Volume 52, no. 2
The Two Markets: Libraries in an Attention Economy
By Richard A. Lanham
If we live in an attention economy, where it is not information that is in short supply but the human attention needed to make sense of it—and we do; if librarians have always played a central role in organizing this attention—and you have; then why is it that Google seems to be eating your lunch? One way to frame this question is to discriminate more clearly than we usually do between the two markets: the free market of stuff and the free market of ideas.
Collecting Conversations in a Massive-Scale World
By R. David Lankes
This paper highlights the growing importance, challenges, and opportunities of massive scale computing as they relate to libraries. Massive-scale computing is defined as the predictable widescale availability of computing power, storage, and network speeds at immense levels. The author argues that libraries must help shape the emerging world of nearly unlimited computing capacity, and outlines an approach to library service in such an environment: participatory librarianship.
Social Libraries: The Librarian 2.0 Phenomenon
By Stephen Abram
The author shares his thoughts on the future of libraries and librarianship in the context of the emerging importance and impact of Web 2.0 and social computing.
Reflections on Cataloging Leadership by Beth Picknally Camden, Sheila S. Intner, Janet Swan Hill, Regina R. Reynolds, and William A. Garrison
Four Association for Library Collections & Technical Services leaders (Sheila S. Intner, Janet Swan Hill, Regina R. Reynolds, and William A. Garrison) reflect on their careers and offer insights in their paths to leadership positions in the professional and in the Association. A brief introduction by Beth Picknally Camden, program moderator, introduces the papers.
Subject Access Tools in English for Canadian Topics: Canadian Extensions to U.S. Subject Access Tools
By Robert P. Holley
Canada has a long history of adapting United States subject access tools, including the Library of Congress Classification (LCC), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), the Dewey Decimal Classification, and the Sears List of Subject Headings, to meet the specific needs of Canadians. This paper addresses the extensions to these American tools for English-speaking Canadians. While the United States and Canada have many similarities, differences exist that require changing terminology and providing greater depth and precision in subject headings and classification for specifically Canadian topics. The major effort has been for Library and Archives Canada (LAC) systematically to provide extensions for LCC and LCSH for use within its cataloging records. This paper examines the history and philosophy of these Canadian efforts to provide enhanced subject access. Paradoxically, French-speaking Canadians may have found it easier to start from scratch with the Répertoire de vedettes-matière because of the difficult decisions for English-language tools on how much change to implement in an environment where most Canadian libraries use the American subject access tools. Canadian studies scholars around the world can use Canadian records, especially those maintained by LAC, to obtain superior subject access for Canadian topics even if they obtain the documents from other sources.
Defining and Achieving Success in the Movement to Change Scholarly Communication
By Joyce L. Ogburn
In the pursuit to change scholarly communication, libraries have undertaken a number of initiatives. These may include establishing a formal program, creating a committee, or taking other concerted actions at their institutions. While librarians have been engaged in targeted activities for some time, there has been no attempt to describe what constitutes a successful program. This paper proposes that five stages that are experienced in organized attempts to change scholarly communication, arguing that the use of stages provides a practical approach to addressing a nearly intractable problem. The author defines these stages, offers illustrative examples, provides measures of success, and details strategies that support the efforts toward change.
Notes on Operations
Improving the Flow of Materials in a Cataloging Department: Using ADDIE for a Project in the Ohio State University Libraries
By Melanie McGurr
The Cataloging Department at the Ohio State University Library continuously reviews workflow to see which areas need improvement. In 2004, the Cataloging Department began receiving complaints about the time it took to locate unprocessed materials within Technical Services. Locating these materials was difficult and time consuming, causing problems for both patrons and staff. The author reports on a project that examined the workflow of unprocessed materials in the Cataloging Department at Ohio State. Using the instructional design ADDIE model, a new workflow was designed and implemented to ensure that items could be located, processed, and delivered to patrons in a timely manner. The paper concludes with suggestions applicable to other libraries.
Notes on Operations
Using Comparative Online Journal Usage Studies to Assess the Big Deal
By Cecilia Botero, Steven Carrico, and Michele R. Tennant
This paper analyzes the comparative findings of two studies undertaken at the University of Florida Libraries comparing online journal usage statistics derived from COUNTER-compliant publishers. The analyses conducted in 2005 and 2006 were not intended to be rigorous scientific studies. Instead, the statistical assessments were intended as tools for determining trends in the costs and use of online journals at the University of Florida. The studies also explored the relationship between the large publisher online journal packages (the so-called Big Deals often licensed through consortia arrangements) and online journal usage, and the effects of Big Deal packages on library budgets.