Contact: Kathryn J. Deiss
ACRL Content Strategist
(312) 280-2529
kdeiss@ala.org
NEWS
For Immedate Release
December 16, 2008
CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has released a new publication, “Academic Library Research: Perspectives and Current Trends,” edited by Marie L. Radford and Pamela Snelson.The titleis number 59 in the ACRL Publications in Librarianship monographic series, edited by Craig Gibson.
Advances in information technology, networked systems and especially the advent of the Web have driven rapid and vast changes in academic libraries. Virtually every aspect of library work has been dramatically impacted by the Web, which enabled greatly enhanced remote access to collections and services and prompted innovations such as virtual reference, e-book and e-journal collection development and digitized archives.
“Academic Library Research: Perspectives and Current Trends” updates traditional topics that have undergone exceptional, and in some cases unexpected, change since 1990 as well as reaching into new areas. It combines theoretical scholarship with real world research, including case studies and user surveys, designed to inform practice. Part I highlights significant perspectives and trends such as reference service, information literacy, collection management, knowledge organization and leadership. Part II features two chapters on recently developing evaluation methods, including usability testing and measuring library service quality through LibQUAL+. “Academic Library Research” is designed to be useful to scholars, practitioners, students and others interested in current trends in academic library research.
“Academic Library Research: Perspectives and Current Trends” is available for purchase through the ALA Online Store ( http://www.alastore.ala.org) and by telephone order at (866) 746-7252 in the U.S. or (770) 442-8633 for international customers.
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ACRL is a division of the American Library Association, representing nearly 13,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to meet the unique needs of academic and research librarians. Its initiatives enable the higher education community to understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching, learning and research environments.