Academic Library Environment Research Articles

Conditions for Creativity and Innovation in the Work Environment of Academic Libraries in the United States and Canada

Creativity, the development of a new product, idea, or problem solution that is valuable within the local context, is vital to innovating, problem-solving, and facilitating change. An individual’s ability to be creative largely depends on whether their environment supports creative work. This study explores how academic library employees in the United States and Canada perceive their work environment to better understand whether current academic libraries facilitate creative work in relation to management practices, organizational motivation, resources, and outcomes. The study finds that academic libraries fall at or below the median in all four categories.

Individual differences in service quality of university libraries in Bangladesh

This study measured the individual differences in the service quality of Bangladeshi university libraries by type of university, user and gender. A modified SERVQUAL (service quality) model was adopted for the academic library environment, which included 30 items under five dimensions with a 7-point Likert scale. The survey was conducted among 61 teachers, 50 researchers and 455 students from two public, two international and two private universities in Bangladesh. The individual differences in library service quality were calculated through an analysis of variance and independent sample t-test for the university, user and gender categories. The overall service quality was significantly different ( p < .001) among the users of the public ( M = 4.02), private ( M = 5.08) and international ( M = 5.10) university libraries, as well as between male ( M = 4.48) and female ( M = 5.01) users. Several statistical methods supported the sampling adequacy, reliability and validity of the adapted model, which could be used as a basis for further assessments of library service quality by different demographic groups, both locally and globally.

Enhancing Reading Skills in an Academic Library: A Case Study of a Reading Groups

The paper investigated how Reading Groups in Academic Libraries can contribute to increasing library users' interaction with literature and improving language skills. A case study was conducted with the inclusion of creative writing exercises in a reading group. This initiative took place during the winter semester of the 2022-2023 academic year and involved Library Science students at a Greek University. The focus of the reading community was Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, targeting 12 students who had completed the Literature course of the 5th semester and volunteered to participate. The meetings were conducted within the Academic Library environment, aiming to familiarise participants with significant works of World Literature. Educational methodologies were employed based on reader-response theories, particularly Rosenblatt's Transactional Model, to underscore the creative engagement inherent in contemporary readers' interpretation of literary texts. After the conclusion of the program, students were asked to share their thoughts and experiences through open-ended questionnaires. The purpose was to evaluate how participation in reading groups at the library helped improve their language and reading skills, as well as sparked a deeper interest in exploring classic literature further. It was found that the reading group in Academic Libraries played a significant role in cultivating reading and language skills to students, as well as changing their attitudes towards literature. This paper filled a notable gap in the literature, particularly within the Greek context, regarding the role of reading groups in Academic Libraries as a means of bolstering students' reading capabilities.

Influence of the Implementation of Nigerian University Commission Library Parameters on Accreditation Readiness for Academic Programmes in Federal Universities of South-East, Nigeria

The study investigated the influence of the implementation of Nigerian University Commission library parameters on accreditation readiness for academic programmes in Federal Universities of South-East, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised 161 academic librarians in the five federal universities located in the South-East zone of Nigeria. These are; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Michael Okpara University, Umudike, Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo. The census sampling technique was adopted for the study since the total number of academic librarians in the five universities was within a manageable size. The sampling method was considered appropriate because it allows statistical enumeration and participation of all members of the population in the study. Data was collected using questionnaire and analysed using regression analysis. Findings show that libraries are under staffed in most universities in the South East of Nigeria and the libraries had information resources to a great extent, but still needed to widen their services given the growing student population and new courses offered. The study therefore concluded that it is imperative for university administrators through the governing councils to employ more library staff in all cadres (professionals and para-professionals) as well as support staff. Also, the academic library environment should be made more conducive to attract clienteles to the library at all times and maintenance of furniture and equipment at libraries should be standardized, while upgrade and expansion services should also be done systematically.

Determinants of overall user success in an academic digital library environment: validation of the integrated digital library user success (IDLUS) model

PurposeDigital Libraries are complex, and this complexity is a motive to study user success on the behalf of appropriate user success models. These models comprise the factors which play a part between people, technology and organizations. The purpose of this study was to specify and examine an integrated digital library user success (IDLUS) model within the context of digital library settings, Higher Education Commission National Digital Library (HEC-NDL) of Pakistan, by adopting and reusing the existing digital library and Web success models.Design/methodology/approachStratified random sampling technique was used to choose the sample from the University of the Punjab, a highly ranked public sector university in Pakistan. Participants were asked to complete an adapted survey questionnaire. A total of 355 completed and usable questionnaires were obtained. Data analyses through confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling produced the results that have supported the proposed IDLUS model. The proposed IDLUS model was tested and supported through model fit statistics in the academic computing environment of the HEC-NDL of Pakistan.FindingsFindings revealed that relationships between the latent variables hypothesized in the model were confirmed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has both theoretical and practical ramifications for academicians and information system designers and developers.Originality/valueThe IDLUS model is recommended first time in the history of librarianship in Pakistan as an overall user success model in the digital library information system computing environment. That made numerous recommendations for future research in the field of information management, particularly for digital library development at national and international levels.

Psychometric analysis of Integrated Digital Library User Success (IDLUS) Scale in academic digital library environment

Purpose The purpose of this study is to execute the application of confirmatory factor analysis in structural equation modeling, to investigate the reliability and validity of the proposed integrated digital library user success (IDLUS) scale in academic digital library computing information system in the area of information management and systems. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzed 355 valid responses (MPhil and PhD) from the largest and oldest public sector university in Pakistan. Sample selection was calculated through a stratified random sampling technique from the four faculties of the University of the Punjab. The instrument was constructed based on the available two digital library and information system success models. The first model is Jung’s (1997) digital library user success model that is further composed of flow model (1977), end user computing satisfaction model (1987) and Joshi’s overall user satisfaction model (1990). Similarly, the second model is DeLone and McLean’s reformulated information system success (2003) theory. The question items used a five-point Likert scale and executed regression weights, standardized regression weights, convergent validity, variance extracted, construct reliability and discriminant validity to infer results. Findings Findings show that the IDLUS scale has excellent validity and reliability estimates. Research limitations/implications The study has theoretical implications for researchers and practical implications for information system developers. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this scale is the first-ever effort to measure the digital library user success in the context of Higher Education Commission-National Digital Library of Pakistan. Therefore, there was a dire need to conduct the psychometric analysis of the scale to examine the model fit statistics on the current sample in the particular cultural norms. Scale is based upon human factors taken from various Web success and information system success models from the fields of human–computer interaction information systems and computer-mediated communication.

Measuring Library Anxiety of Students in University Libraries of Bangladesh Applying Bostick’s Scale

Academic achievement can be significantly impacted by using library resources and services, but anxiety about libraries may limit students' willingness to use them. Less initiative is taken to assess user anxiety levels in academic libraries in Bangladesh. This study assessed library anxiety levels, evaluated the effect of library anxiety on comfort with library service and technology as well as measured individual differences in library anxiety by different demographic groups applying Bostick's Library Anxiety Scale (LAS). Bostick's LAS was adapted as per the academic library environment, including forty-eight items under five dimensions with a five-point Likert scale. A survey was conducted among 392 students from two private, one international and two public universities in Bangladesh. For data analysis, negatively worded statements were reverse-scored so that all the statements were scored in the same direction. The multiple regression analysis was done to evaluate the effect of library anxiety on comfort with library service and technology. The individual differences in library anxiety were computed through ANOVA and Independent Sample T-test by different demographic groups. The overall mean score of library anxiety was 3.99 out of 5, indicating that library anxiety level was reasonably low among the students. Affective and staff barriers significantly affected comfort with library services as well as affective, cognitive, and staff barriers significantly affected comfort with library technology. The overall and dimensional library anxiety was significantly different among the users by category of university and user. Numerous statistical methods supported sampling adequacy, reliability, and validity of the adapted scale that will prompt further studies on assessing library anxiety in academic libraries locally and globally. The findings would have significant policy and practical implications for developing and implementing strategies that help students feel less anxious and do better academically. Keywords: Effect, Library anxiety, Bostick’s Scale, Individual Difference, University libraries, Bangladesh.

Microaggressions in Academic Spaces: What About the Library?

Microaggressions are subtle aggressions, often unintentional, which are usually directed at certain groups of people, generally minorities. Due to their insidious frequency, they cause great discomfort. They can even cause permanent problems with adapting and integrating of various kinds. University libraries, as the social spaces that they are, accommodate a wide variety of people and can be places where microaggressions occur in different directions: librarians towards users, users towards librarians and among these groups. This study analyzes the incidence of various types of microaggressions in the academic library environment from the point of view of one group of users: academics and researchers. An online survey was completed by a large number of academics and researchers from a large geographic area. Data was obtained on both observed and felt or experienced microaggressions in the library, either towards themselves or other users, or towards the librarian. The results indicate that researchers are more aggressive than librarians, making the library space a safer place for diversity than the university. Nevertheless, for certain aspects the library shows some data that invites reflection and an opportunity to further reduce occurrences.

“Are they still anxious?”

Mellon’s 1986 theory of library anxiety named a phenomenon many librarians were familiar with, and influenced inquiry related to multiple areas of Library and Information Science (LIS). However, Mellon’s study, and the work it inspired, were done in an academic library environment that is drastically different from the academic library of today. Considering the rapid evolution of physical academic libraries alongside shifting societal attitudes towards mental health since the completion of Mellon’s study, it is essential to reevaluate the concept of library anxiety. My dissertation research critically reevaluates the concept of library anxiety in the library of today and asks, “are they still anxious?” or, “anxious in the same way?”. To explore these questions, I have designed a two-part qualitative study. Part one is an analysis of the scholarly literature exploring how the concept of library anxiety has been understood and applied in the field of LIS. Part two of the study explores how that older understanding of library anxiety aligns with students’ experiences of academic libraries today. Using a combination of surveys, interviews, and interactive mapping activities with student library users on a university campus in the Southeast, I identify possible connections between physical academic libraries and students’ emotional experiences as they relate to library anxiety in today’s landscape. This study has the potential to inform library design in ways that support students’ information needs and shed light on some of the affective experiences of student users that are sometimes overlooked as key parts of user experience.

Digital Environment in Academic Libraries: Leveraging on Advanced Information Communication Technologies for Better Service Delivery

The advancement in technologies coupled with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and its associated technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI, robotic technology, virtual/augmented reality, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, and the likes have entered into the academic and other types of libraries have all brought changes into the digital environment of academic libraries. In light of this, this chapter examined the current digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter discusses the concept of the digital environment and academic libraries, describes digital components in academic libraries (old versus new), describes the impact of the digital environment on academic libraries, identify the new knowledge and skills required for academic libraries users’ and librarians’ functionality in the digital environment of academic libraries, and identifies changing formats ofthe environment of information material; the technological issue; the changing role of librarians; a collection of virtual information, archiving or preserving the virtual information; accessing of virtual information; special skills needed for librarians in building a virtual library; the cost factor of information technology; and the likelihood of job loss by the librarians as current challenges associated with the digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter recommends based on the findings that Academic librarians and studentsshould work to develop in-demand skills and continuously learn to use tools that reveal their capabilities and expertise to function in the digital environment of academic libraries and to provide efficient and effective information service. The academic librarians should anticipate and integrate new technologies to redesign access and delivery mechanisms to maximise utilisation of information and to minimise the costs of supporting such services. Keywords: Academic libraries, Digital environment, Digital literacy, Digital skills, Advanced technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

Digital Environment in Academic Libraries: Leveraging on Advanced Information Communication Technologies for Better Service Delivery

The advancement in technologies coupled with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and its associated technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI, robotic technology, virtual/augmented reality, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, and the likes have entered into the academic and other types of libraries have all brought changes into the digital environment of academic libraries. In light of this, this chapter examined the current digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter discusses the concept of the digital environment and academic libraries, describes digital components in academic libraries (old versus new), describes the impact of the digital environment on academic libraries, identify the new knowledge and skills required for academic libraries users’ and librarians’ functionality in the digital environment of academic libraries, and identifies changing formats ofthe environment of information material; the technological issue; the changing role of librarians; a collection of virtual information, archiving or preserving the virtual information; accessing of virtual information; special skills needed for librarians in building a virtual library; the cost factor of information technology; and the likelihood of job loss by the librarians as current challenges associated with the digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter recommends based on the findings that Academic librarians and studentsshould work to develop in-demand skills and continuously learn to use tools that reveal their capabilities and expertise to function in the digital environment of academic libraries and to provide efficient and effective information service. The academic librarians should anticipate and integrate new technologies to redesign access and delivery mechanisms to maximise utilisation of information and to minimise the costs of supporting such services. Keywords: Academic libraries, Digital environment, Digital literacy, Digital skills, Advanced technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

Reaching academic library users during the COVID-19 pandemic: New and adapted approaches in access services

The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit academic libraries in the United States during the spring semester of 2020, forced librarians and staff to redouble their efforts to reach out to users in light of newly enforced safety measures such as building closures, quarantine periods, enforced social distancing, etc. This article describes three services—one adapted, one newly developed, and one a collaboration across several units on campus—to allow users to continue receiving the assistance and the materials they needed despite the obstacles inherent to the pandemic. Unexpectedly, these changes also helped streamline processes in a post-pandemic academic library environment.

Research Productivity and Its Relationship to Library Collections

Objective – The purpose of this study was to explore in the current academic library environment, the relationship between library collections data (collections’ size, expenditures, and usage) and faculty productivity (scholarly output). The researchers also examined the degree to which new and existing library metrics predict faculty productivity. Methods – Demographic data (e.g., faculty size, student size, research and development expenditures), library budget data (e.g., collection expenditures), collection use data (e.g., full-text article requests and database searches), and publication output for 81 doctoral granting universities in the United States were collected to explore potential relationships between research productivity, collection use, library budgets, collection size, and research expenditures using partial correlations. A hierarchical multiple regression was also used to ascertain the significance of certain predictors of research productivity (publications). Results – A correlation existed between the number of publications (research productivity) and library expenditures (total library expenditures, total library material expenditures, and ongoing library resource expenditures), collection size (volumes, titles, and ebooks), use of collection (full-text article requests and total number of references in the articles), and research and development expenditures. Another key finding from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that full-text article requests were the best predictor of research productivity, which uniquely explained 10.2% of the variation in publication. Conclusion – The primary findings were that full-text article requests, followed by library material expenditures and research expenditures, were found to be the best predictor of research productivity as measured by articles published.

The X-factor in academic libraries: the demand for soft skills in library employees

As the need for employees with technology skills and other expertise has increased within the contemporary academic library environment, so too has the need for employees with “soft skills.” Soft skills refer to personal, learnable attributes, such as emotional intelligence, communication aptitude, persuasion facility, storytelling ability, collegiality, and even woo. While academic libraries are ever-changing, it is critical to bear in mind the importance of the human component. This article considers the need for soft skills within the contemporary academic library environment. It will draw upon successful instances of soft skills development from outside the academic library environment to synthesize new ways of enhancing library employees’ soft skills.

Leadership in challenging times of academic libraries

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the key challenges of academic libraries in times of changing nature of higher education system and how library leaders can manage the challenges when effective leadership is highly required for academic libraries today. As the time is changing, the kinds of challenges that library leaders face have also changed. Author of this study explores the methods and approaches, which are more effective ways of managing challenges in the reshaping environment of academic libraries. At the same time, change has become a permanent part of academic libraries and they need leaders who are able to lead and manage change efficiently, bring theories into practices, find innovative solutions to challenges, creative thinkers, effective communicators, collaborative mindset and self-motivators. Design/methodology/approach The selective publications have been reviewed to find the best ways to leading changes and managing challenges in academic libraries. The approaches and methods in this study are based on personal experiences of author as director of the university libraries and experiences of library leadership worldwide are conversed. Findings Academic libraries are facing similar challenges around the world. The author found that academic library leadership needs innovative skills and competencies, effective communication abilities and a new way of thinking to deal with challenges and create willingness to adapt the changes. Kotter’s leadership manage change model may apply for creating and implementing organizational change in academic libraries. Originality/value Literature on this topic is comparatively limited. Consequently, this manuscript adds value to the publications of library and information sciences and offers the literature in the field of leadership challenges and manage change in the academic libraries. It also provides guidelines to academic library leadership universally, and how can leaders work with change effectively.

Nexus between reward culture and knowledge creation in selected academic libraries in Uganda

Background: Knowledge management has become increasingly significant in libraries because of rapid technological changes and the subsequent practices that have become enshrined in the way business is conducted. Knowledge creation as part of knowledge management is key to the sustainable survival of an organisation. The extant literature demonstrates that academic libraries have been engaged in knowledge creation in higher education institutions over the years. A number of studies have been undertaken in the field of knowledge management in Uganda; however, they all focused on knowledge management practices, such as creation, acquisition, documentation, application and sharing without adequately linking them to the reward culture. Consequently, little research has been conducted on the influence of reward culture on knowledge creation in academic libraries in Uganda. This gap in literature reinforces the need to closely examine reward culture in academic libraries in Uganda, as this will improve the understanding of some motivational factors in knowledge creation. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between knowledge creation and reward culture in an academic library environment in Uganda. Methods: A multi-method research strategy that involved the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods was adopted. Eighty staff members from three libraries participated in the survey, which employed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three heads of the libraries. Data pertaining to reward culture and knowledge creation were also collected from institutional documents. The data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: The major findings of the study are that the non-financial reward culture has more influence on knowledge creation as compared to the financial reward culture in academic libraries. Policies of the libraries are vague on whether there are financial or non-financial rewards attached to knowledge creation. However, both the non-financial and financial reward cultures influence knowledge creation in libraries to varying extents. Conclusion: The results of these multiple case studies may not be generalised to many contexts, but the study illuminates the influence of the reward system on knowledge creation. The key finding of the study was that academic libraries’ policies on knowledge creation did not come out clearly on whether there were financial or non-financial rewards attached to knowledge creation.

From the bottom up: Engaging technical services staff in decision-making

Sweeping innovations in publishing models, shifts from print to electronic, and the expanding impact of consortia alliances have transformed technical services operations in academic libraries. Work of technical services units is transitioning from daily assignment of routine work by supervisors, to a dynamic project-based operation where both staff and management input is crucial to the success of the unit. The new environment requires all staff to actively engage in decision-making as part of a team of colleagues and managers, using evaluation, synthesis, and prioritization to meet project and operational goals. This article describes activities Eastern Washington University Libraries’ Collection Services unit has undertaken to involve and empower its classified staff in decision-making and priority-setting in order to drive innovation and change within the unit and library-wide. Unit activities have included redesigning physical space, instituting summer retreats, establishing unit ground rules, and ensuring classified staff involvement in hiring. These activities have laid the groundwork for a more collaborative and empowered team of paraprofessional and professional staff able to successfully anticipate and adapt to the rapidly evolving academic library environment.

Awareness and adoption of mobile technologies in the delivery of services in academic libraries in Jordan

PurposeMobile technologies (MT) have been attracting the attention of academic library stakeholders for some time, as it is considered a strong communication channel that can offer advanced library services. Furthermore, MT can offer a number of flexible options for library users. Accordingly, the overarching aim of this research is to investigate the potentials of implementing MT within academic libraries in public universities in Jordan from library staff viewpoint. Exploring library staff expectation of MT to enhance library services is another aim. It is also important to investigate the effects of external factors such age, job title, educational level and experience on library staff perception of MT use and role in academic libraries in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachUsing a case study design, a questionnaire was developed and disseminated to all library staff (n = 174) within ten public universities. Some 121 responses were received.FindingsThe study indicates that there is a high level of awareness of the advantages of using MT in academic libraries in Jordan. However, the research also reveals that, although library staff are aware of the role and value of MT within the academic library environment, MT has not yet been fully exploited in these environments in Jordan for various reasons. These include incompatible information technology infrastructure and a lack of training. As a result, these libraries need to invest more in MT and enhance the use of technologies among their users to raise their performance and the quality of services that they offer. Such enhancements could lead to more meaningful interactions with users and a better overall user experience.Research limitations/implicationsThis study investigated awareness levels among library staff of MT to provide library services. Users perspectives regarding receiving library services on mobile devices have not been explored. MT should be assessed from user perspective to understand how MT might enhance academic library services. Library staff could also be interviewed to explore these issues in closer detail. Library and Information Science departments might also upgrade their curricula and include MT application development in library courses.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in MT research in the context of library services, as it is the first such attempt to conduct research into this topic in the Middle East in general, and in Jordan specifically.

Estudios de usuarios en el diseño de servicios bibliotecarios de apoyo a la investigación: estudio de caso

El conocimiento sobre los usuarios debe estar en la base de la planificación, diseño y modificación de servicios bibliotecarios nuevos o preexistentes. El nuevo entorno de las bibliotecas universitarias conlleva cambios en múltiples aspectos, incluyendo la creación u reorganización de los servicios a los usuarios investigadores. En este artículo se analiza el interés de la realización de estudios de usuarios en el contexto de la planificación de servicios de apoyo a la investigación en bibliotecas universitarias. Se plantea un modelo para la realización de estudios de usuarios investigadores, ejemplificado en el caso de la Universidade da Coruña, a través de la combinación de técnicas de investigación bibliográfica, entrevistas y encuestas. Se concluye un conjunto de recomendaciones y reflexiones que favorecen la aproximación a esta casuística desde un punto de vista metodológico.

Gathering the margins: the London College of Communication Library Zine Collection

The London College of Communication (LCC) Zine Collection was founded in July 2009 and now contains more than 4,000 zines. It is the most heavily used special collection at LCC Library. This article outlines the history and development of the collection, its uses in teaching, learning and research, and its value for widening access to, and representing diversity in an academic library environment.