The purpose of this study is to show how the addition of a next‐generational overlay to an existing online catalog can lead to more‐refined searching by users. Users of classic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to show how the addition of a next‐generational overlay to an existing online catalog can lead to more‐refined searching by users. Users of classic online catalogs have always had the ability to refine their searches and define better the specific type of material they want. However, research in the last two decades has consistently shown that few users take advantage of this extra step. Now with the rise of discovery platforms like Encore and Aquabrowser, the limiting capabilities are automatically displayed to the user, and this study aims to demonstrate that this creates a significant change in search behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The library worked through months of its search logs for both the classic and online catalogs and compared data from the two platforms. Similar log data were obtained from other libraries to confirm that this was a universal trend.
Findings
The study shows that users are 15‐20 times more likely to refine their searches if they are searching in a discovery platform.
Originality/value
Librarians can base their bibliographic instruction sessions on a better understanding of the search behaviors likely in the two kinds of catalogs.
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Keywords
In response to budgetary concerns and feedback from users, the New York Law School's Mendik Library needed to streamline the way it reported current law journal table of contents…
Abstract
Purpose
In response to budgetary concerns and feedback from users, the New York Law School's Mendik Library needed to streamline the way it reported current law journal table of contents (TOC) information to its users. As part of this streamlining process, the librarians discovered that most of the journals they provided in paper had web pages that provided full access to all articles in their current issues. The librarians responded to this opportunity by building web pages that provided links to these journals and noted when a new issue had just appeared. The purpose of this paper is to assess the status of current awareness information in the field of legal journals and uncover the options for best using them.
Design/methodology/approach
The library worked from a list of journals that they purchased through paper subscriptions. They determined the web page location of each and then checked whether the journal provided TOC data only, full text through internet protocol recognition or open full text for at least the current issue.
Findings
More than 60 percent of the law journals that Mendik purchased had online TOC available with full, free access to the content.
Originality/value
Librarians can begin to explore replacing TOC reporting with virtual journal shelves that contain full content to the articles.
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Keywords
Terry Lee Ballard and Anna Blaine
In response to the changing world of information access, librarians at the New York Law School's Mendik Library became interested in providing a full‐service mobile phone…
Abstract
Purpose
In response to the changing world of information access, librarians at the New York Law School's Mendik Library became interested in providing a full‐service mobile phone application so that users could search the catalog, access the reserves module, renew books and find information such as library hours. The purpose of this paper is to show how the library went from this concept to an award‐winning product.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper shows step by step how the librarians listened to experts in the field, searched the mobile stores to find other libraries that have done this, chosen a vendor, and rolled out the service with a multimedia information campaign.
Findings
Using a team approach, it is possible to develop a mobile application that is useful and still being accessed a year after its first launch.
Research limitations/implications
More needs to be done to see the precise state of mobile access in the world's libraries.
Originality/value
The approach documented in the paper will serve as a template for libraries planning to add mobile access, but are unsure of how to proceed.
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Aissa Boucedra and Madani Bederina
This paper aims to characterize and develop a new ecological lightweight concrete reinforced by addition of palm plant fibers (from vegetal waste) to be used in the thermal and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to characterize and develop a new ecological lightweight concrete reinforced by addition of palm plant fibers (from vegetal waste) to be used in the thermal and acoustical insulation of local constructions. The date palm plant fibers are characterized by their low sensitivity to chemical reactions, low cost and large availability in local regions. Therefore, the newly obtained lightweight concrete may suggest a great interest, as it seems to be able to achieve good solutions for local construction problems, technically, economically and ecologically.
Design/methodology/approach
The experimental program focused on developing the composition of palm-fiber-reinforced concrete, by studying the effect of the length of the fibers (10, 20, 30 and 40 mm) and their mass percentage (0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%), on the mechanical and acoustical properties of the composite. The main measured parameters were the compressive strength and flexural strength, sound absorption coefficient, noise reduction coefficient (NRC), etc. These tests were also borne out by the measure of density and water absorption, as well as microstructure analyses. To fully appreciate the behavior of the material, visualizations under optical microscope and scanning electron microscope analyses were carried out.
Findings
The addition of plant fibers to concrete made it possible to formulate a new lightweight concrete having interesting properties. The addition of date palm fibers significantly decreased the density of the concrete and consequently reduced its mechanical strength, particularly in compression. Acceptable compressive strength values were possible, according to the fibers content, while better values have been obtained in flexion. On the other hand, good acoustical performances were obtained: a considerable increase in the sound absorption coefficient and the NRC was recorded, according to the content and length of fibers. Even the rheological behavior has been improved with the addition of fibers, but with short fibers only.
Originality/value
Over the recent decades, many studies have attempted to search for more sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. Therefore, this work aims to study the possibility of using waste from date palm trees as fibers in concrete instead of the conventionally used fibers. Although many researches have already been conducted on the effect of palm plant fibers on the mechanical/physical properties of concrete, no information is available neither on the formulation of this type of concrete nor on its acoustical properties. Indeed, due to the scarcity of raw materials and the excessive consumption of energy, the trend of plant fibers as resources, which are natural and renewable, is very attractive. It is therefore a major recycling project of waste and recovery of local materials.
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Keywords
Wioleta Kucharska and Piotr Mikołajczak
Personal branding becomes a new in-demand skill for all professionals today. To be well-known helps to achieve success in the networked business environment. Personal…
Abstract
Purpose
Personal branding becomes a new in-demand skill for all professionals today. To be well-known helps to achieve success in the networked business environment. Personal relationships and a good reputation in the reality of network economy help young artists and art designers move up the career ladder. This paper aims to discuss a problem of artists who often find it difficult to define their artistic and self-distinction identities. The concept of personal brand and branding seems quite irrelevant, especially in reference to their own selves. People usually associate branding with marketing, which in our minds is usually the same as “pushy” and aggressive sales practices. Their find problematic to promote themselves. The purpose of this paper is to highlight that, based on existing theories, artistic identity creation in connection with the skill of personal branding is crucial for personal success in the profession of today’s young artists and art designers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted based on the data originally collected among artists, designers, architecture professionals and students. The data have been analyzed with the equal structural equation modeling method.
Findings
This paper presents empirical evidence that if artists view themselves as personal brands, it affects their personal performance in a positive way.
Practical implications
Authors claim that a teaching curriculum for young adult artists should include a personal branding program, to help them find and support their artistic identity and express their personal values and self-brand distinction, and leverage them to build their professional career.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to quantify the self-brand performance of young art designers as a benefit of being self-brand oriented.