Julie Garrison

Methods and Strategies for Creating a Culture of Collections Assessment at Comprehensive Universities

Differing from those of their liberal arts and Association of Research Libraries counterparts, todays comprehensive universities face a variety of unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to assessing their collections. This article looks at the different needs and interests of comprehensive universities and focuses on the challenges faced in evaluating collections in three distinct university library settings. Case studies from individual universities will be used to examine issues regarding different means of assessing electronic book collections, collection development policies, and library databases.

Evaluating an Open Access Publishing Fund at a Comprehensive University

INTRODUCTION As the open access movement has fostered a shift from subscriber-funded journals to author-pays models, scholars seek funding for the dissemination of their research. In response to this need, some libraries have established open access funds at their institutions. This paper presents an evaluation of an open access fund at a comprehensive university. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/SERVICE Wanting to learn how faculty have benefitted from an open access publishing fund, Grand Valley State University Libraries surveyed recipients of the fund. The survey asked authors why they chose an open access publishing option and whether the fund influenced this decision. Authors were also asked whether they perceived that selecting an open access option broadened exposure to their work and about their likelihood of choosing open access in the future. NEXT STEPS This article shares the results of this small survey and explores next steps in promoting and evaluating the fund and opportunities for focusing educational efforts across campus.

Can a Library Building's Design Cue New Behaviors?: A Case Study

This study explores the relationship between architecture and interior space on student engagement at a newly constructed academic library. Using an action, mixed-methods approach with a convenience sample, researchers evaluated 744 photographs, 125 behavioral observations, and six group interviews. Analysis revealed four key attributes of engaging library design: engagement culture, core connectedness, environmental messages, and transformational challenges, thus affirming that spatial designs can influence behaviors.