John V. Richardson

Adoption of Web 2.0 in US academic libraries: a survey of ARL library websites

Purpose – This paper aims to survey the web sites of the academic libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (USA) regarding the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies.Design/methodology/approach – The websites of 100 member academic libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (USA) were surveyed.Findings – All libraries were found to be using various tools of Web 2.0. Blogs, microblogs, RSS, instant messaging, social networking sites, mashups, podcasts, and vodcasts were widely adopted, while wikis, photo sharing, presentation sharing, virtual worlds, customized webpage and vertical search engines were used less. Libraries were using these tools for sharing news, marketing their services, providing information literacy instruction, providing information about print and digital resources, and soliciting feedback of users.Originality/value – The paper is useful for future planning of Web 2.0 use in academic libraries.

Knowledge-Based Systems for General Reference Work: Applications, Problems, and Progress

From the Publisher: Knowledge-based systems (KBS) offer opportunities for improving the quality of library services. Since KBS provide the point of contact between user, librarian, and the resources, they are important to the efficiency of any library. Knowledge-Based Systems for General Reference Work will assist readers in developing skills to communicate effectively about KBS and to write a prototype KBS. Topics and issues covered include the history of teaching reference work, modeling of reference transactions, logic for reference work, evaluative criteria, and the role of microcomputers in knowledge-based systems.

The Library and Information Economy in Turkmenistan

A report on the current national, university, and school libraries situation in Turkmenistan, covering the social, political, economic, and technological constraints in the development of its information economy. This account includes details of the 2000 national information policy law and the off-the-cuff Presidential remarks of April 2005 as well as several recommendations for improving the state of affairs.

Adelaide hasse and the early history of the U.S. Superintendent of Documents classification scheme

Abstract The Superintendent of Documents classification scheme is widely used by federal depository and other libraries in the United States, yet it is not widely known that the scheme originated in Los Angeles and was further developed in Washington DC, during the 1890s. Based on recently discovered primary source material, this paper demonstrates that Adelaide Rosalie Hasse, then a young woman, deserves credit for much of the early work on the scheme between 1891 and 1897. Her zeal and devotion to public documents led to her being the best-known woman in library service at the start of the 20th century.

The future of reference: the intersection of information resources, technology and users

Provides a reflective essay on the five papers, and notes that the authors each address the intersection of three concepts: information resources, technology, and users. Points out that the social aspect is one of the most important drivers in the provision of reference services.

Recent Developments in the Russian Far East: The State of Education for Librarianship

In this article, the author reports on a recent visit to the Russian Far East to lecture and consult with Russian universities interested in developing new library and information science programs, courtesy of the U.S. Department of State. It provides a brief geographical orientation to the region, background on the existing system of higher education in Russia, a case study of several universities in the region, and then adopts a social, technical, economical, political, and environmental (STEPE) analysis of the current situation. Rigorous formal education for library and information science in this region is embryonic, but most promising.

Theory vs. Practice: Student Preferences.

The long-standing discussion of the theoretical versus the practical orientation of our professional education is examined from the students perspective. Although the curricular orientation need not be one of mutual antagonism, the study did reveal the influence of such variables as sex, term of respondent, undergraduate degree, advanced degree, preprofessional work experience, type of library, professional journal subscriptions, and the browsing of library literature on their theoretical or practical orientation and their understanding of what it means to be a librarian.

The information economy of Turkmenistan A seven-year update

The issues related toward advancing the information economy in Turkmenistan are organized using the STEPE model (i.e., social, technical, economic, political, and ecological matters). An analysis, using these five factors, can give insight into the likely future of the information economy within this country. Many of the observations focus on contrasts rather than similarities since the Presidential library ban of June 2005 (see Richardson, John V. ‘The library and information economy of Turkmenistan.’ IFLA Journal 32(2) 2006: 131–139).

Good Models of Reference Service Transactions: Applying Quantitative Concepts to Generate Nine Characteristic Attributes of Soundness

The role of mental or formal models in most quantitative research is unquestioned and taken for granted, yet reference researchers have focused little attention on identifying the attributes of sound (i.e., good) models for understanding the reference transaction. The goal of this article is to promote the development of better models for understanding reference service. Based on a case study of reference service presented herein, sound models appear to be those that are clear and simple, comprehensive, convincing, insightful, parsimonious, provocative, well structured, testable, and understandable. In addition, this article identifies the spectrum of undesirable attributes—ambiguity, confusion, or needless complication.

The Origin of Soviet Education for Librarianship: The Role of Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya Lyubov' Borisovna Khavkina-Hamburger, and Genrietta K. Abele-Derman

In tracing the origins of early Soviet education for librarianship to the early part of the twentieth century, this article presents brief biographical information about three influential leaders in the field-the Bolshevik N. K. Krupskaya (1869-1939), the pre-Revolutionary figure L. B. Khavkina (1871-1949), and counterrevolutionary G. K. Derman (1882-1954). Furthermore, the ideological issues revolving around the state of public education literacy and reading, the role of librarians and libraries, and the prototypic programs of librarianship in Russia are contrasted with American views.