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1 – 10 of over 4000Diane Arrieta and Jacqueline Kern
The purpose of this paper is to examine science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) efforts at Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) John D. MacArthur Campus…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) efforts at Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) John D. MacArthur Campus Library (JDM) to share methodologies and ideas with other academic libraries. Recently, there has been an emphasis on and push for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in colleges and universities across the USA as a means for training future work forces and for remaining competitive in global job markets (Land, 2013). FAU in South Florida is a big proponent of STEM and STEAM education (Florida Atlantic University, 2012; Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, 2013).
Design/methodology/approach
As many librarians and outreach staff strive to remain relevant to their faculty and students with changing technologies (Drewes and Hoffman, 2010), the FAU JDM outreach staff have developed several novel programs that are geared toward the STEAM initiative.
Findings
The Library Outreach Committee at FAU was committed to investigating how they could advance student success through visual arts programming. How can the library help contribute to STEAM education for the students and learning community as a whole? How can the library engage art students? Can the library promote dialogue in arts to the faculty and staff, regardless of their disciplines? This article will describe and discuss the various art outreach programs that the JDM has tested and their outcomes addressing goals toward STEAM education and academic libraries.
Originality/value
The objective in sharing the experiences at the JDM is to spark new and successful program ideas at other academic libraries across the country and abroad and create knowledge in this relatively new area.
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With outreach responsibilities on the rise in academic libraries and budgets declining or remaining stagnant, finding outreach initiatives that support the university in creative…
Abstract
Purpose
With outreach responsibilities on the rise in academic libraries and budgets declining or remaining stagnant, finding outreach initiatives that support the university in creative ways are on the rise. This study seeks to compare outreach initiatives by academic librarians to a project conducted by the author.
Design/methodology/approach
Academic librarians with responsibilities in outreach, marketing, and promotion were targeted in a survey sent to listervs in the Summer of 2011. A total of 21 academic librarians described successful outreach initiatives. A small response rate reflects the target audience.
Findings
The survey revealed a wide range of outreach initiatives that compare funding: library, university, grant, and other. The author's project greatly exceeded the cost of all other initiatives.
Research limitations/implications
The research identifies survey flaws and a small reach to the targeted audience. Suggestions for future research include a modified survey to the Association of Library Communications and Outreach Professionals.
Practical implications
Technology advancements and budget restraints have put pressure on outreach librarians to provide successful programs with less funding. Many colleges and universities across the nation have inserted outreach into public services positions.
Originality/value
The literature produces limited research about successful outreach initiatives over the past five years where economic duress has been nationwide. Outreach librarians will find inspiration in the collected outreach projects undertaken at 21 colleges and universities across America to create projects with limited funding.
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The Old Parcels Office Arts Centre is a community arts‐in‐health project in the heart of Bridlington that aims to promote positive mental health for all through creative activity…
Abstract
The Old Parcels Office Arts Centre is a community arts‐in‐health project in the heart of Bridlington that aims to promote positive mental health for all through creative activity. Josephine Saunders describes the origins of the project and how it manages to bring together the issues of mental health and social inclusion by opening its doors to all the people of Bridlington, not just people with a diagnosis of mental health problems.
This paper seeks to present a history of the initiations of an outreach or satellite reference service and analysis based on experience with the project.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to present a history of the initiations of an outreach or satellite reference service and analysis based on experience with the project.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology involved an online survey, e‐mail queries, and in‐person surveys.
Findings
A successful program was initiated in one site, but a second site failed to thrive. Evaluation of the second site led to the creation of criteria by which to judge future sites.
Research limitations/implications
This article contains a survey which is not statistically valid, which offers anecdotal insight into current reference outreach practice. A method of creating an outreach program is offered, along with pitfalls associated with that method.
Practical implications
This article offers a method of evaluation for physical sites external to the library that may be potential sites of reference services.
Originality/value
Builds on current practice in engineering libraries and creates a more concrete method for initiating these sites than currently exists in engineering library literature.
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Recently in the fluid space between Art and Architecture new innovative projects have emerged using informal and playful forms of social engagement to facilitate community led…
Abstract
Recently in the fluid space between Art and Architecture new innovative projects have emerged using informal and playful forms of social engagement to facilitate community led design. This paper shows the difference between a participatory project commissioned within the arts and a participatory project commissioned within architecture. Two projects carried out by the practice of public works will be explained to show how art and architecture working together can reach beyond temporary social events to support community led projects in the medium to long term. The first project ‘Lay-out’ commissioned by Gasworks Gallery was a residency over a 3-month period, which examined how the gallery is perceived and used by its audiences. The second project shows work with the residents of two housing estates, Braithwaite House and Quaker Court in Bunhill Row - Old street - London. The project was derived from the public realm strategy for EC1, commissioned by EC1 New Deal for Communities and was to create an active public and social space to be shared by two rather conflicting communities.
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The purpose of this paper is to outline the approach to collection development that has characterized the building of the ARTstor Digital Library.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline the approach to collection development that has characterized the building of the ARTstor Digital Library.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach adopted is a brief history, overview, and analysis of the development of the ARTstor collections.
Findings
The paper finds that ARTstor has sought to pursue a strategic approach to collection development, taking as its point of departure the needs of potential users.
Originality/value
The paper offers an inside view of the development of a new non‐profit digital library.
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Increasingly the arts are being considered as having valuable lessons that can be transferred to a business context. This paper explores ways in which the assumed gap between the…
Abstract
Purpose
Increasingly the arts are being considered as having valuable lessons that can be transferred to a business context. This paper explores ways in which the assumed gap between the two cultures can be bridged effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon a wide and practical knowledge of arts education and facilitation practices across a broad and diverse constituency, the author uses his experiences gained as both a performer and practitioner to identify areas of divergence in thinking and methods by which these can be closer aligned in order to establish more effective and sustainable relationships.
Findings
There are important and far reaching implications for integrating arts practices within a business context, however the process of building the relationship between artist and business person from initial meeting through planning, delivery and final evaluation requires careful and informed nurturing.
Practical implications
It gives accessible and practical proposals for identifying potential problem areas whilst offering suggestions for ways in which to start and continue successful associations between artists and business people.
Originality/value
The paper is of considerable value to all potential stakeholders who hold the intention to meld together arts and business processes into a training model of good practice.
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Scholastica Chizoma Ukwoma, Ngozi Eunice Osadebe, Victoria Nwamaka Okafor and Chinwe Nwogo Ezeani
This study aims to show that digital literacy can serve as a tool for effecting social change and highlights the achievements of an academic library in digital content creation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to show that digital literacy can serve as a tool for effecting social change and highlights the achievements of an academic library in digital content creation using the Wikipedia platform.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted qualitative research method, Interview and document analysis were used for data gathering. Data gathered were analysed using content (conceptual) analysis.
Findings
Findings showed that the library has created or edited digital content for various categories of women, such as women in academia, industry and politics. These entries have received more than eight million views over a period of two years, which shows that the entries are being utilised. However, the editing exercise had been confronted with challenges such as accessing reliable citations in terms of the notability and verifiability policy of Wikipedia amongst others.
Practical implications
Currently, people rely more on online resources for their research, leaving physical library resources unused. Even, more students start their research online using Wikipedia. Thus, libraries could create visibility for their physical material using regularly visited sites like Wikipedia and its sister projects such as Wikidata; otherwise, these physical materials will remain invisible to the people that needed them.
Originality/value
Contributing to Wikipedia by creating a new entry or editing an existing one can help students to deepen their knowledge about a subject; Wikipedia editing may serve as an avenue for improving information literacy skills. Drawing from the theory of cyberfeminism as used in the study, information and communications technology has the potential to empower women and transform gender relations.
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