How To Use A Research Library

Researchers rely on libraries to provide the information they need; equally, supporting research is a fundamental reason for libraries' existence. This book explores the crucial relationship between libraries and researchers, focusing on developing and managing effective library services to support research, and includes the authentic voices of researchers surveyed. This book will inform and advise all those who work with researchers in libraries, combining practical advice with an exploration of fundamental issues relating to the relationship between research and libraries. It is essential reading for all who work in academic and research libraries, and will be of particular value to newly qualified and practising liaison and research support librarians.

Most of the 31,000 libraries in the U.S. and Canada, the 16,700 in England, the 4,800 in Egypt, and the many other libraries around the world contain research rooms and special collections. How to Use a Research Library, a unique guide for researchers, provides essential materials from these special collections. Beginning with a basic introduction that describes the layout and cataloging systems of research libraries, and proceeding to more sophisticated levels of research, it discusses the most efficient methods of library research, helping readers to find the most appropriate bibliographical tools. Written simply and organized for easy access, the guide covers every aspect of research from the rudimentary to the most advanced. Part I explains the layout of research libraries and introduces readers to the cataloging systems and various reference shelf books such as the Cumulative Book Index. It also instructs readers on the use of requisition slips and supplemental catalogs. Part II explains how to locate materials using various bibliographies, reference books, and the magazine and newspaper indices. It describes the new computer databases, the on-line computer search, and the inter-library loan system, as well as providing a brief summary of research procedures for readers who need a quick refresher or wish to begin research immediately. Part III explores the methodology of research by discussing how to use library sources for particular types of research, and research rules of thumb. It also offers guidelines on how to use specific library divisions and collections and gives particulars about the world's major research libraries. With full bibliographic citations and step-by-step examples based on the research libraries of the New York Public Library, this authoritative handbook will teach even the most seasoned researchers new techniques and fact-finding tips.

University and Research Library Studies, Volume 8 presents the growing awareness of the international character of library studies. This book discusses the highly organized approach to library science research in Eastern Europe. Comprised of six chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the advantages of the comparative study of the libraries of various countries, including the possibilities of development and solutions to familiar difficulties. This text then examines the role of the library as a teaching instrument whereby instructions and library assignments are included as an integral part of the normal courses in the curriculum. Other chapters consider the background to the foundation of the Library of the School of Oriental and African Studies. This book discusses as well the function of the university library to bring together information and human beings. The final chapter deals with the types of activities that constitute library science research. Librarians will find this book useful.

The chapters included in this book were developed from papers presented at "The Emerging Research Library: Our Role in the Digital Future" Conference sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Libraries. These chapters explore the emergence of a new form of academic library and the challenging issues we face as a profession because of the changing role of the academic library. Issues discussed include the changing profession, new publishing models, the reallocation of spaces, the preservation of past knowledge, changing user behaviours, and improving access to information. This book also provides possible suggestions for helping academic libraries transition into the future, including re-evaluation of professional expectations and abandoning past practices, enhancing the use of metadata, responding to user behaviours, long-term planning for preservation, the promotion of open access initiatives, and extending professional inclusion and collaboration. Each chapter engages the question of how academic libraries will adapt to the challenges arising from their new role as facilitators of research in the information age. Together these chapters present an impressive set of reflections on the changes that are necessary for emerging research libraries to flourish in an increasingly digital future, and this book is recommended reading for scholars and professional librarians. This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Library Administration.

Learn to better control costs for print and digital resources—from recognized leaders in library administration! Academic libraries have been using electronic resources for several years, yet library administrators still find that the evolution from print to digital takes meticulous planning. Collection Management and Strategic Access to Digital Resources is a collection of eight presentations from the 2004 University of Oklahoma Libraries Conference focusing on the ways academic research libraries can successfully make the transition from print materials to electronic resources. Respected authorities offer effective strategies to efficiently coordinate the use of digital materials in the contemporary research library. As acquisition budgets tighten and fresh emphasis is placed upon finding strategies to afford needed resources, library administrators find it increasingly difficult to meet the challenge of providing information to today’s students and scholars. Collection Management and Strategic Access to Digital Resources focuses on innovative, practical solutions to difficult problems facing librarians and library administrators today and in the coming decade. The book is carefully referenced and includes tables and charts to clearly explain data. Collection Management and Strategic Access to Digital Resources presents and thoroughly discusses: the impact of digital resources on libraries, research, and learning in history and science open access of research results beyond the print journal regime Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and electronic journal subscriptions an introduction to Ithaka—a not-for-profit organization that acts as an “incubator” for electronic projects and research for libraries evaluations—and innovative alternatives—of the rules and beliefs of electronic resource collection the historical and contextual considerations that have made collections cooperation difficult to achieve—and a global resources network initiative that may answer the challenge transforming scholarship’s role by offering access to the raw material of research—offering new opportunities for access to a greater range of information the responsibilities of research libraries in a rapidly evolving digital world Collection Management and Strategic Access to Digital Resources is essential reading for senior library administrators in public, special, and academic libraries, as well as acquisitions, reference, collection development, and systems librarians.

The Survey of Academic & Research Library Journal Purchasing Practices presents data about the journals acquisitions and management practices of an international sample of academic and research libraries. The study reports on a broad range of issues, including: spending trends, use of print vs. electronic access, purchases in ¿bundles¿, purchases through consortia, the role of subscription agents, use and plans for use of open access, attitudes towards the pricing practices of a range of major journal publishers, sources of funding for journal purchases and relations with academic and administrative departments of library parent organizations, and the practical management of the journal acquisition process, among other issues.