Citation Analysis Methodologies for Collection Management

Amy Kumar

Hoffman, K. and Doucette, L. (2012). A review of citation analysis methodologies for collection management. College and Research Libraries. 321-334.

Summary
This paper reviews the most relevant methodologies with regard to reviews of user study-based citation analyses "with a goal of informing collection management" (Hoffman & Doucette, 321). Described as a bibliometric method, citation analysis has been used for informing the collection development process in various ways, and involves taking a close look at citation popularity and scholarly communication trends to determine the efficacy of a collection for its scholarly patron base. According to the study, "the information can help librarians design and improve services and resources, from instruction to collections to reference" (Hoffman & Doucette, 321). Studying the most frequently cited references provides insight to collection managers and helps them to create a collection based on the most relevant and necessary materials. The methodology included a user study based on article citations, database bibliometrics, date range samples of citations, and abstract reviews. The final analysis was qualitative and researchers took note of themes of the results.
Analysis
Bibliometrics are a fascinating tool that can provide great insight into scholarly communication trends from the standpoint of an academic librarian rather than from a scholarly viewpoint.  The data received can help define trends, patterns, and current issues, and point the way toward a thoroughly vetted collection and collection development policy. I think it was important that the researchers pointed out in their conclusion that there are many local factors to consider, and that collection managers should be aware of comparison studies and be able to apply the data to their own libraries. The most common results given throughout the various studies that were analyzed seemed to concern citation date, frequency, holdings, and citations per publication. This data provides a handy starting point for those collection managers wanting to utilize citation analysis. 

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.

Where is the future or Library?

Wilson, Shibrie

Stripling, B. K. (2013, November 11). The Future of Libraries. Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2013/11/11/the-future-of-libraries/

Libraries and the existence in future is constantly in question due to technology. Due to increase in technology many libraries are changing the way in which the operate in order to keep up with emerging technology. The ALA offered a series of webinar in which guide librarians as to how to emerge with the constant changing library. Libraries are adopting virtual learning, gaming activities, and community forums in attempt to attract more users. In order to remain relevant with evolving technology collections are beginning to change and not just print materials are provided. Patrons are now able to choose from ebooks and print materials and different types of formats and software to enhance their library experience. Librarians are educators and must be a step ahead of what is taking place in society in order to provide educational opportunities through different tech devices. Librarians must constantly think of what a patron wants, how to transform library, and knowing your community. 

Opinion:
In a time in which technology continues to take over the world as we know it, as information specialist it is important we are one step ahead. Learning about the community and their needs specifically regarding to technology is vital. Librarians must continue to education themselves with technology in order to educate patrons. 

How are Libraries engaging your readers with fun?

Wilson, Shibrie

Mackenzie, P. (2014, July 22). Libraries engage young readers with fun . Retrieved from http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/2014/07/18/libraries-find-creative-ways-engage-young-readers/12864743/

In central Jersey libraries are becoming more engaging and fun for young patrons. Creative programs are in implemented in an effort to encourage children and young adults to read when school is not in session. There are different programs offered to young patrons during summer months for example a Night Owl program, science workshops for students, bringing books to life, children being able to act out the stories. These are all wonderful programs and libraries in central Jersey have a tremendous success rate with such. "Super Summer Reader" is a book club for young readers and is membership only. To emphasize different books and share reviews using social media sites such as twitter. For this reading program readers of all ages are encourage to participate. This reading program encourages free reading opposed to choosing books readers.

Opinion:
I will definitely consider some of these programs when brainstorming ideas for patrons. It is important to use different outlets to engage readers aside from traditional library marketing. I like the concept that this cause patrons to become involved with their library experience in regards to acting out books, participating in hands on workshops, and making books come to life. 

Hastings College Students Open Little Libraries

Chansamone O'Meara

Hastings College students open Little Libraries. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.hastingstribune.com/news/hastings-college-students-open-little-libraries/article_a8a1d636-8fdc-11e5-97f8-239ffee4878f.html

Summary:
Four college students at Hastings College in Nebraska are opening to help encourage students to love reading again by opening Little Libraries. The students are education majors and are building three Little Free Libraries as part of their class assignment. The idea of the Little Free Library is that it is placed on someone’s front yard in a little box that holds books. The books inside the box can by taken by anyone that comes across them. Every Little Library operates differently. Some want the books returned while others ask that the borrower trades the book or replaces the book with another one. For the four college students, their aim is to get as many books as possible into the hands of children. The students have partnered up with local businesses and received donations from the public so they can build the boxes or miniature homes for the library books. The students have strategically placed the Little Libraries at locations that are not as close to a public library so it fills a need for students that may have a difficult time going to the library. Once the Little Library are built at the homeowner’s front yard, it is up to them to maintain and keep it up. This way the Little Library can be easily maintained. The students hope to expand their Little Library idea to smaller communities and rural areas that have more difficult time getting access to a library.

Evaluation:

This is a great project and idea that anyone can build in their community. It takes a little time and a small amount of fundraising/donation but it can be something a community can build together. There have been other types of Little Libraries that have sprung up around other cities in public areas. This is a more intimate and possibly easier way to build a Little Library because it doesn't require finding and getting permission from the city or town, this is from home to home. It is also closer access for people to find books. There are many people who purchase books and are finish reading them and this type of library would make lending out or giving out the books easier and allow for a sharing of a community based library collection.

Beyond the scanned image: A needs assessment of scholarly users of digital collections

Kimura, Camden

Green, H.E., & Courtney, A. (2015). Beyond the scanned image: A needs assessment of scholarly users of digital collections. College & Research Libraries, 76(5), 690-707. doi:10.5860/crl.76.5.690

Summary: In this article, Green and Courtney (2015) report the results of their research on the needs of faculty in digital collections. Through the course of interviews with fine arts faculty and a survey of English and history faculty, they discovered that digital collections are not created with faculty needs in mind. Among the highest needs for image, text, and multimedia collections were better metadata, searchability, searchable text, and the ability to download images and multimedia (Green and Courtney, 2015, p. 695).  Overall, these interviewed and surveyed academics were not satisfied by the functionality of the digital collections that they used. This has very little to do with content, but rather with usability.  Green and Courtney conclude that digital collections need a “user-centered focus” to be of most use to academics (2015, p. 701).

Evaluation: The bad: this research probably has interesting results and implications, but Green and Courtney watered down the presentation of results so much that there is not nearly enough information for the reader to do much of anything. I would have liked more information so I could properly assess whether or not their conclusions were reasonable or even have some deeper context for their conclusions. The good: what little they do present in the paper is extremely valuable for those creating and curating digital collections, even outside of academia; usability is the most important part of digital collections. Green and Courtney conclude that users must be engaged at nearly every point in the creation of digital collections. I think this is good (albeit a bit obvious) advice for any creating digital collections. We must be first with concerned users, almost over content; if our digital collections are not created in such a way that users can use the collection the way they need to, then we have failed to create a good digital collection. Once we have determined what the users need and especially how the users will be using the collection, then we can focus on curating content. This will create the best digital collection for our users.

Linked Data in Library Collections

Betty Decker

Leading to Linking: Introducing Linked Data to Academic Library Digital Collections

Lampert, C. K., & Southwick, S. B. (2013). Leading to linking: Introducing linked data to academic               library digital collections. Journal of Library Metadata, 13(2-3), 230-253.  

            doi:10.1080/19386389.2013.826095

A Guide for Transforming Digital Collections Metadata into Linked Data Using Open Source Technologies.

Southwick, S. B. (2015). A guide for transforming digital collections metadata into linked data using open source technologies. Journal of Library Metadata, 15(1), 1-35. doi:10.1080/19386389.2015.1007009

Summary: These two articles discuss how the University of Nevada Las Vegas Libraries introduced linked data, the ability to add linked data to a library collection, and how that can be accomplished. The author of Leading to Linked provides a simple history of linked data, noting the many definitions available for linked data. UNLV created a group of library professionals to begin the process. The group used Resource Description Framework (RDF) and Unique Resource Identifiers (URI) to practice on items that they considered adding to the collection. Once the group was comfortable, they created a diagram of steps needed to add a linked data item. It was then time to begin adding the UNLV Digital Collections, which consisted of photos, manuscripts, interviews and other formats of historical perspective. The project of adding these items consisted of five phases. In the second article we are provided with more information on implementing RDF and URI triples that are needed for linked data, and the programs used for this implementation.  

Evaluation: I am very interested in adding open source materials to the library collection as well as other items into my collection. Currently we are adding a collection of Kachina Dolls to a Microsoft Access Database in the hopes that we will eventually be able to create a linked data site for this information. These articles were great. They actually spoke about adding items similar to our Kachina Dolls and creating linked open data that would allow them to be easily searchable. I originally started reading the 2015 article first, but decided to find the 2013 article and start from the beginning. I am glad that I did, as it provided me with a better background of what UNLV was hoping to accomplish. If you are interested in this, you should read the article.