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Browsing University Library by Author "Kumaran, Maha"
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Item Canadian academic librarians and the need for a systematic and comprehensive research-support model(Canadian Journal of Academic Librarianship, 2019-06-19) Kumaran, MahaExpectations for Canadian academic librarians’ research have evolved, but not all librarians have access to the support systems needed that aid and enable them to conduct and publish research. A survey was sent to librarians asking about the research supports available and most useful to them. “Research” was not defined and was left to the interpretation of the participant. The survey found that supports are sporadic, possibly leading to a two-tiered research climate between “haves” and “have-nots.” It is essential for academic librarians to initiate and engage in conversation about what library research is and how librarians’ research competency may be improved. This should lead in turn to conversations about the support systems needed, which ones the universities and the libraries should provide, and how having a comprehensive research-support model would help librarians engage more with research, increase their research output, and improve the quality of their research.Item Changing the Canadian academic librarianship landscape through diversity among librarians(2019-03) Kumaran, Maha; Wakibi, Samson; Walker, KeithBackground: Kumaran’s recent sabbatical project was to explore diversity and leadership in Canadian academic libraries. For this presentation at IIT, she explores and presents results from part of her qualitative survey results where participants identified the best characteristics of their previous and current (retrospective and prospective) librarian positions they held/hold. Method: This project was conducted using the appreciative inquiry (AI) framework to learn and understand what has worked well in the context of diversity. AI does not emphasize on the weaknesses, but directs attention towards identifying strengths and positive characteristics. Identifying the positive and creating more of those characteristics will enable librarianship to focus on transforming the academic librarianship landscape from a diversity perspective. Results: The reasons for participants’ appreciation of their current jobs in comparison with their future employment goals were identified and categorized. A combination of resources were used to determine these categories and themes (Hoffman, Berg & Koufogiannakis, 2014 & 2017; Kalleberg, 1977; Laden & Hagedorn, 2000; Sabharwal & Corley, 2009; Seifert & Umbach, 2008;)The broad categories identified as were Financial, Career, Convenience, Relationship, Resource Adequacy, and Intrinsic factors. There was also some connection of the participants’ diversity characteristics and their best leadership statuses. Conclusion: Knowing what participants enjoyed or continue to enjoy in their positions will help us learn the strengths of a librarian position. It will also help us emulate more of such positions in all libraries and at various levels including leadership. This information can be shared with library administrators so they can design pathways to do more of the same in their attempts to be inclusive and diverse.Item Collection development "budget decorating": decorating cents(Library Journal, 2008) Kumaran, MahaItem Diverse populations in Saskatchewan: the challenges of reaching them(The Partnership: Provincial and Territorial Library Associations of Canada, 2010) Salt, Lorraine; Kumaran, MahaSaskatchewan is more diverse than it was even 5 years ago. Although historically Saskatchewan has always had a diverse immigrant population, with immigrants from many European and Eastern European countries, recently there have been other large immigrant communities arriving from several parts of the globe through various significant government initiatives and policies; some as refugees, some as guest workers, some as international students with their families. Not only is this diverse immigrant population growing, but the social make up of the new immigrants is also changing. There are many reasons why Saskatchewan is receiving more immigrants. This paper states those reasons, discusses the history of immigration in Saskatchewan, the current immigrant situation, and the role libraries can play in educating, informing and entertaining these immigrant populations. This paper focuses on new immigrants coming into Saskatchewan and does not discuss other groups that are part of a diverse society such as aboriginal populations, seniors, the GBLT, or French Canadians. The authors sent out questionnaires to see what other libraries in Canada have done in this area and have used programs and services offered by both the Vancouver Public Library and the Toronto Public Library as examples of what can be offered to diverse immigrant populations.Item Fact sheet: the open access movement(Canadian Health Libraries Association/ Association des bibliotheques de la sante du Canada, 2008) Kumaran, MahaItem Leadership in libraires: A focus on ethnic-minority librarians(Woodhead Publishing, 2012-02) Kumaran, MahaThe efforts of ethnic-minority librarians to become leaders in Western libraries are an important topic for any librarian working towards becoming a leader, with issues such as cross-cultural leadership relevant for all aspiring librarians. Leadership in Libraries covers leadership in various areas, provides examples of successful minority leaders in different fields and statistical data on minorities and librarians in several countries. The title probes library school programs and their efforts to develop leadership skills among librarians in general, and among minority librarians in particular. The book begins by introducing the concept of ethnic-minority leadership, moving on in the first chapter to definitions by culture, profession, and gender. The next three chapters consider managers as leaders, leadership styles, skills, and leadership in school, public and academic libraries in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. The final chapter includes instances of bad leadership, and offers a conclusion.Item Libraries and Google co-op(Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2008) Kumaran, Maha; Bassett, DawnGoogle has recently introduced Google Co-op, a platform which is comprised of three different tools: custom search engine, subscribed links, and topics. The custom search engine and subscribed links features of Google Co-op are being used successfully by a variety of different businesses and libraries to help harness the power and size of the Web. Other organizations are contributing to specific search areas designed by Google using the topics feature. By examining the ways that such organizations are using Google Co-op and by demonstrating how to use custom search engines and topics, the article draws some conclusions about the potential usefulness of Google Co-op's features for librariesItem Libraries matter: different communities and different approaches(Saskatchewan Library Association, 2009) Kumaran, MahaItem Literature Review of Online Learning in Academic Libraries(Chandos Publishing, 2016-10) Maddison, Tasha; Doi, Carolyn; Lucky, Shannon; Kumaran, MahaThe field of distributed learning is constantly evolving. Online technology provides instructors with the flexibility to offer meaningful instruction to students who are at a distance or in some cases right on campus, but still unable to be physically present in the classroom. This dynamic environment challenges librarians to monitor, learn, adapt, collaborate, and use new technological advances in order to make the best use of techniques to engage students and improve learning outcomes and success rates. Distributed Learning provides evidence based information on a variety of issues, surrounding online teaching and learning from the perspective of librarians. Includes extensive literature search on distributed learning Provides pedagogy, developing content, and technology by librarians Shows the importance of collaboration and buy-in from all parties involvedItem Print vs. electronic redux(A. Bruce Strauch, 2005) Kumaran, Maha; Bassett, DawnItem A review of the effects of physical therapy on self-esteem in postpartum women with lumbopelvic dysfunction(Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC PEER REVIEWED, 2018-11) Crockett, Katie; Bowen, Angela; Madill, Stephanie; Kumaran, Maha; Epp, Christine; Graham, Anne-MarieThis study sought to determine the impact of physical therapy for lumbopelvic dysfunction on self-esteem in postpartum women. Systematic searches were carried out in CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Medline (OVID), Cochrane, and Web of Science by a health sciences librarian using various combinations of subject headings and key words. A dual review process was used first to assess titles and abstracts and then to examine the full text. Conflicts were resolved through discussion or a third reviewer as needed. Dual data extraction was completed using a standardized collection form. Pairs of reviewers met to discuss conflicts. Data quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool, the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tool, and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklist. Thirteen articles were included in the review. None of the articles assessed self-esteem specifically; however, each article assessed aspects of self-esteem (self-concept, self-efficacy, self-worth, depression, quality of life, general well-being, or physical function). All articles reported improvements in the selected outcome measures compared with baseline; two studies that compared two different physical therapy interventions found no significant differences between the interventions. To our knowledge, there is no literature explicitly evaluating self-esteem in postpartum women following physical therapy intervention for lumbopelvic dysfunction. Low self-esteem is shown to predict depression and anxiety; therefore, interventions that increase self-esteem may be useful in reducing the risk of depression.