International Journal of Librarianship

Breaking up the Big Deal?

2024-08-02T13:02:23+00:00

This paper explores the methodology used to assess the value of a Big Deal package while inter-institutional negotiations were ongoing. Analysis was performed primarily with quantitative factors, including usage, cost, cost per use, and faculty citations. After identifying the highest and lowest performers in these categories, librarians were able to eliminate them easily from further deliberation. Then weighted scoring was applied to moderate performing titles. Weighting identified additional titles that could be sorted, leaving a smaller pool for title by title deliberation performed by a team of librarians, and a final pool of ‘must have’ titles to be collated and presented to administrative stakeholders.

Evaluation of a PDA Pilot Program to Address Equity and Diversity in Academic Library Acquisitions

2024-08-01T16:48:23+00:00

In the summer of 2023, Stony Brook University Libraries (SBUL) embarked on a transformation, shifting from a traditional liaison-based system to a teams-based approach. This transition reflects a broader trend in academic libraries toward optimizing operational efficiency and resource allocation amidst evolving staffing and budgetary challenges. Central to this transformation is the redefined role of the Division of Collection Strategy and Management, which now oversees all areas of collection development. This paper examines SBUL’s decision to pilot a user-centered collection development strategy, implementing a multiple-publisher Patron-Driven Acquisition (PDA) model while maintaining traditional firm order requests from faculty and students. We explore the methodology of transitioning acquisition workflows, the rationale behind adopting a user-centric approach, and the implications of this model on aligning library collections with the diverse needs of the campus community. The new collections team at SBUL identified three main goals for this pilot program: 1) enhancing and diversifying the collection, 2) identifying organizational efficiencies, and 3) implementing fiscal controls. The analysis draws on data collected during the pilot to offer insights into best practices for evolving library acquisition strategies in response to shifting user expectations and campus diversity in an environment of organizational constraints.

Unlocking the Vault

2024-08-09T12:33:17+00:00

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign houses one of the largest public university collections of rare books and manuscripts in the United States. Despite its vast and diverse holdings, certain areas of the collection, particularly Chinese-language materials, have been historically underutilized due to language barriers and the need for specialized knowledge. This article advocates for enhanced collaboration between special collections and area studies librarians to improve access and increase use of these resources. It examines the RBML’s challenges with cataloging and utilization of Chinese materials and proposes initiatives, including enriched public programming, curated exhibitions, targeted instructional sessions, and increased promotional efforts. These initiatives are designed to align with the University of Illinois’s strategic goals of inclusivity, global engagement, and academic excellence. Central to this endeavor is the collaboration with the Chinese Studies Librarian, whose knowledge and expertise is crucial in understanding and promoting these resources. The article underscores the significance of these initiatives in fully leveraging special collections and area studies, fostering the collection’s utilization, study, and appreciation by both local and global audiences. This project also aims to present an example for collaborations between special collections and area studies specialists within a given university.

The Open Access Effect: Transforming Collection Development Using Open Repositories

2024-07-29T14:32:03+00:00

This paper explores the transformative impact of the Open Access (OA) movement on collection development in academic libraries, emphasizing the role of open repositories. This paper employed a qualitative research method through a systematic literature review. To achieve these objectives, literature was sourced from multiple academic databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Universities' Open repositories, and Web of Science. Key findings indicate a significant increase in hybrid, Gold OA, and Green OA journals, enhancing accessibility to scholarly materials and democratizing knowledge. The integration of OA resources into library collections has facilitated broader access to academic works, enabling libraries to reallocate funds from expensive subscriptions to support OA initiatives and improve digital infrastructure. The study highlights the positive effects of open repositories on collaboration, innovation, and equitable information dissemination. However, it also addresses challenges such as sustainability, quality control, copyright compliance, and digital preservation. Future directions suggest enhancing interoperability, embracing emerging technologies, expanding inclusivity and accessibility, supporting open science and data sharing, and strengthening community engagement.

Open Secrets

2024-07-19T22:38:05+00:00

A robust corpus exists on Open Access (OA) spending within libraries, however there is less literature on assessing OA expenditures across colleges and universities. Due to the nature of the fragmented and uneven investment in OA, researchers are likely not optimizing institutional resources on Article Processing Charges (APCs) as part of the open access environment. This article describes how personnel at University of Oregon Libraries built a Power BI model to encapsulate and visualize our institution’s open access outlay as well as apprise researchers of their options for selecting OA publication venues based on APCs and impact metrics.

Guest Editorial - Collection Assessment in Libraries

2024-12-16T15:55:06+00:00

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Reading Habits of the Adult Readers of Kotahena Public Library of Sri Lanka

2024-10-15T16:04:43+00:00

The study examined the reading habits of adult readers and use of library resources and services of Kotahena Public Library, Colombo: Sri Lanka. Readers who come to the library have different reading habits. Libraries are assisting in providing the right information to the right users, right format at the right time. This study was conducted using a survey method and adopted a deductive approach. Structured questionnaires through Google Forms were used to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed through WhatsApp to 80 respondents which covers the total population. The study found that reading has improved the lives of readers. Primary data was used for the conducted research. Data was collected through the questionnaire from two main questions and collected data was analyzed using quantitative techniques. The study found that adults’ purposes, types of reading materials and time, allocation, place, language for reading by adult users that visiting the Kotahena Public Library. Findings of the study can be used to reinforce the services with which the users were satisfied, focus on services that need more improvement according to user concerns, and to take steps for resolution of identified problems to gain users' satisfaction.

Development of public libraries in Mongolia (1921-1990)

2024-09-13T04:20:11+00:00

The victory of the people’s revolution in Mongolia in 1921 became the basis for the rapid development of modern science. One example of this is the public library. (“Historical Bureau – National Library of Mongolia” 2021) In 1924, the First Great Khural of the State convened, adopted a new constitution, and declared the country as the Republic of Mongolia, which marked a new stage of development.