International Journal of Librarianship
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The Founding of Film in Museums: The Influence of Museum Philosophy on the Creation of Their First Film Libraries and Archives
Get PDFIn 1935, Librarian John E. Abbott of the Museum of Modern Art wrote this of the contemporary status of film preservation: “the situation is as though there existed a great interest in painting on the part of the public, but that almost no painting were ever exhibited save those executed within the previous twelve months.” In the early twentieth century, film collections were not sought after by museums, because the relevance of film to museum mandates had not yet been defined. In this paper, we refer to the creation of some of the first museum film libraries and archives, in order to examine the effort of their establishment within a museum, and the philosophical challenges and appeals that must be addressed when these mediums meet, in the interplay between archival and museological theory. We shall briefly review the beginning of film museums, and then discuss where the nature and priorities of museums most affected these pioneering film libraries and archives. These influences manifest in the rationale of why films should be collected, in the details of what should be acquired, and in the practical and philosophical challenges that are not commonly found in other information institutions, but are characteristic of museum work
Unlocking the Vault: Strategic Collaborations between Area Studies and Special Collections
Get PDFThe Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign houses one of the largest public university collections of rare books and manuscripts in the United States. Despite its vast and diverse holdings, certain areas of the collection, particularly Chinese-language materials, have been historically underutilized due to language barriers and the need for specialized knowledge. This article advocates for enhanced collaboration between special collections and area studies librarians to improve access and increase use of these resources. It examines the RBML’s challenges with cataloging and utilization of Chinese materials and proposes initiatives, including enriched public programming, curated exhibitions, targeted instructional sessions, and increased promotional efforts. These initiatives are designed to align with the University of Illinois’s strategic goals of inclusivity, global engagement, and academic excellence. Central to this endeavor is the collaboration with the Chinese Studies Librarian, whose knowledge and expertise is crucial in understanding and promoting these resources. The article underscores the significance of these initiatives in fully leveraging special collections and area studies, fostering the collection’s utilization, study, and appreciation by both local and global audiences. This project also aims to present an example for collaborations between special collections and area studies specialists within a given university
Who are the Culprits? Evaluation of Theft and Mutilation of Academic Library Materials: Experience from the Walton Whaley Library
Get PDFThis study assesses the theft and mutilation of library resources at Walton Whaley Library (WWL) at Valley View University, in Ghana. The study adopted a mixed-method approach; thus, copies of questionnaire and interviews were used to gather data for the study.
The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed with the help of Nvivo version 11 and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS version 21.0). The study found that most of the users were aware of the security policies in the library. The prominent factors influencing theft and mutilation are a weak security system, the absence of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, inadequate staff, the selfish interests of the perpetrators, and a lack of security personnel at the main entrance. To curb this phenomenon, certain security measures, such as the installation of electronic security devices, security personnel at the main entrance, physical body checks on users entering and exiting the Library, as well as staff surveillance are needed. The study recommended an effective and efficient security system, the vigilance of library staff, the acquisition of multiple books in high demand, availability and accessibility of photocopying services. The study suggested harsh punishment for perpetrators who breach library rules
Reading Habits of the Adult Readers of Kotahena Public Library of Sri Lanka
Get PDFThe study examined the reading habits of adult readers and use of library resources and services of Kotahena Public Library, Colombo: Sri Lanka. Readers who come to the library have different reading habits. Libraries are assisting in providing the right information to the right users, right format at the right time. This study was conducted using a survey method and adopted a deductive approach. Structured questionnaires through Google Forms were used to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed through WhatsApp to 80 respondents which covers the total population. The study found that reading has improved the lives of readers. Primary data was used for the conducted research. Data was collected through the questionnaire from two main questions and collected data was analyzed using quantitative techniques. The study found that adults’ purposes, types of reading materials and time, allocation, place, language for reading by adult users that visiting the Kotahena Public Library. Findings of the study can be used to reinforce the services with which the users were satisfied, focus on services that need more improvement according to user concerns, and to take steps for resolution of identified problems to gain users' satisfaction
Library Services During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Perspective Of Puerto Rican Academic Librarians
Get PDFThis study aimed to review how an academic library in Puerto Rico supported the demands of technology-assisted education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study identified the challenges of providing virtual library services during public health emergencies. Likewise, librarians described their experiences with virtual reference services. The study uses a case study as a research design. Data collection was through a virtual focus group. The results indicate that the main challenges were technology availability issues, fragile Internet infrastructure, a lack of digital skills for remote work, and vulnerabilities in leadership and institutional planning. Librarians identified weaknesses in the technological infrastructure and staff skills as challenges during emergencies. This research helps generate more knowledge about the impact of digital services from Puerto Rican academic libraries in support of technology-assisted education initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, understanding librarians' perspectives regarding challenges and needs during emergencies helps develop new service policies and strengthen procedures to improve working conditions for these professionals
ChatGPT: Unleashing the Power of Conversational AI for Library Reference Services
Get PDFPurpose-Explore the impact of AI and ChatGPT on library information services; Design/methodology/approach-A sample of twenty-two reference questions are fed to ChatGPT and the answers are evaluated for quality and accuracy; Findings-ChatGPT are excellent in information retrieval in some areas, but it is not comparable to a reference librarian in others; Research limitations/implications-The findings may not be conclusive due to small sample size; Practical implications-Understand AI and ChatGPT and their behavior; Social implications -The knowledge from the study can assist librarians to adjust their services to better serve users; Originality/value-No research has been done in this area
“Once Again, From the Beginning:” Re-inventing the Museum Library at the University of Pennsylvania
Get PDFAs university museums and academic programs struggle with issues of relevancy and harmful legacies, the libraries that are embedded within these institutions must reckon with similar challenging issues because of their own histories, collections content, museum-adjacent programs, and assumed authority in the supported disciplines. Such departmental libraries already occupy uncomfortable positions within complex institutions, often functioning as minor players in the university’s library systems, but only tenuously linked through location or subject matter expertise to the university’s museums and affiliated departments.
Offered as an instructive example is the Museum Library at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the sometimes embattled Penn Museum. This “Report from the Field” essay describes the Museum Library’s methods for participating in a rapidly evolving museum’s strategic initiatives and supporting the sincere investment of its dedicated staff in making meaningful changes. I also discuss the Museum Library’s own complicated history and our reflections as we remake the library in the face of local and global challenges