Abstract: The university subject librarians' role is at the centre of new models of teaching and learning, yet further debate and published contributions are still needed to shape its future direction. "Subject Librarians: Engaging with the Learning and Teaching Environment" assesses trends and challenges in current practice, and aims to encourage renewed thinking and improved approaches. Its editors and authors include experienced practitioners and academics. At a time of great change and increasing challenges in higher education, this book offers directors of academic services, library managers, librarians and lecturers a chance to reflect on the key issues and consider the needs of the learning community. "Subject Librarians: Engaging with the Learning and Teaching Environment" also provides a perspective on current practice and a reference source for students of Information Management and Information Studies.
Abstract: This review aims to provide an overview of the ideas, theories and research relating to the diffusion of innovations. It seeks to place the relationship between librarians and the internet and related networked information within the context of diffusion research. It includes a brief background of diffusion of innovation research and a description of the basic model proposed by Everett M. Rogers. The theory of change agents and change agencies is discussed with the role of weak ties in the diffusion of ideas through communication networks. The implications of the need to achieve a critical mass in some applications of networked communication are outlined together with theories about critical mass. The review denitrifies the characteristics that make these technologies unique and discusses the implications for future research. Finally, the relevance of diffusion theory to librarians seeking to introduce new communication-based technologies into academic departments is discussed.
Notes: Reproduced with the permission of the Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Abstract: One strategic themes of HEFCE for the next 10 years is "enhancing research excellence" pushing research support up the agenda of institutions that previously focused on taught programmes for undergraduate and masters students. The Research Support Librarian is a growing phenomenon in higher education addressing issues concerning the support of Ph.D. students across subject boundaries. Many institutions offer courses for Ph.D. researchers and Librarians are beginning to input into Research Methods units and modules directed at preparing Ph.D. researchers. Ph.D. users appear to differ in a number of ways from UG / taught masters students in the intensity with which they use the Library and in their need of specialist advice and materials. They are very focused and ultimately have to achieve a complete mastery of the literature of their research greatly exceeding that of UG and masters level students. This Chapter aims to review what little literature there is on this topic and offer an informed professional view.
Abstract: This chapter describes the techniques needed for using electronic databases to locate and retrieve references to, and full text of, articles in journals, conference papers and chapters in books. It also gives a brief summary of techniques for storing references electronically. The following topics are covered in detail:
Notes: Permission has been given to reproduce this version EXCEPTIONALLY by the publisher Ashgate/Gower because no other electronic copy was found to exist.
Notes: Permission has been given to reproduce this version EXCEPTIONALLY by the publisher Ashgate/Gower because no other electronic copy was found to exist.
Abstract: Bournemouth University and the Centre for Broadcasting History Research [CBHR] Archive collections have a unique flavour, at least in how projects linked to radio collections have come about. We should mention that there have been other projects linked to television as well, the TVTimes project also a partnership with the British Library, The This Week Project and BBC Panorama with the BBC. None of these projects, however, have actually involved digitising moving image. We have also recently acquired the giant IBA paper archive from Ofcom, dating back to the start of ITV. This paper, however, will focus on our sound radio archives, and in particular the creation of an online resource hosted by the BUFVC website, and funded by JISC, to preserve and provide access for students and academics in the UK, material from the LBC/Independent Radio News Archive.
Abstract: The Library has been teaching information skills, more recently called information literacy, for over two decades aimed at supporting students in locating, retrieving and using information effectively in academic work at all levels. We have in the last year in common with trends across the higher education sector been developing a practical framework for the delivery of information literacy that identifies key skills, linked to intended learning outcomes, and reflecting broader initiatives such as the QAA Benchmark Statements. Going forward we plan to link with other related initiatives in the University such as PDP. This paper will: • Explain what information literacy is; • Explain our response to recent developments in thinking in information literacy; • Make links to other initiatives within the University, such as PDP and employability. • We will also make specific statements about how information literacy contributes to employability in two areas: • Supporting students - in a 'vocational university' - doing assignments and projects that directly simulates work related tasks: • Supporting students on placement - looking particularly at the students experience on placement of using information skills in a work context. The paper draws on student feedback about their placement experience and the way they completed information activities and how that related to the skills they acquired prior to going on placement.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The TV Times Digitisation Project aims to microfilm the TV Times London and Regional Editions, digitise the microfilm for the London Edition and create a database of the schedules of the London Edition for the period from 1956 - 1985. The project is one of a number of Arts and Humanities Research Board [AHRB] funded projects in the area of radio and television. It is now in a final, but lengthy phase of data inputting into the schedule database. This paper reports on the project and its benefits to scholarship. It shares areas of good practice that would of benefit to those proposing or undertaking digitisation projects on this scale.
Abstract: This case study describes the information skills delivered to the BA (Hons) Communication degree in the Media School, Bournemouth University across Levels 1, 2 and 3. The total number of students on the programme is c150 across all three levels.
Abstract: Are you new to the NHS? Well yes I am, and new to the North West Ambulance Service [NWAS] and new to the North West. So what has all this newness taught me? Well the NHS is very keen on induction for which I am very grateful as it gave me time to adapt while I learnt about the functions of various fire extinguishers. NHS librarians are very welcoming and collegiate which is both refreshing and surprising coming form an HE environment. Not that HE librarians don’t co-operate, they do, but are very much of the view that my university is my castle! I do feel as though I am a branch library in a wider NW endeavour rather than a one person band. I would also like to thank all those who work in libraries I have visited and met at meetings for their welcome too.
Some themes are the same, the move to electronic resources from print and the emphasis on libraries as social spaces. Some things are different. HE is good at supporting the information needs of students but no so good at supporting the information needs of work colleagues. This is an area where I can see I have a lot to learn from best practice in other NHS libraries in the region. HE, despite what students say, is good at IT. I am still struggling with the labyrinthine access to IT in the NHS. Networks that are encrypted, networks that are only accessible in certain physical places and the few networks that are accessible outside the organisation. Hard to grasp is the idea that social networking/Web 2.0 tools are viewed with suspicion and are blocked in some cases. However, some universities are considering banning Facebook. There must be a balance somewhere in between.
More challenging are the personal differences in the move from big to small. From big budgets to small budgets, from a library of over a quarter of a million books to one that has a lot less! You also think a lot more carefully about how you spend your time when you have to do most things yourself and not pass them on to another department.
Refreshing is the real sense of purpose NHS library colleagues have. Having recently spent a 12 hour shift observing in an ambulance, it does focus your ideas on what is important. I am very lucky to join NWAS now as the service is undergoing a revolution in the way patient transport and paramedics are trained, similar to the Project 2000 in nursing. Incredibly nearly a quarter of the workforces are undergoing some form of training to achieve the new Paramedic Diploma. Close links with HE in delivering these programmes should draw on some of my past work a experience, a view form both sides of the fence so to speak.
