Michelle Armstrong

eReading for Research

Michelle Armstrong — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:20:50 PST

Data on ebooks is beginning to show that this format is transforming the library world. More and more libraries are developing ebook collections and patrons are learning to expect this format as an option. Much of this success is the result of devices like the Kindle and iPad which mimic a much more natural reading experience, at least in the traditional sense. Reading a novel or any text straight through works well on these devices. However, not every type of reader interacts with a book like this and in fact many academic faculty and researchers need more freedom to read in ways that support their individual research practices.

Do Faculty Really Need Institutional Repositories? (Pecha Kucha)

Michelle Armstrong — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:38:28 PST

Academic libraries have invested a great deal of time, energy, and resources in the development of institutional repositories (IRs). Yet many of the driving forces of these efforts have been focused on the needs of the library or university at large. Issues such as increasing journal prices, long-term preservation, and the pursuit of open access mandates tend to focus on the needs of the institution instead of the author. Although benefits like increased citation counts, improved visibility, and mediated deposit service models are motivating faculty to place their scholarship in their university's IR , it is not always clear what unique benefits institutional repositories provide.

This presentation will challenge audience members to consider ways that current institutional repository models succeed and fail in supporting faculty scholarship, particularly during the tenure process, examine the contributions institutional repositories can make to scholarly communication efforts, and explore ways that libraries can better align their repository services to meet the specific needs of faculty.

Following the rapid fire style of Pecha Kuchas, this presentation is designed to encourage audience members to ask hard questions and examine the successes or failures of their own library's scholarly communication efforts.

We're All In This Together: Supporting the Dissemination of University Research Through Library Services

Michelle Armstrong — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:08:30 PDT

One of the primary functions of universities is the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge. Yet, most institutions only focus on supporting faculty in the initial discovery process, requiring researchers to fend for themselves when sharing their work. Institutional repositories (IRs) have a unique opportunity to expand traditional library services by supporting the dissemination of university research.

Thinking beyond archiving graduate theses and faculty publications, librarians are developing new IR services which can assist faculty in a variety of ways. Managing researcher pages, consulting on copyright transfer agreements, exchanging publication information with other university stakeholders, even launching library-based publishing services are all ways repositories have begun reaching out to faculty. The effect of these new services is beginning to transform the scholarly communications cycle and the library's role in those processes.

This presentation will take a closer look at these new services, including demonstrating how Boise State's Albertsons Library has approached supporting research dissemination. It will mix practical information about repository workflows and processes, with strategies for developing research dissemination IR-based services. Attendees will have the opportunity to see live examples of IR services and will be able to share their own experiences. Participants will also be encouraged to ask challenging questions as we work together to explore this new area of librarianship.

The Revolution of University-Based Information

Michelle Armstrong et al. — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:07:11 PDT

Traditionally, information and scholarship produced by universities has been disseminated by for-profits publishers who charge for access to this scholarship. This approach to sharing the output of our nation's academic community has significantly limited access to that scholarship. Institutional repositories are revolutionizing how university-based information is made accessible to society as a whole. This presentation will explore how libraries are supporting access to academic scholarship, issues involved in providing the scholarship such as types of information, intellectual property, and quality control, and ways users can access, evaluate, and utilize university-based information.

No Fees Required: Opening Access to University Content (Tech Talk)

Michelle Armstrong et al. — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:51:29 PDT

This article shares information from a presentation at the 2011 Southwest Idaho Library Association Regional Conference, which explored increased access to university collections and scholarship and the great benefits this provides for all library communities. Access to university records and scholarship, both born digital and originally in paper, is improved by providing them in an open, electronic format. The session featured examples of institutional repositories and the types of digital content they include, and provided resources with information on creating and implementing an institutional repository.

No Fees Required: Opening Access to University Content

Julia Stringfellow et al. — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:51:16 PST

Increasing access to university collections is a great benefit for all library communities. This session will look at how access to university records and scholarship, both born digital and originally in paper, is improved by providing them in an open, digital format. Benefits for different types of libraries and patrons will be highlighted. Features of digital asset management systems used at Boise State will also be discussed.

Faculty Participation Through SelectedWorks: Engagement at Butler University and Boise State

Michelle Armstrong et al. — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:52:21 PST

Michelle Armstrong (Boise State University) and Brad Matthies (Butler University) discussed workflows and practical strategies for building SW sites and collecting content, marketing to specific departments, and providing a meaningful and valuable service to faculty.

Note: This presentation is available to Berkley Electronic Press subscribers at http://digitalcommons.bepress.com/subscriber_resources

Repositioning the Role of the Library Through the Institutional Repository: Strategies for Developing an IR

Michelle Armstrong — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:08:36 PST

ScholarWorks: Showcasing Faculty Research While Promoting Open Access

Michelle Armstrong — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:34:17 PDT

Recently, Boise State’s academic leadership began exploring betters ways to disseminate the research produced by the university. As a part of this process, the idea of creating a research distribution strategy began to be outlined. One of the first components of this strategy was the development of ScholarWorks, an open access institutional repository.

ScholarWorks consists of five key services:

*Identifying and making available via the ScholarWorks web site documents and files produced by the faculty, research groups, and students of Boise State University.

*Creation of Selected Works pages which highlight the scholarly accomplishments of each individual faculty member.

*Distribution of regular reports that provide data on the impact and usage of faculty publications.

*Access to simple and inexpensive electronic publishing of original series, journals, and monographs.

*Promotion of research efforts via a searchable database, reports to key administrators and stakeholders, and coordination with other research recognition activities.

Research development and distribution has been a key goal for Boise State as it strives to become a “Metropolitan Research University of Distinction.” By aligning ScholarWorks with this goal, the service has been able to immediately meet a key, identified need. Additionally, as a open access repository, the very process of soliciting archiving permission for faculty publications opens the door to critical conversations about author rights. In this way, open access actually serves as a tool benefiting both the university and individual faculty members.

This presentation will describe the methods and strategies used by one repository to support both a university’s mission and open access initiatives.

What is Working Today: Success Stories in Marketing, Rights Management, and More

Heather Leary et al. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:37:05 PDT

This panel session was a discussion of success stories by various Institutional Repository Coordinators in their daily work with marketing, copyright clearance, workflow, distinctions between the Digital Library and Institutional Repositories, and more.

A complete video of this presentation can be found at the conference web site.

Policies for Improving Accessible Web Development Techniques and Management

Michelle Armstrong — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:07:38 PDT

When examining web site accessibility for individuals with disabilities, it is important to address development from the premise that web sites should be aesthetically pleasing and usable – as well as accessible. By applying these criteria, developers are encouraged to work as teams, utilize comprehensive management techniques, and address the need for long-term maintenance. This approach ultimately results in a web development infrastructure that can handle both high demand, as well as change. In the case of the WIND Web Services Team this infrastructure takes the form of a “Development and Guidelines and Recommendations” document, core values conveyed to all Team Members, a quality checklist, constant discussion and collaboration, and an emphasis on documentation. However, the most important element of this infrastructure is the creation of a learning environment dedicated to accessibility and comprehensive quality development.

Winner of the Mountain Plains Library Association Academic Section – “Best Paper Award”

Violence and Crimes Against People with Disabilities Bibliography

Michelle Armstrong — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:02:20 PDT

In the early 1990's, Dr. Dick Sobsey, a leading expert on victims with disabilities, published two comprehensive bibliographies on this topic. These resources, Disability, Sexuality, and Abuse: An Annotated Bibliography and Violence and Disability: An Annotated Bibliography, provided citations to hundreds of materials on victims with disabilities. Because of the comprehensiveness of these original bibliographies, an attempt was made to use a similar approach when creating this bibliography.

The scope of this bibliography is guided by the following parameters: Materials collected ranged from 1990 – 2007. The bibliography only includes materials that focus on people with disabilities who become victims of crime. It does not include materials focused on disabilities resulting from crimes. &#;The bibliography excludes materials which focus only on offenders. However, materials were considered if they addressed both victims and offenders and provided information pertinent to this review. Formats included were limited to peer-reviewed publications, research articles, and formally produced reports. However, a few books and editorials from peer-reviewed journals were also included once they were determined to be appropriate additions.

Women First: Breast Health for Women with Developmental Disabilities

Michelle Armstrong — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:53:20 PDT

Women First: Breast Health for Women with Developmental Disabilities handbook was created with funding from the Wyoming Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and was designed to provide women with developmental disabilities basic information about breast health.

The Women First handbook is part of a larger Komen funded project managed by the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND), designed to make information about breast health for women with disabilities more accessible. As a part of this project many new materials dealing with health issues for women with disabilities were added to the WIND Resource Library. Additionally, an annotated bibliography was created to assist in learning more about this important topic.

It is hoped that this handbook will serve as a tool to assist self-advocates, family members, friends, and health care providers in working together to provide breast health services for all women.

The handbook has been designed to be placed in a notebook which may also serve as a single storage place for health care information for the individual. The calendar included can be used to track monthly self exams and yearly visits with their personal health care provider. Additionally, the calendar can be photocopied and reused on an annual basis.

Practical Resources for Serving Victims with Developmental Disabilities

Michelle Armstrong — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:45:13 PDT

People with developmental disabilities are one of the most victimized segments of our society. Yet few victim service organizations are prepared to provide an appropriate response to this problem. This presentation discussed the issues involved in serving people with developmental disabilities and familiarized participants with a variety of resources which can assist them in their work. Additionally, participants learned about a variety of organizations serving people with developmental disabilities and methods for collaborating with these groups.