Understanding Librarians

Aimed at professionals and trainee professionals within the library and information service (LIS) fields, this book reminds the reader of the frequently ignored communication-gulf between the professional and the layman, and in particular the lack of true communication between LIS professionals and the user. It focuses especially on ‘non-standard’ users, such as non-native speakers or those with some disability. The author provides accessible examples of good practice, assesses their degree of success and suggests further ways to improve performance in information provision. Written by a “poacher turned gamekeeper – an information professional who is also an experienced adult educator Jargon-free and accessible style of delivery Highlights the human aspects of using libraries, even if this is in a virtual environment

This fully revised and updated second edition of Understanding Digital Libraries focuses on the challenges faced by both librarians and computer scientists in a field that has been dramatically altered by the growth of the Web. At every turn, the goal is practical: to show you how things you might need to do are already being done, or how they can be done. The first part of the book is devoted to technology and examines issues such as varying media requirements, indexing and classification, networks and distribution, and presentation. The second part of the book is concerned with the human contexts in which digital libraries function. Here you’ll find specific and useful information on usability, preservation, scientific applications, and thorny legal and economic questions. Thoroughly updated and expanded from original edition to include recent research, case studies and new technologies For librarians and technologists alike, this book provides a thorough introduction to the interdisciplinary science of digital libraries Written by Michael Lesk, a legend in computer science and a leading figure in the digital library field Provides insights into the integration of both the technical and non-technical aspects of digital libraries

Librarians and information workers the world over are faced with the constant challenge of remaining abreast of developments in their field. Rapid changes in technology and workplace roles threaten to make their skills obsolete unless they undertake constant professional development. This international collection presents a comprehensive overview of current continuing professional development theory and practice for those who manage and work in library and information services. Papers by academics and practitioners describe numerous innovative responses to emerging continuing education and training needs, including workplace learning; individual learning and learning organisations.

Libraries are regarded as hubs that provide literary resources in various forms. This collection of articles draws attention to the needs of learners and students in the 21st century who require more than textbook information to do their school work. It represents an important contribution to research on learners and reading, reading acquisition, and information literacy.

The first book published about independent school libraries since 1985, this work offers both the independent school library community and the broader school library community a wealth of insights into excellence in library practice. Independent School Libraries: Perspectives on Excellence offers readers insights into best practices in library services for school communities, using examples drawn from independent schools of various sizes, descriptions, and locations across the United States. Two overview essays introduce a statistical analysis of independent schools. Each of the remaining essays provides perspective on a different aspect of library practice, including staffing, advocacy, assessment, technology, collaboration, programs beyond the curriculum, intellectual freedom and privacy, budgeting, accreditation, disaster planning, and more. Because independent school librarians work across divisions and without a mandate to adhere to state or national standards, they have the freedom to explore and refine best practice in a school library setting. Fortunately, the ideas and methods they have developed, many of which are on display here, can be applied in any school library.

Discover how your library—and its patrons—can benefit from internal partnerships, collaborations, and interactions Libraries Within Their Institutions: Creative Collaborations examines the ways librarians work within their own universities, municipalities, or government units to form partnerships that ensure the best possible service to their patrons. An excellent companion and complement to Libraries Beyond Their Institutions: Partnerships That Work (Haworth) from the same editors, this unique professional resource looks at the associations between libraries and faculty members, city governments, information technology departments, and research institutes. The book provides first-hand perspectives, assessments, and case studies from information professionals at several major universities, including Kent State, the University of Washington, Virginia Tech, and Purdue University. Libraries Within Their Institutions: Creative Collaborations demonstrates the need for interaction and cooperation between libraries and non-library organizations—on campus and off. This unique book examines the elements of effective collaborations for libraries, including partnerships with campus teaching centers; helping faculty design their courses to enhance instruction; long-term perspectives in library-faculty cooperation; the creation of “collaboratories,” collaborative facilities based in libraries; and the development of campus-wide fluency in all areas of information technology and literacy. Libraries Within Their Institutions: Creative Collaborations provides practical information on: campus-wide committees that promote a general education information literacy requirement integrating ACRL core competencies for information literacy into course content using an Assessment Cycle to document the library’s contributions toward students’ success and institutional outcomes partnerships that have shaped the ARL Statistics and Measurement Program using information commons, and teaching and learning centers to develop collaborative services digital preservation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETD) team-taught courses in scientific writing joint-use libraries collaboration in collection management drawing teaching faculty into collaborative relationships collaborating with teaching faculty to help students learn lifelong research skills Libraries Within Their Institutions: Creative Collaborations is an invaluable resource for librarians working in academic, school, special, and public settings, and for library science faculty and students.

With a firm foundation on best practices drawn from a variety of institutions, this book maps out a partnership between academic librarians and instructional designers that will lead to improved outcomes.