New Library World

Balancing both lives: issues facing librarians working in Second Life and real life worlds : Table of Contents

Emily F. Blankenship, Yolanda Hollingsworth — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the ongoing issues and concerns of Second Life librarians who are attempting to balance both their virtual library tasks and assignments along with their real world library tasks and assignments. Design/methodology/approach – Members of the Library and Information Technology Association and, in addition, members of the Second Life Librarians group are invited to participate in an online survey during the summer of 2008. In addition to sharing issues and concerns of balancing their work lives in both virtual and real life worlds, survey participants suggest solutions for problem resolution. Findings – Data from 161 survey participants show that virtual world librarians are passionate about their commitments to virtual world libraries to the extent that most librarians completed virtual library work at home and are not compensated by their libraries for this work. Issues and problems shared by respondents include inadequate computers and slow internet connections at work, lack of support by library administration, blocking of virtual world software by network technicians, and little response to requests for scheduled time for virtual world library tasks. Research limitations/implications – The number of respondents is comparatively small. The authors feel a larger percentage of members may have participated if the survey was conducted during either fall or spring semesters of the academic calendar year. A second survey may be conducted in spring 2009 to compare findings and to track solutions and concerns. Practical implications – Librarians may have more time to devote to real life library work and will not need to complete virtual world library tasks at home if they are provided adequate computers and Internet connections at work and are also scheduled for virtual library work. Originality/value – This paper provides empirical data on the perceived allocations of virtual library work time for virtual librarians and also discusses suggested solutions for better time management of virtual work.

Interim leadership after the administrator leaves : Table of Contents

Elisa F. Topper — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the concept of interim leadership for an organization when the administrator leaves. Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and commentary on this topic culled from the experiences of nonprofit organizations are used in this paper. Findings – The paper finds that by using an interim leader an organization may be able to bring on change to the organization prior to a permanent leader being hired. Originality/value – The value of this paper is bringing to the attention of exiting leaders and their Boards, the concept that they have the responsibility of selecting a permanent administrator.

Information and learning commons, faculty and student benefits : Table of Contents

Jon Bodnar — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of information and learning commons to students and faculty. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the experiences of its author, this paper considers two cases in which Georgia Tech faculty worked with the Georgia Tech Library's East and West Commons to expand their teaching practices and their students' learning and research opportunities. It then discusses the benefits of these activities to students and faculty. Findings – This paper argues that, although information and learning commons are designed primarily to benefit college and university students, these spaces can, with little modification, benefit faculty as well. Originality/value – The idea that information and learning commons benefit students is nothing new. They are explicitly designed for that purpose. But, the idea that information and learning commons might also support college and university faculty teaching and research interests is one that has received little attention in the library literature to date. This paper explores this idea.

Information seeking and learning: a comparison of Kuhlthau's information seeking model and John Dewey's problem solving model : Table of Contents

Linda Isabella Fainburg — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how the users' information need could be compared with a learning, knowledge and research need where the purpose of information seeking is to find relevant information in relation to the fulfilment of a specific goal and information need in order to become information literate. Design/methodology/approach – By theoretical considerations and studies of research literature an analysis and comparison of Kuhlthaus's ISP-model and Dewey's problem solving model are presented. According to epistemological pragmatism information seeking is primarily a process of finding relevant and useful information in relation to the fulfilment of a specific research need. This can be accomplished by a combination between rationalistic thinking and action. Therefore the paper stats that pragmatism is a fruitful epistemological view for library and information science research and practice Findings – This paper presents, compares, and discusses Kuhlthau's ISP-model and Dewey's problem solving model. First, it is clear that both Kuhlthau and Dewey are focusing on the close relationship between thinking and action where both information seeking and problem solving is considered a learning process. Second, both Kuhlthau and Dewey find that information seeking is easier when the problem is more focused or the hypothesis more verified. However, when Kuhlthau rather extensively pays attention to the feelings of uncertainty during the ISP, Dewey finds only that problem solving initiates uncertainty and perplexity. Practical implications – This paper may provide guidelines for academic libraries interested in developing their information literacy program. Originality/value – This paper points out that further epistemological, theoretical and empirical investigations of the relationship between Kuhlthau's ISP-model and Dewey's problem solving model are necessary. In particular, further investigations of specific user groups of Research Libraries and their information seeking and problem solving are important in order to optimize Research Libraries' educational programmes.

Using Kidder's dilemma paradigm to resolve conflicts in library core values : Table of Contents

Wanda V. Dole, Jitka M. Hurych — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify core values commonly held by library and information professionals and discusses whether Rushworth Kidder's concept of dilemma paradigms may be used to analyze and resolve conflicts between the right to access to information and other core values. Kidder identifies two types of dilemmas: “right-versus-wrong” and “right-versus-right”. He defines “right-versus-right” dilemmas as those that “however complex and varied, typically reduce themselves to one or more of the following dilemma paradigms: Truth versus Loyalty, Self versus Community, Short Term versus Long Term and Justice versus Mercy.” Methodology/design/approach – The paper discusses Kidder's theory and applies it to several situations or scenarios reported by practicing librarians. Findings – The analysis of the scenarios highlights the complex nature of dilemmas faced by library and information professionals. Research limitations/implications – The scenarios are limited in number and drawn from only one country. The authors recommend more research on the application of Kidder's theory to authentic library scenarios. Originality/value – There is little discussion of Kidder in library literature. Despite the limitations, this paper will introduce librarians to dilemma paradigms as one possible tool for resolving conflicts.

A study on the patronage of the intelligent library: The Ximen Intelligent Library of the Taipei public library system : Table of Contents

Shu-hsien Tseng, Pin-dar Kuo — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce how the Taipei Public Library established an intelligent library that offers automated service equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) and a self-checkout system. The study concludes with suggestions offered for the reference of the Taipei Public Library and other public libraries in setting up similar automated libraries in the future. Design/methodology/approach – The study examines the functions of the Ximen Intelligent Library as provided to 106 patrons who are under observation. Afterwards, a questionnaire is distributed to obtain the personal information of these patrons and the specific nature of their patronage of the library. Items of observation and investigation include their use of the library's facilities and the return of library material to a return box located outside the library; patrons include those aged 12 years old and above. Findings – In comparing the aspects of human resources, capital investment, and library hours, between a public reading room and an intelligent library, it is obvious that the intelligent library has many more advantages. A major difficulty for the patrons of the library is their unfamiliarity in operating the automated circulation system, compounded by the fact that very few patrons call the service line for help when they encounter difficulties. Moreover, patrons cannot always locate on the shelves the books they intend to borrow, even though the catalogue indicates that they are on the shelves. Originality/value – The paper offers helpful information on understanding this type of library, including its patrons, their behaviour in the library, and how it operates. The results of this study can serve as a reference for improving current intelligent library services for librarians at the Taipei Public Library and at other public libraries that plan to set up RFID intelligent libraries.

Third IFLA-Presidential Meeting: access to knowledge: networking libraries: Exploring library issues in Arab speaking states : Table of Contents

Marian Koren — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the content of the third IFLA Presidential Meeting held in Berlin, Germany in 2009. Design/methodology/approach – An outline description of the issues, contents and participants of this conference is presented in the paper. Findings – The meeting follows the issues of Libraries for Access to Knowledge: Information Services and Information Literacy Today, The Digital Library as Social Challenge, Building Infrastructures in a Global Knowledge Society, and Digital Knowledge and Cultural Heritage. Originality/value – The paper provides a conference report of value to all library and information professionals regarding access to knowledge.

A new model of faculty-librarian collaboration: the faculty member as library specialist : Table of Contents

Ti Yu — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how the library at Jinwen University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Taiwan introduced the use of a new model “Faculty member as library specialist”. This is done in an attempt to determine the value of a new approach of faculty-librarian collaboration for promoting the library's resources and services. In addition, some ideas and suggestions are proposed regarding the issue of faculty-librarian collaboration for library staff around the world. Design/methodology/approach – After providing some background information regarding the JUST Library, the process of the project implementation and the approaches used are described in detail. In addition, the effectiveness of the project is reviewed based on the results of the interviews with some of the teaching faculty and the statistics reports of the usage of the JUST Library from 2006 to 2008. Finally, some conclusions are drawn and some suggestions are made, proposing that the library staff establish a faculty-librarian collaborative model. Findings – After reviewing the effectiveness of the project, it is hard to say whether or not it is the best way to promote the library's services and resources. However, the paper finds that the proposed approach provides a new idea and an example of faculty-librarian collaboration in promoting the library's resources and services to the students. Originality/value – Hopefully the model of faculty-librarian collaboration in the JUST Library in Taiwan will provide some new ideas and inspirations that can be shared with library staff around the world.