Library Technology and Digital Resources - (Library Support Staff Handbooks) by Marie Keen Shaw (Paperback)

About the Book

In the last decade library collections have rapidly evolved from a predominance of print books and journals to an ever growing mix of digital and print resources. Library patrons are predominately served by support staff that is expected to know how to help patrons select and ...

Book Synopsis

In the last decade library collections have rapidly evolved from a predominance of print books and journals to an ever growing mix of digital and print resources. Library patrons are predominately served by support staff that is expected to know how to help patrons select and use digital resources. Yet most library support staff (LSS) has not had training to become proficient in finding, using, and instructing others in the abundance of the digital resources of websites, databases, e-texts, digital libraries and their related technologies.

Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and an introductory reference manual for support staff who work in libraries. This book will guide the LSS to be able to:
Distinguish key features and enhancements found among vendors and providers of digital libraries, digital collections, databases, and e-texts;Plan, budget, fund and write grants for digital resources;Understand the complexity and options of licensing and usage agreements for digital resources;Know copyright permissions and acceptable use guidelines for digital resources.Understand the basic technologies that support library digital resources including network structures, software applications, and protocols;Distinguish between directories and search engines as they relate to digital resources as well as be able to employ advance search skills effectively;Explore the resources of global, national, and state digital libraries and their collections;Use government databases and other digitized systems and information sources;Find exemplary digital resources though other agencies such as museums, university collections and other sources that librarians can share with patrons.Create local digital resources of primary and historical materials and artifacts with metadata and cataloging for searchable access.Interpret meaning from library digital resources using visual literacy skills.Promote library digital resources through a variety of means including social media and online options.

Review Quotes

"Shaw offers an engaging and highly practical text within a structure that will appeal to new entrants to library and information services, as well as library support staff who are already engaged with the practical application and use of digital technologies and resources.... Overall, this book does have a lot to offer the early library and information professional as the topics are easily digested and applied in a variety of library and information settings.... [The book is] a useful primer for library support staff.... In particular, the inclusion of activities and discussion points at the end of each chapter are extremely useful and very transferable to any library instruction programme or setting -- it is for this reason that this book may well find its place within a staff development library." --Multimedia Information & Technology

"This text offers a nice structure around which to offer a course on digital resources at the LTA level. Chapters on the various digital information resources present the wide variety information tools available to libraries. It is especially useful as a companion for anyone preparing for the ALA/APA Library Support Staff Certification technology competency or for use in a course teaching to this competency." --Susan Mannan, Statewide Library Technical Assistant Program Chair, Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana

"This text covers a broad range of topics related to digital library services and resources and will be useful in classes aimed at preparing library technical workers. There is ample first-hand information, along with helpful suggestions for acquiring hands-on familiarity with these resources, and the suggested assignments will be useful to instructors." --Linda D. Morrow, Association Librarian/ Public Services, Palomar College

"This book is incredibly thorough in reviewing the many types of digital resources that may be encountered in all types of library work. From subscription databases to ebooks to national, state and local digital collections and more, library workers will find a good overview of what the resources are and how to acquire and/or access them, as well as related topics such as copyright, security and appropriate use policies." --Sandra Smith Rosado, Head of Technical Services, J. Eugene Smith Library, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT

"This text breaks new ground by specifically addressing the LSS competencies developed by the ALA LSSC group and carefully introduces the different digital and techological areas important for modern Library Support Staff. This book would certainly enhance any curriculum and be a strong text for undergraduate level introductory courses in LIS." --Jodi Williams, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Information and Library Services Program, University of Maine at Augusta

About the Author

Marie Shaw is Program Coordinator for the Library Technology certificate at Three Rivers Community College, one of twelve community colleges of the State of Connecticut. She is also an adjunct professor in the program teaching courses in Digital Resources, Cataloging and Classification, Reference, and Library Management. After achieving advanced degrees in Library Science and School Administration, she earned her doctorate at the University of Connecticut in Educational Leadership and Adult Learning.