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Patron-driven acquisition (PDA), also known as demand-driven acquisition, patron-initiated purchasing, or books on demand, allows patrons to select and purchase hooks for the library collection without staff mediation or oversight. This essay presents the argument that PDA programs are unlikely to improve the quality of academic library collections. In particular, they risk failing to distinguish between students' immediate desires and their long-term educational needs, making poor use of librarians' knowledge and expertise, failing to represent the full range of library stakeholders, and producing collections that are biased or poorly balanced. Although PDA can lead to efficiencies in information delivery, those efficiencies do not necessarily support the broader educational goals of the academic library. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

This study examines reference transaction quantities reported through the Academic Library Survey of the National Center for Educational Statistics to explore whether, and the extent to which, academic libraries are seeing a decline: the beginnings of a \"deserted library.\" Data from 2002 and 2004 shows a decline in reference transactions per week on a per-library basis and on a per-student basis, but this decline differs by the type of institution (Carnegie Class). Librarians at master's institutions have actually seen an increase in the numbers of questions per librarian. ARL institutions' patterns differ from those of other universities, which calls into question using ARL experiences as indicative of the wider academic universe.

Purpose - Research is carried out in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to determine the undergraduate students' level of awareness of information sources available in the university, to know their level of digital literacy and to determine the different search strategies used by them.Design methodology approach - The paper adopts a descriptive survey method and covers the 350 undergraduate students of the four departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences: Economics, Sociology, Political Science, and Geography and Environmental Studies, from which a sample of 105 students is drawn. A questionnaire tagged \"Information Literacy among Undergraduate Students of Social Sciences Questionnaire (ILUSSSQ)\" is designed to collect data for the paper.Findings - The paper reveals that male students in the faculty are more aware and use the information sources available in the university more than the female students. There is significant difference between gender and search strategies used by the undergraduate students in the social sciences. Male students are more digitally literate, they utilize the internet facilities provided in the university library, use different search engines and utilize the CD-ROMs in the e-library section more than the female students.Originality value - The paper will enable librarians to intensify their efforts to educate students on how and where to search and source for information, and how to evaluate information to meet their information needs.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate and determine the levels of information technology (IT) in Pakistani libraries. More specifically, the paper focuses on the status of computers and other commonly used hardware, e-mail, internet, library software, automated user services, expenditure on IT and online resources available in academic libraries of Pakistan.Design methodology approach - The data are collected through a questionnaire survey of 288 (sample of 682) academic libraries across Pakistan. A total of 219 (76 per cent) valid responses are used for data analysis and interpretation using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).Findings - The paper finds a low level of IT availability, especially the absence of computers, e-mail and internet in few libraries. Similarly, the libraries are far behind to achieve excellent IT levels. It is found that libraries need to be fully automated using standard library software management systems. However, access to online resources through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is found extensive and comprehensive. The data indicate the need to enhance libraries' IT expenditure.Practical implications - The findings can be utilized to evaluate the status of different IT tools and applications. The statistical data are very useful and authentic source for planning to improve the libraries' IT infrastructure, library automation and in reducing the gap in levels of IT application in different type of libraries.Originality value - This is a first comprehensive study that provides a complete picture along with statistical data regarding IT applications (computers and other common hardware, software, e-mail, internet, other information access technologies, applications and online resources available) in academic libraries of Pakistan.

Purpose - The paper aims to explore the overall state of information and digital illiteracy (IDL) in developing countries and how it hampers the growth of individuals and nations. The case of Pakistan is to be used as an example to illustrate the endemic state of poor information and digital literacy. It also aims to discuss the general drawbacks to effective IDL in developing Asian countries. Design/methodology/approach - To achieve the objectives of the study, the literature review and result of Pakistan-based surveys are used to indicate the state of IDL among university students and faculty in one country while integrating these findings with discussion. Findings - It was found that in Pakistan, as elsewhere, IL/IDL practice and training are not the norm in libraries or in education; they are not operational priorities. The low level of IL/IDL among the educated classes contributes to the status quo of information illiterate citizens. It also establishes that becoming \"critical consumers\" of information is essential for personal and national empowerment. Originality/value - The study explores the overall status of IDL in the developing countries using case of Pakistan as example. It suggests conducting local research on contextually relevant literacies and IL/IDL. The paper invokes the appreciation for making IL/IDL an integral part of learning programmes at all levels. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

On April 7, 2008, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) instituted the NIH public access policy implementing division G, title II, section 218 of Public Law 110-161 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008) and affecting all peer-reviewed research funded through its grants [I]. [...] a principal investigator of one of the UM's training grants received this message: NIH Grant 5T32### Some citations listed in your recent progress report do not appear to be in compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy, and need to be addressed.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide the findings of a survey of current technologies used in creating information literacy online tutorials in academic libraries. It also aims to inform readers of the technological tools available to develop good online tutorials. Design/methodology/approach - The author surveys 372 online tutorials on the library web sites of 100 academic libraries in a random sample from Peterson's Guide to Four Year Colleges 2008. Findings - About one-third of the surveyed academic libraries have developed their own online tutorials. Most of the tutorials teach search skills for a specific database. The tutorial contents also include general introduction to library resources, research in a subject area, how-to for an application, and library-related concepts and procedures. One-third of the tutorials have been created by tutorial software. The other technological approaches include portable document format (PDF), Hypertext Markup Language, Common Gateway Interface scripts, WebCT, Stream video, and MP3. Research limitations/implications - The sample size may be too small to be conclusive. There may be correlation between the type and size of an academic institution, its information literacy programs, and the type and number of library online tutorials. Originality/value - The value of such tutorials, what constitutes a good online tutorial, and pros and cons of each technology are discussed. The information in this paper is useful for anyone who is interested in current practice of online library instruction and options they have in their choice of technological tools for developing web-based tutorials.

QUESTION/OBJECTIVE: How can a special collection maintain or increase its profile in its parent institution, when that parent institution emphasizes scientific and clinical learning? The Waring Historical Library, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), preserves and promotes the history of health sciences at MUSC and in South Carolina. As a state entity, MUSC has suffered significant budget cuts for the past several years. In this climate, the Waring had to find ways to maintain relevance in the MUSC community. The Waring partnered with the MUSC College of Nursing to explore new ways to build institutional allies. By combining traditional archival administration with innovative uses of digital collections aimed at institutional promotion and outreach, the Waring's digital library became an advocacy tool that led to the Waring's enhanced value to its parent institution. The Waring Library is a resource for MUSC development and alumni relations. Tangible outcomes include additional funding from grants, increased staff, no loss of institutional funding, increased access to collections, increased accessions, cultivation of institutional allies for long-term support of the Waring, and development of a template for future partnerships.

The fact that the survey questions asked why the libraries were not doing something also may have turned away many potential respondents, as sixty-seven people started the survey by answering question 1 (\"Have you read the form and agree to take the survey?\"), but thirty of those respondents did not go on to answer question 2.\\n In its 2007 overview of studies of adult reading habits, \"To Read or Not to Read,\" the NEA suggested that more studies are needed to examine the \"effectiveness and costs and benefits of programs to foster lifelong reading and skills development\" as well as studies to examine the \"effects of electronic media and screen reading\" in young adult reading development.15 Do the Internet, instant messaging, reading blogs, games, and other electronic media, which many claim have replaced reading, have a detrimental effect, or is that exaggerated? Studies by groups like the Kaiser Family Foundation are beginning to examine whether electronic multitasking has had an effect on young adults' ability to focus on activities such as reading books, and no doubt more studies and surveys on the topic will be published in the next decade, giving a better understanding of the relationship between new technologies, literacy, and leisure reading.16 If the prose literacy skills of our college graduates are eroding, are they being replaced with other skills, and do those new skills make up for what is being lost in the critical thinking abilities that come from, for example, being able to read and compare two newspaper editorials?

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Library holds the unique manuscript of the sixth edition of Samuel Hahnemann's Organon der Heilkunst, the primary text of homeopathy. The manuscript volume is Hahnemann's own copy of the fifth edition of the Organon with his notes for the sixth edition, handwritten throughout the volume. There is a high level of interest in the Organon manuscript, particularly among homeopaths. This led to the decision to present a digital surrogate on the web to make it accessible to a wider audience. Digitizing Hahnemann's manuscript and determining the best method of presentation on the web posed several challenges. Lessons learned in the course of this project will inform future digital projects. This article discusses the historical significance of the sixth edition of Hahnemann's Organon, its context in UCSF's homeopathy collections, and the specifics of developing the online homeopathy collection.