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Collection management is an important duty of librarians. In the last years journal prices have increased and library decision-makers have been forced to consider cancelling some journal subscriptions as budgets have not increased always by the same ratio. This fact has made it essential to supply reliable and efficient measures about the importance of different journals for in-house users in order to help the decision-makers to cancel subscriptions. Many journal-use studies can be found in the literature providing methods for making these kinds of decisions, but usually they consider only one single and precise decision criterion. Nevertheless, it is common knowledge that any real decision usually considers more than one criterion, and so the problem of choosing a set of journals to cancel is compounded by the existence of conflicting criteria, such as the cost of the journal and demand for the journal. As predicting possible number of users of a certain journal is a complex task, the expert''s judgments could be vital elements. Fuzzy Set theory could be a useful tool in dealing with these kinds of real decisions based on the expert''s knowledge and characterized by some level of subjectivity, in which the decision-maker has imprecise and/or vague data and/or incomplete information. In this paper a fuzzy bicriteria optimisation method is proposed to determine the optimal shape of the printed journal collection in a medical library in a Spanish public hospital. We jointly consider two criteria: maximising a usage function and also an opportunity coefficient of purchase function, both defined for each printed journal. Budget constraints and minimum availability constraints are taken into account. The proposed model is flexible, incorporates expert knowledge and can be easily extended to other hospital libraries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Unlike congressional and presidential papers collections, which have a rich archival literature in support of their acquisition and management, archivists and researchers frequently overlook and undervalue state legislators' papers. One reason for undervaluing state legislators' papers is the lack of legal guidelines in most states for ownership of these political papers. This article presents the results of a broad survey of state laws and collecting policies within state archives regarding the collecting of state legislators' papers. Overall, archivists, lawmakers, and the general public need to become more aware of the value of state legislators' papers, pass laws that protect and define ownership of state legislators' papers, and advocate for greater collaboration between state archival programs and other archival repositories to ensure their preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines options and procedures for evaluating the physical conditions of Slavic and East Central European publications in libraries. The study concentrates on paper quality, since a large percentage of all materials published in East Central Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union are at risk since they were printed on acidic paper. The author outlines preservation issues and provides basic instructions for evaluating collections. Such evaluations provide essential information necessary if a library is to develop an organized preservation plan for its collections. The paper outlines a simple program developed at the University of Kansas Libraries to evaluate the degree of risk in collections. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses the role of mobile applications in enhancing library-related tasks. Mobile technology emerges as a valuable resource for saving time and eff ort. The study demonstrates how mobile applications can simplify tasks like stock-taking and generating other collection-related statistics within a library. The paper takes a distinctive approach by recording book usage statistics and monitoring staff activities, specifically the re-shelving of books. This method carries significant implications for collection development and the efficient management of library staff. It underscores the potential of mobile technology to enhance library services' economic and sustainable operation. Notably, the library's stack area frequently experiences congestion, poor internet connectivity, and insufficient infrastructure for routine operations. Some setbacks, such as inadequate lighting in the stack area, were identified as factors affecting the app's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the current state of research on the various biological agents that could cause deterioration of paper materials and possible intervention strategies against these biotic agents in the tropics. Design/methodology/approach – Recent literature in the tropics is reviewed to gain insight into the problems that confront libraries in the tropics as regards the biological deterioration of library materials. Findings – The paper identifies moulds as the most important biodeteriorating agents of library materials. In addition to destroying, disfiguring and staining books, the moulds have been linked to numerous adverse human health effects that fall into three categories: allergic, toxic and infectious. The other biological agents include bacteria, insects and rodents. The important insects in tropical environment are cockroaches and termites. The warm humid tropical conditions and dirty environment trigger/promote biodeterioration processes and make book deterioration to be more pronounced in the tropics than in the temperate regions. Research limitations/implications – Physical visits to the libraries were not carried out and the conclusions reached were based on evidence from scientific literature on the subject in the tropics. Practical implications – A very useful source of information on how to curb the menace of biological agents against the destruction of library materials in the tropics. These include training programmes for library staff on conservation and preservation of library collections, the creation of awareness on the issue among library users, the adoption of good house keeping practices and modification of storage environment to make them unsuitable for the biodeteriogens. It is recommended that libraries and archives in tropical countries should have preservation guidelines and integrated pest management teams and should also cooperate with scientists in relevant disciplines to be able to find lasting solutions to the problem of biodeterioration of library materials. Originality/value – This paper looks into the neglected area of biological deterioration of papers which is the main information carrier in libraries. It provides very useful and practical suggestions that libraries in the tropics could adopt to tackle the menace of biological agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at presenting the acts of book and document censorship within the library of «Griechisch-orientalische kaiserlich-königliche Obergymnasium in Suczawa», the first high school from southern Bukowina, founded by imperial decree on the 30th of June 1860, in which German was the tuition language, today known as Colegiul Naţional "Ş36;tefan cel Mare" from Suceava. This study is based on original archive documents, previous studies on the topic and documents from the school library. Relying on historical research approaches, the phenomenon of book censorship is analysed during all polical regimes that succeeded in the nearly 160 years of existance of the school library. The paper points to the restrictions imposed during the Austrian rule (1860-1918), the cleansing and even total distruction of the most valuable books belonging to the Romanian heritage during the totalitarian regimes after the Great Union of 1918, the reorganisation of the special collections, the restriction of the public accessibility to certain titles. This paper, alongside previous ones on the same topic, is meant to contribute to the understanding of the complex phenomenon of censorship in Romanian libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a conceptual review exploring the application of information visualization techniques in the context of collection management in libraries. Collection management plays a crucial role in ensuring libraries offer relevant and diverse resources to meet the information needs of users. Information visualization, with its ability to visually represent complex data, has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing collection management practices. Drawing upon a comprehensive literature review, this paper examines the theoretical foundations, benefits, challenges, and practical applications of information visualization techniques in library collection management. It discusses various visualization methods, such as charts, graphs, and maps, and explores their potential in assessing collection composition, analyzing usage patterns, and supporting decision-making processes. The paper highlights the benefits of information visualization in improving user engagement, optimizing resource allocation, and facilitating data-driven decision making. It also addresses challenges related to data integration, technology infrastructure, and ethical considerations. Through real-world case studies and examples, this conceptual review provides insights into successful implementations of information visualization in collection management. The paper concludes by emphasizing the potential of information visualization techniques to transform collection management practices in libraries, enhancing the accessibility, relevance, and impact of library resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Journals particularly favored by two distinct groups of scientists for their manuscripts involving insects were compared. Scientists who worked in biology departments that were units of colleges of arts and sciences or some other academic unit with a designation meant to distinguish it from a college of agriculture had proportionally more publications in journals of the study of general genetics and genomics using insect models; journals of the study of general molecular, cellular, and developmental biology using insect models; journals of insect behavior and neuroscience, evolution, and systematics; and the more general journals of science and biology. Scientists who worked in entomology departments within colleges of agriculture had higher percentages of their papers in journals of general entomology and type of insect, journals of insect structure and function, and journals of economic entomology and crop protection. Authors of both types contributed at about the same rate to journals of ecological entomology and medical, veterinary, and tropical entomology. While the number of unique titles exceeded the 98 titles in common, those shared journals actually accounted for 59 percent of the combined output of 1,955 articles appearing between 2004-2008. Moreover, the percentage of papers in journals with 5 or more papers from both arts and sciences and agricultural communities exceeded the percentage of papers in journals with 5 or more papers that are not frequently common venues for both communities. These communities tend to use many of the same journals, but to rank them in predictably different ways as venues for their papers is a finding important for prioritizing collection management and budgeting decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of a layered model for describing student activity that librarians can use to inform collection management decisions. It proposes using student activity in the classroom and the library, physically and virtually, to increase understanding of student curricular and research needs. The model can be used as a tool to facilitate conversations and can be adapted for use in large and small projects.Design/methodology/approach The paper used a theoretical approach using Mathematics Department as an example, with supporting evidence from existing studies and research. As a theoretical paper, data are discussed in the framework of what information you might use.Findings Experimentation suggests that the framework of student activity provides a meaningful assessment of collection contents that can be used to inform collection development activities. Implementation of the model in response to a specific research question may build evidence towards the assertion that patterns of academic activity and library use should be used to improve collection offerings.Research limitations/implications Further research is required to determine which criteria are most appropriate for inclusion in specific collection development activities and which questions are best suited for modeling.Practical implications The paper includes implications for developing student “personas” that can be used in collection building and beyond.Social implications The framework introduced can be used by libraries of any size or type to develop a layered model of student, or more generally user, activity.Originality/value This paper adds a flexible, responsive process to the body of collection assessment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DUE TO THE IRREPLACEABILITY OF MATERIALS as well as the innumerable variations in physical condition and storage needs, special collections present many challenges to preservation and conservation professionals. In reaction to these challenges, there have been many advances and changes within the fields of preservation and conservation. The goal of this short paper is to highlight some of the skills and technological advances that have changed the way special collections are preserved in reference to two approaches: item-level conservation and collections conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newspaper management and preservation is the main theme of this articles. A theoretical overview of newspaper preservation was given. Efficient newspaper management and preservation implies understanding the meaning of preservation in general, as well as understanding specific approaches, methods and techniques that are included in newspaper preservation concepts. The paper also aimed to show the procedures for newspaper acquisition and management in JAMB Library. Also the problems militating against its effective management and preservation were discussed. Useful suggestions were made as a way forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congressional archives are unique among archival collections. Bigger in size and often broader in scope in terms of the kinds of records they contain, these collections place an uncommon strain on academic archives. Before agreeing to assume such a burden, it is important for administrators to understand the special characteristics of a congressional archive and their staff's ability to manage the project while fulfilling their mission to the educational institution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers information on a guide to access several library collections worldwide including the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the Yale University Library in New Haven, Connecticut, the Morgan Library and Museum in New York, and the University Museums and Special Collections Service at the University of Reading in Berkshire, England.

The field of research library conservation has emerged as a distinct discipline and undergone major refinements during the past fifty years. Professional organizations and training programs have been established, new treatment techniques have been developed and promoted, and increasingly, special and general collections practitioners have collaborated on treatment solutions. Despite such dramatic growth and definition within the field, no comprehensive assessment of the book treatment practices employed by research libraries for special and general collections has been conducted. In response to this need, the authors undertook a study to investigate and document the types of treatments employed by research libraries to conserve and maintain their book collections, and to compare the practices used for special collections with those used for general collections. This paper describes the evolution of the field over the past fifty years and identifies book conservation techniques the study found to be routinely, moderately, or rarely employed in research libraries. A comparison of special and general collections treatment practices suggests that while notable differences exist, many treatment practices are common in both contexts. Implications of the study's results and potential applications for this new information are stated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to examine how libraries can create relative bargaining power and presents a methodology for analyzing collections and preparing for negotiations.Design/methodology/approach A brief literature review of the current state of collection budgets and electronic resource prices is presented prior to proposing a methodology based on business analysis frameworks and techniques.Findings Electronic resource subscription prices are increasing at a rate significantly higher than inflation, while collection budgets grow slowly, remain stagnant or decrease. Academic libraries have the ability to counteract this trend by creating relative bargaining power through organizational efforts that take advantage of size and concentration (e.g. consortia), vertical integration through practices such as library publishing and open access and through individual efforts using information. This paper proposes metrics and methodologies that librarians can use to analyze their collections, set negotiation priorities and prepare for individual resource negotiations to create relative bargaining power.Practical implications The proposed methodology enables librarians and buyers of information resources to harness the information available about their electronic resource collections to better position themselves when entering negotiations with vendors.Originality/value This paper presents metrics, some not commonly used (i.e. average annual price increase/decrease), that aid in understanding price sensitivity. Pareto analysis has been traditionally used to analyze usage, but this paper suggests using it in relation to costs and budgets for setting negotiation priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being increasingly implemented in academic libraries due to a promise of increased collections management efficiency. This paper reports on the recent implementation of RFID technology in the library at the University of Technology Sydney, providing insights into the change management process of RFID implementation. The paper focuses on the implications of the implementation and indigenisation of RFID technology for three specific and symbiotic areas of the library: people, processes and technology. Data from interviews with eight participants involved at various levels of the academic library were collected. This paper develops a best practice model through the insights gained by the people involved in the RFID implementation. The case study posits the dynamic relationships between people, processes and technology as greatly impacted by the implementation process, and analyses the divergence between projected and actual outcomes in the implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose -- This paper aims to review the current LIS literature for document supply and related topics. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper is based on the scanning of about 150 journals, reports and websites, blogs etc. Findings -- Of great interest this quarter are two studies on journal half-lives which impact on the embargo length debate. Also a study that shows a decline in the free accessibility of journal articles. More on patron-driven acquisition and Big Deals. Originality/value -- This is the only regular review of the literature that focuses on document supply and related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the journal bibliometric characteristics of Collection Building and the subject relationship with other disciplines by citation analysis. Design/methodology/approach – This study explores the distribution of articles and subjects of references and analyses the various aspects of Collection Building from 2005-2012. There are 179 articles in Collection Building in eight selected years. In total, 32 issues pertaining to eight volumes of Collection Building were consulted and relevant details of the citations at the end of each article were noted on an excel sheet. The recorded data were analysed, interpreted and tabulated. Findings – The results of this study revealed that 179 articles were consulted from eight volumes (2005-2012) which carried 2,388 citations including 85 self-citations. The majority of articles (30.17 per cent) recorded between 10-19 range of citations per article followed by (28.50 per cent) 1-9 range. The majority of articles were contributed by single authors (65.92 per cent) and majority of contributors were from the USA (69.96 per cent) followed by Canada (3.95 per cent) and India (3.95 per cent) respectively. Journal articles (42.71 per cent) were the most cited source materials, followed by online and electronic sources (25.80 per cent), books including edited books (20.44 per cent), newspapers (5.23 per cent) and so on. Out of 179 articles, tje majority of articles (33.52 per cent) were Research papers followed by Case study (30.73 per cent), Literature review (12.85 per cent) and so on. The majority of articles (66.48 per cent) were recorded between 6-10 pages, followed by 25.70 per cent articles between 1-5 pages. Out of 1,020 journal articles, Collection Building (9.02 per cent) was the top ranked journal, followed by The Journal of Academic Librarianship (5.0 per cent) and College & Research Libraries (4.22 per cent). Research limitations/implications – Research was limited to the journal entitled Collection Building during eight years (2005-2012). In total, 32 issues and 179 articles were covered by the study. Originality/value – The outcome of the study is an original research work with citation analysis of Collection Building. It highlights the study of 179 articles of Collection Building in various ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While interest in including music ephemera in library collections continues to grow, there has been very little research into why it is important to collect and maintain such material within library collections, or the best ways to manage music ephemera collections. This paper presents an examination of research on the need for music ephemera in library collections along with the challenges involved in managing such collections. The literature review is synthesised from research gathered from 40 publications from countries including; New Zealand (UK), Australia, the United States of America (USA), Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK), and the date range of literature spans from 1941 to 2019 inclusive. It briefly examines the history of music and performing arts ephemera collections and looks at best practice for the management of ephemera in library collections including printed and e-ephemera. Content analysis was used to identify major research topics. As there is very little literature on music ephemera, it also explores the importance of performing arts and arts ephemera collections in libraries, with a focus on collecting and managing collections, along with the best practices for the digitisation of ephemera going forward. On the basis of the review, future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to new technologies libraries worldwide go digital and are accessible 24/7 from remote locations.The innovation is even more visible in traditional library tasks such as collection development and acquisitions. Those tasks are undergoing rapid transformation as well. One of the reasons is the current economic climate, leading to shrinking library budgets. The common 'just in case' acquisition model becomes outdated. The TU Delft Library takes this challenge seriously and has a hybrid, 'just in time' acquisition model, described in this paper.The new model combines Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA), introduced by Ebook Library (EBL), with our current approval plans for paper books at Blackwell Book Services.Our aim is to get our users involved in the collection development process, whilst maintaining our standard of service and controlling our budget in an efficient way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to attempt to explore the basics of the collection of medieval manuscripts by institutions by outlining some of the basic principles, challenges, and innovations in the realm of medieval manuscript collection. Design/methodology/approach - Medieval manuscripts involve both curation and librarianship in every step of collection management. Few fields of librarianship involve such fragmented history. This paper explores this fragmentation and demonstrates the intricacies and diversity involved in the collection process. Finally, it examines some collaborative options for institutions to effectively collect together. Findings - Institutions can effectively collaborate in medieval manuscript acquisition. Practical implications - Institutions may be able to institute similar programs as those used in the case studies. Originality/value - It is more important than ever to maintain quality collections on smaller budgets. These findings can assist institutions in acquiring high quality pieces without premium funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this research is to show how the self-archiving of journal papers is a major step towards providing open access to research. However. copyright transfer agreements (CTAs) that are signed by an author prior to publication often indicate whether, and in what form, self-archiving is allowed. The SHERPA/RoMEO database enables easy access to publishers' policies in this area and uses a colour-coding scheme to classify publishers according to their self-archiving status. The database is currently being redeveloped and renamed the Copyright Knowledge Bank. However, it will still assign a colour to individual publishers indicating whether pro-prints can be self-archived (yellow), post-prints can be self-archived (blue), both pro-print and post-print can be archived (green) or neither (white). The nature of CTAs means that these decisions are rarely as straightforward as they may seem, and this paper describes the thinking and considerations that were used in assigning these colours in the light of the underlying principles and definitions of open access. Design/methodology/approach -- Detailed analysis of a large number of CTAs led to the development of controlled vocabulary of terms which was carefully analysed to determine how these terms equate to the definition and "spirit" of open access. Findings -- The paper reports on how conditions outlined by publishers in their CTAs, such as how or where a paper can be self-archived, affect the assignment of a self-archiving colour to the publisher. Originality/value -- The colour assignment is widely used by authors and repository administrators in determining whether academic papers can be self-archived. This paper provides a starting-point for further discussion and development of publisher classification in the open access environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prompted by the need to move an aged and sorely neglected print reference collection into a new smaller academic medical library, the Reference Team of the Dana Medical Library at the University of Vermont embarked on a massive project to shrink and revitalize its paper reference collection. Employing a comprehensive and contemporary approach, the project ultimately resulted in a refurbished collection that would more effectively meet the information needs of the 21st century library user. This paper describes the process employed, and the numerous quality improvements to the physical collection, supporting infrastructure, and collection management practices that resulted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the release of the online collection 'Thomas A. Edison Papers' project. Sponsors of the project; Goal of the project; Update on the project as of September 2000.

The newest challenge for archives located in academic and research libraries is an increasing emphasis on the problem of collecting and preserving electronic records. How does the archivist create collecting strategies in a time when much of the nation's business is conducted online? How is history documented without a paper trail? It is obvious that in the future, archivists will be forced to deal with the many intellectual and preservation issues related to electronic records and other forms of digital information. This does not mean the end of paper records in the archives; it simply indicates that the issues are becoming increasingly complex. It also does not necessarily mean that archivists will change their methods of documenting history, but will need to be flexible and knowledgeable about handling a variety of formats and media. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to document the acquisition and processing of an important Native American pictorial archive, the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection, and to elucidate some of its research and cultural value. Design/methodology/approach – This paper combines research into archival and secondary sources with documentation of professional procedures relating to the acquisition, processing, and digitizing, as well as the content of the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection. Findings – The paper finds that working directly with the creator of the archive increased its value significantly by both improving the archive's organization and enriching the identifying information accompanying the items. It also shows the broad scope and valuable content of the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection. Research limitations/implications – The collaborative efforts of the archive's creator and its processors made available to the public an archive that will undoubtedly contribute to scholarship in a number of fields, including Native American Studies, American Studies, and historical and cultural studies of the Southwest. Originality/value – The paper discusses the unique vision of photographer Lee Marmon and his professional legacy. While the paper gives an overview of Marmon's work, it focuses on two distinct groupings, photographs of Pueblo elders and celebrities in show business and politics, and explains how Marmon's ability to serve as a conduit between these groups and the public makes the collection so valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Open Educational Resources is the property of Policy Studies Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose – The purpose of this column is to review an assortment of the latest non-traditional materials lent by libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper surveys a selection of items, both technological and traditional, used by libraries in an effort to expand their horizons with a keen eye towards responding to the needs and expectations of their borrowers. Findings – The paper finds that libraries are eager to enhance an ever-expanding universe of items to support the borrowing of non-traditional materials. Once entered into the circulation system, the sky's the limit. The only limitation is the library's budget and creativity in selecting which items to purchase and circulate. Originality/value – The paper provides useful information on the latest non-traditional materials lent by libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature about oriental manuscript collections in India and provide an overview of the area. Design/methodology/approach – A core set of literature on oriental manuscript collections in India was retrieved after doing a thorough literature search in different databases. Literature on various aspects of this topic was reviewed. The paper is organized based on various themes to make the study fruitful for various sections of society. Findings – Oriental manuscripts are present in different research libraries, university libraries and public libraries in India but university libraries are leading others in preserving these manuscripts, with few exceptions. Manuscripts are available in different oriental languages but mostly in Sanskrit. Every religious sect in India has contributed immensely in collecting and preserving these manuscripts. The contribution of famous kings of Indian history is also enormous in this regard. Research limitations/implications – The review does not claim to be exhaustive, as most sources might have been skipped during the study for their non-availability. Originality/value – This paper provides a concise overview of manuscripts present in different Indian libraries and research institution/universities and provides a valuable entry point to the field of Indian manuscripts for research scholars, information scientists and other interested parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to look at the sustainability of collections within libraries and suggest a means for maintaining this. Design/methodology/approach - The paper proposes a system of bartering with libraries offering those elements of their collection which are rarely used if at all to those who might be able to use them. It suggests that this might be done through a system of trading dollars. Findings - The paper suggests that bartering might be a way of adding lasting value to print collections. Originality/value - The paper suggests a system of bartering which could add lasting value to the print collections of libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to share practical ideas about acquiring more and varied library resources in spite of a flat budget. Design/methodology/approach - The paper reports The Citadel's efforts to do numerous things to reinforce the importance of library materials as well as a library building. Findings - The paper reports that these networking efforts, including mandatory library instruction in first-year experience courses, have borne good karma and might even lead to increased book money. In a continuing quest for open-source alternatives to paid subscriptions, web-based services were found to augment the collection and perhaps even supplant a few purchases. Additionally, serendipity has revealed outside help in the form of LSTA grants and cooperative collection development. Originality/value - The paper shares practical ideas about acquiring more and varied library resources when holding a low budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to document the acquisition and processing of an important landscape architecture archive, the J.B. Jackson Collection, and making it available for scholars and researchers. Design/methodology/approach – The first part of the article describes the importance of Jackson's contribution to landscape architecture and his professional legacy. This legacy consisted in a large collection of slides, scattered among various individuals and institutions. The authors then address how the various parts of the collection were identified, acquired, digitized and brought to the University of New Mexico (UNM). Metadata creation and issues of copyright are also discussed. Findings – The paper finds that it requires considerable professional effort and networking to take a working collection and transform it into an archive that has intellectual cogency. Research limitations/implications – UNM's effort to acquire, preserve and make this collection widely available will inspire future scholars and spark new ways of looking at landscape. Practical implications – The extensive restoration needed for the Jackson slides warranted a vendor with museum experience, in this instance, Two Cat Digital. Metadata creation requires training qualified personnel. Copyright limitations dictate how the slides display. Originality/value – J.B. Jackson defined the vernacular landscape. This project made his distinctive and important collection available to the research community. The paper also discussed the process of taking a working collection and turning it into a bona fide research tool. [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]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the transition of a collection in Texas A&M University's institutional repository from single item submission to batch importation as a primary method of ingest. This transition was made possible with assistance and technical work on behalf of the library. Design/methodology/approach - The digital initiatives staff examined the workflow of the collection's manager and submitters. A process was created to produce the necessary data structures for batch import from resources that were already being generated by the collection workflow. Findings - It was found that batch importing assistance provided by the library improved the collection's growth rate and efficiency without interrupting the workflow of the collection management team. Practical implications - This paper demonstrates the benefit of libraries and other institutional repository hosts offering batch-loading assistance to managers of large repository collections. Originality/value - This paper should resonate with institutional repository managers and digital services librarians, as many have neglected to offer batch importing or other assistance to users citing a lack of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to report on a devised method of collection organisation within a DSpace repository using a Manakin theme and descriptive metadata. Design/methodology/approach - Using a Manakin theme, a user interface for a repository collection containing the contents of a serial was created to divide the collection into individual issues and serve the user a table of contents. Findings - The Manakin theme delivered the desired result of a browse interface that allowed the user to select and view subsets of items within a collection. Practical implications - For complex collections that might require subdivisions, DSpace's rigid data model of communities and collections is not ideal. This new interface allows for the inclusion and proper display of such complex collections. Originality/value - The paper should resonate with repository managers frustrated with the inflexibility of the default organisational structure of DSpace and its unsuitability for many different types of collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Between 2005 and 2007, The National Archives UK carried out an extensive preservation risk assessment of its collection of original government documents. Results have highlighted the effectiveness of policies and practices already in place. However, the assessment also provided evidence of current weaknesses, and helped prioritise necessary work to improve further the management of the collection. This paper details what actions have been taken at The National Archives to improve issues such as environmental conditions within storage areas, mitigating risk of physical damage to documents from handling, policies on the use of archival microfilm masters, and to reduce damage and loss of original records by substitution copying. Resume «Gestion d'une collection en utilisant une evaluation des risques pour la conservation» Entre 2005 et 2007, les Archives Nationales de Grande Bretagne ont mene un vaste programme d'evaluation des risques lies a la conservation de sa collection de documents originaux du gouvernement. Les resultats ont mis en lumiere l'efficacite des politiques et des pratiques deja en place. Cependant, l'evaluation a aussi mis en evidence des faiblesses actuelles et a aide a orienter les priorites de travail necessaires pour ameliorer davantage la gestion des collections. Cet article detaille les actions qui ont ete menees aux Archives Nationales afin d'ameliorer certains aspects comme les conditions environnementales a l'interieur des zones de stockage, la minimisation des risques de dommages physiques sur les documents dus aux manipulations, les politiques sur l'utilisation des masters de microfilms pour l'archivage, et les actions menees pour reduire les dommages et les pertes d'enregistrements originaux en substituant des copies. Zusammenfassung “Sammlungsmanagement durch Risikoanalyse” Das britische Nationalarchiv fuhrte zwischen 2005 und 2007 eine umfassende Analyse des Erhaltungsrisikos der Sammlung von originalen Regierungsdokumenten durch. Die Ergebnisse unterstrichen die Effektivitat der Strategien und Massnahmen, die in den vergangenen Jahren bereits durchgefuhrt wurden. Dennoch zeigte die Analyse auch Schwachen im derzeitigen Sammlungsmanagement, und half bei den notigen Arbeiten, diese Situation zu verbessern und Prioritaten zu setzen. Dieser Artikel detailliert, welche Schritte am Nationalarchiv unternommen wurden, um die Bedingungen in den Depots zu verbessern; wie das Schadensrisiko bei der Nutzung verringert wurde; wie Regulierungen zum Gebrauch von Microfilmen formuliert wurden und wie Schaden und Verluste an Originalen durch Ersatzkopien reduziert wurden. Resumen “Manejo de colecciones utilizando la evaluacion de prevencion de riesgos” Entre los anos 2005 al 2007, el Archivo Nacional del Reino Unido realizo una amplia evaluacion sobre la preservacion de riesgos en su coleccion de documentos gubernamentales originales. Los resultados han confirmado la efectividad de las practicas y politicas que ya se estaban realizando. Sin embargo, la evaluacion tambien hizo evidente las actuales debilidades y ayudo a priorizar los trabajos necesarios para mejorar el futuro manejo de la coleccion. Este articulo senala las acciones que se ha llevado a cabo el Archivo Nacional para mejorar temas tales como las condiciones ambientales dentro de las areas de almacenamiento, la mitigacion de riesgos por danos fisicos en el manejo de los documentos, las politicas sobre el uso de los microfilmes maestro y como reducir danos y perdidas de documentos originales sustituyendolos por copias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Purpose - This paper seeks to focus on the efforts of the National Library of Singapore (NLS) to make accessible resources to users who may not come to the library physically or resources that the library may not hold or own, and to discuss some of the initiatives launched by the NLS in the past five years, including the encyclopedic Singapore Infopedia, the landmark collaborative project between the NLS and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) that initiated NewspaperSG, and the Singapore Memory Project, a nationwide initiative to build a national digital collection of materials about Singapore. Design/methodology/approach - The paper takes a descriptive approach. Findings - With libraries the world over facing the challenge of meeting the needs of users in improving access, the National Library of Singapore (NLS) has, in the past decade, sought to explore ways in which remote reference services can be improved and access to its collections in the online space enhanced. Originality/value - The paper gives an insight into the latest developments at the National Library aimed at servicing its remote users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to describe major developments at Copac, including changes that facilitate use for interlibrary loan activity, introduce the Copac Collections Management project and look toward future developments in the context of the UK’s National Monograph Strategy. The Copac service gives access to the merged catalogues of 95 UK and Irish national, academic and specialist libraries, and is still growing. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a descriptive account. Findings – This paper identifies and describes some of the implications of the reengineering of Copac; addresses the role and benefits of the Copac Collections Management project; and looks ahead to forthcoming development areas. Originality/value – This paper is a valuable update on the service provided by Copac, as well an overview of the forthcoming Copac Collections Management tools service, and an introduction to future developments within the National Monograph Strategy context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the e-resource collection development practices of the engineering college libraries of Aligarh. The research includes budgeting, collection development policy, collection evaluation, sources of funds, modes of procurement, pricing models and other aspects related to collection development activity. Design/methodology/approach: The descriptive method was used for conducting the study, in which a well-structured questionnaire was administered followed by interview of the librarians of six engineering college libraries under study. Findings: It was found that these colleges are much more interested in focusing on building a strong e-resource collection in their libraries. During the past few years, the budget has also been increased in majority of libraries for the acquisition of e-resources. The study found that the major factors affecting the selection of electronic resources (e-resources) in these colleges are quality, subject coverage, license agreement and vendor support. It was also revealed that majority of libraries lack proper collection development policy, especially for e-resources. The study suggested that these libraries should build their collections keeping in mind the different areas of specializations of engineering studies and the contemporary changes in the field. Research limitations/implications: The paper is restricted exclusively to the study of collection development process of e-resources and the librarians of six major engineering colleges of Aligarh as respondents. Practical implications: This study has great importance for the librarians of the similar engineering colleges in India. The findings and suggestions of the study can help not only in understanding the engineering college librarianship and its current trends but can also help library professionals who are facing similar challenges in their libraries. Originality/value: The present study is about the e-resource collection development practices followed in engineering colleges of Aligarh, which can serve as a pedestal for future studies in other academic and special libraries in India and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This paper presents the starting points, challenges, solutions, and achievements in managing and systematically developing the library collections of the Croatian Defense Academy "Dr. Franjo Tuđman" Library. Furthermore, it will point out the importance of the professional and systematic approaches to the process of acquisition of library materials and building of library collections in the library which is at the same time a special library within the Croatian state administrative body, and an academic library as part of the University of Zagreb. The paper presents the library's entering the academic community and the impact it had on the previously established processes of managing library collections, as well as the significance of the systematically managed acquisition and developing collections for the parent institution. Approach / Methodology / Design. The paper describes the structure of the library holdings and the functioning of the acquisition before the Croatian Defense Academy joined the academic community. It presents the steps and the outcomes in developing library collections, and the attempt to improve library collections quality. Results. The paper points out the importance of a systematic and carefully planned building of library collections and acquisition managed from the library itself in order to improve the quality of library collections, promote librarianship, and thus contribute to a more successful achievement of the goals of the parent institution and the university. Social value. The emphasis is on the importance of the quality of library collection management in libraries within the state administrative body, which participate in creating the memory of the institution, and particularly in the higher education institutions, where library collections support the educational processes and lifelong education of the teaching staff and the library employees. The importance of managing the acquisition process from the library is emphasized because it is the organizational unit of the parent institution primarily responsible for building high quality collections, and this represents the foundation of its business operations. The emphasis is also on the role and responsibility of librarians in proactively implementing the mission of the parent institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the second part of three inter-related studies investigating the use and usability of e-books in higher education based on experiments conducted at the University of Strathclyde. Design/methodology/approach – The research discussed here involved two analyses: an analysis of two e-book collections in the libraries of the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow and an analysis of a follow-up study to a web survey into user interactions with e-books in one of the library's collections. Findings – The follow-up study found that in general students found that interacting with e-books in the library collection was easy. Students indicated that their preferred book formats varied depending on the context of their information need. Despite their positive reaction and attitudes towards e-books, students commented that e-books needed to be promoted more strongly and that there were limitations with respect to their use. Research limitations/implications – The study presented here was a small-scale study based only on e-book collections from one supplier (NetLibrary) and involved only 18 respondents. While this is considered sufficient based on the discount usability testing concept, generalisation of the results should be made with caution. Practical implications – The findings should be of value to academic libraries in terms of improving e-book collection management. This study highlights current attitudes of students towards e-book in terms of how they interact with them, the features they value and their preferences between e-books and paper books in a university library. Originality/value – This paper provides useful information on students' attitudes towards e-books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The main purpose of this paper is to generate discussion on the necessity for document delivery services to re-position themselves, thus "adding value" within the information chain. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is empirical, based on working practice in a major academic library. Findings - Document supply is a vital link in the knowledge chain. It is the information professional's responsibility to rise to the challenges outlined above, and to regenerate and rejuvenate services in order to strengthen the infrastructure to support research and scholarship across all disciplines, in the manner most appropriate to them. In so doing, document supply services will become a linchpin in academic and research support rather than the weakest link. Originality/value - The paper is a synthesis of current practice, outlining current shortcomings, and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issues raised in the report, Hate on the State, published in 2007. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a reflective viewpoint that debates the points made in the report and their wider implications for the profession. Findings – The report raised key issues around censorship, and the role of the librarian in selecting a balanced collection for their public. These concerns need to be debated at length, since they represent fundamental professional concerns. Practical implications – The paper debates key professional concerns and how changes in stock procurement may lead to future occurrences of such controversies. Originality/value – This is the only editorial to date related to this report in library literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a variety of current resources associated with electroacoustic music suitable for updating academic and large public library collections. Design/methodology/approach - The approach taken in the paper is to identify resources meant to provide guidance in locating appropriate resources and to identify specific resources regarding electroacoustic collections that are grouped in several categories for ease of reading. Findings - The complexity of definition of electroacoustic music and its interdisciplinary nature has had a negative impact on availability of collection development guides for electroacoustic music. Furthermore, resource formats associated with this type of music are heavily dependent on technology and change with great frequency which makes them challenging to keep up with. Originality/value - The paper offers practical advice about updating electroacoustic music collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This article sets out to describe the challenges and opportunities created by the presentation of a number of special collections to the library service of Waterford Institute of Technology. It aims to focus on the work done with the collections to date and plans for the future. Design/methodology/approach — This case study reports on the collections presented to WIT Library Service and the approach taken to their conservation and display. It also discusses the ongoing issues involved in special collections management in a modern academic library setting. Findings — The paper concludes that there is a delicate balancing act involved in accepting and managing special collections in contemporary academic libraries. Key factors to consider are expense, staff time and skills, and potential benefits to the library and its users. Research limitations/implications — The project is still in development. The study provides a view on one medium-sized academic library's experience of handling special collections. Practical implications — This account is likely to be useful for organisations in a similar position, faced with similar challenges of comparable scale. Originality/value — The paper offers practical insights for libraries in similar positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Special collections departments are predominately portrayed or perceived as a place for researchers rather than as a means for enhancing the learning experience for the undergraduate student. The very nature of rare books and manuscripts means that arguments to discourage their heavy use prevail. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews these perceptions, considers why such perceptions continue to thrive, and provides examples in which the image of special collections departments can be refashioned into a more inclusive environment for the undergraduate student. Findings – There are extraordinary barriers that face the average undergraduate experience with rare books at most academic institutions. Librarians of special collections departments and other primary resource collections can play a fundamental role in making these collections accessible to the undergraduate student. Originality/value – This paper reexamines the notion that special collections should have limited use due to conservation concerns and demonstrates that using fragile materials may serve as a good opportunity to reflect on the collection's conservational health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to provide an historical perspective and current guidance for youth librarians collecting graphic novels for teens. Design/methodology/approach - The paper provides a brief review of the historical issues involved with censorship/intellectual freedom and comics and of current teen-oriented graphic novels with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning of sexual orientation (GLBTQ) content in Canada and the USA. It also provides a context for negotiating intellectual freedom and collection management policy issues, and suggestions for targeted acquisitions of teen graphic novels with GLTBQ content. Findings - The paper provides a brief overview of US and Canadian censorship of comics, including how this legacy affects today's market. It recognizes the difficulty of obtaining information and recommendations for teen-appropriate graphic novels containing GLBTQ content, and makes suggestions for core collection items. Research limitations/implications - Only English sources from the USA and Canada are reviewed. Francophone Canadian literature is relevant but outside of the scope of this paper. Practical implications - The paper is a useful source of information for the librarian looking for collection development suggestions, and/or for the librarian dealing with or preparing against intellectual freedom challenges to graphic novels or GLBTQ material for teens. Originality/value - This paper furthers discussion of censorship of graphic novels and of GLBTQ material, and provides concrete suggestions to librarians developing a teen graphic novel collection. The issue is timely, as the graphic novel industry is booming and the ALA has documented an increasing number of challenges to graphic novels in libraries. Few previous papers on graphic novels or comics have included Canadian content, although the Canada-American library worlds, publishing industries and legal codes are historically and currently intertwined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]