Search results for ""Facet Publishing""

Information users and usability constitute the main building blocks of today's electronic information world. This important new text is the first to give a holistic overview of all of the necessary issues relating to information users and the usability of information services in the digital world, including user-centred design, and the characteristics and behaviour of information users. This book helps readers understand why information users and the usability of information services are important and equips them to play a proper role in designing user-centred information systems and services and to properly exploit information services for the maximum benefit of users. It covers all of the major issues, the current situation and what the various research studies from around the world show. The chapters are: An introduction to information users and usability Information needs and user studies Human information behaviour studies and models Usability study basics Usability study participants Usability data analysis Web usability The usability of digital libraries Digital divide, digital natives and usability Issues and trends in usability research. Readership: The is essential reading for researchers and practitioners interested in the design and evaluation of digital information systems and services, as well as for students on library, information, and digital library courses.

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The emphasis on principles and techniques in the book means that it is perfect reading for busy practitioners but it is also eminently suitable for students and researchers trying to get to grips with this tricky area. Researchers rely on libraries to provide the information they need; equally, supporting research is a fundamental reason for libraries' existence. This book is first to explore the crucial relationship between libraries and researchers, focusing on developing and managing effective library services to support research and researchers. It covers researchers' information-seeking behaviour, their needs and wants; reviews the management and service response; and then places these issues into a wider strategic context. Key topics are: what is research? current issues in the research community defining research and researchers collection management in support of research the researcher's toolkit the information literate researcher the role of the library in supporting research activity futurewatch. Readership: This book will inform and advise all those who work with researchers in libraries, combining practical advice with an exploration of fundamental issues relating to the relationship between research and libraries. It will be essential reading for all who work in academic and research libraries.

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The New Walford highlights the best resources to use when undertaking a search for accurate and relevant information, saving you precious time and effort. For those looking for a selective and evaluative reference resource that really delivers on its promise, look no further. In addition to print sources, The New Walford naturally covers an extensive range of e-reference sources such as digital databanks, digital reference services, electronic journal collections, meta-search engines, networked information services, open archives, resource discovery services and websites of premier organizations in both the public and private sectors. But rather than supplying a list of all available known resources as a web search engine might, The New Walford subject specialists have carefully selected and evaluated available resources to provide a definitive list of the most appropriate and useful. With an emphasis on quality and sustainability the subject specialists have been careful to assess the differing ways that information is framed and communicated in different subject areas. As a result the resource evaluations in each subject area are prefaced by an introductory overview of the structure of the relevant literature. This ensures that The New Walford is clear, easy-to-use and intuitive. Editorial Board Chair: Ray Lester Peter Clinch; Helen Edwards; Heather Dawson; Susan Tarrant Subject Specialists Wendy Buckle; Patricia Budgen; Peter Chapman; Sheila Corrall; Jonathan Cowley; Heather Dawson; Gillian Dwyer; Tracey Ellis; Gwyneth Price; Lynne Seddon; Angela Upton Compiled by leading subject specialists from internationally renowned organizations, Volume 2 covers 15 broad subject groupings: Social Sciences (generic) Psychology Sociology Social Work & Social Welfare Politics Government Law Finance, Accountancy & Taxation Industries & Utilities Business & Management Education & Learning Sport Media & Communications Information & Library Sciences Tools for Information Professionals.

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How ambitious are you? Do you have a career plan? Are your skills up-to-date? Where do you want to be in three, five or ten years' time? This book is an essential read for any information professional eager to prosper in the library and information environment of the 21st century. It offers guidance on managing every stage of your career, whether you are a new entrant to the profession wishing to know how to get a foot on the ladder, an information professional in mid-career wishing to progress, or a candidate for a more senior position needing a view of the current state of the profession. Since publication of the first edition there have been a number of changes in employment law, and in the range of skills - online, linguistic, negotiating and consultancy, for example - required for an information professional to be able to deliver the information services of the future. Making full use of case studies, summaries, further readings and referrals to websites and other sources of practical help, this indispensable guide offers advice on: Challenges and changes in employment for LIS professionals Acquiring new types of skills Your master career plan Starting your career in information work Applying for a job Your successful interview Going for promotion Looking sidewards. Readership: This is an essential deskbook to explore if you are an information professional in any sector and at any level wishing to learn the skills and techniques to sell yourself with confidence to current and future employers.

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Newly qualified library and information staff are thrown in at the deep end in their first jobs, where they are expected to function as skilled practitioners. They find themselves in a world where technological developments and global competition are changing the shape and reach of information services. The scale and speed of change present constant challenges to develop awareness and understanding of the wider environment in order to improve local services. Their need for support in their professional development is particularly acute at this stage in their careers. This easy-to-use manual aims to provide that support at both operational and strategic levels. It is designed to help new professionals make sense of the contemporary information world and devise effective strategies for developing their skills and services. It brings together a host of useful sources covering the professional and managerial aspects of information work, introducing key concepts and techniques in a coherent framework, and using practical examples to illustrate current organizational and service trends. The book offers a global cross-sectoral perspective on information resources and services, covering strategy and marketing as well as day-to-day operations. The thematic arrangement means that each chapter can be used as a self-directed training module, or as the basis of a session with a supervisor or mentor. Packed with activities and reflection points, the book encourages a critical approach through the use of questions and also offers annotated bibliographies providing quick access to relevant publications, websites and organizations worldwide. Readership: Particularly valuable as an on-the-job reference source for those working towards chartered/corporate membership of professional bodies, this workbook also makes extremely useful reading for students and lecturers, staff development officers, those returning to employment after a break, and established professionals in search of fresh perspectives or career development.

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This book explains how and why information literacy can help to foster critical thinking and discerning attitudes, enabling citizens to play an informed role in society and its democratic processes. In early 21st century societies, individuals and organisations are deluged with information, particularly online information. Much of this is useful, valuable or enriching. But a lot of it is of dubious quality and provenance, if not downright dangerous. Misinformation forms part of the mix. The ability to get the most out of the information flow, finding, interpreting and using it, and particularly developing a critical mindset towards it, requires skills, know-how, judgement and confidence – such is the premise of information literacy. This is true for many aspects of human endeavour, including education, work, health and self-enrichment. It is notably true also for acquiring an understanding of the wider world, for reaching informed views, for recognising bias and misinformation, and thereby for playing a part as active citizens, in democratic life and society. This ground-breaking and uniquely multi-disciplinary book explores how information literacy can contribute to fostering attitudes, habits and practices that underpin an informed citizenry. The 13 chapters each come from a particular perspective and are authored by international experts representing a range of disciplines: information literacy itself, but also political science, pedagogy, information science, psychology. Informed Societies: Why Information literacy matters for citizenship, participation and democracy covers: why information literacy and informed citizens matter for healthy, democratic societies information literacy’s relationship with political science information literacy’s relationship with human rights how information literacy can help foster citizenship, participation, empowerment and civic engagement in different contexts: school students, refugees, older people and in wider society information literacy as a means to counter misinformation and fake news the challenges of addressing information literacy as part of national public policy. The book will be essential reading for librarians and information professionals working in public libraries, schools, higher education institutions and public bodies; knowledge and information managers in all sectors and student of library and information science students, especially those at postgraduate/Masters level who are planning dissertations. Because of the topicality and political urgency of the issues covered, the book will also be of interest to students of political science, psychology, education and media studies/journalism; policy-makers in the public, commercial and not-for-profit sectors and politicians implications of information use and information/digital literacy.

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Who could be partners to archivists working in digital preservation? This book features chapters from international contributors from diverse backgrounds and professions discussing their challenges with and victories over digital problems that share common issues with those facing digital preservationists. The only certainty about technology is that it will change. The speed of that change, and the ever-increasing diversity of digital formats, tools, and platforms, will present stark challenges to the long-term preservation of digital records. Archivists are frequently challenged by the technical expertise, subject matter knowledge, time, and resource requirements needed to solve the broad set of challenges sure to be faced by the archival profession. Partners for Preservation advocates the need for archivists to recruit partners and learn lessons from across diverse professions to work more effectively within the digital landscape. Includes discussion of: the internet of things digital architecture research data and collaboration open source programming privacy, memory and transparency inheritance of digital media.

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This book will provide readers with the step-by-step process of creating a library technology disaster response and recovery plan. It includes sample checklists and templates, tools and solutions for promoting collaborative services to enable digital library continuity as well as case studies and lessons learned from successful efforts in recovering from a library technology disaster. Editor Mary Mallery has gathered a number of library technology experts, including Liz Bishoff and Marshall Breeding, who have first-hand experience in planning and recovering from disasters. You will get advice on such topics as: 7 key steps in risk assessment for digital collections How to use the time-saving dPlan- the Online Disaster Planning Tool for Cultural and Civic Institutions Designing fault-tolerant systems in a cloud computing environment 7 key components of a communications plan Evaluating free web and social media applications as communication tools during disasters 7 lessons the University of Iowa took from its 2008 flood How cultural institutions in New York and New Jersey responded to Hurricane Sandy This book will be of great interest to electronic resources librarians, digital collections librarians, data management librarians, emerging technology librarians, and library administrators, but it will also be of interest to library students and any librarian who wants to transition into these new library careers.

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Nicole Engard follows up her ground-breaking 2009 book Library Mashups with a fresh collection of mashup projects that virtually any library can emulate, customize, and build upon. In More Library Mashups, Engard and 24 creative library professionals describe how they are mashing up free and inexpensive digital tools and techniques to improve library services and meet everyday (and unexpected) challenges. Examples from libraries of all types are designed to help even non-programmers share and add value to digital content, update and enhance library websites and collections, mashup catalog data, connect to the library’s automation system, and use emerging tools like Serendip-o-matic, Umlaut, and Libki to engage users, staff, and the community.

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In this much needed book, Kenneth J Varnum and his hand-picked team of contributors look ahead over the most important technologies likely to impact library services over the next five years. Their ideas will stimulate strategic thinking and help library staff make informed decisions about meeting user expectations and delivering services. Highly informative for any library, the diverse chapters include: Impetus to innovate: convergence and library trends Hands-free augmented reality: impacting the library future Libraries and archives augmenting the world The future of cloud-based library systems Library discovery Web services as the new websites for many libraries Text mining Bigger, better, together: building the digital library of the future Open hardware in libraries. Readership: This leading-edge collection offers an expert-level view of library technology that’s just around the corner and is essential reading for systems librarians, students and all librarians who are looking to the technology future.

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Metaliteracy in Practice will provide inspiration for librarians and educators in need of up-to-date and thought-provoking information literacy curricula and instructional approaches. Editors Trudi E. Jacobson and Thomas P. Mackey, respected leaders in distance education and library instruction, reframed information literacy in their acclaimed previous book, Metaliteracy: Reinventing information literacy to empower learners, which provided an inclusive framework that encompasses all the newer literacies such as digital, visual, cyber and media literacy. Metaliteracy in Practice follows on from this book, placing its concepts firmly in real-world practice and delivering a compilation of innovative and practical teaching ideas from some of the leading thinkers in library and information literacy instruction today. Each chapter takes readers through the process of using the metaliteracy framework in new and exciting ways that easily transfer to the classroom and to work with students. These ideas are grounded in teaching traditional information literacy competencies but brought up-to-date with the addition of methods for teaching and learning about metacognition, information creation and participation in learning communities. The case studies contained in this collection detail the hows and whys of curricular design for metaliteracy, suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals. Readers will also benefit from the book’s practical ideas for: teaching students about the importance of format choice assessing user feedback creating information as teachers evaluating dynamic content critically and effectively sharing information in collaborative environments. The collection has some of the most innovative teaching ideas for inspiring librarians and educators to revise lessons on critical thinking and information literacy, so that their students will graduate with the ability to formulate and ask their own questions.

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