Graphs are about connections, and are an important part of our connected and data-driven world. A Librarian's Guide to Graphs, Data and the Semantic Web is geared toward library and information science professionals, including librarians, software developers and information systems architects who want to understand the fundamentals of graph theory, how it is used to represent and explore data, and how it relates to the semantic web. This title provides a firm grounding in the field at a level suitable for a broad audience, with an emphasis on open source solutions and what problems these tools solve at a conceptual level, with minimal emphasis on algorithms or mathematics. The text will also be of special interest to data science librarians and data professionals, since it introduces many graph theory concepts by exploring data-driven networks from various scientific disciplines. The first two chapters consider graphs in theory and the science of networks, before the following chapters cover networks in various disciplines. Remaining chapters move on to library networks, graph tools, graph analysis libraries, information problems and network solutions, and semantic graphs and the semantic web.

Written specifically to address the library's role in education, this book provides guidance on performing assessment at academic institutions that will serve to improve teaching effectiveness and prove your library's impact on student learning outcomes-and thereby demonstrate your library's value. Academic libraries are increasingly being asked to demonstrate their value as one of many units on campus, but determining the outcomes of an academic library within the context of its collegiate setting is challenging. This book explains and clarifies the practice of assessment in academic institutions, enabling library managers to better understand and explain the impact of the library on student learning outcomes, teaching effectiveness, and research productivity. Providing essential information for all college and university librarians, this volume discusses and summarizes the outcomes of research that has been conducted to investigate assessment within the context of higher education. This updated second edition incorporates additional research, examines new trends, and covers groundbreaking advances in digital assessment tools as well as the changes in the amount and forms of data utilized in the assessment process. The chapters address assessment from a campus setting and present data that demonstrate the value of the library within that setting in terms of learning, research, and overall impact. In sum, the book presents librarians with up-to-date, practical guidelines for planning and conducting assessment. Demonstrates the critical nature of assessment in academic libraries in the 21st century Identifies and discusses in detail effective assessment practices in higher education Explains why and how specific methods have been useful in determining the library's impact Suggests methods to use to demonstrate your library's significant value in multiple areas Identifies ways in which any library can get started with assessment in their library Shows how libraries can demonstrate their support of the university's vision and mission

Libraries are public places-open to anyone and everyone. This book contains invaluable, practical tips for library staff who sometimes must deal with difficult or even dangerous individuals and situations. Every library experiences difficult patrons. Thorough preparation is the best defense: it's always much better to be proactive than reactive. The authors of Crash Course in Dealing with Difficult Library Customers realized that these kinds of situations are more universal than unique, despite the great variations in library environments and customer bases, and pooled their more than 100 years of experience to offer practical advice that will help library staff prepare for the many kinds of "worst case scenarios"-before they arise. The book identifies the basic types of problem-causing individuals, thoroughly overviews effective strategies for offsetting their actions, and explains how to successfully manage the stressful, emotionally charged situations that can arise. Drawing on their extensive real-world experience, the authors provide instructions for "last resort" options when dealing with illegal activities, acknowledge the rights of employees in difficult situations, and present strategies that will minimize staff members' stress levels when dealing with patrons. While this book will be extremely valuable to public library staff, it addresses common situations that can happen in public service at any type of library. Administrators who need to develop policies to protect their staff and their users will also find this unique work essential reading. Presents practical, down-to-earth approaches based on the authors' many years of real-world experience that can be applied in any type of library environment Provides advice about unpleasant situations in an accessible, non-threatening way that also injects an appropriate modicum of levity into a serious subject Supplies essential tools for dealing with difficult patrons ranging from "the censor" to "the VIP" to dangerous, unstable individuals Gives readers the knowledge they need to be prepared for handling potential problems, resulting in greater confidence and peace of mind at the workplace

Providing examples of successful approaches to unsettling Western archival paradigms from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, this book showcases vital community archival work that will illuminate decolonial archival practices for archivists, curators, heritage practitioners, and others responsible for the stewardship of materials by and about Indigenous communities. Simply put, decolonial archival practices involve thinking about and consciously changing how historical knowledge is produced, communicated, and preserved. And though it is especially critical that scholars and archivists who work with records by and about Indigenous people critically consider the implications of their work, this perspective is an essential one for all members of the profession. By examining archival practices that push against and actively counter settler colonialism, this book challenges non-Indigenous practitioners to consider constructs of knowledge, which histories we tell, and how the past is presented. Guided by the authors’ incisive synthesis of theory and current practice, readers will learn where Western archival practice is situated in relation to the colonial histories of Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and the ways in which archival structures have reinforced colonial relationships; a working definition of decolonial archival practice, which is rooted in concepts of community, reciprocity, and a desire to actively resist colonial recordkeeping practices; the implications of this approach for policy making, collection development, and arrangement and description; methods for reframing or reworking original order and provenance using digital technology, community participation, and removing hierarchical structures in order to meet the needs of Indigenous communities; examples of community-driven descriptive practices, in which Indigenous knowledge and languages are infused into archival description at both the fonds and file level; how the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Protocols for Native American Archival Material, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resources Network Protocols, and other cultural stewardship protocols can be implemented within archival practice; and more about the relationship building work that settler communities and researchers still need to do, demonstrated using examples of partnerships rooted in Indigenous knowledge structures, kinship ties, and relationships with the land.

Whether you've been presenting baby story times for fifteen years or fifteen minutes, you probably already know that the first five years of life are key for brain development and early literacy. Many public libraries have instituted baby and toddler programs, but finding exciting materials for baby story time that go beyond nursery rhymes can be a challenge. Baby Storytime Magic is a treasure trove of new and exciting ideas for programs, all of which revolve around themes from a baby's world. Inside this resource you'll find Finger plays, bounces, flannel boards, activities with props, songs, American Sign Language activities, and more, with items arranged by type of material Tips for planning story times, with advice on logistical issues such as age grouping, scheduling, formats, and physical setup Guidance on involving caregivers in baby story times, including suggested scripts for explaining the benefits of each activity and how to use it at home Age-appropriate book recommendations Information on the stages of early childhood development, plus an appendix of recommended additional resources A thematic index to find the right story time quickly Links to full-sized, downloadable flannel board patterns, craft patterns, and worksheets Packed with ready-to-use activities, reducing prep time substantially, this book is a valuable early literacy tool for every children's librarian.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1950.

In this study, Christian Vandendorpe examines how digital media and the Internet have changed the process of reading and writing, significantly altering our approaches toward research and reading, our assumptions about audience and response, and our theories of memory, legibility, and context. Reflecting on the full history of the written word, Vandendorpe provides a clear overview of how materiality makes a difference in the creation and interpretation of texts. Surveying the conventions of reading and writing that have appeared and disappeared in the Internet's wake, Vandendorpe considers various forms of organization, textual design, the use (and distrust) of illustrations, and styles of reference and annotation. He also examines the novel components of digital texts, including hyperlinks and emoticons, and looks at emergent, collaborative genres such as blogs and wikis, which blur the distinction between author and reader. Looking to the future, reading and writing will continue to evolve based on the current, contested trends of universal digitization and accessibility.

This title offers pre-service, newly practicing, and seasoned school librarians opportunities for reflection as well as inspiring strategies for enacting four core values of the profession. The school library profession has been in "crisis" for more than a decade. Educational decision-makers have not been made aware of or sold on the core values of school librarianship and its value to students, classroom teachers, administrators, and the entire school community. Budgetary priorities often do not include school librarians, resulting in a lack of funding and the elimination of many positions, which can cause many school librarians to feel vulnerable and afraid. Guideposts are needed to offer today's school librarians a chance to connect or reconnect with their passion for literacy, learning, and serving that led them to the profession. Core Values in School Librarianship: Responding with Commitment and Courage provides preservice, newly practicing, and seasoned school librarians with opportunities for thoughtful reflection alongside inspiring strategies for gathering courage and enacting four core values of the profession. It is an important and visionary book that all school librarians should read as they develop in their role as leaders in their schools. Guides readers to connect or reconnect with passion and purpose for school librarianship, both of which are essential during times of crisis and change Addresses the core values of librarianship with examples of how they are enacted in the school library setting Features diverse voices and experiences related to passion and practice of the core values Provides opportunities for reflection to improve practice and strengthen commitment to the work of school librarianship Benefits library stakeholders

An insider's guide to data librarianship packed full of practical examples and advice for any library and information professional learning to deal with data. Interest in data has been growing in recent years. Support for this peculiar class of digital information - its use, preservation and curation, and how to support researchers' production and consumption of it in ever greater volumes to create new knowledge, is needed more than ever. Many librarians and information professionals are finding their working life is pulling them toward data support or research data management but lack the skills required. The Data Librarian's Handbook, written by two data librarians with over 30 years' combined experience, unpicks the everyday role of the data librarian and offers practical guidance on how to collect, curate and crunch data for economic, social and scientific purposes. With contemporary case studies from a range of institutions and disciplines, tips for best practice, study aids and links to key resources, this book is a must-read for all new entrants to the field, library and information students and working professionals. Key topics covered include: the evolution of data libraries and data archives handling data compared to other forms of information managing and curating data to ensure effective use and longevity how to incorporate data literacy into mainstream library instruction and information literacy training how to develop an effective institutional research data management (RDM) policy and infrastructure how to support and review a data management plan (DMP) for a project, a key requirement for most research funders approaches for developing, managing and promoting data repositories handling and sharing confidential or sensitive data supporting open scholarship and open science, ensuring data are discoverable, accessible, intelligible and assessable. This title is for the practising data librarian, possibly new in their post with little experience of providing data support. It is also for managers and policy-makers, public service librarians, research data management coordinators and data support staff. It will also appeal to students and lecturers in iSchools and other library and information degree programmes where academic research support is taught.

Whether you are planning to enter the field of librarianship or are a seasoned veteran, your success requires conscious planning. With its big picture approach, this guide shows you how to manage your career to optimize professional fulfillment. This book is a practical and straightforward approach to finessing your practice, with easy-to-implement takeaways. Covering topics that range from determining a career vision and cultivating relationships to using narrative to make connections and employing mindfulness, compassion, and self-forgiveness; this book will help librarians at all stages of their careers to take charge and forge their own way in the vast and shifting landscape of information science. You will discover new perspectives, gain knowledge, and prepare to take decisive action to further your professional practice. You also will be prompted to consider new ways of thinking about your current practice as well as where you want to go. By developing a deliberative approach to building a practice, you will come away ready for action and with a new perspective-on yourself, your work, your organization, and the community your serve. Outlines a deliberate approach to building a successful practice, offering librarians a clear direction for advancing professionally Encourages targeted exploration of seven essential components of professional practice Helps librarians to connect the material to their own professional lives through conceptual framing, reflective prompts, and action-oriented exercises Can be adapted to any stage of a librarian's career and for practice in any type of library

Since its initial publication this text has served as an essential resource for both LIS students and practitioners. Journal of Hospital Librarianship deemed it ‘a librarian’s dream… very forward-thinking.’ The new fourth edition offers an updated, comprehensive examination of the myriad of basic skills effective library managers must exercise throughout their careers. Throughout, the authors pay close attention to management in ‘new normal’ straitened economic conditions and the pervasive impact of technology on a library manager’s role. This book, to quote Australian Library Journal, is ‘a recommended text for library science students, but is also an excellent source of information for career librarians wanting to refresh their knowledge of library management in a fastmoving information services environment.’

Public access to government information forms the foundation of a healthy liberal democracy. Because this information can be precarious, it needs stewardship. Government Information in Canada provides analysis about the state of Canadian government information publishing. Experts from across the country draw on decades of experience to offer a broad, well-founded survey of history, procedures, and emerging issues-particularly the challenges faced by practitioners during the transition of government information from print to digital access. This is an indispensable book for librarians, archivists, researchers, journalists, and everyone who uses government information and wants to know more about its publication, circulation, and retention. Contributors: Graeme Campbell, Talia Chung, Sandra Craig, Peter Ellinger, Darlene Fichter, Michelle Lake, Sam-chin Li, Steve Marks, Maureen Martyn, Catherine McGoveran, Martha Murphy, Dani J. Pahulje , Susan Paterson , Carol Perry, Caron Rollins, Gregory Salmers, Tom J. Smyth, Brian Tobin, Amanda Wakaruk, Nicholas Worby

Everyone needs assistance and guidance on managing their personal digital information and library and information professionals are in a unique position to help. This book will help them pass on critical skills and simple principles for how to store, share, and preserve digital objects. Personal Digital Archiving (PDA) is the collection, management, and preservation of personal materials created in digital media. These materials can include digital photographs and videos, documents, e-mail, websites, and social media content. For information professionals, PDA encourages collaboration with users, with the goals of supporting digital information fluency and assisting individuals in their efforts to preserve their personal and family digital records. Featuring expert contributors working in a variety of contexts, this practical resource will help librarians empower their users to take charge of their personal digital materials. Coverage includes: explanations of common terms in plain language quick, non-technical solutions to the most frequent user requests guidance on how to archive social media posts, digital photographs and web content an exploration of data, privacy and ethical concerns that must be considered when archiving and curating personal data ways to help plan digital estates as heirlooms and memory objects perspective on balancing core library values with the business goals of Google, Amazon, Facebook, and other dominant platforms additional resources and bibliographies for digging deeper. This book will be useful reading for library and information professionals working in all sectors, archivists and LIS students.

Two authors with more than 40 years of combined library experience tap into their wealth of knowledge about discovery and user experience, sharing proven methods for setting up, promoting, and teaching their own discovery systems. Discovery systems are the new one-stop search model for libraries, but simply implementing the software doesn't ensure that it will meet your users' search needs. This book looks at how discovery systems are actually used by examining the findings of several user experience (UX) studies, providing data and observations that will inform your decisions about selecting, implementing, and enhancing this software. This book provides library practitioners who choose, administer, and interact with discovery systems with insight for establishing or fine-tuning a discovery system. You will understand how the use and effectiveness of the top discovery systems compare to more traditional databases and web resources, get insight into the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the best-selling discovery systems, and examine the UX research findings of the authors on student response and faculty response. You'll also learn about key configuration options that help or hinder search success with these systems and affect content selection, linking software setup, and interlibrary loan processes. The book concludes with recommended best practices for promoting discovery systems, including web design, placement on the library's website, getting coworkers on board, and PR ideas.

This hands-on guide provides both new and seasoned information professionals with a practical foundation for electronic resources management: how it came to be, where it is today and the essential tools needed to get the job done. Electronic resources management is a dynamic and ever-changing area of librarianship. Fundamentals of Electronic Resources Management cuts through the complexity of the role and offers advice on methods, tools and workflows with emphasis on the interconnection between workflows and systems. Content covered includes: - the full range of purchasing options, from unbundling package subscriptions to pay per view - evaluating both new content and current resources - common clauses in licensing agreements and what they mean - selecting and managing Open Access resources - understanding methods of e-resources access authentication - using a triage approach to troubleshoot electronic resources access issues - the basic principles of usage statistics, and ways to use COUNTER reports when evaluating renewals - tips for activating targets in a knowledge base - marketing tools and techniques - clear explanations of jargon, important terms, and acronyms. This guide will prove invaluable, both as an introduction for those preparing to enter the field, as well as a ready reference for current practitioners.

This book provides practical information and insights to library administrators and building plan team members at academic and public libraries who are considering or starting a library expansion or reconfiguration of existing space. Building a new library or expanding or renovating an existing building brings up a host of questions and concerns, not the least of which involves the future of the library. This book addresses those issues in light of an overarching positive vision of libraries and their evolving purposes and roles in the 21st century. This guide identifies and addresses all of the steps in the building process, including preparing the request for proposal (RFP), selecting the right architect for the job, developing a financial contingency plan, and managing stakeholders' expectations. The book presents both the perspectives and experience of library administrators and management personnel as well as the insights of accomplished library architects and designers. It provides thorough, practical, and current guidance in a process that library administrators often find daunting and "risk immersive." Reading this book is like sitting down with a knowledgeable, impartial consultant before beginning a major renovation project-a tremendous asset for library administrators as well as architectural firms. Covers all of the steps in the building process, from preparing the RFP and selecting an architect to developing a financial contingency plan and managing community and staff expectations Includes contributions from some of the most accomplished library architects and designers from across the nation Presents information of great relevance and interest to library administrators as well as to architectural firms that work with libraries