- Studying Distance Students: Methods, Findings, Actions
- This paper discusses studying distance students. University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries began studying the library needs of distance learners in 2009 using a variety of approaches to explore and confirm these needs as well as obtain input into how to meet them. Approaches used to date include analysis of both quantitative and qualitative responses by online students to the LibQUAL+ surveys over time, focus groups, observations and interviews. The Libraries administered the LibQUAL+ survey and conducted focus groups. The Librarians then worked with two graduate level qualitative analysis classes, one on campus and one online, to do further study that included additional focus groups, observations, and interviews. The effectiveness, strengths and problems encountered with each method, as well as with the technology used in executing them, are covered. Triangulation of the results of the various methods to confirm findings is discussed as are the actions that are being taken to address the findings. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83798/
- 2012 Presidential Primaries
- This poster introduces the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on the 2012 Presidential Primaries. This series features Dr. Tony Carey, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, Dr. Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, and Dr. Brian Lain, associate professor in the Department of Communications Studies and director of UNT's Debate Program. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83784/
- Shaping User Experience
- This presentation is part of a conference workshop about shaping user experience. The topics of the presentation include usability testing, iterative design, and digital libraries. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83333/
- At The Portal to Texas History
- This video presents The Portal to Texas History collection in the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries. It shows images from the collections including photographs, maps, newspapers, text documents, and objects. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83313/
- Reference book indexes reviewed
- In this article, the author reports on a study of the frequency and nature of remarks about indexes found in reviews of reference books during the first six months of 2009. Only 28.66 percent of the reviews included evaluative comments about indexes. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83327/
- The Portal to Texas History Usability Test
- This presentation discusses a usability test conducted on users of The Portal to Texas History website managed by the University of North Texas. The study looks at the navigation of the Portal website and recruited users that UNT sees as their target audience. This presentation discusses the purpose of the usability testing, the test environment, test methodology, the usability scenario and tasks, user profiles, findings and analysis, and recommendations. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83319/
- Occupation and authorship in The Indexer, 2000-09
- This article concerns a study on the occupations of authors who contributed to volumes 22 through 27 of The Indexer. The occupational titles most often associated with the authors were indexer, librarian, writer, editor, library science faculty, and researcher. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83326/
- DataRes Project Briefing
- This presentation discusses the DataRes Project. The DataRes Project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), investigates how the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession can best respond to the emerging needs of research data management in universities. DataRes is a collaboration between the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries, the UNT College of Information, and the Council on Library and Information Resources. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83317/
- Shaping User Experience
- This handout accompanies a workshop presentation about shaping user experience. The topics of the workshop include usability testing, iterative design, and digital libraries. This handout outlines the topics that will be covered with a timeline of the activities, glossary of terminology used, worksheets, and references. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83328/
- Gas Well Drilling
- This poster introduces the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Gas Well Drilling. This series features Dr. Adam Briggle, assistant professor of philosophy and religion studies, Dr. Matthew Fry, assistant professor of geography, Dr. Chetan Tiwari, assistant professor of geography and Nathanial Smith, a senior geography major. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83315/
- Geographic distribution of authors in The Indexer, 1988-2007
- In this article, the author reports on her study of the geographic location of authors contributing to volumes 16 through 25 of The Indexer. Although the majority of authors were from the United Kingdom, there was a steady increase in the participation of authors from other countries throughout the 20-year period. Authors from outside the United Kingdom made up 14.86 percent of all authors in 1988-91, and grew to 38.27 percent in 2004-07. Geographic diversity was found to be greater among authors of articles than authors of editorials, letters, or reviews. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83325/
- Gender and authorship in The Indexer, 1958-2007
- In this article, the author explores the gender distribution of authors who contributed to volumes 1-25 of The Indexer, in other words the first 50 years of publication. In the first decade of the journal's history, women authors constituted only 10.53 percent of all authors. Their participation grew to 67.91 percent in 1998-2007. The contributions of women authors increased in all areas studied, including editorials, reviews, articles, and letters to the editor. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83324/
- Lessons Learned: Digitization of Cooke County Ledgers
- This paper describes a grant project to digitize Cooke County, Texas ledgers. The project was funded in part by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) and involves digitizing and hosting several rare and unique collections representative of the Civil War. The UNT Archives partnered with the UNT Libraries Digital Projects Unit (DPU), which managed all stages of the digitization. This paper describes and examines the process the DPU implemented to digitize the Cooke County ledger collection; in doing so, it provides insight into the problems one might encounter, as well as recommendations for institutions that may be considering similar digital projects. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83298/
- The MetaCombine Project
- This poster presentation discusses the MetaCombine project, a Mellon-funded effort based at Emory University, with the goal of discovering and developing systems and methods to more meaningfully combine digital libraries, digital library resources, and digital library services. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc81391/
- Avoiding the Calf-Path: Digital Preservation Readiness for Growing Collections and Distributed Preservation Networks
- This paper discusses digital preservation readiness for growing collections and distributed preservation networks. Abstract: Over the past six years, the members of the MetaArchive Cooperative have worked to identify a series of best practices for distributed digital preservation readiness. These best practices can benefit ongoing initiatives as well as start-up programs which have not yet established regular procedures and standards for directory structures, metadata, and file naming conventions. The authors document what they term the "calf-path syndrome", the way in which early strides in an organization's digitization work may create a legacy that is detrimental to the preservation readiness of their growing digital collections. The authors share relatively simple principles and guidelines for such programs that can greatly improve the subsequent likelihood of implementing successful distributed digital preservation programs. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78317/
- Web Browser Automation With Selenium IDE
- This Tech Talk presentation discusses web browser automation with Selenium IDE. Selenium IDE is a Firefox plugin that sends commands to the browser according to the instructions contained in user-defined scripts. This Tech Talk will cover the basics of Selenium IDE, present examples of how the Digital Projects Newspaper Group is using Selenium to streamline the process of editing metadata records in The Portal to Texas History and UNT Digital Library, and provide resources for further inquiry. The Tech Talk will conclude with a demonstration of Selenium IDE including a suite of search scripts developed for the UNT Libraries. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78279/
- Public-Access Computer Systems and the Internet
- This article discusses Public-Access Computer Systems (PACS) and the Internet. Recursive Reviews is a new column that will identify and briefly describe articles that deal with PACS and related topics in both library and computer science literature. The "recursive" in the name of the column emphasizes the idea that the discussion of information technology in libraries changes the underlying precepts of the discussion. The dialogue concerning uses of library technology redefines itself in this way, and can therefore be seen as recursive. All followers of the PACS-L forum are aware by now that a great many library catalog systems are accessible via the Internet. The availability of these resources raises a great many questions and possibilities in the library and network user communities. What can be accomplished with this new communications channel? Exactly what is the Internet? What is its extent, and how does it differ from other computer networks? The articles and books reviewed in this column will be of use to anyone having questions about library systems and the Internet, from those unfamiliar with networking technology to those very conversant with it. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78340/
- Findings from the MetaScholar Projects: AmericanSouth and MetaArchive
- This article summarizes major findings of the MetaArchive and AmericanSouth projects, two of the seven projects of the 2001 Mellon Metadata Harvesting Initiative. This article will not deal with the activities undertaken in these projects, or the decision to conjoin the two projects to form the MetaScholar Initiative, as this information has been reported in detail elsewhere. [Halbert, 2003] Nor will it recount the already public motivations of the Mellon Foundation in funding these and other projects. [Waters, 2001] What will be reported are the general motivations that led to undertaking the MetaArchive and AmericanSouth projects, the questions that the projects set out to answer, and what findings were reached, both expected and unexpected. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78315/
- Women in the 21st Century
- This poster introduces the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Women in the 21st Century. This series features Dr. Beverly Bower, professor of counseling and higher education, Dr. Cynthia Chandler, professor of counseling and higher education, and Dr. Suzanne Enck, assistant professor of communication studies. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78267/
- Video on Demand: Streaming Media in Distance Education
- This poster discusses streaming media in distance education. The University of North Texas began substantially increasing its online course offerings in the late 1990's. Students, faculty, and librarians realized that access to online resources would be crucial to the success of these courses. An infrastructure for managing remote access to electronic journals and databases was already established by the libraries, but a plan was not in place to address the use of audiovisual materials in online courses. When the heavily film-based anthropology course "ANTH 2100: World Cultures Through Film" transitioned from a face-to-face classroom to an online environment, it served as a catalyst for developing a plan to provide distance education students online access to media. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78266/
- Hypermedia, Interactive Multimedia, and Virtual Realities
- This article discusses hypermedia, interactive multimedia, and virtual realities. No one knows what the landscape of information technology in the 21st century will look like, but there are many sources that will sketch the most prominent features. This column will direct the reader to the best "guidebooks" to new interactive computer technologies like hypermedia and virtual reality simulations. In the spirit of Recursive Reviews, the author won't try to limit the discussion artificially to "just" hypermedia, or "just" interactive multimedia. Instead, the aim will be to point out: (1) practical sources that orient the reader to the newest computer media technologies, and (2) new journals that discuss the possibilities of the media. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78292/
- The Life Cycle of Electronic Theses and Dissertations
- This presentation discusses the life cycle of electronic theses and dissertations. The presentation includes a look at ETD programs today, definitions of lifecycle management, ETD lifecycle management challenges, and the IMLS ETD Lifecycle Management Project. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78271/
- The Challenge of Multimedia Networking
- This article discusses the challenge of multimedia networking. There is no question that computer applications such as word processing, electronic mail, and desktop publishing have changed the way people work. These computer applications have enhanced users' capacity for communication and have improved their productivity. The success of these applications has prompted both vendors and researchers to continue to seek new ways to further advance the information technology revolution. Enter the latest innovation: networked multimedia systems. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77220/
- Aligning National Approaches to Digital Preservation
- This presentation is a community briefing on the Aligning National Approaches to Digital Preservation (ANADP) conference. The ANADP conference was held in the capital of Estonia in May 2011 as a forum for national digital preservation programs to meet and exchange information with each other for the purpose of building strategic international collaborations to support the preservation of collection digital memory. This briefing will present highlights of the conference and its outcomes. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77213/
- Artificial Intelligence, Libraries, and Information Retrieval
- This article discusses artificial intelligence, libraries, and information retrieval. In the science fiction short story "Anniversary" (Amazing, March 1959), Isaac Asimov described a computer system that combined advanced elements of artificial intelligence and information retrieval. Called "Multivac" in the story (The author wonders if the name was inspired by the UNIVAC systems that were being marketed in the early fifties), Asimov's system is described as "a mile-long super-computer that was the repository of all the facts known to man; that guided man's economy; directed his scientific research; helped make his political decisions--and had millions of circuits left over to answer individual questions that did not violate the ethics of privacy." Multivac was capable of understanding and answering what we would now call natural language queries on any topic. The protagonists of the story typed in their questions on a terminal that worked much like a typewriter. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77219/
- Copyright, Digital Media, and Libraries
- This article discusses copyright, digital media, and libraries. Librarians are ostensibly supposed to be experts on the proper use of the collections of information they administer. This column is devoted to a brief bibliography on the subject of copyright and digital media. The author had never considered many of the issues raised in the sources reviewed below and thinks they will be of interest to all librarians who have added any kind of digital media (e.g., software and CD-ROM databases) to their collections. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77218/
- Rhapsody in Green: ETDs at the University of North Texas
- This presentation discusses electronic theses and dissertations at the University of North Texas (UNT). UNT began mandatory ETDs for both theses and dissertations in fall 1999, making it the 3rd institution in the world to go "electronic" in this way. There have been challenges along the way, but from the very beginning there has been a close and cordial relationship between the Grad School and the Libraries which serves to "book end" the student's ETD experience in a meaningful and productive way. During this session, UNT's ETD process from start to finish will be explained, especially the ways in which the Grad School and the Libraries work together to enhance the lifecycle management of students' research output at UNT. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77212/
- National Status of Data Management: The DataRes and CLIR/Sloan Research Projects on Data Management Policies and Practices
- This presentation discusses the DataRes and CLIR/Sloan research projects on data management policies and practices. This presentation will discuss these two collaborating projects researching emerging policies and practices in data management. These research projects are being undertaken by the Council on Library and Information Resources and the University of North Texas (UNT). digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77211/
- Providing the ETDs of Today for the Researchers of Tomorrow
- This poster talks about the electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs)-Lifecycle Management project. This project is collaborative, IMLS-funded research to study the challenges faced by libraries charged with curating and preserving ETD content. It also provides information on the project's background, participants, and intended audience; outline the project's research strategies and community engagement plan; and describe the project's national outcomes and deliverables, namely a toolkit of guidelines, educational workshop materials, and software tools. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77210/
- FRBR/FRAD Intentions and RDA: Where are we now?
- This presentation discusses Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR)/ Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD) Intentions and Resource Description and Access (RDA). This presentation includes information on the background and intent of FRBR, FRAD, and RDA, user tasks, and current issues. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77215/
- Chronicles in Preservation Project
- This paper discusses preservation. Abstract: The Educopia Institute, with the San Diego Supercomputer Center and the libraries of University of North Texas, Penn State, Virginia Tech, University of Utah, Georgia Tech, Boston College, and Clemson University, have received $300,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study, document, and model the use of data preparation and distributed digital preservation frameworks to collaboratively preserve digitized and born-digital newspaper collections. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77195/
- The DataRes Research Project on Data Management
- This poster discusses the DataRes Research Project on Data Management. The DataRes Project, funded by a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians grant from the IMLS, investigates how the library and information science (LIS) profession can best respond to emerging needs of research data management in universities. DataRes is a collaboration between the University of North Texas Libraries, the UNT College of Information, and the Council on Library and Information Resources. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77152/
- Toward Best Practices in Integrating ETDs and Associated Data: UNT's Approach
- This poster discusses best practices in integrating electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) and associated data. A move to an all-digital means of providing ETDs and related academic documents is accelerating their discovery and facilitating their use, value and impact on research. Although different disciplines have different ETD structures and requirements, the UNT digital library infrastructure supports aggregating a variety of digital formats. With enhanced metadata-based and subject-specific search mechanisms, it is now easier than ever to access, browse, use, and reuse scholarly works and associated data that have not been available through traditional publishing alternatives. Recognizing the research value of ETDs and associated contents, this poster demonstrates UNT’s approaches to integrate and provide seamless access to these valuable, often overlooked materials. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77151/
- Transport Neutral Digital Object Replication
- This poster discusses digital object replication. The University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries has implemented a simple transport neutral digital object replication strategy in its production digital repository infrastructure. This strategy is built with the same ideals as other Curation Micro-Services, in respect to lightweight, software independent specifications coupled to provide a set of services for digital repositories, this approach to replication has allowed the UNT Libraries the flexibility of multiple storage infrastructures and the reassurance the objects are being fully validated as they are replicated throughout the repository. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77154/
- The DataRes Research Project on Data Management
- This paper discusses data management. Abstract: The University of North Texas together with the Council on Library and Information Resources, have received $226,786 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for a two year research project to investigate how the library and information science profession can best respond to emerging needs of research data management in universities. This project will address broad new issues concerning the emerging roles, expectations, and practices arising from requirements announced by NIH, NSF, IMLS and other funding agencies for data management plans as part of proposals. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77194/
- Implementing a Robust Architecture for a Centralized Portal System
- This poster discusses the architecture for a centralized portal system. Architectural complexity of the portal system may have a significant impact on the overall efficiency, interoperability, preservation, and provenance issues. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77155/
- Resource Discovery Systems at the UNT Libraries
- This report discusses resource discovery systems at the UNT Libraries. The UNT Libraries act as a centralized repository for research-related materials used by the University of North Texas Community and unaffiliated scholars from across the globe. From a tiny cuneiform tablet, created c. 2,033 B.C., to electronic journal articles published within the last month, the Libraries are a true world leader in the collection of ideas and dissemination of knowledge both past and present. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77122/
- E-Journals Support at the UNT Libraries
- This report discusses e-journals and the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries. As the UNT Libraries continue to field requests from various groups on campus, it is evident that e-journals are a necessary service of a modern research institution and in most cases are one of the various digital scholarship activities that can and should be led by the research library on campus. In order to better understand the staffing and support levels required to meet the expectations faculty have of e-journal services, a thorough investigation and subsequent plan for next steps is required. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc77118/
- Supporting Faculty Scholarly Activity
- This presentation is part of a panel discussion titled Academic Libraries as Partners in Research. This presentation discusses how digital libraries can support faculty scholarly activity, with examples and strategies from the UNT Digital Library collections. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc75413/
- Preserving Our Collections, Preserving Our Missions
- This book chapter discusses digital collection preservation. The authors provide a philosophical base for cultural memory organizations' need to participate in distributed digital preservation solutions as community-owned and community-led initiatives. This chapter will be useful for all readers, particularly those with questions about the value of collaborative engagement in the digital arena for cultural memory organizations. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc75415/
- Fieldwork Requirements from the Site Supervisors' Perspective
- This poster discusses public library fieldwork supervisors. The author looks at what ways supervisors and students work through the Zone of Proximal Development and how supervisors assess student knowledge. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc71781/
- [Review] Letting Go Of The Words: Writing Web Content That Works
- This book review discusses 'Letting Go of the Words: Writing Web Content that Works' by Janice (Ginny) Redish. The book offers strategies, processes, and tactics for creating or revising content for the web. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc71801/
- [Review] The Human Side of Reference and Information Services in Academic Libraries: Adding Value in the Digital World
- This book review discusses 'The Human Side of Reference and Information Services in Academic Libraries: Adding Value in the Digital World', edited by Lesley S.J. Farmer. The book provides best practices from a global perspective for how academic libraries can provide value-added reference and information services in a digital age. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc71800/
- World AIDS Day
- This poster introduces the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on HIV/AIDS. This series features Dr. Mark Vosvick, associate professor of psychology, Dr. Chwee-Lye Chng, regents professor of kinesiology, health promotion, and recreational studies, Dr. Joseph R. Oppong, professor of geography, and Dr. Ami R. Moore, associate professor of sociology. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc71780/
- Activities and Experiences of Academic Librarians Embedded in Online Courses
- This presentation discusses activities and experiences of academic librarians embedded in online courses. The purpose is to determine common practices and assess various experiences. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67611/
- Best Practices for Librarians Embedded in Online Courses
- This article discusses embedded librarian services. Abstract: Academic librarians interested in collaborating with faculty in online courses often express questions about their role, level of involvement, and activities. This article provides a list of best practices to guide those developing embedded librarian services. The practices are drawn from a review of the literature, as case study of one embedded librarian's experiences, and a mixed methods study of embedded librarianship at six institutions. The resulting best practices will help embedded librarians collaborate effectively with faculty to create a positive learning experience for distance students. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67620/
- Preserving Access to Government Websites: Development and Practice in the CyberCemetery
- This paper discusses the development and practice in the CyberCemetery. In the late 1990's, online U.S. government information was appearing and disappearing at a rapid pace. In 1999, the University of North Texas Libraries (UNT) formed a partnership with the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) to address this issue by archiving electronic government websites. This archive, known as the CyberCemetery, provides permanent public access to the websites and publications of defunct U.S. government agencies and commissions. This partnership between UNT and GPO has expanded to include the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This paper covers the CyberCemetery's development and the process of identifying, capturing, and publishing content in the archive. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67623/
- Data Desiccation: Facilitating Long-Term Access, Use, and Reuse of ETDs
- This presentation discusses data desiccation and facilitating long-term access, use and reuse of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). This presentation accompanies a paper and discusses UNT's ETDs curatorial activities including how ETDs users can benefit from desiccated versions, traditionally discussed only in a digital preservation context. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67602/
- Data Desiccation: Facilitating Long-Term Access, Use, and Reuse of ETDs
- This paper discusses data desiccation and facilitating the long-term access, use, and reuse of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). Abstract: The successful management of electronic theses and dissertations requires effort across the entire life-cycle to ensure that ETDs are managed, preserved, and made accessible in a manner that today's users expect. Given the pressure of reading more in less time, today's users demand access to various formats regardless of temporal and spatial restrictions and the types of devices used. Digital curation is the active management of any type of digital resource through its entire life-cycle, from creation and active use, to preservation and re-use. ETDs are a highly specialized collection that demands a more specialized treatment and characterization to better capture the semantic relations of the underlying concepts. Over the past year, the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries have put forth great effort in making digital collections more accessible and useful in research processes. This paper discusses UNT's ETDs curatorial activities including how ETDs users can benefit from desiccated versions, traditionally discussed only in a digital preservation context. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67625/
- Collaborating with Your Local Public Library
- This book chapter discusses collaborating with local public libraries. In 2006, the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries began a more conscious effort to collaborate with the local Denton Public Library. This effort developed into three distinct programs: a seamless service for delivery of government information, a cooperative one-book one-community program, and public library workshops led by UNT librarians. These efforts keep all of the libraries in town strong as we share resources and knowledge and present a unified front to our citizenry. This chapter focuses on the dynamics of these three distinct programs, and identifies the pros and cons of such a collaboration. It also includes the procedures and timeline for establishing this partnership and identifies some of the key decision-makers to include in the planning process. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67622/