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This quantitative longitudinal study cross-analyzes a shared print repository's periodical supplement records against physical copies to determine the accuracy of bibliographic representation for bound supplements. The authors relate the study's findings to collection managers and library administrators by highlighting prominent issues discovered, and by discussing the challenges this descriptive disconnect may present for shared repositories, as well as any library collection containing periodical supplements. By requesting that participating libraries provide catalog records for materials set to be submitted, the shared print repository central to this study was well positioned to access and analyze large samples of records and materials from an assortment of independent library collections. It was discovered that many periodical supplement records failed to fully represent actual supplement content held, particularly when involving supplements that were bound together with serial volumes. As a result, the authors pose that if relying only on standard supplement cataloging requirements to represent periodical supplement holdings, it may be particularly difficult for those overseeing collection management to know exactly what supplement content is held and bound within or apart from the affiliated parent resource materials. In turn, this issue may result in libraries inadvertently mislaying or discarding valuable supplement content, particularly when supplement information is not recorded and cataloged at the item level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the continual rate of change in academic libraries, the increasing accountability in higher education and the call to contribute to learning outcomes, career success, and lifelong learning, leadership that is responsive to the service mission is critical to their success and evolution. However, as has been consistently stated in the literature, there is a leadership vacuum. The pursuit of leadership, as evidenced by job advertisements, is representative of this lack of attention to a service leadership ethic. This study examines library dean and director position descriptions and advertisements from 2011 to 2015 for elements of the service leadership model. Analysis indicates that most leadership posting for academic libraries attend to traditional library experience and management skills, rather than service leadership attributes. Examples of framing positions based on the service leadership model are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This case study details the techniques, strategies, and workflow used by Sam Houston State University's (SHSU) Newton Gresham Library in preparing materials to submit and claim with the Texas A&M University System Joint Library Facility (JLF). The article provides an overview of JLF history and operations, and details the critical factors leading to SHSU removing large numbers of print materials from its collection. Additionally, the article discusses why SHSU elected to leverage the services offered by JLF, examines challenges encountered, and reviews techniques employed to enhance the pre-check processing required to participate in JLF's shared collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois in June 2013. Topics covered include the implementation of a patron-driven acquisition (PDA) initiative, collaboration between digital libraries and public services and the importance of communication to technical services. Also mentioned are the people involved in the PDA project.

The article discusses the 2013 Midwinter meeting of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) Creative Ideas in Technical Services Interest Group held at the Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Western Australia. Topics included metadata software, cataloging, and silos in Technical Services and its advantages. Also included was a discussion on the preservation of Open Access journals, its stability in coming days, and content management.

In 2007 Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries adopted an approach to monograph collection development that uses an unconventional fund structure and sets aside funds for user requests, called Suggest a Purchase. After initiating this change, the libraries realized that its patrons had become actively engaged in selecting materials for the collection. Data will be presented describing user and librarian levels of satisfaction with the Suggest a Purchase program. Additional data will be presented describing what was requested, what was ordered, how much the materials circulated, who requested materials, and the increase in requests over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many libraries with federal depository collections have relied on loading large files of MARC records to add catalog records into their online systems. The addition of tens of thousands of MARC records created a catalog maintenance problem for the Sterling C. Evans Library of Texas A&M University. This paper discusses the use of student workers to clean the catalog of these problem records, describing lessons learned and procedures developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Service to our users is the principal basis for a library''s existence and as users'' expectations increase, libraries must continually change their organization''s policies, procedures and workflows to meet these expectations. In order to achieve this in the Acquisitions Monographs Unit at Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries, Library Administration utilized a public service librarian who has a strong user oriented background to provide a fresh look at established procedures. This librarian examined TAMU Libraries Acquisition Monographic policies, procedures and workflows from a user perspective and found some of them to be out of date. Then the librarian researched other businesses and libraries best practices which she then adopted and modified to fit the needs of her unit. These “New Best Practices” could be transferable to any library facing similar organizational needs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries' new and innovative approach to monograph collection development using a re-engineered internal funding structure and a process that reflects the needs and goals of the library and its users. The paper discusses the goals of the new fund structure, the experience of implementing it, and the results after one year in use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Texas A&M University Libraries has been testing virtual reference services since February 2004, but during the fall semester 2005, the Libraries began implementing and actively promoting the services to various target groups. Distance education students were identified as a primary target group for virtual reference services, and as of the fall semester 2005, approximately 1,600 students were enrolled in 190 distance education classes. This paper presents the Libraries plan for promoting virtual reference services to distance education students and faculty and for evaluating the plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As libraries expand their services into the world of federated searching, librarians need to work with users to discover what their expectations are and how the library can customize the software to meet users' expectations. This article describes the user testing performed at Texas A&M University during 2005 as the libraries implemented a new federated search service called Search Now (ExLibris' MetaLib). Over fifty volunteers-including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and library faculty and staff-helped to test the new system and offered suggestions for improvements. Problems were noted and, where possible, modifications were made to improve results. These modifications were then tested again. Major issues noted during the usability testing included: user expectations of search performance; information included in and the layout of the search results; availability of advanced search options; and lack of ability to limit by format, scholarly nature of journal, date and full-text availability. Suggestions for further development are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]