Journal articles on the topic 'College librarians'

The present paper compares library automation in first-grade college libraries affiliated to the University of Mysore. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary inputs from college libraries to understand the present status. A total of 160 colleges were taken up for the study in which 135 (84.37%) colleges responded,15 first grade college libraries did not have librarians and ten librarians did not respond. The study’s findings reveal that 94 (69.62%) college libraries are automated. Among them, 29 (30.85%) college libraries are fully automated, 65 (69.14%) college libraries are partially automated and 41 (30.37%) libraries are not automated. The study’s findings reveal that all autonomous colleges are automated—the main reason for not automating the library in Government colleges, Private aided colleges and Unaided colleges are inadequate of finance and lack of trained manpower. It is suggested that the librarians have to attend intensive training programs on deputation or become proficient in automation work to provide effective and efficient services to users.

The present paperprovides the status of library automation of first gradecollege libraries affiliated to University of Mysore. A structured questionnaire was used as the tool to collect basic inputs from college libraries to understand the present status. A total of 160 colleges were taken up for the study in which 135(84.37%)colleges responded,15 first grade college libraries did not have librarians and 10 librarians did not respond.The findings of the study reveal that 60(63.83%)college libraries are using open source software E-Granthalaya and KOHA software for library automation. Out of 135 colleges,29 (30.85%) college libraries are fully automated, 65(69.15%) college libraries are partially automated and 41(28.90%) libraries are not automated. The librarians have to attend intensive training programs on deputation or have to become proficient on their own in automation in order to provide effective and efficient services to users.

In 1994, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Libraries founded a College Librarian Program. Begun with four librarians serving four colleges, it has since grown to include eleven librarians providing comprehensive library services to the six of Virginia Tech’s eight colleges not served by branch libraries. Other authors have described the early history of the program or outlined some of its specific elements.1 By reviewing how the program came to be, by analyzing the choice points it presents, especially from an administrative perspective, and by discussing its benefits and costs from a university point of view, the authors hope to illuminate an exciting and potentially beneficial approach that other large institutions might seek to adapt to their own missions.

Background of the study: The college library is the heart of higher education. In the era of information technology today the needs and desires of the settlers vary and change. Librarians are required to be creative and have competence when managing libraries and serving the users. Librarians must develop better performance by paying attention to the quality of service to users. Purpose: The research aims to determine creativity to improve the service and performance of the librarian. Method: This research uses qualitative method. Findings: The results of this research are the efforts of the librarian in increasing the creativity of the librarian's performance, which can be seen from the skills and abilities gained by the librarians through a formal education of the libraries D3, S1 and S2. In addition to increasing the knowledge and insight of librarians write scientific works. Librarians also participate in and hold training, workshops, socialization and book reviews. Conclusion: The organizational environment encourages creativity such as awards given to librarians that can be seen in the performance and aspects of librarian behavior used to calculate incentives. In addition, the support of the leadership and the good team work also affects the creativity of the librarians.

College librarians recognize research and publication as important components of professional growth and communication. Yet, compared to their counterparts in universities, they author fewer articles in the professional literature. This paper examines articles published by college librarians in College & Research Libraries and Journal of Academic Librarianship from 1986 to 1996 to provide a profile of college librarian authors and to identify factors that contributed to their success in publishing.

Recent research on how college students use libraries has raised some interesting questions for academic librarians. Data from the report “College Students’ Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources: A Report to the OCLC Membership” illuminates how college students from around the world view libraries and what they want from libraries. Asked to increasingly justify their relevance on campus, academic libraries need to decide what services and resources to offer to students, both in person and virtually. Librarians face choices of providing students with what they want and what librarians and faculty think they need. The OCLC report drives home the . . .

Library workers from libraries of all types can struggle with the challenges of juggling instructional responsibilities with other assigned duties. Library context can play a key role in the resources available to mitigate these challenges. In this article, Chelsea Contrada discusses information literacy instruction in a community college library context and how that context influences her approach to library instruction. She articulates some of the unique aspects of instruction in community colleges and how community college librarians take a different approach than many of their peers in four-year colleges and universities. Contrada makes a strong case for increased collaboration across library type and more robust opportunities for professional development and engagement for community college librarians.—Editor

This paper aims to gift the results of a survey conducted to see the effective use of online Public Access Catalogs (OPAC) at the library of Jeppiaar Maamallan Engineering College in Chennai. The paper examines the result from a questionnaire based survey conducted at the library. 50 samples of the form were distributed in a random way between the employees of Jeppiaar Maamallan Engineering College in Chennai out of which 48 completed and valid questionnaires (96.00 %) were received for analysis. The information received from the respondents through these questionnaires was analyzed. Thus, the study clearly highlighted the requirement for associate degree education programme module for users to market the effective use of OPAC. An effort is formed through this study to gift the difficulties Janus-faced by users at engineering college libraries, in looking for data victimization OPAC. This paper provides helpful empirical proof for librarians and therefore the analysis community on the usage of OPAC in libraries of engineering colleges. The results of this study are going to be helpful for librarians at Jeppiaar Maamallan Engineering College in Chennai and additionally to different librarians around the state and country. This paper provides original information from library finish users in engineering college, relating to their expertise whiles victimization OPAC.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the training of college librarians, academic and management staff, IT managers and students on how to organise, manage and use a user-friendly library. In Uganda, as in many countries, the problem is that school and/or college libraries are managed by librarians who may have good cataloguing and management skills, but who do not have the pedagogic skills and knowledge of the school curricula that are necessary for librarians to be able to guide and mentor both teachers and students or organise curriculum-related activities or facilitate research. The development of user-friendly libraries contributes in improving education quality through nurturing the interest of students and teachers in literacy activities and active search for knowledge. Under the stewardship of the Belgium Technical Cooperation and the Ministry of Education in Uganda, library stakeholders were trained on how to put users – rather than themselves – in the centre of the library’s operations and introduced to active teaching and learning methodologies and activities with emphasis on getting engaged in transforming spaces, services, outreach to users and collections. Several measures, short and long term were taken to address the gaps limiting the performance of the librarians. Given the disparities in the trainees’ education level and work experience, the training was delivered in seven modules divided into three units for over eight months in 2015. By the end of the training, trainees developed unique library strategic plan, library policies and procedures, capacity to use library systems, physical design and maintenance systems, partnerships, library structure and staff job descriptions. Design/methodology/approach To effectively engage the participants each topic was conducted using active teaching and learning (ATL) methodologies, including: lecture with slides and hands-on practice – each topic was introduced in a lecture form with slides and hands-on exercises. The main goal was to introduce the participants to the concepts discussed, offer opportunities to explore alternative approaches, as well define boundaries for discussion through brainstorming. The question-answer approach kept the participants alert and to start thinking critically on the topic discussed – brainstorming sessions allowed thinking beyond the presentation room, drawing from personal experiences to provide alternatives to anticipated challenges. The goal here was for the participants to provide individual choices and approaches for real life problems; group discussions: case study/ scenario and participant presentations – participants were provided with a scenario and asked to provide alternative approaches that could solve the problem based on their personal experience at their colleges. By the end of the group discussion, participants presented a draft of the deliverable as per the topic under discussion. More so, group discussions were an excellent approach to test participant’s teamwork skills and ability to compromise, as well as respecting team decisions. It was an opportunity to see how librarians will work with the library committees. Group discussions further initiated and cemented the much-needed librarian–academic staff – college management relationship. During the group discussion, librarians, teaching staff, ICT staff and college management staff, specifically the Principals and Deputy Principals interacted freely thus starting and cultivating a new era of work relationship between them. Individual presentation: prior to the workshop, participants were sent instructions to prepare a presentation on a topic. For example, participants were asked to provide their views of what a “user-friendly library” would look like or what would constitute a “user-friendly library”; the college library of HTC-Mulago was asked to talk about their experience working with book reserves, challenges faced and plans they have to address the challenges, while the college librarian from NTC-Kaliro was asked to describe a situation where they were able to assist a patron, the limitations they faced and how they addressed them. Doing so did not only assist to emotionally prepare the participants for the training but also helped to make them start thinking about the training in relation to their libraries and work. Take-home assignment: at the end of each session, participants were given home assignments to not only revise the training material but also prepare for the next day training. Further the take-home assignments provided time for the participants to discuss with their colleagues outside of the training room so as to have a common ground/ understanding on some of the very sensitive issues. Most interesting assignment was when participants were asked to review an article and to make a presentation in relation to their library experiences. Participant reports: participant reports resulted from the take-home assignments and participants were asked to make submission on a given topic. For example, participants were asked to review IFLA section on library management and write a two-page report on how such information provided supported their own work, as well as a participant report came from their own observation after a library visit. Invited talks with library expert: two invited talks by library experts from Consortium of Uganda University Libraries and Uganda Library and Information Science Association with the goal to share their experience, motivate the participants to strive higher and achieve great things for their libraries. Library visitation: there were two library visits conducted on three separate days – International Hospital Kampala (IHK) Library, Makerere University Library and Aga Khan University Hospital Library. Each of these library visits provided unique opportunities for the participants to explore best practices and implement similar practices in their libraries. Visual aids – videos, building plans and still photos: these were visual learning aids to supplement text during the lectures because they carried lot of information while initiating different thoughts best on the participants’ past experience and expertise. The training advocated for the use of ATL methodologies and likewise similar methodologies were used to encourage participants do so in their classrooms. Findings Addressing Key Concerns: Several measures, both long and short term, were taken to address the gaps limiting the performance of the librarians. The measures taken included: selected representative sample of participants including all college stakeholders as discussed above; active teaching and learning methodologies applied in the training and blended in the content of the training materials; initiated and formulated approaches to collaborations, networks and partnerships; visited different libraries to benchmark library practices and encourage future job shadowing opportunities; and encouraged participants to relate freely, understand and value each other’s work to change their mindsets. College librarians were encouraged to ensure library priorities remain on the agenda through advocacy campaigns. Short-term measures: The UFL training was designed as a practical and hands-on training blended with individual and group tasks, discussions, take-home assignments and presentations by participants. This allowed participates to engage with the material and take responsibility for their own work. Further, the training material was prepared with a view that librarians support the academic life of teaching staff and students. Participants were tasked to develop and later fine-tune materials designed to support their work. For example, developing a subject bibliography and posting it on the library website designed using open source tools such as Google website, Wikis, blogs. The developed library manual includes user-friendly policies and procedures referred to as “dos and don’ts in the library” that promote equitable open access to information; drafting book selection memos; new book arrivals lists; subscribing to open access journals; current awareness services and selective dissemination of information service displays and electronic bulletins. Based on their library needs and semester calendar, participants developed action points and timelines to implement tasks in their libraries at the end of each unit training. Librarians were encouraged to share their experiences through library websites, Facebook page, group e-mail/listserv and Instagram; however, they were challenged with intimate internet access. College libraries were rewarded for their extraordinary job. Given their pivotal role in the management and administration of financial and material resources, on top of librarians, the participants in this training were college administrators/ management, teaching and ICT staff, researchers and student leadership. Participants were selected to address the current and future needs of the college library. These are individuals that are perceived to have a great impact towards furthering the college library agenda. The practical nature of this training warranted conducting the workshops from developed but similar library spaces, for example, Aga Khan University Library and Kampala Capital City, Makerere University Library, International Hospital Kampala Library and Uganda Christian University Library. Participants observed orientation sessions, reference desk management and interviews, collection management practices, preservation and conservation, secretarial bureau management, etc. Long-term measures: Changing the mindset of librarians, college administrators and teaching staff is a long-term commitment which continues to demand for innovative interventions. For example: job shadowing allowed college librarian short-term attachments to Makerere University Library, Uganda Christian University Library, Aga Khan Hospital University Library and International Hospital Kampala Library – these libraries were selected because of their comparable practices and size. The mentorship programme lasted between two-three weeks; on-spot supervision and follow-up visits to assess progress with the action plan by the librarians and college administration and college library committee; ensuring that all library documents – library strategic plan, library manual, library organogram, etc are approved by the College Governing Council and are part of the college wide governing documents; and establishing the library committee with a job description for each member – this has strengthened the library most especially as an advocacy tool, planning and budgeting mechanism, awareness channel for library practices, while bringing the library to the agenda – reemphasizing the library’s agenda. To bridge the widened gap between librarians and the rest of the stakeholders, i.e. teaching staff, ICT staff, college administration and students, a college library committee structure and its mandate were established comprising: Library Committee Chairperson – member of the teaching staff; Library Committee Secretary – College Librarian; Student Representative – must be a member of the student Guild with library work experience; and Representative from each college academic department. A library consortium was formed involving all the four project supported colleges to participate in resource sharing practices, shared work practices like shared cataloguing, information literacy training, reference interview and referral services as well a platform for sharing experiences. A library consortium further demanded for automating library functions to facilitate collaboration and shared work. Plans are in place to install Koha integrated library system that will cultivate a strong working relationship between librarians and students, academic staff, college administration and IT managers. This was achieved by ensuring that librarians innovatively implement library practices and skills acquired from the workshop as well as show their relevance to the academic life of the academic staff. Cultivating relationships takes a great deal of time, thus college librarians were coached on: creating inclusive library committees, timely response to user needs, design library programmes that address user needs, keeping with changing technology to suite changing user needs, seeking customer feedback and collecting user statistics to support their requests, strengthening the library’s financial based by starting a secretarial bureau and conducting user surveys to understand users’ information-seeking behaviour. To improve the awareness of new developments in the library world, college librarians were introduced to library networks at national, regional and international levels, as a result they participated in conferences, workshops, seminars at local, regional and international level. For example, for the first time and with funding from Belgium Technical Cooperation, college librarians attended 81st IFLA World Library and Information Congress in South African in 2015. College libraries are now members of the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries and Uganda Library and Information Science Association and have attended meetings of these two very important library organisations in Uganda’s LIS profession. The college librarians have attended meetings and workshops organized by these two organisations. Originality/value At the end of the three units training, participants were able to develop: a strategic plan for their libraries; an organogram with staffing needs and job description matching staff functions; a Library Committee for each library and with a structure unifying all the four project-support Colleges; a library action plan with due dates including deliverables and responsibilities for implementation; workflow plan and organisation of key sections of the library such as reserved and public spaces; furniture and equipment inventory (assets); a library manual and collection development policy; partnerships with KCCA Library and Consortium of Uganda University Libraries; skills to use Koha ILMS for performing library functions including: cataloguing, circulation, acquisitions, serials management, reporting and statistics; skills in searching library databases and information literacy skills; skills in designing simple and intuitive websites using Google Sites tools; and improved working relationship between the stakeholders was visible. To further the user-friendly libraries principle of putting users in the centre of the library’s operations, support ATL methodologies and activities with emphasis on getting engaged in transforming spaces, services, outreach to users and collections the following initiatives are currently implemented in the colleges: getting approval of all library policy documents by College Governing Council, initiating job shadowing opportunities, conducting on-spot supervision, guide libraries to set up college library committees and their job description, design library websites, develop dissemination sessions for all library policies, incorporate user-friendly language in all library documents, initiate income generation activities for libraries, set terms of reference for library staff and staffing as per college organogram, procurement of library tools like DDC and library of congress subject headings (LCSH), encourage attendance to webinars and space planning for the new libraries.

<p><em>This research aims to determine strategies for developing librarian competency as well as supporting and inhibiting factors for developing librarian competency in the Pontianak City State University Library. The method for exploring data in the field uses interviews and observations using the case study method with qualitative descriptive analysis. The informants used were the heads of libraries from the three universities and 2 librarians each in each college library. The results of the research show that the problems found in three State University libraries in Pontianak City include the low skills of librarians in using technology and the problem of educational qualifications of leaders who do not meet the standards for running university libraries in 2015 and 2017. Conclusions from the research show that the strategy is carried out through competency certification for equality as well as through training, workshops, national seminars in the field of librarians, becoming members of the IPI, and involving librarians in competitions for outstanding librarians. Efforts to improve librarian competence include leadership support and the availability of funds. Meanwhile, the inhibiting factor is a lack of awareness of increasing competence through education and support from the work environment.</em></p><p align="justify"><em><br /></em><em></em></p>

<p>The establishment of the college library aims to support the achievement of the vision of the mission of higher education in implementing the Tri Dharma College, namely education, research, and community service. The role of the library in this regard include satisfying the information needs of academicians, providing library materials, provide study rooms, providing lending services and providing information services. Library is the heart of the college. Library as a source of information must be managed properly and professionally. To realize the excellent service and superior, then the college library services should beroreintasi on satisfaction and customer focus. For strengthening the role of the librarian, then the librarian skills and knowledge on the basics of the service must be improved through education, training, workshops, workshops and seminars, in order to achieve service excellence and superior library.<br />There is also the strategy of librarians in strengthening its role in the realization<br />of library services college superior and primed to consider several things, among<br />others: (1) improving the competence of librarianship, (2) maintain the appearance, (3) confident, smiling, being friendly, and friends, (4) listen to each conversation and received no complaints with either, (5) speak the language properly and clearly, (6) enthusiastic in providing services and show the ability, (7) if it can not resolve the existing problems, can work together with other librarians.</p><p>Keywords: the role of librarians, college libraries, excellent service and superior</p>

Academic librarians, particularly college librarians, may increase their contributions to the professional literature through collaborative authorship. For example, university librarians, who published 69 percent of the articles in College & Research Libraries and the Journal of Academic Librarianship between 1986 and 1996, contributed almost 90 percent of the coauthored research in those core journals. This study examines the increase in collaboration in the literature of academic librarianship and in other disciplines, explores the relationship between collaboration and article quality as well as author productivity, compares collaborative patterns of college and university librarians, and considers factors that lead to successful collaboration.

In fall 2006, Colorado State University Libraries in Fort Collins, Colorado, underwent an administrative reorganization. Part of this reorganization involved changing Morgan Libraries’ Reference Desk to an Information Desk from which staff and student assistants would provide reference referrals to librarians. To gather statistics and track the success of this new service, the College Liaison Librarians, formerly known as Subject Librarians, implemented an office statistics database to record and track referrals received in their offices from Information Desk staff. This database evolved to also provide a centralized online area to collect numbers of office reference transactions. This paper discusses the reasons behind the office statistics database’s creation and the statistics it provides CSU Libraries College Liaison Librarians.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the e-resource collection development practices of the engineering college libraries of Aligarh. The research includes budgeting, collection development policy, collection evaluation, sources of funds, modes of procurement, pricing models and other aspects related to collection development activity. Design/methodology/approach The descriptive method was used for conducting the study, in which a well-structured questionnaire was administered followed by interview of the librarians of six engineering college libraries under study. Findings It was found that these colleges are much more interested in focusing on building a strong e-resource collection in their libraries. During the past few years, the budget has also been increased in majority of libraries for the acquisition of e-resources. The study found that the major factors affecting the selection of electronic resources (e-resources) in these colleges are quality, subject coverage, license agreement and vendor support. It was also revealed that majority of libraries lack proper collection development policy, especially for e-resources. The study suggested that these libraries should build their collections keeping in mind the different areas of specializations of engineering studies and the contemporary changes in the field. Research limitations/implications The paper is restricted exclusively to the study of collection development process of e-resources and the librarians of six major engineering colleges of Aligarh as respondents. Practical implications This study has great importance for the librarians of the similar engineering colleges in India. The findings and suggestions of the study can help not only in understanding the engineering college librarianship and its current trends but can also help library professionals who are facing similar challenges in their libraries. Originality/value The present study is about the e-resource collection development practices followed in engineering colleges of Aligarh, which can serve as a pedestal for future studies in other academic and special libraries in India and elsewhere.

Objective – The purpose of this study was to analyze the data from a reference statistics-gathering mechanism at Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries. It aimed primarily to better understand patron behaviours, particularly in an academic library with no reference desk. Methods – The researchers examined data from 2007 to 2010 of College Liaison Librarians’ consultations with patrons. Data were analyzed by various criteria, including patron type, contact method, and time spent with the patron. The information was examined in the aggregate, meaning all librarians combined, and then specifically from the Liberal Arts and Business subject areas. Results – The researchers found that the number of librarian reference consultations is substantial. Referrals to librarians from CSU’s Morgan Library’s one public service desk have declined over time. The researchers also found that graduate students are the primary patrons and email is the preferred contact method overall. Conclusion – The researchers found that interactions with patrons in librarians’ offices – either in person or virtually – remain substantial even without a traditional reference desk. The data suggest that librarians’ efforts at marketing themselves to departments, colleges, and patrons have been successful. This study will be of value to reference, subject specialist, and public service librarians, and library administrators as they consider ways to quantify their work, not only for administrative purposes, but in order to follow trends and provide services and staffing accordingly.

Despite the implementation of technology to provide services, college library services in Indonesia remain severely constrained. It cannot be separated from the unchanging role of librarians. Based on that context, this research focused on the performance management of academic librarians in improving college library services. The research broadens its scope to examine the performance of librarians in higher education in different countries by comparing librarian practices, methodologies, and challenges in various global contexts. This research was a qualitative study in the form of library research. Data was collected by finding sources and reconstructing them from various sources such as books, journals, and previous studies. The results of this study indicated a lack of librarian performance evaluation and a lack of librarians’ role as information leaders. Furthermore, the use of technology to assist services is still quite restricted, as is communication with users, and the role in supporting academic goals.

A Review of: Harrington, M. R., & Marshall, E. (2014). Analyses of mentoring expectations, activities, and support in Canadian academic libraries. College & Research Libraries, 75(6), 763-790. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/crl.75.6.763 Abstract Objective – To determine the extent to which formal and informal mentoring is present in Canadian academic libraries and how such activities meet expectations for new librarians, practising librarians, and library administrators. Design – Online surveys. Setting – Canadian college and university libraries. Subjects – Three groups were defined and surveyed: graduates from one Canadian MLIS program; librarians practising in a Canadian academic library, and library administrators directing a Canadian academic library. Methods – Participants were selected using stratified, purposeful sampling and were invited to participate in an online survey in December 2010. Three surveys were distributed in total; one for each of the three target groups defined. The surveys contained both closed- and open-ended questions. Students from one specific MLIS program graduating in December 2010 and Spring 2011 were directly invited to participate. An incentive was offered to the student group and the librarian group to encourage participation. Main Results – Mentoring programs in Canadian colleges and universities are present but are largely informal. Mentoring activities are positively correlated with student population, how long a mentor has worked professionally, and whether or not librarians had been mentored early in their careers. 83% of new graduates expected to be mentored when hired by a Canadian academic library while less than one quarter of librarians and no administrators reported having similar expectations when starting their professional academic careers. Over 50% of the students who responded to the survey reported that they had experienced some form of mentoring while completing their MLIS, though that may be related to the cooperative placement component of their educational program. All respondents, with the exception of university administers, indicated that library colleagues are appropriate mentors, while academic librarians and administrators felt that the mentorship relationship would not benefit were the mentor also the supervisor. Respondents placed the greatest weight of importance on mentoring activities related to academic expertise, career guidance, psychosocial support and role models, while indicating that evaluation was not considered to have a significant place in the mentor-mentee relationship. Networking, cultural complexities, general encouragement, and career counseling were seen as important mentorship aspects for both new graduates and practising librarians. Administrators in both college and university libraries were less likely to support mentoring particularly in the areas of assisting with grant writing, evaluation, and career counseling. In general, administrators were reluctant to develop or support formal mentor programming even though a significant percentage agreed that it would benefit succession planning. Conclusion – New graduates and practising librarians expect to participate in some form of mentoring activities yet there are very few Canadian academic libraries providing formal mentorship programming. The value of the mentor-mentee relationship with respect to organizational planning, recruitment and retention, as well as career planning, is perceived as high amongst new graduates, practising librarians, and administrators.

This study explored the motivational aspects of information literacy skills instruction delivered by librarians in community college libraries. Librarians and students at seven community colleges were interviewed and observed. Involvement of faculty, use of technology, and students’ on- and off-task behaviors also were investigated. Data analyses used Keller’s ARCS Model, ACRL standards, and Small and Arnone’s Motivation Overlay for Information Skills Instruction. The majority of strategies used were to gain and maintain students’ attention. The range of strategies, rather than the number of strategies, appeared to positively affect student motivation.

The study aims to find out the use of e-resources by the Librarians of the colleges, affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. For this study 70 questionnaires were distributed to the Librarians personally. Out of these, 60 were duly filled and returned.The study is relating to the importance of using electronic sources and the association between gender, age, and statuswise and level of awareness and attitude. It was found that the E-Information Sources are almost provided by more than 90% of the college libraries. The librarians expressed high levels of Satisfaction with regard to e-Sources.

This research study assessed academic librarians’ perceptions of productivity while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information was collected via an online survey that was sent out to several Association of College and Research Libraries listservs. Participants were academic librarians who work at large colleges and universities (FTE is greater than 15,000 students). Librarianship is a practice done mostly onsite, and with the sudden transition to remote work, academic librarians were forced to adapt to an unknown work environment with less access to the direct support of supervisors. This research demonstrates that the majority of academic librarians perceived themselves to be highly productive, and generally satisfied with their jobs, while working from home.

Objective – To assess how the age, gender, and race characteristics of library users affect their perceptions of the approachability of reference librarians with similar or different demographic characteristics. Design – Image rating survey. Setting – Large, three-campus university system in the United States. Subjects – There were 449 students, staff, and faculty of different ages, gender, and race. Methods – In an online survey respondents were presented with images of hypothetical librarians and asked to evaluate their approachability, using a scale from 1 to 10. The images showed librarians with neutral emotional expressions against a standardized, neutral background. The librarians’ age, gender, and race were systematically varied. Only White, African American, and Asian American librarians were shown. Afterwards respondents were asked to identify their own age, gender, race, and status. Main Results – Respondents perceived female librarians as more approachable than male librarians, maybe due to expectations caused by the female librarian stereotype. They found librarians of their own age group more approachable. African American respondents scored African American librarians as more approachable, whereas Whites expressed no significant variation when rating the approachability of librarians of different races. Thus, African Americans demonstrated strong in-group bias but Whites manifested colour blindness – possibly a strategy to avoid the appearance of racial bias. Asian Americans rated African American librarians lower than White librarians. Conclusion – This study demonstrates that visible demographic characteristics matter in people’s first impressions of librarians. Findings confirm that diversity initiatives are needed in academic libraries to ensure that all users feel welcome and are encouraged to approach librarians. Regarding gender, programs that deflate the female librarian stereotype may help improve the approachability image of male librarians. Academic libraries should staff the reference desk with individuals covering a wide range of ages, including college-aged interns, whom traditional age students find most approachable. Libraries should also build a racially diverse staff to meet the needs of a racially diverse user population. Since first impressions have lasting effects on the development of social relationships, structural diversity should be a priority for libraries’ diversity programs.

While open educational resources (OER) programs are often situated in university and college libraries, librarians come to the practice with different levels of exposure and knowledge. At the New York City College of Technology (City Tech) library, we attempted to bridge this gap by offering a paid training for all full-time librarians at the college. Our goal for the training was to integrate the philosophy of open educational resources and its approaches into librarians’ everyday work. This article outlines the rationale for our approach to professional development, the program design, participant feedback, and future directions.

Information literacy is a valued skill in almost every academic discipline, and increasingly valued by employers in the workforce. This point is of particular interest to librarians and faculty at community colleges, where job-ready skills and practical concepts are the priority for our students. However, reception of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education has been lukewarm among community college librarians. Many librarians who work in community colleges believe the Framework is meant for four-year schools and research-based institutions. By closely re-examining the Framework and recognizing student needs, community college librarians can use the Framework much more effectively.

The library of Tallinn Health Care College is a professional library, which collects, maintains, and makes the health care literature and databases available for users. Major changes in the world have brought new services to the library of Tallinn Health Care College, as well as to all other libraries. The situation has made librarians think about the ways to further support teaching and research in the College. In addition, the requirements of the College present challenges for librarians resulting in us to step out of the frames and test ourselves in a new role.

News reports and well-publicized government studies have led to a popular perception that reading is an endangered activity, particularly among youth. In this study we surveyed college students, librarians, and college writing instructors about students’ attitudes toward reading for pleasure, examine barriers to voluntary reading among college students, and explore academic libraries’ potential role in promoting reading. Our findings suggest that students have a far higher interest in reading than is typically believed and recommend steps academic librarians can take to encourage reading for lifelong learning.

Purpose This study aims to explore the prevalence and librarian perceptions of no-show research appointments in academic libraries. These findings are examined in light of the literature within academic libraries and other industries (health, hospitality) with appointment models. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses an exploratory survey of reference librarians across a stratified sample of academic libraries in the USA. The findings are considered through the lens of critical theory in academic libraries. Findings Academic libraries lack consistent understanding and language used to describe appointment-based reference models. Librarians do not gather much reliable data on the percentage of no-show appointments and further research is needed on this topic. Research limitations/implications Study results are limited to academic librarians in the sample who responded to the survey and indicated the availability of research appointments at their institution. The implications of this paper suggest ideas for gathering appointment statistics and evaluating the rhetoric used to advertise appointments to college students. Originality/value This research is unique in that it is the first exploratory study on the prevalence and perception of missed appointments in academic library reference models.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in 32 Engineering College Libraries in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu by investigating the ICT infrastructure, current status of library automation, barriers to implementation of library automation and also librarians’ attitudes towards the use of ICT and the availability of computers in libraries. Data-gathering tools used included questionnaire, observation and informal interview with selected college librarians. It is observed that 31.2% of libraries use only one computer for OPAC and 31.2% of libraries have less than 5 computers for internet access. 37.5% of libraries have 5-10 computer to access e-resources, 31.2% libraries have membership in INFONET.

Straipsnyje aptariamos galimybės rengti bibliotekininką edukatorių, kuris galėtų ugdyti informacinio raštingumo gebėjimus. Pagrindinis dėmesys skiriamas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo studijų metu analizei. Siekta įvertinti, kiek profesionalius bibliotekininkus rengiančiose Informologijos (Klaipėdos universitetas), Bibliotekininkystės ir informacijos (Vilniaus universitetas) bei Bibliotekos informacijos išteklių valdymo (Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija) studijų programose ugdomi gebėjimai atitinka bibliotekininkui edukatoriui būdingą gebėjimų visumą. Studijų programos analizuotos remiantis Instruktuojančių bibliotekininkų ir koordinatorių kvalifikacinių įgūdžių standartais. Tyrimo duomenų analizei naudota faktorių analizė. Tyrimo duomenys leidžia daryti išvadą, kad Informologijos, Bibliotekininkystės ir informacijos bei Bibliotekos informacinių išteklių valdymo studijų programos atitinka daugelį standartuose numatytų kriterijų, tačiau šių studijų programų atitikties standartams vidurkiai skiriasi. Labiausiai standartus atitinka Vilniaus universiteto studijų programa.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: bibliotekininkas edukatorius, informacinis raštingumas, profesiniai standartai, faktorių analizė, bibliotekininkystė, studijų programų analizė.Education Opportunities for Librarian as Educator: the Case of LithuaniaVincas Grigas Summary The article discusses whether the study programmes aimed at preparing professional librarians produce the entirety of competencies necessary for librarians as educators. The research aims to evaluate how the study curricula such as informology (Klaipėda University), library information resources management (Šiauliai State College), library and information studies (Vilnius University) are relevant to the professional standards of librarians as educators. For the research were used the standards for Proficiencies for Instruction librarians and coordinators prepared by the Association of College and Research Libraries. For data analysis factor analysis was used. The research proved that the Standards for Proficiencies for Instruction Librarians and Coordinators and factor analysis may be an appropriate method for the assessment of the study programmes designed for preparing future professional librarians, i.e., in evaluating whether the competencies developed under the study programme correspond to the entirety of the competencies peculiar to librarians as educators. The study findings suggest that study programmes such as informology, Library and information science, and library information resources management meet most of the standards criteria. The Vilnius University study programme meets them best.Keywords: librarian as educator; information literacy; instruction; professional standards; factor analysis; librarianship; study programmes analysis.

Open educational resources (OER) provide college students with course materials on the first day of class, ensuring an equitable learning experience for all. Faculty are the driving force behind OER but need more support to understand, locate, and evaluate resources. Faculty and librarian collaboration can bridge together ideas and resources to benefit students. The researchers used a qualitative case study to understand how faculty and librarians collaborated at a community college to adopt OER. The primary researcher interviewed librarians and faculty to understand their experiences of working together to promote and adopt OER at their campus. The researchers analyzed data from the participants which revealed seven primary themes consisting of communication, student benefits, faculty hesitancies, departmental and administrative decisions, librarian partnerships, and campus repository building. Findings revealed how the collaborative efforts of librarians and faculty helped move OER initiatives forward.

Information professionals will require more extensiveness and strength of knowledge and skills across the extent of traditional library knowledge. This study was conducted to observe the skills and attitudes of Information Professionals towards the digital library environments of Government Polytechnic College Libraries in Kerala. The study comprises all the Information Professionals, working in the Government Polytechnic Colleges in Kerala. There are 43 Government Polytechnic Colleges in Kerala. The study was based on a questionnaire survey of Information professionals employed in the Government Polytechnic College Libraries in Kerala. The study identified the skill, knowledge and attitudes required by librarians for the emerging digital library environment. The study reveals that the majority of information professionals are well aware of the ICT skills required for working in the Polytechnic Colleges Libraries. The study also reveals the problems associated with the updating of their skills and strategies to be used for updating their skills. The study proposes for formulating common standards for Polytechnic College Libraries for the better performance of such libraries.

A Review of: Vix, H. M., & Buckman, K. M. (2011). Academic librarians: Status, privileges, and rights. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 38(1), 20-25. doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2011.11.004 Objective – To provide cross-comparable information on the number of students per librarian, salary, faculty status, contract lengths, and maternity benefits of academic librarians. Design – Online questionnaire. Setting – Four-year private, four-year public, and two-year public academic institutions in Arkansas. Subjects – Academic library deans and directors were surveyed three times over a six-year period. Methods – Three surveys were sent to library deans and directors of four-year private, four-year public, and two-year public academic institutions in Arkansas in 2007, 2009, and 2011. The surveys were created by the College and University Library Division of the Arkansas Library Association, with questions created based on reports from the Association of College and Research Libraries (e.g., Standards and Statements). Committee members tested the survey before distribution. Over the course of the six-year period the questions were modified and were chosen to ensure that respondents could easily answer them (i.e., no questions on topics such as retirements, vacation, which can vary significantly from librarian to librarian). All responses were confidential. Main Results – The 2007 survey had a 78% response rate (n=35/45); the 2009 survey had a 93% response rate (n=42/45); and the 2011 survey had a 90% response rate (n=44/49). While the survey covered a number of topics (shown in supplementary material online), the article focused on five areas of interests and had the following findings. 1) The number of students per librarian is increasing at four-year private and two-year public institutions. While the data shows a decrease in the ratio at four-year public institutions the authors believe this is due to the addition of new institutions in the follow-up surveys, one of which had a very low study-to-librarian ration. 2) Tenured librarians make more than non-tenured librarians. 3) The number of institutions granting faculty status is increasing at a statistically significant rate at four-year private and two-year public institutions, and has remained relatively constant at four-year public institutions. 4) Most libraries have 12-month contracts for librarians, although this has decreased slightly over the survey period. 5) The number of institutions providing paid maternity leave has decreased. Conclusion – This study provides a broad overview of the changing state of academic librarians’ rights and benefits in Arkansas over the last six years. Some of the trends demonstrated, such as an increase in the number of students per librarian, are potentially troubling and may have a negative impact on the quality of service provided by individual institutions. Other trends, such as increases in institutions granting faculty status to librarians and decreasing the number of 12-month contracts, may signal that some institutions are beginning to acknowledge the significance and impact of librarian research. Ultimately, this article provides a starting point for other states and provinces to begin collecting similar data in an attempt to understand changing trends in academic libraries.

The eco-literacy study is relatively recent. E-literacy is the capacity to analyze an ecosystem and take action to preserve or restore it. This method might aid in bottom-up change. Eco literacy aids in the resolution of eco-challenges. Teaching, reading aloud to children, and using fashion as a platform may assist individuals in comprehending eco-concerns. The study is carried out to examine the role of public sector college libraries in eco-literacy; to identify the demographic factors related to eco-literacy and to assess college teachers' and librarians' perception of public sector college libraries' participation in eco-literacy. The current study is descriptive in nature and Cross tabulation chi squares are used to obtain a representative cross-section of the population's views and sentiments on a current issue through a survey. The participants of the study were the academics and librarians of the colleges in Bahawalpur District. Participants in the study also had a more positive perception of libraries' role in fostering a more sustainable society and were likelier to say they would attend sustainability events hosted by a library. The current study led to the need for more empirical research on sustainable libraries and how the public sees libraries' efforts to promote eco-responsibility. However, more research is required to fill a gap in the existing empirical literature.

Under the task of cultivating professionals, the imbalance between vocational education and liberal arts education is deepening. In addition, compared to university libraries, the number of college libraries operating reading programs is small, and related research is lacking. Therefore, this study presents a library-centered reading program model for junior colleges and examines it through actual cases.The environment, readers, and cultural characteristics of junior colleges were examined, and a reading program that integrated reading and writing was constructed based on Mikhail Bakhtin's “dialogueism”. The reading program was designed according to the pre-, middle-, and post-reading stages, and was applied in the library of G College, after which the case studies were analyzed. The differences and significance of this study are as follows.First, a library-centered liberal arts reading program was presented at a junior college where vocational education was the main focus. Second, a reference model for the library reading program of colleges was presented. Lastly, the need for competence among college librarians tasked with educating students in reading was presented.

This article builds on the 2007 College and Research Libraries article, “The Librarian, the Machine, or a Little of Bsoth.” Since that time, Oakland University Libraries implemented changes to its instruction program that reflect larger trends in teaching and assessment throughout the profession; following these revisions, librarians undertook a new study to assess the effectiveness of online library instruction in face-to-face courses in comparison to the hybrid model that had been in place. The study’s design and its results serve to contribute to discussion of best practices in information literacy pedagogy, online learning, instructional design, and the role of the librarian therein.

Librarians at the University of Washington- Bothell and Cascadia College Campus Library engage in information literacy instruction offered in targeted courses across the curriculum. A focus of these targeted courses is multiple sections of 100-level college introduction and research writing. Most classroom instruction happens by a single librarian in front of a group of students and a faculty member. With approximately 15 librarians engaging in an average of 10 to 12 instruction workshops each academic quarter, our instruction program is robust and dynamic but lacks a built-in mechanism for observation and feedback.

The study explores the IPR and Copyright Act related issues in front of the self-finance law college librarians in Rajasthan. The present study uses 248 samples from 60 libraries selected via random sampling. A structured interview of 248 library professionals was conducted to collect the primary data. The questions and the method were the same and the purpose of the study was also well communicated. There are 182 (73.39%) male and 66 (26.61%) female respondents. The majority of library professionals, 76 respondents (30.65%) are working as librarians, followed by 2 respondents (0.81%) working as Deputy Librarians, 54 respondents (21.77%) working as Assistant Librarians and 116 respondents (46.77%) working as Library Assistants. 60 self-finance law college libraries are effectively providing book lending, reference service, new arrival list, and newspaper display services. 46 libraries are providing Reprographic/Xerox service and facility. The Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient value of R is -1 and the t-value is7.01214. Chi-Square value and standard deviation are also applied in library collections and IPR awareness among library professionals. The findings are the result and outcome of the inferences and interpretations made during the study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify an important area for librarians to positively impact student retention. Design/methodology/approach – This programmatic and conceptual piece describes how embedding librarians into the growing enterprise of undergraduate research experiences (UREs) lays a framework for a context in which libraries and librarians directly contribute to the retention of undergraduate students. Findings – Librarians are capable of directly contributing to the retention of students. While their efforts, it is contended, contribute routinely and to the actual retention of students, it is difficult for their efforts to register in the assessment of retention used by administrators. This discrepancy can be solved if librarians play a more explicit (and quantifiable) role in retaining students. Research limitations/implications – UREs are a growing, but generally untapped trend for librarians; however, because UREs generally correlate with academic success and student retention, they offer librarians a useful entry point to contribute to the academic mission of colleges and universities, and in a measurable way. Practical implications – Embedded librarianship poses a number of hurdles for its practitioners; however, it also has the potential for libraries and librarians to become more explicitly connected to overall institutional goals and strengthen their positions in the academy more broadly. Social implications – Improving the scientific literacy of undergraduate students and aiding them on their path toward graduation is meaningfully enhanced through the embedding of librarians into the college curriculum. Originality/value – Systematically embedding librarians into UREs is not strongly represented in the literature.

This paper attempts to deal with librarians’ opinion regarding the usage of electronic journals by the users of selected engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. This study attempts to find out the familiarity, preference and utility of e-journals by the users of engineering colleges. Analysis and interpretation are mainly from the information collected through questionnaire cum interview method. This paper provides few suggestions for the effective use of e-journals among engineering college libraries.

Public college libraries are crucial in developing a nation's human resources. This study compares academic librarians' performance, competence, and work design in Indonesia and Malaysia. Utilizing purposive sampling, the study included 380 academic librarians from both countries. The findings indicated no significant difference in the performance of college librarians between Indonesia and Malaysia. Similarly, no significant difference was found in the competency levels of librarians in the two countries. Regarding work design, no difference was observed in task characteristics, as indicated by a p-value above 0.05. However, significant differences were identified in the knowledge characteristics of work design, with a p-value below 0.05. A significant difference was confirmed by t-test analysis, where the t-value (4.944) exceeded the critical value (1.960) at α = 0.05. These results highlight similarities and distinctions in the professional roles and capabilities of academic librarians in Indonesia and Malaysia, offering insights for potential improvements in library management and human resource development in these regions.

Background – Compared to native English speakers, English Learners (ELs) often face additional barriers to academic success. Though typically competent in social English, Generation 1.5 ELs struggle with academic English at the postsecondary level and are still considered to be in the process of learning English. As colleges become increasingly linguistically diverse, academic librarians must adapt to support the growing numbers of ELs in the campus community. Objective – This paper aims to provide academic librarians with information on the scope of English Learners in K-12 through postsecondary education, academic challenges of Generation 1.5 students at the postsecondary level, and strategies that librarians can employ to support English learners in the contexts of reference and instruction. Methods – The author searched journals in the disciplines of academic libraries, higher education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and linguistics. Additional resources searched include education data and statistics, research institute publications, and English as a New Language (ENL) teaching resources. These sources were explored in regard to the topics of EL educational statistics, K-12 ENL programs, ENL pedagogy, ELs in postsecondary education, Generation 1.5 students, ELs’ academic challenges and educational needs, and academic libraries and ELs. Results – A review of the literature on ELs in academic libraries, particularly Generation 1.5 students, reveals that Generation 1.5 is a population that is in need of support at the postsecondary level. Because Generation 1.5 students often hold strong social English skills, they may enter college without an EL designation or specialized academic support. However, research shows that Generation 1.5 students struggle with college-level academic English, specifically in grammar and vocabulary. These challenges impact students’ communicative success both in college classroom and library environments. Conclusion – Academic librarians may adopt pedagogical strategies commonly employed in ENL classrooms to use in reference and instruction environments. Techniques include themes such as awareness of language use and reinforcement of content, and require low-stakes implementation into library practice. Though librarians may be unaware of the language learning needs of their students, such strategies have shown to be useful for all students. Because techniques that are helpful to ELs also typically benefit all students, these strategies are also applicable to native English speakers.

Using surveys, interviews, and a rubric-based assessment of student research essays, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Assessment in Action team investigated the relationship between faculty-librarian collaboration in a First Year Seminar (FYS) course and students’ demonstrated information literacy (IL) abilities. In gathering information on the experiences, attitudes, and behaviors of faculty, librarians, and first-year students, the project team uncovered additional questions about the integration of IL in the FYS, the ways in which faculty and librarians work towards educational goals, and just what should be expected from students in their first year of college.

A Review of: Davis, Kaetrena D. “The Academic Librarian as Instructor: A Study of Teacher Anxiety.” College & Undergraduate Libraries 14.2 (2007):77-101. Objective – To identify the types of librarian teaching anxiety and the coping mechanisms that often accompany it and to compare those findings with those described by Showalter in “Teaching Literature”; also, to examine whether perceptions of librarians from both inside and outside the profession influence teaching anxiety. Design – A 35-item online questionnaire created using Zoomerang; a link to the questionnaire was distributed through the Information Literacy Instruction Listserv (ILI-L). Subjects – Subscribers to ILI-L. There were approximately 3,700 subscribers to ILI-L at the time of the study. This electronic mailing list is sponsored by the Instruction Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries and is moderated. Methods – As previously mentioned, a link to the questionnaire was distributed via the ILI-L. Requests for participation were sent to the list three times during the six weeks the survey was open for responses. The questionnaire consisted primarily of multiple choice questions, several with the option to enter a free text “Other” response, as well as four Likert-type questions. After the survey closed, the collected data was analyzed using SPSS. The article did not indicate when the survey was completed. Main Results – 687 responses were collected. Of those, 657 were completed. Surveys were assessed for accuracy, during which 305 responses were eliminated, resulting in 382 “viable” responses (84). Accuracy assessments consisted of throwing out surveys in which respondents answered questions inappropriately, however, an explanation of what constituted an inappropriate response is not included. Nearly three quarters of respondents (74%) indicated they enjoyed teaching. This trend did not appear to be related to the number of years of experience as a librarian. The majority of respondents (58%) had never taught full semester or quarter courses, whereas “virtually all” (86) had taught one-shot instructional sessions. Sixty-three percent of respondents noted being nervous prior to teaching. Although 40% of respondents noted having no physical symptoms of anxiety, of those who did, the main symptoms included sweating and upset stomach. Sixty-five percent of respondents noted experiencing mental or emotional symptoms, mainly identified as worries about being sufficiently prepared and answering tough questions (40%) and fear of public speaking (27%). These mental and emotional symptoms were noted to occur often in the case of 29% of respondents, and at least some of the time in 41% of respondents. Nearly three quarters of the respondents reported using personal strategies for dealing with teaching anxiety, including over-preparation, joining groups where they were able to practice public speaking, and prayer. Most (84%) did not have routines or rituals that they followed prior to teaching. Some additional findings were presented regarding librarians’ perceptions of themselves as well as perceptions of librarians by other faculty. Eighty-four percent of respondents agreed or somewhat agreed that there are many differences in the roles and duties of librarians and paraprofessionals, while 78% agreed or somewhat agreed that faculty do not understand the librarian’s teaching role. Thirty-five percent noted defending teaching roles to other librarians. Conclusion – The role of librarians in academic institutions continues to evolve and include more teaching. As an increasing number of librarians regularly teach and move to teaching semester-long credit courses, the subject of teaching anxiety will continue to grow in importance. This small study draws attention to the need for more research in this area.

Perhaps for the first time since the founding of American libraries, most librarians were divorced from their physical collections as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although college and research libraries are negotiating various service models, including remote, hybrid, and online, librarians continue to serve their communities while access to physical spaces and materials is limited. While some suggest that libraries are better positioned to provide virtual services than ever before, communities continue to ask for physical books.

Purpose This paper aims to question whether the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education adheres to the theory upon which it was based and to examine the actions of the Association of College and Research Libraries following the Framework’s release and its consequences. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an essay-style viewpoint, reflecting the observations and opinions of the author. Findings The author criticizes the Association of College and Research Libraries for its inaction in educating member librarians about how to implement the Framework and observes ideological rifts that were exposed within the academic librarian community as the Framework was being discussed following its adoption. Originality/value This paper is meant to provoke thought and generate discussion in regard to the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the challenges and opportunities the new public procurement legislation has created for academic librarians as regards the acquisition of library materials in academic libraries (university/college libraries) in Malawi. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a multi-method approach. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires. The questionnaires were sent online to the university/college libraries of seven major accredited public universities in Malawi. After an initial analysis of that data, qualitative data on patterns were obtained through a mailing listserve with all the possible 19 librarians. Responses were analysed and categorised using a thematic approach. Findings – Academic libraries (university/college libraries) are involved in the internal procurement committees. Librarians are represented in internal procurement committees, though their representation differs from one institution to another. All the academic libraries (university/college libraries) either use the centralised or independent procurement methods. As a result, the public university libraries deal with agents as independents. Working as independents has negatively affected the libraries, as materials are procured at different prices and sometimes at higher prices, thereby ignoring the value for money. Research limitations/implications – In academic libraries, the library consortia have pulled resources towards a basket fund for wide access and cheaper licensing. However, for print library materials, a collaborative procurement process in which the academic libraries identify an agent capable of achieving a supplier list and then purchase directly from the preferred suppliers seems not to have been tried in the most developing countries. Practical implications – The study suggests that academic libraries (university/college libraries) should emulate the library consortia approach when dealing with agents. The academic libraries should consider collaborative procurement models as a means of procuring library materials. Originality/value – Since the enactment of the public procurement legislation in Malawi, no research has been documented on the challenges and opportunities the public procurement act and the acquisition of library materials. This research seeks to bridge the literature gap.

A Review of: Vega, Robert D. and Ruth S. Connell. “Librarians’ Attitudes Toward Conferences: A Study.” College & Research Libraries 68.6 (2007): 503-15. Objectives – To determine why professional librarians attend or do not attend conferences and to consider their attitudes toward the various conference offerings and whether conference attendance is important to their careers. Design – An electronic mail list survey designed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data through closed and open-ended questions. Setting – Mainly academic and public libraries in the U.S.A. Subjects – A total of 794 librarians participated in the study. Methods – The quantitative and qualitative data gathered from the survey were analyzed using statistical software. The quantitative items on the questionnaire regarded the following: years working as a librarian, age, gender, average number of conferences attended each year, amount of financial support provided, and the importance of attending conferences. For qualitative analysis, the instrument included open-ended questions to gather comments about issues related to conferences. Electronic mail list subscriptions were used to reach approximately 17,000 potential respondents of whom 794 completed the survey. Main Results – The study found the main reason the respondents attended conferences was to achieve professional rejuvenation (56%), and that this finding was associated with age: the older the librarian, the higher he or she would rate the need to stay updated in librarianship. The study also found that men as compared to women ranked rejuvenation as less important. Respondents who visited more conferences tended to rate rejuvenation as more important. Networking was also highly valued (40%), although was not of significant importance among reference librarians. Exhibits were considered to be very useful among older respondents, particularly older public librarians and older administrators from all types of libraries, but were regarded as less valuable among younger academic librarians. . Invited speakers were rated highly by academic librarians, but less highly by public librarians. General sessions primarily attracted newer and younger librarians, and poster sessions primarily appealed to academic librarians. Being able to add conference participation to the curriculum vitae was primarily of interest to younger academic librarians. Academic librarians rated roundtables as important. Conclusion – Respondents primarily attended conferences for professional rejuvenation and networking, though felt these benefits were not necessarily related to conference content. Those who had worked longer as librarians valued exhibits more than those who were new in the field. Based on the results, further investigation is needed to answer the following questions: 1) Why do public librarians find poster sessions of low interest? 2) Why do men compared to women find professional rejuvenation less important? 3) Have more experienced librarians learned to navigate exhibits better? The findings of this study would be useful to conference organizers.

Research data management represents a significant professional development area for academic librarians – significant for its growing importance to the profession, since researchers are increasingly expected to comply with research data management requirements, and for the extent of competence needed by librarians to support researchers in research data management practices and plans. This article recounts how the Association of College and Research Libraries is fostering professional development opportunities in research data management. The authors describe two key endeavors: (1) the development and deployment of a needs assessment survey, which allowed insight into the types of librarians expressing the most need; and (2) planning and implementation of a pre-conference workshop for ACRL 2015, intended to prototype a future professional development offering. The article concludes by discussing additional assessment that was done following the workshop and how the pre-conference laid the foundation for proposing a “roadshow” for research data management, similar to what the Association of College and Research Libraries sponsors for scholarly communication.