Library Review

David McMenemy

2009 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530910936899

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the nature of the debate in terms of a recent consultation in England on guidance for public libraries in selection of controversial materials. Also discussed is the issue of censorship in terms of how it relates to the practice of librarianship. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a reflective and critical overview. Findings – The laws that limit thought are potentially dangerous and to criminalise ideas is a notion that is anti‐democratic. Librarians must always be wary of censorship from the state and any self‐censorship they feel obliged to undertake through fear of unclear laws. Practical implications – The paper discusses a pertinent topic in current library practice and should be of interest to practitioners who are debating the issues on the front line. Originality/value – The paper concentrates on a current issue of practice in the UK, and also wider issues facing professional librarians throughout the world.

Nicholas Joint

2009 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530910936907

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the assertion that, because library‐managed institutional repositories (IRs) have successfully created specific collections of self‐archived textual papers produced by researchers in Higher Education organisations, the entire digital content of a university's network space can be managed by libraries as successfully as the contents of an IR. The system for achieving this is called a “digital asset management” system (DAMs). Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of a review of some recent writing on this topic combined with observations from library and information management practice. Findings – The paper finds that “DAMs” systems are in reality very under‐developed. Libraries cannot implement ready‐made “DAMs” for universities in the same way that they can implement a library management system. However, they are well placed to use their institutional repository and general information management expertise to improve the DAMs practices of universities and should gradually start to promote better practice in this area. Research limitations/implications – Further investigation into the concept of DAMs is necessary to see how software innovations can push the idea forward. Practical implications – Given that DAMs are underdeveloped relative to their potential, practitioners should adopt a gradualist and incremental approach to the implementation of DAMs ideas. Originality/value – The paper tries to present the concepts of DAMs against a background of everyday library and information practice.

Portia Bowen‐Chang; Yacoob Hosein

2009 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530910936916

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of a series of in‐house training offered to cataloguers and para‐professional cataloguing staff at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. Design/methodology/approach – The instrument used for the survey was a questionnaire which sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the training over a two‐year period. Through the application of a five‐point Likert scale respondents were required to indicate their levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the training sessions. Findings – The paper reveals the relevance and effectiveness of a structured approach to cataloguing training and highlights the need for cataloguing staff to keep abreast of current trends through continuing education. It also demonstrates a dire need for greater collaboration between library schools and libraries in the development of proficiencies for entry level cataloguers. Research limitations/implications – The collective evaluation of professionals and para‐professionals with varying levels of cataloguing knowledge and competencies impacted on the reliability of the data. Originality/value – The paper serves as a model for future cataloguing training at the St Augustine Campus Libraries and can be adapted by other libraries for meeting their training needs in cataloguing.

Andrew K. Shenton

2009 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530910936925

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability to information behaviour contexts of the notion of a “search image”, a mental entity highlighted in a significant anthropological study appearing in the 1990s. Design/methodology/approach – The paper considers search images of information‐seekers by exploring hypothetical situations and using source material pertaining to areas such as information systems, information retrieval, information‐seeking and the nature of libraries. Findings – Two types of search image are postulated – those taking the form of a visual memory of a particular source and those providing a detailed specification of material required in a certain situation. Research limitations/implications – The definition of a search image presented here has not been evolved through research featuring specially‐undertaken fieldwork. New studies, incorporating individual interviews or think aloud protocols, should be conducted in order to address a series of emergent questions relating to search images. Practical implications – When more has been learned about the characteristics of search images of successful information‐seekers, it may be possible to build into programmes of information literacy prompts that will help individuals to clarify in their minds what they require before embarking on an information search. Originality/value – Intended for information practitioners and academics alike, the paper forms the first attempt to apply a particular concept originating outside the discipline, i.e. that of a search image, to information‐seeking situations. Attention to search images has the potential to increase one's understanding of how individuals find information, as well as to add a further dimension to information literacy instruction.

Amanda K. Gluibizzi

2009 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530910936934

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the outreach activities of the Fine Arts Library at Ohio State University. Design/methodology/approach – Outreach at Ohio State is intended to have global impact, but successful outreach is often hampered by lack of partnerships, funding restrictions, and a monolithic approach to the patron. The paper reflects on each of these issues and discusses the strategies used by the Fine Arts Library to conduct outreach with user‐focus and budgets in mind. Findings – The paper finds that there are techniques for outreach that involve small outputs of funds but have larger impacts. Moving past a “one size fits all” philosophy for outreach allows the Fine Arts Library to connect with the patrons it is best able to serve. Originality/value – While the phrase “think globally, act locally” is well‐known, it can often be forgotten in libraries, where the goal to reach as many people as possible is very important. This paper suggests that the returns on the local investment are incredibly important to the global missions of libraries.

Peggy Sisselman

2009 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530910936943

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discover whether the social styles of patrons affects their perception (and librarians’ perception) of the quality of the reference interview. Also, whether learning to assess social styles of patrons improves perception of the quality of the reference interview. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher observed 24 reference interviews, assessed the social style of each patron using a checklist of behavioral characteristics; both patrons and librarians confidentially filled out a survey to assess the outcome of the reference interview. Findings – It appears that the social style of patrons has some effect on how both librarians and patrons perceive the outcome of the reference interview. There also appears to be a correlation between the librarians’ awareness of the social styles of people and the outcome of the reference interview. Practical implications – Literature has not provided any data on how social style theory on the four social styles (analytical, expressive, driver, amiable) could be used to improve the reference interview. Originality/value – Social style theory has been explored in academic settings and in the areas of marketing and sales, but not yet in public libraries.