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Case Studies on Academic Library Virtual Reference (VR) Services

Case Studies on Academic Library Virtual Reference (VR) Services

Primary author: Christy Zlatos

Primary college/unit: Libraries
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Although VR services are performed in nearly every academic library as part of its overall library services, very little is known about individual library variations in services. In seven interviews with experts in the field, this work presents an overview of some best practices covering 7 broad groups of issues/concerns in the field including software/technology available, user satisfaction, staffing, consortia providers, marketing of the service, and the referral of library patrons to experts. The seven VR experts selected include one software company representative, the head of a state cooperative, and five academic librarians. In looking VR services in academic libraries, I hope to learn whether large VR services are different than smaller ones, what sorts of library workers best provide the service, how many libraries participate in consortia, what VR software libraries using, how libraries market these services, how libraries might target these services to specific populations (e.g., international students), and how libraries handle referrals (i.e., getting the library users hooked up with the expert they need). The finished report should provide snapshot of the industry in 2020 and shed some insight on some perennial issues.

Transforming Library Data to Wikidata in the Linked Data Environment

Transforming Library Data to Wikidata in the Linked Data Environment

Primary author: Lihong Zhu

Primary college/unit: Libraries
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Wikidata is a free, collaborative, multilingual database that collects structured data to provide support for Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, the other wikis of the Wikimedia movement, and to anyone in the world. (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Main_Page) Wikidata is not only a free collaborative knowledge base that is evolving with its community members and their needs; it is also a central place where data created by people from different cultures and languages can coexist. This study focused on three research questions: (1) What makes the Wikidata data model special in the linked data environment? (2) Why should libraries get involved with Wikidata? (3) What are issues and trends in transforming library data to Wikidata?

Scaffolded Research Assignment Analysis for Roots of Contemporary Issues

Scaffolded Research Assignment Analysis for Roots of Contemporary Issues

Primary author: Corey Johnson
Co-author(s): Jennifer Saulnier

Primary college/unit: Libraries
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Since Fall 2012, Roots of Contemporary Issues (RCI; HISTORY 105/305) has served as the foundational, and only required, course for Washington State University undergraduates. All sections feature a term length individual research project with a scaffolded series of Library Research Assignments (LRAs) and a culminating final research paper. In 2019, a group of RCI instructors and librarians received a WSU Smith Teaching Grant to study the LRAs and their role in producing quality final papers. The project involved 445 randomly selected student cases spread evenly across nine semesters from Fall 2012 to Spring 2017. The presenters and content of this poster will explain when and how topic formation / thesis development, source selection, and citation skills develop over the span of the LRA sequence. Readers of this poster will get a better understanding of the ways students refine topics. For example, when comparing student success within the topic refinement categories “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where,” student had most success with “what” (sub-topic) type narrowing. Readers will gain knowledge about the kinds of sources and how often sources consulted in the preliminary stages of research ultimately appear in their final papers. For instance, only 57% of the sources listed in the final paper bibliography appeared in any of the preliminary LRAs. Finally, information about scaffolding assignment components like annotated bibliographies and outlines, will be offered in reference to which students utilize most effectively and why.