Library Review

Robert D. MacLeod

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710721961

Purpose – To give a snapshot of a noteworthy event in library history – the launch of the first issue of Libray Review , in 1927. Design/methodology/approach – The article is a reproduction of the first editorial notes. Findings – The notes illustrate the policy of the magazine as that of helping to advance the standard of library service by helping all who administer or minister to the service. It aimed to associate the message of the book with all kinds of social educational effort. Originality/value – The article provides historical information for information professionals.

David McMenemy

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710721970

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Editorial from the first ever issue of Library Review on the 80th anniversary of the journal and discuss whether the issues described in 1927 remain relevant in 2007 and what new issues may be concerning librarians in the 21st century. Design/methodology/approach – The article is a reflective viewpoint. Findings – That the ethos of librarianship espoused by R.D. MacLeod in 1927 resonates today, and that while the terminology may change, areas of reflection in librarianship remain similar, even while new challenges present themselves. Practical implications – The emphasis is on reflection and review and as such the paper calls for the wider profession to maintain and improve on standards of reflective practice and championing of values. Originality/value – Reflecting on viewpoints expressed at the founding of the journal, the article reflects on historic and contemporary concerns.

Nicholas Joint

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710721989

Purpose – To argue that unique contemporary cultural shifts are leading to a new form of librarianship that can be characterised as “postmodern” in nature, and that this form of professional specialism will be increasingly influential in the decades to come. Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical piece based on ideas from cultural history. Findings – That postmodern library and information science (LIS) concepts will be a vital new strand to professional practice, but they will most likely subsist alongside more familiar concepts of practice which have proved readily applicable in the early years of “first wave” web technologies. Research limitations/implications – These are purely conceptual approaches to LIS and need to be investigated evidentially. Practical implications – The change from “first wave” web technologies to Web 2.0 information technologies may have a greater impact on future techniques in digital librarianship than the change from print to the first electronic libraries in the 1990s. Originality/value – This LIS paper is distinctive in that it borrows original ideas from the humanities to offer an understanding of LIS practice in the context of broad “cultural theory”, rather than in the narrower context of change in mechanical and technological processes.

Shaheen Majid; Danamalar Kanagasabai

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710721998

Purpose – To investigate the type of information sources used by primary school students for project work, their preferred information formats and the importance and reasons for using certain information sources. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire survey. Findings – It was found that the Internet was the most preferred information source for project work, followed by public and school libraries. Similarly, digital information sources were preferred over print and audio‐visual materials. Among published information sources, the respondents considered the Internet and reference sources more important for their project work. Among human information sources, teachers, parents and siblings were considered more important than library staff and friends. The main reasons identified for using different information sources were “accessibility”, “ease of use” and “appropriateness” to project work. Certain attributes such as accuracy and currency of information were considered less important in the selection and use of information which was probably due to inadequate information literacy skills possessed by these students. Practical implications – The study should be helpful for anyone involved in school librarianship or learning support for school children. Originality/value – It is expected that this study would provide an insight into the use and non‐use of certain information resources at the school and public libraries and allow library managements to review their collections, services and information access policies. It will also help them determine the type of information literacy training required by these students.

Cynthia R. Houston; Roxanne M. Spencer

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710722005

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the integration of a school library program into the English language program of a Spanish school. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the development of an English Language Arts Library Classroom (ELALC) in the English Program at the Col‐legi SEK Catalunya, P‐12 school near Barcelona, Spain. Findings – As schools in Spain do not typically have school library media centers or school librarians, the ELALCs are a way to bring the concept of a school library into a school culture where the idea is unfamiliar. The primary English language teachers at the SEK believe that the ELALCs will be a motivating environment for English language learning that will increase their students’ motivation and involvement in learning. Practical implications – School library programs and librarians can and should take more active collaborative and instructional roles in language acquisition. Originality/value – The paper presents an innovative concept in providing school library skills and encouraging literacy by development of a hybrid library classroom or biblioteca aula , for P‐12 schools that do not have library programs.

Zuraidah Abd Manaf

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710722014

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of digitisation initiatives by cultural institutions in Malaysia. Evidently no research has been conducted to investigate the state of digitisation initiatives by cultural institutions in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts an exploratory survey, to explore the state of cultural heritage digitisation. A total of 60 public cultural institutions in Malaysia were involved in the study. Findings – Digitisation of cultural heritage materials is not new in Malaysia. Different types of cultural heritage institutions have embarked on several digitisation projects. Various types of cultural heritage materials have been digitised and made publicly accessible. Practical implications – Findings and discovery of the study are significant in providing a comprehensive background and scenario of organisation, description and retrieval of local content resources in electronic forms in Malaysia. Originality/value – The outcome of the study will contribute to the new knowledge in managing digitised cultural and heritage resources in cultural and heritage institutions in Malaysia.

Margaret Weaver; Michael Stanning

2007 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530710722023

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to outline the approach taken to the reclassification of the library collection within a small multi‐site college of higher education – whereby 160,000 volumes were converted from the BLISS system to the Dewey Decimal Classification system, over a period of 11 weeks during Summer 2004. Design/methodology/approach – An automated approach was taken whereby the Library Systems Supplier – Talis was commissioned to convert catalogue records using a batch process. Risk analysis and critical path analysis were used as tools to keep the project on schedule and provide quality control. Findings – An automated approach allowed the project to be completed on time, within budget and with minimal disruption to services. Project planning was crucial to the success of the project. This included mapping BLISS to Dewey numbers, recruitment of a student team, management of work packages and ensuring continuity of the Library Service during the project. Practical implications – Institutional support for the project was secured because of its relevance to the College's corporate agenda and the promise of a wider impact that the project would have in terms of modernisation of the library service. Originality/value – Despite the apparent lack of current articles on re‐classification, many libraries are still grappling with ongoing retrospective cataloguing projects. This case study demonstrates how one institution approached the problem and demonstrates that an automated approach can yield benefits. It will be of use to other libraries thinking of, or involved with, similar conversions. The partnership role of the Library Management System Supplier is also highlighted.