Maura Valentino

Creating a digital library of three-dimensional objects in CONTENTdm

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a project conducted by the University of Oklahoma Libraries to create a digital collection consisting of three‐dimensional scientific objects.Design/methodology/approach – The University of Oklahoma Libraries developed the following methodology for creating a digital collection of three‐dimensional objects. Digital still photographs of six sides of each object where created. These photographs were then used to create videos that emphasized the most interesting feature on each side of the object. These videos were then imported into CONTENTdm using the picture cube feature to create the digital representation of the three‐dimensional object.Findings – This method was found to be a good method for representing three‐dimensional objects in a two‐dimensional format for inclusion in a digital collection. However, some limitations were encountered. For example, only one interesting feature could be emphasized on each side of the object and the software used to create the di...

Donor Funded Open Educational Resources: Making the Case

Purpose – This paper aims to explain the concept of Open Educational Resources (OER) and how libraries can make a good case to donors to fund these types of projects. Design/methodology/approach – The literature reveals that donors have been willing to support projects that save students money on textbooks. Course reserves have traditionally been a popular model. More recently, libraries have found funding for OER initiatives. These types of initiatives are discussed and several case studies of donors currently funding OER projects are examined. Findings – Donors, internal and external to the library and to the university, have shown an interest in funding projects that reduce textbook costs for students. They have funded course reserves in the past and have begun to fund OER projects. There are both qualitative and quantitative methods to induce donors to fund these types of projects. Practical implications – Libraries have traditionally supported the mission of access to information and for academic lib...

Finding Data Sets for Patrons

With the advent of the open access and open data movement, the preservation and availability of data has multiplied exponentially. This increased distribution and sharing of data has energized numerous fields of research. In such an environment, librarians are increasingly tasked with finding actual data related to specific subjects in addition to the traditional task of locating relevant scholarly articles. This article provides a valuable resource for reference and science librarians as they meet the needs of their patrons in an increasingly data-centric world.