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Prior studies have shown high‐level differences in people's perception and use of various information formats. However, the lack of a coherent and theoretically informed framework of elements of format has inhibited a nuanced understanding of the role that formats play in information behavior. This paper draws on theories from the field of rhetoric and composition to ground the study of information format in a social constructivist perspective that foregrounds action in context. Specifically, rhetorical genre theory is discussed in detail and the limitations of previous information behavior studies using rhetorical genre theory are explored. One of the main problems of earlier studies is confusing genres and their containers. This paper introduces and defines the concept of containers as typified ways of collecting and presenting texts of certain genres for publication. Building on rhetorical genre theory, the paper offers a theoretical exploration of the role that containers play in the formal and/or public sharing of information within discourse communities. An illustrative example of the concepts applied to data from an Institute of Museum and Library Services funded study is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust was formed in February 2017 following an acquisition. The Library and Knowledge Services (LKS) merged while operating across two hospital sites. A priority for the merged Library and Knowledge Service was to integrate e‐collections. A literature review identified six papers reporting health libraries that had merged and integrated e‐collections. Objectives: A priority for the merged Library and Knowledge Service was to integrate e‐collections. Methods: To ensure equitable and cost‐effective access to an extended collection, an audit of pre‐existing e‐collections was conducted. Electronic licence agreements enabling cross‐site access were negotiated. A new OpenAthens ID was created. Results: The integration of e‐collections enabled Trust staff access to a greater number of e‐journals and additional e‐content, and an overall cost‐saving was achieved. Discussion: This case study supports existing literature stating that integrating collections increases the number of e‐journals. It further identifies cost‐difference in acquiring cross‐site access to e‐journals compared to databases providing full‐text e‐journals and additional e‐content. Conclusion: Integrating e‐collections enables equity of access and value. A national co‐ordinated approach to procurement of e‐collections will further support equity and best value throughout NHS LKS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to examine Malaysian contributions in the field of biomedical and health sciences. Methods: In this study, 3697 publications affiliated to Malaysian addresses from the sci database between 1990 and 2005 were sampled. This study also explored publication productivity trends, authorship and collaboration pattern, core journals used, and citations obtained. Results: Main contributions were journal articles (73.3%). Most authors (63.7%) contributed only one article and 16.1% produced over 30-68 publications. Multi-authored works were the norm. The productive authors were named either first or second in publications. There were active collaborations with authors from Asia-Pacific countries (35%) and Europe (30%). The majority of publications were contributed by institutions of higher learning (87%). Core journals used follow quite close to Bradford's zonal ratios of 44:152:581. The active research areas were identified. About 71.3% of publications received citations especially those published from 1995 to 1999. Conclusion: This study helped librarians identify active researchers, active research areas and journals relevant to biomedical and health sciences researchers and useful when producing reports to university management and planning medical collection policies and deciding on journal subscriptions and cancellations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief communication builds on the application of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) and reverse image lookup (RIL), a graduated form of CBIR, as assessment tools for digital library image reuse. It combines literature on the definition, history, usefulness, and limitations of RIL and includes a brief analysis of the 4 published digital library image reuse assessment case studies. In its conclusion, the communication paper proposes that RIL offers benefits for digital library managers in the assessment of their collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on her archival research skills, the author took the opportunity to dig into the American Society for Information Science records (1939-1990), a special collection housed at the University of Michigan. The exploration was prompted by ASIS&T's 75th anniversary and Special Interest Group/History and Foundations of Information Science (SIG/HFIS). The archives represent the evolution of the society, starting as the American Documentation Institute. The material retrieved on the author's first visit did not correspond to the online finding aid, but subsequent inquiry found a new finding aid, which was not online, describing the collection, including expanded holdings. The ASIS&T historical records collection is open for additional deposits, including documents, personal papers, presentations, oral histories and images, with the goal of placing all materials online. It is hoped this adventure will prompt ASIS&T to become an example for implementing best practices in organizational records preservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the last in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. The focus of the present issue is Russia. The next feature column will initiate a new series entitled New Directions in Health Science Librarianship. The first contribution will be from Australia. JM [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titles reviewed in this section of Ibis are available for reference at the Alexander Library of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK. The library is open to BOU members, Monday to Friday (09:00–17:00 h). Please write or telephone (+44 (0)1865 271143) prior to your visit to ensure the library is open. The aim of the Alexander Library is to build up a comprehensive collection of literature as a service to ornithologists. Its holdings include an extensive range of periodicals and a large number of reprints drawn from many sources: additional reprints of readers’ papers are always welcome. The library has always greatly benefited from its close relationship with the BOU. For a number of years, all journals received in exchange for Ibis have been deposited in the library, and through the generosity of reviewers, most of the books sent for review. In return, as a service to readers, this review section of Ibis is organized and edited by Michael G. Wilson and Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute, with the help of a panel of contributors. They are always grateful for offers of further assistance with reviewing, especially with foreign language titles. Part of the cost of this book review section has been subsidized by Subbuteo Natural History Books. Subbuteo are an international mail-order book company stocking over 2000 titles covering all natural and environmental sciences. They can also source titles from around the world. Titles reviewed here can be ordered from Subbuteo and payment can be accepted by credit card or cheques in £/$. Postage, packing and insurance is £1.99 per order. International postage is charged at cost; please contact them for a quote. To order a book or to request the full catalogue please contact: Subbuteo Natural History Books Ref. 0252, The Rea, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury SY4 4UR, UK. Tel: 0870 010 9700 Fax: 0870 010 9699. Email: Website: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a program for enriching American library resources. This is not the place in which to debate the definition of a library and thereby to establish the limits of the word "resources." As the journal's legal colleagues might say, one may stipulate all that. Auxiliary media that is, non-originals in acquisitions programs need no defense. In 1949, at the request of the Association of Research Libraries the Library of Congress established in the Union Catalog Division a Microfilming Clearing House with the object of centralizing data on microfilming projects embracing newspapers, serials, and manuscripts (or archival) collections that were planned, in progress, or completed.

Despite large public investments in facilitating the secondary use of data, there is little information about the specific factors that predict data's reuse. Using data download logs from the Inter‐university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), this study examines how data properties, curation decisions, and repository funding models relate to data reuse. We find that datasets deposited by institutions, subject to many curatorial tasks, and whose access and preservation is funded externally, are used more often. Our findings confirm that investments in data collection, curation, and preservation are associated with more data reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celebrating its 75th year in 2022, Lynsey Hawker and Imrana Ghumra, Co‐Chairs of the Health Libraries Group (HLG) look back on its origins, celebrate key activities and achievements. From its humble beginnings as the Medical Section of the UK Library Associations' University and Research Section, becoming a Section in its own right, its evolution as the Medical, Health and Welfare Libraries Group. Celebrating its publications, awards, partnership working and advocacy work, they invite you to share your memories and reflections on the HLG and its previous incarnations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although most medical libraries buy ebooks, there has been little discussion of the comparative costs of medical ebooks and print books. Objectives: To determine whether individually purchased medical ebooks cost more or less, on average, than the same titles in print format and, if so, to calculate the price differential. Methods: The author searched the platform of monograph vendor YBP for the 1095 titles in the 'Clinical Medicine' category of Doody's Core Titles 2018 edition. For each title, the print price and the lowest ebook price were noted; the ratio of ebook price to print book price for each title was then calculated. Results: On average, ebooks cost 2.20 times more than their print equivalents, though the size of the price differential varied greatly with the publisher. For some publishers, ebooks cost nearly the same amount as print books, while for others, ebooks cost three or even four times as much as the print. Discussion: The greater price of some ebooks may make them unaffordable for libraries or mean that those titles cannot be purchased as ebooks even when that format would be preferred. Conclusions: Buying ebooks, at least on a title‐by‐title basis, can be very costly for medical libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Like many health library associations, the Medical Library Association (MLA) developed competencies guiding lifelong learning and competence for medical librarians. Medical librarians should be able to develop skills in identified areas. One MLA indicator of organising resources defines expert skill as the ability to develop classification and metadata schemes for unique collections. Objectives: This manuscript reviews available curricula for selected library programmes in the United States and Canada, along with professional development and informal opportunities for skill development to identify how medical librarians, who are not experts in cataloging or metadata and not employed as cataloging or metadata librarians, can progress in competency. Methods: The authors reviewed library school and continuing education programming around metadata, along with answers from a pre‐existing informal poll regarding cataloging and metadata roles in health sciences libraries. Data were collected and examined using descriptive statistics. Discussion: Gaps and opportunities for education around organising resources are discussed, including library school courses, formal continuing education opportunities and informal learning (e.g. peer support networks, on‐the‐job learning). Conclusion: Education in organising resources should be created throughout the educational journey of librarianship. Continuing educational opportunities in organising resources should be created by professional organisations that expect competency in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, Katie Nicholas presents the findings of a very topical piece of research into the use of eBooks in health libraries, which she completed for a Masters dissertation. Katie graduated with an MA in Library and Information Management (Distinction) from Manchester Metropolitan University in July 2017. She would like to acknowledge the support of her supervisor, Rachel Delbridge, in helping her to gain a Distinction in her dissertation. In the article, she points out that the use of eBooks in the NHS is low compared to other sectors and she presents the findings from her research, which help to explain this. She outlines the development of an electronic tool to help library and information staff make sense of the complexity around eBooks and makes further very practical recommendations for practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the second in a new series in this regular feature. The intention of the series is to look at important global developments in health science libraries. These articles will serve as a road map, describing the key changes in the field and exploring factors driving these changes. The present article by two Canadian librarians identifies important national developments which are shaping the profession such as the centralisation of health care services, the challenge of providing consumer health information in the absence of a national strategy, government recognition of the need to recognise and respond to the health needs of indigenous peoples and the growing emphasis on managing research data. Although their profession is strong, health science librarians must find ways of providing enhanced services with fewer staff and demonstrate value to organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University libraries provide access to thousands of online journals and other content, spending millions of dollars annually on these electronic resources. Providing access to these online resources is costly, and it is difficult both to analyze the value of this content to the institution and to discern those journals that comparatively provide more value. In this research, we examine 1,510 journals from a large research university library, representing more than 40% of the university's annual subscription cost for electronic resources at the time of the study. We utilize a web analytics approach for the creation of a linear regression model to predict usage among these journals. We categorize metrics into two classes: global (journal focused) and local (institution dependent). Using 275 journals for our training set, our analysis shows that a combination of global and local metrics creates the strongest model for predicting full-text downloads. Our linear regression model has an accuracy of more than 80% in predicting downloads for the 1,235 journals in our test set. The implications of the findings are that university libraries that use local metrics have better insight into the value of a journal and therefore more efficient cost content management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine what value health sciences students place on leisure reading, whether they prefer to read online or in print, what the principal barriers are to their reading and whether they wish to have a leisure reading collection at their health sciences library. Methods In October 2010, a link to a survey was sent to all 1800 students in health sciences professional programmes at the author's institution. Results Two hundred and thirteen students (11.8%) responded. Most felt that leisure reading had helped in their development as health professionals and increased their empathy. They listed many benefits of reading, such as improved understanding of minority groups, reduced stress, and improved thinking and communication skills. The majority preferred to read books and magazines in print, while the largest number preferred reading newspapers in print as well. Lack of time, fatigue and the expense of purchasing reading materials were the greatest barriers to reading. A majority of students were in favour of having a leisure reading collection set up at their library. Conclusions Leisure reading was valued by the respondents, who felt it provided personal and professional benefits. However, many indicated that circumstances made it difficult to participate in leisure reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 4 years this Regular Feature has looked at trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. Although there are still a few more regions to be covered in this series, this issue explores general trends in academic and research libraries with a view to discovering whether the trends identified for health science libraries are similar. Are health science libraries unique? Or do their experiences mirror those found in the wider world of academic and research libraries? JM [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the 10th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship. This issue describes developments in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The next issue will report on Japan and South Korea. JM [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Journal subscription prices and their annual increases have traditionally been reported as and based on institutional print prices. This methodology for calculating price inflation and its budgetary impact on libraries no longer reflects the actual costs to the purchasing institution. Other factors - particularly digital acquisition, bundled licensing and consortia deals, a large growth in published content and the commensurate growth in usage - have altered and significantly changed the real cost of scholarly journals. While the print-based method of evaluating subscription price increases shows a three-fold increase in costs from 1990 to 2010, the real effect is only 9% after taking all these factors into consideration. Librarians and publishers should work together to adopt a more reasoned and transparent approach to evaluating institutional investment in serials collections [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health care libraries spend a large amount of their non-pay budgets on the purchase of scientific, technical and medical journals. In a typical hospital library in the National Health Service (NHS) North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA), this can represent between 80 and 90% of the collection development budget. Methods and results: Data were collected from 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2006 using COUNTER-generated usage statistics obtained from publishers’ administration tools. Between the two trusts included in the study, 93 376 full-text article downloads were recorded; of these, 15 952 or 17.1% articles were downloaded from national core content journals via Proquest. Photocopies made by users for their own use were recorded whenever this data were available. Conclusions: NHS staff at the sites included in this study recorded a high volume of journal usage. There was a marked difference in usage patterns between the acute and specialist trusts in the study. The journals provided by national core content represented a much higher proportion of total usage at the acute trust (29.9%) compared with the specialist cancer trust (4.5%). This study supports the view that the local purchasing of journal titles is an important component of the overall journal-based information provision to NHS staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article discusses the collection policies of a university library in a modern digital environment. A brief description of national collection policy decisions in Finland is provided. The rapid evolution and growth of scientific publication places new demands on building a collection in a health and bioscience orientated university, and it requires an evidence-based approach to support effective service processes. Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify the needs of the university's students and staff. Methods: Usage statistics were surveyed and analysed. Results: Both usage statistics and user surveys indicate that the library use is divided half-and-half between the traditional use of printed material and library premises and the modern use of digital materials via the Web. The former is mainly the way that the students and hospital staff use the library, and the latter can be viewed as the researchers way of using the library. Librarians and information specialists act in this as service providers and/or guides and tutors to the end-users. These results, however, must be validated with a longer timescale data collation and analysis, both of which are an ongoing process within the library. Conclusions: It is important that requirements and needs of the library's users are monitored regularly and acquisition policies are updated frequently. It also seems that the needs have changed quite dramatically in response to modern ways of disseminating publications, but this supposition will require further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goodwill can have a big impact on any M&A transaction. The authors examined recent financial statements to determine the effect of the latest goodwill standards. While merger activity is alive and well, the economic downturn has led many firms to write down their goodwill. Were the latest rules responsible for a decline in M&A? © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the aim of the Alexander Library of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology in South Parks Road in Oxford, England, to provide service to ornithologists.

The editor discusses the propose changes to the publication on services for online journal subscription and online published articles. The editor overviews the publication plant to conduct cost savings through online journal subscription and digital innovations to the journal. The editor also cites future changes and improvements the journal publication for its subscribers.

Searches of the OCLC data base revealed that 65% of a Canadian special library's recent acquisitions had already been cataloged. This "find rate" compares favorably with statistics available from similar libraries in the United States, and suggests that technical information centers and special libraries throughout North America could benefit considerably from OCLC participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information no the reproduction of back files of scientific and technical journals. The rapid development of many American university libraries which had been relatively insignificant prior to the 1930's has posed many grave acquisition problems. With particular reference to the deficiencies of many Southern libraries in their holdings of scientific serials, an informal group of Southern librarians meeting at Miami Beach in October 1949 decided to take some positive steps to acquire some of the titles which they lacked. A number of commercial firms, photographic laboratories, offset printers, and dealers have indicated considerable interest in the project and stated that they wish to be advised of the results. It has also been suggested that the filming be done on a cooperative basis by a number of university libraries which have cameras.