Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research

Diversity in Public Library Boards: Perspectives of Board Members

Maha Kumaran — 2020-12-14

The initial aim of this study was to learn if there was any diversity in ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability among public library board members. Through participant interviews, this study reports on member perceptions of diversity in the areas of member recruitment, qualifications, training, and length of term. Board members from four public libraries in Alberta and Saskatchewan were interviewed and the results were analyzed through the framework of critical race theory (CRT). Findings suggest that library boards lack diversity, particularly in finding, recruiting, and training members who are truly representative of their community. Cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural training are important for board members to connect with their communities.

Web-Scale Discovery Service Adoption in Canadian Academic Libraries

Sandra Wong — 2020-12-15

This study presents an overview of web-scale discovery service adoption in Canadian academic libraries. Web-scale discovery services (WSDS) have been widely embraced in Canadian academic libraries. EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) is the most adopted system for colleges and institutes while Primo Central from Ex Libris dominates the university market for web-scale discovery services. Bundling web-scale discovery services with library services platform (LSP) implementations are increasing in Canada. This study shows that Canadian academic libraries that have migrated from a traditional integrated library system (ILS) to an LSP have also opted for their LSP vendor’s corresponding web-scale discovery service. As more Canadian academic libraries implement an LSP bundled with a web-scale discovery service, there may come a time when web-scale discovery services are no longer separated from discussions on LSPs. The choices available for LSP and web-scale discovery services are shrinking due to vendor mergers and acquisitions in this area.

Ontario Public Library Websites and the Framing of Disability

Heather Hill — 2020-12-15

An environment may be technically accessible, in that it complies with accessibility legislation or makes space for those with disabilities, but that does not guarantee equality. A space or experience can be technically accessible according to a standard and still be unusable, difficult to use or not perceived to be inclusive of those with disabilities. This research takes this understanding of ‘technically accessible’ in order to examine a set of medium-sized Ontario public library websites. Overall, findings are promising as the websites use person-first language and provide a variety of information of value for those with disabilities. At the same time, there are opportunities for improvement.

Walk-In Users and Their Access to Online Resources in Canadian Academic Libraries

Pamela Carson — 2020-12-15

In the past, a member of the public could access an academic library’s collection simply by visiting the library in person and browsing the shelves. However, now that online resources are prevalent and represent the majority of collections budgets and current collections, public access has become more complicated. In Canadian academic libraries, licences negotiated for online resources generally allow on-site access for walk-in users; however access is not granted uniformly across libraries. The goal of this study was to understand whether members of the public are indeed able to access online resources in major Canadian university libraries, whether access to supporting tools was offered, how access is provided, and whether access is monitored or promoted. The study used an online survey that targeted librarians responsible for user services at Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) member libraries. The survey results indicated that some level of free access to digital resources was provided to walk-in users at 90% of libraries for which a survey response was received. However, limitations in methods and modes of access and availability of supporting resources, such as software and printing, varied between the institutions. The study also found that most libraries did not actively promote or monitor non-affiliated user access.

The Public Librarian Low-Morale Experience: A Qualitative Study

Kaetrena Davis Kendrick — 2021-01-04

Recent studies on low morale in academic libraries reveal impacts on workplace health and organizational culture and concerns about leadership training and development. Additionally, established research on library dysfunction and emotional labor in librarianship, along with emerging scholarship on incivility in librarian-patron interactions, highlight a growing area of practice concerns for information professionals. This qualitative study centers public librarians’ experience of low morale. Data validate the development and practice- and health-related outcomes of low morale and illuminate the realities of public library work, organizational culture and behaviours, impact of leadership practices, and the perceptions of the value and role of librarians and the public library in North America.

Academic Librarian Collaborations in Inquiry Based Learning: A Case Study, Reflections and Strategies

James E Murphy — 2020-12-14

Five academic librarians at the University of Calgary were invited to collaborate on an inquiry-based learning course. Each librarian represented different liaison responsibilities and expertise and was paired with a course section of primarily first-year students, an instructor, and a teaching assistant. The range of experiences among the librarians provided insights into issues of library partnerships, embedded librarianship, and information literacy instruction. Benefits of the collaboration included opportunities for instruction, positive student perceptions, skill building, and teaching innovations, while areas for further development included sustainability and role definition. Proposed areas of future growth include quantitative exploration of librarian involvement in inquiry- based learning.

Crowing About Confidence: Technological Self-Efficacy in Academic Libraries

Joshua Chalifour — 2020-12-14

Technological change is a constant in academic libraries and how we assess our ability to learn and use new technologies affects the services that we are able to provide. This article offers an introduction to the concept of technological self-efficacy and its potential relevance to library workers. It also provides a domain-specific measurement tool and ideas on how to build technological self-efficacy in library staff. We also talk about crows, because…the crow knows!

The Fabulousness and the Fury: Preparing for a Drag Queen Storytime

Douglas Davey — 2020-12-15

After announcing the launch of a Drag Queen Storytime, the Halton Hills Public Library (HHPL) received positive feedback from the community, but also faced criticism from a small but vocal group of citizens. Complaints reached as high as the mayoral office, challenging the library’s position as a trusted community institution, and testing the rigour of its training, communications, policies, and procedures. Despite the pushback, the library ran a highly successful program and afterward redoubled its commitment to fighting homophobia and promoting equality. This article details how the HHPL came to offer the program, what the response was, as well as suggestions for measuring success and processing complaints.

Student Work in VCC Libraries: From Mannequins in the Library to a Car on the Third Floor

Kristina Oldenburg — 2021-01-04

A range of student creations decorates Vancouver Community College Libraries. These showcase products from trade and design programs. The downtown campus library features mannequins with clothing designed and created by students in addition to display cases of student-made jewelry. We also exhibit styled wigs from students’ trades skills competitions and framed illustrations from the digital graphic design and drafting programs. The Broadway library has a small study room that the college’s Automotive Collision and Refinishing (ACR) department created from a Smart Car. ACR students also paint our book trucks to practice different designs, techniques, and finishes. Displaying student projects makes the library space more visually interesting. Moreover, the ACR contributions are functional items for the library’s operation. Displaying student projects also facilitates library outreach with shop- and studio-based programs. Furthermore, the work aligns with VCC’s provision of experiential learning. This project report outlines a successful partnership for library outreach with instructional departments. It includes lessons learned about internal and external communication in project management and what we attribute our successes to for our related event planning.

Librarian’s Guide to Writing for Professional Publication (Book Review)

Jennifer Ross — 2020-12-14

Whole Person Librarianship: A Social Work Approach to Patron Services (Book Review)

Samantha Elmsley — 2020-12-14