Wyoma vanDuinkerken

User-Driven Acquisitions: Allowing Patron Requests to Drive Collection Development in an Academic Library

In 2007 Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries adopted an approach to monograph collection development that uses an unconventional fund structure and sets aside funds for user requests, called Suggest a Purchase. After initiating this change, the libraries realized that its patrons had become actively engaged in selecting materials for the collection. Data will be presented describing user and librarian levels of satisfaction with the Suggest a Purchase program. Additional data will be presented describing what was requested, what was ordered, how much the materials circulated, who requested materials, and the increase in requests over time.

User Expectations in the Time of Google: Usability Testing of Federated Searching

SUMMARY As libraries expand their services into the world of federated searching, librarians need to work with users to discover what their expectations are and how the library can customize the software to meet users expectations. This article describes the user testing performed at Texas A&M University during 2005 as the libraries implemented a new federated search service called Search Now (ExLibris MetaLib). Over fifty volunteers–including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and library faculty and staff–helped to test the new system and offered suggestions for improvements. Problems were noted and, where possible, modifications were made to improve results. These modifications were then tested again. Major issues noted during the usability testing included: user expectations of search performance; information included in and the layout of the search results; availability of advanced search options; and lack of ability to limit by format, scholarly nature of journal, date and full-text availability. Suggestions for further development are also presented.

Lessons learned: can a resource in common work?

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to report on the challenges and lessons learnt by the Texas A&M University Libraries processing team when trying to implement a “resource in common” high‐density storage unit model between Texas A&M University Library and The University of Texas‐Austin Libraries.Design/methodology/approach – The case study draws on the experience of the Texas A&M University Libraries processing team when the university funded the creation of a jointly owned remote storage unit, which foundation would rest on a “resource in common” model. The creation of a new library building allowed Texas A&M University Libraries to free up stack space in order to create new learning spaces to meet the needs of the library users. However, as the processing began, initial theories of what a “resource in common” was, how to implement a “resource in common” and resources needed to implement the “resource in common” model began to be questioned. This study examines the lessons learnt when trying to im...

Journal‐ranking lists and the academic librarian

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the use of journal‐ranking lists for academic librarian promotion and tenure (P&T) decision.Design/methodology/approach – Using a case study, the researchers analyzed a proposed journal‐ranking list created for P&T decisions. A quantitative analysis of peer‐reviewed journal articles was performed to support this analysis.Findings – The paper shows that the use of journal‐ranking lists for P&T decisions inadequately conflates academic librarians with teaching faculty members.Research limitations/implications – The study relied primarily on a single case study, so it may not be scientifically generalized.Social implications – This study identifies journal‐ranking lists as an inadequate tool for the evaluation of academic librarians and encourages action to divorce the valuation of intellectual achievement from quantitative structures.Originality/value – The analysis of the quantitative/metric underpinnings of intellectual labor in higher education is necessar...

Libraries surviving as entrepreneurial organizations: a creative destruction perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight some traditional functions found in academic libraries and apply various business models as an aid to developing an entrepreneurial culture. Due to a combination of environmental pressures, universities are refining their strategic mission to identify “what they do well” or “where they want to be”. Programs that align with the strategic mission of the university get funded, while other less productive, lower impact programs and services are neglected or eliminated. This is essentially a process based on business or financial decisions. Design/methodology/approach – In an attempt to cope with these changes, academic library administrators are assessing library services to insure that they are aligned with their university’s strategic mission. Findings – To successfully develop and sustain this alignment, academic libraries must become “entrepreneurial organizations” where strategic decisions are based on business models, rather than tradition, or more spe...

(Desperately) Seeking Service Leadership in Academic Libraries: An Analysis of Dean and Director Position Advertisements

ABSTRACT Given the continual rate of change in academic libraries, the increasing accountability in higher education and the call to contribute to learning outcomes, career success, and lifelong learning, leadership that is responsive to the service mission is critical to their success and evolution. However, as has been consistently stated in the literature, there is a leadership vacuum. The pursuit of leadership, as evidenced by job advertisements, is representative of this lack of attention to a service leadership ethic. This study examines library dean and director position descriptions and advertisements from 2011 to 2015 for elements of the service leadership model. Analysis indicates that most leadership posting for academic libraries attend to traditional library experience and management skills, rather than service leadership attributes. Examples of framing positions based on the service leadership model are also provided.

This Space Wanted: How Four Academic Medical Libraries and One Joint Storage Facility Converted Libraries from Materials Warehouses to Usable Spaces

Abstract nPurpose nThe use of high-density remote storage facilities helps alleviate competing space needs in academic medical libraries while they continue to support core services and supply service copies of resources. n n nMethodology/approach nFour academic medical libraries in the Texas A&M University System and the University of Texas System will highlight their participation in a regional collaborative storage facility using the Resource in Common (RIC) model. n n nFindings nResults will show how library services and facilities changed since moving some or all of print collections to JLF. n n nOriginality/value nThe RIC model has proven to be a success in recovering user space without losing access to resources.

Embracing the future while storing the past: the Joint Library Facility story

Purpose n n n n nThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the Joint Library Facility services and how Medical Science Libraries have embraced the Resource in Common model to save service copies for their patron’s use while allowing libraries to reclaim critically needed space and develop library services that better meet the needs of their patrons. n n n n nDesign/methodology/approach n n n n nThe paper begins with a description of the Joint Library Facility and its targeted users. It will discuss how this unique library storage facility shares ownership of its material with other libraries to reduce duplication of low-use print items on library shelves. n n n n nFindings n n n n nAlthough electronic materials are more popular with library patrons, there is still scholarly value in keeping low-use print materials as service copies. n n n n nOriginality/value n n n n nThis paper is a case study of a unique library storage facility that shares ownership of its material with other libraries. Its findings will help other libraries plan and implement their own shared print repository.

Challenges of redesigning staff work space

Abstract: In today’s academic library reality, space is a valuable commodity. Space utilization will change with the trends and demands of higher education. When a library changes the use of space in just one area, it will affect the entire environment and all the employees who work there. If change is unilaterally imposed on library staff, the overall organizational culture can shift to one of distrust, frustration, and anger towards library administration. This shift in organizational culture could eventually lead to organizational failure. By using established frameworks for office space design, library administration can mitigate the chances of organizational failure while still meeting employees’ needs for privacy, personal work processes, and teamwork. This chapter discusses the characteristics of openness, density, architectural accessibility, darkness, and social space in office design and provides a planning checklist to aid the redesign process.