Claudene Sproles

Trends in the literature on library instruction and information literacy, 2001‐2010

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the literature on information literacy and library instruction from 2001‐2010 published in the annual, comprehensive topical bibliography published in Reference Services Review.Design/methodology/approach – The authors examined 3,527 articles contained in the annual bibliography from 2001‐2010 and identified 2,052 which appeared in peer‐reviewed journals. Using the 2,052 articles identified as peer reviewed, the authors then determined the location of the primary author, the journal that published the article, whether the journal was from the discipline of library science, what type of research the article contained, and the key themes present.Findings – The number of articles in peer‐reviewed journals has grown substantially over the ten‐year period. Most articles (70 percent) were published by authors residing in the USA, but articles from Asia and Africa are now being seen on a more consistent basis. Reference Services Review has published the most arti...

Reference in transition: a case study in reference collection development

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to describe the ongoing process of weeding, streamlining, and transforming a very large, print‐based reference collection at the University of Louisvilles William F. Ekstrom Library, focusing in particular on the various issues involved in developing a more timely, focused, and electronic‐oriented collection.Design/methodology/approach – Over the years, the Ekstrom Library reference collection evolved into a large, neglected, print‐based collection that ignored current space needs and user preferences for digital sources. To address this, the reference department developed a new, cooperative approach to reference collection development and weeding to improve the user experience and address serious space issues.Findings – To achieve a more usable reference collection, the reference department needed to rethink the philosophy behind the collection and completely rewrite the collection development policy. These changes have facilitated the creation of a smaller, more...

Library instruction and information literacy 2011

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.Design/methodology/approach – The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.Findings – Information is provided about each source, and the paper discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.Originality/value – The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Library instruction and information literacy 2010

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.Design/methodology/approach – The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.Findings – Information about each source is provided. The paper discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.Originality/value – The information in the paper may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Library instruction and information literacy 2009

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.Design/methodology/approach – The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.Findings – The paper provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.Originality/value – The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Library instruction and information literacy, 2008

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.Design/methodology/approach – The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.Findings – The findings provide information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.Originality/value – The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Library instruction and information literacy 2013

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy. Design/methodology/approach – Introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2013. Findings – Provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions. Originality/value – The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Library instruction and information literacy 2012

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy. Design/methodology/approach – Introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy. Findings – Provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions. Originality/value – The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Dismantling the Reference Collection

In 2008, the University of Louisville’s (UofL) Ekstrom Library printed reference collection numbered almost 30,000 volumes. Copious collecting and sparse weeding built up the collection during the era before the Internet. There had been considerable reluctance to address its more outdated sections due to competing priorities and inertia. A change of leadership as well as the recognition of changing use patterns had lessened the need for such a large collection. In 2011, three librarians began a title-by-title review process that resulted in an 86% reduction of the reference collection by 2014. This article describes that process, summarizes the results, and discusses the benefits and disadvantages of this approach.

Using depository exchange lists as collection development tools

Purpose – This paper seeks to highlight the benefits of using depository exchange lists as collection development tools.Design/methodology/approach – The authors provide a general overview of depository collection development and analyze exchange list activity at the national and local level.Findings – Although exchange lists are widely available electronically, only a small portion of depository libraries actually use them as found in the analysis of exchange list activity at the national level. Many unique and out of print documents are regularly being offered on the lists.Originality/value – This paper provides information on an area of government documents and collection development librarianship that is not widely covered in the literature. It highlights the use of exchange lists as a way to increase collections at a relatively low cost.