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Article
Publication date: 15 May 2023

Ann MacMillan Dyer and Lauren Starbird

This case study evaluates the success of a change management process in a very small academic library at a public, rural college. It considers the existing literature on the…

Abstract

Purpose

This case study evaluates the success of a change management process in a very small academic library at a public, rural college. It considers the existing literature on the subject and how it applies to this setting and details the change process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a new tool for assessment of work and its relationship to the organization design, dubbed a “Penny Chart.” The relationship between work areas uncovered by this charting led the change efforts and determined how jobs would be described and marketed.

Findings

Conducting a work reorganization within the confines of a very small library staff has extensive benefits, but does not come without the existing drawbacks of working with limited and shrinking resources in the current climate of higher education. However, intentionally charting the relationship between areas of work and determining natural areas of overlap and authority had significant benefits to the organization as a whole.

Originality/value

There is little to no existing literature on conducting a significant reorganization of this size of academic library. This paper contributes significantly to the literature by proposing a new method for reorganization when there is no change to the official reporting structure due to the size of the institution. In addition, this method will be valuable to institutions of all sizes conducting any significant reorganization.

Details

Library Management, vol. 44 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2011

Brook Stowe

The purpose of this paper is to describe the efforts of library faculty at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus Library to design and implement a continuum of…

1724

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the efforts of library faculty at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus Library to design and implement a continuum of curriculum‐integrated, outcomes‐assessed library instruction in undergraduate writing‐intensive courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review investigates various course‐integrated curriculum designs, how contemporary students learn, the challenges they face in academic research, and the significance of collaboration between library and teaching faculty in facilitating curriculum‐integrated library instruction (LI). Various components of LI design are examined, along with LI development in collaboration with other academic departments. The integration of new LI into a lower‐level undergraduate composition course as well as a pre‐existing LI component to an upper‐level undergraduate writing‐intensive course is explored.

Findings

The initial curriculum‐spanning continuum approach envisioned by the library and English department was necessarily scaled back and down due to personnel and budgetary restrictions. Integrating two library instruction sessions into 47 undergraduate composition courses produced challenges of scheduling, communication and content. Designing LI components with outcomes assessment (OA) measurement built‐in proved superior to retrofitting OA to previously designed, and implemented LI.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to the discussion of library pedagogy, curriculum‐integrated library instruction design and collaboration between library and teaching faculty.

Originality/value

This paper provides a step‐by‐step recounting of a mid‐sized, urban academic library's efforts to implement the first steps towards designing a “continuum” of library instruction for an undergraduate core curriculum. It offers valuable insights and information in designing, implementing and sustaining multiple library instruction components to aid students in seeking and locating authoritative sources for their research projects.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 39 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1988

Marcus Woolley

Developing a library while developing oneself is both an enviable and an alarming experience. This case study is valuable for two reasons: first because it is a uniquely realistic…

Abstract

Developing a library while developing oneself is both an enviable and an alarming experience. This case study is valuable for two reasons: first because it is a uniquely realistic blow‐by‐blow description of the upgrading of a poorly organised, under‐resourced, industrial library. As such, it contains useful practical guidance for the many librarians who have similar problems to contend with. Second, and perhaps even more important, because so rare, is the critical and evaluative attitude taken throughout the report. The author identifies his own mistakes, as well as his successes. The report covers the adoption of new information retrieval systems; the devising of a new issue system for a split‐site library; developing periodicals circulation; evaluation of collection use and relevance; proposing the introduction of on‐line services — against a background of financial stringency and entrenched bureaucracy. The author also evaluates his own performance and the training he received, in his first year of running a one‐person library.

Details

Library Management, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1981

VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the…

Abstract

VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is edited and substantially written by the Information Officer for Library Automation based in Southampton University Library and supported by a grant from the British Library Research and Development Department. Copyright for VINE articles rests with the British Library Board, but opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription for 1981 for VINE is £20 for UK subscribers and £23 for overseas subscribers — subscription year runs from January to December.

Details

VINE, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-5728

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2020

Stella Ngozi Anasi

The purpose of this study is to investigate the composite influence of perceived work relationship, work load and physical work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians…

2052

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the composite influence of perceived work relationship, work load and physical work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians in South-West, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for this study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire, and a total of 102 academic librarians responded to the questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that there is a significant linear relationship among work relationship, workload, work environment and job satisfaction. Among the variables examined, workload is not a statistically significant predictor of the job satisfaction of librarians, but work relationship and work environment have a statistically significant relative effect on the job satisfaction of librarians.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies should evaluate the causal link between work relationships, work load and work environment on job satisfaction using randomized control.

Practical implications

The important result in this study is that there is a significant linear relationship among work relationship, workload, work environment and job satisfaction; therefore, if these factors are adequately taken care of, there will be increased employee motivation, reduced staff turnover and increased job satisfaction among librarians in Nigerian universities. The university library management could take advantage of workshops and seminars on how to build and maintain work relationship and work environment (hygiene factors) to improve employees’ job satisfaction. The seminars and workshop will increase the knowledge of university library management on how to develop coherent friendly co-workers policy practices and workload policy practices to enhance the job satisfaction of librarians in public universities in Nigeria. Librarians should be assigned tasks that are moderately demanding because both overload and under load could lead to job dissatisfaction. Regarding research, this study offered a basis for a continuing debate on work relationship, organizational relationships, work environment, work load and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

Despite the growing global concern for workers well-being in organizations, not much attention has been given to the influence of workplace relationship, work load and work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians in Nigeria. Thus, the results of this research contribute to the body of knowledge regarding job satisfaction among librarians and provide significant evidence on the influence of work relationship, work load and work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. 69 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2015

Sandra Shropshire, Jenny Lynne Semenza and Karen Kearns

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive assessment of promotion and tenure for librarians in light of increased scrutiny and expectations by the administration of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive assessment of promotion and tenure for librarians in light of increased scrutiny and expectations by the administration of Idaho State University (ISU). This increased rigour was prompted by a move up in the Carnegie Classification System.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was performed using library databases, as well as assessing peer institution promotion and tenure documents. Additionally ongoing feedback from University administrators was solicited. The process took for the creation of a new promotion and tenure document for ISU library took two years from the beginning of the project to the final approved document.

Findings

The study found a dearth of performance benchmarks in both literature and peer institution policies and required the authors, along with other library faculty, to create evidence based benchmarks for ISU aligned with traditional standards of teaching, research and service.

Originality/value

This paper is an inclusive assessment of the literature on faculty promotion and tenure, the policies of ISU’s peer institutions, and the change of Carnegie Classification’s impact on the ISU policies.

Article
Publication date: 11 June 2018

Anna Maria Mouza and Athanasios Taousanis

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of Greece’s economic crisis on public librarians’ obligations.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of Greece’s economic crisis on public librarians’ obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 43 public library managers completed a questionnaire regarding 116 librarian responsibilities. Managers evaluated these responsibilities considering their importance, difficulty, and frequency. Regarding difficulty, a two-way analysis of variance was applied to examine whether there exists a significant difference among duties’ categories and libraries’ classifications, considering their number of users and materials, and whether the perceived difficulties were connected with the economic crisis.

Findings

The results reveal that public librarians face many difficulties due to workload and increased responsibilities resulting from the lack of qualified personnel both in library and computer science. Difficulties also arise from the inability to meet some operational needs because of reduced funding.

Practical implications

Contrary to these unfavorable conditions, many new opportunities and challenges have emerged, including the implementation of new practices and actions (volunteerism, donations, cooperation with local actors) to effectively cope with the new threats.

Originality/value

This is the first time that job description has been recorded and used to outline the duties of Greece’s public librarians. This is particularly useful to develop libraries’ strategic planning and to assist all human resource practices to increase efficiency, especially during the period of financial crisis. Further specific duties were also proposed to enhance the librarians’ effectiveness under the new working environment, focusing on the required processes for their successful completion.

Details

Library Management, vol. 39 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1981

GRAHAM JONES

HOW good do costs and workloads in library X look when set against those of comparable libraries?

Abstract

HOW good do costs and workloads in library X look when set against those of comparable libraries?

Details

Library Review, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1994

Blue Wooldridge and Virginia Rose Cherry

A public library budget can serve varied purposes: a contract, a management tool, a communication mechanism, a financial control mechanism, a motivator, a plan, a major…

Abstract

A public library budget can serve varied purposes: a contract, a management tool, a communication mechanism, a financial control mechanism, a motivator, a plan, a major policy‐making tool and as an instrument of democracy. This paper presents a methodology that public library directors can use to determine if the budget contains the information they need in order to make decisions.

Details

The Bottom Line, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0888-045X

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1980

P.G. Peacock

Little attention has been given to the long term effects of cancelling periodicals. A case study of Stirling University Library between 1973/76 and 1978/79 is used to demonstrate…

Abstract

Little attention has been given to the long term effects of cancelling periodicals. A case study of Stirling University Library between 1973/76 and 1978/79 is used to demonstrate that cancelling periodicals can significantly increase a library's workload.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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