Poster Sessions
1. Acquiring and Managing Digital Streaming Media
Presenter: Jo McClamroch, Indiana University Libraries
Abstract: Digital streaming resources are growing rapidly. At Indiana University we have been acquiring this media format for nearly four years from several publishers. This poster session will describe the process from licensing to access focusing on the collaborative nature which involves several departments throughout the Libraries. The challenges involved in the entire enterprise will also be included.
2. "Closed Stacks" for current issues
Presenter: Paula Sullenger, Auburn University
Abstract: Auburn University Libraries is trying an experiment to reduce the amount of work devoted to current issues. The current issues collection in the main library has been reduced to only those issues for which reliable online access is not available. Current issues that have online access are being kept in the Acquisitions in a "Closed Stacks" arrangement. These "Closed Stacks" current issues are available to patrons upon request. We hope to save time and resources (such as security strips) and reduce missing issues/claims. We are monitoring patron reaction to the change.
3. From E-mail to Web to Wiki: the Evolution of E-Journal Communications among Libraries Staff
Presenter: Jennifer Edwards, MIT Libraries
Abstract: The growing number of electronic journals replacing print versions has lead to increased reliance on staff to maintain them. This includes acquisitions, cataloging, maintaining resolver databases, and resolving problems. In this environment, effective communication among staff and departments, on both the Technical and Public Services sides, has become more important than ever. This poster session will highlight the evolution and expansion of MIT Libraries staff who are involved in e-journals, and the tools they use to handle problems reported by users and Libraries staff, in particular SFX and its public “A to Z list” display, and Request Tracker. It will also highlight examples of the various communication techniques which have evolved from e-mail to staff web pages to wikis to document policies and procedures and enable more efficient and effective communications across the Libraries.
4. Incorporating the Average Cost of Serials and Integrating Resources in a Library Materials Budget Allocation Formula
Presenter: Dawn Stephen, Belmont University
Abstract: Bunch Library at Belmont University applies a formula to its total materials budget in order to allocate funds to academic departments in a systematic way. Like most libraries, Bunch Library is not exempt from the effects of a poor economy. As the costs of serials and integrating resources continue to rise, we are expected to work with a budget that has remained unchanged for several years running. The materials budget allocation formula is one that Bunch librarians have grappled with for several years. The formula has been regarded as more of a “rewards” system rather than an application of data based on curricular and program needs. Although two-thirds of Bunch Library’s materials budget is spent on serials and integrating resources, the cost of materials has not been addressed anywhere in the allocation formula. As a result of an analysis conducted to determine the historical spending patterns of the academic departments, it was decided that the average cost of serials and integrating resources for each department would be incorporated into the existing allocations formula. Average cost was selected as the preferred criterion rather than the total cost because total cost placed smaller departments at a distinct disadvantage in the allocation of funds. This poster session will provide an analysis of the current library materials budget allocation formula, the rationale supporting the incorporation of the average cost of serials and integrating resources into the formula, and the method of applying the average costs to the existing allocation formula.
5. Increasing Access to Serials without Assigned ISSNs
Presenter: Barbara M. Pope, Axe Library, Pittsburg State University
Abstract: The need for accurate information about an academic library’s serials has become increasingly important in the age of open URL resolvers. Whereas open URL resolvers normally link on the ISSN of a serial, this is not possible for serials without ISSN. This poster session is one academic library’s solution to making their print serials without assigned ISSN linkable in an open URL resolver. As a result, the collection is more accessible, and hopefully, will receive greater use and provide for fewer interlibrary loan requests for titles the library owns.
6. Making Usage Data Understandable with Visual Representation
Presenter: Lisa Kurt, University of Nevada, Reno
Abstract: Usage data is a necessity in making informed collections decisions. Whether it comes directly from the content provider or has been exhaustively processed by numerous library staff and tools, usage data is often presented in the form of a standard spreadsheet. However, spreadsheets can be limited in their ability to reveal emerging patterns, trends, caveats, relationships, etc. How can a visual representation of usage data allow us to make more informed collections decisions? Transforming a data spreadsheet with cost-per-use information into an intricate, powerful visualization that quickly reveals significant patterns and relationships can have a profound impact on the ways that librarians view usage data. This poster session will showcase the process and final result of a large-scale visualization of usage data created at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center by using a simple-to-use open-source software, Graphiz. The visualization depicts electronic library databases and the subjects that relate to them with cost-per-use data included.
7. Moving Mountains: Steering a Course through a Rapid Collection Resizing
Presenter: Marit Taylor, Auraria Library, University of Colorado at Denver
Abstract: Many libraries face significant challenges in space and resource utilization. The increasingly popular idea of establishing a learning commons means they must find space for such a facility, while the rapid rise in resources available electronically offers an opportunity to reduce the tangible collection. The Auraria Library faces this situation, exacerbated by the fact that we are running out of space for new books. The Library decided to address this problem by considering it an opportunity to invent an innovative approach to collection evaluation and reduction, minimizing bibliographer review of some withdrawals. Working together and individually, the collection development librarians, reference librarians, government publications and Special Projects personnel identified materials in Reference, Government Publications, the Musical Scores collection, and the circulating collection appropriate for relocation, sending to offsite storage, or withdrawal. Those groups identified criteria for prospective candidates; then the Special Projects team created lists of specific items to withdraw or relocate using our Innovative Interfaces system software, and pursued withdrawing or transferring the materials. The serials expertise of the leader of Special Projects, a former serials cataloger, proved very useful. Serials can also be ideal candidates for getting withdrawals underway at a rapid rate. This poster session will discuss the specific challenges and techniques we used to identify appropriate materials for relocating or withdrawal in at a rapid rate particular collections, including the Reference, Government Publication, music scores, periodicals, and circulating collections. Different collections required different approaches, but overall we have launched a successful carrying capacity project. Many of our techniques might provide useful ideas for your library’s projects.
8. Riding the Rapids and rolling with confidence: promoting A to Z list using tutorials and poster sessions.
Presenter: Regina Koury, Idaho State University
Abstract: Idaho State University (ISU) has a lot of non-traditional students: students who balance work, family and school. Many of them used library when everything was either on CD-ROM or in print only. ISU has also a lot of distance education students. New faculty, who come to ISU may not be familiar with our electronic resources and how to get to them. Making ubiquitous access to online resources and making it known is important to us. How do we effectively reach students and faculty? This session will take a look at how ISU promotes A to Z list with the Adobe Presenter tutorials and recent poster session at the University Faculty Research Day.
9. Unraveling Analyzed Serials in Innovative Interface's Millennium
Presenter: Kathleen McCallister, Thomas Cooper Library/University of South Carolina
Abstract: When the University of South Carolina's libraries migrated from a text-based NOTIS system to Innovative Interface's Millennium, it brought to light a realization about the records for analyzed serials. The library's policy of having a bibliographic record for the analyzed title but keeping the item record for those titles attached to the serial record had led to the unfortunate consequences of disorganized records, incorrect holdings statements, and various other errors which affected all users of the catalog. Once this issue had been brought to light, a group of librarians undertook a project in order to identify, reorganize, and correct these problem records. This poster will provide a concise summary of how those involved with the project implemented the necessary changes to the cataloging process and strategized the workflow of the cleanup, a visual representation of the process of reorganizing the item records and holdings, and an examination of the overall benefits of the project so far, as well as the ways they dealt with the additional problems that arose.
(Last updated 5/4/09)
