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Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to discuss customizing an open-source program called the Assignment Calculator into a tool designed specifically to serve the needs of students at California State University, Fresno, and at San José State University. The paper aims to discuss information literacy standards, students' need for convenient access to resources, time-management and research help and the technical issues involved in such a project. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper presents how the steps and content of the open-source tool were connected to the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards. Subject matter was researched and evaluated from other tutorials to find the most valuable instructional concepts based on assessment of their students' needs. The paper discusses ways to customize, maintain and continue to revise the Assignment Calculator to keep it relevant and beneficial. Findings -- The customized online tool can help improve understanding of the library's role in information literacy and provides opportunity for librarians and faculty to collaborate. Statistics and a survey can yield information on usage and usefulness. Originality/value -- This case study reviews current research in incorporating information literacy concepts into an online tool. It describes the process for librarians to research and customize an open source tool and concludes that while it is initially time-consuming, it is ultimately a rewarding experience which will improve students' understanding of these concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — A comparative case study of two academic libraries in two continents aims to investigate reasons behind similarities and differences between Universidad del Bio-Bio (UBB) in Concepciôn, Chile, and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). Design/methodology/approach — Empirical data and interview transcripts are analyzed in the paper to provide insight into characteristics of academic libraries in an international context. Findings — The paper finds that, while institutional age, student population size, and number of librarians are comparable, the services, usage, and collections at each library are distinct. Originality/value — There are few international comparative case studies of academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - At California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, USA, systems thinking practice guides strategic organizational change. A new Research and Information Service and education (RISE) initiative and an emerging professional knowledge management model illustrate participants' ‘deep learning’ as leaders realign the organization within the broader context of the academic enterprise. This study aims to examine this initiative. Design/methodology/approach - This ‘thought leadership’' approach uses soft systems methodology (SSM) to support collaborative learning focused on re-examining organizational contexts and assumptions. Fortified by data-driven dialogue, library faculty and staff learn how to think holistically about repurposing resources, redirecting programming, restructuring staff, and retooling expertise. Findings - Rethinking activities guided by SSM build library staff capacity to improve systems and services through active learning experiences focused on interpreting results and applying insights from user research. Results to date also identify elements of and processes for transformational thought leadership in contemporary information and knowledge organizations. Research limitations/implications - This promising line of inquiry suggests the efficacy of systems thinking for organizational change initiatives which seek to better align workplace outcomes with constituencies' needs. Results to-date also suggest elements of, and processes for, thought leadership initiatives which seek to create sustainable workplace learning culture. Practical implications - This applied systems thinking methodology can inform organizational decision making intended to improve institutional alignment and, concurrently, advance workplace learning. Originality/value - SSM is typically used in an isolated intervention by external organizational development consultants. At California Polytechnic State University, organizational leaders seek to embed SSM in workplace culture to further evidence-based information practice and workplace learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the new Dr Martin Luther King Jr Library in San Jose´, California, which will house the collections of the San Jose´ Public Library's main branch and the San Jose´ State University's Library system in one new building. Outlines the conception of the project, the site selection and the planning process. Considers the communities served, usage patterns and services. Focuses on the management structure and operations in light of a, perhaps controversial, aspect of mixing city and university library staff under the same roof, some performing similar functions, but with different supervisors and employing agencies. Discusses the new library in the context of other joint-use libraries and in the context of economies of scale and future trends. Evaluates the arising challenges and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]