Practical Academic Librarianship: The International Journal of the SLA Academic Division (Texas Digital Library - TDL E-Journals)
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Assessing Librarian Expectations Before and After LibGuides Implementation
No full textThis study evaluated librarian expectation and experience before and after the implementation of the LibGuides platform at an ARL member institution. Two surveys were distributed to librarians responsible for subject research guides, one to determine expectations before the introduction of LibGuides, and one to determine if and how those expectations were or were not met following adoption of the platform. Findings indicate that after implementation, LibGuides were updated more often and used more frequently for both instruction and reference than the previously used subject guides. This study can aid other libraries in planning similar implementations of LibGuides at their institutions
Divide and Conquer: A Not-So-Common Approach to Develop Information Literacy Programs
No full textIn 2012, the Research and Instruction (RIS) Department at Northern Kentucky University’s W. Frank Steely Library divided responsibilities into two areas: research assistance and instruction. The department’s reorganization enabled instruction librarians to focus solely on growing the information literacy program. In light of their success and the evolving role of information literacy in higher education, the authors sought to find out how many “RIS” departments in academic libraries were organized as two separate departments. Results from a survey suggest the majority of libraries continue to organize under a traditional model, grouping reference and instructional work together. This article highlights findings from the study and shares the experiences of splitting an RIS department, including what was gained and lost as a result of the new organizational structure.
A Battle of the Chatbots: An Exploratory Comparison of ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity and HuggingChat
No full textThis exploratory study compares the output of the free versions of six generative artificial intelligence chatbots — ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity and HuggingChat. Five questions were submitted to all of the chatbots and examined according to the length, correctness, and tone of the response and any additional features provided by the chatbots such as citations, web links and helpful follow up questions. This comparison found that not one chatbot excelled at responding to all of the questions though some provided strong answers, pointing to the possible importance of not relying solely on one chatbot for answers and for continually examining different chatbots given that the field of generative AI is developing and evolving rapidly.
Coffee with Calantha: Measuring the Impact of a Discussion-Based Series for Graduate Students
No full textIn order to serve the needs of Information Sciences graduate students at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), a collaboration between the subject librarian and the student chapter leaders of the American Library Association and Special Libraries Association was established. Through this relationship, the two parties crafted a synchronous event series called “Coffee with Calantha” (CwC) that centers around career readiness. Participants of multiple sessions responded to a survey concerning the efficacy of the series in preparing them for post-graduation employment and building community while still in graduate school. Data collected through this survey revealed how participating in these events benefited attendees\u27 preparation to enter the field of librarianship and ability to network with their peers and practicing professionals. Additional emerging themes included the supportive dialogue and differing perspectives present throughout the discussions and the specific needs of distance learners in the educational process
Studying Our Progress: Assessing Our New Combined Service Desk at the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textThe library’s circulation desk and reference desks respectively were merged into a combined desk for the service points at a small midwestern university library, right before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This timing hindered the library\u27s ability to study the impacts and perceptions of the combined service points, both from the patron and the service desk worker perspectives, right away. This research project was developed to provide insights into these two simultaneous objectives; one, evaluating library service desk working conditions from the perspective of library personnel working at the desk, and two, to understand our patrons’ perspectives of services/resources, customer service, and the delivery of those services with the new desk configuration in mind
A Study of the Coverage of Open Educational Resources (OER) Through Websites of Colleges and Universities in Connecticut
No full textNotwithstanding reports of increased awareness and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in higher education, the literature notes that awareness and use of and institutional support for OER remain major challenges to campuses seeking to reduce student cost burden and support access to materials. OER also support faculty who desire to move beyond the traditional textbooks in order to increase their students’ engagement and thereby access to learning, to support pedagogical changes they are making that enhance student learning, and to give faculty greater control over their courses. The university website, as a public-facing vehicle to aid students, parents, alumni, faculty, the community, and interested others in being aware, among other things, of the resources available, is examined for findable support for OER. The purpose of this study is to show, through examination of their websites, a snapshot of the response of Connecticut universities and colleges to OER. Through an examination of these websites, we gage the ability to connect with information related to OER through the university website
Assessing Awareness and Use of Library Services within Chinese Partner Academic Programs: A Case Study Developing and Analyzing Bilingual Surveys
No full textA library at a regional comprehensive university created a Global Access Committee to provide support for students and faculty at international partner campuses in China. In 2022, the Committee sent out a survey to these students and faculty to assess their awareness of and satisfaction with library resources and services. The survey received responses from 302 students and 12 faculty members. Students reported high awareness and use of online library resources, instructional materials such as guides and tutorials, and the library’s Ask-A-Librarian service. However, there was a discrepancy between students’ self-reported usage and usage statistics collected by the library. The responses may also have been influenced by cultural differences and by the translation of the questions and responses into and out of Mandarin Chinese. However, the library was able to make positive changes based on the survey results.
How to Gender Include
No full textGender inclusion is not an optional part of library work—at least, it isn’t if we want all those “Libraries Are For Everyone” signs to be true. And yet, the reality is that many libraries fail the most basic aspects of gender inclusion for patrons, employees, or both. Even in libraries where Trans 101 trainings do occur and are well received, or where the baseline of knowledge among employees is relatively high, the question remains: What now?
This article intends to answer that question. Very broadly speaking, gender inclusion work in libraries means sustained action to ensure that some patrons and employees do not have worse experiences than others based on their gender. What this actually looks like in practice depends on your professional specialty, institution size and type, the tools and spaces and platforms your library uses, state and local legislation around trans and gender diverse people, and more.
This article offers practical strategies for how to meaningfully integrate gender inclusion into library work. Since the specific actions vary widely due to many different factors, these strategies are intended to guide individuals in a way that makes sense for their role rather than to tell people exactly what to do.
Gender inclusion is a core element of all library work that hopes to avoid excluding people. Everyone in this field needs to do it. There are no exceptions. This article is for you
Academic Library Book Sales: Outreach, Community Service, and Budgetary Support
No full textThis paper examines the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society’s (AAHS) biannual benefit used book sale, organized in collaboration with the Arizona State Museum (ASM) Library, as a model for community-centered fundraising in academic libraries. Amid budget constraints, the ASM Library relies on this event to support staffing and collection development. Beyond its financial impact, the sale fosters engagement among patrons, donors, and local scholars, strengthening both academic and regional connections. By integrating fundraising, collection expansion, and community outreach, the event serves as both a financial resource and a cultural initiative. This study explores its logistics, benefits, and challenges, offering insights into how academic libraries can creatively sustain their operations and enrich their communities despite financial limitations