The Information Literacy Challenge

Abstract

Technological changes are occurring rapidly. As one result, students entering college are bringing very disparate computer skills and attitudes. Some students are reluctant to embrace new technologies; others demand electronic resources for all assignments. By considering the computer access and Internet resources available to elementary school students today, we can only imagine what our users of tomorrow will expect from libraries. Although college students may arrive at our libraries with increased computer skills, their knowledge of electronic information may be lacking. Definitions of information literacy and an overview of information literacy skills are outlined. The Digital Information Literacy program at The University of Texas at Austin, as well as the technological environment and facilities at the institution, serve as a case study for integrating information literacy skills into traditional services and partnerships.     

Build It (and Customize and Market It) and They Will Come

ABSTRACT

Like other academic libraries, the University Library System of the University of Pittsburgh (ULS) continues to invest in providing anytime, anywhere access to research materials in electronic format. While there are obvious benefits for users in this concomitant increase in complexity for these same users, with many of them, especially undergraduates, turning to the speed and simplicity of Google and away from the complexity of library sponsored electronic resources. Seeking ways to both maximize our investment in full text resources, and promote easy access to this universe of electronic resources for our users, the ULS felt strongly that a navigational solution had to be found, and in 2004 began the process of implementing a federated search tool.

This article discusses the collaborative process between the University Library System and its federated search vendor, and discusses the decision making process behind the customizations made by the ULS to its federated search system. The article also addresses the process of working with a professional marketing organization to developing a marketing message and supporting materials to promote its federated search system, and finally briefly looks at usability and usage statistics to assess the degree to which the Zoom! federated search system has met the goal of providing fast, easy access to high quality information. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_07     

Enhancing Virtual Reference: Techniques and Technologies to Engage Users and Enrich Interaction

Virtual reference service has become ubiquitous in academic libraries. The increased adoption of chat technology brings to light some of the challenges of providing high-quality reference service. The lack of a personal connection, increased transaction time, and technical problems are often cited. Techniques, such as conducting a reference interview or using online communication conventions, can make virtual reference as effective as face-to-face reference. Additionally, inclusion of video or Web annotation in the virtual reference session can add an element of personalization that might otherwise be missing. Virtual reference can be an emotionally rich, engaging, and effective form of reference service if these techniques and technologies are adopted.     

Researching Recent U.S. Legislation Using Free Sites on the Internet

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of gender, college status, and prior Internet experience on the use of Internet resources. The subjects were 96 patrons randomly selected from those using the Internet terminals at the University Library of the University at Albany, SUNY, during the first two months of 1995. We found that the majority of users shared the following characteristics: they are male undergraduates affiliated with the social sciences and are novice users who have less than six months experience. Respondents felt strongly that the Internet is useful, and has been an important resource for their research and assignments. Users have high expectations of searching capabilities, while they feel neutral or disappointed with browsing. Our findings indicate that libraries should provide access to the Internet. They also suggest that libraries should take the lead in developing searchable indexes and making info-bases better organized for the ease and effectiveness of browsing.     

Messages from the Eagle

ABSTRACT

Each year Dacus Library teaches library use to over a thousand freshmen in introductory Writing classes. In the summer of 2000, two reference librarians undertook a revision of the basic methodology of teaching library use to freshmen. This change was necessitated by staff shortages, coupled with increasing enrollment. The resulting virtual tour, which was introduced in fall 2000, combined an existing audio-tape tour with one hour of classroom instruction. The university's mascot, an eagle, was used to lead the students on a tour of all three floors of Dacus Library, with explanations of each location pictured. In addition, the eagle was used to describe and explain the online catalog. The new virtual tour, while still a work in progress, is considered to be a success by students, library faculty and staff, and Writing instruction faculty. You can visit the Dacus Library tour at www.winthrop.edu/dacus/About/Tapetour/Exercises/assignment2.htm.     

基于DSP与LAN91C111的以太网实现

随着现代网络技术的发展,嵌放式系统如单片机、DSP等系统对接入网络的需求日益增加,例如具有远程抄表功能的电表系统、可以进行远程控制的信息电系统等.本文采用TI公司的TMS320VC5502 DSP芯片设计与SMSC公司的LAN91C111-NC网卡的硬件接口电路,并在DSP中用软件实现TCP/IP协议,使DSP芯片具备上网功能,从而可以通过计算机对网卡与DSP电路板进行大量数据交换并对其进行控制.     

无线局域网在高校数字图书馆中的应用

简要介绍了无线局域网技术的特点,通过对高校校园网及其用户进行分析,提出无线局域网技术在高校数字图书馆中的具体应用。     

The question of organizational forensic policy

The objectives of an organization in combination with the formal policy together underpin the strategic direction that any organization will take. We all know that security begins with policy – in other words the rules of play. If policy is sound then the appropriate security measures can be implemented to protect the activities required to achieve the stated objectives as well as maintain the information assurance requirements – availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality and non-repudiation.     

The changes produced in the electrical resistance of vacuum-condensed films of neodymium and praseodymium when they react with hydrogen and with air

When thin films of vacuum-condensed praseodymium and neodymium are exposed to hydrogen or to air the electrical resistance changes owing to the chemical reactions which occur. The progress of the reactions was studied by means of the resistance changes which occur and by means of electron diffraction.At room temperature, neodymium reacted less readily with hydrogen than did praseodymium and the reaction rate for both metals increased with increasing temperatures. The phases formed in the various experiments ranged from the double h.c.p. structure of the metals to the high resistance cubic structure of the hydrides LnH_x with x approaching 3. Cubic and hexagonal Nd₂O₃ formed when the specimens were strongly heated by the beam of the electron microscope.Exposure to air caused the films to oxidize. Thin films approximately 250 Å thick became insulators but the oxide layer formed on thicker films protected the interior of a given film from rapid oxidation so that the film did not become an insulator.     

基于角色的访问控制在高校人事管理系统中的研究

在分析介绍访问控制的概念和RBAC模型的基础上,重点阐述在高校人事管理系统所采用的基于角色的用户访问控制。