The purpose of this paper is to describe how Reference Librarians at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County sought to reach students, faculty and staff at their point of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe how Reference Librarians at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County sought to reach students, faculty and staff at their point of need by setting up a mobile reference unit at high traffic locations on campus rather than inside the library building.
Design/methodology/approach
The librarians initiated this project to increase outreach efforts for graduate students but as this service attracted undergraduates equally, they eventually decided to target all students. Using an iPad, a laptop stand, and a large sign to advertise the service, they spent two semesters visiting various locations on campus to collect data on frequency of use and optimal sites.
Findings
The authors identified patterns of use regarding the type of questions that were frequently asked and the time of day that most students utilized the service. This knowledge helped establish a need for further efforts to make library services available outside of the library building. The iPad served as a vital tool for answering questions while roving and attracted patrons to the desk as well.
Originality/value
The librarians hope to establish a regular roving schedule for future semesters based on the data they collected. This roving reference service continues to grow and is expected to do so even more as the librarians use more aggressive marketing techniques and form additional partnerships with student organizations. This paper offers strategies for creating a roving reference service and is valuable to all librarians who seek to serve library users outside of the library building.
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Tessa Withorn, Joanna Messer Kimmitt, Carolyn Caffrey, Anthony Andora, Cristina Springfield, Dana Ospina, Maggie Clarke, George Martinez, Amalia Castañeda, Aric Haas and Wendolyn Vermeer
This paper aims to present recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy, providing an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy, providing an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of publications covering various library types, study populations and research contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations, reports and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2019.
Findings
The paper provides a brief description of all 370 sources and highlights sources that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians, researchers and anyone interested as a quick and comprehensive reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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James Brackley, Penelope Tuck and Mark Exworthy
This paper examines the contested value of healthy life and wellbeing in a context of severe austerity, exploring how the value of “Public Health” is constructed through and with…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the contested value of healthy life and wellbeing in a context of severe austerity, exploring how the value of “Public Health” is constructed through and with material-discursive practices and accounting representations. It seeks to explore the political and ethical implications of constructing the valuable through a shared consensus over the “facts” when addressing complex, multi-agency problems with long time horizons and outcomes that are not always easily quantifiable.
Design/methodology/approach
The theorisation, drawing on science and technology studies (STS) scholars and Karen Barad's (2007) agential realism, opens up the analysis to the performativity of both material and discursive practices in the period following a major re-organisation of activity. The study investigates two case authorities in England and the national regulator through interviews, observations and documentary analysis.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the deeply ethical and political entanglements of accounting representations as objectivity, consensus and collective action are constructed and resisted in practice. It goes on to demonstrate the practical challenges of constructing “alternative accounts” and “intelligent accountabilities” through times of austerity towards a shared sense of public value and suggests austerity measures make such aims both more challenging and all the more essential.
Originality/value
Few studies in the accounting literature have explored the full complexity of valuation practices in non-market settings, particularly in a public sector context; this paper, therefore, extends familiar conceptual vocabulary of STS inspired research to further explore how value(s), ethics and identity all play a crucial role in making things valuable.
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Although the nursing role appears central in delivering collaborative models of care little is known about the experience of nurses within implementation of integrated nursing…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the nursing role appears central in delivering collaborative models of care little is known about the experience of nurses within implementation of integrated nursing care.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review to identify what is known about the experience of nurses implementing integrated care in the community, incorporating thematic analysis utilising the Rainbow Model.
Findings
Although noting a paucity of evidence, findings indicate implementation of integrated care models provides both challenges and opportunities to nurses across all systems levels. Thematic analysis highlights a disproportionate lack of focus on organisational integration of nursing services within integrated care. Exploration of tacit attributes and network development is suggested to support nursing delivery of services which challenge traditional organisational and professional boundaries.
Research limitations/implications
Limited research exploring experiences of nurses in implementing integrated care suggests more rigorous mixed methods or qualitative research is indicated, including case studies exploring organisational integration, nursing leadership strategies and how tacit attributes support collaborative working.
Originality/value
Using a systems approach, applying the Rainbow Model within scoping review analysis, enabled exploration of what is known about nursing within the contemporary context of integrated healthcare services.