Reading Backwards

Langstraat, Carina

Bernier, A. (2011). On Reading Academic Literature (Strategically). [Lecture]. Retrieved from

San Jose State University INFO 285-14 Canvas site

Summary:

Bernier’s article tells you how to absorb vast amounts of information as quickly as possible.  It is geared toward how to accomplish this when doing research, but is applicable to life at large.  It's approach is basic and straightforward in nature.  No one is assuming I already know all this just because I am in information school.  His approach boils down to reading the conclusion of an article first and then the introduction.  When doing research, this allows you to quickly decide if the article is worth pursuing.  Seems obvious but this approach has been a game changer for me.

Evaluation:

The Bernier article on how to read academic literature is one of the best pieces of information I’ve read since I’ve been at SJSU.  When I started this program, reading strategically wasn’t as much a choice on my part, but a survival skill.  In my first semester, I wanted to immerse myself, get as much as I could out of the program, etc.  But with the amount of assigned reading combined with necessary research reading, it quickly became apparent that reading, as Bernier says, in a “once upon a time” fashion, wasn’t going to work.  What Bernier’s article has done for me is to relieve me of the guilt of strategic reading, instead emboldening me to enhance those skills.  For example, I’ve always read the abstract, the introduction, and then the conclusion in order to decide if the article was a keeper.  Doing it the other way around makes more sense because it’s a more direct route to the author’s punch line.

The Career Path, Education, and Activities of Academic Law Library Directors Revisited Twenty-Five Years Later

Zatko, Ruzena 

Slinger, M. J., & Slinger, S. C. (2015). The Career Path, Education, and Activities of Academic Law

 

       Library Directors Revisited Twenty-Five Years Later. Law Library Journal, 107(2), 175-223.

 

     

 

Summary

     This research paper, written by a novice Law Librarian a 25 years back, takes a look at how one goes about becoming a Law Library Director. and his proposal for future Law Librarians. Back then it was required by law that the Director had to hold both a Master's or better in LIS and a Juris Doctor degree. However, since this is reflection it discloses that as of 2014/2015 criteria this no longer applies. The research also points to whether one chose to be a librarian first and then get exposed to the legal side or vice versa.

 

 

 

 

Evaluation:

     The research overall is informative on different paths that a person may obtain to reach their goal as a Law Library Director. Different scenarios are put into perspective such as obtaining a JD degree and then the LIS degree and vice versa. Interestingly, more often a Law Library Director comes from a Public Service background. Although, there is a lot of data on how much schooling, experience, demographics etc. make up the large percent of Law Directors, there aren't exact numbers stated to know what the percentages are made up of. In all, this research paper demonstrated the evolution of promotion in the Law Library. There have been many changes since the original research was conducted.

 

Use of Collection Development Policies in Electronic Resource Management

Pozzebon, S. (2012). Use of collection development policies in electronic resource management.

            Collection Building, 31(3), 108-114. doi: 10.1108/01604951211243506

Pozzebon provides an analysis of collection development policies in academic libraries. Many policies are not equipped to address e-resources. Many policies, surprisingly, only address specific portions of the collections held. The reason for the tendency to create incomplete collection development policy is to avoid constantly changing policies to accommodate changing content. The author suggests that policy should be made complete and updated as much as possible because of the changing content.

Value added: Book covers provide additional impetus for academic library patrons to check out books

Knowlton, S. A., & Hackert, L. N. (2015). Value added: Book covers provide additional impetus for academic library patrons to check out books. Library Resources & Technical Services, 59(3), 112-119.

Hooper, Pamela

Summary: This article summarizes a study conducted at an academic library on the value of leaving the dust jacket on books shelved within the library. The authors argue that the information that publishers provide on the book cover is of a different nature to information contained within a catalog entry and therefore greatly assist patrons in identifying useful books. The library in which the study was based contained six different kinds of binding and each was utilized in the study. 1,319 books were studied and were from select LCC classes and subclasses and all were nonfiction. The study concludes that books with dust jackets circulate on average once every two years versus books with no dust jackets circulating once every three years. They conclude that the extra circulation and improved customer experience makes up for the lost room on the shelves.

Evaluation: This was an interesting study. I found it to be somewhat superficial in the methodology, and more research on this topic is certainly warranted, but it should also not surprise anyone. Publishers go to great lengths to entice readers/buyers. By modifying the presentation, we remove the enticement for patrons, especially browsers.

Textbooks Weighing You Down? Check Out Our eReaders

Brandes-Miesner, Marta

Brannon, S. & Sears (2014). Textbooks weighing you down? Check out our e-readers. Technical

Services Quarterly, 31(3), 237-247. DOI: 10.1080/07317131.2014.908588 

Summary:

Through a grant received by the University of North Texas, the University Bookstore was able to purchase eReaders for students who were unable to purchase them to be able to use for accessing their textbooks in electronic form. Although they distinctly did not set out to undertake an intense research study analysis of the eReader and electronic text books program success, it was ultimately necessary as a means to plan for the future. The idea was to eliminate a lack of knowledge and fiscal barriers prohibiting the use of eReaders and electronic textbooks. Overall, the program was a great success but warranted several changes and adjustments such as implementing a wait list, planning for early returns, staff training and additional survey and textbook allowance modifications.  It served as a pilot program and due to its success will be a model for other libraries setting up similar programs in their libraries.

Evaluation:

This article is valuable in its practical application of this type of program implementation. It provides the basis for requiring such an undertaking, the elements of the grant requirements, application and acquisition. It provides the scenario which prompted the implementation of both the project and the study, the subsequent use and outcomes. It also detailed the results of the study and the reasons for any future adjustments in the program and in the survey itself. This pilot program and study proves to be a valuable resource for other school, academic and with possible considerations and alterations even for public libraries.