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Purpose – Chinese gazetteers are one of the most important primary sources for the study of history of Chinese economy, politics, culture, military, and science and technology. Since the very beginning, the Yale East Asia Library has been keen on collecting Chinese gazetteers. However, unlike its peer research libraries in the USA, the Yale East Asia Library had never compiled a catalog or written an article about its gazetteer collection. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review, for the first time, original editions of Chinese gazetteers held in the Yale East Asia Library to reveal the holdings and research value. Design/methodology/approach – The author conducted a survey of original editions of Chinese gazetteers in the Yale East Asia Library by searching the Yale online library catalog and comparing with existing catalogs of Chinese local gazetteers compiled by other research libraries in the USA. The paper focuses on the edition, coverage, rarity and variety of Yale's holdings. Findings – According to the author's findings and preliminary research, Yale holds approximately 337 original Chinese gazetteers. The majority of them is rarely found in other North American research libraries and thus has high research value. They cover almost all provinces and municipalities in China and have a great variety of types. Research limitations/implications – Although the author tried to use various search strategies to look up in the Yale online library catalog to ensure high retrieval, the results here may not be accurate. Also it is likely that a number of Chinese gazetteers are not recorded in the Yale online library catalog because of backlogs. A physical survey of Chinese gazetteer holdings at Yale and more research need to be done in the future. Originality/value – This paper is the first of its kind to provide a systematic review of original editions of Chinese gazetteers held in the Yale East Asia Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a library with useful information about selection criteria for an electronic resource assessment system and practical assistance on how to implement efficiently such a system. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on literature review, desk research, and implementation experience. Findings - The paper identifies a number of homegrown, open-source, and commercial electronic resource assessment systems and discusses their selection criteria. Based on the implementation of 360 Counter, the paper details the efficient way to implement the system. Originality/value - Collecting usage statistics is very important to make informed and well-rounded collection decisions. Libraries are seeking suitable measuring tools to meet their needs. This paper reviews several electronic resource assessment systems, discusses the selection criteria and implementation process of 360 Counter, and detailed learned lessons as well. Future directions for usage statistics are also explored. It is believed that the deployment experience should be instructive when carrying out similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show how Olin Library has maintained exceptional service to its users before, during and after a periodicals review resulting in deep subscription cuts. Design/methodology/approach - The paper takes the form of a review of activities at the Library during a time of financial restraints. Findings - Although Olin's cancellation project is not entirely completed, there is sufficient anecdotal evidence that the exceptional service has not deteriorated. At some point, soon after the cancellations are in place, a survey should be initiated to confirm this assumption about exceptional service. Practical implications - Several guidelines are presented and discussed that may be useful for other libraries faced with having to make tough periodicals decisions after being directed to cut budgets by their administrations. Originality/value - The paper provides guidelines that should greatly benefit librarians in facilitating a periodicals review and the resulting cuts during difficult economic times while still providing the service to which users are accustomed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Engineers fundamentally solve problems. Engineering students are obtaining the education necessary to develop problem-solving skills and tools. Olin College of Engineering was founded on the philosophy that a hands-on, entrepreneurial, design-centered engineering education would create engineers ready to solve current and emerging problems. This paper aims to discuss the philosophy and development of Olin College and the Olin College Library, and then to address its evolving materials collection. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the development of Olin College, its philosophy and discusses its evolving materials samples collection. Findings – Olin's library has embraced the college's philosophy through the development of a realia, or learning objects collection that supports multiple intelligences. Moving beyond these learning objects, library staff wanted to build a collection of materials samples that enhance the engineering curriculum, and specifically design, sustainability and materials science courses. Students use the objects to make project decisions and for inspiration. The hands-on nature of the collection aligns with the pedagogical philosophy of the college. These objects are physically available and also are beginning to have digital representation. A growing partnership between the library and specific courses is helping build the collection, while subscriptions from vendors assure a steady growth of new objects. Practical implications – The collection requires three phases of thought and development beyond acquisitions: display of objects, storage of objects, and the digital representation of objects. The digital representation has several layers of development, from database building to metadata decisions to object photos to the workflow and policy decisions. Originality/value – The paper discusses the philosophy and development of the Olin College materials samples collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate if collection developers in American academic libraries have added predominantly "yellowface" movies to their collections, or have actively sought out movies created and acted by Asian and Asian Americans, to balance out their libraries' collections. Design/methodology/approach – In total, ten acknowledged "yellowface" movies and ten critically acclaimed Asian and Asian American movies were chosen. The collections of 157 academic libraries throughout the entire USA were then surveyed, including geographical areas that have had very few Asians or Asian Americans in their populations throughout their histories. Findings – The results show that neither "yellowface" movies nor Asian and Asian American movies are overtly dominant in the collections of American academic librarians, and one can conclude that the collection developers actively sought to find a balance between movies in both categories, no matter the geographical locations of their libraries. Social implications – No matter how unsavory is our racist past, representations of past bigotry and discrimination should be available for scholars of history, cultural studies, and sociology. However, interpretations of Asians defined with this jaundiced eye must be balanced with movies of Asians and Asian Americans defining themselves. Originality/value – The area of Asian and Asian American movies is rather small and arcane, yet the results of this survey show that there are no academic areas too small or narrow that do not demand the attention of a knowledgeable collection developer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study aims at identifying Andrews University's students' perceptions, behavior, use, and attitudes towards e-textbook and e-books in general. Design/methodology/approach – In the Fall semester of 2001-2012, Andrews University's bookstore offered 74 e-textbooks for purchase. The teachers who had the opportunity of using these e-textbooks for their classes were asked to distribute two questionnaires to their students: one to those who chose to buy and use the e-textbook and a slightly different one to those who chose the traditional print textbook. The results were tabulated and compared to the results of similar studies since 2001. Findings – A 65 percent return rate was obtained. Several findings closely replicate results of many studies on this area. For more than a decade, studies show that students prefer the hardcover book over the e-book for their studies. Lack of awareness, not knowing how to get it, eyestrain, and difficulty of reading are the main culprits for students not using e-books more often. However, those who use e-books report they are generally satisfied. Students would like to enjoy fewer restrictions on printing and copying, PDA accessibility, more titles in their area of studies and better e-book readers. They do not usually read e-books cover to cover. The library is not their main point of entry or search for e-books. Students value portability, instant access, light weight and ability to store large amounts of materials. Research limitations/implications – The sample population was limited to the classes which had access to an e-textbook. A broader and more complete understanding could have been obtained if the study included all of the student population. It is not possible to generalize the findings due to the fact that the study was done in a specific academic setting. Practical implications – Universities and libraries are highly engaged in this topic at the present moment. Results of studies like this one will provide data useful for collection development policies and the pedagogy adopted by faculty in the classroom. Social implications – This is a topic that is of increasing importance in all parts of the world, and is affecting how people and, more specifically, students read and learn. It has the potential of changing reading habits and how students absorb information and knowledge, as well as how they use libraries. Originality/value – E-books will have a definitive impact in new models of acquiring, accessing, and distributing information materials for and to the academic community. The paper will help the library better understand students' preferences and study habits which will have an impact on decisions regarding types of services it should provide and collection building decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated definition of academic liaison work and examine methods for developing effective liaison relationships. Design/methodology/approach - The authors reviewed and incorporated recently published (1989-2009) material relating to academic liaison work. In addition to published material the authors conducted a survey of faculty in their liaison areas during the fall 2008 semester in order to access their knowledge and satisfaction with liaison services. Findings - The paper finds that liaison work is multifaceted and success is based both on administrative support and the individual liaisons efforts. Originality/value - The originality of this work includes the definition of liaison work and requirements of academic liaisons in today's libraries. The paper is of value to current academic liaisons and librarians just entering the field of academia. The paper incorporates recent research, an author conducted survey and the authors' nearly two decades of combined liaison experience and may serve as an overview of the expectations and potential benefits of academic liaison work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper seeks to demonstrate the value of adding links to freely available web content to the library catalog (OPAC). This aims to answer the research question: "Is there value to cataloging freely available Internet resources in the OPAC?" Design/methodology/approach — Using a URL redirection system for tracking user access to freely available web publications, three years of click- through use statistics were gathered by placing redirect URLs in the 856 field, tabulating the use data by project category, and redirecting the user to the desired resource. Findings — Usage statistics over three years show that cataloging free resources is well worth the effort. Originality/value — This is the first study to track use of free resources by click-throughs to the OPAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the use of I-Share domestic monographs as a collection assessment at College and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI). The study employed Voyager system for shared online catalog equipped with patron-initiated borrowing. Results revealed that the numbers of copies purchased by I-Share fell into the categories including low overlap with low use, high overlap with high use, and a middle area with a high number of copies with low to middle use.