Copyright (c) 2013 Purdue University All rights reserved. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers Recent Events in 2006 IATUL Proceedings en-us Wed, 15 May 2013 20:02:51 PDT 3600 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/50 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/50 Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Jan Wilkinson http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/49 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/49 Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Sohair F. Wastawy http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/48 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/48 Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Jenny Walker http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/47 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/47 Wed, 24 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Marta López Vivancos et al. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/46 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/46 Tue, 23 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Herbert Van de Sompel http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/45 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/45 Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Anette Van Vuren et al. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/44 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/44 Wed, 24 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Anne Trefethern http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/43 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/43 Tue, 23 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT Pep Torn http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/42 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/42 Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT To embed university library practitioners in research, this paper proposes a strategy of maximum immersion. The strategy involves the inclusion of as many employees from as many sections or departments in the library as is practically feasible in research projects of an ongoing or repetitive nature. The paper argues that this strategy will overcome most of the obstacles that normally hinder research by library practitioners, including a lack of research experience and a lack of time. To succeed, the strategy should comply with a number of conditions, such as that the research has to be relevant and beneficial to the university, library and research participants, the research process should develop research experience and build capacity, the research technique should be relatively easy to apply, involvement in the research activity should create lasting enthusiasm, and the process should be dynamic. In the second part of the paper the author uses the example of citation counting of theses and dissertations as a research application that fits the conditions outlined in the first part. The paper concludes with the opinion that, although sufficient thought and planning should go into selecting a research application for ongoing research, it is no more than a means to an end. The ultimate purpose is to get libraries embedded in research – not for the sake of research, but for the sake of its benefits.

]]> Adriaan Swanepoel http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/41 http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2006/papers/41 Wed, 24 May 2006 00:00:00 PDT The Library that considers itself to have the best services in the world may still find itself under-appreciated or – worse still – isolated, unless it delivers those services to its customers in a pro-active manner. Moreover, unless it actively engages with the strategic directions of both the over-arching institution and its individual units – the University and its academic Departments – it risks being ignored and marginalised from the core business of the institution. For too long libraries have, with a degree of modesty and satisfaction, considered themselves as ‘support services’ but now is the time to launch ourselves from the shadows and into the spotlight to take equal billing with academic staff. This paper outlines steps taken and success achieved by the University of Sheffield Library since taking a more collaborative approach to working with academic departments in 2003. Under the banner of a ‘New Partnership’, buy-in is being achieved at a departmental level, from the Head of Department and Director of Teaching, before focusing on the needs of individual modules. An holistic view of information resource provision is being developed, in particular emphasising the Library’s interest in matching information delivery to pedagogy. The emphasis is on delivering a greater proportion of materials directly to students electronically, while achieving a balance with print use in those disciplines where this is still important. The extensive use of electronic reading list software, providing links to any digital object, has revolutionised services, integrated with focused digitisation of full text, with print coursepacks and with the use of an Information Skills Module in the University’s VLE, developed in such a way as to facilitate embedding into academic modules. In conclusion, the paper returns to the importance of gaining an understanding and acknowledgement from the University’s senior management on the advantages of collaborative working so that the technique is recognised as strategically important for the institution: embedding at the institutional level has to be in place if embedding at the module or sub-module level is to be successful. Keywords: information literacy; learning and teaching;

]]> Peter Stubley