The rampant health injustices that occur daily throughout the world are exacerbated by health information injustice - something which libraries and librarians play an instrumental role in addressing. This volume brings together librarians, LIS students, educators, and researchers, to discuss the many ways that information professionals and libraries serve as agents of securing health information justice. Kicking off with an introductory chapter which covers the central concepts of health information injustice, the following chapters focus on the roles of libraries and librarians in improving consumer health literacy and reducing health disparities in their communities. In the final chapter, the editors draw on the authors' work to highlight the ways in which libraries and librarians are moving us closer to health justice, and they also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is both illuminating and intensifying health disparities, reinforcing the need for libraries and librarians to continue their important roles as agents of health information justice to ensure the physical and intellectual accessibility of information for all.

The proliferation of online access to social science statistical and numeric data sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau s American Fact Finder, has lead to an increased interest in supporting these sources in academic libraries. Many large libraries have been able to devote staff to data services for years, and recently smaller academic libraries have recognized the need to provide numeric data services and support. This guidebook serves as a primer to developing and supporting social science statistical and numerical data sources in the academic library. It provides strategies for the establishment of data services and offers short descriptions of the essential sources of free and commercial social science statistical and numeric data. Finally, it discusses the future of numeric data services, including the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the use of Web 2.0 tools to visualize data.
Written for a general reference audience with little knowledge of data services and sources who would like to incorporate support into their general reference practiceCombines information on establishing data services with an introduction to available statistical and numeric data sourcesProvides insight into the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the social science research process"

Are academic branch libraries going to be extinct in the near future? In these difficult economic times, when collections are digitized rapidly, is there still a need for a separate unit within proximity to the department, school, or college with a subject-based or subject-specific collection? Academic Branch Libraries in Changing Times gives a brief historical overview of the role of a branch academic library. It reviews the current situation from a practitioner s point of view and suggests solutions for the future.
Provides practical and realistic solutions to academic libraries that they can execute in their daily operating cycleCovers a variety of issues from staffing and public services, through to collections and bibliographic instructionPresents a clear analysis of the current situation and suggestions for the future"

Provide your mystery fans with background information on their favorite writers and series characters, and use this as a guide for adding contemporary titles to your collections. This book examines 100 of today's top mystery novels and mystery authors hailing from countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, and Australia. Equally valuable to students writing research papers, readers craving new authors or more information about their favorite authors, and teachers seeking specific types of fiction to support curricula, 100 Most Popular Contemporary Mystery Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies provides revealing information about today's best mysteries and authors-without any "spoilers." Each of the accomplished writers included in this guide has established a broad audience and is recognized for work that is imaginative and innovative. The rising stars of 21st century mystery will also be included, as will authors who have won the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award. Provides interesting and informative profiles of 100 popular, contemporary mystery and crime writers as well as overviews of their series characters Contains over 60 author photographs A bibliography lists information on each author's works as well as supporting source materials for the profiles

This book offers a completely new approach to the measurement of academic library effectiveness. Based on a significant empirical investigation, it contradicts established practices such as the measurement of outputs as indicators of effectiveness and the tendency to focus the evaluation of library effectiveness on the success of isolated activities. The book also explores in detail the fundamental inadequacy of library-based bibliographic instruction and information-seeking skills development. It argues that a student learns in order to become information literate and does not become information literate in order to learn. In so doing, it challenges much of the accepted wisdom in libraries and information technology.

Gerard McCabe's Operations Handbook for the Small Academic Library fills a real need. It should be of substantial benefit to many librarians working in such settings. The editor has done a good job of identifying the issues, finding a range of skilled practitioners to write intelligently and succinctly about those issues, and arranging and presenting the material in a straightforward fashion. . . . The information and advice is consistently sound and reliable, which makes this a text that can be recommended as a solid manual for those responsible for the management of small academic libraries. Wilson Library Bulletin Designed as a companion volume to The Smaller Academic Library: A Management Handbook (Greenwood Press, 1988), this book outlines specific suggestions for the efficient day-to-day operation of the small institution that has limited resources yet often must serve a broad cross section of academic and community interests. Written by experienced library management specialists, it is intended for library staffs at all levels as well as other readers who have an interest in libraries and their operation. Administrative functions, including cost data presentation and the use of bibliographic networks, are examined in the first several chapters. The authors next look at personnel issues and present guidelines on the design of jobs, recruitment and selection of librarians, staff training, and the employment of student workers. Circulation, the interlibrary loan, and off-campus library services are discussed in detail, and practical advice is given on the selection and utilization of technical services. A section on technology shows how to integrate new services and technoloy in the smaller institution and provides information on microcomputers, software, CD-ROM, and electronic book ordering. Other topics considered are the material selection process, periodical acquisition and budget control, the selection of monographs, and issues in library facility planning, such as interior design, furniture selection, and the utilization of space. The volume concludes with a bibliographic essay. Clear and readable, this book offers a systematic approach to revitalizing the diverse services, functions, and daily routines that make up the operation of the small academic library.

Public librarianship is a constantly changing field, and the direction of its development depends on theoretical and applied research. This book examines many of the research needs in public librarianship and discusses appropriate strategies to meet those needs. The chapters, written by active researchers in the public library field, reflect a variety of issues and opinions. Included are chapters on the evaluation of collections, community awareness of the library as an information source, models for library siting, and communication between librarians and public library educators. Recommendations for further investigations provided by the researchers identify possibilities for increasing knowledge in this field, and a bibliographic essay organizes and summarizes much of the work discussed in the text.

Pungitore's timely and important exploration of many of the critical issues affecting public libraries renders a significant service to public library decision makers. By exploring current national trends and views of advocates and detractors concerning the various issues discussed, the author provides assistance to public librarians who, faced with `dilemmas created by social, cultural, economic, and technological change' must make many `difficult choices that often involve compromise and accommodation'. . . . In addition to assisting public librarians and board members, themany issues addressed in this very worthy and much-needed work provide an introduction to numerous term paper and discussion topics for our public librarians of the future. Library Quarterly Although the various models of public library management that have been advocated are undoubtedly useful, Pungitore argues that reliance on any single model as the best approach to running a library fails to take account of the diversity and individual character of these institutions. Her book suggests a basis for assessing the suitability of different options to specific situations. Presenting an impartial survey of current trends and issues in the field, this book focuses on the central challenge facing today's public library: how to survive and grow in an environment shaped by continuing social, economic, and technological change. In addition to topics directly associated with changing conditions, Pungitore covers philosophical, administrative and service-related issues. In addition to topics directly associated with changing conditions, Pungitore covers philosophical, administrative, and service-related issues, devoting several chapters to each area. Each chapter summarizes a specific topic and discusses differing viewpoints and side issues relating to it. Aspects of public librarianship addressed include historical foundations; the fundamental mission of the public library; and institutional planning, organization, and governance. Pungitore explores problematic and controversial issues such as how public libraries should be funded, what services should be provided and to whom and by what means, and how libraries need to change in order to survive and continue to fill their functions in the community. Developed as an introduction to the major concerns of public librarians and administrators, this work offers library science students a thoughtful and balanced overview of the field.

The only comprehensive treatment of American library architecture, this work details the evolution of the modern public library from 1850 to the present. Donald E. Oehlerts provides a broad, historical perspective of the field of library architecture, examining the influences on the professions of public architecture and librarianship that shaped America's library buildings. Oehlerts examines the planning and construction of the largest public library buildings from 1850 through 1989, presenting the contributions that architects, librarians, and others have made to improvements in design and arrangement. He also explores the development of public architecture and librarianship to determine the sources of influence on these two emerging professions in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This work, which features illustrations of several important buildings, is valuable to professionals, students, and scholars of architecture and library management and facilities.

The field of librarianship has undergone traumatic shifts (mostly downward) due to the global financial meltdown that began in the fall of 2008. Libraries have been deeply affected by the worst recession since the Great Depression. While "Advances in Librarianship" endeavors to identify trends and innovations, the trend addressed in this volume is admittedly not a happy one. The current climate does however, present opportunities for analysis, and far reaching searches for solutions and innovations that can alleviate the challenges created by the clash of fiscal retrenchment with steadily increasing use of libraries. Therefore this volume addresses the ripple effects of the economic recession from the point of view of librarianship, the need for advocacy, and the necessity to tout the value that libraries bring to their communities. Chapters focus on identifying means to change library and library related organizations so that they focus on distinctive assets and strengths, use free or low cost resources and technologies, and position themselves to take advantage of collaborative initiatives.

With a focus on the successful management of the school library media center as a system, the new edition of this authoritative work addresses and integrates the many trends and developments of the past decade. Contents are divided into three parts. Part 1 describes the impact of global forces and the school district on the development and operation of the media center. It also has a new section that deals with the technical and human side of management and a discussion of how the library functions as an information superhighway. Part 2 examines the library's programmatic activities within the context of its goals. Supportive services offered by the SLMC to students and teachers include guidance and consultant services, instruction and in-service, media production, and curriculum development and improvement. In Part 3 the authors address the nature, quality, and quantity of resources available to support programmatic endeavors-personnel, media, technology, facilities, and funds. The ability to acces

Academic librarians and university instructors worldwide are grappling with an increasing incidence of student plagiarism. Recent publications urge educators to prevent plagiarism by teaching students about the issue, and some have advocated the value of a subject-specific approach to plagiarism prevention education. There is, however, a complete lack of resources and guidance for librarians and instructors who want to adopt this approach in their teaching. This book opens with a brief overview of plagiarism today, followed by arguments in favour of a subject-based approach. The rest of the book is divided into academic subject areas and features an overview of the major issues in that subject area, followed by a high profile and engaging case within the discipline.
Subject-based approach to highlight the differing issues and conventions of various disciplinesReal-life cases to capture student attention and illustrate the implications of plagiarism in academia and beyondDiscussion questions to ensure an active and engaging student learning experience

Beneficial to scholars and students in the fields of media and communication, politics and technology, this book outlines the significant role of search engines in general and Google in particular in widening the digital divide between individuals, organisations and states. It uses innovative methods and research approaches to assess and illustrate the digital divide by comparing the popular search queries in Google and Yahoo in different countries as well as analysing the various biases in Google News and Google Earth. The different studies developed and presented in this book provide various indications of the increasing customisation and popularisation mechanisms employed by popular search engines, which together with organising the world s information inevitably also intensify information inequalities and reinforce commercial and US-centric priorities and agendas.
Develops an extensive historical investigation of information, power and the digital divideProvides new social and political perspectives to understand search engines in general and Google in particularSuggests original methods to study and assess the digital divide as well as the extent of commercialisation and Americanisation worldwide"

The free exchange of ideas is central to any democracy, and libraries are central to the free exchange of ideas. Hafner examines many of the issues at the heart of the library's role in a democratic society and demonstrates the practical importance of the library's democratic mission. In order to make informed decisions about acquisitions, librarians must be familiar with the legal and intellectual debates surrounding controversial material. The opening chapters of the volume provide an historical and theoretical context for the democratic role of the library by discussing issues related to canonicity. Later chapters discuss legal issues related to the library as a forum for free expression, the Richard R. Kreimer case, and the confidentiality of library records. Chapter authors thoroughly discuss issues that impact the daily functioning of the library. Their backgrounds in library and political science, law, management, sociology, and literary studies bring a fresh perspective to these controversial and hotly debated issues. The book will be of special interest to all practicing librarians, library trustees and administators, and to library science students.

Libraries and Identity summarizes the role of institutional identity in the emergence of new types of libraries such as joint-use libraries and digital libraries. Professional and institutional identity has shown to be one of the most problematic, yet overlooked issues to deal with when traditional libraries such as public libraries and academic libraries develop into new shapes. The author clearly outlines the importance of identity in making change and innovation in libraries understandable. Based on original research the book comprehensively explores the role of identity as a trigger for change and development in libraries.
Based on original research which has already attracted international claimFocuses on aspects of library development which are mostly overlookedFocus on the change from traditional library types such as public and academic libraries to new ones such as joint use libraries and digital libraries

In 1982 the Kanazawa Institute of Technology Library Center inaugurated an international seminar program and invited noted scholars from all over the world to participate. This volume brings together distinguished papers presented over the past ten years. Thirty-three papers organized into five broad subject areas--research libraries in the Twenty-first century; information access in the new era; new technology, new media, and library buildings; library education; preservation of research materials; the technological university library; and managing knowledge in the twenty-first century--deal with topics considered to be of greatest interest to those involved with the future evolution of research libraries.

In recent years, automation has played a vital role in library systems that handle tasks of acquisition, cataloging, serials, and circulation. The automation of these operations has, in turn, minimised the demand for human interaction. Robots in Academic Libraries: Advancements in Library Automation provides an overview on the current state of library automation, addresses the need for changing personnel to accommodate these changes, and assesses the future for academic libraries as a whole. This book is essential for library leaders, technology experts, and library vendors interested in the future of library automation and its impact on the decline of human interaction in libraries.

Health sciences librarianship today demands a balance among computer files, human ingenuity, and print sources. The many information sources presently available enable health sciences librarians to do a better job, but that job has also become correspondingly more difficult. This professional reference surveys the various types of print and electronic resources important to the health sciences and provides valuable practical advice to librarians for meeting the information needs of researchers, practicing physicians, and other health professionals. Health sciences librarianship today demands a balance among electronic files, human ingenuity, and print sources. Thanks to computerization and telecommunications, librarians can do much more now than just a few years ago. While the tremendous growth in available resources has enabled librarians to provide more thorough information to patrons, the process of doing so has become correspondingly more complex. While librarians still need to use many traditional skills, they must also develop new ways of finding and utilizing information. This professional reference surveys the field of health sciences librarianship and provides extensive practical advice to assist health sciences librarians in meeting the information needs of their patrons. Because journal literature is the principal medium of information in the health sciences, the book begins with an examination of the roles that journals play as well as the large proportion of the library budget that they consume. The volume then discusses techniques of searching journal literature, such as print and electronic indexing and abstracting tools. Additional chapters are devoted to the selection and organization of health sciences books, and reference tools and services. Special attention is given to the electronic distribution of biomedical information. With important sources of health information now becoming available via the Internet, this book provides a point of departure to evaluate those sources. The final chapter discusses the various environments that shape health sciences librarianship, such as library settings, professional associations, and economic contexts.

The first comprehensive guide in English to libraries and archives in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg, this book gives humanities and social science researchers easy access to numerous important unexplored collections. The detailed entries fill the void between international directories (which provide minimal information) and country-specific guides in the vernacular (which are largely unknown to U.S. scholars). The thorough descriptions are based on selected on-site visits, direct correspondence with researchers, librarians, and archivists, and bibliographic research about the collections. Part I contains a 90-page, annotated bibliography covering five categories of publications: national bibliographies, union catalogs, biographical dictionaries, directories and guides to collections, and subject guides and bibliographies. Part II provides detailed descriptions of the principal research collections in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The descriptions include basic directory information, profiles and histories, notes on special collections, and details on regulations affecting access. Institutional, subject, and author and title indexes are also provided. This book is an important research tool for national and academic libraries and archives, museums, scholars of social science, and Netherlandic studies, and European Community depository libraries.

Very often in the operation of two-year and other small academic libraries there are common issues and concerns. Librarians working in such institutions take the opportunity to share current thinking on such topics as managing change, accreditation standards, auxiliary roles and responsibilities on the campus, marketing library services, collection development, personnel issues, cooperation with other institutions, coping with technology, and a host of unusual problems. The flat hierarchy in two-year and other small academic libraries does not always avail front-line librarians a smooth transition to management roles. Very often in the operation of these libraries there are common issues and concerns, which can be grouped under broad headings such as Management Issues, Personnel, Operations and Collection Requirements. The intent of this book is to offer librarians working in such institutions the opportunity to share current thinking on topics that fall under these broad headings. Topics of interest include managing change, accreditation standards, auxiliary roles and responsibilities on the campus, marketing library services, collection development personnel issues, cooperation with other institutions, coping with technology and unusual problems.

This book examines successfully planned and implemented learning commons at several different academic institutions around the world. These case studies provide a methodology for effective planning, implementation and assessment. Practical information is provided on how to collaborate with campus stakeholders, estimate budgeting and staffing and determine the equipment, hardware and software needs. Also provided are memoranda of understandings (MOUs), planning checklists and assessment tools. This book reflects a unifying focus on both the evolution of learning commons to learning spaces and the collaborative aspect of co-creating learning spaces.
Unique case studies representing very different types of Information Commons, Learning Commons, Faculty Commons and other Learning SpacesInternational breadth and depth is assured through inclusion of case studies from Canadian, New Zealand, Australian and European institutions in addition to six in the United StatesPractical checklists of planning and implantation considerations, as well as memorandum of understanding (MOU) templates, form the appendices

Academic, public, school, and special libraries are all institutions of human rights and social justice, with an increasingly apparent commitment to equality, to ethical principles based on rights and justice, and to programs that meet needs related to human rights and social justice. Key topics at the intersection of information, human rights, social justice, and technology include information access and literacy, digital inclusion, education, and social services, among many others. Edited by Ursula Gorham, Natalie Greene Taylor, and Paul T. Jaeger, this volume is devoted to the ideals, activities, and programs in libraries that protect human rights and promote social justice. With contributions from researchers, educators, and practitioners from a range of fields, this book is an important resource for library professionals in all types of libraries, a reference for researchers and educators about all types of libraries, and an introduction to those in other fields about the contributions of libraries to human rights and social justice.