Heather Lea Moulaison

Skimming comprehension in two online document presentation environments

Purpose – Readability applications are the software products designed to make online text more readable. Using information foraging theory as a framework, the purpose of this paper is to study the extent, if at all, using a readability application improves skimming comprehension in a low-clutter online environment. It also seeks to identify the perceived benefits or effects of using a readability application for skimming comprehension. Design/methodology/approach – Ten participants skimmed two articles each, one in a low-clutter online document presentation environment, the other using an online readability application, as a timed, information foraging exercise. After reading each article, respondents answered true/false comprehension questions and follow up questions. Findings – There was little difference in the comprehension of respondents after skimming in the two online documentation presentation environments. The readability environment was the preferred environment. Practical implications – This st...

Social Tagging in the Web 2.0 Environment: Author vs. User Tagging

ABSTRACT Social tagging increasingly attracts the attention of information scientists. Much research has focused on large-scale assessment of tag sets in systems. The reasons for tagging remain uncertain. To date, the library and information science (LIS) field has not explicitly explored the differences between author-supplied metadata (endo-tagging) and user-supplied metadata (exo-tagging). This article reviews a number of studies on social tagging and recommends further user-centered research into motivation; proposed research could be carried out in conjunction with studies focusing on the different reasons for endo- and exo-tagging.

E-publishing in libraries: the [Digital] preservation imperative

Purpose – This paper aims to, through an analysis of the current literature, explore the current state of the library e-publishing community and its approach to preservation. Libraries are increasingly proposing publishing services as part of their work with their communities, and recently, there has been a pronounced interest in providing electronic publishing (e-publishing) services. The library e-publishing community, however, has not systematically studied the need for the long-term preservation of the digital content they help create. Design/methodology/approach – Through a reflective analysis of the literature, this paper explores the context and the evolution of e-publishing as a trend that aligns with public library missions; in doing so, it also explores implications for digital preservation in the context of these new services and identifies gaps in the literature. Findings – Digital preservation is an important and worthwhile activity for library e-publishers; preservation of community-based au...

A New Cataloging Curriculum in a Time of Innovation: Exploring a Modular Approach to Online Delivery

Cataloging librarianship has a tradition of innovation. Currently, professional and instructional innovations must be considered in a new Cataloging curriculum. Using as a framework Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation, this reflective study explores one solution being considered at the University of Missouri while revising the Cataloging curriculum. A balance between theory and practice is suggested through the establishment of a set of core theoretical topics to be covered in the first part of the Cataloging class; Web-based modular elements to be covered in the second part will focus on cataloging practice in specific kinds of libraries.

Exploring access in the developing world: people, libraries and information technology in Morocco

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the information technology environment in a developing country, Morocco, through a discussion of the people, their information environment, and libraries. Concepts of modern library and information studies (LIS) education and the new role of the library professional in this context are also to be explored.Design/methodology/approach – Largely based on a review of literature on the people, their information environment, and technology in Morocco, this paper incorporates both synthesis and discussion from an LIS point‐of‐view.Findings – Basic elements of the culture make library work difficult in Morocco. In reflecting on other cultures and participating in the international LIS dialogue, librarians can develop new perspectives on difficulties they experience at their home institutions while contributing to solutions of problems abroad.Practical implications – By supporting library work in developing countries, western librarians can have a positive impact on users both ...

The Minitel and France’s legacy of democratic information access

Abstract Although the Minitel is a relic in the world of online information technology, there is more to this outdated machine than the history of its failure. The Minitel grew out of a French tradition of information transfer and was uniquely suited to serve its target population. Competition provided by the Internet is stiff, but the Minitel staved it off through the turn of the millennium. Indeed, the French cannot be blamed for keeping hold of their Minitels as long as possible, as the Minitel came to be not only the homegrown purveyor of democratic access to information, but also a symbol of national pride. Now, as France moves with the rest of the world to embrace the Internet, it is not without a certain sense of deja vu.

The Disruptive Qualities of Linked Data in the Library Environment: Analysis and Recommendations

Libraries are looking for a better way to encode and share their data. Christensens disruptive technologies theory provides a framework for evaluating linked data and thinking about future uses of library technology. Because of its lack of use and technical weaknesses, linked data is not yet poised to emerge as a disruptive innovation. It has the potential, however, to become disruptive and should be explored first in spin-offs that supplement library data or provide access to other electronic content. Library systems under development should focus on remaining nimble and open to unforeseen future technologies and uses.

Beyond Failure: Potentially Mitigating Failed Author Searches in the Online Library Catalog Through the Use of Linked Data

Linked data stores house vetted content that can supplement the information available through online library catalogs, potentially mitigating failed author searches if information about the author exists in linked data formats. In this case study, a total of 689 failed author index queries from a large Midwestern academic librarys online library catalog were re-run in seven linked data sources (Open Library, DBpedia, Freebase, New York Times Linked Open Data, NNDB, Virtual International Authorities File, and the Library of Congress Name Authorities), with 534 (78 percent) of the failed catalog queries yielding at least one hit in one of the repositories. Over half of the failed online library catalog queries examined were incorrectly formulated (n = 369), implying that some searchers of online library catalogs are unclear about the mechanics of left-anchored searching in author indexes. As a first step in becoming part of the linked data information ecosystem, librarians should consider providing access to existing linked data stores through the online library catalog as a way of mitigating failed author searches for personal names. Librarians should also consider facilitating author searches by only permitting keyword searches of the author index, continuing to carefully maintain authority records for authors in their collections, and facilitating discovery and the explicit statement of relationships through the future use of linked data in library catalogs.

iSchools building on the strengths found in the convergence of librarianship, archival, and museum studies to improve the education of managing digital collections

The half day workshop will explore ways iSchools can participate in research and education relevant to the employment of information professionals in libraries, archives, and museums to provide access to and preservation of the collections held by these institutions. Presently, the education of information professionals for each of these institutions has primarily separate and diverse tracks and traditions. While some schools educating librarians do offer courses that include discussion of the application of library and information science skills to archival and museum collections, few offer full specializations in this area. Archival education has traditionally been based on degrees in history, but as the archival collections have utilized more digitalization to provide preservation and expand access to the content of collections, the need for staff with more knowledge of skills related to the preservation and expansion of access to archival collections has been recognized. Similar recognition of the importance of information profession skills is being recognized in museum studies, an area that in the past has depended on specialized subject discipline education coupled with an internship/apprenticeship-based training.

Development of the Missouri hub: preparing for linked open data by contributing to the digital public library of America

Linked data presents numerous implementation challenges in cultural heritage institutions. The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) has emerged as a resource for cultural heritage institutions to contribute metadata records for their digital assets to a national aggregation platform, one that is actively being developed to express contributed metadata as linked data. At present, there is a dearth of literature on the DPLA, and especially on its hubs. This poster aims to fill that gap by documenting the formation of the Missouri Hub, the DPLA Service Hub for Missouri, as a model for institutions with similar collective goals of exposing and enriching their data through the DPLA. Using Rogerss ( ) Diffusion of innovations theory, we apply a post‐implementation descriptive application of Rogerss model for the innovation process in an organization to the formation of the Missouri Hub. The five steps to implementation are presented, including the initiation and decision process. This poster presents and analyzes one approach to adopting and implementing the DPLA, an innovation supporting cultural heritage institutions and their goals of exposing and enriching their data. By working collaboratively, the institutions were able to achieve a goal that they could not attain individually.