Diane Zabel
Print version (Adobe Reader required)
One of the traditions established by the previous RUSQ editors was to use the editorial in the summer issue to thank all the people who contributed to the production of the journal during the past year. I am continuing that fine tradition, given that I have a multitude of individuals to thank as I complete my first year as editor. To start off, I am certain that I would never have gotten my first issue to press without guidance from Connie Van Fleet and Danny Wallace, my predecessors. Their editorial assistants (Jo Ann Palmeri and Rachel Mosman) were also kind enough to assist me until I had support in place.
I have relied on the RUSQ Editorial Advisory Board to not only review manuscripts but for advice on the journal’s redesign, to shape the development of the online companion, and to sort out strategies for dealing with thorny issues such as the backlog of accepted articles. The following individuals served as members of the 2006-2007 Editorial Advisory Board: Judith M. Arnold, Gwen Arthur, Corinne Hill, Robert V. Labaree, Dale McNeill, Jessica E. Moyer, Amber A. Prentiss, Michael Stephens, Douglas Raber, and Kathleen A. Sullivan. While RUSQ board members serve as the referee base, numerous other experts have been recruited to help review manuscripts. Their assistance has been invaluable, given the increase in submissions. I am grateful to the following individuals for taking on this important task as needed: Rebecca Albitz, Karen Antell, Susan Beck, Jennifer Gilley, Nancy Huling, M. Kathleen Kern, Eric Novotny, Mary Popp, Amalia Strothmann, Dave Tyckoson, Susan Ware, Beth S. Woodard, and Neal Wyatt.
The feedback to authors from this hard-working group of reviewers helped produce an outstanding collection of feature articles. The following peer-reviewed feature articles were published in Volume 46:
- “Collaboration as the Norm in Reference Work,” by Jeffrey Pomerantz
- “Libraries in the Contact Zone: On the Creation of Educational Space,” by James Elmborg
- “Is Accuracy Everything? A Study of Two Serials Directories,” by Marybeth Grimes and Sara E. Morris
- “An Exploratory Survey of Reference Source Instruction in LIS Courses,” by Denice Adkins and Sanda Erdelez
- “A Baseline Information Literacy Assessment of Biology Students,” by Jessame E. Ferguson, Teresa Y. Neely, and Kathryn Sullivan
- “The Library and My Learning Community: First Year Students’ Impressions of Library Services,” by Tammy J. Eschedor Voelker
- “The Digital Reference Electronic Warehouse Project: Creating the Infrastructure for Digital Reference Research through a MultidisciplinaryKnowledge Base,” by Scott Nicholson and R. David Lankes
- “Data Services in Academic Libraries: Assessing Needs and Promoting Services,” by Eleanor J. Read
- “An Analysis of the Literature on Instruction in Academic Libraries,” by Gregory A. Crawford and Jessica Feldt
- “The Thank You Study: User Feedback in E-Mail ‘Thank You’ Messages,” by Lorri Mon and Joseph W. Janes
- “Onsite Reference and Instruction Services: Setting Up Shop Where Our Patrons Live,” by A. Ben Wagner and Cynthia Tysick
- “Learning from Leisure Reading: A Study of Adult Public Library Patrons,” by Jessica E. Moyer
One of the frequent comments I receive from readers is how much they enjoy the journal’s columns. I was delighted when Neal Wyatt followed in my footsteps as editor of the Alert Collector column. Neal is never at a loss for good ideas and she recruited guest columnists to write on topics as diverse as fair use in the digital age (Melanie Schlosser), graphic novels (Anne Behler), euthanasia (Kelly Myer Polacek), and The Da Vinci Code (Terry Beck).
Articles published in the Readers’ Advisory column edited by Barry Trott often spark discussion on Fiction_L and other readers’ advisory discussion lists. In this past volume, he generated debate with columns on nonfiction readers’ advisory (Abby Alpert), genre separation (Barry Trott and Vicky Novak), the promotion of extracurricular reading in academic libraries (Julie Elliott), and the role of non-appeal factors in readers’ advisory practice (Joan Bessman Taylor). Readers will have to wait for the Fall 2007 issue for the conclusion of Joan’s fascinating article.
I was enormously relieved (and grateful) when Beth S. Woodard and Lori Arp enthusiastically agreed to continue as editors of the Information Literacy and Instruction column. As always, this column featured reflective articles that successfully blend theory and practice. Contributed columns discussed the importance of faculty-librarian collaboration in the integration of information literacy (Joyce Lindstrom and Diana D. Shonrock), diverse learning styles in an online environment (Lori Mestre), information literacy and information technology fluency (Craig Gibson), and the role of cognitive development in information literacy instruction (Rebecca Jackson).
Readers have been enthralled with the debut of M. Kathleen Kern’s cleverly titled column “Accidental Technologist.” Kathleen wrote the inaugural column that provided tips on staying current. The next column, guest-authored by Amy Wallace, urged librarians to think about the public workstation in innovative ways. One of the unique elements of this column is Kathleen’s insightful take on emerging and retreating technologies.
Data from the 2005 RUSQ readership survey and subsequent focus groups indicated that many RUSQ readers had assumed managerial responsibilities. Consequently, many expressed a desire for more content relating to administrative and managerial issues. The new Management column, ably edited by Judith M. Nixon, will help fill this need. The inaugural column featured an article on using a FAQ database to provide efficient and cooperative reference service (Karen Anello and Brett Bonfield).
Volume 46 also contains another new column, For Your Enrichment, an occasional column that publishes interesting article on topics outside the purview of the journal’s regular columns. I thank David Isaacson (for his delightful article on one familiar quotation), Michelle Hayslett (for informing us about the important work of the U.S. Census Bureau’s State Data Center program), and Emily Rimland (for making us think about Ranganathan’s rules in new ways).
One of the strengths of RUSQ has always been the quantity, quality, and length of the book reviews. The editing of the Reference Books section (Carolyn J. Radcliff) and the Professional Materials section (Karen Antell) are colossal responsibilities. Carolyn and Karen perform these tasks flawlessly. In turn, I am sure that both of them are grateful to all the individuals (too numerous to name) willing to commit the time to prepare thoughtful and analytical reviews.
First and foremost, RUSQ is a division journal. I thank Diana D. Shonrock for continuing the tradition of writing a presidential column. I know far too well how busy one is while serving as RUSA president. Moreover, the Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) compiled its popular annual list of best free reference Web sites. In addition, the MARS Users Access to Services Committee contributed an in-depth study exploring the relationship between information technology professionals and public service librarians in academic libraries. The Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) was particularly busy this year, contributing an article on the section’s core competencies guides as well as their compilation of the year’s outstanding business reference sources. Other annual listings included “Outstanding Reference Sources” (RUSA Reference Sources Committee) and “Notable Books” (RUSA Notable Books Council).
There are numerous behind-the-scenes people involved in the journal’s production. I have the good fortune to work with Stephanie Kuenn, the first-rate production editor assigned to RUSQ. Stephanie and her colleagues in ALA Production Services (Troy D. Linker, Angela Hanshaw, Angela Gwizdala, Christopher Keech, and Christine Velez) played a pivotal role in the redesign of the print journal and creation of the online companion. I also want to thank Donavan Vicha, RUSA’s Web program officer, for all of his help in the creation and maintenance of the online companion. I appreciate the assistance of Eileen Hardy, RUSA’s marketing specialist. Finally, I owe many thanks to Cathleen Bourdon, RUSA’s former executive director, for her support in a multitude of ways.
There are several people I need to thank on the homefront. While professionally rewarding, the editorship of a journal is a time-consuming task and requires institutional support. I would not have been able to assume this role without the support provided by my institution, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries. In particular, I want to thank Dean Nancy Eaton, Associate Dean Sally Kalin, and Gary W. White (head of the Schreyer Business Library). Additionally, I am grateful for the financial support provided through the Louis and Virginia Benzak Business Librarian Endowment. Monies from this endowment have enabled me to employ Christopher T. White (a gifted doctoral student in English) as an editorial assistant. Finally, I want to thank my husband and son for their willingness to pick up the slack at home when I have been preoccupied with deadlines.
Erratum
The From the Editor column in the Winter 2006 issue (Volume 46, No. 2) contains an error on page 5. The corrected text should read:
RUSQ employs a double-blind review process, meaning that the author does not know the identity of the reviewer, nor does the reviewer know the identity of the author. Manuscripts submitted to RUSQ are sent to two reviewers for evaluation.
The editor apologizes for the error.