Showing papers in "Journal of Web Librarianship in 2018"
TL;DR: Voyant Tools (voyant-tools.org) is an open source text mining option that is user-friendly and well-documented as discussed by the authors. But it is not suitable for large data sets.
Abstract: Text mining is a method that aids in the analytic process and interpretation of research. Voyant Tools (voyant-tools.org) is an open source text-mining option that is user-friendly and well documen...
28 citations
TL;DR: The overall analysis shows that digital inclusion would be more meaningful if it involved providing content in alternative formats and empowering users to make informed choices.
Abstract: Digital inclusion is a strategy pursued to foster social inclusion of those who have been sidelined from the mainstream of information society due to lack of access to digital technologies and the ...
17 citations
17 citations
TL;DR: This paper assess the impact of social media on academic libraries in the United States through a review of the literature published since 2005 and determine the extent to which the social web has transformed library practices.
Abstract: The emergence of social media has radically transformed the way we create and consume information. These changes have in turn given rise to new models of librarianship centered on principles of participation, interaction, and collaboration. Over the last decade, academic libraries have eagerly adopted social media as a means of enhancing services and connecting with a new generation of users. But how exactly has this technology changed libraries? In what ways has the social web transformed library services or our relationships with users? This article attempts to assess the impact of social media on academic libraries in the United States through a review of the literature published since 2005. In particular, it looks at how academic libraries have used social media to improve or develop new services. By comparing published case studies with the theoretical literature, this article seeks to separate theory from practice and determine the extent to which the social web has transformed library pract...
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report results of a usability study with first-year to graduate students who interacted with either a pedagogical or a pathfinder-style research guide through a simulated research assignment.
Abstract: Library research guides are traditionally designed in a pathfinder-style format by resource type. However, would a pedagogical-style guide, which moves students through the research process, better support the student learning experience? This study sought to answer the question: Which guide design best supports the student information literacy learning experience outside of a classroom setting? This article reports results of a usability study (n = 22) of first-year to graduate students who interacted with either a pedagogical or pathfinder-style research guide through a simulated research assignment. Results indicate that, although there is no statistically significant performance difference between guide type, students using the pedagogical guide reported a more positive experience than those using the pathfinder guide. As a result, this led them to spend more time on, interact more with, and consult more resources on the research guide. Librarians who wish to enhance the usability of research ...
12 citations
TL;DR: The Americans with Disabilities Act created regulations for the accessibility of buildings and services for individuals with disabilities, but libraries still have a deficit in information highlighing as mentioned in this paper, which is a problem in many libraries.
Abstract: The Americans with Disabilities Act created regulations for the accessibility of buildings and services for individuals with disabilities, but libraries still have a deficit in information highligh...
11 citations
TL;DR: A consideration of how analytics data can be leveraged to generate librarian buy-in for reevaluating design criteria of library subject guides and implications for practice and further research in this area are considered.
Abstract: This article presents a methodology for conducting an evidence-based review of LibGuides content based on native and non-native analytics data. This methodology uses built-in analytics data from Sp...
11 citations
TL;DR: The authors analyzed how cultural heritage institutions' (CHI) digital assets are being cited on Wikipedia to understand user needs and interests as well as priorities for collection de-priorities.
Abstract: Analysis of how cultural heritage institutions' (CHI) digital assets are being cited on Wikipedia can be beneficial to understanding user needs and interests as well as priorities for collection de...
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, maps and geospatial data are critical in disaster response situations and accurate and updated maps direct first responders to areas of most need, reroute supply lines according to the post-disaster l...
Abstract: Maps and geospatial data are critical in disaster response situations. Accurate and updated maps direct first responders to areas of most need, reroute supply lines according to the post-disaster l...
10 citations
TL;DR: Evidence-based methods for cultural heritage institutions to look for news and mentions about their collections and services online and the structure of alert e-mails makes discarding irrelevant results simple and quick are outlined.
Abstract: This article outlines evidence-based methods for cultural heritage institutions to look for news and mentions about their collections and services online. Google Alerts were created for repository ...
5 citations
TL;DR: This paper reports content enrichment of records in an Institutional Repository using Linked Open Data datasets, in particular, this is done by application of a linked dataset in an institutional repository.
Abstract: Institutional repositories have positioned themselves as an essential service for many libraries. Content-enriched metadata in library records is reported as being helpful to library users in identifying and selecting information objects for their needs. The presence of this extra-enriched content helps users to decide on the relevance of the item without the need to access the full text. Through this paper, we report content enrichment of records in an Institutional Repository using Linked Open Data datasets. In particular, this is done by application of a linked dataset in an institutional repository. The design, implementation, configuration, and workflow of the application is discussed along with implications and potential future work.
TL;DR: This pilot study reports on what the University Libraries did to make the EDS more usable for its users and suggests a lack of library instruction may be at least partly to blame.
Abstract: In January 2016, the University of Toledo Libraries implemented EBSCO Discovery Services (EDS) as its discovery layer. Administrators questioned whether users were able to find consortial material ...
TL;DR: Just under half of the academic research libraries in the study population had general library data displays on their websites, and most focused on traditional types of library data, such as collection size, reference and help desk interactions, instruction sessions, and circulation numbers for physically-held materials.
Abstract: Communicating library data with external stakeholders is a growing area of importance in the profession, and library websites provide an easy way of disseminating this information. Determining the types of data that will be most impactful in telling a library’s story is vital to an effective online data display. This research project reviewed the websites of 143 academic research libraries to determine if the libraries were publicly sharing general library data via a dashboard or other data display. For those libraries sharing data, information was recorded on the types of data shared, the types of data visualizations utilized, the age of the data presented, and whether multi-year trends were represented. The results showed that just under half of the academic research libraries in the study population had general library data displays on their websites. Most focused on traditional types of library data, such as collection size, reference and help desk interactions, instruction sessions, and circu...
TL;DR: Mariner as discussed by the authors provides a thorough guide for any professional tasked with ETD management, including librarians, ETD managers, digitization specialists, and graduate school coordinators.
Abstract: the successes and failures of others. Author Matthew C. Mariner is currently digital collections manager at Auraria Library in Denver. As he states in the preface, this book is aimed toward librarians, ETD managers, digitization specialists, and graduate school coordinators (xiii). I would add that Chapter 3, “Authors’ Rights in ETDs,” contains useful information for anyone writing a thesis or dissertation. This book is a thorough guide for any professional tasked with ETD management.
TL;DR: A study of library-related posts on Yik Yak and questions received via more traditional library-maintained virtual reference service platforms—namely, chat/instant messaging, SMS/text messaging, email, and LibAnswers' Query Spy—at College of Charleston's Addlestone Library.
Abstract: This article presents results of a study of library-related posts on Yik Yak, a former social media app, and questions received via more traditional library-maintained virtual reference service platforms—namely, chat/instant messaging, SMS/text messaging, email, and LibAnswers' Query Spy—at College of Charleston's Addlestone Library. Based on an analysis of the results, suggestions are made for using social media tools similar to Yik Yak as a tool for interacting with patrons in academic library settings, specifically as a means to gather feedback about the library and to provide basic reference services.
TL;DR: Using Social Media to Build Library Communities: A LITA... as mentioned in this paper is a case study of using social media to build library communities, where social media can be used to market services or programs, but there are other ways to utilize it in the library.
Abstract: Most librarians know that social media can be used to market services or programs, but there are other ways to utilize it in the library. In Using Social Media to Build Library Communities: A LITA ...