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A Controlled Vocabulary for an Electronic Resources Problem Reporting System: Creation, Implementation and Assessment
No full textThe Ohio State University Libraries’ Serials and Electronic Resources team tracked reports of problems with electronic resources through a ticketing system, but had not used the system functions to articulate the work involved in supporting such resources. When a new Electronic Resources Officer was hired, the librarian reviewed the type of statistics provided to management and identified an opportunity to more fully document reported problem and staff effort. With the help of team members, a mechanism was created to highlight different types of problems through the application of a controlled vocabulary developed specifically for that environment. Once the vocabulary was available and in use, after some time, terms were evaluated for efficacy, and for how the use of the vocabulary enabled analysis of the trouble-shooting process. Following an analysis by the Electronic Resources Officer of the terms after being in use for some time, the ways that staff were involved in the workflow was changed, leading to faster responses and more consistent communication of information to patrons and vendors. This paper describes the process of developing the controlled vocabulary, the insights found following implementation, and the changes to the workflow that came from that analysis
Editorial: The New Year
No full textThe year 2020 seemed to be one in which things steadily continued to get worse, with each event more terrible than its predecessor. The pandemic has overshadowed everything, and has affected many aspects of our economy. The expression “do more with less” has added significance in our current situation. Budgets have been cut, staff have been laid off or furloughed, and others have had salary reductions. Our profession showed resilience, creativity, and determination in the face of great odds. New service models and ways of working emerged, and how libraries operate will be forever changed. We have successfully proven that we can work remotely. Virtual meetings and conferences are here to stay for a number of reasons, including holding down costs and enabling greater participation. Services like contactless pick up and going fine free were welcome additions and exemplify the spirit of community during a crisis. I personally learned the importance of advance disaster and emergency planning, which included a Zoom call with internationally recognized emergency and disaster planning expert Guy Robertson
Chapter 1. What Is a Library Engagement Platform?
No full textPeople want connection. A company or a library trying to position itself as a new best friend can come across as fake. But giving people a little nudge shows they are on your radar and is OK—in fact, it’s an important aspect of doing business online. Chapter 1 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 1), “What Is a Library Engagement Platform?” presents definitions of library engagement platforms in the context of this report and describes the activities these platforms typically make available in their functionality
Chapter 4. The Digital Divide
No full textChapter 4 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 2), “Mobile Technology in Libraries,” introduces the digital divide and how it relates to mobile technology. First, I will define the digital divide, and then I’ll discuss how libraries are helping bridge the divide by checking out Wi-Fi hot spots, partnering in different ways with schools and mobile technology programs, and training customers to use mobile technology
Chapter 5. Scaling the Toolkit for Greater Reach
No full textChapter 5 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 8), “Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit,” explains the process and goals of the next iteration of the toolkit—Gigabit Libraries and Beyond—and discusses the project participants and the subject matter experts who are on the advisory board
Research Roundup: Recommended Online Resources
No full textHere are some free resources for children’s librarians who like to browse through research on topics related to our work with children
Beyond Storytime: Virtual Augmented Reality, AI, and Arts Programs for Middle Grades
No full textWhen the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the West Vancouver (BC) Memorial Library was well-positioned to make the transition to a fully virtual program model—fortunate to have the support of a library foundation and to have two dedicated digital access librarians.But in this time of great transition, we were still left wondering how we were going to offer complex programs on topics like augmented reality (AR) in a virtual environment. We found great success with the Flipped Classroom model, where kids and families do some downloading, experimenting, and playing in advance
Supreme Court Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett: A “Blatant Act of Bad Faith”?
No full textIn the Senate proceedings on Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Senate Democrats (and at least two Republicans) claimed that a confirmation of Supreme Court Justice in a presidential election year would be a break with Senate tradition—a violation of the mythologized “Thurmond Rule.” Named for Senator Strom Thurmond, the scope of the rule and its origins are murky. The rule likely originated in Thurmond’s campaign against President Jimmy Carter’s judicial nominees of 1980, when Thurmond served as ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This article discusses the Supreme Court confirmation process, Barrett’s background and nomination, the speed with which she was confirmed to the nation’s highest Court, and the conclusion of the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service on whether the Thurmond Rule truly exists. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer declared the Barrett confirmation a “blatant act of bad faith” by the Republican majority in the Senate, which in 2016 invoked the Thurmond Rule to defer Senate action on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. As detailed by the Congressional Research Service, the Thurmond Rule has been invoked inconsistently by both parties at politically convenient times