Archives - Page 6

  • August/September
    Vol. 52 No. 6 (2016)

    The Knowledge Base at the Center of the Universe, by Kristen Wilson

    More than fifteen years after its initial appearance, the electronic resources knowledge base has come into its own as a tool that touches nearly every area of library management. And the knowledge base continues to evolve, expanding into areas such as APIs, open data, community contribution models, and integration with next-generation systems. This Library Technology Report will analyze the impact of knowledge bases on library management practices and explore new directions and trends for these tools. The report will trace the evolution of the knowledge base, provide context for knowledge base creation and maintenance, and explore areas of innovation including use in library services platforms, integration with external tools and services, and collaborative knowledge base projects.

  • July
    Vol. 52 No. 5 (2016)

    Improving Web Visibility: Into the Hands of Readers, by Ted Fons

    Improving the visibility of library collections and services on the open web is one strategy in enhancing the long-term viability of libraries. The tradition of modern librarianship has been to focus on the efficiency of library workflow systems and technical processing and the accuracy of metadata against librarian-authored rules for metadata encoding. This issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 52, no. 5), “Improving Web Visibility: Into the Hands of Readers,” by Ted Fons, discusses actions for libraries to take with regard to content exposure systems, vocabularies, content metadata regimes, and system design approaches that will serve the convenience of the web searcher and thereby contribute to the long-term viability of libraries.

  • May/June
    Vol. 52 No. 4 (2016)

    Privacy and Security for Library Systems, by Marshall Breeding

    Surveying vendors and ARL libraries, Marshall Breeding covers the current state of patron privacy in interacting with the library’s web-based systems. The report discusses key technologies and techniques for protecting patron privacy, focusing on encryption, the storage of data, the catalog, and discovery systems. It explores the many ways patron data and behavior may be captured in the absence of preventive measures.

  • April
    Vol. 52 No. 3 (2016)

    Mobile Learning Trends: Accessibility, Ecosystems, Content Creation, by Nicole Hennig

    The widespread adoption of mobile computing is a good thing for librarians who care about access for all. Mobile devices make use of “natural user interfaces,” and those interfaces are making computing easier for people of all ages and abilities. Mobile learning is headed in a direction that is empowering for learners of all abilities. Library Technology Reports (vol. 52, no. 3), “Mobile Learning Trends: Accessibility, Ecosystems, Content Creation,” focuses on three trends:

    • natural user interfaces and accessibility
    • multi-device ecosystems
    • content creation with mobile devices
    It includes ideas for how libraries can use this information to empower their users and resources for learning more about these topics.

  • February/March
    Vol. 52 No. 2 (2016)

    Learning management system (LMS) embedded librarianship is partnering with faculty to deliver research assistance for students right in their LMS course sites. This issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 52, no. 2), “Learning Management Systems: Tools for Embedded Librarianship,” describes the LMS environment alongside the larger online resource environment of academic libraries. Topics include options for adding digital collections and finding tools; methods for creating course-specific content; and online tools for communication, collaboration, and citing sources. The trend of LMS embedded librarians is considered, as well as underlying principles of universal design, instructional design, accessibility, and copyright.

  • January
    Vol. 52 No. 1 (2016)

    Erik T. Mitchell wrote Library Technology Reports (vol. 50, no. 5), “Library Linked Data: Research and Adoption,” published in July 2013. This report revisits the adoption of Linked Data by libraries, archives, and museums, identifying current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field. By looking at services and research-related large-scale projects, such as BIBFRAME and DPLA, the report describes a trajectory of adoption. It looks at the vocabularies, schemas, standards, and technologies forming the foundation of Linked Data as well as policies and practices influencing the community.

  • November/December
    Vol. 51 No. 8 (2015)

    E-content in Libraries: Marketplace Perspectives

    Sue Polanka, Editor

    Library Technology Reports volume 51, no. 8, "E-content in Libraries: Marketplace Perspectives," edited by Sue Polanka. Tis report presents an insider’s look at the e-content purchasing process among the market players: libraries, publishers, and aggregators. Editor Sue Polanka gathers three articles, one written by a public librarian and two by information industry executives. They demonstrate the complexity of purchasing e-content, present the concerns of different parties, and offer suggestions for working together.

  • October
    Vol. 51 No. 7 (2015)

    Mobile Devices: Service with Intention

    Rebecca K. Miller, Heather Moorefield-Lang, and Carolyn Meier, eds.

    Library Technology Reports, volume 51, no. 7, “Mobile Devices: Service with Intention,” edited by Rebecca K. Miller, Heather Moorefield-Lang, and Carolyn Meier, gathers five case studies that discuss the potential of tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices alongside real-world constraints. From a range of institutional settings, the case studies address three general areas of library work: (1) circulation and lending; (2) teaching and learning; (3) access and design. Assessment is a common theme in the case studies.

  • August/September
    Vol. 51 No. 6 (2015)

    Open-Access Journals: Idealism and Opportunism, by Walt Crawford

    Open-access journals have become widespread in recent years, but so have misunderstandings about such journals, fueled by a lack of actual data. This issue of Library Technology Reports looks at the state of open-access journals as of mid-2014 and how they got there, based on visits to the website of every open-access journal accessible to a reader of English. The report shows the state of gold open access (OA), including the percentage of journals that require author-side fees (and the percentage of articles published by those journals), the number of journals and articles overall and by broad subject category, the apparent “gold rush” since 2006 within certain subject categories, and more. The report includes advice for dealing with gold OA journals and recommending them to scholars and suggestions for library actions to improve open access.

  • July
    Vol. 51 No. 5 (2015)

    “Altmetrics” by Robin Chin Roemer and Rachel Borchardt

    Library Technology Reports (vol. 51, no. 5) introduces the concept of altmetrics, including its relation to existing citation-based research metrics and to the larger academic community. Major altmetrics tools are presented and discussed, as well as social media sources that comprise the spectrum of altmetrics, and methods for evaluating new and existing metrics tools. Drawing on recent research and online resources within the field, the report outlines both the promises and major obstacles faced by the field of altmetrics. The report also explicitly explores role of libraries in altmetrics, such as the ability of librarians to serve as facilitators and communicators within their institutions, and to provide education and support related to altmetrics and scholarly impact. Various tips and resources are highlighted for librarians and administrators looking to stay current with changes in this rapidly moving field.

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