Research and Publications - University Libraries
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Item Talk About: E-Resources Librarian to the Rescue? Creating the Über Librarian: Turning Model Job Descriptions into Practical Positions(Taylor & Francis, 2008-10-12) Ginanni, Katy; Davis, Susan; Arthur, Michael A.Libraries are assessing the need for a separate electronic resource librarian and identifying where managing e-resources fits into the organizational structure. If such a position is warranted, what does it look like? Feedback from the 2004 conference evaluations suggested having a topical discussion session to hear many ideas and find out what has and has not worked. Questions pointed to the need for a better understanding of the responsibilities of these positions and the need to identify the knowledge required to perform at a high level. Salary concerns were also expressed, as was the prevalence of trial and error training. A good mix of librarians from various types of institutions participated in two lively discussions exploring these and other issues related to the successful management of electronic resources.Item KBART: Best Practices in Knowledgebase Data Transfer(Taylor & Francis, 2009-03-13) McCracken, Peter; Arthur, Michael A.Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART) is a joint project between the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and the UK Serials Group (UKSG) that is now underway with a focus on improving the functioning of OpenURL by providing standards for the quality and timeliness of data provided by publishers to knowledgebases. In this presentation Peter McCracken, Co-founder of Serials Solutions, provided an overview of KBART and discussed the future plans of this new initiative. A major goal of KBART is to develop a best practices guide that can be used by content providers as they focus on quality control as it relates to the data they provide to the knowledgebase. By bringing together librarians, publishers, aggregators, and e-resource and access management services (ERAMS) vendors the hope is that the real beneficiaries will be library patrons. Several problems that impact the ability of users to get to full-text content include OpenURL data errors and syntax errors. Peter provided an overview of the problems facing library patrons, the various factors that can lead to errors in the knowledgebase and what the KBART project may be able to do to contribute to better data for everyone. The various groups are meeting monthly and presentations are planned at several national-level conferences. KBART will be successful if it results in better data for everyone including those who provide it, those who process it, those who present it, and those who use it.Item Creating Core Title Lists for Print Subscription Retention and Storage/Weeding(Taylor & Francis, 2010-04-09) Rais, Shirley; Arthur, Michael A.; Hanson, Michael J.Loma Linda University (LLU) is a small, health sciences-oriented university with a growing electronic resource collection with 5,674 e-books, over 70 databases, and more than 12,000 e-journals. In 2007, they decided to use print usage statistics compiled over several years with a goal of making sound decisions about retaining or cancelling print subscriptions and determining which subscriptions to flip from print to online only. The core title lists the developed were used to help guide the library in making decisions about weeding, maintaining print access, migrating to online, and placing bound volumes into remote storage. This presentation outlined the process used at LLU to identify core titles and explains some of the rationale behind their decisions. Some of the advantages and disadvantages in undertaking such a project are identified and a review from the practical side of the project may give some insight to other libraries considering such an endeavor.Item When jobs disappear: The staffing implications of the elimination of print serials management tasks(Taylor & Francis, 2011-04-19) Glasser, Sarah; Arthur, Michael A.In 2010, Sarah Glasser from Hofstra University developed a survey to explore the staffing implications of the migration from print serials to electronic resources. The objective of the survey was to explore the effects of the elimination or significant reduction of print serials management tasks on positions and employees. Survey results indicated that the functions of binding, claiming, and check-in had been eliminated or significantly reduced at many libraries. Most respondents were able to identify some type of reorganization as a result of reductions in traditional print serials job duties. This presentation was well attended and following the presentation a lively interaction ensued where many topics related to staff training, retraining, and development were discussed.Item Developing a Crystal Clear Future for the Serials Unit in an Electronic Environment: Results of a Workflow Analysis(Taylor & Francis, 2013-12-06) Graves, Tonia; Arthur, Michael A.Institutional growth at Old Dominion University and changes within its libraries over the past several years have left the Serials Unit feeling anything but crystal clear. In moving from a print to an electronic focus, the Serials Unit conducted a workflow analysis project. The analysis resulted in a report containing recommendations for reallocating responsibilities and documenting changes in staff skills and positions. This article, which grew out of a presentation at the 15th North Carolina Serials Conference “Crystal Clear? Today’s Libraries, Tomorrow’s Library Users,” describes the workflow analysis process and expands on how its recommendations have benefited the Serials Unit. Serials Review 2006; 32:238–246.Item Risky Business: Outsourcing Serials Cataloging(Taylor & Francis, 2008-10-11) Leibowitz, Faye R.; Arthur, Michael A.In 1999, the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh began a project to outsource cataloging for both the monographs and serials that were included in a special collection known at the university as the Glidden Collection. The collection had previously been accessible only through the existence of a card catalog. The materials had originally been cataloged using a local hybrid classification system based on the Glidden classification system. In her presentation, Faye Leibowitz provides detailed information about the history of the collection and why certain factors associated with the collection made it a difficult candidate for outsourcing. Libraries should seriously consider the hidden costs of outsourcing serials cataloging. The decision to outsource serials cataloging should take into account staffing problems and training. The way in which catalogers at the selected vendor use “cataloger’s judgment” can also impact consistency between existing library policy and the outsourced records.Item Taking Advantage of New Funding Sources During Difficult Financial Times: How the University of Central Florida Libraries Made Good Use of Technology Fee Funding to Provide Exciting Electronic Collections(Florida Library Association, 2013) Arthur, Michael A.; White, NatashaAccording to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), of all post-secondary expenditures in 2012, the Library represented only 0.62% of funds expended, which is less than half the 1.33% recorded in 2008. This drop highlights the fact that academic libraries are spending less per student. In 2010, libraries spent $332 per student, down from $355 in 2008. With an overall decrease in funding since 2008, libraries across the nation are continuously looking for new sources of funding.Item Developing a Distributed Print Depository System: Challenges and Opportunities(Taylor & Francis, 2005-09-24) DeRosiers, Barbara; Trevvett, Melissa; Arthur, Michael A.Barbara DesRosiers and Melissa Trevvett provided background information regarding their ongoing projects to develop print archives to preserve legacy materials and to serve as a backup to electronic journals. The presenters discussed projects currently underway and outlined the factors and issues to be considered when planning to form or join a print archive consortium. They also provided details about their current partnerships with JSTOR, Michigan State University, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Yale University including: the components of the projects, funding and staffing issues, and coordination and communication among the partners. The presenters stressed the importance of legal agreements among partners as a way to minimize risk and provide better management of the program.Item The Sting of Releasing Print Journals: Surviving the Transition to an Online Environment(Taylor & Francis, 2009-03-13) Arthur, Michael A.; Safley, Ellen; Montgomery, Debbie; Borchert, Carol Ann; Ireland, Jessica L.Libraries continue to struggle with the transition to an online environment. In this session, the presenters discussed periodical cuts and the transition to online-only subscriptions at three large academic libraries. Their journey included identifying potential titles, balancing consortial arrangements, considering available online archives, analyzing statistics, time and budget constraints, as well as binding, available space, and patron demands. The motivation for reducing print will vary from one library to another. However, most libraries will share some or all of the factors to be considered when making the necessary changes. Proper planning can help take the sting out of print reductions.Item Rethinking collection development: improving access and increasing efficiency through demand driven acquisition(ScienceDirect, 2020) Arthur, Michael A.; Fitzgerald, SarahDemand Driven Acquisition (DDA) began at The University of Alabama early in 2016, following a thorough review of the GOBI approval plan. While the original intention of the profile review was to create a more robust traditional approval plan, the success of demand driven acquisitions combined with other new initiatives resulted in a shift away from traditional collection development. Based on nearly three years of experience working with DDA at The University of Alabama, this article explores the migration from traditional book collection development to what could be described as a collection strategy. The new strategy aims to provide seamless access and delivery to ebooks covering a wide range of the disciplines supported at the university. The goal is to provide access to as much content as possible while supporting purchasing based on demonstrated need. This change is a result of the new strategy to allocate shrinking funds toward resources that are needed now rather than purchasing materials estimated to be needed in the future. With library budgets tightening, it is critical to show return on investment and DDA allows the library to offer a broad range of content, but only purchase items which show usage.Item Paving the Way for Print Repositories Through Electronic(Taylor & Francis, 2008) Zeter, Mary Jo; Drewes, Jeanne; Arthur, Michael A.Mary Jo Zeter and Jeanne Drewes from Michigan State University presented an overview of the state of print repositories. The presenters provided a brief history of the move toward print repositories, outlined reasons for inclusion of print serials, and discussed the impact that electronic formats are having on print repositories. Ms. Zeter and Ms. Drewes discussed initiatives by the Center for Research Libraries and provided specific recommendations for the planning and development of a national repository system.Item Being Earnest With Collections-Building a Successful Marketing Program at the University of Alabama(Against the Grain, 2017-06) Arthur, Michael A.This article highlights a new marketing program at The University of Alabama focused on promoting key databases and other electronic resources including eBook and streaming video collections. The program began over a year ago and has seen a few revisions along the way. This article will explore some of the key aspects of planning and implementation from the past 18 months. The key to any project of this magnitude is establishing goals for the program and ensuring that staff have the right tools and training. The marketing program has changed in response to library strategic goals and because the skill level of those involved has improved. In the past three months, the overall quality of program has improved greatly following the hiring of two students who had knowledge of how to use the software, and interest in developing high quality professional images. Now with development and refinement of the marketing program complete it is time to look back on the entire process, highlight some best practices, and alert others to the potential pitfalls to consider when beginning a similar initiative.Item Being Earnest With Collections-The Importance of Reviewing Technical Services Operations to Promote Efficient Access and Enhanced Discoverability of Resources(Against the Grain, 2016-04) Arthur, Michael A.I was recently reflecting back on the first six months of my new role at The University of Alabama. I was charged during the first year to undertake a complete review of work processes within the newly formed Resource Acquisition & Discovery Department. The previously separate functional areas of acquisitions, cataloging, and electronic resources were brought together just prior to my start in August of 2015. The analysis began within the first couple of months as I began to meet with everyone in the department. We discussed the usual things including what was going well and what could be improved. I learned about the transition period after the loss of department and unit heads over the previous year or two, and understood how the staff now had to face the uncertainty of a new manager. It became apparent that bringing the units together in proximity did not necessarily mean that there would be a logical move toward integration of workflow. Being Earnest with Collections focuses this month on raising awareness of the importance of workflow analysis. Hopefully I will provide some best practices for others who plan to take a good hard look at just where technical services is going. There is a new emphasis on moving away from traditional models of collection building and toward a focus on collection strategy, in line with providing content when and where it is needed rather than building collections across all disciplines. There is an opportunity to be more efficient while we transition spending and staffing from a traditional print based operation to one that will be able to address selection, procurement and access in the electronic environment.Item Cooperation is Key: How Publishers and Libraries are Working Together to Achieve Common Goals(Against the Grain, 2016-01) Arthur, Michael A.; Sieck, StacyBuilding the library/publisher relationship is by no means a new issue. It’s an issue we see covered in conferences and industry news articles, and it’s often a point of discussion (and sometimes contention) on listservs and industry blogs.Item Improving the Librarian-Publisher Relationship: What Librarians and Publishers Need to Know About Each Other(The Acquisitions Institute at Timberline Lodge, 2015-06) Brown, Laura; Arthur, Michael A.Item Rethinking Collection Development in Research Libraries: The Impact of a Successful Demand Driven Acquisitions Program(ASERL, 2021-02-18) Arthur, Michael A.Item How Technology Fee Funding Transformed Collection Decisions at the University of Central Florida(Against the Grain, 2013-04) Arthur, Michael A.; White, NatashaIn 2007, the Florida Legislature addressed the need for technology funding at the eleven state universities. The change permitted each university to collect technology fees from students at the rate of 5% of tuition. The new fees went into effect at the start of the 2009-2010 academic year.Item Self-Reflective Student Management(2024-11) Wilburn, EmilyAll managers were, at one time, new to management, but how do you learn to manage a team when you are both new to the field and responsible for the success of a whole team? Adaptability and self-reflection were key components to my success.Item Fantastic Discovery: Guidelines for Cataloging Fictional Maps(Taylor & Francis, 2025) Smith, Taylor S.Geographic depictions of fictional spaces present a unique combination of features relevant to an array of disciplines. Scholars interested in cartography, the narrative functions of maps in literature, the specific universe which the materials depict, and the relationships between fictional and extant geography all have cause to seek out these resources. However, standard map cataloging practices can create records that do not prioritize elements most relevant to users searching for them. This paper compares different types of fictional maps, examines which aspects might be most important to users, and suggests how to best ensure their discovery as MARC records.Item Guidelines for Efficiency When Batch Processing HLM MARC Records at a Large Academic Library(Taylor & Francis, 2024) Smith, Taylor S.As academic libraries continue to invest in electronic resources, batch processing of vendor-supplied MARC records has become a major aspect of cataloging procedures. As the scale of records increases, methods for efficient editing and loading become more important. This article uses the development of a workflow for handling records from EBSCO’s HLM service as a study for finding a balance between timeliness and discoverability when processing and troubleshooting large numbers of vendor-supplied records with a focus on scalability, automation, and coordination.