Don't Fear the Reader: Librarian versus Interlibrary Loan Patron-Driven Acquisition of Print Books at an Academic Library by Relative Collecting Level and by Library of Congress Classes and Subclasses.

Zatko, Ruzena

Tyler, D. C., Melvin, J. C., Epp, M., & Kreps, A. M. (2014). Don't Fear the Reader: Librarian versus Interlibrary Loan Patron-Driven Acquisition of Print Books at an Academic Library by Relative Collecting Level and by Library of Congress Classes and Subclasses. College & Research Libraries, 75(5), 684-704. doi:10.5860/crl.75.5.684

 

Summary

 

Tyler et al. 2014 discuss to not have a lot of Patron Driven Acquisition because it will weaken the collection as a whole. It is important to be selective with the patrons requests because the librarian should focus on the strength of the collection. The research tested to see what the impact would be if 1/2 of acquisitions were patron driven over a 5 year cycle, which did not show a significant difference to the quality of the collection.

 

 

Evaluation

 

As an acquisitions librarian, its important to make right decisions for the collection. A large focus on patron-driven material can hurt the collection and hardly belongs in the academic library. In a library researched, it demonstrated that 30% of patrons were using materials for recreational use rather than academic use when the library had more patron-driven options. The researchers wanted to delve deeper and see what would happen over a five year period if the acquisitions were 50% patron driven and 50% demand. However, this proved to not off set the collection. The limitation in the research is that it was a single-site survey. Also, with the data it is hard to say how long it would take for there to be an imbalance in the Patron Driven Acquisitions.

The Past, Present, and Future of Demand-Driven Acquisitions in Academic Libraries

Zatko, Ruzena

Goedeken, E. g., & Lawson, K. k. (2015). The Past, Present, and Future of Demand-Driven Acquisitions in Academic Libraries. College & Research Libraries, 76(2), 205-221.

 

 

 

Summary

 

This paper covers what makes a great collection and best practices and guidelines in collection management. Some key factors to consider in proper management is being in tuned with what is circulating, otherwise money is being wasted keeping items that patrons don't care for on the shelves. Goedeken and Lawson (2015) go on to mention that digital collections can actually be disruptive and should be acquired with care. In all, its important to not just give patrons what they want but instead give them what they need.

 

Evaluation

 

In this research, some great points were brought up for academic acquisitions. Some important things to consider is for the acquisitions librarian to not necessarily fall for the "trends" or go all digital, etc. Patrons will have demands and want the newest and latest. However, it is important for the librarian to weed through and find quality material for the patron. The paper considers analysis of the current collection, balance the traditional approach of acquiring material, and know all about their user and their needs.

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.

 

Jennifer Overaa

Moulton, E. (2014). Bibliotherapy for Teens: Helpful Tips and Recommended Fiction. School Library Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2015, from http://www.slj.com/2014/11/teens-ya/bibliotherapy-for-teens-helpful-tips-and-recommended-fiction/#_

This article written by a teen librarian at a New Hampshire public library promotes the use of fiction as an accessory to therapy.   The right story with a protaganist dealing with anxiety, sexual assault, eating disorder, Aspergers etc. can help a teen with similar issues feel less isolated and help other teens understands family or friends with these issues.  She recommends setting up a display or reading list with books categorized by mental disorder. 

Miller, R. T.  (September 2015). Getting phygital:  Embracing space where digital and physical

intertwine.  School Library Journal, 6.

Summary:  The word ‘phygital’ is a combination of two words:  digital and physical.  Phygital relates to the idea of balancing physical and digital collections in the libraries of the future.   Some have claimed that the libraries of the future will not include physical materials at all, only digital.  This editorial argues that while there definitely has been a digital shift, in the end, it is not about choosing one format over another.   It is about moving between the physical and digital.  “Responsive library service should take advantage of the strengths of each and the power of them combined.”

Evaluation:  I appreciated this short article, as I do feel many librarians feel like they have to get on the digital bandwagon at the expense of the physical in order to stay relevant.  This has bothered me – I, for one, enjoy reading both a hardcover novel and a downloaded book.  We are often floating back from one format to another and back again.  This article made me realize that it is a good thing to maintain balance between the physical and the digital.

[R]Evolution in reading cultures: 2020 vision for school libraries.

Marsh, Mindie

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O'Connell, J., Bales, J. & Mitchell, P. (2015). [R]Evolution in reading cultures: 2020 vision for school libraries. The Australian Library Journal 64(3), 194-208. doi: 10.1080/00049670.2015.1048043

Talks about Australian Library and Information association goal/prediction that school libraries will be 50% digital content by 2020. Survey 50:50 by 2020 shows that this goal is not likely! Their schools show much more progress than American schools did in another survey, but there are still schools who have no eBooks and no plans to integrate them. Problems include lack of technology – devices, problems with programs – choosing a platform, and issues with infrastructure – website and wifi. Some school are resolving by allowing students to bring their own devices, but still few libraries are even going to make it to 20% of resources by 2020. 

Very interesting article about goals for integrating eBooks into schools at all levels. It discusses the pitfalls that are faced and that many of the librarians who are actually succeeding are receive no guidance. The Australian Library and Information Association seems to have written this goal and yet is providing no support to the librarians on the ground making it happen. Every single one of them has to write the policy from scratch for their school, choose all of the platforms and design ways for the students to access the content without any standards to go by. No wonder the goal is out of reach. At the same time I applaud them for setting goals, not just throwing up their hands and crying that it is hopeless. My daughter's STEM middle school has rights to state purchased eBooks, but no way for students to access them, and the library is run by volunteers under the guidance of the school's secretary. 

Marketing Libraries Is Like....

Wilson, Shibrie

Potter, N. (2013, April 18). Marketing Libraries Is Like Marketing Mayonnaise. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/04/opinion/advocates-corner/marketing-libraries-is-like-marketing-mayonnaise/

Ned Potter describes the difficulty of marketing libraries and it is due to time, funding, and resources. Another issue is perception of what library serves to its users is misunderstood. "Public perception of what libraries actually do is about 15 years behind the reality in a lot of cases." In order to have a successful outcome in marketing a library you must do so regularly. Advertising everywhere and create awareness of services provides to diverse group of patrons. Potter explains Libraries marketing being like that of Mayonnaise and how it is not always appealing but it process of reminder. Make marketing meaningful "then people will think of you when they need you, and then they'll walk in through the door."

Opinion:
Library marketing can be a task but it is all about the approach and time taken to do so. I enjoyed comparison of libraries to mayonnaise simply because they are both things in which people are not rushing towards. Some of the most successful programs are due to great marketing overtime. Marketing programs a month prior to and having it posted everywhere will become a constant reminder and patrons are more eager to attend. You want to avoid rushed marketing and brand your library in a way in which people will notice they need you for various services.,