Information & Library Science Department Research & Scholarship

This paper describes an adult reading program similar to summer reading programs for children developed in the New Milford Public Library. The program's main objective was for the adults to enjoy themselves in the library as much as the children do, but it had several ulterior purposes as well. It was hoped that circulation would increase and that new patrons might be found, that if children saw their parents reading they would read more themselves, and that it would foster closer relationships with the business community. Certainly, the main objective was met. If circulation increased, it was too minimal to be counted, but a few new patrons were lured in because of the program. Parents commented on their children noticing their reading, and closer ties to the business community were developed. Initially, this program requires a great deal of time and effort, but, once it is set up, it can be used again with only minor changes.

Ann Dixon, MLS, May 2007
Faculty mentor: Nancy Disbrow

Dixon, A. (2006, November). Development of a genre: Poetry in children's literature. Library Student Journal.

This literature survey traces the development of poetry for children, primarily in the United States and Great Britain. Poetry published for children is rooted in oral literature, such as lullabies, ballads, and nursery rhymes. Early poetry printed specifically for children was most often instructional, morally edifying, and rhymed in order to aid in memorization. As Puritanism waned and new ideas about childhood and education emerged, poets began writing not only to instruct children, but also to tell a story and entertain. The acceptance of fantasy in the 19th century paved the way for a blossoming of poetry for children in the 20th century, encompassing elements of storytelling, fantasy, humor, light verse, multiculturalism, and social change. Ongoing advances in printing technology also affected developments in illustration. More recent trends include an increasingly visual approach to poetry in children's picture books; novels in verse; a revival of young adult interest and participation in poetry; and the innovative use of electronic formats, sometimes in ways that reconnect poetry with its oral roots. Poetry for children continues to flourish and evolve because of the capacity for perception and imagination shared by children and poets.

Ann Dixon, MLS, May 2007
Faculty mentor: Mary Brown

Dixon, A. R. (2006). Feasibility and options in bookmobiles and mobile libraries in rural areas: A case study approach using Alaska's experience. Bookmobile and Outreach Services, 9(2), 17-58.

Bookmobile and other mobile library services in rural Alaska are examined to determine if they are useful, cost effective, and practical. Case study interviews were conducted with a librarian, two library association volunteers, and a teacher who have experience with four bookmobiles in rural Alaska. Results are compared with the literature from other parts of the United States and the world. Bookmobiles and mobile services are found to be useful, but effectiveness and practicality depend upon carefully matching community needs with resources and circumstances. Stable funding, appropriate delivery methods, technology, innovative thinking, partnerships, service targeted to community needs, community involvement, flexibility, regularity, and publicity are components of successful services. Results of this study are useful to librarians, educators, literacy professionals, and community planners in Alaska and other rural areas. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

David Gray, MLS, May 2006
Faculty mentor: James Kusack

Gray, D. (2006). The Roman Catholic diocesan information management enterprise: A model for diocesan archives-records management/library programs. Catholic Library World, 77 (1) 33-37.

Samuel T. C. Thompson, MLS, August 2005
Faculty mentor: James Kusack

Thompson, S. T. C. (2006). Policies to protect information systems building barriers to Intrusion from Social Engineering Attacks, Library & Archival Security, 19(1), 3-16.

Social engineering is a method of breaching computer and information security through the manipulation of an institution's staff members. This method has become increasingly relevant as computer based (or technical) security has become more advanced. By targeting the human element, social engineering voids any technical protections leaving even well-secured computer networks vulnerable. The defense against social engineering is to address the same path which the social engineers are exploiting, the human element. This can be addressed through the establishment of defensive information policies which give staff members the information that they need to prevent social engineering attacks from succeeding.

Keywords: Computer security, information policy, hackers, network
security, social engineering

Carol Waseleski, MLS, May 2005
Faculty mentor: Eino Sierpe

Waseleski, C. (2006). Gender and the use of exclamation points in computer-mediated communication: An analysis of exclamations posted to two electronic discussion groups. The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 11(4), article 6.

Past research has reported that females use exclamation points more frequently than do males. Such research often characterizes exclamation points as "markers of excitability," a term that suggests instability and emotional randomness, yet it has not necessarily examined the contexts in which exclamation points appeared for evidence of "excitability." The present study uses a 16-category coding frame in a content analysis of 200 exclamations posted to two electronic discussion groups serving the library and information science profession. The results indicate that exclamation points rarely function as markers of excitability in these professional forums, but may function as markers of friendly interaction, a finding with implications for understanding gender styles in email and other forms of computer-mediated communication.