Jeanne M Brown

Expanding Library Support of Faculty Research: Exploring Readiness

The changing research and information environment requires a reexamination of library support for research. This study considers research-related attitudes and practices to identify elements indicating readiness or resistance to expanding the library’s role in research support. A survey of faculty conducted at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) finds that although a high percentage of faculty rate the library as important or very important to research productivity, perceived importance of specific support functions drops markedly, except for functions related to buying or providing access to resources.

Time and the Academic Librarian

In order for academic librarians to balance time requirements for research, service and job duties they need a keen sense of where their time is allocated. Although the literature gives some idea of average time allocated, a more detailed view is obtained through examination of one librarians seven-year accumulation of daily time logs. The log as a method for achieving balance and the goal of balance itself are explored.

Why would they try? Motivation and motivating in low-stakes information skills testing

In 2008, the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) University Libraries piloted the Educational Testing Services standardised test of information, communication, and technology (ICT) skills (iSkills) in spring and autumn 2008. In the course of administering the test we explored motivational strategies, a critical component in low-stakes, low-personal-consequences testing. Motivational strategies included providing feedback on test performance, highlighting the value of the test for the individual student, and appealing to the students willingness to improve the overall performance of the institution. We addressed ways to motivate students in order to enhance their level of participation in and performance on the test. As the use of standardised testing to benchmark student information skills is increasing within the information literacy community, it is vital to address these motivational aspects to ensure the generation of reliable data. This article describes the strategies and language the University Libraries used to convey value and stimulate interest; it also provides feedback from test-takers on why they tried to do their best on the test.

Use of Data in Collections Work: An Exploratory Survey

As libraries seek to demonstrate the value of the services and collections they provide, gathering and using data assume a central role. Librarians on collections-related Listservs were invited to participate in a survey in order to identify data practices specifically related to collections. More than 200 librarians responded. The survey explored the ways collections data are being used as well as organizational practices and attitudes that might serve to either encourage or discourage the use of data, including training, librarian evaluations, and presence of data assessment components in job descriptions.

Tracking Changes: One Library's Homepage Over Time—Findings from Usability Testing and Reflections on Staffing

A strong Webmaster, additions and reorganizations of staff, a library commitment to providing the user with an effective site, changes in the sites focus, and external factors such as technological improvements and changes in user expectations are all factors that can trigger changes in a library Web sites design. Yet these changes are not necessarily always progressive evolutions. This case study examines the various iterations of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Libraries Web site from 1996 to the present, noting issues with each version, reasons leading to change, the people responsible for Web site decision-making, and the specific changes incorporated over time. In particular, the authors reviewed the usability test results for each of the tested designs, noting whether the identified problems were addressed in the redesign process and highlighting the usability problems that found their way back into the site in later redesigns. This study, which speculates on reasons for the reoccurrence of usability issues and identifies findings from usability testing that remain viable over the years, is anticipated to be useful in UNLV Libraries’ efforts to continuously improve its Web presence. Descriptions of organizational structure provide context for Web redesign efforts.

Using Multiple Data Sources to Develop a Liaison Agenda

Subject librarians at many college and university libraries have a wide variety of job responsibilities. Yet they often lack guidance on goal setting and prioritization. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries, the liaison program currently lacks a formal agenda setting process. This study explores using multiple sources of data for liaison goal setting and goal prioritization. Data from the LibQUAL+ survey, faculty surveys and focus groups, and usage statistics were examined for the disciplines of art, architecture, business, and hotel administration, and then applied to the development of liaison agendas. The results show that data can enrich and inform liaison perceptions of the behavior and priorities of their constituents and assist liaisons with establishing annual goals.

Core sites and categories: An overlap study of architecture resources on the internet

Quality, the Internet and the NAAB An often-repeated warning about the Internet is the uneven quality of its Web sites. Librarians strive to address this issue by pointing to preferred, librarian-selected links on their Web pages. Just as with print collections, a standard criterion for the selection of Web links for library pages is quality. Relevance to the educational mission of the institution is anoth er criterion for the selection of links. It is reasonable to assume that

The Internet and the virtual architecture library

The Internet affords the librarian many opportunities to enhance reference services. Online reference tools such as library catalogs, specialized indexes, directories, dictionaries, etc. provide access to bibliographic information, organizational information, and information about the net itself. In addition to the information resources available on the net, its communications power facilitates exchange of information and efficient use of expertise. Although finding specific information on the net can sometimes be a problem, due to the quantity of data and the net’s rapid expansion, search tools are being developed to mine the riches of the Internet. (This article is based on a paper presented at the 22nd annual ARLIS/NA Conference at Providence, Rhode Island, 15th February 1994).