{"title":"The problem of abundance: Text mining approaches to qualitative assessment of asynchronous library instruction","authors":"Grace Therrell, Joshua Ortiz Baco","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The expansive adoption of asynchronous library instruction in recent years remains strong even after the conclusion of most COVID-19 emergency remote teaching. This continued growth has also introduced unique methodological challenges for assessment of learning and instruction in the form of vast, unwieldy evaluation data. This study introduces the use of text mining, topic modeling, and exploratory data analysis (EDA) as a novel approach to address the evolving needs of the field of large-scale online library instruction assessment. Librarians employed computational methods on a corpus of 21,506 words from student survey responses representing the instruction experiences of 3720 students to evaluate initial effectiveness of a new instruction approach. The application of a Bayesian topic model revealed latent patterns in self-reported perceptions of course design, mastery of concepts, and gaps in learning. In contrast with the inherent limitations of traditional qualitative analysis, our computational-grounded approach highlights otherwise indiscernible trends and key issues in user experience, instructional content, and online teaching methods. Computational analysis offers the scalability and sustainability necessary to assess asynchronous instruction, and provides clear themes to inform decision-making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102976"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lisa Martin , Michele A.L. Villagran , Savannah Cragin
{"title":"Emotional intelligence and happiness: Varied perspectives of supervisors and employees","authors":"Lisa Martin , Michele A.L. Villagran , Savannah Cragin","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102978","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102978","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and happiness in administrators and managers within academic libraries and how they relate to the experiences of individual contributor employees. Emotional intelligence is often viewed by library administrators as a critical element in promoting positive workplaces, especially for those employees who have supervisory or administrative responsibilities. Happiness, while rarely considered as such, is more often seen in the inverse - concern about low morale and toxic workplaces - and is thus another critical element. Data from this study shows that administrators and managers self-report higher levels of happiness and emotional intelligence than individual contributor employees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102978"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Louise L. Lowe, Christopher Stewart, J.B. Hill, Jenna Eastwood Hill
{"title":"Post-pandemic perspectives on academic librarian recruitment practices: Insights from job seekers","authors":"Louise L. Lowe, Christopher Stewart, J.B. Hill, Jenna Eastwood Hill","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102977","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102977","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The recruitment and retention of skilled librarians is essential to the success of academic libraries. However, recruitment practices have failed to adjust to the needs of librarians and the evolving job market. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this challenge, further emphasizing the need to reform recruitment efforts. This study reports on the results of a survey conducted in 2023 and 2024 to explore the experiences of 166 job seekers applying for academic librarian jobs in the United States between 2020 and 2023. The findings highlight the importance of candidate-centered practices in the recruitment process, as well as the creation of positions and work environments that are supportive of employee's personal wellness and values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102977"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Visual media assignments: Faculty vs. student experiences and expectations in engineering and business","authors":"Sarah Huber , Zoeanna Mayhook , Wanju Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102971","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102971","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Students are increasingly expected to deliver new knowledge through visual information formats without the level of consistent instruction and support that text-based information formats receive. This paper addresses the student expectation to deliver information through visual media formats and how librarians can work with faculty to support the development of visual information literacies. The disciplines of engineering and business are visual by nature because they use computerized drawings and data visualizations to develop and communicate models and ideas. This does not, however, ensure consistent and uniform visual literacy instruction and support. There is a gap in the literature comparing the experiences students have versus faculty regarding visual media assignment expectations. A survey was conducted to better understand the current state of visual media being assigned. The survey responses of engineering and business faculty were compared to engineering and business student responses. Focus groups were hosted to further explore the survey results. Despite high levels of confidence, both admitted to a level of guesswork while either assigning and grading visual media or completing visual media coursework. Both referred to the need for guidelines and a campus visual writing center. Library resources were identified to address these visual literacy needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102971"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142586358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating undergraduate research needs in one-on-one research consultation requests: A qualitative study","authors":"Meredith Knoff","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyzes the areas of assistance students identified as necessary when they scheduled a one-on-one research consultation; the analysis was conducted through the evaluation of >300 consultation scheduling forms, which ask students to describe their research before meeting with a librarian or other library research assistant.</div><div>It specifically considers the kinds of resources, types of assignments, specific assistance, and the research topics and subject areas for which students seek library help. It also analyzes the language used to better understand how students describe their research. Results found that, while students mostly scheduled appointments seeking assistance for traditional library services and resources for research projects and papers, they did not come from one dominant subject area. Students had varied ways of describing their needs that do not fit neatly within the library vernacular. This information can help librarians develop more targeted outreach areas for both subject areas and emerging forms of scholarship not seen in research consultations. Understanding the language students use, regardless of whether or not it comes from their instructor, can show how they learn and conceive of research going forward, as well as how they construct their identity as researchers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102980"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What drives the continuance intention of “Study with Me” virtual learning commons? A perspective from ECM-ISC","authors":"Zuying Mo, Yiming Guo, Chen Si, Gaohui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The research goal is to understand what factors affect users' continuance intention (CI) of virtual learning commons, focusing on the impact of technological features and individual characteristics on CI.</div></div><div><h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3><div>In this study, we take “Study with Me”(SWM) as the research subject. Based on the expectation confirmation model for information systems continuance (ECM-ISC) theory, we propose an influence mechanism model for testing these hypotheses. A total of 378 valid data were collected through an online survey of users who frequently use SWM virtual learning commons. The tools SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 were used to analyze the reliability, validity, model fits and structural equation modeling (SEM).</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>The results indicated that interaction immediacy, connectedness, and immersion positively influence users' perceived usefulness (PU) of SWM. The study also concluded that users' self-regulated learning and habit significantly impact their CI of SWM. However, there was no significant relationship found between digital literacy and CI.</div></div><div><h3>Originality/value</h3><div>This study offers a comprehensive explanation of users' CI of SWM by integrating both technological and individual factors. The findings of this research can provide an empirical foundation for optimizing learning space services, particularly fostering innovative integration between physical and virtual library environments. These findings contribute to promoting diversified development in library space utilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102973"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142592653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Will print books survive? Print book circulation and in-house use at a mid-sized academic library","authors":"Lisa Thornton , Lisa M. Rose-Wiles , Gerard Shea","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102979","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102979","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 accelerated a long-term trend of declining print book use in academic libraries. At Seton Hall University, recovery has been slow, with both checkouts and in-house use still well below pre-Covid levels. Use of the physical library has also decreased. The decrease in print book use is especially notable among students. However, it is less apparent in subject areas that have undergone systematic inventory, removing outdated books and those in the catalog but not on the shelf, and updating of the collections. This makes for more attractive and accurately represented collections with a greater proportion of newer books, which circulate more often than older books. Use of a prominently displayed New Books collection is especially strong and has returned close to pre-Covid levels, while a recently established Leisure collection is also well used. This illustrates the value of small, carefully curated collections. Given the well-documented value of reading and the notion that eBooks should complement rather than replace print collections, we consider ways to promote use of the physical library and its print books. We incorporate ideas and data from public libraries, which are rarely considered in the academic library field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102979"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Undergraduate research symposium: Vital component in undergraduates' research journey","authors":"Layla Alsalim , Muna Alghamdi , Hiya Almazroa , Taghreed Alsudais , Amani khalaf. H. Alghamdi","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102969","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102969","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focused on social science undergraduate students' (a) perceptions of their research self-efficacy after participating in an undergraduate research symposium (URS) and (b) which research experiences were significant or meaningful and why. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was used (2022−2023) with <em>N</em> = 91 Saudi female students completing a researcher-designed research self-efficacy e-survey (26 item, 5-point Likert agree/disagree scale): an experimental group (<em>n</em> = 50) that attended an URS and a control group (<em>n</em> = 41) that did not. This was followed by semi-structured interviews (<em>n</em> = 11) of experimental group participants. The experimental group exhibited significantly higher research self-efficacy overall (t-value = 7.731; <em>p</em>-value = .001) and across three aspects of research: planning, implementation, and presentation (average mean = 4.50). The URS was highly effective for social science students. A follow-up thematic analysis (>90 % intercoder reliability) yielded five themes further affirming the success of the URS in improving research self-efficacy: women's empowerment, self-regulated learning especially via library access, career resilience, a respect for inherent challenges, and transformed perceptions of research. Because of the URS experience, students gained confidence and belief in their ability to effectively undertake research-related tasks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102969"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142560993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Environmental scan of equity, diversity, and inclusion practices in collection development","authors":"Sidonie Devarenne, Madeline Kelly, Emily Spracklin","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many academic libraries are exploring how to rectify the historical and ongoing exclusion of works by and about marginalized communities in library collections. Although some libraries have committed to changing their practices to reflect their values, few libraries publicly share Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies specific to collection development. Moreover, existing policies fail to articulate goals and values specific to institutional context and collections. In spring 2023, Western Washington University Libraries formed a working group to conduct an environmental scan and explore how other libraries are operationalizing equity, diversity, and inclusion in their collection development practices<strong><em>.</em></strong> This paper summarizes the findings of that environmental scan and provides recommendations for libraries beginning this work. To successfully operationalize their values and initiate meaningful change, libraries should articulate institution-specific collection development objectives, embed them in existing collections procedures, and regularly assess progress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102962"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142527662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stakeholder communication in academic libraries: An exploration of annual reports and Instagram","authors":"Laura Wright, Samantha Paul","doi":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102967","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Annual reports are an opportunity to demonstrate transparency and communicate with stakeholders. This article presents an exploratory content analysis of library annual reports and Instagram accounts in a state university system. The researchers synthesized common themes in content and structure developing archetypal formats of annual reports. These archetypes clarify the interplay between audience, purpose, content and design in developing a cohesive product. Findings indicate that libraries are neglecting opportunities to repurpose content between Instagram and annual reports. Information collected for the annual report provides content that can be tailored for Instagram posts, which in turn directs interested audience members to the full annual report. Finally, the best practices and strategies to improve communication and engagement with stakeholders identified by the researchers will be shared.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Academic Librarianship","volume":"50 6","pages":"Article 102967"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142527663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}