Research and Publications - University Libraries

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Comparing Impact of Green Open Access and Toll-Access Publication in the Chemical Sciences
(Elsevier, 2025) Walker, Kevin W.; Gilstrap, Donald L.; Scalfani, Vincent F.; Walker, Elaine
This study investigates the comparative research impact and dissemination of green open access (GOA) and traditional toll-access (TA) publications within the chemical sciences. Employing programmatic data harvesting via ChemRxiv and Scopus APIs and integrating both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, this research presents a replicable framework for bibliometric assessment. The findings indicate that GOA publications achieve higher levels of social media engagement and exhibit citation rates comparable to those of TA publications, even when featured in journals with lower h-index scores, suggesting enhanced visibility and sustained readership. Notably, the study underscores the critical importance of controlling for article age, as demonstrated by the significant correlational interactions between age and key bibliometric and altmetric measures. This insight not only fills a gap in existing literature but also informs effective methodological approaches for future analyses. The confirmation of non-normal distribution behaviors in these metrics reinforces the need for non-parametric analytical methods, highlighting the limitations of traditional parametric comparisons. Collectively, these findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how access models shape scholarly impact and underscore the necessity of employing robust, tailored statistical methods. The study advocates for continued longitudinal research to further elucidate the complex dynamics of research dissemination and engagement.
The Power Law and Emerging and Senior Scholar Publication Patterns
(Springer, 2022) Bray, Nathaniel J.; Gilstrap, Donald, L.; Scalfani, Vincent F.
Research has shown that linear relationships do not adequately represent publication and citation measurement behavior. They are much more curvilinear than that. However, we tend to try to look to citation counts linearly to draw outcomes about productivity. This study examines bibliometric and altmetric measures for emerging and senior scholars to see if power law behavior helps explain patterns for both of these groups. Findings indicating the presence of the power law for both groups suggests the majority of work receives few references while a select few works receive the majority of references. Alternative best fit transformations of the data are also detailed.
Citation Metrics and Boyer’s Model of Scholarship: How Do Bibliometrics and Altmetrics Respond to Research Impact?
(Springer, 2023-03-21) Gilstrap, Donald L.; Whitver, Sara Maurice; Scalfani, Vincent F.; Bray, Nathaniel J.
This article explores how well bibliometrics and altmetrics reflect research impact in relation to Boyer’s Model of the Scholarship. Indices used for both types of metrics are explored and discussed while including an analysis on primary methodological works performed on each in the literature to date. As confirmatory in nature, we chose as our focus of analysis the most highly cited, solo-authored, peer-reviewed article from each of two scholars at an R1 institution in the field of higher education: a rising junior scholar and a well-established senior scholar. In addition to analysis of bibliometric and altmetrics, extensive textual analysis was conducted on the works (n=165) of both scholars to determine how substantitive in-text citations were from authors citing these scholars’ research. Different authors coded each of the citing works, and both inter-rater reliability (k<.001, 𝜎𝜎𝜒𝜒=.055)) and intraclass correlation tests (r=.000) were conducted at the nominal and interval levels to provide strong reliability measures of the rubric with each showing a confidence interval of 95% for coding results. In-text citations for dissertations were actually found to be more substantive than articles at a level of significance (p<.05). The vast majority of references were found to have a score of 3 or below, implying impact of the original research was not strong. In relation to Boyer’s domains, inference can be made that the majority of research literature associated with citation metrics, either bibliometrics or altmetrics, do not move beyond the Scholarship of Discovery into the Scholarship of Integration.
Redesigning Technical Services for the 21st Century University Libraries: A Case Study From the University of Alabama
(American Library Association, 2020) Arthur, Michael A.; Jackson, Millie L.
The University of Alabama Libraries began a workflow analysis over a decade ago. Primarily focused on traditional technical services areas, this process has been iterative and evolved from the need to seek efficiencies to a broader change in the culture and an acceptance of an ongoing process of improvement. This paper discusses lessons learned from workflow analysis regarding acquisitions, electronic resources, and cataloging/metadata, and examines how these changes impacted the broader library and philosophies of collection development and management.
Learning to Love Gifts: How One Library Has Increased Efficiency in Processing, and Realized the Benefits of Gift Materials
(2009) Arthur, Michael A.
Strengthening Research Support: Scholarly Communication Training for Liaison Librarians
(Taylor & Francis, 2025) Walker, Elaine; Riesen, Karleigh
The development of open access reports (OARs) was initiated to equip liaison librarians at an R1 research library with the knowledge needed to assist faculty with scholarly publishing. This initiative responded to an increasing number of scholarly communication-related inquiries from faculty and students, highlighting the need for more training in this area. The literature indicates a growing recognition of scholarly communication as a core competency for liaison librarians. While librarians have been integrating these competencies into their practices, there remains an ongoing need for training and development. The study involved creating 16 OARs tailored to specific academic disciplines, utilizing a combination of free and subscription resources to compile data on publishing practices and citation insights. Surveys conducted before and after the dissemination of the reports evaluated the impact on librarians' knowledge and confidence levels. The findings suggest that developing scholarly communication literacy among liaison librarians can improve their confidence and effectiveness in supporting faculty publishing practices. The collaboration between liaison librarians and the Scholarly Communications Librarian is essential for fostering partnerships with faculty and enhancing the library's role in research support.
Bringing Preservation to the Forefront: Preservation Initiatives at the University of Central Florida Libraries
(Florida Library Association, 2009) Arthur, Michael A.; Dotson, Lee
Open Access Report: Chemistry
(2024) Walker, Elaine
Flexible by Design: A Framework-Based Approach to Redesigning Library Tutorials for Equity and Engagement
(Taylor & Francis, 2025) Herzberg, Melissa
This article presents a case study on the redesign of an academic library’s tutorial suite using an integrated framework grounded in the ADDIE model, Universal Design for Learning, and Universal Design for Instruction. The project resulted in a series of accessible, multimodal tutorials that support both stand-alone and supplemental instruction. Emphasizing learner choice, engagement, and accessibility, the tutorials were developed through collaborative workflows and iterative assessment. Early data show increased faculty adoption and student engagement. This replicable framework offers academic librarians a practical model for designing inclusive, sustainable digital learning materials aligned with evidence-based instructional design and student-centered pedagogy.
Electronic Book Acquisition Strategies in Academic Libraries: A Review of the Literature
(Johns Hopkins University Press, 2026-04) Scott, Rachel E.; Arthur, Michael A.
Electronic book (e-book) acquisition models have evolved over the decades they have been available to library customers. This review leverages findings from scholarly literature to document the proliferation and evolution of e-book acquisitions models, their strengths and weaknesses in various contexts, and their role in the collection development strategies of academic libraries. From firm orders and subscription packages to demand-driven and evidence-based acquisitions, engagement with e-book acquisitions models varies considerably based on factors such as library budget and staffing, institutional curriculum and programs, consortial affiliations, support for textbook affordability initiatives, and COVID-19 responses. The findings from this literature review suggest multiple acquisition models are frequently used in combination; librarians closely monitor e-book expenditures and use, regularly modifying acquisitions parameters; and e-book strategy is dependent on institutional goals, library budgets, consortial participation, and marketplace realities. Additionally, the increased availability of e-books and their acquisitions models have created opportunities for research that compares the efficiency and effectiveness of e-book purchasing models and draws on existing and evolving evaluative models to establish benchmarks for measuring success.
Programmatic Instruction for Systematic Reviews: Developing an Interdisciplinary Framework for Instruction and Assessment
(Elsevier, 2024) Riesen, Karleigh; Simpson, Lance Michael; Boucher, Alex
Systematic reviews are a growing area of faculty and graduate student research. Academic libraries can anticipate more questions from their research communities regarding this advanced research methodology. This article details a framework for developing interdisciplinary programmatic instruction for systematic reviews. Scaffolded workshop series are identified as an effective method for providing this type of research assistance. The use of bibliometric data is identified as an assessment practice librarians can implement to inform programmatic direction and growth. Included within this framework are discussions on building a community of practice to ensure program development is both comprehensive and sustainable. The proposed framework will guide librarians as they develop an instruction program to assist researchers with systematic reviews across disciplines.
Incorporating Signature Pedagogies into Library Instruction Through Reflective Pedagogy
(Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) Riesen, Karleigh
Librarians provide instruction for students across disciplines, each with their own teaching and learning practices. An exploration of signature pedagogies will help librarians develop a deeper understanding of student learning. This article identifies reflective pedagogy as a teaching strategy librarians can use to expand upon this learning by integrating signature pedagogies into the library instruction classroom. A replicable framework is detailed throughout the article to guide librarians as they develop library instruction that uses reflection to contextualize information literacy within a disciplinary lens and help students make connections to their growing knowledge structures.
Building a Community of Practice for Instruction Librarians: Programmatic Elements and Strategies for Implementation
(Elsevier, 2024) Sahn, Sarah F.; Riesen, Karleigh
A community of practice for instruction librarians is essential to ongoing development of pedagogical knowledge, fostering community, and cultivating meaningful teaching practices. This article describes the development of a community of practice for new and experienced instruction librarians to help them grow in their teaching practice. Elements explored throughout this article include collaborative peer mentorship, developing a reflective practice, and support for the coordinator of instruction leading these efforts. A replicable model for effective implementation at other institutions is detailed throughout the article.
Onboarding for Liaison Librarians: Building Community and Practice
(Emerald, 2024) Riesen, Karleigh
This article describes an onboarding program created for liaison librarians at an academic library and details a replicable framework for effective implementation at other institutions. This article outlines a month-long onboarding program that provides new-to-the-field and experienced librarians with support and structure as they learn the core competencies of liaison work, adjust to a new professional setting and grow in their practice as liaison librarians. Information about onboarding practices across academic libraries, liaison librarianship within the library and information science (LIS) curriculum and the need for onboarding programs that provide a comprehensive overview of core liaison librarianship competencies is provided. Onboarding programs specific to liaison librarians is an underexplored topic. This article emphasizes fostering community and skill development throughout the onboarding process to bolster confidence, engagement and retention.
Open Access Publication Trends at an R1 University: Using Data-Driven Strategies for Institutional Repository Promotion and Outreach
(Iowa State University Digital Press, 2025) Walker, Elaine; Lowry, Lindsey
Introduction: This exploratory study examines five years of institutional publishing output of an R1 University, examining to what extent authors have utilized open access (OA) publishing opportunities. Literature Review: The literature review explores the concurrent benefits of (OA) publishing and institutional repositories, citing similar studies on bibliometrics and publishing trends and data-informed strategies for promoting library services relative to scholarly communications topics. Methods: Data was collected from Web of Science combined with the OA data from the UnPaywall Rest API and cleaned and analyzed in OpenRefine and Microsoft Excel. Results: The findings suggest that many university authors pursue OA publishing opportunities, with nearly half (45%) of the articles in the sample utilizing various OA publishing models and nearly one-third appearing in at least one OA repository. Discussion: The results of this study were used to better understand OA publication trends at the university and inform educational and outreach strategies. Conclusion: The authors conclude with recommendations for further study and ideas for promotion of The University of Alabama’s institutional repository utilizing the data from this research.
Fiscal 2024 CEO Pay Ratios
(2025-06-27) Siciliano, Mark
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.
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.
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.
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.

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