What's New

• Research Library Issues, no. 277 (Dec. 2011) ARL, CNI, SPARC Research Library Issues, no. 277 (Dec. 2011)
  Abstract:

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  Authors: ARL, CNI, SPARC
  Keywords: RLI; transforming library roles; collections; access; patron-initiated; crowdsourcing; 24/7; 24-hour
• SPEC Kit 327: Reconfiguring Service Delivery (December 2011) Vyhnanek, Kay; Zlatos, Christy SPEC Kit 327: Reconfiguring Service Delivery (December 2011)
  Abstract:

  This SPEC Kit investigates whether and how ARL member libraries have reconfigured staffed service delivery points in the main library and in any branches that report to the main library. It explores whether service points and/or branches have been added, closed, or consolidated; the drivers for those decisions; the impacts on staff; the changes in delivery methods; and whether there have been any collaborations with other institutions or consortia, or outsourcing of service delivery. It also explores user involvement in the planning for service changes and whether the effectiveness of new service configurations has been assessed.

  The survey used a case study approach to reveal developing patterns, unique applications, and anticipated changes in the physical or organizational arrangement of service delivery that may be widely adaptable in other libraries so that they can continue to be the primary information providers for their constituents.

  This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describes the service philosophy, services offered, planning process, and communications about service changes. Also included are floorplans and images of redesigned spaces.

  Authors: Vyhnanek, Kay; Zlatos, Christy
• SPEC Kit 326: Digital Humanities (November 2011) Posner, Mariam; Varner, Stewart; Bryson, Tim; St. Pierre, Alain SPEC Kit 326: Digital Humanities (November 2011)
  Abstract:

  This SPEC Kit provides a snapshot of research library experiences with digital scholarship centers or services that support the humanities (e.g., history, art, music, film, literature, philosophy, religion, etc.) and the benefits and challenges of hosting them. The survey asked ARL libraries about the organization of these services, how they are staffed and funded, what services they offer and to whom, what technical infrastructure is provided, whether the library manages or archives the digital resources produced, and how services are assessed, among other questions.

  This survey revealed that library-based support for the digital humanities is offered predominantly on an ad hoc basis. However, as demand for services supporting the digital humanities has grown, libraries have begun to re-evaluate their provisional service and staffing models. Many respondents expressed a desire to implement practices, policies, and procedures that would allow them to cope with increases in demand for services.

  This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describes the mission or purpose of digital humanities centers, the services offered, policies and procedures, examples of digital projects, fellowship and grant opportunities, promotional materials, and repositories for digital projects.

  Authors: Bryson, Tim; Posner, Mariam; St. Pierre, Alain; Varner, Stewart
• ARL Annual Salary Survey 2010-2011 Kyrillidou, Martha; Morris, Shaneka ARL Annual Salary Survey 2010-2011
  Abstract:

  This report analyzes salary data for all professional staff working in the 126 ARL member libraries during 2010–2011. Data are reported for 10,037 professional staff in the 115 university ARL libraries and for 3,709 professional staff in the 11 non-university ARL libraries.

  Authors: Kyrillidou, Martha; Morris, Shaneka
• ARL Statistics 2009-2010 Kyrillidou, Martha; Morris, Shaneka; Roebuck, Gary ARL Statistics 2009-2010
  Abstract:

  This edition of the ARL Statistics describes the collections, staffing, expenditures, and service activities for the 125 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in fiscal year 2009–2010.

  Authors: Kyrillidou, Martha; Morris, Shaneka; Roebuck, Gary
• SPEC Kit 325: Digital Preservation (October 2011) Schultz, Matt; McMillan, Gail; Skinner, Katherine SPEC Kit 325: Digital Preservation (October 2011)
  Abstract:

  This SPEC Kit explores the strategies that ARL member institutions use to protect evolving research collections and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. The survey asked ARL libraries about their digital content, their strategies for preserving that content, and the staff, time, and funding they currently devote to digital preservation. It also asked each responding library to compare its digital preservation activities of three years ago to current activities and project three years into the future. In addition, to better understand the roles of research libraries in the emergent field of digital curation, the survey sought to identify issues that are and are not being addressed through current practices and policies.

  This survey revealed, as the digital preservation field is maturing, that most ARL libraries are rising to the challenge of establishing policies, workflows, and infrastructures to systematically preserve their rapidly expanding bodies of digital content. The survey also revealed that most ARL libraries are actively engaging in in-house digital preservation rather than outsourcing it to external parties, thus maintaining their control and ownership over the digital content that they curate.

  This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describes policies, procedures, and guidelines for digital preservation, cooperative agreements, job descriptions, and data management services.

  Authors: McMillan, Gail; Schultz, Matt; Skinner, Katherine
• Research Library Issues, no. 276 (Sept. 2011) ARL, CNI, SPARC Research Library Issues, no. 276 (Sept. 2011)
  Abstract:

  Download a PDF of the full issue. 

  To view an article in the online reader, click the title below.

  To view a PDF of an article, click the PDF icon next to the title. (Recommended for viewing on a mobile device.)

  Authors: ARL, CNI, SPARC
  Keywords: RLI; higher education; universities; academic libraries; university libraries; small data; big data; user initiated; data support; copyright; copyfraud; public domain; performance rights; licensing
• SPEC Kit 324: Collecting Global Resources (September 2011) Khabibullaev, Akram; Singer, Andrea; Wahrman, Noa; Frank-Wilson, Marion; Cheun, Wookjin; Liu, Wen-Ling; González, Luis A. SPEC Kit 324: Collecting Global Resources (September 2011)
  Abstract:

  This SPEC Kit explores the trends, practices, and challenges in collecting global resources in North American research libraries at a time of political and economic change, on the one hand, and of significant change in scholarly communication and collection management strategies, on the other. It covers global resources collections (including an overview of expenditures, collecting trends, sources of funding, and acquisition strategies), staff and organizational structure, preservation strategies, and discovery, public service, and outreach.

  The survey results clearly demonstrate that support for global resources in North American research libraries is strong and predicted to remain so in the foreseeable future. Budget and space challenges, as well as increasing electronic access to resources with resulting changes in research habits of students and faculty, will create new and different patterns in collection growth. In response, many ARL libraries either already have or are in the process of creating organizational structures that facilitate intense outreach activities, in-depth reference, and collaborative collection development.

  This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describes print and digital global collections, collection development policies, examples of research guides, and organization charts.

  Authors: Cheun, Wookjin; Frank-Wilson, Marion; González, Luis A.; Khabibullaev, Akram; Liu, Wen-Ling; Singer, Andrea; Wahrman, Noa
• SPEC Kit 323: Socializing New Hires (August 2011) Hyslop, Colleen; Ladenson, Sharon; Mayers, Diane SPEC Kit 323: Socializing New Hires (August 2011)
  Abstract:

  This SPEC Kit investigates the progress made in ARL member organizations to establish or enhance socialization programs and activities (such as orientation programs, mentoring, residency appointments, and staff development sessions directed at organizational acculturation) for all newly hired, paid employees. It explores the availability and types of programs, activities, and resources currently offered in ARL institutions; staff involved in designing and coordinating socialization programs and activities; goals and budget for socialization programs; length of participation in programs and activities; evaluation and assessment of programs; and benefits of socialization programs, activities and resources.

  The survey results clearly demonstrate that socialization activities are widespread and growing in research libraries and archives. The volume of response and detailed sample documents provided are indicative of the prevalence of existing activities and institutional commitment to these programs. There is a perception of the critical importance and value of these activities to the enhancement of organizational success. The plethora of comments on the benefits of socialization programs indicates that ARL members highly value these efforts.

  This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describes orientation, mentoring, and peer socialization programs, and provides examples of orientation websites, orientation/socialization checklists, program evaluation methods, and staff development resources.

  Authors: Ladenson, Sharon; Mayers, Diane; Hyslop, Colleen
• SPEC Kit 322: Library User Experience (July 2011) Fox, Robert; Doshi, Ameet SPEC Kit 322: Library User Experience (July 2011)
  Abstract:

  This SPEC Kit explores recent and planned user experience activities at ARL member libraries and the impact these efforts have on helping the libraries transform to meet evolving user needs. The survey elicited examples of successful user experience activities to serve as benchmarks for libraries looking to create or expand efforts in this area. It also explored whether libraries have created positions or entire departments focused on user engagement and the user experience.

  The survey results revealed that nearly all of the responding ARL member institutions are employing a form of user engagement, whether or not they refer to it as user experience. While there appears to be a lack of common vocabulary or program standardization, there is a growing awareness of the need to assess libraries from the user perspective—with new positions and even departments created to accomplish this goal. Overall, respondents feel that efforts made in assessing the user experience are well spent. They articulated numerous projects that resulted in major program updates and facility revisions and that were well received by library administration, governing/funding boards, and most importantly, by library users.

  This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describe user experience planning and organization, specific projects, how volunteers are recruited, the role of advisory boards, and job requirements for user experience coordinators, among others.

  Authors: Fox, Robert; Doshi, Ameet