Access To Library Research Articles

Library Accessibility for People on the Autism Spectrum

Library Accessibility for People on the Autism Spectrum

Socio-Demographical Variables as Predictors of Academic Self-Directedness

This study explores whether a range of socio-demographical factors predict adult learner self-directedness in the context of South African open and distance e-learning higher education (ODeLHE). We observe significant differences between socio-demographical groups in the sub-dimensions of the Adult Learner Self-Directedness Scale. The study advances a theory on adult learner self-directedness in ODeLHE contexts. Educators should consider learners’ support practices, particularly in the cases of women, Black Africans, and younger cohorts. ODeLHE practices should also consider learners’ high school grades and proficiency in English, their library access, number of modules they are enrolled in, and who they support financially as factors influencing their level of self-directedness. Such considerations can be used to address the need for the translation of knowledge into policies and activities that improve educational opportunities for students.

ABLS Library of the State Library of North Carolina

The Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) Library of the State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) is a unique resource that caters to the needs of persons with a visual or print disability. Strategically located in Raleigh, North Carolina, it is a convenient hub for library professionals, including those from academic, public, school, and private libraries. The ABLS stands out for its diverse range of services, a wealth of information, and robust network, all used to assist and engage persons with visual and print disabilities.

Latvian Research Libraries from the 1980s to the Present

Abstract This article explores the evolution of Latvia’s leading research libraries from the final decade of Soviet occupation to the present day. After the Soviet time, libraries have undergone great changes and have become modern, multifunctional cultural, educational, and research centres responding to the needs and expectations of society. The article focuses on the National Library of Latvia, centre of the Latvian library system since its foundation in 1919. The State Unified Library Information System has modernised the entire network of publicly accessible libraries. Twelve major libraries have been involved in developing the electronic catalogue. Work on the Latvian National Digital Library has been ongoing since 2006. The Latvian Government’s decision in 2002 to build a new National Library (opened in 2014) has also spurred on the renovation or construction of many other libraries in Latvia.

A Comprehensive Compilation of Spectral Libraries for Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHC) Encompassing VNIR-SWIR-TIR Ranges

Remote detection and mapping of surface materials using optical sensors relies predominantly on analyzing multispectral and hyperspectral imagery employing classification algorithms. The classification process involves comparing the spectra of individual pixels within the image to spectra from reference databases, commonly referred to as spectral libraries. Here, we introduce a comprehensive compilation of spectral libraries specifically tailored for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC), meticulously crafted under controlled laboratory conditions. This compilation includes reference spectral libraries for various PHC forms, including crude oils, mineral substrate-PHC mixtures (comprising crude oils and fuels), oil-film on water, and oil-water emulsions. Data collection was conducted within the visible, near, and shortwave IR (VNIR-SWIR – 0.35–2.5 µm) spectra and thermal IR (TIR – 3–15 µm) range. The openly accessible spectral libraries presented herein support the scientific community and industry in characterizing field samples or spectral data from onshore and offshore sites. Furthermore, these libraries are instrumental in developing and applying classification algorithms designed for processing spectral images captured by cameras coupled to multiple platforms (e.g., tripods, drones, airborne, orbital satellites).

Assessing the accessibility of digital libraries for individuals with digital libraries

Assessing the accessibility of digital libraries for individuals with digital libraries

Exploring the Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Higher Education Students’ Utilization of Library Resources

In the field of higher education, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has become a revolutionary influence, shaping how students access and use library resources. This study explores the intricate balance of both positive and negative effects that GenAI might have on the academic library experience for higher education (HE) students. The key aspects of enhanced discovery and retrieval, personalization and engagement, streamlined research processes, and digital literacy and information evaluation potentially offered through using generative AI will be considered. These prospective advantages to HE students offered by using GenAI will be examined through will be examined through the theoretical framework of the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) introduced by Davis et al. in 1986, which suggests that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are key factors in determining user acceptance and utilization of technology. The adoption of GenAI by higher education students will be analyzed from this viewpoint before assessing its impact on their use of library resources.

Bridging the gap: challenges and opportunities of assistive technology loan library systems for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the United States

Purpose In an increasingly technology-driven world, this study explores the accessibility of assistive technology for individuals with intellectual disabilities through assistive technology loan libraries. Assistive technology refers to devices or systems that enhance the ability of individuals with and without disabilities to function and undertake activities of daily living. Materials and methods The study, grounded in the Social Determinants of Health framework, employed multiple methods including both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) methods, involving 19 participants comprising assistive technology professionals and users. Results Key findings from the study underscore the pivotal role of assistive technology loan libraries, which lend various assistive devices to individuals, enabling them to try these technologies before making a long-term commitment. However, challenges, such as a restricted variety of devices and extended waiting periods for access were highlighted. The research points to a need for improved training for both staff at the loan libraries and the users of the technology. It also suggests that policy enhancements are required to better align with rapid technological advancements and address the uneven regional distribution of these technologies. Conclusions Participants in the study highlighted the importance of expanding the range of assistive devices available in these libraries and improving the efficiency of the service they provide. The study advocates for targeted efforts to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of assistive technology loan libraries, highlighting their critical role in empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A Content Analysis of Health Library Support for Australian Medical Training Programs

ABSTRACT Health libraries play a critical role in supporting medical training in Australia. Accreditation is an important means of ensuring a program of study and the education provider suitably equips trainees with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to practice in the profession. This study identifies a lack of consistency and specificity in Australian medical colleges accreditation requirements as they pertain to health libraries. The recommended accreditation standard developed in this study provides a benchmark for training providers that will ensure consistency of access to high-quality library collections, services and spaces for all medical trainees. Accreditation standards from 52 medical colleges and associations supporting Australian medical training programs were reviewed. Information extracted from accreditation documents was entered into a working text spreadsheet. Data was organized under three key categories: Collections, Services and Space. Additional categories were added to record the use of the noun Library and expectations for journal access. A data extraction tool was created in Microsoft Excel to note the requirements of each provider for libraries and collections, services and spaces. The results of the content analysis highlight a lack of consistency in accreditation providers’ expectations for library collections, services and spaces. Most providers (87% n = 45) required host organizations to provide access to collections. Requirements for library space were mandated by 54% of providers (n = 28). Less than 50% of providers (n = 22) specified library services as requirements. This content analysis highlights the role of health libraries in supporting medical education, research and evidence-based practice. It also reinforces the need for improved specificity, consistency and clarity in accreditation requirements for health libraries in post-graduate medical training. The recommended benchmark accreditation standard developed in this study is a step toward addressing these issues and ensuring equity of access to library services and facilities for all medical trainees in Australia.

OCR has concerns with library's accessibility

OCR has concerns with library's accessibility

Comprehensive immune cell spectral library for large-scale human primary T, B, and NK cell proteomics

Although proteomics is extensively used in immune research, there is currently no publicly accessible spectral assay library for the comprehensive proteome of immune cells. This study generated spectral assay libraries for five human immune cell lines and four primary immune cells: CD4 T, CD8 T, natural killer (NK) cells, and B cells. This was achieved by utilizing data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and employing fractionated samples from over 100 µg of proteins, which was applied to acquire the highest-quality MS/MS spectral data. In addition, Data-indedendent acquisition (DIA) was used to obtain sufficient data points for analyzing proteins from 10,000 primary CD4 T, CD8 T, NK, and B cells. The immune cell spectral assay library generated included 10,544 protein groups and 127,106 peptides. The proteomic profiles of 10,000 primary human immune cells obtained from 15 healthy volunteers analyzed using DIA revealed the highest heterogeneity of B cells among other immune cell types and the similarity between CD4 T and CD8 T cells. All data and spectral library are deposited in ProteomeXchange (PXD047742).

The IMS Library: from IN-Stock to Virtual.

A chemical library is a key element in the early stages of pharmaceutical research. Its design encompasses various factors, such as diversity, size, ease of synthesis, aimed at increasing the likelihood of success in drug discovery. This article explores the collaborative efforts of computational and synthetic chemists in tailoring chemical libraries for cost-effective and resource-efficient use, particularly in the context of academic research projects. It proposes chemoinformatics methodologies that address two pivotal questions: first, crafting a diverse panel of under 1000 compounds from an existing pool through synthetic efforts, leveraging the expertise of organic chemists; and second, expanding pharmacophoric diversity within this panel by creating a highly accessible virtual chemical library. Chemoinformatics tools were developed to analyse initial panel of about 10,000 compounds into two tailored libraries: eIMS and vIMS. The eIMS Library comprises 578 diverse in-stock compounds ready for screening. Its virtual counterpart, vIMS, features novel compounds guided by chemists, ensuring synthetic accessibility. vIMS offers a broader array of binding motifs and improved drug-like characteristics achieved through the addition of diverse functional groups to eIMS scaffolds followed by filtering of reactive or unusual structures. The uniqueness of vIMS is emphasized through a comparison with commercial suppliers' virtual chemical space.

Access, restrictions, and readership in early modern parish libraries

Access, restrictions, and readership in early modern parish libraries

Library Service Usage, Barriers, and Strategies to Enhance Patronage Among Working Students

This study aimed to investigate the challenges faced by working students in patronizing library services in Nigeria and to propose tailored solutions to enhance their patronage. A descriptive survey research design was used to collect data from 110 working undergraduate students, which was then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that busy job schedules, limited time on campus, and the fact that they mainly come to the campus for lectures are the primary reasons why working students rarely patronize the library. However, most of them expressed the need for library access tailored to their unique needs, which includes remote or distance approach. The preferred methods for accessing library services among working students include selective dissemination of e-books to their emails and having librarians available on a dedicated WhatsApp number. Additionally, they indicated openness to the idea of using chatbots to respond to their library requests. The study concluded that the use of technology such as email, instant messenger, and chatbots can address the challenges hindering library patronage by working students. Thus, the study recommends that library administrators invest in developing and adopting these technologies to meet the demands of working students in Nigeria.

Evidence-based practice knowledge, attitude, practice and barriers as predictors of stay intent among Jordanian registered nurses: a cross-sectional study

AimThis study aimed to identify factors influencing stay intent among Jordanian registered nurses, with a specific focus on the role of evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge, attitudes, practices and barriers.MethodsA descriptive...

University of Cape Coast Doctoral Students’ Use of Mobile Devices to Seek Information

This qualitative study examined how University of Cape Coast doctoral students access library material using mobile devices and the assistance they receive from information professionals when searching for information. Thirty doctoral students were interviewed. The findings showed the university library offered students with a variety of information sources. Also, participants made substantial use of mobile devices in their academic pursuits. They required different types of assistance or support when searching for information. This included seeking support from colleagues and colleagues in their departments, as well as their lecturers. It is recommended that the library develop a mobile app that connects to the library’s administration system. Such an app would allow students to use their smartphones and tablets to efficiently search the library’s resources.

Breakthrough Barriers to Knowledge Sharing Using Modern Technologies in Academic Libraries in South Africa

In an increasingly globalized and knowledge-based economy, this study aimed to investigate the adoption of modern technologies for effective knowledge sharing and enhancing knowledge access in academic libraries. The study was underpinned by the organizational knowledge creation theory (OKCT) and knowledge sharing model. The findings reveal that although modern technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT) and blockchain technologies, have been seen as suitable knowledge sharing strategies by many institutions, the level of their adoption is still low in academic libraries in South Africa, especially in the area of knowledge management. Several recommendations are thus made, and among others are the improvement of technology infrastructure and the enactment of policies for promoting knowledge management and sharing.

Enhancing accessibility in STEM: a survey of accessibility errors in STEM academic databases

Academic libraries must provide accessible electronic and information technology to patrons using assistive technology to access library materials. Accessibility of scholarly material is particularly important in the STEM disciplines, where attrition rates of students with disabilities is higher than in other fields. In this study, the accessibility of STEM indexing databases was evaluated using the WAVE accessibility tool, and the frequency of errors, alerts, and features encountered during the completion of typical searching tasks for each database was noted. The use of accessibility-checking tools like WAVE can supplement other methods used to verify the accessibility of vendor-created library databases.

Exploring Collaborative Practices: A Survey of Library Cooperation within University Networks

The University library is considered the heart of the educational system.Collaboration among university libraries is essential to fulfill the users'information needs. The current study is designed to examine areas of librarycooperation between the central library and departmental libraries within theuniversity domain. Benefits, obstacles, and preferences for library cooperationhave also been explored. A quantitative research methodology was adopted toexecute the study. A questionnaire was used as a data collection tool and data wascollected only from those university libraries having central and departmentallibraries. The data was collected from 110 academic librarians working in centralor departmental libraries of universities across Pakistan. The findings revealed thatlibraries within a university are frequently cooperating in many areas. The highestcooperation is in the exchange of books followed by cooperation in theclassification of books. More than half of the universities have establishedintegrated cooperation among libraries within the university. One-fifth of thelibraries have interactive relationships, and the remaining libraries have weakcooperation or no cooperation at all. Cooperation among libraries has improvedaccess to print resources, improved quality of the library services, enhanced accessto library services, and improved coordination in the acquisition of librarymaterial. Limited financial resources, lack of formal framework for librarycooperation, and lack of technology infrastructure were major obstacles faced bylibraries. Based on the study findings it is proposed that there should be anintegrated relationship among libraries for cooperation and resource sharing withinthe university domain for uniformity in services.

PENGGUNAAN APLIKASI PERPUSTAKAAN DIGITAL ISOLOKKAB LEWAT SMARTPHONE

This research is a preliminary study that aims to understand the use of the iSolokKab application in Solok Regency, West Sumatra Province. iSolokKab is a digital library available through an e-book application that can be downloaded online through the Play Store. This study aims to explore the accessibility and usability of the iSolokKab digital library in improving community knowledge, as well as identify factors that hinder its use. The data collection method involved observation and interviews with the community regarding the use of the iSolokKab application. The analysis was conducted descriptively qualitatively. The results showed that socialization related to the availability of this digital library has not been optimal, especially in the aspect of openness. In addition, assistance from library managers is needed to facilitate a better understanding of the iSolokKab application, given that there are still technical obstacles faced by users. Factors inhibiting the use of iSolokKab include internet network problems, incomplete digital collections, eye fatigue, lack of socialization, and user ignorance in solving problems when using the application. Nevertheless, iSolokKab can be accessed through common devices such as smartphones and tablets, and requires a stable internet connection. The iSolokKab digital library has great potential to improve information access and