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Since their inception, virtual reference services have evolved considerably and are now a significant component of library services in many types of library environments. The current paper reports on a study undertaken at a research-intensive academic library that analyzed and evaluated a decade-old virtual reference service. The main goal of the study was to obtain a broad and comprehensive picture of the current service, grounded in the actual day-to-day provision, usage, and organization of the service. The group of librarians involved in the study developed a feasible, efficient, and adaptable methodology for assessing and evaluating a virtual reference service. The developed methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative methods can be used and applied for a similar evaluation of the service in any type of library environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon the subject librarian training practice of CALIS Phase III "Librarian Literacy Training and Qualification Certification" in the charge of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library, this paper elaborates upon a design for a subject librarian training system concerning objectives, methods, courses, tests, organization and management mechanisms. From November 2010 to December 2011, the program has held four phases of liaison librarian training respectively and trained 322 liaisons for 197 universities in China. Additionally, it analyzes major characteristics of the training program and points out what we should note in the training process in order to achieve success in the implementation of subject librarian training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the results of a nationwide study which examined the design, layout, content, site management, and usability of 1,469 academic and public library websites from all 50 states in the United States. Our findings show common trends for homepage design, navigation, and information architecture. Library websites were found to consistently provide information about hours of operation (97.9 percent), library address (91 percent), news and events (88.9 percent), access to OPACs (84.6 percent), online renewal (77.7 percent), contact information (72.5 percent), and ability to give feedback (74.2 percent). Websites were mainly designed (33 percent) and managed (50 percent) by librarians as part of their professional job duties and the majority did not conduct any web usability testing (72.3 percent). This study provides a profile of how the nation's academic and public libraries design and manage their websites and how this compares to recommended best practices from the research literature. Library websites rated high in general usability based on recognized heuristics; however, a need to conduct usability evaluations remains. A basic set of guidelines for library webpage design is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on emergence of libraries as most rapidly expanding educational institution in the U.S. It mentions that adult education researcher Gordon Darkenwald has defined nontraditional students by sociocultural responsibilities instead of age. It also discusses responsibilities that includes full-time employment, parenthood, and financial responsibilities.

This article focuses on assessments of learning in libraries. The authors discuss an approach to library learning assessment used at the Auraria Library at the University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado, which allows librarians to improve the quality of assessment and instruction tools by studying the components of learning. They emphasize the use of three assessment tools, including pretest and posttest sets, posttests, and activities, and address the strengths and weaknesses associated with each tool. Topics include the role of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in learning, and the formats of assessment tools.

The goal of this quantitative study is to explore the effect of consolidating circulation and reference functions at a single service point in a specialized setting, namely, a large academic music and performing arts library. It analyzes reference transactions before and after the merging of reference and circulation service points. Transaction trends are evaluated based on location within the library, type of question, and question complexity. The authors find that there are significant impacts on reference staff time due to consolidating desks, but the closer proximity led to an increase in activity and allows for referrals that are more successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the results of a survey administered to a consortium of academic libraries in the U.S. to find if recreational reading collections are enjoying some kind of renaissance. Recreational reading collections, or popular collections, were defined. The literature dealing with recreational reading collections was also examined. A connection between recreational reading and greater overall academic achievement for college students was found.

The article discusses an implementation of readers' advisory services Book Matchmaking in academic libraries with the aim of helping library staff in encouraging and learning about readers' leisure, their reading habits, and their interests. Topics include the leisure reading is important for students in improving academic skills including writing and critical thinking. According to the data, the concept of Book matchmaking encourages the use of the library.

The article provides information on status of marketing libraries in current situation of fake news on government information. Topics discussed include popularity of social media and news gathered through alternative sources; capitalization of trending fake news; and International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Eighteen academic library users who are blind were interviewed about their experiences with academic libraries and the libraries' websites using an open-ended questionnaire and recorded telephone interviews. The study approaches these topics from a user-centered perspective, with the idea that blind users themselves can provide particularly reliable insights into the issues and potential solutions that are most critical to them. Most participants used reference librarians' assistance, and most had positive experiences. High-level screen reader users requested help with specific needs. A larger number of participants reported contacting a librarian because of feeling overwhelmed by the library website. In some cases, blind users and librarians worked verbally without the screen reader. Users were appreciative of librarians' help but outcomes were not entirely positive. Other times, librarians worked with users to navigate with a screen reader, which sometimes led to greater independence. Some users expressed satisfaction with working with librarians verbally, particularly if websites did not seem screen reader user friendly, but many users preferred independence. Participants agreed it would be helpful if librarians knew how to use screen readers, or at least if librarians were familiar enough with screen readers to provide relevant verbal cues. Many users liked and used chat reference and many preferred Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) to learn citation style, though learning citation style was challenging. Questions such as reference librarians' role when eresources are not equally accessible deserve wider discussion in the library literature and in practice. Given the challenges described by the research participants and legal requirements for equally effective electronic and information technologies, libraries and librarians should approach reference services for blind users more proactively. Recommendations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the LibGuides fee-based, licensed tool that enables libraries to create small websites called guides in the academic libraries. It mentions usefulness of LibGuides in formal instruction and the education system. It also mentions involvement of stakeholders that varies by time, resources and scope.

The article presents a case study of use of instructional design model Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate (ADDIE) to develop a training resource for deselection to help librarians at the Pollak Library of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) complete their weeding tasks. A survey was conducted to determine the progress and attitudes of librarians in weeding. It shows that provision of evaluated and carefully designed training resource was useful to librarians.

The article offers information on the website Free People of Color in Louisiana, developed by Louisiana State University (LSU) Libraries, located at http://lib.lsu.edu/sites/all/files/sc/fpoc.

The article presents a study which examines the U.S. and Canadian literature on archival user studies and uncover the issues and challenges facing the archival community in conducting user studies. Topics include the emergence of archival user studies in 1980s, archival institutions not having sufficient resources, including staff time, to conduct user studies, and the most important function of archival institutions being preservation of rare or unique materials, not user service.

At many academic libraries, spiral notebooks and three ring binders have given way to blogs and wikis as a means of facilitating communication at the reference desk. Western Kentucky University Libraries opted instead to create a custom internal website to log reference transactions, highlight current issues, and manage scheduling changes. This solution incorporated numerous platforms and technologies, including LibGuides, Facebook, and Google Calendar. It avoided some of the pitfalls described in the literature, such as relying too heavily on user-generated content, and has been successful largely because it is embedded in the reference workspace and contains features that librarians will use on a daily basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study done at Colorado State University that researched the attitudes toward and use of electronic books, or e-books, by graduate students and instructors. According to the article, student preferences of e-books versus printed texts varies depending on field of study. Reported positive aspects of e-books include availability, convenience, and research ease. Negative aspects covered include eyestrain, discomfort, and the need for stable Internet access. Other topics discussed in the article include patron-driven library acquisitions, the use of books versus academic journals, and how students and teachers learn about books.

The article looks at help-seeking behaviors in college students and the impact of library instruction sessions on this behavior. A survey designed to help increase research help among students is covered, the findings of which indicate that students encouraged by a librarian to ask for help do not always do so. The article states that students encouraged or required by faculty to seek research help typically did so more often than those who were not. A discussion of the survey results covers topics such as librarian influence, relationships between librarians and students, and methods used by students for research projects.

The article discusses the advantages and benefits of a library-sponsored book discussion group on college campuses. Noted benefits for librarians organizing these groups include creating book displays, gaining feedback on library collections, and finding potential donors. The author provides a brief overview of the history of book discussion groups, noting that the late 1800s saw a growth in popularity among women searching for intellectual stimulation and social interaction. The discussion then shifts to book discussion groups held on academic campuses and how to best keep them organized and sustained. Suggestions provided by the article include changing group leadership often, remaining open to suggestions, and keeping discussions focused on the literature.

The article discusses blended librarianship (BL), which addresses the educational responsibilities of librarians, in light of computing technology. The authors argue that BL has emphasized the services that individual librarians can provide to students, as well as the potential for an academic library to act as an information, learning, and knowledge (ILK) commons. Topics include Library 2.0 in relation to Web 2.0, the role of librarians in instructional development for online learning, and the notion of embedded librarians as librarians who fully participate in the work of educational institutions.

The article discusses library user education in light of online tools including RSS feeds, RSS readers, and social bookmarking tools. The author notes a program to educate academic librarians at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand about these tools. The tools discussed are said to save user time, promote information literacy, and allow librarians to act as innovators. RSS readers evaluated include Bloglines, Google Reader, and Microsoft Outlook 2007 Feed Reader, while social bookmarking tools including Citeulike, Delicious, and Diigo are discussed.

This study employs the case study approach to examine a QR code pilot implemented at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CUB) Libraries in Fall 2010 using Microsoft Tag. Through observations and experiences gathered during the pilot, the study seeks to identify effective implementation strategies while also revealing benefits and challenges to be considered when managing similar QR code projects in academic library settings. The findings support continued investigation of QR codes to respond to the growing mobile device trends among college students and as a means to bridge virtual and physical library services, resources, and tools. Through the CUB pilot description, interested librarians will gain perspectives on implementation, benefits, and challenges, which will prove useful in pursuing similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Generation 1.5" patrons are children of immigrants who are not fluent in the language of their parents or in the English of their peers. While the identification of this group of patrons is relatively new in academia, libraries have always strived to serve them by reaching out to immigrant communities generally. The modern library developed during a period of large-scale immigration and today's library faces challenges that parallel some of the challenges faced when the profession was new. Librarians can learn lessons from their predecessors in the Progressive Era, who developed outreach efforts to aid their own Generation 1.5 patrons. Many outreach activities to immigrant and underserved communities today were born in the Progressive Era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the effect of social marketing strategies on the behaviors of college students within academic libraries. A review of literature on the motivation and behavior seeking habits of young adults is provided along with a brief analysis of the current instructional practices being used in higher education. Emphasis is placed on various social marketing tools including customer and competitor assessment, market segmentation, identification of target behaviors, and the design and delivery of intervention techniques to alter those behaviors.

This article examines technology trends in higher education and how they impact student habits and preferences in college libraries. A study was conducted among students at the Sam Houston State University in East Texas to investigate their usage of electronic devices and technologies such as text messaging, Twitter, podcasts, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, and social networks. Results indicate that students do wish that basic library services were available through the most popular social networking sites and Internet technologies. Topics include a review of literature consulted, methods used, and the demographics of the student body researched.

The article presents the author's views on how to build a successful philosophy collection within an academic library. He comments on how philosophers rarely seek help from librarians as sources are often easy to find and excellent reference tools are available through Oxford, Cambridge, and Blackwell presses. In addition, he offers recommendations on resources that are relevant to the topic. Websites reviewed include the Philosopher's Index, located at http://philindex.org, from the Philosophy Information Center. Books reviewed include "The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy," by Robert Audi and the "Encyclopedia of Philosophy," by Donald M. Borchert.

The article presents a case study about the integration of virtual reference and digital reference tools into academic libraries, focusing on the integration process at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It addresses the impact of the needs of library users on the integration process and provides information on the school's reexamination of the library's reference services.

The article discusses libraries' transitions to the learning commons (LC) reference librarianship service model, focusing on the role of reference librarians. It examines the Internet and online public access catalogs (OPACs), as well as the information commons (IC) service model. The author stresses the need for communication, collaboration, and continued assessments in transitioning to the LC model. The General Productivity Centre at the West Commons at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the library at California State University, San Marcos (CSU San Marcos), and the University of Massachusetts W. E. B. Du Bois Library are also discussed.

The article discusses a study that looked at the way in which college freshman use library reference services. Specific questions that are addressed within the study include how many freshman are aware of reference services available to them, how many freshman ask for assistance from reference librarians and how do freshman communicate with reference librarians. Several different factors that impact the way in which college freshman use library reference services are mentioned, including previous experiences that students have had with library reference services.

The article discusses the importance of library assessment as a means of supporting evidence-based librarianship as well as assisting in strategic planning and the decision making process in academic libraries. Particular focus is given to surveys which focus on technology use among university students and faculty. Partnerships involving Information Technology Services (ITS), the Office of Student Affairs Research and Assessment, and the Libraries at Pennsylvania State University to develop locally based surveys are examined. Information gathered from the Pulse surveys and the Faculty Advisory Committee on Academic Computing (FACAC) surveys concerning campus technology use is also discussed.

This research examined the literature on instruction in academic libraries to determine the journals in which such articles were published, the types of articles, and changes in the types by year. Results show that Research Strategies, Reference Services Review, College & Research Libraries, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, and Reference & User Services Quarterly have published the most articles on academic library instruction. The most frequent types of articles were those classed as essays, which included articles on current developments and the philosophy of instruction, and articles discussing instruction for searching online catalogs and databases. No significant differences were determined for changes in type of articles by the year in which they were published. For articles that were research-based, surveys or questionnaires were the most frequently used data collection tool. The most frequently used inferential statistical tests were chi-squares and t-tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public users represent a small but growing clientele in academic libraries. Many academic librarians grapple with the issue of serving public users, partially because of shrinking academic library budgets and growing user demands. This article presents data from a 2002 survey about public access in Florida academic libraries. A Web-based survey consisting of nine questions was sent to sixty-six libraries, of which thirty-six responded. Results show that while a majority of publicly and privately funded academic libraries allow public users to access their resources and services, many do not actively promote themselves to the community at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the trends and challenges that impacted library instruction at community and technical colleges in the U.S. During the 1990s, collaborations and partnerships have continued to emerge, particularly given the acceptance of information literacy outside libraries. Community college libraries are considered unique to academic libraries they can determine specific feeder high schools and work to bridge the transition between high school and college information literacy instruction. One of the vital factors that allows for information literacy to develop in community colleges is the philosophical commitment to teaching and learning.

The article examines the assumptions that underlie the traditional model for readers' advisory (RA) service and explores how readers' services are offered in academic libraries. The first problem with relying on face-to-face interaction is that many readers do not talk to librarians about their reading. Secondly, most patrons do not understand how libraries are staffed. To reduce confusion, some libraries appoint a specialist or create a desk where all reading questions are sent. However, such service method do not always work. Third, libraries are challenged to get enough information without overwhelming the reader or offending his or her sense of privacy. The article also describes a revised model for RA that begins with a reading preference form instead of face-to-face discussion developed by the Williamsburg Regional Library in Virginia.

This article questions the effectiveness and overall applicability of a tutorial as an instructional alternative to in-class instruction. The University of Iowa Libraries PsychINFO Project is an outcomes assessment. It began during the fall semester of 2001 and the survey was administered the following spring. The sample population included 240 undergraduates enrolled in the Introduction to Child Development class. Two hundred sixteen undergraduates took both the pretest and posttest, but only 196 completed the tutorial and were included in the final analyses. Results indicated that the level of difficulty for questions 10-14 and 19-23 fell below 0.700 for both posttest groups and for questions six-seven for one of the posttest groups. The PsychINFO database was updated to include literature dating back to 1872 after the completion of the study. Question eight tested the students' knowledge of access points. On the pretest, 70.9 percent of the class answered the question correctly. The tutorial emphasized developing a search strategy. On the posttest 58.8 percent of group one and 52.5 percent of group two selected keyword search as the default search option. It is important to note that very few students on either the pretest or posttest chose author search, title search or journal search as the default search option.

This article presents the results of a study in which seventeen college students who use public libraries for their college assignments were interviewed about their reasons for using public libraries rather than academic libraries. Five factors emerged from the students' responses: personal convenience, materials, ease of use and familiarity, staff, and subjective appeal. Many of the students interviewed mentioned children, jobs, and other responsibilities, indicating that students who use public libraries might tend to be nontraditional students. Library anxiety also was identified as a possible contributing factor to students' choice of library. The implications of this study for further research in the area are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenal growth of distance-learning programs at colleges and universities has tremendous implications for providing library services to distance students. Academic libraries are trying to meet the accreditation requirements for providing "equivalent" library resources and services to on-campus students and distance learners. This article reviews the literature and presents an overview of distance-learning services offered by academic libraries. The impact of distance-learning and accreditation requirements on the work and roles of academic librarians is explored, and shifts in the roles of librarians serving distance learners and educators are discussed. The focus is on examining additional responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges encountered by academic librarians in serving distance learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment-related resources have always been a vital part of the reference collection in academic and public libraries. To assist job seekers, the Web is now presenting free and interesting opportunities for collecting cost-of-living data. However, librarians need to be advised of their relevance and reliability. This article looks at four well-known salary and/or cost-of-living calculator commercial Web sites: Homestore.com, Monstermoving.com, BestPlaces.net, and Salary.com. The Web sites are compared in terms of value-added content. By presenting the potential salary differences of a hypothetical relocation from one U.S city to twenty-six other U.S. cities, this study identifies the anomalies found when using these calculators. The implication is that librarians should be more thorough in comparing free Web sites before linking them to their Web pages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]