LRS - DU Fellowship
Research Fellows' Recent Fast Facts
Fellowship
Each year, the Library Research Service awards three to four Fellowships to students in the Library and Information Science Program, Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver. A Fellowship candidate must be supported by a DU LIS faculty member, complete an application, and submit a resume and writing sample. Based on a review of this information by the LRS staff, three to four finalists are selected for each vacancy. Interviews of finalists by the LRS staff and at least one representative of the DU LIS faculty provide the basis for selection of the Fellowship recipient.
An LRS Fellowship is an honor which offers opportunities to begin to develop a personal professional network, to gain experience both in designing and implementing research and in publishing and presenting its findings, and to develop advanced research and project management skills. Previous recipients are now employed in high-profile positions with the Library of Congress, the Colorado State Library, a variety of libraries and information centers in Colorado and beyond, and library consulting firms.
Recent Projects by LRS Research Fellows include:
Research Fellows' Recent Blog Posts
The Future of the Book 60-Second Survey Results
Last winter, LRS posted a 60-Second Survey on "The Future of the Book." More than 1,300 people responded, with nearly 950 leaving additional comments about their thoughts on the topic. With all that information, we were able to write two Fast Facts providing analysis of both the results and the comments.
The comments proved to be one of the most interesting aspects of the survey, revealing passionate and philosophical thoughts on the future of paper and electronic books. Six common themes emerged as influences on future format choices: the existence of multiple formats, technological advantages, emotional/aesthetic appeal of paper books, content, cost, and change over time/generation. The first Fast Facts addresses results and comments related to cost and technological advantages of paper versus electronic formats, while the second report discusses the remaining comment categories and how they related to the type of library in which survey respondents worked and whether they owned an e-reader.
~ Jamie H.
New Field Initiated Study - Reports on Diversity and Inclusivity
Two reports have been added to our Field Initiated Studies page! These reports come from Bonnie McCune and Heidi Baker with the Colorado Special Populations & Issues Committee.
The first, "The Future of Diverse Libraries," is a survey from library staff members and indicates benchmarks, needs, and future steps. The second, based on personal interviews with leaders, "Key Informants: Opinions and Advice on Special Populations," gives perspectives and general guidance.
To view these reports, click on the titles above or go to our Field Initiated Studies page at www.lrs.org/field.php.
-Jamie D.
Preliminary Data from the 2009 Public Library Annual Report Now Available!
Preliminary data from the 2009 Public Library Annual Report is now available. Click here to access the newest public library data!
Thanks to all of the public libraries that worked so hard on this years Public Library Annual Report!
-Jamie D.
Fast Facts: More Job Seekers, Fewer Jobs
A new Fast Facts is up! "More Job Seekers, Fewer Jobs: Findings from Library Jobline, Year Three" reports trends found in LibraryJobline.org postings from 2007-2009. While the number of job postings drastically decreased as the economy struggled, the number of job seekers increased, making the field more competitive. Click on the title above or visit the Fast Facts page to read more!
- Jamie H.
2009 LSA Populations Posted
The 2009 Library Service Area Populations are posted on the Colorado Statistics/Profiles page (scroll down to open the 2009 LSA Populations Spreadsheet). This is the latest legal service area population data. These LSA population figures will be used for each public library on the 2009 Colorado Public Library Annual Report.
New Fast Facts and New Field Initiated Study Posted
We've just posted a new Fast Facts: Computer Access and Traditional Library Services. This Fast Facts examines what happens to public library visits, circulation, reference, and program attendance as the number of public access computers rises. Do the "traditional services" decrease as libraries provide more computer access, or do those services increase as well? Go to the Fast Facts page or click on the title above to read more!
A new Field Initiated Study has also been posted: Library Sponsored Events and Programming Promotion Ideas. This came from a question posted on the Libnet listserv by Donna Arment, of the Durango Public Library, regarding promoting library sponsored programs. To read the responses received, click on the title above or go to our Field Initiated Studies page.
-Jamie
60-Second Survey: Future of the Book
Recently, news outlets and blogs have been busy deriding and celebrating the recent ascension of e-readers. The growing popularity of this new format has come with murmurs about the death of paper books and some even surmise that as technology advances libraries will cease to exist!
Taking notice of the chatter, Library Research Service has decided to survey librarians on the matter. This new 60-Second Survey asks your opinions on e-readers and how you think they will transform reading. Will e-readers be the demise of the paper book? What will libraries circulate? What is the future of the book? You tell us.
Click the link below to take the 60-Second Survey.
Survey closed--thanks for your interest.
Jamie's Recent Fast Facts
Jamie Daisey
Jamie Daisey is a second year MLIS student at the University of Denver. Jamie's concentration is Reference and User Services and she hopes to work in a public library in Colorado after she graduates next year. She has been a Research Fellow with LRS since August 2008. Besides loving libraries and research, Jamie also enjoys movies, hiking, sewing, crafts, and refinishing old furniture.Jamie's Recent Blog Posts
New Field Initiated Study - Reports on Diversity and Inclusivity
Two reports have been added to our Field Initiated Studies page! These reports come from Bonnie McCune and Heidi Baker with the Colorado Special Populations & Issues Committee.
The first, "The Future of Diverse Libraries," is a survey from library staff members and indicates benchmarks, needs, and future steps. The second, based on personal interviews with leaders, "Key Informants: Opinions and Advice on Special Populations," gives perspectives and general guidance.
To view these reports, click on the titles above or go to our Field Initiated Studies page at www.lrs.org/field.php.
-Jamie D.
Preliminary Data from the 2009 Public Library Annual Report Now Available!
Preliminary data from the 2009 Public Library Annual Report is now available. Click here to access the newest public library data!
Thanks to all of the public libraries that worked so hard on this years Public Library Annual Report!
-Jamie D.
New Fast Facts and New Field Initiated Study Posted
We've just posted a new Fast Facts: Computer Access and Traditional Library Services. This Fast Facts examines what happens to public library visits, circulation, reference, and program attendance as the number of public access computers rises. Do the "traditional services" decrease as libraries provide more computer access, or do those services increase as well? Go to the Fast Facts page or click on the title above to read more!
A new Field Initiated Study has also been posted: Library Sponsored Events and Programming Promotion Ideas. This came from a question posted on the Libnet listserv by Donna Arment, of the Durango Public Library, regarding promoting library sponsored programs. To read the responses received, click on the title above or go to our Field Initiated Studies page.
-Jamie
Interlibrary Loan in Colorado
A new Fast Facts has been published! This Fast Facts, State's Collaborative Climate Fosters Interlibrary Loan in Colorado, examines interlibrary loan (ILL) use among Colorado's public and academic libraries, as well as how ILL use impacts circulation overall.
Read this Fast Facts by going to our Fast Facts page, or click the title above!
-Jamie
Follow LibraryJobline.org on Twitter!
LibraryJobline.org is now on Twitter! Follow LibraryJobline.org at http://twitter.com/libraryjobline.
If Twitter isn't for you, you may also sign up for My Jobline, where you can chose to receive emails and/or RSS notifications when jobs that meet your criteria have been posted.
Or, you can receive RSS notifications of all job postings here!
Showing Films at the Library
Librarians interested in showing films at their libraries will be interested in the newest Field Initiated Study. Tara Bannon of the Denver Public Library asked the Libnet listserv which libraries show films to the public. The new Field Initiated Study, Showing Films in the Library, is a compilation of the responses received.
Click on the title above or go to our Field Initiated Studies page to read more.
Challenged Materials in Colorado's Public Libraries, 2008
Curious about the challenges received by Colorado's public libraries? Read our newest Fast Facts, Challenged Materials in Colorado's Public Libraries, 2008. More than one out of ten public libraries in Colorado received a challenge in 2008. Read more by clicking on the title above or by going to our Fast Facts page.
-Jamie
Jamie's Recent Fast Facts
Jamie Helgren
Jamie Helgren is a first-year MLIS student at the University of Denver. With a concentration in Reference and User Services, Jamie plans to work in a small to mid-size public library. In addition to reading, Jamie's other hobbies and interests include writing, baking, cooking, and old movies.Jamie's Recent Blog Posts
The Future of the Book 60-Second Survey Results
Last winter, LRS posted a 60-Second Survey on "The Future of the Book." More than 1,300 people responded, with nearly 950 leaving additional comments about their thoughts on the topic. With all that information, we were able to write two Fast Facts providing analysis of both the results and the comments.
The comments proved to be one of the most interesting aspects of the survey, revealing passionate and philosophical thoughts on the future of paper and electronic books. Six common themes emerged as influences on future format choices: the existence of multiple formats, technological advantages, emotional/aesthetic appeal of paper books, content, cost, and change over time/generation. The first Fast Facts addresses results and comments related to cost and technological advantages of paper versus electronic formats, while the second report discusses the remaining comment categories and how they related to the type of library in which survey respondents worked and whether they owned an e-reader.
~ Jamie H.
Fast Facts: More Job Seekers, Fewer Jobs
A new Fast Facts is up! "More Job Seekers, Fewer Jobs: Findings from Library Jobline, Year Three" reports trends found in LibraryJobline.org postings from 2007-2009. While the number of job postings drastically decreased as the economy struggled, the number of job seekers increased, making the field more competitive. Click on the title above or visit the Fast Facts page to read more!
- Jamie H.
2009 LSA Populations Posted
The 2009 Library Service Area Populations are posted on the Colorado Statistics/Profiles page (scroll down to open the 2009 LSA Populations Spreadsheet). This is the latest legal service area population data. These LSA population figures will be used for each public library on the 2009 Colorado Public Library Annual Report.
Sean's Recent Fast Facts
Sean Lamborne
Sean Lamborne is in his second year of the Masters in Library and Information Science program at the University of Denver and has an interest in a career as a young adult librarian at a public library. Beyond reading books and library-related publications he enjoys traveling the world and hiking the mountains of Colorado. In his free time he writes songs, plays guitar, harmonica, and sings in a Boulder-based roots rock band.Sean's Recent Blog Posts
60-Second Survey: Future of the Book
Recently, news outlets and blogs have been busy deriding and celebrating the recent ascension of e-readers. The growing popularity of this new format has come with murmurs about the death of paper books and some even surmise that as technology advances libraries will cease to exist!
Taking notice of the chatter, Library Research Service has decided to survey librarians on the matter. This new 60-Second Survey asks your opinions on e-readers and how you think they will transform reading. Will e-readers be the demise of the paper book? What will libraries circulate? What is the future of the book? You tell us.
Click the link below to take the 60-Second Survey.
Survey closed--thanks for your interest.
"ASK" - A National Campaign for Reference?
In late 2008, LRS opened up a 60 Second Survey and asked librarians about the importance of reference, the future of reference, and the promotion of reference.
While the results have been on www.LRS.org for some time now, we have a new Fast Facts, "ASK" - A National Campaign for Reference?, that analyzes the findings and the comments left by respondents.
Take a look at what we found on the LRS Fast Facts page, or click on the title above for a pdf.
-Sean
Colorado Libraries Internet Connectivity: Results of the Gates Foundation Broadband Assessment Project
Are you interested in Internet connection and its administration throughout Colorado's libraries?
Between October 2008 and March 2009, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation surveyed America's libraries to learn more about their Internet connectivity. Results were distributed to each state in April 2009.
Out of the 248 libraries (outlets/branches) in Colorado, 242 responded to the survey (98%). The results give a candid assessment of library Internet connections across the state. Data herein covers a variety of topics, including: Number of outlets that provide Internet access to the public, type of Internet service connection, download speed, cost of Internet connection, and more.
A few highlights from the results:
-All but one outlet/branch in Colorado provides Internet access to the public
-Nearly three out of ten (29%) of Colorado's library outlets receive some Internet connectivity for free, although they may pay for additional connections
-The average cost for library Internet connections is $4,452 per year per outlet
Other findings for the Broadband Assessment project can be found at:
http://www.lrs.org/documents/public/broadband_2009.pdf
Enjoy,
Sean
Watchmen Who Knew?
In an alternate history, as the United States and the Soviet Union teeter on the edge of a nuclear war and being a superhero is illegal, who will save the world? Enter the Watchmen…
As graphic novel readers and teen librarians know, Watchmen delivers a complex plot that goes far beyond deconstructing the idea of a superhero. Here are some tidbits to help the rest of us understand the cult phenomenon that is Watchmen.
The Graphic Novel
o Watchmen is not only in Time magazine's top 10 graphic novels list, it is included in Time magazine's 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to Present.
o The original 12 issues of the Watchmen comic book series were published by DC Comics in 1986-87.
o After two decades the graphic novel is still selling. In 2007 about 100,000 copies were sold, but when the trailer for the “Watchmen” movie was shown before “The Dark Night” in July 2008, sales skyrocketed. By mid-August DC put another 900,000 copies into print to meet demand (over 62,500 copies sold in July/August 2008). "Watchmen" became the top selling graphic novel in 2008.
o In 2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment released a narrated version of the original comic called Watchmen: Motion Comics. The first chapter sold on iTunes and other digital stores for the 1986 cover price of $1.50. The Complete Motion Comic was released March 3, 2009.
The Movie
Opening night midnight viewings of the "Watchmen" generated $4.55 million in sales. The film opened in 1,595 theaters across the country and spread to 3,611 around the world, the most theaters ever to show an R-rated movie.
“Watchmen” was directed by Zack Snyder, and has been compared to Snyder's 2007 feature film “300”, here are a few comparative stats from each opening weekends:
o While “Watchmen” brought in a total of $55.7 million in opening weekend tickets sales, “300” had a much stronger opening weekend with $70 million in tickets sales.
o The movie-goer's desire to see action films on IMAX screens brought in $5.5 million in IMAX ticket sales for “Watchmen” during its opening weekend; “300” reached 65% of that mark with $3.6 million.
o Snyder's “300” opened on 62 domestic IMAX screens and “Watchmen” opened on 124.
o “Watchmen” is 45 minutes longer than “300”, making it hard for theaters to have more than one showing per evening. “300's” shorter running time gave theaters the opportunity to play two showings per evening, which likely had an affect on ticket sales.
o “300” had a production budget of $60 million. “Watchmen's” budget is reported to be between $120 and $150 million.
Intrigued? Learn more at the following websites.
Watchmen movie and graphic novel:
www.afterwatchmen.com
DC Comics:
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/
Watchmen writer Alan Moore:
http://www.alanmoorefansite.com/
Comic and graphic novel sales/ trends:
http://www.icv2.com/index.php
Movie box office data:
http://www.the-numbers.com/
-R. Sean Lamborne
sean@lrs.org
References
Gustines, G.G. (2008, August 13). Film trailer aids sales of ‘Watchmen' novel. The New York Times Online. Retrieved on March 7, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/arts/14arts-FILMTRAILERA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin
ICV2. Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual – August 2008 [Data File]. March 10, 2009 from http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/13297.html
ICV2. Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual – July 2008 [Data File]. March 10, 2009 from http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/13104.html
Michael White. (2009, March 6). ‘Watchmen' may open with $70 million, lift box office. Bloomberg.com Retrieved on March 7, 2009 from http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aiiSmRwjr8lQ&refer=muse
Paul William Tenny. (2009, March 10). Watchmen experiences mass walkouts in new york city. Newsvine.com. Retrieved on March 10, 2009 from http://pwtenny.newsvine.com/_news/2009/03/10/2527065-watchmen-experiences-mass-walkouts-in-new-york-city
The Numbers: Box Office Data, Movie Stars, Idle Speculation. Watchmen [Data File]. Retrieved March 10, 2009 from http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2009/WATCH.php
Watchmen (2004, July 22). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved March 7, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen#cite_note-57
New Fast Facts: Book, Newspaper, and Periodical Prices, 2004-2010
Take a leisurely look at the new Fast Facts! "Book, Newspaper, and Periodical Prices, 2004-2010" examines past pricing for library materials and includes calculations for future pricing if the current pricing trends continue.
Read the complete report on the Fast Facts page.
-Sean
sean@lrs.org