Showing papers in "IFLA Journal in 2013"

Academic librarians and research data services: preparation and attitudes

Abstract: Research funding bodies recognize the importance of infrastructure and services to organize and preserve research data, and academic research libraries have been identified as locations in which to base these research data services (RDS). Research data services include data management planning, digital curation (selection, preservation, maintenance, and archiving), and metadata creation and conversion. We report the results of an empirical investigation into the RDS practices of librarians in US and Canadian academic research libraries, establishing a baseline of the engagement of librarians at this early stage of widespread service development. Specifically, this paper examines the opinions of the surveyed librarians regarding their preparedness to provide RDS (background, skills, and education), their attitudes regarding the importance of RDS for their libraries and institutions, and the factors that contribute to or inhibit librarian engagement in RDS.

Measuring the public library's societal value: A methodological research program

Abstract: Public libraries in the Netherlands face growing scepticism about their value to communities and society at large. The digitization of media, information and communication gives rise to questions about the library's function, as it still is based mainly on physical service provision. Furthermore, the current economic recession causes local, regional and national governments to critically question every euro spent on cultural institutions. In this climate, there is a growing need for public libraries to show their worth - not only in an economical, but also in a more sociological sense. As standardized measurements for these values are still lacking, a research program was started to develop these outcome measurements. In this paper, we sketch the rationale behind this program and the steps the Netherlands Institute of Public Libraries is taking to develop a measurement instrument geared at validly and reliably demonstrating the societal value of public libraries. Results from the first stages of the research program will be presented: a theoretical framework of the (possible) impact of libraries on Dutch society, based on the findings of a literature study and qualitative research. The findings help us identify and conceptually enrich five domains of possible impact: cognitive, social, cultural, affective and economical. This outcome framework will guide the development of a measuring instrument. Language: en

Knowledge sharing behaviour influences A study of Information Science and Library Management faculties in Bangladesh

Abstract: The prime focus of this study is to measure knowledge sharing behaviour of Information Science and Library Management (ISLM) faculties in Bangladesh. Determining factors that may influence knowledg...

Leadership in libraries in times of change

Abstract: Academic as well as public libraries nowadays have to face constant change. This paper gives an overview about leadership competences needed to succeed with deliberate large-scale changes in libraries. Most of the needed competences can already be imparted during undergraduate studies toward a bachelor�s degree in library and information science, as can be seen in the example of the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg. The critical success factors of every change project are information, communication and participation. Two qualitative studies concerning leadership in academic libraries and leadership in academic and public libraries in times of change, as well as a quantitative study in an academic library concerning the influence of a transformational and a transactional leadership style of the top management on the middle management as well as on team members including the influence of the organizational culture, emphasize the importance of these success factors, especially the communication competence of leaders in times of change.

Techniques to understand the changing needs of library users

Abstract: This paper demonstrates a set of techniques development by the River Campus Libraries at the University of Rochester (USA) which have facilitated a tight alignment between the services, collections, facilities, and digital presence of the Libraries with the academic needs of the undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty at the University of Rochester. At the heart of what has come to be called the �Rochester method� is a belief that a greater understanding of the academic work practices of a university or college community can reveal unintentional misalignments between a library�s services and user needs, as well as overlooked opportunities for a library to provide new services. The focus and study of academic work practices has been achieved through the adoption and adaptation of methods from anthropological and ethnography, which are then applied to the study of segments of a university community. The process begins with the identification of a question, such as ��what does a student do between the time a research paper is assigned and the paper is complete?�� A suite of research methods are then developed to explore the question, such as in situ interview, photo elicitation exercises, design charettes, and academic diaries. The application of those study methods results in data in various forms including photographs, drawings, interview transcripts, and bluesky descriptions of ideal tools, spaces, and services. Diverse teams of staff from across the library study the data and develop findings. At this point in the cycle, those findings require an organizational response that results in real change which can vary from improved marketing, altered physical facilities, new services and web tools. The success at the University of Rochester has demonstrated that a greater understanding and appreciation of the academic needs of library users is not overly difficult nor costly to obtain. While the findings of the Rochester studies are unique to the unique community of the University of Rochester, the methods of study can and have been applied successfully to the study of library users on other campuses.

Locating librarianship’s identity in its historical roots of professional philosophies: towards a radical new identity for librarians of today (and tomorrow):

Abstract: ‘Librarian identity’ is a contested arena, seemingly caught up in a values-war between traditional principles of ‘citizenship’ and late 20th century’s shift to a democracy of consumerists. New prof...

Libraries supporting national development goals in Namibia

Abstract: The paper describes the strategy of the Namibia Library and Archives Service (NLAS) to transform the public/community library network. The opportunity to transform the library network emerged when ...

Poverty alleviation through strategic public library services in Nigeria in the 21st century: a model:

Abstract: This paper attempts to discuss the strategic roles of public libraries in Nigeria in poverty alleviation programmes in the 21st century. The various poverty alleviation programmes aimed at combating poverty that have been put in place by the successive Federal Governments of Nigeria are brought to light. Despite the poverty reduction schemes introduced by the successive governments, the soaring rate of poverty in the country is still very alarming. Furthermore, the roles of libraries, particularly, the public libraries, have not been realized in that regard. Within this context, the paper examines the strategic roles of the public libraries in reducing the rate of poverty in the country. It concludes by making some recommendations that can assist the Nigerian public libraries to actively play their deserved roles, and/or participate fully in the poverty reduction programmes.

Singapore libraries: From bricks and mortar to information anytime anywhere

Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of libraries in Singapore. Some 190 years ago, two institutions � the National Library of Singapore and the National University of Singapore Library � were instrumental in laying the foundation for libraries in this Southeast Asian island state. Since then, Singapore has seen a proliferation of libraries that include public, academic and special libraries. Supported by government policies and strategies, libraries have remained important in the lives of Singaporeans. In order to adapt to technological developments as well as changes in user demands and behaviours, the nation�s libraries have had to come up with new ways to manage their collections as well as serve the needs of their users. This paper examines the history of libraries in Singapore before throwing the spotlight on library innovations, paying particular attention to digital products and services that include library management systems, e-resources, digital devices as well as the utilization of social media to engage users.

User-centered decision making: a new model for developing academic library services and systems:

Abstract: This longitudinal study tracks US and UK participants� shifts in their motivations and forms of engagement with technology and information as they transition between four educational stages. The quantitative and qualitative methods, including ethnographic methods that devote individual attention to the subjects, yield a very rich data set enabling multiple methods of analysis. Instead of reporting general information-seeking habits and technology use, this study explores how the subjects get their information based on the context and situation of their needs during an extended period of time, identifying if and how their behaviors change.

Re-training of librarians for the digital work environment by the Nigerian Library Association

Abstract: This paper examines re-training of librarians for the digital work environment by the Nigerian Library Association (NLA). In addition to personal observation a documentary analysis of the contents of NLA Information Technology Section workshops training Compact Disc (CD) for the period 2007 to 2011 was used to collect data for this study. Findings from the analysis revealed that the Information Technology Section of the Nigerian Library Association has been playing a vital role in re-training librarians for the digital work environment in their annual Library and Information Technology Today workshops. Recommendations include streamlining the topics covered in the annual workshops for effectiveness.

Commonwealth of uncertainty: How British and American professional models of library practice have shaped LIS Education in selected former British Colonies and Dominions

Abstract: Worldwide the library and information profession has been the focus of competing social and political agendas that have contributed to the shape of the profession. From the late 19th century to the present in countries aligned to the former British Dominions and Colonies (today part of the Commonwealth of Nations) these external influences were predominantly from two cultural arenas, that of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). The result in many Commonwealth countries been two competing and at times contradictory models for LIS pedagogy which have been labelled the British and American �models or patterns� of education. The convergence of these two influences has had a role in shaping LIS education and has left a complex legacy. This paper will examine how the legacy of this convergence continues to shape the aspirational agenda of local professional communities and will discuss how this has influenced the delivery and the educational model for librarianship. This paper will examine as a series of case studies how the legacy of this convergence has shaped the aspirations of the LIS profession and influenced the delivery and the educational model of librarianship in a number of Commonwealth countries.

Strong libraries, strong societies

Abstract: Libraries have an impact on society by fostering equal opportunities to lifelong learning and education, research and innovation, culture and recreation for all. Strong libraries are those that have adequate capacity to meet the information needs of their user communities. Strong societies consist of informed citizens who actively participate in the life of their community and society. Crucial for strong libraries and strong societies is the democratic ideal —freedom of access to information for all.

Welcoming, flexible, and state-of-the-art: Approaches to continuous facilities improvement

Abstract: As digital access to all sources of information continues to expand at an accelerating rate, libraries around the world are working to transform themselves in response to their changing role in the communities they serve and support. Academic libraries face particular challenges as a generation of students enters university having embraced online, mobile, anytime, anywhere access to information. At the center of an academic community that increasingly values intellectual collaboration among faculty and students, and learning in and out of the classroom, the 21st century academic library must continually recreate itself as a place that fosters curiosity, engagement, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Typical 20th-century capital investment cycles in academic libraries in the United States were characterized by large-scale once-a-generation investments in facilities expansion and enhancement. In the first decade of the 21st century the drive to transform is greater than ever before, but there is less capital funding available, increasing the pressure on institutions to reduce the capital investment cycle time in order to remain responsive to rapid changes in technology, pedagogy, scholarship, and user expectations. The end of any project is the start of evaluation and planning for the next cycle of change and investment. This paper will explore and discuss library efforts at two major academic institutions in the United States, one receiving public funds and one private, to develop innovative ways to evaluate library spaces, functions, services, operations and maintenance. The speakers will highlight projects intended to operationalize capital investment, shorten cycle times and provide incremental interventions, within a general framework of planning big and implementing small. Data encompass exit counts, occupancy rates, and peer comparisons; data sources include surveys, focus groups, and simulations. Particular projects and initiatives will address user needs, program innovation, and facilities enhancement, with the aim of continually refreshing and renewing library spaces that enhance learning, inspire scholarship, and foster community.

Form@doct Designing innovative online tutorials for PhD students in France

Abstract: At a time when information literacy is a growing subject in doctoral programs, it appears necessary to assess the benefits of online education in this field and its suitability for PhD students, considering their specific working conditions and learning methods. The purpose of this communication is fourfold: to show how Form@doct, an online portal for PhD students, uses its resources to respond to this need, to describe the challenges faced in e-learning, to explain the final structure that learning content, general architecture and online teaching could take and to assess, by a first analysis, whether the use made of this portal validates our approach.

Enhancing awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in academic libraries A Jamaican case study

Abstract: This paper documents strategies that can be used to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) awareness in academic libraries. A case study approach was used to provide insights from the author’s fellowship experience and personal reflections from working as a science librarian in academic and special library settings. In this regard it revealed six strategies that academic librarians can implement to enhance STEM awareness. These strategies target users, non-users and staff. This paper is unique in that it is the first publication on the initiatives of a Jamaican academic library in promoting the STEM concept. This study is of value as it includes strategies that can be used to enhance STEM awareness; allows for benchmarking; and points to the need for further research in the area.

Establishing information literacy principles as a foundation for cross-curricular scholarly investigation in England

Abstract: A fundamental problem with the educational system in the United Kingdom is that the subject-based emphasis of the curriculum leads to a separation in the teaching and learning of related skills. Using a framework previously prepared by the author, which positions Information Literacy within the wider domain of scholarly investigation, this paper employs a meta-synthesis approach to construct a meta-model that unites much of the material currently dispersed across England’s National Curriculum, and draws on the totality of the assembled content to outline a series of generic skills. The structure proposed here enables teachers to make connections between key aspects of what they cover in their own subjects and those addressed by colleagues concerned with other disciplines, and helps information professionals to recognize areas where their particular interventions will be most beneficial, in terms of promoting Information Literacy specifically and skills of more direct interest to subject practitioners.

The death of the Right to Information Bill in Botswana

Abstract: Adopting a rights-based approach, this paper argues that the right to information is a fundamental human right. Hence, governments are obligated to make information available to citizens by signing Right to Information (RTI) covenants and acts to facilitate the availability of information. The developing world lags behind in this regard and, similarly, Botswana does not have a RTI Act. Efforts to correct this were killed in April 2012 when the RTI bill was rejected. This was a regressive step; hence, Botswana failed the democracy test. Hence, reason must triumph over partisan politics for the bill to be passed. Finally three general lessons emerge from this case; (i) in dominant party systems, legislation reflects the interests of the ruling party; (ii) the need to strengthen parliaments in dominant party systems to entrench democracy; and (iii) the need for non-state actors to lobby and advocate for democracy-enhancing legislation such the RTI act.

UNIMARC – Understanding the past to envision the future

Abstract: The context of major changes that are envisaged for the bibliographic standards environment demands a reflection on the nature and specification of MARC and its adequacy for the integration of bibliographic discovery systems into the larger world of networked information and systems. From this starting point, this paper provides an overview of the evolution of UNIMARC and the practices of its maintenance, collecting knowledge that may be useful as a first contribution to inform future steps in redesigning bibliographic data standards.

Library value in the developing world

Abstract: 1. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 2. Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 3. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 4. Study methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 5. Background: libraries, information access and connectivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 5.1 Information access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 5.2 Research output in developing countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 5.3 The technology challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 5.4 The role of publishers in supporting developing country libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 6. Evolving value – evidence and perceptions of value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332 6.1 Evidence and perception of value – librarians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332 6.2 Evidence and perception of value – faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 7. Evolving services – evidence and perception of services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 7.1 Evidence and perception of services – librarians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 7.2 Evidence and perception of services – faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 7.3 Integrated teaching services – information literacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 7.4 Integrated research services . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 8. Raising the visibility of the library and library services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 8.1 Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 8.2 Current marketing and promotion of library resources and services. . . . . . . . . . . 339 8.3 Building relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 9. Conclusions and further considerations . . . . . . . 340 9.1 For individual developing countries librarians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 9.2 For developing country universities . . . . . . 341 9.3 For publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 10. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 11. Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342

The teachers’ role in fostering independent learning in high schools in Zanzibar:

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to examine the role of teachers in fostering students� independent learning through school library use by looking at the availability of school library materials; the patterns of school library use by students and teachers; cooperation between teachers and library staff and the different ways used by high school teachers in fostering high school students to become independent learners. The study was conducted in Zanzibar and it involved three public and two private high schools. By using survey method, a total of 95 respondents were given questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with 35 respondents including students, teachers, library staff, heads of schools and the Director of the Public Library. Observation method was used in all the schools. The main finding of this study which is based on the author�s MA dissertation revealed that school libraries were confronted with limited library stock which contains outdated and few current materials, lack of library education and limited library use habits among students and teachers, inefficient and untrained school library staff, lack of integration of information, curricula and classroom learning and lack of cooperation between teaching and library staff. A number of recommendations were made based on the findings.

The information economy of Turkmenistan: A seven-year update

Abstract: The issues related toward advancing the information economy in Turkmenistan are organized using the STEPE model (i.e., social, technical, economic, political, and ecological matters). An analysis, using these five factors, can give insight into the likely future of the information economy within this country. Many of the observations focus on contrasts rather than similarities since the Presidential library ban of June 2005 (see Richardson, John V. ‘The library and information economy of Turkmenistan.’ IFLA Journal 32(2) 2006: 131–139).

National digital content policies: A comparative study of Arab and other countries

Abstract: The paper highlights a comparative analysis of the national policies pertaining to digital content within 10 countries, in addition to the European Union (EU), that were divided into two groups: Arab and non-Arab (Global Group). A prototype model of Policy Assessment Criteria (PAC) was developed to help enhance the quality of the national digital content policies that are mainly under construction. Based on 56 variables included in the PAC, a prototype model of a statistical indicator called Policies Quality Indicator (PQI) was also developed in order to measure the quality of the policies themselves, or, in other words, to identify the quality level of the conceptual framework of digital content policies that may be used on a global scale. In addition to developing both the PQI and the PAC, this paper sheds light on the global strategic planning trends in the field of Digital Content, especially through the comparison of a number of Arab policies to those of a set of developing and developed countries ar...

Non-librarians as managers: The case of state university libraries in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This article defines non-librarians, also called accidental librarians, or non-degreed librarians, identifies their categories according to the nature of jobs, and whether they are suitable for managerial positions, particularly the high profile academic position of the Dean of Library Affairs at state university libraries in Saudi Arabia. Non-librarian deans having no library credentials face a lot of difficulties in managing libraries as efficiently as a librarian dean would have managed. The management styles of non-librarian deans are also discussed to present how much they differ from those of librarian deans. The paper also suggests that the university administration should prepare a group of highly motivated librarians and send them on scholarships to library schools famous for their doctoral programs in North America and Europe. Once they get their PhD degree, bring them back and replace all non-librarians with them as the current practice of appointing non-librarian is affecting libraries negatively.

Connecting Aga Khan University's nine campus libraries across three continents through a shared library system

Abstract: The Aga Khan University (AKU) is the only university in the developing world that is serving through its eleven campuses spread across eight countries and three continents. It has a network of nine libraries, although small in size, in four developing countries in two regions (South Asia and East Africa). The university has recently implemented a library management system to integrate all nine libraries in four countries using a single shared database. The purpose of this paper is to share our experience of implementing an industry standard-base state-of-the-art library system. The geographical location of AKU libraries and multilingual collections makes this experience more significant. Keeping in view the complexity of geographical locations, multilingual collections, different time zones, and diversity of staff involved, one can consider it a unique occurrence in the field of library and information science.

“Faire appel à la charité” : Trove, les journaux australiens et la foule des internautes

Abstract: S'appuyant sur 20 ans d’experience de cooperation nationale dans le cadre du Australian Newspapers Plan (ANPlan), la Bibliotheque nationale d'Australie communique des journaux numerises au public australien depuis 2007, et a implemente cette diffusion sur le site Trove (www.trove.nla.gov.au) en 2009. Trove a remporte un nombre important de recompenses pour le caractere participatif de son fonctionnement vis-a-vis de ses usagers et en particulier pour la possibilite qui leur est offerte de corriger le texte ocerise, c'est-a-dire, imparfaitement genere par un logiciel de reconnaissance optique de caracteres (OCR). En juillet 2013, Trove a eclipse tous les autres services en ligne de la Bibliotheque, et la partie de Trove consacree aux journaux domine largement l’ensemble du projet, les australiens ayant corrige plus de 100 millions de lignes de textes - soit l’equivalent de 270 annees de travail provenant du crowdsourcing. A l’issue d’une experience de cinq ans, cette forme de participation des usagers est devenue une offre de service mature de la Bibliotheque, et l'evaluation de ses impacts et de son avenir est, a present, possible et opportune. Cet article resume ce que nous savons sur les motivations de ceux qui s'engagent benevolement dans cette activite, leurs modes de collaboration, la profondeur avec laquelle ce mode d’engagement penetre dans le fonctionnement de la Bibliotheque, et sur ce que les statistiques indiquent concernant le point ou nous en sommes dans la courbe de croissance de la participation des usagers. L’article examine aussi l'impact du succes rencontre par le crowdsourcing sur la justification que la Bibliotheque presente elle-meme pour offrir ce type de services (s’agit-il de chercher a traiter une tâche gigantesque ou plutot de construire et de maintenir une communaute elargie des amis de la bibliotheque ?), les opportunites et les risques lies au fait d’avoir considerablement augmente le nombre d’australiens passionnement engages au service de la Bibliotheque, et la maniere dont cette experience positive est en train de changer la maniere de penser de la bibliotheque a propos de ses services et de la participation du public. Pour ceux qui envisagent de developper un service de numerisation de journaux, l’article donne un point de vue pragmatique et de terrain sur les choix fondamentaux et les questions que les bibliotheques doivent se poser.

Uniting the corpus of our collections through visualization

Abstract: This paper explores the challenges of visualizing digital and physical collections to enable discovery and use with reference to new models for academic and public libraries as well as the particular challenges faced by libraries with great heritage collections such as the State Library of New South Wales. That Library is renowned internationally for its unique collections on Australia and the surrounding region. It and its international peers face the challenge to present their heritage collections, their digitized versions and their contemporary print, media and born digital materials to as a discoverable corpus for researchers, students and the public.