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This research study investigates the effects of library instruction tutorial format (written versus video) on student preference and performance in chemistry education. The authors assessed the format of tutorials used to provide library instruction in an introductory chemistry course by observing 27 student participants as they took in instructions in either a video or a written format and then completed two chemistry information tasks. While participants expressed strong preferences for particular formats, neither the video tutorials nor the written instructions significantly improved task completion speed or performance. Rather, the authors determined that student preference alone is enough to justify the continued production of multiple versions of instructions for the same assignment.

This research study investigates the effects of library instruction tutorial format (written versus video) on student preference and performance in chemistry education. The authors assessed the format of tutorials used to provide library instruction in an introductory chemistry course by observing 27 student participants as they took in instructions in either a video or a written format and then completed two chemistry information tasks. While participants expressed strong preferences for particular formats, neither the video tutorials nor the written instructions significantly improved task completion speed or performance. Rather, the authors determined that student preference alone is enough to justify the continued production of multiple versions of instructions for the same assignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries and archives are often grouped together as knowledge organizations with some shared goals and purposes, and in academic institutions this is no different. They might compete for the same resources or be managed by the same administrative teams; however, how much collaboration is there between libraries and archives in academia? Some might suppose that there is consistent collaboration and interconnected priorities and projects which foster that collaboration. Those librarians providing support for historians or history departments may have strong working relationships with reference archivists, but what about those working in other areas of librarianship? Would there be opportunity, for example, for an academic science librarian to partner with a reference archivist to elucidate the treasures hidden within archives relevant to scientists? We can definitively answer that question from our own personal experience. Since 2018, the authors, a science librarian and reference archivist, have worked together to introduce those beyond history departments the opportunities for archival research. In this column, we describe how we started working together, our various collaborative efforts over the years, and what we have learned along the way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2017, the SLA Sci-Tech Division began a process of refocusing and revitalizing its approach and efforts in response to the perceived need for a strong generalist organization supporting multidisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) librarians. This article details the process of revising the division's strategic plan, explains its new direction, its initial steps to implement the plan, and its future direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of recruiting science librarians is an ongoing issue, despite efforts to isolate, address, and remedy the deficiency. Most research has focused on investigating why current science librarians chose their careers and on ways library information science (LIS) programs can entice Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) candidates into science librarianship. At Brooklyn College, librarians created a science information internship for undergraduate science majors. By exposing these students to librarianship as a potential career path, we hope to attract and groom future science librarians. This article discusses the development of the internship, the challenges and successes of the pilot, and the assessment of the pilot for improvements and expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2009, Kansas State University Libraries (K-State Libraries) moved from subject-based departments to user-based departments. From this change, subject matrices, including the Agriculture and Biological Science Matrix, were developed to address subject-related issues. This matrix is comprised of librarians from many K-State Libraries’ departments and is a conduit for sharing information interdepartmentally and developing collaborative opportunities. Libraries wishing to maintain a traditional subject-liaison model can adapt key principles underlying the matrix. Subject liaisons can go beyond siloed perspectives by soliciting advice from individuals outside the library. Another approach is to disturb established structures and introduce selective pressure to inspire innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides practical suggestions for creating opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education partnerships and programming, despite the funding struggles of many academic libraries. With pressures from internal and external funding avenues, academic libraries must create an environment where libraries and librarians reach out in order to encourage buy in for library programs, services, and support. Using the book budget cuts and serial subscription reconfiguration at the University Libraries of the University of Memphis as a jumping off point, this article explores creative but necessary strategies for connecting with students, faculty, librarians and others engaged in STEM education. The creation of the Center for Research and Innovation for STEM Teaching and Learning (CRISTAL) at the University of Memphis presented a critical opportunity for engagement with the libraries. Points of discussion include how the University Libraries became involved with CRISTAL, the ways the CRISTAL has driven its engagement with our University Libraries, resources implemented to broaden the impact of this relationship, literature supporting the methods used, opportunities related to such collaborations, and plans moving forward. This article also includes suggestions for how such opportunities might present, and might be embraced, at other institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymerase chain reaction is a revolutionary laboratory technique that allows scientists to exponentially replicate DNA samples for testing. This article provides a basic overview of the process, its history, and how it has changed genomic research. A review of the literature demonstrates the influence of this technique and its breadth of application across the life sciences. Several education resources are highlighted to inform how the polymerase chain reaction is applied in undergraduate research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A Review of: Hemminger, B.M., Lu, D., Vaughan, K.T.L., & Adams, S. J. (2007). Information seeking behavior of academic scientists. Journal of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, 58(14), 2205-2225. Abstract Objective – To quantify the transition to electronic communication in information-seeking behaviour of academic scientists. Design – Census survey. Setting – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a large public research university. Subjects – Nine hundred two faculty, research staff, and graduate students involved in research in basic or medical science departments. Participants self-selected (26%) from 3523 recruited. The sample reflected the larger population in terms of gender, age, university position, and department. Methods – The authors developed a web-based survey and delivered it via PHP Survey Tool. They developed the questions to parallel similar earlier studies to allow for comparative analysis. The survey included 28 main questions with some questions including further follow-up questions depending on the initial answer. The instrument included three initial questions designed to reveal the participant’s place and role in the university, and further coding classified participants’ department as either basic or medical science. The questions included categorical, continuous, and open-ended types. While most questions focused on the scientists’ information seeking behaviour, the three final open-ended questions asked about their opinions of the library and ideal searching environment. Answers were transferred into a MySQL database, then imported into SAS to generate simple descriptive statistics. Main Results – Participants reported easy access to online resources, and a strong preference for conducting research online, even when access to a physical library is convenient. Infrequent visits to the library predominantly took place to utilize materials not available online, although the third most common answer for visiting was to take advantage of the library building as a quiet reading space (14%). Additional questions revealed both type and specifics of most popular sources for research, preferred journals, current awareness tools, reasons for choice of journal for publication, and use of bibliographic management tools. Conclusion – Scientists prefer online tools for conducting library research, although specific contexts influence the preference, and online articles may be printed out for reading or annotation. The participants are taking advantage of the developing online arena, utilizing databases for research, as well as literature searching, access to journals and conference proceedings, and to keep abreast of current research.

With the advent of the open access and open data movement, the preservation and availability of data has multiplied exponentially. This increased distribution and sharing of data has energized numerous fields of research. In such an environment, librarians are increasingly tasked with finding actual data related to specific subjects in addition to the traditional task of locating relevant scholarly articles. This article provides a valuable resource for reference and science librarians as they meet the needs of their patrons in an increasingly data-centric world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Science librarianship is a relatively new specialty in the library profession in Africa as the bulk of the early librarians had a background in the Arts and Humanities. Unfortunately there is a dearth of science librarians on the continent and the need for science librarians is more crucial to help support meaningful scientific research and development on the continent. Why does the gap exist? What are Library and Information Science (LIS) schools doing to entice, attract, enroll, motivate, and train science librarians? What are the professional associations doing to promote the cause of science librarianship? What are academic and research libraries doing to retain and stop science librarians from invading or migrating to other niches. This paper attempts to provide answers to the above questions with input and insight from across the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Science Links’ is a program funded by a grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services to recruit and educate ten diverse students with strong science and technology backgrounds or interests to the field of science librarianship. This paper described the recruitment phase of the project, launched in the summer of 2005. Although national in scope, a key component of the recruitment process was an active public relations campaign that targeted students at Historically Black Colleges & Universities in the southeast. Six librarians from underrepresented groups employed at the University of Tennessee, along with the Co-Principal Investigators for the grant, explain the strategies used to identify and select institutions likely to produce a high number of applicants for on-site visits. Obstacles, challenges, and unanticipated issues faced during the recruitment phase are also addressed. Designed to be a collaborative effort, the program emphasizes the importance of partnerships in achieving success. One expected outcome will be a carefully evaluated model that may be used to recruit future science librarians, with an emphasis on those from minority populations. The initial recruitment phase concluded in February 2006, the deadline for applicants to submit a ‘letter of intent’ to apply to the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article gives my personal account of howl entered the field of science librarianship. It compares these personal experiences with those of other science librarians using a brief e-mail survey sent to two active science librarian listservs, the Association of College and Research Libraries-Science & Technology Section (ACRL-STS) listserv (STS-L@LISTSERV.UTK.EDU) and the Chemical Information Sources Discussion List (CHMINF-L@LI5T5ERV.INDJANA.EDU). Two hundred twenty-one responses were received. This article also includes strategies for recruiting undergraduate science majors into the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical science librarians from the U.S. and Canada participated in a survey about their educational background, experience, and professional activity. This group of information professionals can be characterized as having an extensive academic background in the sciences, as being highly experienced, and as professionally active. The large proportion of practitioners who have more than eleven years of experience in the field could signal the impending retirement of large numbers of physical science librarians in the near future. This survey of physical science librarians in the early part of the 21st century suggests that for physical science librarianship to continue to evolve and flourish, it is critical that the profession encourage research and scholarship, in addition to service, among our newest recruits and experienced colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]