Person:
Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca

Job Title

Head, Science and Engineering Library

Last Name

Reznik-Zellen

First Name

Rebecca

Discipline

Library and Information Science

Expertise

Libraries, scholarly communication, research data management, disciplinary repositories
research impact

Introduction

I am a librarian with experience in disciplinary repository development, digital library collection development, strategic planning and digital project management, scholarly communication, and research data management services. My interests are the communication of scholarly scientific works; disciplinary repositories; open access; the copy- and author rights that enable sharing of research results; and the metrics for evaluating scholarly influence.

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Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Semiotic Analysis of a Science Library: Inclusion and Messaging
(2023-01-01) Fitzgerald, Sarah; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca; Berube, Suenita; Fischietto, Cai
Purpose and goals The purpose of this study is to investigate what semiotic analysis can discover about how welcoming and inclusive a science library space is for patrons. Semiotic analysis examines the meanings that individuals interpret places as having. It involves the study of objects, which can range from images and words to physical items, and their meanings as individual interpreters understand them (Hall, 1997). We chose to study a science library space because the lack of racial and gender diversity in STEM is a persistent challenge despite the growth in the number of STEM jobs and STEM degrees earned (Pew, 2021). Design, methodology, or approach We conducted a semiotic analysis of a science and engineering library to determine how well the signs and signifiers in the space reflect its goals. To that end, we examined how diverse groups of patrons might interpret elements in the space, which behaviors are encouraged and discouraged, and whether the space promotes scientific disciplines to its visitors. The space we investigated serves as a case study highlighting the ways in which library spaces can communicate messaging to patrons of various backgrounds. Findings Based on our semiotic analysis, the library space’s communication to its patrons succeeds more in promoting science and encouraging desired behavior (or discouraging undesired behavior) than in promoting diversity and inclusion. Practical implications or value In keeping with universal design, libraries should provide clear and visible signage for the library itself, as well as its elevators, exits, restrooms, quiet study spaces, group study spaces, and browseable stacks. Libraries should provide gender inclusive restrooms and clearly marked spaces for religious reflection. Libraries can make an effort to choose inclusive art and display artifacts to appeal to patrons from a variety of backgrounds. Libraries can learn from our findings that library signage that precludes activities frequently performed by patrons should be accompanied by library signage that directs patrons where they may participate in these activities without disturbing other patrons. This will balance the prescriptive, negative messaging in libraries with positive, inviting messaging. Libraries should consider their priorities in terms of safety versus a feeling of surveillance for patrons when designing study spaces. While glass can help library staff monitor activity in the library, glass walls can also lead to a lack of privacy and a feeling of distrust. Likewise, libraries must make decisions between the security for their materials provided by wired glass and theft detectors versus a more welcoming atmosphere of trust. A science library should be updated with modern, clean, furnishings in good condition to show respect for its patrons and their work. It is important to represent the interests of patrons a library wishes to welcome in a balanced way. A science library should not have a predominance of science items from any particular science discipline it serves, but provide appealing displays from a variety of disciplines representing both the history of science and modern advances. Educational disciplinary displays can incorporate diverse scientists to promote the inclusion of diverse patrons.
Metastatic Metadata: Transferring Digital Skills and Digital Comfort at UMass Amherst
(2013-01-01) Smith, Jeremy; Cox, Robert; Kovacs, Danielle; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca; Rubinstein, Aaron
Discusses efforts by the Digital Strategies Group and Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to enlist all library staff to create metadata for a group of historical photographs from the University archive.
Decision-Making by and for Academic Libraries during Covid-19
(2023-01-01) Fitzgerald, Sarah Rose; Hutton, Sarah; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca; Barlow, Charlie; Oldham, Will
Academic libraries are fundamental in promoting equitable access to education but are often overlooked and underfunded. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these inequities. This study investigates how 39 library deans and directors perceived decision-making by university administration during COVID-19’s onset. Open-ended survey questions were sent to deans and directors asking them to describe their experiences working with university administration to adjust library services during the crisis. Some library leaders reported that working closely with other departments strengthened their campus connections. Others commented that disagreement between library personnel and university administration caused discord. Some deans and directors were forced to cut staff funding or felt pressured to reopen, while others were trusted to choose their budget and service priorities. The authors recommend that library leaders be more consistently relied upon for their expertise during university decision-making.
How not to grow an ORCID program
(2018-05-04) Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca; Palmer, Lisa A.
In 2017 the University of Massachusetts Medical School became a member of ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) through a regional library consortium. Over the course of the year, the library made efforts to establish ORCID implementations with the institution’s faculty profile system. However, progress was insufficient by the end of the year to warrant membership renewal. In this lightning talk, we will discuss our efforts to get ORCID off the ground and the positive lessons we learned in the process.
If You Build It, Will It Collapse? Roadblocks to Building a Regional Repository Community
(2018-05-04) Jerome, Erin; Palmer, Lisa A.; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca
Background: In July 2017 the authors organized a regional user group meeting for librarians who use or were considering Digital Commons, the popular hosted institutional repository platform from bepress. It had been many years since this group had been brought together. Bepress sponsored the meeting and sent a product consultant to participate. The organizers hoped to make this an annual event, and also broaden the scope to all repository platforms. By all accounts, the well-attended New England Digital Commons User Group Meeting was a success and evaluations were positive. Just five days later, however, bepress announced that the company had been purchased by Elsevier [1], shocking Digital Commons customers and the worldwide community of scholarly communication librarians and open access advocates. In the wake of this game-changing development, the positive energy generated from the meeting abruptly evaporated, to be replaced by feelings of outrage, disappointment, loss of control, and paralysis. Objective: The objective of this poster is to foster meaningful dialogue about community building in an academic landscape where the ground is shifting rapidly. Questions for attendees: Were you affected by the by the Elsevier acquisition of bepress? How can librarians in the New England region support each other in their respective efforts to manage institutional repositories? What is a good next step for the user group organizers to move forward and build this community? How can community members from larger institutions support those in smaller institutions? Can anything be learned from community building in other areas of librarianship? How could/should this community help support the implementation/use of more open source repository platforms? How do/should/could nation-wide initiatives such as 2.5% Commitment influence regional/institutional efforts in the institutional repository space? [1] https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2017/08/02/elsevier-acquires-bepress/
Using the Visualization Software Evaluation Rubric to explore six freely available visualization applications
(2018-01-01) Atwood, Thea P; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca
Cross-functional policy development for a Data Repository
(2021-01-01) Atwood, Thea P.; Jerome, Erin; Kardos, Ann; McGinty, Stephen; Radik, Melanie; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca
Policy can articulate the scope of work. For repositories that house data, policy can help users manage expectations, especially for individuals who are new to data sharing, or where expectations for sharing data have changed. We cover some of the current literature around the process for writing policy, specifically focusing on policy for data collections and repositories, factors that encouraged us to create a repository policy, our collaborative process for creating the policy, and lessons learned. We hope that others can use our processes to build their own policy that reflects the needs of their campuses and scholars and further moves the needle toward the “Library as Publisher” model.
Curiosity as Outreach: Flipping Outreach on its Head
(2020-01-01) Borrego, Paulina; Graham, Anne; Lutz, Ellen; Radik, Melanie; Reznik-Zellen, Rebecca
Science and Engineering Library staff at the University of Massachusetts Amherst visited several sites on campus in a novel outreach initiative that involved all nine staff members taking “field trips” without agendas. We demonstrate that outreach without the explicit goal of promoting a specific resource or service can be an effective use of time, and can build social capital that shares the goals of traditional outreach. Involving all staff in this outreach effort was a valuable team building experience, exposing the depth of our interests and expertise to each other and to our campus community.