Academic literature on the topic 'Syracuse Public Library (Syracuse, N.Y.)'

This article describes the results of a survey to ascertain the current state of gaming provision in UK libraries. The online survey was completed by a self-selecting sample of libraries from mainly public and school libraries. The questions were based on similar surveys carried out by the Library Game Lab at Syracuse in the United States. The results show that, despite little mention of gaming in library policy documents, there is evidence considerable support for gaming in UK public and school libraries. A number of benefits for libraries and gamers are identified, but there are barriers to greater involvement in gaming such as resources and negative attitudes within the profession

Objective – To determine whether library and information science (LIS) doctoral research at North American institutions has, over the last eighty or so years, displayed a clear trend toward addressing topics other than those associated with librarianship and traditional library functions; and whether one can discern, in this regard, any significant differences among those institutions. Design – Conceptual content analysis of dissertation titles and abstracts. Setting – North American universities with American Library Association accredited LIS programs in the period 1930 through 2009. Subjects – The titles and, to the extent available, the abstracts of 3,230 LIS doctoral dissertations completed at these institutions during this period. Methods – Having opted for a directed, single-category type content analysis, the researchers began by pre-establishing a group of terms which they assumed could “represent the core curriculum of the master’s in library science”: terms which they surmised would therefore be able to function, where they appeared in “the records of doctoral output”, as good indicators that that output itself can rightly be judged to have had “an explicit focus on libraries/librarianship” (pp. 36, 44). The terms selected were: “librar*”, “catalog*”, “circulat*”, “collection develop*”, “collection manag*”, “school media”, and “reference” (where “*” indicates truncation, and that any term beginning with the respective letter string was acceptable). The researchers then simply tallied for each of the 3,230 dissertations under investigation how many times one or more of the pre-chosen terms occurred in its title and in its abstract, not recording which term or terms that occurred. (They do not make entirely clear to what extent data collection was computerized.) They subsequently analyzed the data longitudinally and by institution, with only one, nominal and dichotomous, variable for the title as well as for the abstract: whether or not any of the pre-chosen terms occurred at least once. Multiple occurrences, whether of the same term or of varying terms, played no role. Their analysis for the entire period of 1930 through 2009 was based on title data only, and did not take doctorate-granting institution into account. The separate analysis (N=2,305) for the period 1980 through 2009 excluded the thirty cases in which one or more of the terms occurred in the title but none of them occurred in the abstract. Main Results – One occurrence of any of the specified terms in the title was, for the overall period of 1930-2009, enough for any given dissertation to be qualified as having an explicit focus on libraries/librarianship. The percentage of such dissertations remained fairly stable from the 1930s through the 1980s, at between 56% and 62%, with the exception of an unexplained dip for the 1950s to 44.1%. Then, for the 1990s, the researchers discovered a fall-off from 57.9% to 36.0%, and in the following decade a further decrease, down to a level of 21.5%. During the separately-analyzed period 1980-2009, the percentage of dissertations with at least one of the specified terms in the title as well as in the abstract diminished steadily from well over half (58.4%) for 1980-1984 to less than 1 in 5 (19.8%) for 2005-2009. A chi-square test revealed that the relationship between year of dissertation and term occurrence is statistically significant. By far the greatest decrease, of 15 percentage points, was that between the first half and the second half of the 1990s. Interestingly, during the whole thirty-year period, the percentage where a term appeared not in the title but only in the abstract remained fairly constant, at around 20%, give or take about 2.5 percentage points. Yet when one looks at how many of the dissertations displayed none of the terms in the title and none in the abstract, one sees a continuous increase starting at 20.7% for 1980-1984 all the way up to 61.0% for 2005-2009, with the sharpest climb, of more than 17 percentage points, occurring around the mid-1990s. The distinction between the year 1980 and the year 2009 is even greater: from just over 1 in 7 (14.7%) to more than 3 out of 5 (62.2%). The analysis by institution revealed a statistically significant relationship for the period 1980-2009 between institution at which the dissertation was written and the occurrence of any of the terms at least once in both title and abstract. Certain institutions (most notably SUNY-Albany, Syracuse, Missouri, Hawaii, Montréal, and Long Island) showed a much higher than average overall level of no occurrence, and some (Michigan in particular, but also, for example, Florida State and the University of North Carolina) displayed a remarkably consistent decline in occurrence. Conclusion – The researchers conclude that their study, insofar as North America is concerned, “has provided empirical evidence for . . . the lessening focus in LIS dissertations on topics commonly associated with librarianship” and that it “supports the assertion that this focus varies significantly between schools—with some schools demonstrating a more explicit connection to library-related topics than other schools” (p. 43). They are unsure how best to interpret these findings or how they could be applied, but they do offer certain suggestions for possible interpretations and pose a few questions regarding what those interpretations might imply (p. 44). One could, they suggest, argue that the terms employed in the study “are themselves antiquated, and dissertations are charting new territory, pushing the boundaries of both research and practice.” Another possibility is that “while the dissertations may not be immediately applied work, the work could be utilized for application.” On the other hand, it may simply be the case that the selected terms indeed remain trustworthy indicators, and that doctoral candidates “are no longer studying topics that are relevant to the practical field” of librarianship. One could perhaps even justifiably assert that LIS is in effect no longer a single unified discipline but, rather, has split into a library field and an information field, whereby the latter has been steadily gaining the upper hand in LIS programs, albeit less so at some institutions than at others. In pondering the above alternatives for interpretation of this study’s results, the library practitioner will probably also be inclined to reflect, the authors suggest, on the prospects for adequate academic research support of actual library practice, while keeping in mind, furthermore, that the formal education of future practitioners will largely remain in the hands of those trained as LIS doctoral students. To what extent will these educators feel an affinity with, and possess an understanding of, the world of practical librarianship?

RECIPIENTS of The Endocrine Society’s Laureate Awards are selected annually by the Awards Committee. The Laureate Awards are presented to endocrinologists, members or nonmembers, from anywhere in the world. Each recipient is presented with an award certificate and is honored at the Society’s annual Awards Dinner in June. Nominations may be submitted by Society members only. A complete listing of all past awardees is available on the Society’s web site, www.endo-society.org. Nominations must be submitted by early April on the appropriate nomination form. The nomination form may be obtained by visiting the Society web site or by contacting The Endocrine Society. Fred Conrad Koch Award In 1957 a substantial legacy was bequeathed to the Society by the late Elizabeth Koch for the purpose of establishing the Fred Conrad Koch Memorial Fund in memory of her late husband, Distinguished Service Professor of Physiological Chemistry at the University of Chicago, and pioneer in the isolation of the androgens. This is the highest honor of the Society and is presented with the Koch Medal of The Endocrine Society, as well as a $25,000 honorarium. The award is given annually for exceptional contributions to endocrinology. The recipients of this award for the past ten years were: Ronald M. Evans and Michael G. Rosenfeld, 1999; C. Ronald Kahn, 2000; Robert J. Lefkowitz, 2001; Jan-Åke Gustafsson, 2002; Maria I. New, 2003; Patricia K. Donahoe, 2004; William F. Crowley, Jr., 2005; Gerald M. Reaven, 2006; John D. Baxter, 2007; and P. Reed Larsen, 2008. Ernst Oppenheimer Memorial Award The Ernst Oppenheimer Memorial Award was first presented by The Endocrine Society in 1944 and is the premier award to a young investigator in recognition of meritorious accomplishments in the field of basic or clinical endocrinology. The recipient must not have reached age 45 by July 1 of the year in which the award is presented. The award includes a $3,000 honorarium. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Ursula B. Kaiser, 2004; Steven A. Kliewer, 2005; Charis Eng, 2006; Rohit N. Kulkarni, 2007; and Joel K. Elmquist and Randy J. Seeley, 2008. Robert H. Williams Distinguished Leadership Award The Robert H. Williams Distinguished Leadership Award was established by Dr. Robert H. Williams in 1970. The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding leadership in endocrinology as exemplified by the recipient’s contributions and those of his/her trainees and associates to teaching, research, and administration. Distinguished leadership in endocrinology and metabolism may be manifest in a variety of ways and activities (international, national, and local). This award includes a $5,000 honorarium. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: David M. de Kretser, 2004; Gordon H. Williams, 2005; Richard J. Santen, 2006; Lewis E. Braverman, 2007; and Ron G. Rosenfeld, 2008. Edwin B. Astwood Award Lecture The Edwin B. Astwood Award Lecture is awarded for outstanding research in endocrinology. The recipient presents a plenary lecture at the annual meeting to honor the late Dr. Edwin B. Astwood of Boston. The award includes a $2,000 honorarium. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Paolo Sassone-Corsi, 2004; Willa A. Hsueh, 2005; Mitchell A. Lazar, 2006; Lawrence C. Chan, 2007; and John A. Cidlowski, 2008. Clinical Investigator Award Lecture The Clinical Investigator Award Lecture is presented to an internationally recognized clinical investigator who has made major contributions to clinical research related to the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and therapy of endocrine disease. The recipient presents a plenary lecture at the annual meeting and receives a $3,500 honorarium. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Shlomo Melmed, 2004; Paul M. Stewart, 2005; Walter L. Miller, 2006; Stephen O’Rahilly, 2007; and John C. Marshall, 2008. Gerald D. Aurbach Award Lecture This award was first presented in 1993 in honor of the late Dr. Gerald D. Aurbach, who served as president of The Endocrine Society from 1989–1990. This award is presented for outstanding contributions to research in endocrinology. Dr. Aurbach received his B.A. and M.D. from the University of Virginia. After his training in endocrinology at Tufts University School of Medicine, he joined the Public Health Service and the National Institutes of Health in 1959 and had served as chief of the Metabolic Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases since 1973. He was the first to isolate PTH and played a key role in discovering the hormone’s biochemical mechanism of action in bone disease and calcium metabolism. The recipient presents a plenary lecture at the annual meeting and receives an honorarium of $1,000. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: David J. Mangelsdorf, 2004; David R. Clemmons, 2005; Paul A. Kelly, 2006; Eve Van Cauter, 2007; and Andrew F. Stewart, 2008. Sidney H. Ingbar Distinguished Service Award The Sidney H. Ingbar Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of the 65th President of The Endocrine Society and presented in recognition of distinguished service in the field of endocrinology. The award includes a $2,000 honorarium. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Margaret A. Shupnik, 2004; P. Michael Conn, 2005; Robert D. Utiger, 2006; Robert A. Vigersky, 2007; and Lisa H. Fish, 2008. Roy O. Greep Award Lecture This award was first presented in 1999 in memory of Dr. Roy O. Greep, President of The Endocrine Society in 1965–1966, Editor-in-Chief of Endocrinology, and President of the Laurentian Hormone Conference. He retired in 1974 as director emeritus of the Laboratory of Human Reproductive Biology at Harvard’s Medical School and as the John Rock Professor Emeritus of Population Studies at Harvard’s School of Public Health. Dr. Greep received international recognition as a pioneer in the field of endocrinology, receiving the Society’s highest honor, the Fred Conrad Koch Award, in 1971. Dr. Greep will be remembered by his colleagues as a remarkable investigator, a loyal friend, and a patient and devoted teacher. The recipient of this award presents a plenary lecture at the annual meeting and receives a $1,000 honorarium. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Phyllis M. Wise, 2004; Evan R. Simpson, 2005; Benita S. Katzenellenbogen and John Katzenellenbogen, 2006; Sally A. Camper, 2007; and Nancy Lynn Weigel, 2008. Distinguished Educator Award This award was established by the Society in 1998 to recognize exceptional achievement of educators in the field of endocrinology and metabolism. The award includes an honorarium of $3,000. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: E. Brad Thompson, 2004; Ernest L. Mazzaferri, 2005; Gilbert H. Daniels, 2006; Kenneth L. Becker, 2007; and Ronald S. Swerdloff, 2008. Distinguished Physician Award The Distinguished Physician Award was established by the Society in 1998 to honor physicians who have made outstanding contributions to the practice of endocrinology. The award includes an honorarium of $3,000. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Edward S. Horton, 2004; Robert M. Carey, 2005; Glenn D. Braunstein, 2006; Bernardo L. Wajchenberg, 2007; and F. John Service, 2008. Richard E. Weitzman Memorial Award This award was established in 1982 to honor outstanding research achievements in the field of endocrinology and metabolism by a young investigator. The award was established in memory of the late Dr. Richard E. Weitzman. Born in 1943, Dr. Weitzman was educated at Cornell University and the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center (Syracuse). He received training in endocrinology at the University of Virginia and the Harbor-UCLA School of Medicine, rising to the rank of Associate Professor, and began a productive career studying neurohypophyseal hormone and cardiovascular-endocrine physiology. In honor of Dr. Weitzman, an anonymous donor has provided funds for an annual award of $1,000 to be given to an exceptionally promising young investigator who has not reached the age of 40 before July 1 of the year in which the award is presented. The award is based on the contributions and achievements of the nominee’s independent scholarship performed after completion of training and shall be based on the entire body of these contributions, rather than a single work. The recipients of this award for the past five years were: Tso-Pang Yao, 2004; Peter Tontonoz, 2005; Fabio Broglio, 2006; W. Lee Kraus, 2007; and Tannishtha Reya, 2008. The Endocrine Society and Pfizer, Inc. International Award for Excellence in Published Clinical Research in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism In 1998, “The Endocrine Society and Pfizer, Inc. International Award for Excellence in Published Clinical Research in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCE&M)” was established to encourage, recognize, and reward excellence in clinical research published in JCE&M. There are no restrictions with respect to professional affiliation or geographic location. Each year, a jury selects the four best clinical research papers published in JCE&M in a volume year. Each finalist paper receives a $10,000 award. In addition to the monetary prize, the award includes coach airline travel, meeting registration, hotel for one night, and one day’s per diem for one author on each paper to attend the Society’s annual meeting in June. The announcement of the winners is made in April each year with the awards presented at The Endocrine Society annual meeting in June. Papers accepted for publication but not yet published are not eligible until the year that they are actually published.