Newton Gresham Library
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11875/2
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Item Beyond the Library: The Role of Academic Libraries’ Chat Reference in Answering Campus Questions(Taylor & Francis (The Reference Librarian), 2024-04-22) Owens, Erin; Arce, Vanessa; Del Bosque, Darcy; Fowler, Robin; Sheffield, SilviaEven before the COVID-19 pandemic drove most users online, chat was establishing itself as a core service for asking library-related questions of many types, from basic directional and reference to research queries of a more sophisticated nature. This investigation seeks to provide insight into how academic libraries are seen not only as a source of library assistance, but also as a means of filling an information gap on a wider subject: the university campus at large. The study’s methods involved analyzing chat transcripts from five large four-year public universities during a two-year period (2019-2021), noting the frequency of campus-related chat questions and coding the specific topics of those inquiries. The findings show that library reference services, particularly live virtual chat, are consistently valuable to the campus community and may be especially important to supporting less privileged student populations.Item Supplemental Files for: "Beyond the Library: The Role of Academic Libraries’ Chat Reference in Answering Campus Questions"(The Reference Librarian (Taylor & Francis), 2024) Owens, Erin; Arce, Vanessa; Del Bosque, Darcy; Fowler, Robin; Sheffield, SilviaEven before the COVID-19 pandemic drove most users online, chat was establishing itself as a core service for asking library-related questions of many types, from basic directional and reference to research queries of a more sophisticated nature. This investigation seeks to provide insight into how academic libraries are seen not only as a source of library assistance, but also as a means of filling an information gap on a wider subject: the university campus at large. The study’s methods involved analyzing chat transcripts from five large four-year public universities during a two-year period (2019-2021), noting the frequency of campus-related chat questions and coding the specific topics of those inquiries. The findings show that library reference services, particularly live virtual chat, are consistently valuable to the campus community and may be especially important to supporting less privileged student populations.Item Pitcairn Islands Research Station Poster(2023-09) Albert, Donald Patrick; Elkins, Susan; Solomon, Mason; Purifoy, MatthewThe Pitcairn Islands Research Station (PIRS) functions as a portal for our studies involving the mutiny on the HMAV Bounty (April 28, 1789) and its aftermath. Our affiliate investigators include Donald Albert (Department of Environmental & Geosciences), Susan Elkins (Newton Gresham Library), Matthew Purifoy (Geography Major), and Mason Solomon (History Major). The purpose of PIRS is to disseminate our studies (abstracts, posters, magazine and journal articles) online through Scholarly Works @ SHSU to Bounty/Pitcairn enthusiasts worldwide.Item Use and Non-Use of Academic Ebooks a Decade Later [Survey Instrument](2023) Owens, Erin; Hwang, Soo-yeon; Kim, Dianna; Manolovitz, Tyler; Shen, LisaItem Comparing Medical Emergency Preparedness in U.S. Public and Academic Libraries(Taylor & Francis (Public Services Quarterly), 2022-12) Owens, ErinThis study sought to determine what medical emergency resources and training are provided in U.S. public and academic libraries, how public versus academic preparedness compares, and what reasons may contribute to decisions against adoption. Survey responses from 65 libraries were analyzed regarding availability of, plans to acquire, or reasons for not acquiring five interventions—automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs), naloxone, epinephrine, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, and mental health crisis training. Findings showed that these interventions were not necessarily common—41.5% of respondents offered zero of the five interventions, while the most common, AED, was available in 52.3% of libraries. AEDs and epinephrine were somewhat more common in academic libraries, but naloxone, CPR training, and mental health crisis training were more common in public libraries. Primary reasons for not adopting medical interventions included alternative emergency response options, cost, concerns regarding legal liability, and the sense that this is outside the scope of a library’s duties. Implications and considerations for library planning are discussed.Item Dataset for Authorship in Academic Librarianship Journals, 2015-2019(2022) Owens, ErinItem Leveraging Collections to Support Instructional Needs(American Association of School Libraries, 2021-10-23) Adair, Heather; Crane, Ashley; Hanson, MichaelLooking to better connect your collection to your campus’ instructional needs? Join us on a journey exploring opportunities to position your collection to support diverse learners, learning environments, and instructional goals and ways to celebrate the collection’s impact. Along the way, three librarians will share their experiences and tips for success.Item Learning Analytics and Privacy: A Library Perspective(Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 2021-07-26) Hwang, Soo-yeon; Hanson, MichaelThis column discusses learning analytics in higher education, including the involvement of academic libraries, privacy concerns, and some elements to consider when developing and deploying learning analytics systems ethically.Item Rethinking the Role of Circulation Staff in Academic Libraries(Taylor & Francis, International Information & Library Review, 2021-04) Owens, ErinThe traditional functions of Access Services shrink as many academic libraries see physical circulation rates continue to decline, but the need for staff trained in customer service skills does not diminish. This column reflects on how one academic Access Services department partnered internally with other library departments to expand our definitions of who we serve and find new ways to prove our value to the library. Other academic libraries may find inspiration to rethink old habits, forge new connections, and determine what success looks like.Item Scholarly Communication Outside the R1: Measuring Faculty and Graduate Student Knowledge and Interest at a Doctoral/Professional University(Pacific University Libraries (Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication), 2021) Owens, Erin; Manolovitz, TylerThis study explores the baseline knowledge and interest of faculty and graduate students at a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University regarding different components of scholarly communication. A survey was developed to inquire about such topics as scholarly research, scholarly publishing, access to research, copyright, measuring impact, promoting research, and open educational resources. Responses more significantly represented the humanities and social sciences versus the natural and applied sciences. Results showed some hesitancy in embracing the open access publishing model, especially the use of article processing charges (APCs). Faculty largely collect original data and believe public access to original data is important, but this varies by college and includes almost one fourth of faculty who do not feel that sharing data is important. The areas in which respondents expressed the highest level of knowledge correlate directly with the areas in which respondents expressed the most interest in professional development. Preferences in professional development modality were split between virtual and in-person sessions. With virtual sessions specifically, graduate students prefer synchronous sessions while faculty prefer pre-recorded sessions. Respondents were generally aware of the library’s current scholarly communications services, but additional promotion and marketing is still needed, especially for colleges with the lowest areas of engagement.Item Impostor Phenomenon and Skills Confidence among Scholarly Communications Librarians in the United States(ACRL (College & Research Libraries), 2021) Owens, ErinThis survey-based study sought to measure the experience of impostor phenomenon among library personnel supporting scholarly communications in academic libraries in the United States. Additionally, the survey sought to assess confidence levels in key, professionally defined competencies and the factors most significantly affecting those confidence levels. Results indicated that, on average, scholarly communications librarians experience impostor phenomenon more frequently and intensely than academic librarians more broadly. The length of time spent working in libraries was negatively correlated with levels of impostor phenomenon, as were hours spent in specialized continuing education activities and number of research publications. Implications for improving training and mentoring opportunities to decrease impostor phenomenon are discussed.Item Featured Library: Newton Gresham Library, Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX)(Informed Librarian, 2019-11) Elkins, Susan; Hwang, Soo-yeon; Shotwell, TrentAn informational article about the Newton Gresham Library, Special Collections, and a class project. This project involved students from a public history class to interact with primary research materials to learn more about the types of materials in archives.Item Austin MacCormick: A Champion for Texas Prisoners(Journal of South Texas, 2020) Elkins, Susan; Kim, Dianna; Shotwell, TrentAustin Harbutt MacCormick (1893-1979) spent much of his professional career serving as a proponent of prison reform. Beginning with his 1915 college graduation essay focused on the subject and continuing throughout the majority of his life, he arduously fought for improvements in prison conditions and the education of incarcerated Americans. His impact on Texas prisons is still felt today. MacCormick investigated 110 of 114 prisons throughout the United States and in 1944 was asked to visit and evaluate the Texas prison system. He was appalled by the conditions he observed. Prisoner dormitories, called “tanks” were reminiscent of slave ships. In rebellion from either being forced to work from sunrise to sundown or from the dismal quality of life in the tanks, prisoners frequently (nearly 100 incidences per year) mutilated themselves by slicing through their Achilles tendons or by threading their arms through their cell bars to break their bones with a twist. MacCormick met teenage boys who had cut off most of their fingers in despair. Others cut holes in their skin and poured lye into the wounds. Sometimes prisoners did the mutilating themselves; other times they forced fellow prisoners at knifepoint to do the deed. The self-mutilation taking place in Texas was like nothing McCormick had ever seen in any other prison system. MacCormick’s assessment of the Texas State Prison resulted in the issuance of an internal report identifying countless problems: ineffectual administration, inadequately-trained personnel, terrible living conditions, outmoded farming techniques, vicious discipline, poor medical services, lack of industry and a complete void of rehabilitative procedures. The situation was so grave that MacCormick rated the Texas prison system as one of the worst in the United States. Although he revisited the Walls on several occasions hoping to observe improvements, it soon became apparent that without public outcry Texas would do nothing to change their miserable circumstances. Finally, in 1947 when 45 prisoners escaped from the Walls within one month (more escapees than the Federal Prisons had experienced in a year), MacCormick wired Governor Beauford Jester in anger. The result? With widespread support from both the press and public, Jester lobbied for reform and received the backing of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. Texas prisons then initiated comprehensive reforms which made Texas one of the top prison systems in the country. The reforms set into motion by MacCormick had a massive impact on the Texas prison system. He truly was a champion for Texas prisoners.Item What Do You Want from Us? Evaluating Student Interest in Technology-Based Services in Academic Libraries(College & Research Libraries, 2019) Elkins, Susan; Hwang, Soo-yeon; Kim, Dianna; Manolovitz, Tyler; Mueller, Kat Landry; Owens, ErinFollowing two previous studies in 2010 and 2013, this study intends to identify current trends of Sam Houston State University students’ technology and communication needs and preferences regarding library services and resources. Drawing comparisons to two previous local studies and national datasets, such as those from Pew Internet Research and the EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research (ECAR), the findings revealed, among other things, a decline in tablet usage and interest, continued need for library computers, and a complex relationship between social media usage and engagement with the library. The results of this survey will inform and guide the library and the profession to most efficiently and effectively offer desired library services and engage students on appropriate social media platforms.Item Where’s the EASY Button? Uncovering E-Book Usability(2019) Mueller, Kat Landry; Owens, Erin; Valdes, Zachary; Williamson, ColeE-book platforms have multiplied among vendors and publishers, complicating not only acquisitions and collection development decisions, but also the user experience. Using a methodology of task-based user testing, the researchers sought to measure and compare user performance of eight common tasks on nine e-book platforms: EBSCO eBooks, ProQuest Ebook Central, Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL), Oxford Reference, Safari Books Online, IGI Global, CRCnetBASE, Springer Link, and JSTOR. Success and failure rates per task, average time spent per task, and user comments were evaluated to gauge the usability of each platform. Findings indicate that platforms vary widely in terms of users’ ability and speed in completing known-item searches, navigation tasks, and identification of specialized tools, with implications for library acquisition and user instruction decisions. Results also suggest several key vendor design recommendations for an optimal user experience. The study did not aim to declare a “winning” platform, and all the platforms tested demonstrated both strengths and weaknesses in different aspects, but overall performance and user preference favored ProQuest’s Ebook Central platform.Item Beyond Citation-Counting: Metrics and Altmetrics for Demonstrating Scholarly Impact(2019-03-19) Owens, ErinAs librarians, we understand how a citation shows the influence of one scholarly work on another. But citations are only one way to gauge the impact that scholarship has in its field and in the wider world. Starting from the context of traditional citation-based metrics, this session will explore a variety of alternative metrics that offer new and diverse ways for researchers to tell the story of their scholarship.Item Institutional repository promotion: Current practices and opinions in Texas academia(New Review of Academic Librarianship, 2019-04-26) Hwang, Soo-yeon; Elkins, Susan; Hanson, Michael; Shotwell, Trent; Thompson, MollyPromoting an institutional repository (IR) to both faculty and end-users can be challenging. We surveyed academic libraries with an IR in Texas, and asked both library administrators and IR managers about their efforts to promote and grow their IR in both size and downloads. In addition, we studied the websites of Association of Research Libraries and Texas academic libraries to see how other institutions place links to their IRs on the websites and name them in different ways to draw attention. We probed and discuss findings regarding active marketing to faculty in order to grow the IR size, and passive promotion efforts such as linking on the library website, custom branding to help people find and remember the IR, and so on. We found that most marketing was geared towards faculty, and little active marketing efforts were made to the end-users.Item Biz of Acq - LibGuides: Changing the Game for Technical Services Procedures & Policies(Against the Grain, 2015-09) Mueller, Kat Landry; Thompson, Molly; Flinchbaugh, MichelleWhile librarians are stereotypically excellent at preserving and ensuring access to library materials for patrons, there tends to be noticeable lack of instructions when it comes to documenting their own workflows and procedures. Librarians at Sam Houston State University’s Newton Gresham Library are trying to “change the game” when it comes to efficient and effective documentation of Technical Services department’s policies and processes. Springshare’s LibGuides has thus far been an beneficial system for documenting SHSU Library internal practices and systems. As with most technical documentation structure, continued success depends upon routine updates, maintaining access, and widespread adoption by personnel.Item Patron Preferences: Recreational Reading in an Academic Library(The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 2017-01) Mueller, Kat Landry; Hanson, Michael; Martinez, Michelle; Meyer, LindaResearch background and method In 2014, Sam Houston State University Library librarians distributed a survey to students, faculty and staff to better understand how the university community was using library materials for recreational reading. The survey found that patrons had preference for print materials with a growing interest in other formats. A significant number of respondents did not view the library as a source of recreational reading materials; those who did read across a broad swath of genres. Greater understanding of patron recreational reading preferences empower the library to expand the library collection to meet all patron demands.Item Ready, Set, Hire! Perceptions of new technical services librarian preparedness(Library Leadership & Management, 2015) Mueller, Kat Landry; Thompson, Molly; Valdes, ZachPrevious studies have investigated technical services librarian job availability and preparedness, but have not compared library administrators’ and librarians’ assessments of entry-level technical services librarian preparedness. In this study, the researchers explore the perceived preparedness of entry-level technical services librarians upon graduating from a Master of Library Science/Information Science (MLS/IS) degree program, and assess library administrators’ employment projections for technical services librarians, including hiring, retiring, position consolidation, and elimination. An electronic survey was distributed to library administrators and technical services librarians from public and academic libraries located across the United States. The researchers identified discrepancies between how prepared entry-level technical services librarians felt upon graduating, and how prepared administrators perceived them to be. Data gathered from both administrators and entry-level technical services librarians suggests the majority of respondents feel entry-level technical services librarians are adequately to exceptionally qualified for their first entry-level position upon graduating from a MLS/IS degree program. However, both groups felt current MLS/IS degree programs do not fully prepare technical services librarians for their first professional jobs, yet the desired skills and areas of knowledge which were identified as lacking varied between the two groups. The researchers discovered employment data which indicate relatively low turnover or consolidation for technical services librarians, and which support projections of low to moderate growth for this area of librarianship over the next decade.