Using Digital Information Services in the Library Workplace


Book Description

Library collections have rapidly evolved from a predominance of print books and journals to an ever growing mix of digital and print resources. Support staff are expected to know how to help patrons select and use digital information services such as databases, digital collections, digital archives, ebooks, steaming video, discovery search products, the Internet and user-focused library interfaces and applications. Yet most library support staff (LSS) has not had training to become proficient in finding, using, and instructing others in the wide range of digital library services. Using Digital Information Services in the Library Workplace: An Introduction for Support Staff is an up-to-date text for professors who teach digital information use and management in library support staff programs and a handbook for those working in libraries who want to keep current as they expand their knowledge and skills. This book will help support staff members to: Know and use terms and concepts used in digital information services. Use digital information services effectively Know how to evaluate and select databases and services Understand issues and trends in the library digital information industry Distinguish key features and enhancements found among vendors and providers of digital libraries, digital collections, databases, and e-texts; Plan, budget, and write grants for digital services; Understand the complexity and options of licensing and usage agreements for digital information services; Know copyright permissions and acceptable use guidelines for digital information services. Use government databases and other digitized systems and information sources; Locate digital collections of museums, universities, and other sources that librarians can share with patrons. Understand the concepts of preservation using digital technologies. Create local digital resources of primary and historical materials and artifacts with metadata and cataloging for searchable access. The Library Support Staff series is aimed for staff that work in libraries and want to enhance their skills, college professors who teach library support staff instruction, and/or students who seek academic credit. Each book in the series addresses a specific topic in an academic curriculum for library support staff. Content of each book in the series is aligned with American Library Association competencies for accredited programs and learning for library support staff (ALA-LSSC). The text is written in clear language with practical examples of how performance can contribute to exemplary library service.




Using Technology in the Library Workplace


Book Description

Libraries today, regardless of their type or location, are reliant on technology. Almost every process or procedure in the library is dependent upon skilled use of computers, hardware, and software. Integrated library and discovery systems enable patrons to manage activities such as creating lists and holds, to perform self-checkout, and to search multiple library catalogs and databases simultaneously. This text is written for the library support staff who are the backbone of technology success. Each chapter provides a practical overview of how the technology advances library services. With abundant examples of how to apply the technology in real situations, it is an essential handbook for students entering into the library profession as well as for those who seek to become more confident and competent with these technologies and more: Computer hardware and peripherals Integrated Library and Discovery systems Software applications Open Source Cloud Computing Mobile applications Networking Infrastructure Online Meetings Social Media Mobile Technologies Digital media equipment STEM/STEAM Makerspaces Coding and Robotics Cybersecurity The Library Support Staff series is aimed for staff that work in libraries and want to enhance their skills, college professors who teach library support staff instruction, and students who seek new learning in the library profession. Each book in the series addresses a specific topic in an academic curriculum for library support staff. Content of each book in the series is aligned with American Library Association competencies for accredited programs and learning for library support staff (ALA-LSSC). The text is written in clear language with practical examples of how performance can contribute to exemplary library service.




The Library Workplace Idea Book


Book Description

The antidote to low morale and high turnover starts with mindfulness and self-care, and this resource presents myriad proactive and positive ideas for making libraries a fulfilling workplace.




Project Management in the Library Workplace


Book Description

This volume of Advances in Library Administration and Organization attempts to put project management into the toolboxes of library administrators through overviews of concepts, analyses of experiences, and forecasts for the use of project management within the profession.




Digital Rights Management


Book Description

In a world of users that routinely click “I Agree” buttons, librarians may be the lone voice raising an alert to the privacy, use, and ownership issues arising in connection with the design and implementation of digital rights management (DRM) technologies. DRM reflects the efforts of copyright owners to prevent the illegal distribution of copyrighted material – an admirable goal on its face. A common misunderstanding is that DRM is copyright law. It is not. Rather it is a method of preventing copyright infringement; however, if unchecked, DRM has the potential to violate privacy, limit ownership rights, and undermine the delicate balance of rights and policies established by our current system of copyright. All three of these arenas are critical for both librarians and their users. Reflecting the shift from ownership to access, libraries are increasingly providing access to rights-protected digital content. Libraries strive to provide access to rights-protected content in a manner that protects both the content creator and the privacy of the user. DRM encompasses a variety of technologies and strategies utilized by content owners and managers to limit access to and the use of rights-protected content. Librarians need to understand DRM to effectively enable users to access and use rights-protected digital content while at the same time protecting the privacy of the user. Designed to address the practical operational and planning issues related to DRM, this guide explores the critical issues and challenges faced by librarians. After reading it, librarians will better understand: the digital content rights protection scheme; the various DRM technologies and how they are used; how to use authentication and authorization standards, strategies, and technologies; and, the privacy and security issues related to DRM. Edited by two librarians who also hold law degrees, this is a best practices guide for front-line librarians on how to best respond to the impact of DRM schemes on collection development, staffing, budget, service, and other library concerns.




Cataloging Library Resources: An Introduction


Book Description

This revised text is aimed specifically for library support staff and purposefully aligned with the American Library Association – Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) competency standards for Cataloging and Classification. In recent years AACR2 rules and MARC21 cataloging standards have evolved to RDA rules and BIBFRAME standards. Today catalogers must have the knowledge and skills to apply RDA rules of cataloging and use the BIBFRAME standards for data entry. Written in clear language and featuring practical examples, Cataloging Library Resources: An Introduction Revised edition will instruct library support staff to become proficient catalogers. Other books on this topic are written for professional librarians rather than support staff. And although the majority of library support staff do not hold professional degrees, many are expected to do the complex and technical work of catalogers. This book provides many examples that support staff can use to learn how to catalog all types of library print, media, and digital materials using the most up-to-date Library of Congress standards. Using this handbook as a guide, readers will be able to perform the ALA-LSSC cataloging and classification competencies and the new RDA, FRBR, and BIBFRAME standards listed below: • Apply and manage the appropriate processes, computer technology, and equipment for cataloging and classification. • Apply principles of Resource Description and Access (RDA) and the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) when creating cataloging records. • Apply principles of the Bibliographic Framework Initiative (BIBFRAME) and utilize the BIBFRAME model to create cataloging records. • Use the basic cataloging and classification tools, both print and online, including bibliographic utilities and format standards. • Understand the value of authority control and its basic principles, and can identify and apply appropriate access points for personal names, corporate bodies, series, and subjects. • Explain the value and advantages of cooperative or collaborative cataloging practices to enhance services. • Know the basics of standard metadata formats and cataloging rules to select, review, and edit catalog records, and to generate metadata in various formats. Use and apply the classification systems of Dewey, Library of Congress, and Government Documents. And much more!




Working with Library Collections


Book Description

Working with Collections: An Introduction for Support Staff deals with the technical service aspect of library work- the processes that put a book on the shelf or online. It provides an introduction to publishers, vendors, preparing items for use, and caring for items in the collections and is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and their students, and an introductory manual for support staff who work in libraries. This material is written in clear language with practical examples of how performance can contribute to exemplary library service. It is aligned with the ALA support staff standards and prepares library support staff to: Know how to use an integrated library system and other appropriate online tools. Know the basic principles of collection development and management. Assist with decisions regarding selection, de-selection, retention and replacement of all types of library resources. Know the basic principles, and can apply, the appropriate procedures to the processes that provide users with access to a wide variety of content. Know the various ways in which content, in multiple formats, is produced and distributed to libraries. Understand the value of resource sharing agreements and apply them to collection decisions. Know and use the recognized standard evaluative sources to assist with collection development. Know the principles and basic practices regarding the preservation of library resources. Apply appropriate methods and techniques for accurate preparation of library resources Explain and apply policies regarding library collections.




Project Management in the Library Workplace


Book Description

This volume of Advances in Library Administration and Organization attempts to put project management into the toolboxes of library administrators through overviews of concepts, analyses of experiences, and forecasts for the use of project management within the profession.







Information Services Today


Book Description

This third edition of Information Services Today: An Introduction demonstrates the ever-changing landscape of information services today and the need to re-evaluate curriculum, competency training, professional development, and lifelong learning in order to stay abreast of current trends and issues, and more significantly, remain competent to address the changing user needs of information communities. Specifically, the Information Services Today: An Introduction: provides a thorough introduction, history, and overall state of the field, explores different types of information communities, the varying information needs within those communities, and the role of equity of access, diversity, inclusion, and social justice in those communities, addresses why information organizations and information and technological literacy are more important today than ever before, discusses how technology has influenced the ways that information professionals provide information resources and services in today’s digital environment, highlights current issues and trends and provides expert insight into emerging challenges, innovations, and opportunities for the future, and identifies career management strategies and leadership opportunities in the information professions. The new edition features chapter updates to address changes in information services, introducing new/updated topics such as emergency/crisis management/community resilience, sustainability, data analysis and visualization, social justice, and equity of access, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Information Services Today: An Introduction begins with an overview of libraries and their transformation as information and technological hubs within their local and digital communities, as well as trends impacting the information field. Information Services Today: An Introduction covers the various specializations within the field – emphasizing the exciting yet complex roles and opportunities for information professionals in a variety of information environments. With that foundation in place, it presents the fundamentals of information services, delves into management skills needed by information professionals today, and explores emerging issues related to the rapid development of new technologies. Information Services Today: An Introduction addresses how libraries and information centers serve different kinds of communities, highlighting the unique needs of increasingly diverse users. Information Services Today: An Introduction provokes discussion, critical thinking, and interaction to facilitate the learning process. The content and supplemental materials – discussion questions, rich sets of online accessible materials, multimedia webcast interviews featuring authors from this book discussing the trends and issues in their respective areas, and chapter presentation slides for use by instructors – give readers the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of and engagement with the topics.