Showing papers in "Journal of Web Librarianship in 2022"
13 citations
TL;DR: In this case study, Lehman College’s Leonard Lief Library implemented Ivy, a proprietary educational software chatbot, the first of its kind for an academic library.
Abstract: Abstract A library’s website is a virtual point of contact for interacting with its patrons. Ensuring a library’s website has easily findable content is critical for providing access to library resources and highlighting services and events. One tool for assisting with content findability is a chatbot, a form of artificial intelligence software. In this case study, Lehman College’s Leonard Lief Library implemented Ivy, a proprietary educational software chatbot on its website, the first of its kind for an academic library. This chatbot functioned as a new tool that assisted users seeking information and provided insight to librarians about the kinds of topics students search for via the library website. This article provides the first detailed description in the literature of an implementation of a proprietary chatbot for an academic library.
8 citations
TL;DR: Examining the usability, user experience (UX), and information architecture (IA) of a sample of national library websites revealed statistically significant gender differences in participants’ task performance.
Abstract: Abstract National library websites are essential vehicles for the general public to access national information and resources. The purpose of this study is to examine the usability, user experience (UX), and information architecture (IA) of a sample of national library websites. Through a three-phased multi-methods investigation featuring (1) a content inventory of 28 websites, (2) a web IA and usability evaluation of five websites, and (3) usability tests for three websites, the study results revealed statistically significant gender differences in participants’ task performance. Significant correlations were found between participants’ satisfaction and the content, visual design, and IA, as well as between heuristic evaluation scores and participants’ ratings. Several factors affected participants’ satisfaction: quality of information, the trustworthiness of the content, the perceived credibility of the content producers/providers, the website’s overall structure, and the visual design. The findings of the research also helped to identify common content elements on website homepages and to present a practical procedure for assessing national library websites.
2 citations
TL;DR: This article looks at major types of library online learning objects and surfaces the most impactful areas of work for librarians and other education professionals interested in improving accessibility and accessibility compliance.
Abstract: Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a long-term trend in libraries toward the generation of online learning objects. These materials in the library space are unique compared to those generated in other fields, as libraries frequently make them available for access on their website, or through library-owned social media channels, in formats meant to be available to all. This article looks at major types of library online learning objects and surfaces the most impactful areas of work for librarians and other education professionals interested in improving accessibility and accessibility compliance. The article and discussion are meant to provide an overview of critical WCAG 2.1 standards in relation to learning object types to make the practical implementation of accessibility less overwhelming. To supplement these recommendations, the authors have provided exhaustive lists of WCAG 2.1 criteria applicable to each learning object in the Appendixes.
2 citations
TL;DR: The purpose of the research was to evaluate public library websites, available online sources, and whether library staff were available to respond to users’ questions and concerns regarding the website.
Abstract: Abstract This paper describes the findings of a quantitative study of 1,698 public library websites in Australia, Canada, and the United States over a period of three years using a spreadsheet protocol. The purpose of the research was to evaluate public library websites, available online sources, and whether library staff were available to respond to users’ questions and concerns regarding the website. Descriptive statistics are used to report the results. The study provides public library website information regarding which protocol criteria each country’s libraries attained.
1 citations
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TL;DR: Spina et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a guide for creating inclusive libraries by applying universal design. But they did not discuss how to build a universal design-based library. And they focused only on web libraries.
Abstract: "Spina, C. (2021). Creating Inclusive Libraries by Applying Universal Design: A Guide." Journal of Web Librarianship, 16(3), pp. 185–186
TL;DR: In this article , the authors collected data from the library websites of 264 randomly-selected, two-year, nonprofit colleges in the United States and analyzed the frequency of multiple basic web design elements.
Abstract: Abstract Trends in website design among libraries of two-year academic institutions have been under-studied. These libraries are a unique population because they have different goals and challenges than other types of academic libraries. Data were gathered from the library websites of 264 randomly-selected, two-year, nonprofit colleges in the United States. The data were then analyzed to assess the frequency of multiple basic web design elements. Some were common across the sample, such as database lists, and some were infrequent, such as social media integration. The data also showed some relationships between features, for example the presence of a database list tended to be a good indicator of whether a website would have course guides or subject-specific research guides.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors provide practical advice and examples related to privacy issues in libraries, mainly from a British perspective, and provide a great overview of the topic for those interested in developing or enhancing their current knowledge management system as a preparatory tool before creating a detailed plan of action.
Abstract: This book provides practical advice and examples related to privacy issues in libraries, mainly from a British perspective. The author indicates that he is not a lawyer and unable to give legal advice, and that the contents of the book do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in any way. Given this disclaimer, the reader needs to be careful taking any advice provided. The introduction sets the scene by examining the history of library privacy issues from the 19th and 20th centuries, how privacy risks have changed, and why it is, how it applies to libraries, and where institutions commonly make mistakes and how to avoid them. The first part of the book covers the basic definitions, theories, and history of knowledge management. The second part of the book discusses the typical life cycle of knowledge management and how it builds into each of the subsequent stages presented in a manner of what that may look like in libraries. The final section of the book covers changes in society (many pandemic-related) and technology that can affect the future of knowledge management. In many cases, especially with technology, once a book is published, the content is already out of date. The author acknowledges this and does a fair job of keeping applications broad, so the details do not negate the practical application of implementing a knowledge management system. There is some good information discussed on implementing a knowledge management system in the reader’s library system. However, because of the necessary ambiguity, it becomes perhaps too generalized for meaningful application on its own and would require further research by the reader if they were developing a knowledge management system for their institution. This is not necessarily a limitation, as anyone wishing to implement such a system should fully research the topic before creating a plan of action. This book provides a great overview of the topic for those interested in developing or enhancing their current knowledge management system as a preparatory tool before creating a detailed plan of action. It is easy to navigate, with key points outlined at the beginning of each chapter, making it easily used as a reference tool in developing a knowledge management system. It has a few exercises throughout the book, questions to think about, and tables to complete that readers can apply to their institutions; however, the reader would benefit from having notepaper to apply these exercises to their current institution. This would allow readers to further explore what is briefly touched upon in these exercises.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors focus on how privacy is regulated in the UK through legislation, contracts, standards, ethical and professional values, and case law, and give 20 practical examples of privacy issues that arise in a library context, from the use of CCTV to online databases to books on prescription (bibliotherapy books related to the treatment of mental and psychological disorders).
Abstract: matters. Chapter 2 focuses on how privacy is regulated in the UK through legislation, contracts, standards, ethical and professional values, and case law. Chapter 3 has 20 practical examples of privacy issues that arise in a library context, from the use of CCTV to online databases to books on prescription (bibliotherapy books related to the treatment of mental and psychological disorders), among others. Chapter 4 gives six case studies for the reader to contemplate, from a single digital presence for public libraries in England to the introduction of national entitlement cards in Scotland. Chapter 5 deals with cybersecurity issues, especially bring your own device (BYOD) challenges. Chapter 6 considers the topic of personal data breaches, with nine examples to consider. Chapter 7 is a short chapter on access to and sharing of user data, with the London Bridge terrorist incident and the murder of MP Jo Cox provided as examples. Chapter 8 discusses various privacy policy statements on topics such as RFID and payment cards. Chapter 9 looks at privacy audits and data protection, while Chapter 10 examines data protection impact assessments. Chapter 11 moves on to vendors and privacy issues, and Chapter 12 has 26 practical steps to protect users’ privacy. After a short discussion on the right of oblivion and the right to be forgotten, the Conclusion deals with intellectual privacy and where libraries fit into the defense of privacy. An extensive bibliography of further readings, toolkits and other resources, along with a glossary of terms, is provided. Given the caveats related to the specific focus on UK privacy laws and the author’s disclaimer, this book contains quite a bit of useful information. There are numerous figures and tables throughout, and the specific case studies from British libraries are detailed yet approachable.
TL;DR: In this paper , sustainable enterprise strategies for optimizing digital stewardship are presented for Web Librarianship, ahead-of-print(ahead-ofprint), pp. 1-2.
Abstract: "Sustainable enterprise strategies for optimizing digital stewardship." Journal of Web Librarianship, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), pp. 1–2
TL;DR: Richard Gartner’s Metadata in the digital library: Building an integrated strategy with XML is an authoritative and cohesive book that outlines and details a solid, realistic approach to metadata implementation.
Abstract: Metadata can represent different things to different types of librarians, archivists, and digital curators. A variety of information may be considered metadata depending on the needs of a digital collection or library as well as the perceived needs and demands of patrons. Over the past several years, dozens of both general and highly specific books on metadata practice and implementation have been published. In an ocean of choices that range in quality and utility, Richard Gartner’s Metadata in the digital library: Building an integrated strategy with XML is an authoritative and cohesive book that outlines and details a solid, realistic approach to metadata implementation. Gartner presents a holistic view of metadata, drawing important connections between analog and digital libraries, emphasizing the common intent behind both— to facilitate the ability of users to find what they are looking for. The initial chapters of Gartner’s book do two primary things: first, he breaks down metadata into three constituent parts (descriptive, administrative, and structural), describing them and elaborating on the significance of each while also introducing syntax, semantics, and content rules as critical core components of metadata. Next, he lays out in detail eight principles of metadata. These principles range from that of long-term preservation to the need to control metadata content through the use of controlled vocabularies and authorities. Subsequent chapters tidily cover ground such as the varieties of metadata schemas and their differences, the importance of standards, and strategies to ensure metadata interoperability. Metadata in the digital library culminates with two case studies that successfully model strategies discussed throughout the book. Gartner’s philosophy and arguments are presented thoughtfully and with clear intent behind his points, one of which is an explicit goal of establishing a bridge between theory and practice. Metadata in the digital library delivers on this intention, successfully avoiding the potential to get lost in the weeds of tech speak, and effectively providing tangible examples through the case studies that one could realistically imagine implementing. Both case studies deal with digital collections from the Warburg Institute in London, the author’s professional home. Gartner expounds the virtues of XML as a means to encode metadata, particularly its malleability, and does not shy away from expressing his preference for MODS (Metadata Object Description Schema), but objectively details multiple other XMLbased metadata schemas without bias. Design: A guide is beneficial for practitioners of UD and those wanting to incorporate its principles into their libraries.
TL;DR: Virello et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a practical guide for working remotely as a librarians, which is based on Web Librarianship, a web-based approach.
Abstract: "By Virello, M. (2022). Working remotely: A practical guide for librarians." Journal of Web Librarianship, 16(4), pp. 224–225
TL;DR: In this paper , between the spreadsheets: classifying and fixing dirty data is discussed in the context of web librarianship, where the authors propose a method to classify and fix dirty data.
Abstract: "Between the spreadsheets: classifying and fixing dirty data." Journal of Web Librarianship, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), pp. 1–2
TL;DR: In this article , a case study describes the work of a library task force led by the author to implement best practices for the design of web-based library guides using the LibGuides platform.
Abstract: Abstract This case study describes the work of a library task force led by the author to implement best practices for the design of web-based library guides using the LibGuides platform. The task force’s goal was to increase usage of guides. The task force learned that students were primarily finding library guides through searching on the open web, which has significant implications for guide design. It was hoped that incorporating usability research and search engine optimization (SEO) techniques into guide design would drive more traffic to the guides. Statistics available from the LibGuides platform were compared between the 2020 and 2021 academic year and the 2021–2022 academic year but no improvement in guide usage was found. In fact, usage for most guides was lower in 2021–2022.
TL;DR: Buljung, B., and Bongiovanni, E. (2021) as discussed by the authors have published the scholarly communications cookbook "The Scholarcraft Communications Cookbook." Journal of Web Librarianship, ahead-of-print(ahead-ofprint), pp. 1−2
Abstract: "Buljung, B., & Bongiovanni, E. (Eds.). (2021). The scholarly communications cookbook." Journal of Web Librarianship, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), pp. 1–2
TL;DR: This paper conducted a usability study on EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) and Ex Libris’s Primo discovery systems and found that discovery systems are powerful tools when managed consistently and holistically by addressing the discovery search needs of students and faculty through information literacy instruction and oversight by a discovery working group.
Abstract: Abstract Library discovery systems are a primary tool for research and discovery of local collections in many academic libraries. Usability studies on these systems is an important practice to identify technical issues, determine local customization, and inform continuity in library instruction. Most usability studies, however, are completed on a single discovery system. This study is unique in that it compares EBSCO’s EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) with Ex Libris’s Primo discovery systems. To date, this is the only published usability study conducted on the two systems. Nineteen undergraduate and graduate participants were led through a series of nine usability tasks in both systems. The quantitative and qualitative results of the study indicate that discovery systems are powerful tools when managed consistently and holistically by addressing the discovery search needs of students and faculty through information literacy instruction and oversight by a discovery working group.
TL;DR: The culture of digital scholarship in academic libraries is discussed in this article , where the authors focus on the role of the Web in the development of academic libraries. But they do not discuss how to use it.
Abstract: "The culture of digital scholarship in academic libraries." Journal of Web Librarianship, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), pp. 1–2
TL;DR: Forged in War: How a Century of War Created Today's Information Society as discussed by the authors is a book about how a century of war created today's information society, which is also related to our work.
Abstract: "Forged in War: How a Century of War Created Today’s Information Society." Journal of Web Librarianship, 16(1), p. 79