Impact of Open Source Library Automation System on Public Library Users

poster abstractThis study examined the implementation of an open source library automation system, Evergreen, in Indiana public libraries and its impact to library users. Three-hundred-forty-nine participants recruited from nine public libraries completed a quarterly user survey regarding their history at the local public libraries and their use of the previous OPACs and the Evergreen OPAC. The implementation of the Indiana Evergreen System received a moderately positive mark from the participants and the positive mark was related to the use of the ILL library function. The ILL service satisfied the participants’ needs; in the meantime, the service also motivated them to use the Evergreen system. Initial benefits for the Evergreen users are confirmed in this project. As open source ILS aim to enhance library services through better library management systems, we also believe improved ILS will be based on increased understanding of users

Overcoming Today’s Ethical Challenges for Librarians and Vendors (Lively Discussion)

Librarians and information professionals are often faced with situations that require judgment of ethical behavior regarding the library, patrons, and vendor relationships. Librarians encounter conflicts of interest, intellectual freedom issues, privacy concerns, and vendor and publisher relations dilemmas daily. Shrinking and flat budgets and rapidly advancing technology create further challenges to providing high-quality services while practicing ethical behavior. In this session, you will learn some of the ethical challenges that present themselves in librarianship and tactics that can be employed to overcome such challenges. In addition, you will learn how to work and build ethical relationships with vendors, how vendors are held to a high ethical standard, and different ways to evaluate and retain transparency in these relationships. The session includes a brief presentation followed by breakout groups for a lively discussion on some of the ethical issues we encounter in libraries along with Q&A from the audience

Conditional disruption of β1 integrin in Schwann cells impedes interactions with axons

In dystrophic mice, a model of merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy, laminin-2 mutations produce peripheral nerve dysmyelination and render Schwann cells unable to sort bundles of axons. The laminin receptor and the mechanism through which dysmyelination and impaired sorting occur are unknown. We describe mice in which Schwann cell–specific disruption of β1 integrin, a component of laminin receptors, causes a severe neuropathy with impaired radial sorting of axons. β1-null Schwann cells populate nerves, proliferate, and survive normally, but do not extend or maintain normal processes around axons. Interestingly, some Schwann cells surpass this problem to form normal myelin, possibly due to the presence of other laminin receptors such as dystroglycan and α6β4 integrin. These data suggest that β1 integrin links laminin in the basal lamina to the cytoskeleton in order for Schwann cells to ensheath axons, and alteration of this linkage contributes to the peripheral neuropathy of congenital muscular dystrophy

Technology use of online instructors with high self-efficacy: A multiple case study

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand how online instructors with perceived high self-efficacy for online teaching use technology in the online class and how their use compares to a common list of best practices for use of technology with online instruction. One-on-one interviews with four case study participants were the main source of data collection along with direct observations of the participants' online courses. The case study participants were selected based on results from a Sense of Efficacy for Online Teaching Scale and willingness to move forward with the case study. Conventional data analysis was performed and codes were developed for each case. Data was compared for commonalities and theme development. Cases were individually described and the participants' viewpoints were captured. Implications for this study suggested that online instructors with perceived high self-efficacy were following a set of standard best practices for teaching and use of technology in the online classroom. In addition, data suggested that technology played a very important role in the online classroom and can be used in a variety of different ways. Research supported the idea that adherence to best practices was common among online higher education faculty. Continuing to explore online instructors practices in the classroom would benefit future online programs and become relevant to the online pedagogy in these classrooms. Keywords: Online teaching, online instructors, self-efficacy, best practices, technolog

Public Library Staff\u27s Perceived Value and Satisfaction of an Open Source Library System

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine public library staff attitudes towards an open-source library automation system in the state of Indiana. The researchers were interested in understanding the library staff\u27s perceptions of the value of the system in performing their job duties and improving library services. Findings: The primary benefits reported were: ability to check the availability of library materials at other Evergreen libraries via the shared catalogue, the Evergreen system provided more functionality than their previous library automation systems and the ability to reserve materials for patrons. Design/methodology/approach: The researchers travelled to nine public libraries every three months to survey library staff from January to December 2010. The participants completed the surveys at the libraries and were given the option to remain anonymous. The survey consisted of six questions regarding the use of the Evergreen system for work processes and basic demographic information of the staff. There were a total of 323 survey respondents. Of the 323 respondents, 57 (17.65 per cent) used the Evergreen system in their daily work routines at the library. Research limitations/implications: This was a convenience sample. All survey participants provided their responses voluntarily during the 12-month study period. A more comprehensive sampling procedure should be considered in the future. Originality/value: The study indicated the need for improvements in the Evergreen Indiana system. Those improvements were also relevant to other open-source integrated library systems

An Open Source Library System and Public Library Users: Finding and using Library Collections

Large scale open-source library automation systems can increase efficiencies in bibliographic production. The implementation of such a system, Evergreen, was examined in order to ascertain whether it facilitated detection and use of library collections in Indiana public libraries. Three hundred forty-nine participants recruited from nine public libraries completed user surveys. Additionally, library server data about interlibrary loan (ILL) statistics were collected from participating libraries on a monthly basis. The self-reported user survey included questions about patron history at local public libraries, use of the previous Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs), and use of the Evergreen OPAC for finding and accessing multiple library collections since library users could directly request interlibrary loans via the Evergreen OPAC. The findings indicate that the implementation of the Indiana Evergreen system received moderately positive ratings from the participants; the positive evaluation was primarily related to the use of the ILL function. The ILL service satisfied the participants\u27 needs and motivated them to use the Evergreen OPAC. Benefits for Evergreen users were confirmed