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Presents an overview of the paper deacidification program at the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Workflow and procedure used at the deacidification facility of the library; Relative costs of deacidification and preservation photocopying; Factors considered by schools in adopting the deacidification plan.

This paper describes a document analysis of 24 metadata application profiles (MAPs) used by academic libraries in the United States. The MAPs under study were collected from (a) the DLF AIG Metadata Application Profile Clearinghouse and (b) a Google search of.edu domains. Data collection and analysis took place between December 2020 and February 2021. While most of the MAPs under review provided metadata guidelines for digital collections, a small number were intended for institutional repositories or research data management. The study's findings reveal MAP features and content, usage of controlled vocabularies and standards, and other characteristics pertaining to MAP document scope, contents and format in this context. In addition to its discussion of the literature, the paper's findings should help metadata specialists and others involved in digital collection management gain insights useful in the development or revision of their own metadata documentation. Further, these findings offer a current glimpse of metadata application practices among U.S. academic libraries generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP), one of the United States' largest independent research libraries, contains extensive manuscript collections documenting the history of eastern European immigrants and their descendants. Collections on the history of Slovak, Polish, Jewish, Lithuanian, and Russian ethnic groups are especially strong. These holdings were acquired from the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, which merged with HSP in 2002, as well as from post-merger collecting that has continued the Balch Institute's work in documenting, interpreting, and celebrating the United States' diverse ethnic and immigrant heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the findings of a quantitative study of 1,698 public library websites in Australia, Canada, and the United States over a period of three years using a spreadsheet protocol. The purpose of the research was to evaluate public library websites, available online sources, and whether library staff were available to respond to users' questions and concerns regarding the website. Descriptive statistics are used to report the results. The study provides public library website information regarding which protocol criteria each country's libraries attained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic libraries face periodic accreditation review, usually on a 10-year cycle in the United States. Being successful at accreditation is a milestone achievement and it takes careful and strategic planning for action items leading up to the review visit. This paper reviews the key activities undertaken by an academic library in a small sized college as it prepared for accreditation visit by Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Focus areas of activities include librarians’ collaboration with teaching faculty, information literacy and student learning outcomes, and library program review. A few recommendations are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In today's economy, higher education institutions are struggling to maintain quality while functioning with fewer resources. For libraries, the economic situation is compounded by the impact of an information marketplace that is characterized by prices for resources that increase at 7 to 10% per year, and by near and actual monopolies controlling content. Added to the complexities of the marketplace are the demands of a faculty and student body that prefer individual actions to group efforts. These economic and social issues can become real barriers to innovation, quality improvement, and successful services for today's libraries. One way to combat the economic and social environment is by creating new and improved partnerships to leverage resources and share expertise in order to provide better services and access to wider collections. But forming partnerships is not easy. This paper will review the characteristics of successful partnership as developed by the Gallup Corporation and will show how these values can be used in the academic library environment to create opportunities for success. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Chat reference is becoming prevalent in academic libraries across the country. This paper details the experience of East Tennessee State University's Sherrod Library when initiating such a service at their institution during the 2001-2002 academic year, which began as a response to the addition of a new online degree program in the state. Software selection, staff training, management issues, and statistical data are presented. Data analyzed includes use patterns, types of questions, and categories of users. The paper details librarians' reactions to providing reference services in this format, including the problems encountered. It also offers suggestions for a more successful implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JSTOR has become a standard offering at most U.S. universities and colleges, as well as a growing number of higher education institutions outside the U.S. This paper will track the growth of JSTOR since its inception in 1995 as an experimental digitization project to today as an archive of over 500 scholarly titles in 40 disciplines. We will consider the two threads of JSTOR's mission—to safeguard titles in a digital form, and to provide access to them as broadly as possible—and assess the value the project has provided to the academic community. In addition, there will be some discussion of future directions and challenges for JSTOR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Springshare's LibGuide platform has become synonymous with online library pathfinders or research guides and instruction support. However, without oversight of the collection of guides and standards for their creation, unwieldy numbers and lack of uniformity prevail. The McGoogan Library of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center created a review process that not only governed the creation and approval of guides, but analyzed the usage and scope of guides that had already been created. This paper will outline the creation of standards and application of a review process to increase the value and relevance of guides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mid-size academic libraries face limited funding and space but are expected to provide the tools their students and faculty need to compete in research. A resulting concern is whether to weed potentially useful paper finding aids of the pre-online era. One example is the National Union Catalog Pre-1956 Imprints (NUC). Has the content and current use of the NUC justified its retention? The authors provide historical background of the NUC and the results of a survey of librarians from mid-size academic institutions that explores their perspectives on the tool's continued utility and their institutions’ ultimate decisions on its fate. [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]

The state of serials publications in science, technology, and medicine has reached a crisis stage for academic libraries and librarians. Limited budgets have made it difficult to provide the latest research to faculty and students. This paper discusses the general background of the problem and efforts at the University of Kentucky to begin dealing with this crisis during its 2004-05 serials cancellation project. Also examined are the history of the serials problem in academic libraries and the complications and immediate outcomes of this particular cancellation project, along with questions and concerns that still need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the summer of 2002, Cornell University Library implemented the Cornell University Library Junior Fellows Program—an initiative aimed at introducing high school students of color to academic libraries and librarianship. The six-week program was developed in response to the need for innovative approaches to the recruitment and retention of people of color to the academic library profession. Additionally, the program sought to support the academic achievement of minority students through involvement in research and technology training opportunities. This paper outlines the program's curriculum, performance out- comes, and challenges, and includes discussion of the need for similar programs or initiatives to be designed and implemented at other libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Librarians at Northwest Vista College, a new community college, speculated that keeping faculty members informed about the library and its various resources would result in more instructors sending students to the library for library instruction and, ultimately, it would result in more students who were familiar with and comfortable using the library. This paper describes the librarians' comprehensive faculty outreach effort, which involved putting on special workshops for faculty, creating online forms, and Web links on the library Web page, and taking every opportunity to increase contact and collaboration between librarians and other faculty and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keiko Okuhara, Japanese Catalog Librarian at the University of Pittsburgh, presented guidelines and detailed instruction on the cataloging of microform reproductions and paper-based reprints. She used citations to the standard cataloging tools and used sample records to illustrate her points. The final portion of her presentation dealt with matters affecting the future direction of reproduction cataloging, such as the forthcoming revision to AACR2 and developments relating to multiple versions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper relates the collaborative planning by a task force of public, academic, and special librarians to develop KANAnswer, a statewide virtual reference pilot project. Major points include selecting software, developing policies and procedures, marketing, procuring partners, staffing and training, coordinating the project, and early impressions of the librarians who staff the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a use analysis and the results of a user survey of Bowling Green State University Libraries' "Chat with a Librarian" service for the academic year 2001-2002. When appropriate, the results are compared with the results of other libraries' services. Information examined includes when and from where users ask questions via the services, how users find out about the service, and what types of questions the users ask, the status and affiliation of the users, and user satisfaction with the service. Most of this information can be compared to findings from at least one other academic library's study of a somewhat similar service. With a few exceptions, the findings are similar from service to service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authority Control (AC) is an important cataloging function aimed at achieving catalog consistency. It is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. During the 1990s, many North American academic libraries, under budgetary constraints, have tried to outsource AC activities. The Cataloging Department of the University of Saskatchewan Libraries (USL) outsourced its AC activities to the Library Technology Inc. (LTI), a United States-based AC processing vendor. This paper summarizes the experiences gained by USL in this AC project: the decision-making process in the selection of LTI; pre- and post-database clean-up by LTI; and, the current AC activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Isolation and scarcity of information resources in rural and remote areas are among several factors that challenge researchers to keep abreast of new developments in their fields. USDA researchers in rural and remote locations have expressed overwhelming feelings of isolation and of being at a disadvantage compared to their colleagues in a university environment. Rapid changes in computer technologies and end-user expectations for quick response time, in addition to current economic realities, make it necessary for information seekers and providers to identify more effective ways to accomplish their goals differently. This paper briefly describes the roles of the National Agricullural Library (NAL), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) libraries, and land-grant university libraries in addressing their concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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.

Increased efforts to diversify science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the United States have drastically increased the number of studies offering insight into the experiences of women in STEM programs in higher education. This paper presents a thematic review of the literature regarding their status from 2007 to 2017 including journals, trade magazines, theses, and dissertations. It focuses on areas of recruitment, retention, barriers, and faculty issues. Stereotypes, biases, campus culture, classroom experiences, identity, and sense of belonging are also explored. The author additionally identifies gaps and suggests related areas for new research as well as implications for librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article discusses the use of the Quality Matters Rubric for Higher Education, 6th ed. to self-review an asynchronous information literacy course. In this instance, the authors acted as reviewers and subject matter experts (SME). The Rubric proved to be a useful tool that encompasses several instructional design best practices. After the official self-review period, the QM Rubric influenced the enhancement and updates to the course. The authors recommend more use of the QM Rubric by teaching librarians, collaboration with instructors going through a QM Review, and training for online teaching in Library and Information Science graduate programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses the training of student workers on the techniques in handling libraries and do simple things such as refilling the printer paper, help in navigating areas in the library and handing over to expert librarians on various research inquiries.

The Quality MattersTM(QM) Program is utilized by over 700 colleges and universities to ensure that online course design meets standards imperative to student success in a Web-based classroom. Although a faculty-driven peer-review process, QM provides assessment from a student perspective, thereby identifying opportunities for improvement that may otherwise go undetected. While the benefit to academic librarians who also teach for-credit online or hybrid classes may be obvious, familiarity with QM also benefits academic librarians who create Web resources, act as embedded librarians for online classes, or who seek additional opportunities to collaborate with distance education faculty. This paper will provide academic librarians with an overview of the QM Standards and Rubric and will demonstrate how they can be used to facilitate stronger relationships with distance education departments, faculty, and students. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The literature on academic librarian morale is burgeoning, yet less attention has been paid to the workplace experiences of staff. This research team, which included library staff and librarians, conducted 34 structured online interviews with academic library staff across the United States. A theoretical model and interview findings are presented, which reveal the ways in which organizational culture, library hierarchies, and management style affect staff morale. Recommendations are offered, suggesting that, while change can present substantial challenges, efforts to address equity in compensation, provide professional growth opportunities, and create more collegial work environments are essential to improving staff morale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of collegiality as a factor in promotion-and-tenure cases for academic librarians. Using data from library promotion-and-tenure documents at R-1 universities in the United States, the researchers asked three questions: How many R-1 university libraries include any mention of collegiality in their tenure guidelines? What language is used to express the concept of collegiality and is it defined in a clear, objective manner? How important is the concept of collegiality to the process of tenure? The results reveal that collegiality or related concepts are mentioned in less than one-third of tenure documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the majority of digital assistants, including chatbots, have been assigned names, voices, visual representations, and even "personalities" that are stereotypically feminine and reflect patriarchal ideology. This cross-sectional descriptive study of chatbots associated with large academic libraries in the United States found that there are few extant library chatbots, and in a major departure from trends, there are even fewer that are gendered. This is promising, in that it signals—whether intentionally or not—that the practices of creators and adopters are countering entrenched tendencies to typecast digital assistants as women, which may signal more feminist and gender-inclusive technology design to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the general consensus that field experience during library school is important for applying theory to practical situations, there is a lack of understanding about what students want from, and the barriers they face to acquire, graduate employment. A survey was sent to ALA accredited Master of Library Science programs in the United States, asking students about their library employment status and to rank factors that influenced their decision to accept their positions. Patterns emerged when results were grouped by various life factors. The results of this study show what students are looking for from employment, which could help employers recruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disasters have always occurred in libraires, generally confined to regional areas, or singular buildings. However, COVID-19 has affected libraries across the globe. This research looks at the effect COVID-19 had on libraries' in the United States disaster planning. It seeks to understand if disaster plans were created in preparation or created in response to a disaster. This research showed that even as the COVID-19 pandemic continued, libraries were beginning to discuss revising their disaster plans to reflect the lessons learned. However, it is too soon to know the lasting impact that the pandemic will have on disaster planning in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines geology LibGuides from forty different U.S. academic institutions. It includes schools granting master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and associate's degrees, as well as some offering geology courses only. Data on LibGuide structure, as well as databases, books, journals, websites, cartographic resources and instructional videos recommended within these LibGuides, are presented. Subtopics of geology covered by LibGuide pages and linked resources are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, the University of Southern Indiana began to offer a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program via distance education. For the first three years, two librarians at the David L. Rice Library evaluated how well the library supported the study and research of students enrolled in the program. The research project incorporated multiple methods of assessment, including an examination of usage statistics generated by the electronic resources supporting the program, a student satisfaction survey, a review of the students' use of the library's interlibrary loan and article delivery services, and a citation analysis of the references appended to formal papers submitted as part of the required coursework. A significant amount of data was generated from the four methods used in the research, and the findings based on these data have impacted and will continue to impact the library's support of the program, including instruction, collection development, and expansion of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Student success" and the "user experience" are terms that have gained prominence in conversations around the ways in which academic libraries support and engage with their student populations. Ethnographic methods provide a unique opportunity to incorporate student voices into these conversations. This study reports on a longitudinal ethnographic study conducted at two academic libraries in the United States. Through a semi-structured participatory approach using whiteboards, the researchers garnered more than 2,000 responses. By coding that qualitative data, the researchers were able to examine student usage of library spaces, how students create informal learning communities within these spaces, and how students define success for themselves. The research specifically highlights the importance of using transitional spaces within libraries, highly visible communal spaces not specifically set aside for academic purposes to gather participatory data. This article shares key findings to inform both library practice and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet and the World Wide Web have influenced the new approaches taken in teaching and learning at institutions of higher learning. The nature of the courses offered, the geographical spread of the teaching sites as well as the diverse and distributed student population are the catalysts for the changes. These non-traditional, or distant learners, have emerged as a significant subset of the student population, however, they are usually at a disadvantage because they do not have access to the information experts who would be able to assist them with their reference and research queries. Many libraries have adapted innovative e-reference services in the mainstream of their operations to bridge this divide. In 2009 the author received the 2008 Fulbright Visiting Researcher Scholar Fellowship and explored the theme “Digital Reference Services—Trends, Use and Implications for Academic Libraries in Jamaica.” The author was based at Syracuse University from September to November 2008, and visited other libraries such as the Ohio State University and the University of Illinois in the United States of America. This paper seeks to provide an overview of the research project that was undertaken. The findings presented are based on review of academic discourses through literature, interviews and observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation of electronic reserves in academic libraries represents one of the most important advances in libraries for patrons in many years. Some academic libraries offer faculty peace of mind by assuming responsibility for copyright clearance for electronic reserve services. Libraries have the specialized equipment to scan and edit files to make them readable and easily downloaded by students. Libraries also have sufficient electronic storage to hold scanned material for future semesters. This paper examines how electronic reserves are managed in a large academic library system. The short history behind electronic re- serves at Pennsylvania State University Libraries and the procedures associated with creating and maintaining the reserve system, will be considered, as well as offering a statistical assessment of how electronic reserves have affected the other services of the University Libraries. Finally, issues surrounding electronic reserves, fair use, copyright and Pennsylvania State University Libraries' procedures will be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LibQUAL+® survey has been completed by numerous users at academic libraries in the U.S. and abroad. While there is often great momentum both internally and externally to participate in the survey, working with survey results can present a challenge for college and undergraduate library staff who may not have the time or the technical know-how to extract meaningful insights from the data. This paper discusses some of the efforts undertaken by previous survey participants, proposes simple steps that participants can take to get the most out of their LibQUAL+® survey results, and includes suggestions for additional readings and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a 22-week pilot study, Penn State launched a university-wide real-time virtual reference service in Fall 2002. The Penn State Virtual Reference Service (VRS) features chat, co-browsing, and authentication into licensed databases. VRS serves students, faculty, and staff at 21 residential and commuter campuses statewide, as well as students enrolled in World Campus distance learning courses. This paper presents an analysis of the users, questions, exit surveys, and a VRS librarian survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preservation and collection development professionals should explore new ways to work cooperatively with other libraries to expand the effectiveness of their programs in a mutually beneficial manner. This paper discusses the challenges that must be overcome to establish an effective cooperative effort. Special emphasis is given to the Brittle program at the University of Kansas Libraries that was established for acquiring preservation photocopies of embrittled volumes at reduced prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a Web-based approach to gathering faculty advice on journal subscriptions. Identification of journals whose subscriptions need to be cancelled; Application of the method at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks' library; Description of the software methods used; Prioritization of journal titles.

This study examines the availability of LGBTQ Spanish language nonfiction books among selected university libraries along the United States–Mexico border to measure access to materials for readers and researchers and identify what resources selectors might use to inform purchases. This study utilizes 37 titles and seven libraries for a comparison of holdings. It seeks to expand the body of knowledge available regarding LGBTQ literature while establishing a baseline regarding the availability of LGBTQ Spanish-language materials in academic libraries. [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.

Reports on the Minnesota State University System/Project for Automated Library Systems (MSUS/PALS). Implementation of the X12 invoice; Electronic data interchange; Interface between PALS library system and Faxon Co. INSETS: Sidebar 1: EDI.;Sidebar 2: X12..

Our nation's military veterans share a connection through their service, making them a distinctive community with unique information requirements. Community-based solutions are crucial to meet veterans where they are, and libraries of all types are in a position to help. In recognition of this, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a grant to Texas A&M University, which held a forum attended by 250 librarians from across the United States. The discussions covered how veterans are currently being engaged, what services and programs are working, and where improvements could be made. Toolkit committees were then formed to brainstorm service and program ideas for veterans that can be utilized in various library settings, including medical facilities. These toolkits were uploaded to a freely available repository so that librarians can use and adapt these resources to develop their own veteran-oriented programming. Results from this collaboration among librarians have led to new connections, friendships being formed, and the generation of even more creative solutions to reach veteran populations. While considerations such as respecting copyright and dealing with grant funding appropriations are present, this should not keep librarians from utilizing these resources. This project is meant to be an ongoing and evolving effort. New ideas and collaborations are not just welcomed but encouraged to best serve these veterans who have so selflessly sacrificed for their country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, Sci-Hub has become prevalent among academic information users across the world. Providing thousands of users with millions of uncopyrighted electronic academic resources, this information pirate website has become a significant threat to copyrights in cyberspace. Information scholars have examined the unequal distribution of IP addresses of Sci-Hub users' nationality and emphasized the high proportion taken by users from the developed countries. This study finds new evidence from Google Scholar. Searching "Sci-Hub.tw" in the academic search engine, the author finds 531 results containing the keyword. Considering the result, the author argues that academic users in South American countries may use Sci-Hub more frequently than their counterparts in the rest of the world. Moreover, users in the Global North also rely on Sci-Hub to complete their research as well. The new evidence on Google Scholar proves the universal use of Sci-Hub across the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the authors analyzed 147 AAHSL member libraries' COVID-19 research guides to determine the volume and origin of links included. Through stratified sampling based on total enrollment of health sciences academic institutions, 51 eligible AASHL library websites were selected for inclusion in the study. Content from COVID-19 research guides was analyzed, and the origin of each link was categorized. Most AAHSL libraries have at least one COVID-19 research guide, while some have two or more. A total of 8,848 links within examined research guides were visited. Links to academic institutions including universities' own internal links were most common while news outlets, social media, and international government were linked least. Regarding individual organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)were most frequently linked. The overwhelming majority of sampled health sciences libraries use research guides to share COVID-19 information with their users. It is necessary to further investigate how libraries can optimize research guides to benefit their users. These results and conclusions reveal information resource patterns in research guides at health sciences academic libraries and are consistent with those reached by researchers investigating academic libraries' research guides in 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Framework for Information Literacy is a dramatic break from the previous Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards, but it does not depart as radically from actual library practice. Many librarians have already been trying to help students acquire a deeper, more contextual understanding of “information” and research. In this article, we review some of the practice-based literature on information literacy instruction that reflects efforts to teach this more nuanced view of “information,” and we highlight examples of ongoing instructional practices from a number of college and university libraries that teach in ways that are compatible with the new Framework. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

New types of calculation methodologies, called altmetrics, which is short for alternative metrics, are increasingly being used to measure and analyze the scholarly communication networks of researchers, librarians, publishers, and funding organizations. By applying altmetrics to emergent online forums like Twitter, Academia.edu, Mendeley, and ResearchGate, studies have shown that early measures of social attention to a work or body of work can be correlated with later usage and citation statistics to predict the diffusion and impact of research output. However, standards for altmetrics are needed to build confidence and trust among the information community. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The rapid shift to online instruction at academic institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for streaming media resources offered by academic libraries. This shift prompted many academic libraries to employ new methods to provide access to streaming content. The authors sought to survey academic libraries with the purpose of assessing activities libraries participate in regarding streaming video acquisitions. This article examines the results of a survey the authors created and distributed to academic libraries in the United States. By sharing these results, the authors aim to provide useful information for others who manage streaming video collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal communication—communication among those working in the library—is vital to the engagement, success, and functioning of library employees and departments. However, it has received far less attention than external communication (e.g., promotional and outreach efforts to the academic community). This exploratory study surveyed academic libraries in the United States to determine common themes and potential ways to improve internal library communication. Recurring themes around challenges and effectiveness of internal communications remained consistent, regardless of library size or librarian role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trends in website design among libraries of two-year academic institutions have been under-studied. These libraries are a unique population because they have different goals and challenges than other types of academic libraries. Data were gathered from the library websites of 264 randomly-selected, two-year, nonprofit colleges in the United States. The data were then analyzed to assess the frequency of multiple basic web design elements. Some were common across the sample, such as database lists, and some were infrequent, such as social media integration. The data also showed some relationships between features, for example the presence of a database list tended to be a good indicator of whether a website would have course guides or subject-specific research guides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic libraries providing chat reference services have a range of options for where and how library users can engage with chat providers. These entry points can be static or proactively invite users into the service. The study compares the URLs from which users entered chat reference at three large public research libraries in the United States. The URLs show where users were when they sought assistance with library tasks. This exploratory investigation is important for extending knowledge of user help-seeking behavior and how chat service configuration may impact use. Data are variables related to chat interactions (n = 19,839) at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and University of New Mexico (UNM) in three semesters 2019–20. Findings show users originated most chats from either the library website or discovery layer; chat initiations from other resources are minimal; chat traffic increased at all three during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]