Academic Library Websites Research Articles

Comparative Study of Academic Library Websites Using Web Content Management Systems

This study aimed to investigate and compare the features and functionality of academic library websites built on Web Content Management Systems (CMS) at four universities in Africa. The specific objectives included examining design and layout, identifying content types and resources, assessing interactivity and engagement, evaluating accessibility and usability, and reviewing performance and maintenance. Analysis of the four websites revealed that the University of Cape Town Libraries stood out for its excellent quality in design, layout, content availability, interactivity, accessibility, usability, and performance. In contrast, the Makerere University Libraries showed areas needing improvement, particularly in design, content accessibility, interactivity, and usability. The University of Pretoria Libraries exhibited high-quality performance across all categories, ensuring a positive user experience. Meanwhile, the University of Nairobi Libraries demonstrated potential for enhancement in design, interactivity, and accessibility, while maintaining strong performance and security. Based on these findings, several recommendations were made to enhance the websites' quality and user experience. For Makerere University Libraries, suggestions included improving design and layout, addressing content gaps, implementing accessible forums, and enhancing responsiveness. For the University of Nairobi Libraries, recommendations focused on improving design, providing accessible resources, incorporating online chat or forums, and enhancing overall accessibility and usability.

Usability Testing Best Practices for Academic Library Websites & DIY Usability Testing Toolkit

I completed a sabbatical project in the spring semester of 2023 with three main goals: 1) conduct interviews with user experience librarians about best practices relating to usability testing in academic libraries; 2) create a comprehensive collection of best practices based on interview results and supporting research; and 3) create a do-it-yourself usability testing toolkit consisting of templates, documents, checklists, report shells, and other materials for librarians to quickly conduct usability testing from start to finish at their own institutions. 

ADA Digital Accessibility on Academic Library Websites

ADA Digital Accessibility on Academic Library Websites

Content analysis of academic library website with special reference to the central universities in Northeast India

In this study, an assessment has been made to analyze the library website content of central universities in Northeast India. The current research is based on a checklist prepared using various criteria and assessments conducted by previous researchers. The methodology of the study includes the use of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ criteria for content analysis, with data being tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The analysis covers topics such as the availability of library websites or web portals, the accessibility of these websites, design factors, site descriptions, statements of responsibility/contact information, website aids and tools, e-resources, and Web 2.0 applications. This study highlights the varying degrees of website quality and services offered by central university libraries in Northeast India and provides a comprehensive assessment of their online presence.

Reference Chatbots in Canadian Academic Libraries

Chatbots are “computer agents that can interact with the user” in a way that feels like human-to-human conversation. While the use of chatbots for reference service in academic libraries is a topic of interest for both library professionals and researchers, little is known about how they are used in library reference service, especially in academic libraries in Canada. This article aims to fill this gap by conducting a web-based survey of 106 academic library websites in Canada and analyzing the prevalence and characteristics of chatbot and live chat services offered by these libraries. The authors found that only two libraries were using chatbots for reference service. For live chat services, the authors found that 78 libraries provided this service. The article discusses possible reasons for the low adoption of chatbots in academic libraries, such as accessibility, privacy, cost, and professional identity issues. The article also provides a case study of the authors’ institution, the University of Calgary, which integrated a chatbot service in 2021. The article concludes with suggestions for future research on chatbot use in libraries.

Comparative Analysis of Digital Reference Services from Academic Library Websites

Digital reference service is one of the interactive methods of communication between librarians and users. It is an internetbased library reference or question-answer service that connects users with skilled subject experts or reference librarians. This research is an attempt to study the present scenario of digital reference services provided by different academic libraries and to check the status of Indian academic libraries. The objectives of the study are to test the availability of digital reference services on different academic library websites and make a comparative study. In this research 50 Indian and 50 international academic libraries are selected and a comparative analysis is made using six digital reference service forms including Chat Reference, E-mail Reference, Web Form, Text Reference, Phone Reference and Frequently Asked Questions. The study reveals that the top global academic libraries evaluate digital reference services with a strong positive attitude, better to say, define it as indispensable at the same time, the Indian top academic libraries stand the opposite.

Toward a persuasive academic library website

This study aimed to investigate users’ perspectives on the significance of the library website features missing from an academic library website according to PD criteria. Based on a valid and reliable checklist of the PD criteria and their features, an academic library website was carefully explored to identify the features under each PD criterion which were missing from the website. The resulting data was used to design a researcher-developed questionnaire to investigate users’ views on the significance of these missing features. The findings highlighted the significance of the PD criteria features missing from the library website. Finally, several courses of action for librarians and website designers are suggested. They can be used as a guide to designing more effective library websites, and this can ultimately result in the increased use of libraries and their services.

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A UNIVERSITY’S LIBRARY WEBSITE IN SUPPORTING SCHOLARLY PURSUITS

This study looked into how well postgraduate students in Zaria could use the library websites at Ahmadu Bello University for their academic work. To direct the study, the following five research questions were created: (1) How much access to the Ahmadu Bello University Library website do postgraduate students have for academic work? (2) What is the effectiveness of postgraduate students’ use of the Ahmadu Bello University Library website for academic tasks? (3) To what extent do postgraduate students use the Ahmadu Bello University Library website for scholarly purposes? (4) Which kinds of online information sources do postgraduate students employ for their academic work? (5) How happy are postgraduate students with using the website of the Ahmadu Bello University Library for academic purposes? The study utilized Mullin B, Hardy S, and William S’s framework as determinants for assessing academic library websites, explicitly focusing on the Ahmadu Bello University Library website. A survey research design was utilized, and the target population included all postgraduate students enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, during a specific academic session, with a total of 7,240 students. The study areas (faculties) and respondents were chosen through the use of a straightforward random sampling procedure. 221 people made up the study’s sample size. Mean and standard deviation were used to assess the data that had been obtained. The research found that most respondents concurred that the website of the Ahmadu Bello University library gave them useful material for their scholarly responsibilities. Additionally, the study indicated that the website facilitated simple and fast access to other information sources and services. Finally, the Ahmadu Bello University Library website was found to support and assist postgraduate students in effectively interacting with the website systematically.

Web Content Management Systems as a Support Service in Academic Library Websites: An Investigation of the World-class Universities in 2012–2022

PurposeThis study aims to describe and analyze the global status and trends in the application of Web Content Management Systems (WCMS) in academic library websites over the last decade, as reflected on the Internet Archive and current library websites. Design/methodology/approachThe study selected the top 1000 academic library websites listed in the 2023 QS World University Rankings, and collected and examined their WCMS adopted in 2012 and 2022 using Python software and the BuiltWith tool. Multiple visits were made to capture the distribution of WCMS, popular software, and software categories. FindingsThe survey results indicated a significant change in the application of WCMS to academic library websites from 2012 to 2022. The number of libraries using WCMS increased by 288, and over half (61.9 %) of libraries adopted WCMS in 2022. Over 70 types of WCMS existed within academic libraries, while a small number of WCMS own the vast majority of the market share, with Drupal consistently being the most popular software. Significant geographical differences existed in the WCMS used by academic libraries in different countries/regions. The innovation theory and functional modules of open-source WCMS will be the main factors influencing their future website transformation and upgrading of academic libraries.

Modern impressions: Getting to know your library website users

Academic library websites need to support a variety of users (student, faculty, staff, administrator, alumni, etc.) with intellectual pursuits related to research, teaching, and learning, in addition to being user-friendly, valuable and informative. Although the CUNY Queens College Library (QCL) website has been redesigned multiple times, there has not been a formal user research study of the website and its users to inform the redesign. Taking a user-centered approach, specifically the user-centered design (UCD) methodology, this study explores users of an urban academic library website in the United States through the use of triangulation, a mixed-methods approach that includes user survey, user interviews, and website analysis. The findings reveal that the majority of users like the QCL website and find the content valuable for teaching and research, but users also thought the website design was dated (not a modern design), some of the content was inconsistent, and access of all types emerged as a major theme. The results provide recommendations for the library website redesign and are important in helping librarians of similar libraries use triangulation of data to gain a multidimensional understanding of their users in order to inform the design and development of library websites.

Design variations and evaluation of loanable technology web pages in academic library websites

Loanable technology is an emerging specialized collection in academic libraries. An effective collection depends on several moving parts, including funding; space; a collection management strategy; and information systems, including web pages, to support access to the collection. The current study surveys websites from institutions carrying the Carnegie classification of “Doctoral University: Very High Research” to determine the existence and design variations of loanable technology websites. The paper notes tendencies and exceptions in the designs and develops a general design framework to guide future design decisions. The results offer design options and recommendations based on variations of affordances; the scope and variety of the items in collections; and the use of images, catalog records, and supporting documents. A structural analysis of design variations can thus enhance the coherence, completeness, and overall effectiveness of loanable technology websites.

Library Services During COVID 19

Academic library websites are considered an integral tool for disseminating libraries’ information, resources, and services. It also encourages users to interact and use library resources and services remotely. The spread of COVID-19 and the nationwide lockdown shifted the education system to an online mode of teaching and learning. The present study aims to analyse the usability criteria of the Central Universities’ library websites, the availability of various facilities & services provided during the pandemic, to know the mode of information dissemination during the pandemic, andthe preventive measures undertaken by the Central University library websites to combat the Corona Virus.The study reveals that Aligarh Muslim University and the Central University of Orissa have adopted all possible means and modes to provide information to its users to combat the struggles during the pandemic through their library websites. However, certain Central University websites like the Central University of South Bihar have provided the least services for their users during the pandemic. The study also highlighted the essential steps initiated by the selected libraries to fulfill the information needs of their users, and those services may be opted by others to meet the post-lockdown needs.

Academic Libraries as a Platform for Detecting Plagiarism in Research Output

This study aims to identify the available services in academic libraries that reduce plagiarism and to learn about the academic databases and tools for the identification of Plagiarism. It also aims to study and analyze the policies and procedures followed by the academic libraries to reduce plagiarism using some of these tools. The study was based on the descriptive-analytical approach and deliberate sample of academic library websites in the Arab world and Semi-structured interviews with users (students/librarians/faculty members and researchers) to identify how academic libraries detect plagiarism. The study reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which is that the activation of the information awareness program in academic libraries through training courses and workshops on intellectual property rights and reasonable use will help in reducing plagiarism. Also, providing plagiarism detection software and citation tools will support the preservation of copyrights and intellectual property.

Access, organize and communicate: the strategic use of browser plugins in libraries

PurposeThe present study demonstrates how browser plugins have been adopted by libraries in recent times to empower users in participatory academic and research activities. The study aims to present a brief synthesis of the practical use of browser plugins in libraries and their possible future use.Design/methodology/approachWeb-based survey method was applied in the study to search and find browser plugins associated with academic library websites and to explore their area of application.FindingsWith the descriptive account of the implementation of plugins in academic libraries, supported by numerous examples, the study presents the pertinence of various approaches as appeared on library websites.Research limitations/implicationsThe present investigation is limited to the academic libraries only.Originality/valueThe good practices enumerated in the study will improve the understanding of the young library professionals about the practical usage of plugins and the steps to enhance accessibility to plugins.

Maximizing coverage, reducing time: a usability evaluation method for web-based library systems

The usability of a Web Based Library System (WBLS) is an important quality attribute that must be met in order for the intended users to be satisfied. These usability quality attributes are available in two forms: general to web systems and domain-specific. It must be evaluated through some evaluation method such as checklist. Many evaluation checklists have been proposed, although they mostly facilitate the evaluation of WBLS’s general usability aspects, but they lack in covering domain-specific usability aspects of WBLS. There is a need to define domain specific usability aspects to maximize the usability for such systems. The purpose of this research is to develop and validates a usability evaluation checklist that supports the evaluation of general as well as specific usability aspects of WBLS. To accomplish this, a control experiment was conducted in the first phase with undergraduate students to develop a usability evaluation checklist that includes both general and specific usability aspects. Another controlled experiment will be used in the second phase to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed checklist with the existing checklist as "Academic Library Website Evaluation Checklist". The manual and statistical result shows that, the proposed usability evaluation checklist is effective with maximum coverage of general and specific usability aspects. Furthermore, the proposed checklist is equally efficient while identifying the usability errors in WBLS. The proposed checklist is beneficial for the academia as well as industry to evaluate the usability of WBLS to an optimal level.

Relevancy of Academic Library Website in Research Support for Researchers: A Quantitative Analysis of Central University Library Websites in North India

Academic libraries have been impacted by online learning environments in every aspect of their services. Both oncampus and distance learners have benefited from academic libraries’ use of information technology for providing access to resources and services on libraries websites. The importance of research support cannot be undermined in the journey of research. Researchers need a ladder in the form of research help to reach the completion of their research easily. University libraries do provide research support in the form of resources to their researchers but, the role of library websites cannot be challenged. It has an ample potential in this area to help researchers in making them aware of resources available for research support. Many academic library websites have dedicated section for research help and research support. This study intends to explore and quantitatively analyses research support available on the academic library website in India. Result of this study has shown that there was good visibility of research support on central university library websites in providing research support to researchers on library websites in North India. It was found that the library website at JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) provides good research support for researchers. All central university library websites are providing online resources and services to their research community markedly.

Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) Academic Library Websites A webometric analysis of academic libraries participating in the FDLP

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the website content of academic libraries participating as selective depositories in the FDLP to examine legal compliance and accessibility to electronic government information.

Construction of Classification Model of Academic Library Websites in Jiangsu Based on Decision Tree Algorithm and Link Analysis Method

Construction of Classification Model of Academic Library Websites in Jiangsu Based on Decision Tree Algorithm and Link Analysis Method

Organizing workflows of academic libraries with online digital educational resources

Accommodating lists of links to recommended online educational resources on the academic library websites is discussed. The author concludes that that is not quite efficient as it could be, as qualitatively heterogeneous resources often unadapted for learning purposes are included; their titles are complex, unintelligible, and elusive; or oriented toward different groups of users. The authors suggest to develop: methods to annotate and critically evaluate resource contents, to select resources efficiently so they meet user information needs; classification scheme to differentiate online educational resources by stage and field of study, and prospectively – by larger professional groups. It might be also helpful to design end-to-end navigator of resources suggestible for academic libraries and learning in every code of professional training field.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statements on Academic Library Websites

Post-secondary education in the 21st century United States is rapidly diversifying, and institutions’ online offerings and presence are increasingly significant. Academic libraries have an established history of offering virtual services and providing online resources for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. In addition to these services and resources, information on academic library websites can contribute to an institution’s demonstration of value placed on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This article analyzes the DEI statements of a library consortium’s member websites to explore how these statements contribute to institutional construction of, and commitment to, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Descriptive analysis revealed 12 of 16 member libraries had explicitly labeled DEI statements in November 2020, with an additional member updating their website to include such a statement in early 2021. Content analysis examined how the existing statements contributed to institutional value of and commitment to DEI, and multi-modal theory explored the communicative aspects of DEI statement content. Analysis revealed vague conceptualizations of diversity and library-centered language in DEI statements, while a subset of statements employed anti-racist and social justice language to position the library as an active agent for social change. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.