Information Needs Assessment of the Japanese Collections at the Ohio State University

We are currently conducting an evaluation of Japanese library resources and services at Ohio State University in view of multiple transitions currently underway, including:

*Relocation of entire library collections to 650 Ackerman Rd for 2005-2008 (during the renovation of Thompson Library);
*Ongoing transfer of materials to the book depository;
*Cancellation of many print journals over the past few years (along with cessation of publication on the part of many others);
*Increasing amount of digitized resources available freely on the web or through subscription databases, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc

The goal of this evaluation is to help us understand user needs better so that we can develop the best possible support for faculty, students, and researchers using the Japanese collections. As we prepare for the next round of Title VI applications the availability of pro-active services targeted to support students, faculty and other researchers may be something that we can highlight.

We would prefer to meet with faculty members individually. Can you let us know some convenient times in your schedule over the next few weeks when you would be available to meet with us for about 30 minutes? Yuji Tosaka is available only on Thursdays and Fridays, but Maureen Donovan is on campus throughout the week.

We certainly understand if you do not have time to meet in person, but in that case we would be very obliged if you could provide feedback by email. Below is a list of questions for discussion.

Thank you again for your cooperation! We look forward to hearing from you.

Maureen Donovan
Japanese Studies Librarian

Yuji Tosaka
Library science practicum student (Jan – May 2005)

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I. Japanese collection in general

Q1. In 2004-05 the Japanese collection will pass 100,000 volumes in size. As it joins the ranks of “established” collections there may be areas that were neglected in the past that should receive more attention in the future, or your research interests may have moved into new areas for which the collections locally are inadequate.

Please let us know your opinions of the adequacy of Japanese language library resources available to you and your students (either locally or through ILL) and, in particular, about areas of the collections most in need of further collection development at Ohio State.

II. Library as a Place

The Thompson library collections will be moved to 650Ackerman Drive for 2005-2008, while at the same time library materials will continue to be transferred permanently to STX (remote depository). Physical access to the collection will continue to be available at 650 Ackerman.

Q2. Are there any particular concerns or anything you would like to know about this physical transition, especially about the use of the Japanese collections?

Q3. What types of support services and resources would help you cope with the transition and facilitate the use of the Japanese collections?

– Improved cataloging of the contents of multi-volume sets (if possible, please provide specific titles that need analytic cataloging)
– Instruction on conducting more effective searches and doing “online browsing” to retrieve needed materials via online catalogs
– Handouts/quick guides (print or online) describing Japanese collection materials and/or search strategies
– Classroom or group instruction given by librarian

III. Library Use and Research

Ohio State participates in national and international networks of libraries to facilitate remote access to research materials held by other libraries. The interim relocation to 650 Ackerman and the increasing location of books in STX (depository), means that, even on campus, the primary method of accessing the Japanese collections will be through OSCAR. We want to get a sense of how “comfortable” people are with OSCAR and other systems. Do you need any aids (online?) or instruction in new methods of using library resources?

Q4. How do you use OSCAR and other online catalogs (OhioLINK, WorldCat, NACSIS, NDL)? How familiar are you with various features of these online catalogs?

– To get the call number of a known item
– To conduct author, title, or keyword searches
– To conduct a subject search
– To check circulation records
– To browse
– To request items
– To limit searches
– To display Japanese characters in OSCAR and Worldcat
– To use Japanese (Unicode) for searching
– Other (please specify)

Q5. To what extent are you aware of the primary source materials in Japanese that are available at Ohio State? How do you bring such materials to your students’ attention? Should we provide services (web pages?) to highlight and promote awareness of such resources, especially since they are increasingly located at the book depository?

IV. Digitized Resources and Services

Q6. How often do you use online subscription databases relating to Japanese studies? What databases do you tend to search most heavily?

– Nichigai Web Service
* BOOKPLUS
* Konpyuta Gijutsu Yogo Jiten Fairu
* MAGAZINEPLUS
* Sakka Shippitsusha Jinbutsu Fairu
* Sho no Jiten Fairu
– Japan Knowledge (new as of January 15th!)
– Bibliography of Asian Studies
– JSTOR
– MLA International Bibliography
– LLBA (Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts)
– Citation databases (Web of Science)
– Other (please specify)

Q7. How do you tend to learn about online databases related to your studies?

– From my colleagues
– On my own navigating the library web site
– Library staff
– Other (please specify)

Q8. What problems have you encountered in using the library’s online databases?

– No problems
– Difficulties deciding on appropriate databases
– Online helps do not answer questions
– Lack of instruction by library staff
– Methods of searching databases unclear or confusing
– Staff unavailable to provide assistance
– Library does not own materials cited

Q9. A variety of services may be required to help users become self-sufficient in the use of digitized library resources. What type of support services would be desirable to facilitate the use of such resources for research and teaching?

– Detailed user handouts (print or online)
– Basic instruction from library staff
– Instruction lecture from library (one-time, regular workshops, personalized instruction, etc.)
– Computer-assisted instruction (interactive learning software)
– Receive current awareness services (new books lists, journal table of contents, citations to books and journals on particular topics, etc.)
– More opportunities to discuss your research and/or teaching needs with librarian
– A set of authoritative, scholarly web sites in my field available via the library web site
– Bibliographic management software
– Regular e-mail
– Library newsletter
– Regular information on the library home page

Q10. Have you ever used or heard of other university library services, especially electronic ones, that you found useful or interesting and think we should consider implementing at Ohio State?

MHD