Search results

Kirk discusses the history and development of the library instruction movement and of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Instruction section, especially in relation to course‐related instruction as practiced at Earlham College. He reflects on the context, content, methods and terminology of course‐related instruction over the past 25 years.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to four articles from Reference Services Review focusing on the theme of library/IT mergers. It aims to place the articles that follow in their larger historical context and draw conclusions about the success or lack of success of such mergers in general.

The paper frames the four articles that follow, explaining their approach to library/IT mergers and their place in the ongoing discussion of the service effectiveness of such converged organizations.

The paper suggests that library/IT service mergers may be analogous to management's or labor's decision to unionize.

The success of academic libraries and IT services has more to do with the quality of leadership and professional commitment to service than it does with the question of whether these two academic units should merge.

The paper provides an introduction to the special issue on library and IT mergers.

In 1994, the author presented the inaugural LOEX‐of‐the‐West keynote entitled “Glacier or avalanche? Shifts in the electronic, educational, and library landscape”. She outlined the forces shaping the instruction landscape: changing users; information technology; social frameworks; educational change; and economic realities. She posited that libraries would find opportunities in the shifting landscape including: user‐centeredness; using technology to transform; alliances and partnerships; experimentations; collaboratories; self‐sufficiency; inclusiveness; and value‐added librarians. In this 2004 keynote, she reflects on what has transpired in academic library instruction over the decade and speculates on the forces and opportunities that will shape the next ten years.

This research study was started at the University of Oregon, School of Education, in the Spring of 1967. A group of advanced graduate students in school finance under the supervision of the senior author, undertook the study to examine systematically the relationships between and among measures of human resource development, education, manpower utilization and economic growth in the states of the United States. The model for the research was the Harbison and Myers classic study of this important issue among the nations of the world entitled, “Education, Manpower and Economic Growth”. (McGraw‐Hill, 1964.) The research reported touches upon several important fields—economics of education, political science, human resource management and governmental planning. The relationships studied hold important implications for the allocation of scarce human and economic resources to attain state and national social and economic goals.

The dependency on human expertise for analysis and interpretation is the main reason for wear debris analysis not being used in industry to its full potential and becoming one of the most powerful machine condition monitoring strategies. The dependency on human expertise makes the interpretation and result subjective in nature, costly and time consuming. The purpose of this paper is to review work being done to develop an automatic, reliable and objective wear particle classification system as a solution to the above problem. At the same time it also aims to discuss some common off line test methods being practiced for wear debris analysis.

Computer image analysis is a solution for some of the problems associated with the conventional techniques. First it is tried to efficiently describe the characteristics of computer images of different types of wear debris using a few numerical parameters. Then using some Artificial Intelligence tools, the wear particle classification system can be developed.

Many shape, size and surface parameters are discussed in the paper. Out of these, nine numerical parameters are selected to describe and distinguish six common type of wear debris. Once the type of debris is identified, the mode of wear and hence the machine condition can be assessed.

The present process of fault and condition monitoring of an equipment by wear debris analysis involves human judgment of debris formations. A set‐up standard for comparison of debris will enable the maintenance team to diagnose faults in a comparatively better way.

The aim of this paper is to discuss the difficulties in identifying wear particles and finding out the exact health of equipment, which, due to its subjective nature, is influenced by human errors. An objective method with certain standards for classification of wear particles compatible with an artificial intelligence system will yield some flawless results of wear debris analysis, which has not been attempted in the past as per available literature.

Valuing People Now (DH, 2009) recognises that some people, particularly those with complex needs, have been missing out. It has made ‘including everyone’ a priority for the next three years. With reference to Tom's story, this paper will consider the reasons why people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) remain among the most marginalised people in society today, what has changed since Valuing People (DH, 2001) and what needs to change in the next three years of delivering Valuing People Now (DH, 2009) if we are to rise to the challenge of ‘enabling extraordinary people to live ordinary lives’ (McConkey, 1998).

Gives an in depth view of the strategies pursued by the world’s leading chief executive officers in an attempt to provide guidance to new chief executives of today. Considers the marketing strategies employed, together with the organizational structures used and looks at the universal concepts that can be applied to any product. Uses anecdotal evidence to formulate a number of theories which can be used to compare your company with the best in the world. Presents initial survival strategies and then looks at ways companies can broaden their boundaries through manipulation and choice. Covers a huge variety of case studies and examples together with a substantial question and answer section.

The first section of the article provides readers with an overview of the most widely used career development interventions including alternative career paths, assessment centers, career coaching/counseling, cross‐training, flexitime, job enlargement, job enrichment, job rotation, job sharing, phased retirement, sabbaticals, and temporary assignments. Each intervention is described and accompanied with an example. The second section of the article presents three case studies: When woodworkers won’t; How do we keep going from here? and Opportunity in scarce resources. Each case is accompanied with a series of discussion questions and answers. Managers, trainers, and/or consultants can use the article and its case studies to facilitate discussions among employees regarding the potential benefits and drawbacks of various career development interventions.