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This article considers the distinct challenges that works of art pose for those managing non-art specialist research libraries across the United Kingdom. Using analysis of survey and case-study interview data, the article demonstrates that current approaches to the management of art in non-art specialist research libraries are uneven in such key areas as collection management; cataloguing; storage and access; and librarianship and training. This article seeks to build consensus on best practices with respect to the management of art in libraries and proposes practical recommendations for libraries seeking to improve the care and use of the art in their collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gambling Research Exchange (GREO) is an independent Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) organization that aims to reduce harm from gambling. GREO curates and maintains a digital library of credible gambling information, most of which is grey literature. Several stakeholder groups use this library, including policy makers, researchers, treatment providers, regulators, and gambling operators. In order to meet knowledge needs, GREO both manages and produces grey literature, and maintains a research data repository for use by the gambling studies community. In keeping with the Open Science movement, the goal of the library is to provide timely and relevant evidence in formats accessible to diverse audiences, which can be used to inform decision-making, research, treatment, and policy direction. This paper documents how GREO's digital library reorganized its search interface and document types and adopted accessible terminology so that complex research findings could extend beyond the academic community to broader audiences. Beginning in 2017, we assessed the existing library's terminology and document types for accessibility and credibility. The first step was to rename the library from "Knowledge Repository" to "Evidence Centre", a term that resonated more with non-academic audiences. Similarly, in 2018, we renamed the "Grey Literature" collection to "Specialized Resources" so that it is readily understood. Since the collection had grown considerably, we divided the single "Grey Literature" resource type into ten searchable categories to help direct users to the most appropriate resource formats. Examples include white papers, reports, visual tools, and instructional resources. A recent change in our funding model necessitated a further transition from a focus on Ontario, Canada to international audiences. Using examples drawn from a recent focus on gambling in Great Britain, this paper demonstrates how the GREO Evidence Centre has become increasingly accessible to wider audiences since 2017 to more effectively address their information needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight collection development activity in UK higher education libraries and to place it within both a conceptual and strategic context.Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a theoretical approach to collection development and content strategy derived from literary theory to contextualise debates. It uses current examples from collection management within UK academic libraries.Findings This paper suggests that collection development is not exclusively a library practitioner activity but needs to be considered within a wider context that takes account of multiple strands of collection selection and management. Collection development cannot be considered in isolation but alongside collection management and in relation to content strategy.Research limitations/implications This paper includes consideration of the topic of collection development that is influenced by other disciplines, notably literary theory. This suggests that research in library science should include input from other disciplines.Practical implications This paper includes implications for content development within academic libraries that suggest that a re-focus at the strategic level of content is required.Originality/value This paper introduces a conceptual register to collection development outside of traditional library science models and posits a move to strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landscapes of libraries’ print collection have changed significantly over the past decades. On an institutional level, libraries need to evaluate available resources, local researchers’ needs, and find the right balance between print and electronic material in order to support parent institutions’ development and growth. On a national level, we have seen different schemes being developed in several countries to support libraries’ activities in a time of change. When more and more libraries are adopting electronic-only policies, what impact does losing print have? This article aims to share United Kingdom (UK) Research Reserve’s experience so far and how the UK Higher Education (HE) sector dealt with challenges and uncertainties through collaboration and partnership. It also explores further opportunities within and beyond the UK borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ask: What is the value and outcome of scholarly reading for academic staff? How do academic library collections support research and teaching activities of academic staff? How do reading patterns of articles, books, and other materials differ? What is the role of the academic library collections in teaching and learning? Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides insight into the values and outcomes of scholarly reading, identifies overall reading patterns, and illuminates issues academics address. Approximately 2,000 academic staff members from six UK universities completed a web-based survey. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through the survey. The survey used the critical incident of last reading by academics to gather information on the purpose, outcomes, and values of scholarly readings and access to library collections. The survey concluded with open-ended comments, which is the focus of this article. Findings – The open-ended comments focused on the importance of article readings to all work activities, in particular research. They also placed emphasis on the value of the library's e-journal collections, but they had some issues with electronic access. The role of book reading was also discussed. Research limitations/implications – Open-ended comments are only one way of measuring the value of scholarly reading and library collections. Ongoing studies and examinations of the findings from the other sections of this study will add to the overall findings of the value of the academic library. Originality/value – This paper further illustrates the essential role of scholarly reading and the library's collections on the academic enterprise. This type of qualitative "story" helps libraries demonstrate their value and assess areas of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper builds upon existing research into library usage by exploring whether demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity and country of origin have an effect upon undergraduate library usage at the University of Huddersfield. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses demographic and library usage data for a graduating year of full-time undergraduate students at the University of Huddersfield, and uses statistical tests to explore the significance of the relationship between demographics and usage. Findings – The study finds that there is a statistically significant relationship between demographic characteristics and library usage on some, though not all, dimensions. But in many cases the effect size is small. Research limitations/implications – The study uses data from a single UK university, and the findings may not therefore be generalizable. Furthermore, the study is able to identify statistical relationships but is not able to fully explain why they exist. Practical implications – The findings suggest that library services may need to be shaped differently for different demographic groups of students. Working with students in their own institution, librarians may be able to discover more about why these differences exist. Originality/value – This paper shows a relationship between usage and demographic characteristics among undergraduate students, allowing librarians to consider how better to shape their services to meet student needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents selected results from a study investigating the promotion of recreational reading in university libraries in the United Kingdom. An email questionnaire survey and follow-up interviews with a sample of respondents explored provision and attitudes toward recreational reading. The results suggest that recreational reading promotion is increasing in UK university libraries. Participants were positive about the benefits of recreational reading but they identified a number of barriers preventing them from increasing their activity including finance, staff time, and mission drift. The article concludes with recommendations for increasing recreational reading including the need for better staff awareness and training. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article outlines the workings of the UK Research Reserve, a collaborative initiative releasing space in Higher Education libraries within the United Kingdom, while ensuring the retention and availability of a national print journal collection. The method used to process material and identify holdings suitable for disposal is described. The salient issues in the process are identified and discussed, as are some of the challenges that have been encountered to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information from various aspects of the field of international serials and electronic resource management. Abstracts for several research articles are included on topics such as scholarly electronic books (e-books) and open source data in academic publishing. Additionally, awards and grants presented by the American Library Association (ALA) in 2011 are highlighted along with notes on the reorganization of the United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG). Brief information regarding the 2012 conference for the UKSG and a list of online resources related to serials librarians are also included.

The article presents several abstracts related to libraries and librarians including one on open access publishing, one on electronic books and one on author-press-library partnerships.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings from the qualitative strand of the National e-Book Observatory (2007-2009) project, relating to the promotion of e-textbooks in UK universities by the library, academics and publishers. A complementary paper on the ways in which students and academics locate e-books provided by their library will appear in a future issue. Design/methodology/approach - Following the provision by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) in the UK of collections of e-textbooks, the project used deep log analysis, benchmark surveys and focus groups to develop a rich picture of library e-collection management and use by students and academics. Focus groups were undertaken with library staff, academics and students; the dialogues were transcribed and analysed using NVivo7 software. Findings - The qualitative studies found that libraries were using a range of promotional tools, although these were not always finding their targets. Often libraries had no formal promotion strategy for e-resources. Although little in evidence, the value of academic commitment and promotion was emphasised. Promotion by publishers and aggregators is both to libraries and directly to academic staff. Students felt that they were largely unaware of promotion beyond the presence of e-books in the catalogue, and in some cases stated explicitly that they thought more should be done to promote library e-resources to them. Practical implications - The paper offers pragmatic guidance on promotional methodologies. Originality/value - The project describes the first major, national usage study of e-books in higher education. The paper contributes significantly to the literature in discussing the importance of promoting e-books to students and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to highlight some of the ways in which UK academic libraries are responding to the increasing space pressures in both their library buildings and their external stores. Design/methodology/approach - A survey of academic libraries looks at current practice, with examples taken from the University of Leeds and a number of other UK universities. Findings - The paper finds that relegation of stock has become a fact of life, and withdrawal is becoming more common. It is clear that the shortage of physical space cannot be solved by institutions in isolation, and that a collective strategy is essential in order to guarantee long-term sustainable storage of low-usage material. Originality/value - It is hoped that the examples discussed can help inform stock management decisions in other institutions that are starting to face storage problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the progress made in developing mechanisms for self-supported impact assessment for a range of library service providers in the UK, and higher education libraries in particular. There is no established tradition for the higher education libraries to evaluate the impact that they have within their organisations. Design/methodology/approach - The authors have created and developed a range of techniques which have been applied across the United Kingdom in school, health, public and higher education libraries, refining the techniques over the last decade. Findings - The impact initiative so far is reviewed and areas for further promotion and development identified. Originality/value - The work described is one of few that has achieved impact assessment across a wide range of libraries and over a significant period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of a 2006 survey of UK Higher Education OPACs in order to provide a snapshot of cataloguing practices for e-books. Design/methodology/approach- The OPACs of 30 UK HE libraries were examined in July/August 2006 to determine which e-books were catalogued, and the level of cataloguing treatment e-books received. Interviews were conducted by e-mail with representatives of eight of these libraries. Findings - A total of 28 universities surveyed provided some OPAC records for e-books; most of these were for subscription collections from suppliers such as ebrary and netLibrary. Five universities included records in their OPACs for individual e-book titles from collections such as Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO); four OPACs included records for free e-books. There are wide variations between institutions in terms of which e-books are selected for cataloguing. Research limitations/implications - The survey was undertaken at a particular point in time (summer 2006) and was not exhaustive of all UK HE OPACs. Practical implications - This research suggests that it should be made easier for users to search OPACs for e-books, and that libraries should provide more information on their websites about which e-books are catalogued. Originality/value - This paper addresses a gap in the UK literature on cataloguing e-books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]