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The authors’ experiences in launching a new course at Rutgers University are described. The new honors course resulted from a collaboration between the History Department and Rutgers University Libraries (RUL), in which academic instruction, a unique source of digital books, and Web/Internet technology were brought together to provide a new learning experience for undergraduates. Students used the Early English Books Online (EEBO) collection at RUL and were challenged to learn as much as possible in a single semester about some facet of early English advice manuals. The course objectives, technology platform, and student experiences are discussed.

The Scholarly Communication Center (SCC) within Rutgers University Libraries has launched several important digital library projects. A major objective of the SCC has been to publish unique information sources on the Web that are not likely to be published elsewhere. Publishing bibliographic databases on the Web can significantly enhance access to an original collection of research literature and further enrich the library collection. We have found that reusable technology platforms offer a special opportunity for research libraries to fill a new role. Through the platform technology and a well defined process, libraries are able quickly and effectively to publish databases on the Web.

Reviews some of the popular Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and related digital data sources. Discusses the results of interviews with Princeton University Library patrons and others involved with GIS within the context of a potential GIS service. Develops a proposal for a GIS service for Princeton University with emphasis on the need for training and creating the digital collections that will be most relevant for the University.

The concept of distributed leadership within library services is explored in this chapter. It focuses on how this model of leadership, which devolves leadership functions and practice widely throughout organizations, can lead to intra- and interorganizational collaboration as a catalyst for library service development and innovation. The chapter discusses the distributed leadership approach by presenting selected results of a study of team leaders in public and university library services in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom. The study employed an online questionnaire and individual interviews with library team leaders to identify the level and nature of collaboration taking place in library services and also to ascertain the skills needed for successful partnership work. The interviews focused primarily on how and why collaborations occurred and it emerged that the team leaders had considerable autonomy to establish and participate in partnerships, fitting well within the distributed leadership paradigm. The chapter adds to, and augments the limited literature on distributed models of leadership in libraries by exploring how this approach works in practice. It also proposes and evidences a link between distributed leadership, collaborative working, and innovation. The authors suggest that distributed leadership can help library services innovate and lead service development by freeing up the creativity of employees through a less formal, hierarchical leadership approach. The chapter ends with propositions for a research agenda to establish the best conditions and most appropriate format of distributed leadership in library services.

The purpose of this conference report is to highlight the key points in the DataCite Summer 2013 Meeting.

The approach provides a summary of each presentation in the DataCite Summer Meeting.

The DataCite 2013 Meeting demonstrated that there are many stakeholders engaged in the data citation and reuse mission and that much progress has been made in the past year.

This brief summary provides highlights of the conference that are not easily gleaned from the posted online slides.

This article aims to discuss the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in today's economic environment and why such activities should be part of leadership.

The article references journals and conference activity that have demonstrated successful innovation activities.

References and additional reading provide case studies and examples of successful innovative ideas. It is noted that more innovation and resulting entrepreneurial activities will be needed as libraries redefine themselves.

Innovation can work but needs the culture in which to operate.

Collaboration with the broader community is not only beneficial but necessary in a global society.

The article references both an active journal and conference cycle for persons interested in more information.