The LibQUAL+[TM] protocol solicits open-ended comments from users with regard to library service quality, gathers data on 22 core items, and, at the option of individual libraries, also garners ratings on five items drawn from a pool of more than 100 choices selected by libraries. In this article, the relationship of scores on these locally…

While the idea of data collection is new for many library media specialists, traditional statistics such as circulation, age, value, total collection numbers, class use of the library media center, etc. have been gathered since the dawn of library time. Typically these statistics are gathered simply because it has always been done, but library…

Exploring resources in order to determine their full potential in information-seeking is a necessary part of the ongoing education and training of information professionals. One should explore every resource available in order to make the best judgments when relevant queries are introduced. In this article, the author stresses that one key to…

The authors detail the trial and piloting of a telephone enquiry service (TES) at the Bundoora Campus Library at La Trobe University in order to attempt to resolve the balance between telephone and face-to-face enquiries at the library service desk. They investigated various options throughout 2001 and 2002 and settled on a centralised service…

In this article, the author discusses collection development. Collection development is the one professional activity that allows librarians to define the coin of their realms: the content and kinds of materials they can offer the patrons they serve. Collection development begins with a collection development plan that underscores the mission of…

Ten years ago, in 1996, poet and children's book author, Pat Mora began celebrating "book joy" by founding a children's book and reading day, El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros or Children's Day/Book Day. Dia is modeled on National Children's Day Celebrations in Mexico held since 1925 when it was launched in conjunction with a…

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to describe the practical experience of managing e-books in an academic library. Design/methodology/approach: An overview of the three main e-book collections used (netLibrary, Taylor & Francis, and Ebook Library via Dawson) is provided, along with details such as the acquisition, cataloguing and…

Recycling good ideas is one of the most important skills school librarians can develop. Effective time management is significant to a successful library program; thus adapting, improving upon, and locating resources to enhance an existing idea or model result in time well spent. Developing a comprehensive library curriculum with a detailed…

This article talks about the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) conference in Reno, Nevada, which provides an opportunity for all school librarians to learn more about the new technologies that are revolutionizing the information landscape, and decide which digital tools will work to support their students and teachers. The…

School librarians work with people of all ages, abilities, and personalities; those people are the puzzle pieces that make advocacy for libraries effective. School librarians contribute to and use the resources of their state and national organizations' advocacy efforts. The completed picture of the puzzle is an excellent program with…

In this article, the author describes his path to library advocacy. It resulted from several youthful experiences, favorable professional associations, and an unexpected invitation shortly after he left K-12 education for the university. The author believes that it is a good idea to get more librarians to consider going into administration.…

In this article, the author provides a job description of teacher-librarians. In this information age, teacher-librarians make sure that children grow up and thrive in a world that requires not just knowledge, but the ability to tap into vast collections of information. Teacher-librarians also teach what is called information literacy. This…

While a positive attitude for librarians helps, there is a knowledge base and a research base in the field, a structured set of protocols, and a range of skills that have to be taught and practiced at the preservice level. In this article, the author discusses the importance for librarians to exude more enthusiasm about their work. She offers…

In this article, the author shares how she follows the policy developed by the Library Advisory Council (LAC) when she acquires new books for her school library. LAC is a group of fifty or so teaching librarians from all five New York City boroughs. They meet four times a year to help the Office of School Library Services focus on issues important…

Librarians face two very pressing charges: make voluminous numbers of electronic resources as visible as possible in a landscape with multiple access points, and simultaneously manage all the technology, tasks, and data necessary to facilitate such ubiquitous access. In the past ten years, solutions have emerged and become commonplace in many…