collection development to support off-campus programs.

Project Management and Institutional Collaboration in Libraries

Abstract As most libraries in the United States struggle with declining financial support, combined with the ever-increasing need to incorporate new technology into services and the profusion of resources that are available, inter-institutional cooperation is becoming more common. Planning and implementing new projects in libraries is better carried out if the project is formally managed from the beginning to ensure an orderly and efficient completion to the project. Two institutions have developed new services that they sought to expand to other institutions. Though neither project set out to use project-management techniques, the development of the new services illustrates their practical use.

A Historical Overview of Internet Reference Services for Distance Learners

SUMMARY The advent of library services and collections on the Internet revolutionized reference services to students enrolled in distance learning programs. Prior to the Internet, reference librarians who supported distance learning programs had few methods, and many of them costly, to provide the equivalent library services advocated by the ACRL Guidelines. Through the Internet, these librarians were able to approximate the services and resources that had always been available to students who came into the library. This article describes the development of reference services on the Internet in a variety of libraries that support distance learners.

Distance Learning Librarians: Their Shared Vision

Shared vision is a component of leadership that fosters innovation through buy-in at all levels of the organization. At times, people see a need for innovation but do not have the power to make changes on their own. Many librarians in academic institutions that were early adopters of distance learning envisioned a need for new services that were tailored to off-campus students. This study examines shared vision among librarians through a content analysis of planning documents from early distance learning library programs. It offers a shared vision model relevant to the study and application of leadership.

Collection Development for Distance Learning

Summary Discusses collection development for distance learning in both the print and electronic era. Focuses on several advances in electronic access that have impacted collection development in recent years.

9th Off-Campus Library Services Conference Proceedings: Introduction

The Proceedings of the 9th Off-Campus Library Services Conference were compiled and edited by P. Steven Thomas, formerly an Off-Campus Librarian at Central Michigan University. The 9th Conference Proceedings includes papers that cover topics such as the administration of off-campus library programs, bibliographic instruction and information literacy, cooperation and partnering, professional issues and research, programs outside of the U.S., technology based services and virtual applications. The 9th Off-Campus Library Services Conference, held in Portland, OR from April 26-28, 2000 was the latest in a series of conferences that have successfully provided a forum for the sharing of ideas on current topics of interest in the field of off-campus or distance learning librarianship. Previous conferences were held in Providence (1998), San Diego (1995), Kansas City (1993), Albuquerque (1991), Charleston (1988), Reno (1986), Knoxville (1985), and St. Louis (1982). The next conference is planned for April 2002. The Off-Campus Library Services Conferences are sponsored by the Central Michigan University Libraries and CMU’s College of Extended Learning. International in scope and participation, the conferences have attracted academic, corporate, medical and military librarians from the United States, Canada, the West Indies, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand as well as college and university faculty, administrators and government officials. All attendees