This paper was written to aid academic libraries that may be considering adding collections of popular culture items to their collections. The Multimedia Center at the University…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper was written to aid academic libraries that may be considering adding collections of popular culture items to their collections. The Multimedia Center at the University of Rochester's River Campus Libraries partnered with students to establish a popular DVD collection in 2001. Changes in acquisitions, cataloging, processing, shelving, and access were required. A review of the current literature helps make a compelling story for why these items add value to the libraries' collections and how they contribute to the educational mission of the university.
Design/methodology/approach
Changes that were made to provide improved access to a high circulation collection are discussed. Current literature on popular culture collections in academic libraries, media literacy, and the unique creation of knowledge by the current generation of college students is used to provide a basis for supporting these incongruous collections.
Findings
The generation of students who have grown up with the internet use media for the creation of knowledge. The distinction between scholarly material and popular material may be a library construct and inhibit the creation of new texts.
Practical implications
Academic libraries that are attempting to establish collections of popular culture items such as DVDs can examine the solutions that the Multimedia Center staff used to overcome barriers to access and circulation, including the philosophical barrier imposed by an institutional bias against popular culture items.
Originality/value
This paper is unique in that it not only examines the technical details needed to successfully integrate a high‐circulation, easily browsed DVD collection into an academic library setting, it also examines the reasons why these collections are essential to the educational mission of the modern university.
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– This paper aims to provide reasons for developing an anime collection within academic libraries as well as providing guidance in starting such a collection.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide reasons for developing an anime collection within academic libraries as well as providing guidance in starting such a collection.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based upon research of literature and anime-related websites, as well as familiarity gained through viewing anime.
Findings
Anime is a medium that can be used to explore all genres, as well as universal themes, and provide a glimpse of Japanese life. The study of film has been accepted for decades and the study of animation has grown from that but has been restricted to primarily American animation. Anime is animation specific to Japan which can inspire students and faculty to explore another culture. Libraries should provide classic anime that can support cross-cultural and interdisciplinary studies. By creating an anime collection, a library will provide their community with engaging materials that can be used for enjoyment as well as study. A list of core titles is included.
Originality/value
This paper reflects recent trends toward increased interest in Japanese popular culture, specifically anime, and offers academic libraries a rationale for including such materials within their collection to connect with their students and faculty. There are no articles on the topic of collecting anime in academic libraries.
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BOURNEMOUTH fulfilled some of the high expectations of those who attended it. The welcome was cordial, the local arrangements good, as we were entitled to expect from so proved an…
Abstract
BOURNEMOUTH fulfilled some of the high expectations of those who attended it. The welcome was cordial, the local arrangements good, as we were entitled to expect from so proved an organizer as Mr. Charles Riddle and from his committee and staff, and, when fine, the town was most attractive. The weather, however, was bad, and too warm at the same time for most of us. One thing that certainly emerged from this experience was the real need to change the time of the conference. Only librarians among similar bodies appear to meet in the summer season. The accountants, engineers and other professional people confer in late May or in June, when they do not compete with holiday‐makers for accommodation and attention. The Council might well consider the re‐arrangement of its year with such a change in view.
Satakhun Kosavinta, Donyaprueth Krairit and Do Ba Khang
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the rationality of the decision making of residential developers in Thailand. Exploring its implications in the residential development…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the rationality of the decision making of residential developers in Thailand. Exploring its implications in the residential development field, the researchers propose the famous prospect theory as the primary cause of developers’ incompetent decisions during the pre-development stage of residential development.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodologies used in this research include literature review, expert interview, and experimental questionnaire.
Findings
The results show that Thai developers exhibit all five aspects of prospect theory: loss aversion, fourfold pattern, bias from rare events, mental accounting, and preference reversals (PR); however, in contrast to previous literature, the researchers found that Thai developers always choose to receive gains, and usually make risky choices to avoid losses, even if the risk of loss is low. Moreover, status quo bias has a low influence on Thai developers: they tend to become attached to the areas they develop, but remain flexible in selecting a project type that fits the land. In addition, PR and the framing effect affect only some groups of developers.
Practical implications
This research provides awareness to professionals in the residential development field to make sound judgements, using Thailand as a case study.
Originality/value
This paper reveals the existence of the unproven prospect theory in the residential development field using an empirical study in Thailand as a case study.
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Evans Kwesi Mireku, Ernest Kissi, Edward Badu, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, Titus Kwofie and Kenneth Eluerkeh
The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher prevalence of many stressors and mental health concerns. This calls for mechanisms to cope with these concerns. One coping mechanism propounded to help cope and adapt in the face of pressures and challenges is “Mental Toughness (MT)”. While mental toughness has been widely studied in various fields, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining its significance among construction professionals. Thus, the motivation of this study is to establish the mental toughness characteristics among construction professionals in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher prevalence of mental health concerns. One coping mechanism propounded to help cope and adapt in the face of pressures and challenges is “Mental Toughness (MT)”. While mental toughness has been widely studied in various fields, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining its significance among construction professionals. Thus, the motivation of this study is to establish the mental toughness characteristics among construction professionals.
Findings
the study's findings revealed 13-factor model characteristics of mental toughness with 43 variables for mentally tough performers in the construction environment. These 13-factor models include Pressure Management (PM), Motivation (M), Emotional Intelligence (EI), Interpersonal self-belief (SB), Tough Attitude (TA), Job-related self-belief (SBB), Ethical Values (EV), Commitment (C), Focus (F), Optimism (OP), Expertise and Competence (EC), Imagery Control (IC) and Resilient (R).
Practical implications
The outcome of this study has significant practical implications for various stakeholders. For construction professionals the identified factors provide valuable insights into the psychological attributes and behaviours that contribute to mental toughness among construction professionals. Understanding these characteristics can empower professionals to develop strategies for coping with stress, maintaining focus, and fostering resilience in challenging construction environments to achieve optimum performance levels consistently.
Originality/value
The originality of this study's findings stems from the fact that it is among the first to provide greater insight into mental toughness characteristics considered by professionals (quantity surveyors, construction managers, engineers, project managers, architects, estate managers) in the construction industry.