Chinese Academic Libraries Research Articles

Quality Management in Chinese Academic Libraries: A Systematic Review

With global digital transformation and higher education evolution, academic libraries are enhancing their information and knowledge management practices. This study responds to this trend by identifying quality management (QM) models discussed and implemented in Chinese academic libraries, as well as by examining the enablers and challenges associated with QM planning and implementation. A systematic review was executed adhering to the PRISMA guidelines to critically appraise the relevant literature from five international and Chinese scholarly databases. Out of 435 initial records, 52 studies were included based on the established inclusion criteria and quality assessment benchmarks. The results revealed that Chinese academic libraries were increasingly integrating international QM models, including ISO 9000, TQM, and EFQM. This integration was driven by six enablers: four external enablers, including the introduction of QM, government support, technological advancements, and quality assessment practices; and two internal enablers, including developmental needs and cultural emphasis on educational excellence. However, these libraries also encountered six challenges in this process: three external challenges, including rapid industrial evolution, deficiency in comprehensive evaluation indicators, and rigorous ISO audits; and three internal challenges, including resistance to change, insufficiency of motivation for improvement, and inequitable distribution of resources. The findings of the current research could deepen the theoretical understanding of the enablers and challenges of QM in academic libraries from both external and internal dimensions. These findings could also support library management, higher education institution leaders, and policymakers in developing sustainable QM strategies for libraries in China and other countries.

An analysis of users’ continuous use intention of academic library social media using the WeChat public platform as an example

PurposeThis study aims to discover the factors which influence user satisfaction levels and their continuous use intention (CUI) of academic library social media, and then considers how to promote and improve further work on library social media to reduce user churn and increase user satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachAn updated DeLone and McLean information systems success (D&M ISS) model and the expectation confirmation model for information systems continuance (ECM-ISC) with new variables of emotions are used to examine the factors which influence user satisfaction levels and CUI of academic library social media through 445 questionnaires. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data and presented in tables.FindingsThe results show that information quality, system quality and emotions affect user satisfaction and CUI, and reveal that emotions can affect that most obviously.Research limitations/implicationsThe WeChat public platform is mainly used in China, so the study only focuses on Chinese academic libraries. There are still limitations on the settings of observed variables which cannot cover all the causes of users’ positive and negative emotions. In addition, although the respondents of this questionnaire can represent academic library users, 445 samples are still fairly low in contrast to the great number of academic library WeChat public platform users.Originality/valueThis study integrates ECM-ISC and D&M ISS models, adds positive and negative emotions as new variables, to broaden the application scope of these models, and demonstrates the applicability of these two models in the fields of researching academic library social media, expanding and deepening related theories above. This also provides practical reference for academic libraries on how to improve user satisfaction and CUI of academic library social media and academic library WeChat public platforms, promoting the development of academic library social media.

Modular System in Chinese Academic Library Buildings: Its Occurrence and Development

Modular System in Chinese Academic Library Buildings: Its Occurrence and Development

Research Hot Spots and Their Development Trends of Supply Chain Technology Innovation

The rapid development of supply chain technology has become a major help to the current economic development. using CiteSpace software to draw the knowledge map of authors, institutions, keywords and so on, this paper analyzes and comments on the supply chain technology research literature published in the Chinese academic network publishing library (CNKI) in China. research findings: single combat between various research institutions and scholars, lack of communication and cooperation; research hot topics are supply chain management, technological innovation, information technology, supply chain finance, internet of things, rfid technology, electronic data exchange; supply chain finance, blockchain technology, blockchain technology and big data are the main research trends of supply chain technology research.

What are the key indicators for evaluating the service satisfaction of WeChat official accounts in Chinese academic libraries?

PurposeWeChat official account (WCOA) is an emerging and important platform for academic library services, which greatly accelerates the development of this field. This article aims to identify key evaluation indicators for users' satisfaction of the Academic Library WeChat Official Account (ALWCOA) as a reference for future improvements.Design/methodology/approachBased on the updated DeLone and McLean (D&M)’s model and Delphi method, an evaluation system of ALWCOA satisfaction was constructed. Then 212 university students were recruited to fill out a questionnaire on evaluation indicators. The grey relational analysis (GRA) and Pareto's principle were employed to analyze the questionnaire and select key evaluation indicators.FindingsAn ALWCOA service satisfaction evaluation system with three evaluation dimensions and 15 evaluation indicators was constructed, and three key evaluation indicators were identified, including service responsiveness, information timeliness and system security.Practical implicationsThis article provides a strategy for assessing ALWCOA service satisfaction, as well as insights for improving of ALWCOA service. Specifically, academic libraries should pay more attention to improving service responsiveness, information timeliness and system security.Originality/valueThis article innovatively applied the updated D&M model in academic library service. Additionally, it facilitates the development of research fields, such as academic library services, microservices and user service evaluation, and provides a case study to better understand the WCOA.

Recent advances of information literacy education for international students in Chinese academic libraries

The author of this paper investigates the recent advances of information literacy education for international students at academic libraries in China. The author carried out a questionnaire survey through the Questionnaire Star platform from April 2019 to July 2020 among 152 librarians from 117 university libraries in different parts of China, including 35 librarians from the universities which participate in the country's construction plan of world-class universities and world-class disciplines. Moreover, another questionnaire survey on library information literacy education for international students was conducted among 35 international students in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Through analysis and discussion of the survey results, the research studies the overall status and existing problems of information literacy education for international students in Chinese academic libraries, and offers suggestions for the improvement of international students' information literacy education in the future.

How do first-year students perceive learning support services in Chinese university libraries?

There are many studies on the learning support services of university libraries, but there are few on the first-year students’ perception of learning support services in Chinese university libraries. As a special user group, first-year students are in a transition period of learning modes and have special perceptions on learning support services of university library. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perception of first-year students on the learning support services of Chinese academic libraries, by adopting questionnaire survey method. Three hundred and fifty-two valid questionnaires were collected. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse numeric data. The results show that the information needs of first-year students in Chinese university libraries can be divided into two types. The university library can meet the information needs of first-year students through venue visits and welcoming activities for first-year students. At present, first-year students are satisfied with the service projects of university libraries in China, but the learning support services of university libraries still have some problems, such as weak publicity, lack of experience sense, and lack of rich form and content of service. This study provides support for librarians and managers in university libraries to develop strategies for improving first-year students’ satisfaction with learning support services.

Material penalty or psychological penalty? The motherhood penalty in academic libraries in China

Wage differences and career development limitations faced by working mothers are often termed the motherhood penalty. However, little is known about the nature or extent of such penalty in Chinese academic libraries in the wake of rapid economic and social changes. Using a sample of 450 respondents from Chinese academic libraries, this study applies quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the penalties faced by mothers working as librarians. The results showed that mother librarians faced penalties not in terms of salary or professional title, but in terms of work-family balance and overall happiness. This study revealed a “hidden” psychological penalty that should be given more attention in the future.

Knowledge Mapping of Grassroots Consultative Democracy Research in China (2004-2020) – Bibliometric Analysis Based on CNKI Database

Since 2003, the term "consultative democracy" has received more and more attention from Chinese scholars, and more research results have been formed. In general, these documents lack the analysis of the research stage and research hotspots in this field. Therefore, this article uses the Chinese Academic Journals Network Publishing Library (CNKI) as the data source, and uses the common word analysis and cluster analysis methods in the CiteSpace software to analyze 500 Chinese core journals in the field of grassroots deliberative democracy in my country from 2004 to June 2020. The literature conducts a text quantitative analysis. The study found that the research hotspots of grassroots deliberative democracy in our country focused on Chinese characteristics, party leadership, national governance and political consultation. Compared with capitalist democracy, socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics is a comprehensive, extensive and true democracy, and the realization of democratization at the grassroots level is the unity of electoral democracy and deliberative democracy. Based on the above research results, the following suggestions are proposed: focus on improving the ability of grassroots masses to consult democracy; in the context of the new era, broaden the development path of grassroots consultative democracy.

Research Data Management Implementation at Peking University Library: Foster and Promote Open Science and Open Data

Research Data Management (RDM) has become increasingly important for more and more academic institutions. Using the Peking University Open Research Data Repository (PKU-ORDR) project as an example, this paper will review a library-based university-wide open research data repository project and related RDM services implementation process including project kickoff, needs assessment, partnerships establishment, software investigation and selection, software customization, as well as data curation services and training. Through the review, some issues revealed during the stages of the implementation process are also discussed and addressed in the paper such as awareness of research data, demands from data providers and users, data policies and requirements from home institution, requirements from funding agencies and publishers, the collaboration between administrative units and libraries, and concerns from data providers and users. The significance of the study is that the paper shows an example of creating an Open Data repository and RDM services for other Chinese academic libraries planning to implement their RDM services for their home institutions. The authors of the paper have also observed since the PKU-ORDR and RDM services implemented in 2015, the Peking University Library (PKUL) has helped numerous researchers to support the entire research life cycle and enhanced Open Science (OS) practices on campus, as well as impacted the national OS movement in China through various national events and activities hosted by the PKUL.

WeChat Mobile Library Service in Chinese Academic Libraries

This paper introduces the WeChat mobile library service programme at Shanghai University Library and identifies problems and resolutions by reviewing the development process and experience and user feedback. A case study was conducted, and user feedback from a web survey was analysed to identify the programme's problems. Accordingly, recommendations and resolutions were developed. The author discovers that a WeChat account is crucial as an interaction platform between libraries and patrons, particularly on mobile devices. Patrons prefer to receive library services via WeChat rather than other channels. Their favourite features include online public access catalogue (OPAC), my library, and study facility availability. Libraries should conduct regular assessments to understand patrons' feedback or requests and make timely adjustments accordingly. The web survey and its data are novel in this area and provide a credible example to optimize WeChat library services.

The provision of patron services in Chinese academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the measures employed in the provision of patron services in Chinese academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the challenges and issues inherent in providing substantial services while undergoing a public health emergency.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses an analytical survey study of 137 Chinese academic libraries using data collected through a combination of website investigation, social media access and direct correspondences.FindingsOver 94% of Chinese academic libraries released COVID-19-related information through their websites; the majority switched their service focus to partly or solely remotely online, including remote access, free electronic resources, virtual references reachable 24/7 and research support services deliverable online; services of print materials were altered to e-books for conveniences.Research limitations/implicationsIt should be noted that the survey was conducted from February 12 to April 5, 2020; because of the rapid updates to the library's website and social media channels, the status of their patron services are in the process of dynamic changes and that there should be many libraries that have adopted some patron service methods, but this study is difficult to cover comprehensively. In addition, patron services carried out offline by the surveyed libraries but not disclosed on the online platform could not be analyzed in a way that would be consistent with the data provided by the survey.Originality/valueBy providing evidence of the current status of patron services in Chinese academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study helps fulfill the scant empirical attention given to the impact of nationwide public health crises on academic libraries and offers new data of the best practices that help library administrators enhance the impact, efficiency and value of library services to their target community users.

Understanding information-seeking behavior of international students in chinese academic libraries

Understanding information-seeking behavior of international students in chinese academic libraries

Chinese Academic Library Research Evaluation Services

A web content analysis and case study were employed to analyze the research evaluation service practices and activities in 12 Chinese academic libraries – Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, Tongji University, Zhejiang University, Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shandong Normal University, and Donghua University. Specifically, the following aspects were examined: names of the services, service type, user training, support platforms, staffing, partnerships, marketing, and publicity and the time when the services were developed. The study found that a majority of Chinese academic libraries engaged in a variety of research evaluation service activities from article/journal/author assessments to patent assessments. Most research evaluation services were expanding from basic services such as citation searches, sci-tech novelty searches, and scholarly output statistical analyses to higher level services such as subject evaluations, subject/field trend analyses, and talent evaluations. Consequently, the user training, support platforms, staffing, partnerships, and marketing and publicity related to research evaluation services are increasing. The study also found that research evaluation services in Chinese academic libraries are based mainly on bibliometrics, and many of the services are being gradually automated and service management is being gradually standardized and institutionalized, while service effectiveness is gradually moving towards productization and specialization. However, these services do not yet extend to all aspects of the research impact cycle. Recommendations from the study include: incorporating new metrics and new types of research output into the current research evaluation systems; using unique author identifier profile systems to link research evaluation data systems and constructing a research impact cycle-oriented service system.

Author–Subject–Topic model for reviewer recommendation

Interdisciplinary studies are becoming increasingly popular, and research domains of many experts are becoming diverse. This phenomenon brings difficulty in recommending experts to review interdisciplinary submissions. In this study, an Author–Subject–Topic (AST) model is proposed with two versions. In the model, reviewers’ subject information is embedded to analyse topic distributions of submissions and reviewers’ publications. The major difference between the AST and Author–Topic models lies in the introduction of a ‘Subject’ layer, which supervises the generation of hierarchical topics and allows sharing of subjects among authors. To evaluate the performance of the AST model, papers in Information System and Management (a typical interdisciplinary domain) in a famous Chinese academic library are investigated. Comparative experiments are conducted, which show the effectiveness of the AST model in topic distribution analysis and reviewer recommendation for interdisciplinary studies.

DRAA e-resources usage statistics services in China: research and practice

Purpose This paper aims to share some experiences and practical activities related to the use and management of usage data in the Digital Resource Acquisition Alliance of Chinese Academic Libraries (DRAA) as a reference for library consortia engaged in providing usage statistics services of e-resources to member libraries. Design/methodology/approach A literature review and online survey are used to analyze the research and practice of e-resources usage statistics conducted internationally. The case of DRAA is introduced to present how DRAA develops usage statistics services and promotes the implementation of the Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI) to deliver usage statistics to member libraries. Future developments and enhancements are also described. Findings The main actions taken by DRAA to develop usage statistics services are as follows: development of the DRAA Usage Statistics Portal to provide a single point of access to usage statistics from participating publishers on behalf of member libraries; development of a SUSHI client, taking the lead in promoting SUSHI implementation to automatically obtain usage statistics in Chinese academic libraries; establishment of a working group on usage statistics and the China Academic Library and Information System/DRAA Standards and Recommended Practices Research Task Group to form a long-term mechanism for monitoring and gathering usage statistics; and strengthening of the understanding and application of standards and best practices for libraries and vendors in China. Scheduled enhancements in the future include a deep analysis and utilization of usage statistics, the promotion of Counting Online Usage of NeTworked Electronic Resources and SUSHI to Chinese academic resource publishers and raising awareness about normalizing usage statistics. Originality/value This paper has pertinence and wider implications for library consortia engaged in providing e-resources usage statistics services to member libraries.

An Analysis of Research Trends on Data Mining in Chinese Academic Libraries

With the advent of the era of big data, massive data make the informationization work of academic libraries severely challenging in all aspects. The application of data mining technology to the various services of academic libraries to cope with this challenge has gradually become the mainstream trend. In order to better detect the overall trends and research hot spots of data mining in Chinese academic libraries, 329 related studies were extracted from CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and analyzed by using bibliometrics and keyword network analyses. Bibliometrics was used to analyze the distribution of the overall trends, authors, institutions, research levels, and keywords in the related field. Cluster analysis was applied to the keyword co-occurrence network to show hot issues in the application research of data mining in Chinese academic libraries. Results indicate that findings in this area generally show an upward trend, but few high-yielding authors are found, the volume of journals is low, research institutions are scattered, and the rate of funding support is not high. At the method level, association rules and cluster analysis are hot data mining technologies in Chinese academic library research. At the application level, the fields related to personalized services and big data continue to be hot research areas.

The state of circulation policies and practices in Chinese academic libraries

The circulation service is an important, traditional library service. Circulation policies are the rules that govern borrowing and renewing materials and the penalties for overdue, lost, or damaged items. Some studies have reported the circulation policies of major academic libraries; however, literature documenting the borrowing privileges of Chinese libraries is scant and does not fully disclose its current characteristics and status. This study aims to investigate and explore the status, features, and patterns of circulation policies employed in the top 46 Chinese university libraries. The results indicated that circulation practices vary among libraries but common trends exist, including lengthened checkout and renewal period or unlimited borrowing length, increased number of items and no overdue fines or blocks on accounts until items are returned, or volunteer service, or online examination of library rules and regulation, or establishment of amnesty days regarding overdue procedures. Along with adding to the Chinese academic library services research field, these findings provide valuable directions for library policy improvements.

Embedding library services in research stages: Chinese subject service and the research lifecycle model

Through in-depth interviews, we analyzed user needs at different stages of scientific research, and constructed a library service model that can be practically integrated into all research stages. This article highlights the subject service model in use in Chinese academic libraries and demonstrates how it can work to support researchers across the research life-cycle.

A clickstream data analysis of Chinese academic library OPAC users' information behavior

Chinese academic libraries have been devoting great effort into introducing next-generation online public access catalogs (OPACs) in order to provide a better user experience. However, there is a lack of empirical research on their usage. In this study, a transaction log file from a typical next-generation OPAC, the Wuhan University Library OPAC, formed the basis for an investigation of users' information behavior, using a clickstream data analysis framework. The 26,732,368 clickstream records in the original log file were cleaned, parsed, coded, then analyzed at the footprint, movement, and pathway levels. The results showed that the users relied heavily on the single-box simple search interface, seldom involved themselves in an exploratory search process, and preferred page navigation over search refinement when interacting with search results. The OPAC was used as a lookup tool to locate known academic resources and as a personal information management tool to utilize basic library services, instead of as a discovery tool as intended.