Although social searching is not a new phenomenon, its features of collaboration, conversation, and interaction in a social space among users make it an imperative element of Web 2.0 technologies. The emerging popularity of folksonomies with users generating their own labeling system has allowed social searching to distinguish itself from traditional search engines such as Google and Yahoo. This paper discusses a number of social search tools, including Google Custom Search, Del.icio.us, Youtube, and Flickr, tools that the authors find useful for the practice of a health information professional.

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Field experiences function as a link between LIS theory and practice. Students should be provided with an experience that is a true reflection of the professional environment. The increasing focus on research by academic librarians provides an opportunity and responsibility to integrate research into the field experiences of LIS students. / Selinda Adelle Berg Clinical Medicine Librarian University of Windsor, Canada sberg@uwindsor.ca; Kristin Hoffmann Research & Instructional Services Librarian The University of Western Ontario, Canada khoffma8@uwo.ca; Diane Dawson Natural Sciences Liaison Librarian The University of Saskatchewan, Canada diane.dawson@usask.ca

The purpose of this research is to study the factors influencing the attitude of male academic librarians towards copyright laws in Saudi Arabia. The Tripartite Model is used to evaluate the overall attitude of academic librarians, defined in terms of three main components: feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. Five independent variables that may affect this attitude are investigated: level of education, domain of practice, position, professional experience, and academic librarians’ knowledge of copyright laws as measured by six pre-selected questions (knowledge Index). The knowledge Index is also later measured against the four other independent variables. Seven major universities were chosen, and 201 male academic librarians participated in this study. A survey method is adopted for collecting data, and a quantitative approach is used to measure the relationship between attitude and the independent variables. The results reveal that academic librarians in Saudi Arabia have a positive attitude, but inadequate knowledge, regarding copyright laws. Only one independent variable—the level of education—is found to be related to the belief component of attitude. While the level of knowledge based on the knowledge Index does not affect attitude, it is correlated with levels of education, experience, and position. This study demonstrates the need for improving librarians’ education and training in Saudi Arabia regarding copyright laws. It also reveals the importance of librarians’ input in copyright laws. / Le but de cette recherche est d’étudier les facteurs qui influencent l’attitude des bibliothécaires académiques masculins menvers les lois sur les droits d’auteur en Arabie saoudite. Le modèle ternaire est utilisé afin d’évaluer l’attitude générale de ces bibliothécaires; ses trois composantes sont les sentiments, les croyances et les comportements. Cinq variables indépendantes qui pourraient affecter les bibliothécaires sont examinées: le niveau de scolarité, le domaine de travail, le poste, l’expérience professionnelle et les connaissances qu’ont les bibliothécaires des lois des droits d’auteur. Cette dernière variable est aussi évaluée par l’entremise d’un questionnaire divisé en six points, l’index des connaissances. Celui-ci est comparé ensuite aux quatre autres variables. Dans le cadre de cette étude, nous avons recruté 201 participants, tous des bibliothécaires académiques masculins provenant des sept (7) universités les plus reconnus. La méthode du sondage est utilisée pour la collecte des données, et une approche quantitative est employée afin d’évaluer la relation entre l’ «attitude» et les variables indépendantes. Les résultats dévoilent que les bibliothécaires académiques en Arabie saoudite ont une attitude positive, mais qu’ils manquent de connaissances à propos des lois des droits d’auteur. Une seule variable indépendante - le niveau de scolarité - s’avère reliée à la composante des «croyances» de cette attitude positive. Même si le niveau de connaissances, basé sur l’index, n’affecte pas l’attitude, il correspond aux niveaux de scolarité, de l’expérience professionnelle et du poste qu’occupe le bibliothécaire. Cette étude démontre clairement qu’il faut améliorer la scolarité et la formation des bibliothécaires en Arabie saoudite concernant les lois des droits d’auteur. Elle dévoile aussi que les bibliothécaires devraient avoir un mot à dire sur l

Join us for a lively and engaging discussion on the similarities and differences between academic and corporate libraries and their parent organizations. A panel of librarians who have experienced both cultures will share practical tips for working in and with both areas to help us 'cross boundaries'. / Slides from a panel presentation at the Special Libraries Association conference in Vancouver, B.C., in June 2014.

In this Bachelor thesis, we examine how the work of the librarian has changed over the past three decades. The research questions focus on the changes in librarians´ roles and working tasks regarding factors like technique, meetings between librarians and visitors and also how to give service to visitors. We have conducted interviews with librarians at university libraries as well as public libraries. In all, there were four interviews. We have also compared the two types of libraries. We have looked closely at these factors: the tasks of the librarians, the skills needed, how the library has been used as a democratic arena, and what kinds of meetings there are among librarians and users of the library. From these themes we have created interview questions, and our analysis is structured according to the themes. We have worked from a theory on different kinds of identities within the profession. This theory is based on the works of Trine Schreiber and Anders Ørom who both are researchers in the discipline. Our conclusion, based on the interviews and also on previous research, is that earlier identified identities can be completed also with a role/identity that can be linked to a need of educating visitors, and a role/identity that regards marketing, i.e. to inform people about the library, its services and activities.

Thesis (MEd) -- University of South Australia, 1993

This study investigates the role of the secondary school teacher-librarian in the creation of a reading environment. The factors that influence how and why a teacher-librarian carries out his or her role are the major focus of the study. These are explored through an analysis of the current literature and in case studies undertaken in six Melbourne secondary schools. The investigation found that each of the case study schools created and operated a reading environment that was affected to varying degrees by all of the identified factors. The factors are: / The attitudes of the teacher-librarian towards their professional responsibility in creating a reading environment, and towards their students as readers. / The relationships forged between the teacher-librarian and teaching staff, administrators, other library staff and students. / The organisational and policy decisions that affect access, such as collection management, reading promotion programs and the knowledge base and advisory role of the teacher-librarian. / The ambience within the library space and how this assists the teacher-librarian in creating a welcoming environment conducive to encouraging reading, including factors such as layout and display. / The influences external to the library within the school including: budget allocation, staffing levels, support from the school administration, curriculum needs and the demands and limitations of architectural structures. / The professional context of the school community and the wider educational and professional debate within which the teacher-librarian operates impact upon the attitudes and decisions of the teacher-librarian. In addition, changes to broad educational objectives, the impact of lCT's, and the ongoing debate as to the role of the teacher-librarian have had a marked impact upon each of the case study schools and their reading environments.