Showing papers in "Library Hi Tech in 2018"

Mapping knowledge structure by keyword co-occurrence and social network analysis: Evidence from Library Hi Tech between 2006 and 2017

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present the knowledge structure based on the articles published in Library Hi Tech. The research hotspots are expected to be revealed through the keyword co-occurrence and social network analysis.,Data sets based on publications from Library Hi Tech covering the time period from 2006 to 2017 were extracted from Web of Science and developed as testbeds for evaluation of the CiteSpace system. Highly cited keywords were analyzed by CiteSpace which supports visual exploration with knowledge discovery in bibliographic databases.,The findings suggested that the percentage of publications in the USA, Germany, China, and Canada are high. Further, the most popular keywords identified in Library Hi Tech were: “service,” “technology,” “digital library,” “university library,” and “academic library.” Finally, four research issues were identified based on the most-cited articles in Library Hi Tech.,While keyword plays an important role in scientific research, limited studies paid attention to the keyword analysis in librarian research. The contribution of this study is to systematically explore the knowledge structure constructed by the keywords in Library Hi Tech.

A Big Data smart library recommender system for an educational institution

Abstract: With the exponential growth of the amount of data, the most sophisticated systems of traditional libraries are not able to fulfill the demands of modern business and user needs. The purpose of this paper is to present the possibility of creating a Big Data smart library as an integral and enhanced part of the educational system that will improve user service and increase motivation in the continuous learning process through content-aware recommendations.,This paper presents an approach to the design of a Big Data system for collecting, analyzing, processing and visualizing data from different sources to a smart library specifically suitable for application in educational institutions.,As an integrated recommender system of the educational institution, the practical application of Big Data smart library meets the user needs and assists in finding personalized content from several sources, resulting in economic benefits for the institution and user long-term satisfaction.,The need for continuous education alters business processes in libraries with requirements to adopt new technologies, business demands, and interactions with users. To be able to engage in a new era of business in the Big Data environment, librarians need to modernize their infrastructure for data collection, data analysis, and data visualization.,A unique value of this paper is its perspective of the implementation of a Big Data solution for smart libraries as a part of a continuous learning process, with the aim to improve the results of library operations by integrating traditional systems with Big Data technology. The paper presents a Big Data smart library system that has the potential to create new values and data-driven decisions by incorporating multiple sources of differential data.

Purchase intention in social commerce: An empirical examination of perceived value and social awareness

Abstract: With the advent of the digital era, the internet has gradually become an essential factor in people’s lives. Its increasing popularity has also caused e-commerce to thrive, and has increased the power of online marketing. In recent years, social commerce has emerged as a new mode of operation which can be distinguished from traditional e-commerce. The paper aims to discuss these issues.,The main purpose of this study is to determine which factors influence a consumer’s behavioral intention in the context of social commerce websites, and to explore overall purchase intentions based on the consumer’s cognitive evaluation. The examination reveals that consumers’ multidimensional perceptions influence both their perceptions of value and their purchase intentions. Other related social awareness factors explored by this study are also shown to influence customers’ purchase intentions.,In summary, the results show that perceived value and social awareness factors influence customers’ purchasing decisions and behavioral intentions for different gender. These findings have significant theoretical and managerial implications.,Social commerce is a subset of e-commerce brought about by the development of social networking. Activities conducted on social networking websites can be considered as a form of social commerce. In Taiwan, social commerce is still in the early stages of development.

Factors influencing people’s health knowledge adoption in social media: The mediating effect of trust and the moderating effect of health threat

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing people’s health knowledge adoption in social media, with an eye toward promoting health information literacy and healthy behavior. Design/methodology/approach Based on the integration of sense-making theory, social influence theory, information richness theory, fear appeal theory, and ELM (elaboration likelihood method), a health knowledge adoption model is constructed. Taking spondylopathy as an example, high health threat and low health threat experiments and questionnaires are designed to complete the empirical study. In all, 355 effective survey samples are collected and analyzed, leveraging a partial least squares method. Findings Research results indicate that perceived knowledge quality, perceived knowledge consensus, and perceived source credibility have positive effects on health knowledge adoption via the mediator – trust; knowledge richness contributes to the perception of knowledge quality, source credibility, and knowledge consensus, especially under high health threat; health threat has significant positive moderating effects on the relationship between trust and health knowledge adoption, and the relationship between perceived knowledge quality and trust, with negative moderating effects on the relationships between perceived knowledge consensus, perceived source credibility, and trust. Originality/value This paper examines the mediating effecting of trust in the process of health knowledge adoption. Based on the integration of fear appeal theory, social influence theory, sense-making theory, information richness theory and elaboration likelihood model, this study investigates the factors influencing health knowledge adoption in social media from the perspective of a user, and explores the moderating effect of health threat on health knowledge adoption.

Ranking authors in academic social networks: a survey

Abstract: Purpose This study reviews the methods found in the literature for the ranking of authors, identifies the pros and cons of these methods, discusses and compares these methods. The purpose of this paper is to study is to find the challenges and future directions of ranking of academic objects, especially authors, for future researchers. Design/methodology/approach This study reviews the methods found in the literature for the ranking of authors, classifies them into subcategories by studying and analyzing their way of achieving the objectives, discusses and compares them. The data sets used in the literature and the evaluation measures applicable in the domain are also presented. Findings The survey identifies the challenges involved in the field of ranking of authors and future directions. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first survey that studies the author ranking problem in detail and classifies them according to their key functionalities, features and way of achieving the objective according to the requirement of the problem.

The research of human individual’s conformity behavior in emergency situations

Abstract: The purpose of this paper (including three studies) is to investigate the idea that individuals in an emergency situation experience significantly a higher level of emotional activation, lower performance of task, and change in decision making, escaping behavior and conformity as compared to being in a non-emergency situation. It is also suggested that the level of emotional activation mediates the association between situation and the performance of task.,Study 1 was an experimental study with 43 university students and revealed that different situations induced different levels of emotional activation and they are positively and significantly related. Study 2 was a further exploration of study 1, in which 49 participants were asked to watch a recomposed video telling a reasonable story about escaping from the emergency and complete several tasks associated with two kinds of situations (non-emergency vs emergency). In study 3, 168 participants, randomly assigned to three groups, were asked to work on judgment tasks with different numbers of options.,Results revealed that individuals in an emergency situation experience significantly lower performance of task and higher conformity tendency than in a non-emergency situation. Also, the causal effect of the situation on the performance of task is mediated by the level of emotional activation. Moreover, results found that the performance of task is also a mediator between the level of emotional activation and conformity. Result showed that the number of choices is negatively related to conformity, and performance is a mediator between the number of choices and conformity.,This paper suggested that the level of emotional activation mediates the association between situation and the performance of task.

The design of early childhood makerspaces to support positive technological development: Two case studies

Abstract: Purpose With the advent of the maker movement, there has been a new push to explore how spaces of learning ought to be designed. The purpose of this paper is to integrate three approaches for thinking about the role of design of the learning environment: the makerspace movement, Reggio Emilia’s Third Teacher approach, and the positive technological development (PTD) framework. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes two case studies that involved the design of two different early childhood makerspaces (ECMSs) through a co-participatory design experience: the Kindergarten Creator Space at the International School of Billund in Denmark; and the ECMS at (removed for blind review), a resource library in Medford, MA. Findings Based on the foundational education framework of PTD, and ideas from the field of interior design, this paper describes the design principles of several successful makerspaces, and case examples of children who use them. Originality/value By grounding the theoretical discussion in three approaches, the authors aim to suggest design elements of physical spaces in schools and libraries that can promote young children’s learning through making. Recommendations are discussed for practitioners and researchers interested in ECMSs.

Comparing the determinants of non-MOOC and MOOC continuance intention in Taiwan: Effects of interactivity and openness

Abstract: Purpose Massive open online courses (MOOCs) differ from non-MOOC e-learning platforms mainly in terms of degree of openness, with MOOCs designed to maximize learner access and interaction. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new research model to explore intention to continue to use MOOCs from the perspectives of openness and interactivity, based on related theories and dimensions from previous research. Design/methodology/approach In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the MOOC platform, two online survey questionnaires were developed and e-mailed to the all of the university students in Taichung, Taiwan. The first one and second one are the same except the construct openness. The first one was delivered in late 2015 while the second one was delivered in the middle 2016. After the authors eliminated incomplete responses and duplicates, 995 and 854 usable responses from platform users remained, respectively, and were used to test the relationships in the model. Findings The model can account for more than 75 percent of the variance in continuance intention. The research results affirm prior findings that satisfaction has a strong direct influence on intention. Among the three interaction factors, human-message interaction on the platform has the strongest effect on satisfaction. This study found that the effects of interactions and motivation on MOOC and non-MOOC platforms were consistent and similar. Moreover, perceived openness was found to influence usage intention but its effects were relative low. Originality/value The model demonstrated good explanatory power for continued intention in the context of MOOCs. This study provides a better understanding of the relationships among interactions, motivations, perceived openness, and continuance intention.

Long-term preservation of big data: prospects of current storage technologies in digital libraries

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prospects of current storage technologies for long-term preservation of big data in digital libraries.,The study employs a systematic and critical review of the relevant literature to explore the prospects of current storage technologies for long-term preservation of big data in digital libraries. Online computer databases were searched to identify the relevant literature published between 2000 and 2016. A specific inclusion and exclusion criterion was formulated and applied in two distinct rounds to determine the most relevant papers.,The study concludes that the current storage technologies are not viable for long-term preservation of big data in digital libraries. They can neither fulfil all the storage demands nor alleviate the financial expenditures of digital libraries. The study also points out that migrating to emerging storage technologies in digital libraries is a long-term viable solution.,The study suggests that continuous innovation and research efforts in current storage technologies are required to lessen the impact of storage shortage on digital libraries, and to allow emerging storage technologies to advance further and take over. At the same time, more aggressive research and development efforts are required by academics and industry to further advance the emerging storage technologies for their timely and swift adoption by digital libraries.,The study reveals that digital libraries, besides incurring significant financial expenditures, will suffer from potential loss of information due to storage shortage for long-term preservation of big data, if current storage technologies are employed by them. Therefore, policy makers and practitioners should meticulously choose storage technologies for long-term preservation of big data in digital libraries.,This type of holistic study that investigates the prospects of magnetic drive technology, solid-state drive technology, and data-reduction techniques for long-term preservation of big data in digital libraries has not been conducted in the field previously, and so provides a novel contribution. The study arms academics, practitioners, policy makers, and industry with the deep understanding of the problem, technical details to choose storage technologies meticulously, greater insight to frame sustainable policies, and opportunities to address various research problems.

Internet of Things and its applications in libraries: a literature review

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging paradigm that draws academia and industry attention in the past few years. The purpose of this paper is to review the current research on IoT in library operation, and report the future trends and research challenges as well.,To conduct this research, the literature on IoT and its application in libraries was retrieved from major databases such as Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Scopus and Inspec for the period between 2010 and 2018.,This study identifies IoT potential impact on libraries, and excavates some valuable literature on IoT and its application in libraries from managerial perspective, especially focuses on library service innovation in IoT era.,The IoT application in libraries is a new subject. This study provides an overview of IoT application in libraries. The findings of this study contribute to the research on IoT and its role in library management.

Discovering research topics from library electronic references using latent Dirichlet allocation

Abstract: Discovering the research topics and trends from a large quantity of library electronic references is essential for scientific research. Current research of this kind mainly depends on human justification. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how to identify research topics and evolution in trends from library electronic references efficiently and effectively by employing automatic text analysis algorithms.,The authors used the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), a probabilistic generative topic model to extract the latent topic from the large quantity of research abstracts. Then, the authors conducted a regression analysis on the document-topic distributions generated by LDA to identify hot and cold topics.,First, this paper discovers 32 significant research topics from the abstracts of 3,737 articles published in the six top accounting journals during the period of 1992-2014. Second, based on the document-topic distributions generated by LDA, the authors identified seven hot topics and six cold topics from the 32 topics.,The topics discovered by LDA are highly consistent with the topics identified by human experts, indicating the validity and effectiveness of the methodology. Therefore, this paper provides novel knowledge to the accounting literature and demonstrates a methodology and process for topic discovery with lower cost and higher efficiency than the current methods.

eReadiness of public university libraries in Malawi to use mobile phones in the provision of library and information services

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a study conducted to determine eReadiness status of public university libraries in Malawi to use mobile phones in the provision of library and information services Design/methodology/approach The researcher carried out in-depth semi-structured interviews with university/college librarians and information and communications technology (ICT) directors using interview guides Students were also administered with a survey questionnaire that contained closed- and some open-ended questions Proceedings of the interviews were recorded using a tape recorder whilst backup notes were recorded in a notebook Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using NVivo software whilst quantitative data were analysed using SPPS Findings The study findings revealed that institutions studied had the ICT infrastructure necessary for offering library and information services on the mobile phone platform Moreover, students had mobile phones which were connected to internet to facilitate their access to services offered However, the institutions covered by this study did not have operational ICT policies to govern the operations of library and information services offered through mobile phones although draft ICT policies were available The study further concluded that though the human resources required to manage the provision of library and information services through mobile phones in the institutions studied were available, they did not have the necessary skills and numbers to provide quality services Other findings revealed that attitudes of library staff and students to the offering and access to services through mobile phones were positive The study also revealed that there are some factors that could impact the offering of library services through mobile phones Research limitations/implications Although Malawi has four public universities, this study only focused on three of them Moreover, academic staff is another important user group of academic libraries In this case, findings reported in this paper only focus on students This implies that library’s readiness to offer services through mobile phones to this group remains unknown hence may have to be covered by future studies Much as the study incorporated a quantitative strand in addition to the qualitative one, it neither involved theory testing nor confirmation as is the case with other related studies This implies that the two theories used in this study (the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and the technology-organisation-environment) were not used in the strict sense, which is empirical at the core, but rather to put the problem studied in the context of other related studies Practical implications The findings have practical implications in that they can be used for planning the implementation of library and information services through mobile phones in public university libraries in Malawi Other related institutions can also use the findings as a reference point in planning the implementation of similar services Originality/value Studies relating to the use of mobile phones in the delivery of library and information services have not been conducted in public universities in Malawi Findings of this study will, therefore, inform researchers intending to conduct similar or related studies not only in public universities in Malawi but other related institutions as well

Digital preservation at Big Data scales: proposing a step-change in preservation system architectures

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider how digital preservation system architectures will support business analysis of large-scale collections of preserved resources, and the use of Big Data analyses by future researchers. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the architecture of existing systems, then discusses experimental surveys of large digital collections using existing digital preservation tools at Big Data scales. Finally, it introduces the design of a proposed new architecture to work with Big Data volumes of preserved digital resources – also based upon experience of managing a collection of 30 million digital images. Findings Modern visualisation tools enable business analyses based on file-related metadata, but most currently available systems need more of this functionality “out-of-the-box”. Scalability of preservation architecture to Big Data volumes depends upon the ability to run preservation processes in parallel, so indexes that enable effective sub-division of collections are vital. Not all processes scale easily: those that do not require complex management. Practical implications The complexities caused by scaling up to Big Data volumes can be seen as being at odds with preservation, where simplicity matters. However, the sustainability of preservation systems relates directly to their usefulness, and maintaining usefulness will increasingly depend upon being able to process digital resources at Big Data volumes. An effective balance between these conflicting situations must be struck. Originality/value Preservation systems are at a step-change as they move to Big Data scale architectures and respond to more technical research processes. This paper is a timely illustration of the state of play at this pivotal moment.

An empirical study on the factors influencing mobile library usage in IoT era

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to construct an information ecology factor-TAM model to explore how information, people, and information environment impact mobile library users’ behavioral intention.,An empirical study based on an information ecology factor-TAM model.,The results of model test indicate that information, people, and information environment affect users’ behavioral intention to use mobile library in the information ecology environment. This paper provides a new theoretical perspective to understand users’ behavior of mobile library. It also provides practical guidelines to promote the usage of mobile library.,Internet of Things makes digital library one important channel for people to obtain information. Mobile internet makes it possible to access a variety of information anytime and anywhere. With the rapid grow of the number of mobile internet users, the usage of mobile library does not grow correspondingly. This paper explores the reasons.

Libraries in Internet of Things (IoT) era

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) has been widely adopted in the commercial sector. Although IoT enables traditional libraries to convert into digital ones, the implementation of the IoT in libraries is slow. The purpose of this paper is to report on the current state of research on applications of IoT in libraries, describe challenges that IoT applications face in libraries and discus directions of adopting IoT in libraries in the future.,To conduct this research, the literature of IoT and its application in libraries were reviewed by examining existing literature in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Xplore.,The literature review finds that radio-frequency identification has been adopted by digital libraries. The slow implementation of IoT is caused by security and privacy issues, lack of standards and the lack of financial, technological and organizational resources. This study provides a prospective for the application of IoT in libraries; the technologies of IoT have the potential in betterment of library services.,The limitation of this study is that only IEEE Xplore is included. Other database should be explored in future research.,The application of IoT in libraries is an emerging issue; a systematic and extensive review of recent research on applications of IoT in libraries is unavailable. This paper presents an overview of IoT in libraries, findings and potential research opportunities.

Impacts of quality antecedents on faculty members’ acceptance of electronic resources

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess whether quality antecedents and individual characteristics can influence faculty members’ continued usage intention of electronic resources (e-resources) in selected public universities in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach A total of 204 faculty members participated in the study from three public universities in Tanzania. The study used structural equation modelling, ANOVA and t-tests to perform analyses. Findings Better educated and middle-aged faculty members with a wide experience of using e-resources are more likely to continue using e-resources. Information quality had positive relationship with continued usage intention of e-resources while service quality had indirect impact to continued usage intention through information quality and system quality. Originality/value Based on the DeLone and McLean information systems success model, this study integrates quality factors (information, service and system quality) and individual characteristics as antecedents to the continued usage intention of e-resources. The study comprehensively documents empirical findings on impacts of quality factors and individual characteristics on e-resources in a developing country. The study reveals results that are useful for enhancing usage of e-resources by faculty in other institutions with similar conditions.

Internet of Things applications in public safety management: a survey

Abstract: Public safety issues are highly concerned by the state and public. As an emerging network technology and industrial mode, Internet of Things (IoT) has great application prospect because of its architecture advantages and technical features, and has drawn wide attention from all walks of life. With the development of IoT, especially the putting forward of concept of public safety IoT, IoT has been a certain degree of application in the field of public safety. Because of that, public safety regulatory technology is improved. The paper aims to discuss this issue.,By summarizing scholars’ research results, this paper analyzes the application of IoT in public safety regulation, points out the challenges in application, and then puts forward some suggestions, pointing out IoT development prospects in the area of public safety regulation.,The application of IoT in the field of public safety from the perspective of IoT architecture and the perspective of the main technologies of IoT is paid attention. And this market that IoT added to other services in the public sector would generate $4.6 trillion of net profit globally in the next decade. Therefore, government leaders and public safety organizations should start exploring the full potential that IoT could offer to public safety.,The research will develop the theory of IOT, which is valuable to strengthen the IOT technology innovation and the application extension. The application of IOT in public safety will enhance the ability to supervise the public safety and guarantee the safe social condition for people’s life. So it is valuable in theory and in practice.

Library management and innovation in the Big Data Era

Abstract: Users who downloaded this article also downloaded: (2018),\"A Big Data smart library recommender system for an educational institution\", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 36 Iss 3 pp. 498-523 https:// doi.org/10.1108/LHT-06-2017-0131 (2018),\"Long-term preservation of big data: prospects of current storage technologies in digital libraries\", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 36 Iss 3 pp. 539-555 https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-06-2017-0117

Collaborative matrix factorization mechanism for group recommendation in big data-based library systems

Abstract: Academic groups are designed specifically for researchers. A group recommendation procedure is essential to support scholars’ research-based social activities. However, group recommendation methods are rarely applied in online libraries and they often suffer from scalability problem in big data context. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate academic group activities in big data-based library systems by recommending satisfying articles for academic groups.,The authors propose a collaborative matrix factorization (CoMF) mechanism and implement paralleled CoMF under Hadoop framework. Its rationale is collaboratively decomposing researcher-article interaction matrix and group-article interaction matrix. Furthermore, three extended models of CoMF are proposed.,Empirical studies on CiteULike data set demonstrate that CoMF and three variants outperform baseline algorithms in terms of accuracy and robustness. The scalability evaluation of paralleled CoMF shows its potential value in scholarly big data environment.,The proposed methods fill the gap of group-article recommendation in online libraries domain. The proposed methods have enriched the group recommendation methods by considering the interaction effects between groups and members. The proposed methods are the first attempt to implement group recommendation methods in big data contexts.,The proposed methods can improve group activity effectiveness and information shareability in academic groups, which are beneficial to membership retention and enhance the service quality of online library systems. Furthermore, the proposed methods are applicable to big data contexts and make library system services more efficient.,The proposed methods have potential value to improve scientific collaboration and research innovation.,The proposed CoMF method is a novel group recommendation method based on the collaboratively decomposition of researcher-article matrix and group-article matrix. The process indirectly reflects the interaction between groups and members, which accords with actual library environments and provides an interpretable recommendation result.

Why is self-service technology (SST) unpopular? Extending the IS success model

Abstract: Purpose Self-service technology (SST) has become popular in many areas, but consumers from many countries still prefer human-provided services. Why is this so? The purpose of this paper is to understand the possible reasons by integrating two perspectives: personal characteristics marketing and the information systems success model (IS success model). Design/methodology/approach The authors propose an integrated model and conduct an empirical questionnaire survey which generates a total of 345 valid responses. Findings The authors find that personal technology anxiety and the need for interpersonal interaction are critical factors that affect SST usage continuance intention. Furthermore, personal technology anxiety affects the consumer’s perception of the quality of both the information and the SST system itself, which determines the level of satisfaction and the intention to continue to use the system. Second, the IS success model perspective reveals that the following factors determine the level of perceived satisfaction with SST: information quality, system quality, enjoyment and design. However, only information quality and system quality affect the intention to continue SST usage. The authors also find that satisfaction and the need for interpersonal interaction also determine the SST usage continuance intention. Originality/value The IS success model is found to be helpful in understanding the underlying reasons for this. To aid in the development of successful future SSTs, these findings can be referenced by countries in which SST is not so popular. Our proposed model further enhances the theoretical development of the IS success model.

Understanding knowledge sharing in virtual communities: a network perspective

Abstract: Purpose As more and more people are beginning to take virtual communities (VC) as effective communication channels and the main places to get information and knowledge, understanding the factors that can support or hinder one’s knowledge sharing seems important for the management of VCs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents that influence people’s knowledge sharing in VCs, and to explore influence mechanism and the boundary condition of how the antecedent affect people’s knowledge sharing in VCs. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted empirical research to test our hypotheses. The authors designed a questionnaire based on previous research and collected the questionnaires from seven VCs in China, including two specific topic-based forums in Baidu Tieba which is the largest Chinese online communication platform, three in traditional university bulletin board system (BBS) forums and another two based on instant messaging service. The final sample the authors got included 96 individuals. Then the authors used the hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) technique to analysis the data. Findings The results suggest that community member’s attachment can be a strong indicator of his/her knowledge-sharing intention which will possibly lead to knowledge-sharing behavior. However, this effect can be contingent on individual centrality and community member fluctuations. In a stable community, those who are in the peripheral position are more likely to transfer their attachment into knowledge sharing because they have the intention to move into central positions and knowledge sharing can help them gain status. While in an unstable environment, it does not make any difference between people in different position in the social network. Originality/value First, this paper reveals member’s attachment as the antecedent of people’s knowledge sharing in VCs. Second, this paper adopts a network perspective to construct the research model. And the basic point made is that knowledge sharing can be seen as a channel to attain status and centrality in a community. Thus, people who are in periphery positions are more likely to transfer their community attachment into knowledge-sharing intention. Third, this paper emphasizes the dynamic characteristic of members in VCs and proves the moderation effect of community member fluctuations.

Public library mobile apps in Scotland: views from the local authorities and the public

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this research was to examine current public library apps in Scotland and assess Scottish public library users’ opinions of those apps. Design/methodology/approach – Two qualitative and quantitative surveys were conducted. One survey was distributed to each Scottish Local Authority, the entities responsible for public libraries in7 Scotland. The second survey was made available to the public. The results were analysed with nonparametric statistics and content analysis. Findings – All 32 Authorities responded. Seventeen Authorities had an app, two had one in development, and 13 had none. Offering an alternative means of communication to patrons was the main reason for providing an app, while cost and low priority were the main reasons provided against app provision. Authorities were satisfied with the core services offered in their apps, but less so with others. No Authorities had consulted the public regarding app provision. The public (n=185), while satisfied with current library apps, criticised the complex procedures required to access external services. Patrons from Authorities without an app stated interest in apps. Practical implications – It is vital for public libraries to implement at least core services that are optimised for mobile devices. They should consult with the public before and throughout the development process to ensure they are happy with the implementation. Originality/value – This is the first known study to explore public library app use in Scotland as well as one of the first in public library app use worldwide.

Antecedents and consequences of social networking site knowledge sharing by seniors: A social capital perspective

Abstract: Purpose Understanding elders’ experience and knowledge-sharing behaviors online have become significant issues in this aging society. In this study, the purpose of this paper is to summarize and validate the factors that influence the intention of elders to share knowledge online, and assess whether seniors’ knowledge-sharing behaviors affect their sense of meaning in life. Design/methodology/approach In total, 49 senior students were invited as participants to join the social networking site (SNS) and share knowledge on the platform. After a month of knowledge-sharing activities, questionnaires were distributed to all the participants. All the 49 participants returned completed questionnaires. To verify the results obtained via the above quantitative data analysis, follow-up interviews were conducted with one popular computer instructor and four seniors (who are experienced users of the SNS). Open-ended questions were employed to understand the motivations for sharing knowledge in a virtual community and the benefits obtained from sharing. Findings The results indicate that sharing vision, community identification, and social interaction ties are the main factors that influence the sharing of knowledge by seniors on SNSs. In addition, sharing knowledge on SNSs has a positive influence on seniors’ meaning in life. Follow-up interviews conducted also validate the results obtained. Originality/value Understanding elders’ experience and knowledge-sharing behaviors online have become significant issues in this aging society. It can not only benefit younger generations but also enable them to age gracefully. Rare SNSs similar to the one used in the study were found on the Facebook during our research.

Cyber physics system: a review

Abstract: Purpose Cyber physical system (CPS) has attracted much attention from industry, government and academia due to its dramatic impact on society, economy and people’s daily lives. Scholars have conducted a number of studies on CPS. However, despite of the dynamic nature of this research area, a systematic and extensive review of recent research on CPS is unavailable. Accordingly, this paper conducts an intensive literature review on CPS and presents an overview of existing research on CPS. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges of studying CPS as well as the directions for future studies on CPS. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines existing literatures about CPS from 2006 to 2018 in Compendex, presenting its definition, architectures, characteristics and applications. Findings This study finds that CPS is closely integrated, diversified and large-scale network with complex multiple time scales. It requires dynamic reorganization/reconfiguration, mass computing, and closed, automated and control circuits. Currently, CPS has been applied in smart manufacturing, medical systems, smart city and smart libraries. The main challenges in designing CPS are to develop, to modify, to integrate abstractions and to set predictable timing of openness and physical interconnection of physical devices. Furthermore, security is a key issue in CPS. Originality/value This study adds knowledge to the existing literature of CPS by answering what the current level of development on CPS is and what the potential future research directions of CPS are.

Apps on laps: digital storytimes in public libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to report on a small, exploratory research project focusing on librarian and parent/caregiver opinions of, and reactions to, the use of digital media and technology in public library storytimes for preschool children in Aotearoa New Zealand.,Telephone interviews with librarians and an online survey of parent/caregivers were undertaken.,The research found a mixed response to digital storytimes. Those who had not attended or presented digital storytime sessions were largely opposed to the practice, while those who had participated in a storytime using digital media generally held more positive views. Key concerns were focused on the amount of screentime young children should have and a lack of human interaction. Supporters appreciated the introduction of some basic digital literacy skills and the variety that technology could bring to storytime sessions.,Both samples were small and self-selecting. The use of an online survey meant a bias in the sample toward those with access to appropriate information communication technology as well as a self-selection bias.,The paper suggests some developments in practice and approach if librarians are going to play the role of media mentors in their communities.,This is the first study focusing on the development of digital storytimes in Aotearoa New Zealand and adds to knowledge and understanding of key stakeholder views of the inclusion of digital media and technology in public library programming for young children.

Image embedded metadata in cultural heritage digital collections on the web: An analytical study

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the availability of embedded metadata within images of digital cultural collections. It is designed to examine a proposed hypothesis that most digitally derived images of cultural resources are stripped of their metadata once they are placed on the web. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 603 images were selected randomly from four cultural portals which aggregate digitized cultural collections, then four steps in the data collection process took place to examine image metadata via the web-based tool and windows application. Findings The study revealed that 28.5 percent of the analyzed images contained metadata, no links exist between image embedded metadata and its metadata record or the pages of the websites analyzed, and there is a significant usage of Extensible Metadata Platform to encode embedded metadata within the images. Practical implications The findings of the study may encourage heritage digital collection providers to reconsider their metadata preservation practices and policies to enrich the content of embedded metadata. In addition, it will raise awareness about the potential and value of embedded metadata in enhancing the findability and exchange of digital collections. Originality/value This study is ground breaking in that it is one of the early studies, especially in the Arab world, which aim to recognize the use of image embedded metadata within cultural heritage digital collections on the web.

Characterizing queries in cross-device OPAC search: a large-scale log study

Abstract: The study focused on online public access catalog (OPAC) users’ cross-device search behavior. The purpose of this paper is to understand the characteristics of cross-device OPAC searches, and to identify query reformulation (QR) patterns during device transitions.,The transaction log from a university library, spanning six months, was used to conduct the quantitative analysis. The query vocabulary richness, which refers to the average number of unique words each query contains in a search session, can evaluate query diversity, and contribute to the analysis of QR.,The results show that PC-PC transition is the most important pattern of device transition. The time interval of device transition was different to the time interval of transitions in web searches. Short device transitions mainly occurred in daytime, and the number of transitions that occurred in less than one minute was higher than on the web. Searches for Industry and Technology triggered the most device transitions, and the users tended to choose the same search field. In addition, the authors made a detailed analysis of the reasons for same-type device transitions and different-type device transitions. Furthermore, the authors focused on the characteristics of adjacent QR patterns. The authors not only refined the concept of cross-device to include the same-type device transition, but also summarized the characteristics of the cross-device QR patterns, which can be used to predict post-switch queries.,This study extends research into cross-device interaction and cross-device search to the domain of digital library research. The authors also introduced QR perspective on cross-device interaction on OPAC.

Accessible search and the role of metadata

Abstract: Purpose Some of the usability and accessibility problems of search interfaces emanate from poorly organized search results, where different types of metadata are employed. Metadata is important to make well-informed selection of resources. However, putting too much of it on search interfaces could be counterproductive. Therefore, studies suggest that metadata-related decisions need to be informed by user requirements. The purpose of this paper is to explore library metadata from usability and accessibility perspectives. It identifies search-related problems users with print disability face and explores how metadata-related decisions could be tailored to improve their experience in resource discovery and access. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was posted online for two months. It targeted people with print disability who are using the audiobook app Lydhor. It was finally possible to gather responses from 113 respondents. Two open-ended questions dealing with search and metadata issues were selected for qualitative analysis. Findings Most respondents mentioned the Lydhor’s intolerance to spelling errors as a problem. Some suggested the use of faceted metadata, such as genres, for exploratory search to offset frustration caused by spelling errors. Most respondents indicated the importance of summaries to be shown among search results, implying their significance for lookup searches. There have been few demands related to accessibility metadata. Originality/value This study could be a valuable input for inclusive/universal design of library search interfaces.

Corpus linguistics is not just for linguists: considering the potential of computer-based corpus methods for library and information science research

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to generate awareness of and interest in the techniques used in computer-based corpus linguistics, focusing on their methodological implications for research in library and information science (LIS).,This methodology paper provides an overview of computer-based corpus linguistics, describes the main techniques used in this field, assesses its strengths and weaknesses, and presents examples to illustrate the value of corpus linguistics to LIS research.,Overall, corpus-based techniques are simple, yet powerful, and they support both quantitative and qualitative analyses. While corpus methods alone may not be sufficient for research in LIS, they can be used to complement and to help triangulate the findings of other methods. Corpus linguistics techniques also have the potential to be exploited more fully in LIS research that involves a higher degree of automation (e.g. recommender systems, knowledge discovery systems, and text mining).,Numerous LIS researchers have drawn attention to the lack of diversity in research methods used in this field, and suggested that approaches permitting mixed methods research are needed. If LIS researchers learn about the potential of computer-based corpus methods, they can diversify their approaches.,Over the past quarter century, corpus linguistics has established itself as one of the main methods used in the field of linguistics, but its potential has not yet been realized by researchers in LIS. Corpus linguistics tools are readily available and relatively straightforward to apply. By raising awareness about corpus linguistics, the author hopes to make these techniques available as additional tools in the LIS researcher’s methodological toolbox, thus broadening the range of methods applied in this field.

The application of CPS in library management: a survey

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the current state research of cyber-physical system (CPS) and its application in libraries. CPS is a kind of large-scale and networked system that consists of physical and cyber elements and is currently of interest in academia, industry and government. In this survey, the definitions, theoretical foundation and basic applications of CPS are systematically reviewed. In addition, the development of library and current research of CPS application in library management are presented. The vision and challenge of smart library are also discussed. Design/methodology/approach By retrieving the main scholarly databases, the literature of CPS and its application in libraries were examined. Findings This study shows that a lot of CPS technology applications are still in initial stage, and explores CPS potential impacts on libraries. Originality/value The application of CPS in library management has not been paid much attention, this study provides a prospective for the application of CPS in libraries.