Opening Lines of Communication: Book Ordering and Reading Lists, the Academics View

Abstract

Abstract:This article outlines and assesses the research into resource management and ordering processes at the University of Northampton and academics' knowledge of these processes.The aim of the research was to identify ways of streamlining the service, to improve communication between academic and library staff, with the objective of an enhanced student experience. The focus groups highlighted concerns around growing spoon-feeding in Higher Education and the ongoing communication barriers between academic and library staff. This article will evaluate the current debates, research and practices within the sector and present and analyse the findings of the research. Article:The nature of the academic library has undergone improvements over the last decade in order to meet the challenges of change that technology has introduced into modern university life. Michalak (2012) asserts there has been a concerted effort to 'develop research libraries from lumbering old-fashioned organizations into agile, change-oriented enterprises pointed directly into the future' (Michalak, 2012, p. 412). She maintains that a transformation has been effected by focusing on areas such as an 'outward facing approach' and how operationally it has become 'technology diffused' (Michalak, 2012, pp. 412-413). In terms of collection development, an outward facing approach means that librarians actively meet academic staff outside of the confines of the library space to assess the latter's teaching and learning needs. The diffusion of technology is realised through moving to immediately accessible e-resources and the digitisation of rare books and articles within the constraints imposed by copyright law. While these are major improvements to the learning experience of students and research needs of staff, print resources are still in demand. The Library and Learning Services (LLS) annual review for The University of Northampton (UN) shows, for example, that in 2015 the total number of unique print loans (excluding renewals), were 117,839, while section requests for electronic books went up to 1,216,549 (Appendix 1). Continued demand for print means that the availability and speed of availability of these Opening lines of communication book ordering and reading lists the academics view final.docx 2 resources remains a concern. Technology diffusion, allied with a concerted collaborative approach, could lead to a distinct improvement in the ordering process of these materials, thus enhancing both access and the learning experience.

Decolonising Library Collections: Contemporary Issues, Practical Steps and Examples from London School of Economics

“…There is often a slight contrast between academic staff and student perspectives of the purpose of reading lists. Academic staff believe they provide guidance and a sense of direction (Beard and Dale, 2008;Stokes and Martin, 2008;Brewerton, 2014;Cameron and Siddall, 2017), but they are concerned about student reliance on reading lists and that they should use them purely as 'starting points' before they embark on more independent reading (Siddall, 2016). Students agree on the sense of direction (Thompson, Mahon, and Thomas, 2004), but often find them overwhelming (Siddall and Rose, 2014) and then employ a means-end approach to managing the amount of reading they can achieve (Stokes and Martin, 2008).…”