This is the first book focusing on the ROI for technology investments written by a technology executive for technology decision makers with the support and guidance of the foremost authority in the discipline of Return on Investment. This book leverages the talents of both authors to provide a framework and methodology that can ensure greater success in mobilizing technology initiatives. There is no other book on the market that specifically addresses the critical need to prove ROI on resource intensive technology projects with a time-tested and industry leading methodology. To date, most ROI books have focused in the areas of human performance, training, marketing, and other human capital related disciplines.
With increased scrutiny of technology spending by the most complex organizations in the world, technology leaders need a 'tool kit' to help them prepare for hard-hitting discussions with their organization's CFO, president, CEO, or chairman about the return they should expect from critical technology projects. Rather than focusing top managers' attention on cutting, challenging, and controlling expenditures (as many C-level accountants prefer to do), this approach guides technology managers in providing executives with more comprehensive, balanced information that helps all involved make better business decisions. Along the way, it helps technology managers communicate more effectively with the financial decision makers in their organizations. The book also shows executives how partnering with IT leaders can help top management understand the return these technology projects can provide to the organization in increased human efficiency, automation of manual processes, unifiedorganizational data, and other high-return results from complex and critical technology initiatives.
At the same time, executives and IT professionals need to have their projects measured with a balanced perspective. While the ROI itself is very important, it's also important to capture intangibles related to the project, as well as information about application and implementation of the project. Even earlier in the cycle, it's important to capture reaction to the technology and the extent to which individuals have learned the technology. Together, these data sets represent a balanced profile of success, with ROI at the pinnacle.
* Globally renowned ROI institute methodology applied to technology
* Unique author combination of a technology executive for technology decision makers and the foremost authority on ROI
* Source of basic research techniques, applications, experiences and resources available to expose the value of key technology initiatives

Social work curriculum changes that really work. The Boyer Report and the Council on Social Work Education have placed expectations on universities and social work programs to make sure undergraduate students know how to develop, use, and communicate empirically-based knowledge. Building Excellence is a handbook for integrating research into undergraduate curriculums, using the curriculum of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work as an example. This unique book showcases social work research conducted by UT seniors, who were paired upon graduation with doctoral students who helped them place their research in publication form. Building Excellence demonstrates how universities can develop into communities of learners by strengthening critical thinking, independent thinking, and creative imagination at the undergraduate level. For several years, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has created opportunities for students to gain professional experience in their fields of interest through research projects that establish the connection between study and knowledge. The results of several projects conducted by UT seniors are presented here, reaffirming that faculty mentoring is crucial to this effort. Student research findings presented in Building Excellence examine: emotional and behavioral symptoms of sexually abused children using two symptom scales-internalizing and externalizing stress and strain experienced by personal care assistants caring for people suffering from dementia the relationship between childhood abuse and adult suicide the effectiveness of court-mandated treatment of recidivism among juvenile offenders barriers to effective medication adherence among the elderly Building Excellence demonstrates how the University of Tennessee's social work curriculum has enhanced student capacity and practice effectiveness. The book is an essential read for social work academics working at all levels.

Digital Information and Knowledge Management examines how academic librarians can use knowledge management to provide an increasing amount of electronic information to an expanding user base. Several of the country's leading library administrators analyze these vital issues from the perspectives of both information providers and library users, exploring the challenges of selecting and managing electronic information and resources, making the most of knowledge management, and improving digital access to their users. Electronic resources have given the library new roles to fill and created a demand for librarians skilled in the acquisition, retrieval, and dissemination of digital information. Libraries and librarians have met the challenges presented by digital resources and have moved from building collections of print materials into the growing field of knowledge management. Digital Information and Knowledge Management offers insights into how librarians are making that transition to enhance the resources and services they can offer library users. Topics examined in Digital Information and Knowledge Management include: cooperative collection development the balance of print and electronic resources the evolution of digital resources in libraries the concept of knowledge management changes in research libraries knowledge management in academic libraries factors that influence the selection of electronic resources disseminating information about scholarly collections the need for a standardized method of information presentation successful approaches to managing digital information the digitalization of collections and historical materials how to maintain the connections between academic disciplines and libraries and much more! Digital Information and Knowledge Management is an essential professional resource for senior- and mid-level library administrators, and for acquisitions, reference, and collections librarians.

Give your patrons access to the digital content they need Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries is an essential guide to the challenges of acquiring, licensing, and managing the electronic access and use of books and journals. Medical librarians working in a variety of settings, including academic health centers, hospital libraries, and government health associations, provide entry-level, mid-career, and experienced librarians with comprehensive information and advice on dealing with electronic resources. This invaluable resource examines a wide range of issues, including collection development, pricing, open access, licensing, remote access, statistics, publisher liability, and the Semantic Web. As healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and students rely more and more on digital content, medical libraries spend more and more time dealing with the complexities surrounding the use of e-resources. Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries examines the issues they face everyday, including the shift from print to electronic materials, off-campus and cross-campus access, usage statistics, journal pricing, open-access publishing, licensing, collection development, and much more. Topics addressed in Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries include: how to negotiate consortial packages how to use an electronic resource management (ERM) system how to create a portal to share electronic resources how to consolidate costs and provide wide access how open access affects pricing how to establish and maintain access to licensed e-resources how to develop a combined e-journal Web page how off-campus students interact with a full-service document delivery option for electronic journals how to integrate e-resources into an online catalog how to apply emerging Semantic Web technologies to digital libraries and much more Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries is an invaluable professional guide for medical and academic librarians, and a helpful classroom resource for faculty and students in library schools.

Effectively assess whether any library is making good use of the reference/user service resources available today Libraries need to develop standards by which they can assess their individual performances in a larger context, and Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age makes significant contributions to this ongoing discussion. The book addresses its subject matter via approaches ranging from case studies of individual libraries to general discussions of best practices. The contributors explore the impact of the Internet on the field of evaluation, focusing on electronic reference and instruction. They highlight current issues, present research results, and offer expert advice on how to assess online reference and instruction. All chapters are well referenced to facilitate further study, and many include tables, appendixes, checklists, and other helpful features that make difficult information easy to access and understand. The chapters that make up Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age are as rich and varied as the backgrounds of their authors. Experienced researchers provide the results of studies conducted to determine the nature and effectiveness of the online reference services offered by various libraries. Practitioners and administrators from different institutional settings (academic libraries, public libraries, consortiums, etc.) provide their perspectives on the issues facing librarians who need to assess the electronic services they provide. In this important new book: Andrew Briedenbagh shows how a chat service can be implemented and suggests which data should be collected for it Buff Hirko examines VET: the Virtual Evaluation Toolkit Ruth Vondracek shares the experiences of a university library as it entered a statewide e-reference consortium, and offers advice and issues to consider before entering such a partnership librarians from San Jose State University present a model for evaluating electronic reference services that can be used in public or academic libraries Kathleen Kern discusses holistic evaluation chat transcripts are addressed in several chapters, including Joseph Fennewald's comparisons of question categories, Lesley Moyo's analysis of the use of instruction in the virtual environment, and Caleb Tucker-Raymond's proposed set of quality measures for chat reference Laurie Probst and Michael Pelikan report on the use of a Tell Us What You Think button to gather user feedback Kristi Nelson and Catherine L. Ross examine a research study that asked library school students to submit a reference question online and report on their experiences Melissa Gross, Charles McClure, and R. David Lankes suggest measures to determine the cost and benefits of a virtual reference service librarians from Utah State University describe the development of their online instructional module Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age is designed as essential reading for library administrators, public service librarians, and researchers. It provides general advice for practitioners as well as an examination of research results and methodological issues. We urge you to consider making it part of your professional or teaching collection today.

Effectively assess whether any library is making good use of the reference/user service resources available today Libraries need to develop standards by which they can assess their individual performances in a larger context, and Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age makes significant contributions to this ongoing discussion. The book addresses its subject matter via approaches ranging from case studies of individual libraries to general discussions of best practices. The contributors explore the impact of the Internet on the field of evaluation, focusing on electronic reference and instruction. They highlight current issues, present research results, and offer expert advice on how to assess online reference and instruction. All chapters are well referenced to facilitate further study, and many include tables, appendixes, checklists, and other helpful features that make difficult information easy to access and understand. The chapters that make up Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age are as rich and varied as the backgrounds of their authors. Experienced researchers provide the results of studies conducted to determine the nature and effectiveness of the online reference services offered by various libraries. Practitioners and administrators from different institutional settings (academic libraries, public libraries, consortiums, etc.) provide their perspectives on the issues facing librarians who need to assess the electronic services they provide. In this important new book: Andrew Briedenbagh shows how a chat service can be implemented and suggests which data should be collected for it Buff Hirko examines VET: the Virtual Evaluation Toolkit Ruth Vondracek shares the experiences of a university library as it entered a statewide e-reference consortium, and offers advice and issues to consider before entering such a partnership librarians from San Jose State University present a model for evaluating electronic reference services that can be used in public or academic libraries Kathleen Kern discusses holistic evaluation chat transcripts are addressed in several chapters, including Joseph Fennewald's comparisons of question categories, Lesley Moyo's analysis of the use of instruction in the virtual environment, and Caleb Tucker-Raymond's proposed set of quality measures for chat reference Laurie Probst and Michael Pelikan report on the use of a Tell Us What You Think button to gather user feedback Kristi Nelson and Catherine L. Ross examine a research study that asked library school students to submit a reference question online and report on their experiences Melissa Gross, Charles McClure, and R. David Lankes suggest measures to determine the cost and benefits of a virtual reference service librarians from Utah State University describe the development of their online instructional module Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age is designed as essential reading for library administrators, public service librarians, and researchers. It provides general advice for practitioners as well as an examination of research results and methodological issues. We urge you to consider making it part of your professional or teaching collection today.

An essential tool for digital services for every campus library The Twelfth Off-Campus Library Services Proceedings is a selection of superb presentations from the twelfth annual conference on library services held in Savannah, Georgia in April 2006. Respected experts tackle the latest issues in library services, distance learning, and administration, focusing on theory, best practices, and practical digital applications using the most current research available at the time of the conference. Case studies provide a clear view of the challenges present in various types of campus libraries, and practical strategies are offered to more fully utilize electronic resources in the future. This comprehensive collection provides valuable advice on copyright issues, evaluating library services Web sites, best practices for distance learning instruction, Weblogs in instruction, collaborative efforts, and many other of the latest issues. Practical ideas consider budget and knowledge constraints, emphasizing strategies using the latest digital software. The future of electronic services in campus libraries is considered in detail. The book also contains workshop and poster abstracts, including full papers when provided by the author. The Twelfth Off-Campus Library Services Proceedings contains several helpful tables and appendixes to clearly illustrate surveys and data results. Each chapter is carefully referenced. Topics in The Twelfth Off-Campus Library Services Proceedings include: providing education on the key differences between copyright and plagiarism results of a survey from users to determine usefulness of content and services offered in an electronic environment findings of a survey on the form and function models within regional campus librarians comparison between (ARL/ACRL) SPEC Kit data and a selection of current library literature survey results on the professional development needs of distance librarians the use of blogs as a supplement to face-to-face instruction and as outreach the role of e-mail reference in electronic services virtual (real-time chat) reference collaborations recommendations for modifications to the process of adapting and testing an analytic rubric used with graduate literature reviews case study in statewide cooperation in the delivery of library services much, much more! The Twelfth Off-Campus Library Services Proceedings is an invaluable resource that explores present and future digital library services challenges for campus librarians of all types everywhere.

Can the Dewey Decimal System meet the needs of the rapidly changing information environment? Moving Beyond the Presentation Layer explores the Dewey Decimal System from a variety of perspectives, each of which peels away a bit of the presentation layerthe familiar linear notational sequence-to reveal the content and context offered by the DDS. Library professionals from around the word examine how the content and context offered by the DDS can evolve to meet the needs of the changing information environment, with a special focus on the impact of the Internet on current and future developments. Moving Beyond the Presentation Layer examines whether the Dewey Decimal System is a rigid structure best suited to a physical information environment or a polymorphic one that can be adapted to meet a variety of physical and virtual needs. This unique book reviews the 40-year history of the online use of classification systems, the development of the Relative Index over 22 editions of the DDC, recommendations to ensure the viability of the DDC in a time of mass digitization, using DDS in an environment where it hasn't been used before, teaching the DDS, special issues related to the use of the DDS in Europe, North America, and Africa, and the future of online classification. Topics examined in Moving Beyond the Presentation Layer include: using the DDC as the browsing mechanism for resource discovery classification as an online cataloging tool classification as an online end-user tool browser behavior in a DDC-based Web service the role of the DDS in the ongoing HILT (High-Level Thesaurus) project using the DDS to organize Web resources localization and interoperability in knowledge organization mapping terminologies to classification systems the DeweyBrowser and much more Moving Beyond the Presentation Layer is an essential professional resource for librarians, information scientists, computer scientists, and metadata and Web services specialists.

Get practical solutions to the problems faced when implementing an electronic reserve service! Academic libraries that provide electronic reserve services offer convenient access to information to their students and faculty while gaining numerous other advantages, such as reducing both loss and staff workload. Marketing and Managing Electronic Reserves presents leading authorities with practical solutions to the challenges in effectively integrating electronic reserves services and marketing them to users. This book provides positive approaches that any academic library considering the implementation of an electronic reserve operation can use. All factors are considered, including size of institution, the relationship between the library and academic departments, and the budget and plan for marketing the service. More and more colleges and universities are implementing distance education programs, highlighting the increasing need for remote access to information in the library, including reserve material. But executing monumental change is always difficult. Marketing and Managing Electronic Reserves tackles the difficult issues, discussing various libraries' journeys in bringing about the changes needed to remain the central information source for students and faculty. Problems inherent in the evolution from traditional reserve services to electronic reserves are examined, offering effective strategies for smooth transition. Whatever type of system you are considering, from homegrown to commercial to hybrid electronic reserves service, this book can help. Marketing and Managing Electronic Reserves explains how others tackled challenges, such as: implementing Endeavor's Voyager Integrated Library System and the software used for authenticating users handling copyright compliance integration of electronic reserves into course management systems moving from a paper-based to a Web-based course reserve system offering and marketing one-stop teaching support to faculty a large institution's shift to a collaborative approach with electronic reserves and course management software establishing a suite of electronic utilities that fulfills teaching and essential learning activities implementing the Blackboard Content System marketing for a smooth transition from traditional to electronic reserves marketing to the faculty process improvement technique applied to electronic reserves integration of electronic reserve with a Library Management System and Course Management System trends for the future Marketing and Managing Electronic Reserves is crucial reading for access services librarians, circulation and reserve librarians, public service librarians, library school faculty who teach public services courses, integrated library systems managers, and university course management software specialists.

Integrate the freshest research with clinical practiceOccupational therapy (OT) practitioners often lack the fundamental skills to conduct or effectively use research, illustrating a disturbing gap between the advancement of theoretical concepts and the extent to which concepts are actually applied. The Scholarship of Practice: Academic-Practice Collaborations for Promoting Occupational Therapy closes this gap by presenting a conceptual framework that integrates theory and research with clinical practice. Leaders in the field provide insightful, thought-provoking ideas and strategies to promote research and facilitate effective new concepts and theories to hands-on practitioners.The Scholarship of Practice is a model that blends education with practice, dynamically applying theoretical principles of occupational therapy learned in the classroom to their actual clinical practice. This framework is a planned, focused, practice-relevant way to educate students, build a tradition of independent scholarship, consult with community-based organizations, and contribute to best occupational therapy practice. Case studies show how partnerships and collaborative efforts can foster and apply important advances and rehabilitative strategies within communities. Examples of faculty-practitioner partnering at Duquesne University and the approach to scholarship at the University of Illinois are clearly discussed. This cutting-edge compilation of ideas and research is extensively referenced and filled with useful diagrams and tables.The Scholarship of Practice: Academic-Practice Collaborations for Promoting Occupational Therapy discusses: evidence-based scholarship participatory action research single case study designs approaches that provide scientific evidence supporting OT services how theory, models, or frames of reference are modified as a result of practice demands or expectations best practices in education continuum of care services the "New Doors Model" that provides occupation-based services--while providing new opportunities for occupational therapists the Practice-Scholar Program at Duquesne University the Concerns Report Method research on the outcomes of practice that support improved services creative fieldwork education that engages students in the scholarship of practice and more The Scholarship of Practice: Academic-Practice Collaborations for Promoting Occupational Therapy makes important, enlightening reading for occupational therapists, OT educators and scholars, and graduate students preparing for advanced roles in OT.

Expand your knowledge of problems and possibilities with e-material acquisitions around the world to aid in making your own decisions The demand for electronic material in academic libraries is growing and shows no sign of abating. Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment addresses key issues in electronic materials development and presents cutting-edge practices from academic libraries around the world. Leading authorities reveal insights on both common and special concerns that every library administrator can use in making decisions about their own collections. The text also presents real-life case studies illustrating approaches that can be modified for effective planning of your own library acquisitions. The strategies are practical, the information clear and helpful, all of it contained in a single useful volume that every information science professional or academic can use. Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment is separated into three sections. The first section tackles issues common to most academic libraries such as electronic journal delivery and budgeting. The second section addresses special library digital issues such as the preservation and dissemination of unique types of information such as annual reports. The final section delves into the future of library electronic acquisitions and the coming challenges. This text is carefully referenced and includes tables and figures to enhance understanding of the subjects. Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment topics include: virtual learning environments (VLE) problems of pricing and access with individually ordered or packaged electronic journals budgeting issues in electronic resources management of electronic-only versions of journals electronic vs. paper serialsincluding selection criteria of each copyright lawand its impact on electronic acquisitions subscriptions to databases and the variations in depth and quality of indexing the challenges in creation of an electronic collection of historical annual reports costs and delivery options for unbundled and integrated media materials systematic incentives to implement archiving of peer-reviewed papers produced by faculty PDA serials issues Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment is helpful, horizon-expanding information for librarians, library administrators, archivists, publishers, and library and information science educators and students.

Expand your knowledge of problems and possibilities with e-material acquisitions around the world to aid in making your own decisions The demand for electronic material in academic libraries is growing and shows no sign of abating. Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment addresses key issues in electronic materials development and presents cutting-edge practices from academic libraries around the world. Leading authorities reveal insights on both common and special concerns that every library administrator can use in making decisions about their own collections. The text also presents real-life case studies illustrating approaches that can be modified for effective planning of your own library acquisitions. The strategies are practical, the information clear and helpful, all of it contained in a single useful volume that every information science professional or academic can use. Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment is separated into three sections. The first section tackles issues common to most academic libraries such as electronic journal delivery and budgeting. The second section addresses special library digital issues such as the preservation and dissemination of unique types of information such as annual reports. The final section delves into the future of library electronic acquisitions and the coming challenges. This text is carefully referenced and includes tables and figures to enhance understanding of the subjects. Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment topics include: virtual learning environments (VLE) problems of pricing and access with individually ordered or packaged electronic journals budgeting issues in electronic resources management of electronic-only versions of journals electronic vs. paper serialsincluding selection criteria of each copyright lawand its impact on electronic acquisitions subscriptions to databases and the variations in depth and quality of indexing the challenges in creation of an electronic collection of historical annual reports costs and delivery options for unbundled and integrated media materials systematic incentives to implement archiving of peer-reviewed papers produced by faculty PDA serials issues Collection Development Issues in the Online Environment is helpful, horizon-expanding information for librarians, library administrators, archivists, publishers, and library and information science educators and students.

Why and how can records serve as evidence of human rights violations, in particular crimes against humanity, and help the fight against impunity? Archives and Human Rights shows the close relationship between archives and human rights and discusses the emergence, at the international level, of the principles of the right to truth, justice and reparation. Through a historical overview and topical case studies from different regions of the world the book discusses how records can concretely support these principles. The current examples also demonstrate how the perception of the role of the archivist has undergone a metamorphosis in recent decades, towards the idea that archivists can and must play an active role in defending basic human rights, first and foremost by enabling access to documentation on human rights violations. Confronting painful memories of the past is a way to make the ghosts disappear and begin building a brighter, more serene future. The establishment of international justice mechanisms and the creation of truth commissions are important elements of this process. The healing begins with the acknowledgment that painful chapters are essential parts of history; archives then play a crucial role by providing evidence. This book is both a tool and an inspiration to use archives in defence of human rights. The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/ISBN, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

A daily diary of actual interactions between a reference desk librarian and his patrons Reference Librarianship documents a year in the life of a young librarian working in the "trenches" at a library in the Midwestern United States. This one-of-a-kind book provides a daily diary of every librarian/patron transaction-no matter how mundane or absurd-to demonstrate not only how advances in technology have affected the reference librarian's job, but how the public's expectations have changed, as well. The book also includes observations by a now-retired reference librarian on the current state of the field based on these unedited interactions. Over the past two decades, the job of reference librarian has seen many changes. But in many ways, reference desk work hasn't changed a bit, with its mix of odd, humorous, routine, and ridiculous requests that capture what it's like to deal with patrons day after day. Reference Librarianship paints a clear picture of the field for library school students, provides emotional and philosophical support to practitioners, and reminds library administrators of what life was like on the "front lines." A sampling of the daily transactions documented in Reference Librarianship: Monday, May 19, 2003: pencil pencil network down I tell people that I can't sign them up for an Internet terminal because the network is down and they just stand there, staring into space One of them asks for three days worth of newspapers microfiche machine explanation Sorry, Sir, the network is still down (multiply by twenty and insert randomly into the remainder of the day) magic tricks, but he pretty much knew where they were One of our large interior plate glass windows shattered. No one was hurt and it made a fascinating noise, like a crystal waterfall landing on soil. "Books on prostitution, you know-whores?" Someone from the County called to ask if any criminal activity had occurred on a particular street. Someone else referred her to us. She was dubious-with good reason. "Math puzzles." Okay. I show him the books. "Just math." Certainly. I show him the books. "I need them in Spanish." Grrr ... Reference Librarianship is an enlightening, educational, and entertaining look at the real world of reference desk work. It's an essential read for reference librarians (both public and academic), library administrators, and library school students, as well as anyone who works with the public.

Design and deliver traditional reference services in new and innovative ways Librarians work in an environment of constant change created by new technology, budget restraints, inflationary costs, and rising user expectations. New Directions in Reference examines how they can use new and innovative methods to design and deliver traditional reference services in a wide range of settings. The book's contributors relate first-hand experiences in libraries large and small, public and academic, and urban and rural dealing with a variety of changes, including virtual reference, music reference, self-service interlibrary loan, e-mail reference, and copyright law. Change isn't new to libraries but the accelerated pace of change is. Traditional lines that have existed between library departments have been erased and traditional notions about general and specialized reference services have been reconsidered. New Directions in Reference documents how librarians are re-thinking their roles and responsibilities to keep pace with the ongoing process of evolution that borders on revolution. New Directions in Reference examines: the skills needed to manage and evaluate virtual reference services the basics of modern copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) the changes in users, sources, and modes of access in music reference services the use of interlibrary loan management software that allows patrons to request, track, and renew borrowed materials online the Ask-A-Librarian e-mail reference service the Government Printing Office and government information online and much more! New Directions in Reference also includes case studies involving the new Martin Luther King Jr. Library in San Jose, California, and the impact of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in providing references services for medical libraries. This important book is an essential professional resource for public, academic, and special librarians, especially those providing reference services.

Design and deliver traditional reference services in new and innovative ways Librarians work in an environment of constant change created by new technology, budget restraints, inflationary costs, and rising user expectations. New Directions in Reference examines how they can use new and innovative methods to design and deliver traditional reference services in a wide range of settings. The book's contributors relate first-hand experiences in libraries large and small, public and academic, and urban and rural dealing with a variety of changes, including virtual reference, music reference, self-service interlibrary loan, e-mail reference, and copyright law. Change isn't new to libraries but the accelerated pace of change is. Traditional lines that have existed between library departments have been erased and traditional notions about general and specialized reference services have been reconsidered. New Directions in Reference documents how librarians are re-thinking their roles and responsibilities to keep pace with the ongoing process of evolution that borders on revolution. New Directions in Reference examines: the skills needed to manage and evaluate virtual reference services the basics of modern copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) the changes in users, sources, and modes of access in music reference services the use of interlibrary loan management software that allows patrons to request, track, and renew borrowed materials online the Ask-A-Librarian e-mail reference service the Government Printing Office and government information online and much more! New Directions in Reference also includes case studies involving the new Martin Luther King Jr. Library in San Jose, California, and the impact of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in providing references services for medical libraries. This important book is an essential professional resource for public, academic, and special librarians, especially those providing reference services.

Discover the history, development, and use of EAD, EAC, and EAG Encoding Across Frontiers is a careful selection of the finest presentations from the European Conference on Encoded Archival Description and Context (EAD and EAC) held in Paris, France in October 2004. International experts explore the history and practical use of EAD in Europe, the development and future of EAC, and a data format for information about archive holders, Encoded Archival Guide (EAG). Archivists will learn the latest in technology, practical applications, and international perspectives on how to transcend the printed word. Archivists have long imagined the practical benefits of using advanced technologies in their work. Encoding Across Frontiers is a detailed look at the technologies that have been transforming archival description, revealing a future that travels beyond the limits of traditional media. Respected authorities discuss ways to use technology to bring information to a wider audience through online services, standardization of data, the development and use of EAD, the issues in EAD implementation, case studies of implementation from France and the United Kingdom, the need to structure contextual information to allow access to archival material, and funding issues. Topics in Encoding Across Frontiers include: the history, use, and spread of EAD in Europe development of standards for describing archive creators and archive holdersand the tool called Encoded Archival Guide (EAG) a case study of the Bodleian Library's conversion to EAD the status of training for archivists in the use of EAD an examination of MidosaXML in Germany as a pilot application and tool the BASYS-Fox system and the scope of EAD in the Bundesarchiv EAD's capabilities as a tool for information created by different professional communities the sharing of descriptive standards between public archives and private collections a case study of the Metrica Regni Project in Poland four projects providing EAD users the means to control the quality of archival finding tools the Archives Departementales de la Cote-d'Or's decision to use a simple and efficient software package to publish online archival descriptions and the library catalogue a discussion of three different online services that provide federated access to finding aids in the United Kingdom the influence of American and European practices on EAD the relationship of EAD and EAC as data formats to national and international content standards the SIASFI Project and the Online Guide to the State Archives of Florence EAC and the development of national and European gateways to archives and so much more Encoding Across Frontiers is crucial reading for every archive professional at any level, archive students in training, and any allied library and museum professional with an interest in EAD, EAC, and EAG.

Everything you need to know about adding e-resources to your library's servicesHandbook of Electronic and Digital Acquisitions steers librarians through the process of evaluating, choosing, and managing electronic resources as they expand their collection development policies to include electronic databases. This handy, how-to guide takes a practical approach to acquisitions, providing commonsense information on basic copyright laws, fair use guidelines and policies, offsite and in-house databases, virtual reference software, EDI, and vendors. The book's contributors draw on their own experiences, providing case studies and helpful evaluation checklists, worksheets, and templates. Electronic journals, full-text databases, and electronic books are altering the traditional purpose of the library as an "archive" for publications. The Handbook of Electronic and Digital Acquisitions provides usable tips on the practical aspects of implementing electronic resources, helping librarians develop the potential of digital media as they work to provide their patrons with top quality access and services in a rapidly changing environment. The Handbook of Electronic and Digital Acquisitions examines: * evaluating databases for acquisition, retention, and withdrawal* budgeting for electronic resources* measuring user satisfaction* online aggregated databases* licensing agreements* the TEACH (Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization) Act* the Digital Millennium Copyright Act* e-mail tools* and much more!The Handbook of Electronic and Digital Acquisitions is an invaluable aid to librarians working at all levels as they attempt to keep pace with their changing environment.

Save time and avoid trouble as you search the Internet for reliable resources Evolving Internet Reference Resources provides both beginning and experienced researchers with a comprehensive overview of the key information sources available online in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. This invaluable book is your guide to the best free and subscription-based Internet sites and services for 26 diverse subject areas, including law, psychology, rhetoric, LGBT studies, health and medicine, engineering, Asian studies, and computer science. Experts in specific areas review Web sites, meta sites, indexing and abstracting services, directories, portals, databases, and blogs for their accessibility and usability, saving you valuable time and effort in your search for the best academic research and reference resources on the Web. Evolving Internet Reference Resources is your pathfinder for all levels of research in crucial areas of academic and general interest. The book will lead you through the almost overwhelming volume of information available online to help you steer clear of unreliable, untrustworthy, and slipshod material as you search for dictionaries, glossaries, bibliographies, images, book reviews, career information, fieldwork opportunities, biographical sources, timelines and chronologies, audio and video clips, interactive maps, online collections, and much more. Topics covered in Evolving Internet Reference Resources include: significant developments in the availability of art images on the Web how Internet resources have transformed rhetoric, composition, and poetry why free Web sites can sometimes be unreliable organizational strategies for librarians how commercial publishers have acquired some of the best LGBT online resources the potential for Internet resources to enhance social activism in Latin America new approaches taken by librarians in creating online information government agency Web sites online versions of college guides the development of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology the virtual reference shelf available to nursing students and faculty ESL (English as a Second Language) Web sites Evolving Internet Reference Resources is an essential tool for all librarians (academic, school, special, and public), library science faculty, and faculty and students in a wide variety of disciplines.

Get an inside view of producing digital information projects Digital technology has provided great opportunities as well as colossal challenges for information professionals at Slavic libraries, collections, and archives. Virtual Slavica: Digital Libraries, Digital Archives presents leading information experts exploring the monumental task of converting Slavic manuscripts and books for presentation in the digital realm. Readers get a clear inside view of how to conquer the various challenges that arise within digital library and archive projects through detailed descriptions of specific projects discussed in easy-to-understand language. Slavic studies present innate problems when attempts are made to allow access to the material over the Internet. The Cyrillic alphabet is just one of the huge stumbling blocks standing in the way of universal access to this important material. Virtual Slavica: Digital Libraries, Digital Archives provides practical strategies for anyone looking for answers to problems within their own virtual information project. Copyright issues, digital reference, text encoding, online translation, presentation issues, and use of grant funding are some the topics comprehensively discussed to give information professionals clear solutions to the issues they may be facing. The book is carefully referenced. Virtual Slavica: Digital Libraries, Digital Archives examines: the persistence of multiple standards for digitally handling the Cyrillic alphabet presenting the Comintern archives online FEB-webits structure, the creation of digital editions, its plans for the future copyright issues in the twenty-first century Meeting of Frontiersthe reorganization of the text content of the international collaborative digital library project at the Library of Congress standardized encoding practical and theoretical programming issues the unforeseen difficultiesand solutionsto complete a grant-funded digital Slavic project and more Virtual Slavica: Digital Libraries, Digital Archives is of keen interest to librarians, archivists, Slavic studies academics, and library and information science educators and students.

A view of the mutual dependence between libraries and vendors As technology advances, libraries are forced to reach beyond their own resources to find effective ways to maintain accuracy and superior service levels. Vendors provide databases and integrated library systems that perform those functions for profit. Library/Vendor Relationships examines the increasing cooperation in which libraries find they must participate in, and vice versa, with the vendors that provide system infrastructure and software. Expert contributors provide insights from all sides of this unique collaboration, offering cogent perspectives on the give and take process that every librarian, publisher, and database provider/producer can use. The symbiosis between libraries and vendors of databases relies heavily upon open communication to achieve each one's beneficial results. Library/Vendor Relationships explores this partnership between profit and nonprofit entities in detail, focusing on issues of crucial importance for both sides. A variety of diverse types of libraries and vendors give voice to the multitude of issues facing them. Several charts, graphs, and other helpful visuals are included. Topics in Library/Vendor Relationships include: options for preventing systematic downloading of material benefits and challenges of delivering products on multiple platformsusing the American Psychological Association's experiences as a case study book vendors' efforts to help libraries become more efficient comprehensive online support services to help increase interaction between libraries and academic publishers Anatolian University Libraries Consortium's effective relationship with vendors publisher and vendor use of library advisory boards to provide needed feedback a review of the database marketplace fostering a good relationship between library and vendor the future of government libraries in an increasingly technological age collaboration in standards development integrated ecommerce the relationship between OCLC and member institutions libraries' position between commerce and science vendor/community college library relationships e-mail discussion lists and more! Library/Vendor Relationships is stimulating, insightful reading for academic librarians, government librarians, public librarians, deans, directors, reference librarians, publishers, and database providers.

Explore a wealth of ideas, insights, and approaches that can be used or adapted by any medical library Curricular changes in the health professions, coupled with a growing acceptance of the Internet as a tool for daily living, have contributed to a climate of change and opportunity for health sciences libraries. A Guide to Developing End User Education Programs in Medical Libraries will help graduate students in library science, entry-level medical librarians, and experienced educators to understand best practices and to build, expand, and improve medical library-sponsored educational programs. A Guide to Developing End User Education Programs in Medical Libraries is designed to aid and inform professionals who develop, teach, or evaluate end-user education programs in health sciences libraries. Eighteen case studies represent the ideas and approaches of more than fifteen private and public institutions in the United States and the Caribbean. The studies focus on effective end-user programs for medical information electives, veterinary medicine programs, health care informatics, and evidence-based medicine, plus instructional programs for teaching residents, ThinkPad-facilitated instruction, and more. The guide also examines how several medical libraries have created and expanded their end-user education programs.The contributors to A Guide to Developing End User Education Programs in Medical Libraries are health sciences librarians from teaching hospitals, medical/dental/veterinary schools, and health professions-focused universities in a dozen U.S. states and the West Indies. Each of them is involved in designing, teaching, and evaluating user education. This book will help you educate students of medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, plus residents and practicing health professionals. The educational objectives and approaches in the case studies include: clinical medical librarianship integrating informatics objectives into curricula developing credit and non-credit coursework distance learning using new and emerging technologies to improve instructionThe case studies in A Guide to Developing End User Education Programs in Medical Libraries follow a format similar to that of the structured abstract, including introduction, setting, educational approaches, evaluation methods, future plans, conclusion, and references. Some are illustrated with tables and figures. Several are supplemented by material in chapter-specific appendixes. Further information about specific classes, programs, or teaching philosophies is made available via Web sites featured in the book.Let this valuable guide help you--and your institution--take advantage of the opportunities available at this exciting time in the evolution of library science

Find out what makes metadata an exciting addition to resource description Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer provides catalog librarians and students with a comprehensive instructional resource on the ongoing convergence of cataloging and metadata. Equally valuable in the classroom and as a professional reference tool, this unique book serves as an introduction to the concepts of metadata within bibliographic contexts, demonstrating the potential for resource description. The book introduces various metadata schemes, including the Dublin Core, Encoded Archival Description (EAD), and Extensive Markup Language (XML), and discusses how to plan and implement a metadata-driven digital library. Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer is more than a mere introduction to metadata applications and management. The book's contributors present basic operational definitions, an outline of the evolution of metadata in the cataloging community, and a discussion of basic metadata techniques, calling on hard-earned knowledge gained from their experiences as educators working in cataloging and metadata applications. They provide work forms, work plans, and practical examples that demonstrate the application of metadata for resource description and depository development. Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer examines: data structures MODAL (metadata objectives and principles, domains, and architectural layout) framework literary displacement knowledge domains discourse communities information ecologies personal metadata electronic resources authorship attributes cultural information resources instantiation data modeling DTD (document type definition) digital libraries and much more! Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer is an invaluable learning resource filled with introductory and theoretical material, original research, and instructive material for cataloging librarians and students.

Find out what makes metadata an exciting addition to resource description Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer provides catalog librarians and students with a comprehensive instructional resource on the ongoing convergence of cataloging and metadata. Equally valuable in the classroom and as a professional reference tool, this unique book serves as an introduction to the concepts of metadata within bibliographic contexts, demonstrating the potential for resource description. The book introduces various metadata schemes, including the Dublin Core, Encoded Archival Description (EAD), and Extensive Markup Language (XML), and discusses how to plan and implement a metadata-driven digital library. Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer is more than a mere introduction to metadata applications and management. The book's contributors present basic operational definitions, an outline of the evolution of metadata in the cataloging community, and a discussion of basic metadata techniques, calling on hard-earned knowledge gained from their experiences as educators working in cataloging and metadata applications. They provide work forms, work plans, and practical examples that demonstrate the application of metadata for resource description and depository development. Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer examines: data structures MODAL (metadata objectives and principles, domains, and architectural layout) framework literary displacement knowledge domains discourse communities information ecologies personal metadata electronic resources authorship attributes cultural information resources instantiation data modeling DTD (document type definition) digital libraries and much more! Metadata: A Cataloger's Primer is an invaluable learning resource filled with introductory and theoretical material, original research, and instructive material for cataloging librarians and students.

Get informed answers to your questions and concerns about integrating the materials in your library's collection Library collections have always included materials in many formats handling a mix of material types is an accepted part of library work. And in recent years, the very concept of collection has been significantly redefined by the addition of electronic resources. But are print and digital materials really merged in library collections or are they treated and maintained as separate entities? Integrating Print and Digital Resources in Library Collections examines a variety of collection management issues, combining practical theory, research findings, how-to articles, and opinion pieces to encourage efforts in establishing fully integrated and accessible collections. While achieving a truly integrated collection can be difficult, the failure to do so can lead to duplication of access, effort, and expense.Integrating Print and Digital Resources in Library Collections can help guide you through the difficult aspects of keeping your collection up-to-date, including the Big Deal and consortial purchasing, shifting the emphasis from purchasing print to procuring online resources for library reference work, analyzing use patterns of electronic versus hard copy resources, serials workflow studies, and review projects. Integrating Print and Digital Resources in Library Collections examines: the implications of electronic resource licenses future directions of academic reference collections technologies that can help integrate electronic resources into reference collections the Big Deal the purchase of access to large aggregations of materials in electronic formats integrating electronic resources into the collections of ARL libraries a corporate library's progression to an all-digital collection how to decide what can and can't be digitized how large e-book collections affect the circulation of comparable print collections and much more Integrating Print and Digital Resources in Library Collections is an invaluable resource for librarians experts and beginners seeking to develop the best collections for their patrons.