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Due to the proliferation of information available online and through academic libraries, students are increasingly reading from the screen. Academic documents can be long and complex, requiring sustained concentration to read deeply. This paper reviews current literature on the advantages and disadvantages of electronic and paper media for academic reading. Theoretical and empirical research into screen reading in academic institutions falls broadly into the following categories; reading and comprehension theory, the effect of a document’s platform, design and tools on reading, and screen versus paper research studies. These categories inform and provide the structure for this review. This paper concludes by considering how academic librarians can manage their collections and deliver library services in response to recent screen reading research. This overview of the literature on reading theory, the platforms and tools integral to reading electronic documents, and screen versus paper reading research, will enable academic librarians to make more informed collection management and library service decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Oral and written sources are now commonplace in both library and archival collections. Such sources provide for a wider range of voices to be added to the historical record, and in an artistic context, allow for the capture of at least an element of the creative process. This article discusses the National Gallery of Australia's James Gleeson oral history collection, related collections of personal papers, and their role as primary sources in the National Gallery's Research Library. It highlights their uses as evidence for researchers interested in the history of the National Gallery's art collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reprint of the article "Transforming the Libraries: From Paper to Microfiche" by Paul Starr, which appeared in the November 1974 issue of "Change" magazine, is presented.

Background: Since its academic inception in the 1960s, Germany's general practice has seen numerous dissertations, many of which are housed in the 'Archive of German language General Practice' (ADAM). Aim: This study aims to provide the first comprehensive overview of dissertation topics from the discipline of general- and family medicine in Germany, establishing a foundation for advancing research. Method: We employed a systematic review approach, examining 801 dissertations from both ADAM and online sources. Each topic was identified, categorized, and finalized through consensus by two independent reviewers. Results: Our analysis encompassed 486 dissertations from ADAM, 176 from the German national library, and 139 from university libraries. A total of 167 unique research topics were identified. The predominant themes included medical education (n = 49), medication orders (n = 39), frequent consultation issues (n = 33), complementary medicine (n = 32), and screening measures (n = 29). The use of qualitative methods was constantly rising, from no qualitative methods used from 1965–1974, up to 22% of dissertations in recent years. Conclusion: The diversity of 167 research topics underscores the vastness and complexity of general practice in Germany. This structured overview is pivotal for facilitating focused and interconnected research endeavors in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University libraries worldwide are reconceptualising the ways in which they support the research agenda in their respective institutions. This paper is based on a survey completed by member libraries of the Queensland university libraries Office of Cooperation (QulOC), the indings of which may be informative for other university libraries. After briefly examining major emerging trends in research support, the paper discusses the results of the survey specifically focussing on support for researchers and the research agenda in their institutions. All responding libraries offer a high level of research support, however , eResearch support, in general, and research data management support, in particular , have the highest variance among the libraries, and signal possible areas for growth. Areas for follow-up, benchmarking and development are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how the implementation of a Research Working Group (RWG) has brought about changes in the workplace culture at Flinders University Library. The group was established as a strategy to ensure that library staff have the understanding and skills to drive change in a time of uncertainty and to ensure that library staff are equipped with the expertise to engage with the University's researchers. Its brief is to ‘develop a culture of research and professional reflection in the library's professional staff’ which it does by supporting its members to undertake research projects. The group is led by a Chair who is part of the Library's senior management team and is supported by a resource allocation of $10,000 per annum. To understand changes in the workplace culture, semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff who have undertaken a research project since the implementation of the RWG. Participation in research was measured and the interviews analysed for motivators as well as for evidence of changes that have occurred in professional practice. This paper reports on the survey findings and offers an outline of the change process as a case study for other libraries who wish to effect a similar change. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper explores how a support group has contributed to building a culture of research practice at Flinders University Library. The brief of the Research Working Group (RWG) is to develop a culture of research and professional reflection in the library's professional staff. The RWG has three broad goals against which to measure its impact: to develop the professional staff's skills with regard to research engagement; to encourage analysis and investigation of the library's services and resources; and to engage more widely with the library profession and the wider higher education community through presentation and publication of research results. Professional staff completed a questionnaire examining their participation in research, their confidence in undertaking research, and plans for future research projects. The results were analysed with reference to the first goal of the RWG. The importance of practitioners undertaking research is increasingly being recognised as a core value in academic libraries. Many support groups for librarians undertaking research have been described in the literature, but few have evaluated the impact of such a group. This paper seeks to evaluate the impact of the RWG on the professional staff at Flinders University Library to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are experiencing intense pressures to publish and increase research outputs. Recently many research funders have introduced policies and mandates related to open access, which have contributed to the increasing popularity of open access journals. Dubbed gold open access, open access journals offer researchers another publishing option. However, some publishers with questionable practices and journals of dubious quality have emerged exploiting the 'author pays' open access model and researchers' need to publish. Hence an ability to publish research outputs through the most appropriate outlet for a particular field is crucial for researchers in order to maximise the impact of their research. Notwithstanding the proliferation of open access journals, the literature indicates that some researchers may not have a full understanding of the operations, implications and issues around open access and other publishing issues. This understanding is known as scholarly publishing literacy. With knowledge of scholarly publishing and access to resources and tools, academic libraries and librarians are well-positioned to play an active role in providing support to researchers. This paper argues that scholarly publishing literacy should be treated as an extension of information literacy delivered through a broader research support framework. This paper presents a research librarian's perspective, and draws on literature and the author's practice to illustrate key points. Issues for further investigation are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the University of Melbourne was founded in 1853, it was not until 1892 that the post of Librarian to the University was inaugurated. Edward Hippius Bromby built collections, facilities and services to support the growing curriculum of the remote young university. The paper examines Bromby the person and Librarian, the collections that he assembled, and the physical manifestation of the library on campus. Scarce funding coupled with inadequate student and collection spaces posed particular challenges in the post-Gold Rush economy. The paper posits that these environmental factors and the limited response provided by the university were a source of disappointment for the first Librarian. While Bromby did not achieve the outcomes he hoped for in library accommodation and collections, he laid the foundation for future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature speaks of a 'deluge' of scientific and research data and the importance of capturing and managing it for use beyond its original creating community, purpose, and time. Data value increases as it is interconnected, networked, shared, used, and re-used. This paper extends the conversation about data sharing to 'wild data': that is, data generated and held outside of 'academic' or 'professional' science, as in the case of environmental voluntary groups (EVGs). Currently, important data generated by these groups are likely to be inaccessible to the academic community, or any community or body outside those often-small EVGs. Although large quantities of data are often generated by EVGs, management of these data may be poor or non-existent; and quality control of data may be haphazard and spasmodic. This article reports on a pilot project which explored the data sought, generated, stored, and shared by members of EVGs. The project also investigated members' views about data management and sharing for the future. Finally, as Australian university libraries are at the forefront of research and practice to promote the better management of data created by research, the paper also explores whether there might be a collaborative role for university libraries in the management of wild data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes our vision for the new UTS Library opening in 2016/17. Preparations are currently focussed on implementing enabling technologies which will move up to 80% of the print collection to an automated storage and retrieval system. This will allow the physical library to shift from a space dominated by book storage to a vibrant space for people, and facilitate better integration of physical and digital collections, services and spaces. While underpinned by technology, our new library is about people, and this paper describes the co-design practices we are exploring to include our clients in the planning process and ensure we deliver library services which meet their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006-07, the author was involved in redesigning a database storing traditional knowledge of Australian Aboriginal clans. The project raised issues relating to the design of repositories for indigenous knowledge, including theoretical approaches taken to ontology (knowledge structures, classification systems) and metadata creation. This paper describes the design process undertaken, in which user-centred design principles accommodated an emergent contrast between traditional knowledge customs and "good" database design principles. Theoretical approaches taken to ontology are presented, and the format of the restructured database is discussed in general terms. Assembling evidence from usability testing and qualitative research, the paper concludes that a flexible ontological system was needed to provide the customisability required by indigenous users - a system whose iterations and applications may usefully represent widely differing aboriginal cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desire to investigate similarities and differences of Australian and US academic library professional librarian jobs motivated this paper. Job advertisements were gathered in August, September and October 2004. They are a subset of those reported in earlier studies which are more general in scope; this paper focused on the job market's expectations of academic librarians. Word counts and content and co-word analysis revealed a high demand in both countries for behavioural and interpersonal skills. The specification of generic competencies was more marked in the Australian data, and a number of differences existed in educational and experience specifications between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Federal Government is introducing a new funding model for research in Australian higher education institutions, the Research Quality Framework (RQF). This paper provides an overview of the RQF and looks at possible impacts of the RQF on academic libraries in Australia. These impacts are drawn from experience at one Australian university, RQF-related activities, and commentary and research from the UK, where a similar funding model, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), has been operating for a decade. The paper concludes by bringing these issues together with suggestions for academic libraries preparing for the 2008 RQF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brisbane University Libraries Office of Cooperation (BULOC) was formed by University Librarians in Queensland in 1991. With the addition of more members in 1993, the organisation expanded and was renamed the Queensland University Libraries Office of Cooperation (QULOC). In 2016, BULOC/QULOC celebrates its 25th Anniversary and this paper provides a history of the achievements and collaborative work of the organisation over the past 25 years. The paper highlights the activities and projects undertaken and events held that illustrate the defining collaborative nature and ultimately, the impact of the organisation. It also describes the inception, structure and operations of QULOC and the strategies used for enabling collaboration to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the literature on e-book adoption in academic and research libraries, user acceptance is seldom rigorously examined. As take-up of e-books has grown to achieve mass adoption, what industry analysts Gartner describe as the "plateau of productivity", the question of user acceptance may seem less relevant. However, if attention is switched from downloads to information behaviour, expectations and gratification, the picture of acceptance is more nuanced, with some studies pointing towards user disaffection. This paper reports on the information behaviour of another category of e-book users, i.e. apparently satisfied or intensive users. The paper is based on data analysis and interpretation of data from transaction logs generated by the Ebook Library (EBL) platform in an academic library. The paper forms part of a broader investigation of technology acceptance and options for improving the user experience of e-books within an academic library context. Three years of e-books transaction logs were mined for evidence of "power user" behaviour. The paper demonstrates how power user behaviour is different from other user behaviour, shows which variables determine such behaviour, and creates a probabilistic model that can determine a power user based on these variables. The paper also describes how this model was validated against the log data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the implementation results of the Portuguese School Libraries Evaluation Model, more specifically the results of primary schools self-evaluation of their libraries' reading promotion and information literacy development activities. School libraries that rated their performance as either 'Excellent' or 'Poor' have been purposefully selected as case studies. Following a QUAN-QUAL approach to data collection and analysis, we first present the results of two surveys designed respectively to understand how students relate to reading and information access, production and communication in the context of the school library provision, and to map teachers' perceptions on school libraries' systematic promotion of reading and information literacy. In the qualitative component of the study, the evaluation reports submitted by school libraries were subject to thematic analysis to unearth meanings assigned and core concepts employed to classify school libraries' provision. The thematic analysis of reports was also used to further confirm the validity of schools' self-attributed performance levels. The paper calls for the development of an evaluation culture in school libraries, and suggests the development of an online case repository, which would operate as evaluation's interface with new organisational practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macquarie University Library's planning for a new library coincided with a major renewal of the university's curriculum and research activity. This provided a significant opportunity to re-think the presentation of the library collections in the new environment. This article describes how strategic alignment with university goals and the framework of student engagement informed the three major aspects of our approach: the development of collection storage principles, a focus on the presentation of disciplinary pathways to reflect current teaching and research, and the building of collection management and development partnerships with our academic colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutional repositories have been established by most university libraries but their level of success has varied. Determining what belongs in such repositories has been the subject of some discussion but research would suggest that a broader rather than narrower compass is a positive approach to adopt. By seeking out a variety of content types, the library is able to initiate, renew, or redefine its relationship with faculty, departments, and administration, generating critical support for scholarly communication and repository initiatives. This paper provides examples of successful IRs and their scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on questionnaire responses received (via e-mail) during the period 2002-2003 from senior commissioning editors located within seven of the major UK publishing outlets. Drawing on the analytical framework of an earlier study by Nixon (1999) , it focuses on the mediation of educational studies by market forces operating within and upon the educational publishing industry. More specifically it explores issues relating to the construction of readership, authorship and editorship within that force field of market pressures. Central to the argument is the claim that, in its increasing exposure to market forces, the public space afforded by educational publishing is now highly restrictive. The paper concludes with a call for a sustained debate on the future of academic publishing in general, and educational publishing in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses several articles published within the issue including an overview of the a one-day November 2013 symposium on libraries as learning organisations, the role of National and State Libraries Australasia and academic libraries as learning organisations.

This paper presents a flipped learning approach to library orientation for international university students. The approach was trialled through the project Passport to Study with 98 new international students at a Queensland University in 2015 to support the university’s First Year Experience programme. Drawing upon contemporary flipped learning pedagogy, it aimed to raise international students’ awareness of the library as a supportive social learning space and develop foundational information and academic literacies. Although a relatively small-scale project, it provides an authentic model of cross-divisional student-focused collaboration between librarians, academic skills advisers and lecturers. After a brief literature review, the paper explains how the project team developed and implemented the flipped library orientation that involved international students in a self-guiding library quest and follow-up briefing. Evaluation findings of the flipped library orientation highlight its strengths and limitations and support a set of recommendations for further developing this innovative approach. The final discussion suggests opportunities for further pedagogical development and research. The insights gained through this project will be of potential interest to library managers, librarians and information literacy educators. They could inform innovative initiatives to support the successful transition to university of first-year students across culturally diverse university populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article uses the case of the McLaren Collection at the University of Melbourne Baillieu Library Special Collections as a starting point to examine the issue of large-scale acquisitions in libraries. The McLaren Collection is a significant collection of 34,000 books, papers, pamphlets and journals of Australiana that was acquired by the Baillieu Library in 1976. Examining the issues surrounding the purchase and integration of the collection illustrates a number of considerations that libraries need to be aware of when making decisions about large-scale acquisitions. These include the possible motivations of the seller or donor, the terms of the contract negotiated, the cost of processing the collection once it has been acquired and the ongoing issues associated with managing the collection over time. It is not the goal of this article to offer definitive instruction on how libraries should approach the possibility of a large-scale acquisition, but rather to raise issues and considerations that will help librarians make informed decisions throughout this process. Information in this article was sourced from personal experience working with the collection, and from piecing together information from the available documentation. The story of the McLaren Collection provides a thought-provoking demonstration of the way that these factors played out in one example, and illustrates of some of the challenges presented by the acquisition of an established collection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue which includes importance of clarity, conciseness, structure and scope in research report; activities, projects and events that illustrate the collaborative nature and examination of transactional logs from the Ex Libris Primo installation at Curtin University Library.

The increasing availability and prominence of e-books has led to a perception in some quarters that the requirement for physical books is decreasing, as most, or all scholarly material is openly available in digital form. Some academic administrators and librarians have suggested that it may be possible or desirable to have a solely, or predominantly electronic academic library. This study tests that assumption by randomly selecting a sample of titles from a mid-size Australian academic library and searching for suitable electronic copies. The conclusion of the paper is that a maximum of 33% of titles held by the case study library are available as e-books, and on a practical basis about 26% of titles held by the case study library could be readily obtained as e-books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of New Zealand academic subject/reference librarians was conducted in mid- 2011 to identify the most highly valued knowledge, skills and competencies of reference librarians working in libraries in the tertiary sector. The project was part of an international collaborative project involving 13 countries. The results from New Zealand show that serving academic library customers requires not only traditional 'reference' skills, but also skills in customer service, technology support, and training. Good communication skills were also rated highly by respondents, and the high value placed on adaptability/flexibility shows that most respondents expect their roles to continue to change in the next decade. Software troubleshooting skills were also considered important. The results also suggest that traditional paper-based reference sources are expected to become much less important than online ones. There is also a shift towards using social media to interact with customers, and a focus on building sustainable relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented wherein the editors discuss various articles published within the issue on topics including research support in Australian university libraries, immigrants' information behaviour, and the use of altmetrics in measuring research impact.

The article presents a conference paper on research on the Group of 8 (Go8) University libraries in Australia. It cites a report commissioned by Go8 to Outsell led by Vic Eliot, then University of the Australian National University. It offers a history of studies on the value of library services using activity-based costing methodology and benchmarking for process models. It presents research on economic value of libraries using the Return on Investment and Contingent valuation methodologies.

This article explores a number of current issues and challenges in sustainability, both of and in academic libraries of the future, using as a case study the new library opened at Macquarie University, Sydney in 2011. Issues covered include sustainable design and operation of library buildings, sustainability in relation to library collections, and the reframing of library organisational design and service provision for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the process undertaken in the US during 2009/10 in developing a major report on the value of academic libraries. A summary of the key findings and recommendations from the report are also provided. While very much focused on the US situation, the author feels the findings may well have resonance elsewhere, including Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the stereotype of libraries as peaceful retreats, unacceptable behaviour is a reality that desk staff have to deal with. This paper outlines the results of two surveys conducted at Charles Darwin University Library to investigate the extent to which this is a problem in Australian academic libraries. The first survey went to CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians) and the results made available via the CAUL website. As this survey was completed only by management, a second survey was conducted with front desk staff and via the Lending and Document Delivery Group of the Queensland University Libraries Office of Cooperation (QULOC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusion or not of chat services within Virtual Reference (VR) is an important topic for university libraries. Increasingly, email supported by a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database is suggested in the scholarly literature as the preferred, cost-effective means for providing university VR services. This paper examines these issues and identifies some best practices for university library VR services relating to chat and email service, collaborative service provision, services staffing, and staff training. Further studies are required to more completely identify best practices for the complete range of VR services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macquarie University's new medical school, The Australian School of Advanced Medicine (ASAM), is developing a postgraduate program that incorporates a partnership with Macquarie University Library. The curriculum encompasses contemporary models of competency-based assessment, teamwork and lifelong learning that are integrated with research and patient care. This exploratory paper shows how ASAM differs from other medical schools in ways that will necessitate an innovative response from the Library. Results of a Library survey identified key online services and the importance of integrating information skills training into ASAM's curriculum. The ensuing discussion demonstrates how ASAM and the Library can share current technologies and educational principles to facilitate lifelong learning, health care and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Metcalfe of the Public Library of New South Wales played a leading role in founding the Australian Institute of Librarians (AlL) in 1937 and twelve years later in transforming it into a more sustainable and influential body, the Library Association of Australia (LAA). This paper describes some of the work which lay ahead for the new association, including library promotion, expanding membership, professional publications, national and international recognition and a university school of librarianship, in all of which Metcalfe figured significantly. His career after 1949 is outlined and some of his personal preoccupations, fertile ground for further research, are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporting the information needs of researchers adequately is a major challenge for unversity libraries. This paper outlines results of a survey of 23 researchers conducted by Deakin University Library into their information needs and perceptions of the library's role and performance. The survey challenged established ideas about researchers' preference for print, the age of resources required, and reliance on specialist rather than general or cross-disciplinary databases. Of note were changes in use of the library and online resources, and in the need for library support services. The study raises key questions about the future roles of libraries and librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that rising costs have made the maintenance of comprehensive collections impractical for most university libraries. Three suggestions on scholarly communication system offered by the Association of Research Libraries; Recommendation of the Association of American Universities.

This paper presents a review of the professional discourse regarding the evolution of information and learning spaces in academic libraries, particularly in the first decade of the twenty-first century. It investigates the evolution of academic libraries and the development of learning spaces focusing on the use of the terms which have evolved from the information commons concept. The literature review is primarily guided by an effort to make clearly visible the connections and distinctions between different models for the use of space in academic libraries for delivering information and learning services, up to the very recent occurrence of "maker spaces". Attention is given to the language used to describe the different models and to changing historical factors, purposes, pedagogical influences, and attributes of each model for better recognition of shifts and emerging trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the papers presented at the Libraries as Learning Organisation Symposium held in Brisbane, Queensland on November 1, 2013. They include the literacy and learning project by the National and State Libraries presented by Gillian Hallam and colleagues, the application of the learning organisations maturity model in the Northern Territory Library by Anja Tait and Kerry Blinco and academic libraries as learning organisations.

Over the next few years, librarians at many Australian universities will participate in the creation of local Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). This article aims to prepare librarians for this task. It begins by summarising the development of the MOOC concept and then moves on to review the growing literature on MOOCs and librarians. It concludes by looking at possible developments relating to copyright. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How information literate are the Google generation, and what information literacy skills do they bring to university? For university libraries, understanding student prior knowledge provides a foundation on which to introduce appropriate learning activities during the first year. In 2009, in response to a new pedagogical model in health sciences, La Trobe University Library measured and analysed the entry-level information literacy skills of first year health science students. The data was gathered during the first week of semester and 1,029 responses were collected. This paper examines the results of the survey and its implications for programs that broaden and build on students' existing knowledge base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International students constitute a significant proportion of the Australian university population, and thus of the university library-using population. Drawing on qualitative research findings, this paper discusses the library-related experiences and perceptions of international students at two Australian universities. While the students' previous library use was limited, at their host university they experienced challenges using the library, often associated with unfamiliarity. However, they generally viewed their Australian university library and library staff in a positive light. The findings support recommendations for developing library professionals' awareness of international students' and their library use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In October 1903, in the Victorian goldfields town of Maldon, a retired baker named George McArthur committed suicide. He had amassed a large collection of mineral specimens, coins, weapons and other artefacts, and more than two thousand rare and valuable books. He bequeathed his books to the University of Melbourne and his other artefacts to the Museum of Victoria. At that time the University library was geared towards undergraduate teaching and held little over 20,000 volumes. The sheer size of McArthur's benefaction presented significant logistical challenges. This paper ofters an account of the decision making of the University library over the five years it took to accommodate McArthur's books and discusses its failure to capitalise on this shock windfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, several types of library in Australia have been perceived as having a 'research' role, notably the National Library, the state libraries, and the university libraries, together with a few special libraries serving research-producing organisations such as the CSIRO. This paper provides some speculations on how some significant changes in the information environment may impact on the 'research' roles of libraries with a 'public' purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the outcomes of research assessing the nature and extent of print journal cancellations by Australian research libraries since 1990. The cancellation activity of two groups of libraries, one representing the national and state library sector and the other the university library sector, was examined. These two groups were tested for their cancellation of both Australian and international journals. From the results some conclusions are reached about the factors driving the cancellations and the implications these cancellations might have for the nation's access to scholarly journal literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the reasons behind the gap between college students and libraries in the United States. Students fear of multiplicity of information; Students' need for assistance in accessing information; Teachers' guidance of students on library research projects.

In recent years, there has been considerable discussion about the key role which university libraries can play by engaging with their research community. As a result libraries are scoping, developing and implementing new roles and service models, especially in the relatively new area of research data. This article explores the specific challenges experienced by a traditional academic librarian at Griffith University as she moved into a new role as a data librarian. It was found that this transition needed to be underpinned by a skills development programme, a mentor/coach and a support network of specialists. The authors then outline some strategies to facilitate this type of role transition, which include investing in a range of training and staff development activities, leveraging existing core librarian capabilities and understanding the researcher perspective. The article concludes with a suggestion that several national organisations will continue to have an important role in supporting librarians as they develop new skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including research on marine and freshwater, threats to the water quality and biodiversity of freshwater systems and online access arrangements in academic libraries.

The article discusses the different ways to evaluate journals. It focuses on indicators that deals with journals in humanities. Then it uses samples of Australian journals on humanities to try a particular method. The indexes used are degree of holding in huge academic libraries abroad, scope and limitations of international databases, established ways of refereeing, evaluation by co-researchers, the patronization in source journals. The outcome are then differentiated to weigh the validity of the indicator.

This article reviews the methods commonly used to evaluate journals, looking particularly at indicators relevant to journals in the humanities. It then applies these methods to a sample of Australian humanities journals. The indicators used are: level of holdings in large overseas academic libraries, coverage in international databases, standards of refereeing, peer evaluation by researchers, and frequency of citation in ISI source journals. The results obtained from each indicator are compared to establish the validity of the indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the evaluation of university libraries from two standpoints, namely, total measure and ratio measure, and the 24 university libraries in Taiwan are adopted for empirical study. The total measure is based on the services and total resources, including collections, personnel, expenditures, and buildings that a university library is providing for its patrons. The total amount of these five factors weighted by their importance is calculated for each library for comparison. It is a measure of the size of a library in an aggregated sense. The ratio measure, which takes into account the clients sharing the resources and services, measures the extent that a library satisfies the standards. In both cases, the data envelopment analysis methodology is utilized. To prevent the ignorance of some factors in calculating the index for comparison, the assurance region concept is applied. Good libraries should have high indices in both measures. The empirical results show that only the libraries of National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, National Cheng Chi University, and National Chung Cheng University provide sufficient resources and services for their clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]