Chinese University Libraries Research Articles

Gender Disparities in Book Circulation at a Chinese University Library (2012–2022)

The study explores the significance of gender differences in higher education, using book circulation data from Nanjing Normal University libraries between 2012 and 2022. It aims to analyze gender disparities and calculate the mathematical characteristics of gender prediction probability using the ANN model. The time-series ARIMA model also forecasts the average number of books that male and female teachers and teacher candidates are expected to borrow and renew in the next three years. The findings indicate that men tend to be more focused and persistent readers despite women having a more extensive network of book borrowing ties. Male graduate students and faculty members demonstrate significantly greater individual variability in book renewals than their female counterparts. Additionally, the maximum value of book renewals for male graduate students and male faculty members is notably higher than that of female graduate students and female faculty members. Book renewal frequency is a crucial factor in ANN gender prediction. On average, male readers incur higher overdue fines than female readers, and the overdue fines for both genders during the COVID-19 pandemic were considerably higher than usual. The actual monthly average renewal rates in 2022 exhibited significant fluctuations across genders and academic statuses, highlighting the limitations of the ARIMA model and other factors influencing renewal rates.

Building an Age-friendly Digital Service System for Chinese University Libraries

As the aging process accelerates and information technology rapidly advances, the differences between the elderly and the digital society are becoming more pronounced. This highlights the need to bridge the digital divide and improve the quality of life for older people. University libraries play an important role in this. This study builds on the successful implementation of the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) digital capabilities framework in the United Kingdom (UK) to inform the design of digital services for Chinese University libraries. To improve these outcomes, university libraries need to prioritize three key areas: establishing a comprehensive strategic plan, developing a collaborative learning ecosystem, and innovative digital tools stirring together. Subsequent research will examine the efficacy of this system in a variety of settings and explore strategies for optimizing its visibility and effectiveness.

The impact of organizational politics on work engagement-the mediating role of the doctrine of the mean.

Events Theory posits that the perception of organizational politics affects job attitudes. The purpose of this study was to answer the question: does organizational politics have a similar impact on Chinese individuals who adhere to the doctrine of the mean? We collected survey data from 3,059 library personnel in 36 Chinese university libraries and conducted analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The results showed that the perception of organizational politics reduces employee work engagement. However, this impact exhibits heterogeneity. For newly recruited employees and employees aged 50 and above who are nearing retirement, the impact of organizational politics on work engagement is relatively small. Conversely, for employees aged 30-50, organizational politics has a significant negative impact. Furthermore, the doctrine of the mean moderates the impact of organizational politics on work engagement, mitigating its negative effects. The conclusions offer new insights into enhancing employee work motivation. The library should take more measures to safeguard employee rights to enhance work motivation.

Understanding the role of ceremonial activities in fostering organizational identification in Chinese university libraries

This study investigated the relationship between Ceremonial Activities and Organizational Identification among librarians in a university library and the associated influencing factors in China. Data were gathered through interviews, and 30 librarians in Chinese university libraries were selected as participants for in-depth interviews to identify the role of ceremonial activities and the organizational identification of university libraries. The study findings contribute to a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between ceremonial activities and organizational identification among librarians in a university library and reveal three main factors of ceremonial activities that influenced librarians' organizational identification of Chinese University Libraries: Symbols of ceremonial activities–self-identification, landscape of ceremonial activities–Library Identification, Procedure of ceremonial activities–Value Identification. These results provide valuable insights for research on the management of ceremonial library activities.

Investigation and analysis of university library organizational climate in China

This paper investigates and analyzes the organizational climate of Chinese university libraries to provide references for library management decision-making. Using the Chinese Library Organizational Climate Scale, a survey study was conducted among 1054 librarians nationwide and 438 librarians from 11 university libraries in Jiangsu Province of China. The results show that the job satisfaction of university librarians in China is low; the weaknesses of the management are mainly concentrated in the two areas of Climate for Management Justice and Climate for Staff Support; the Climate for Innovation has begun to be valued by the leadership of libraries, but it lacks effective policies and support systems; Interpersonal Harmony and Employees' Sense of Responsibility are the two aspects that perform well.

COVID-19 impact on the Chinese top academic libraries: Libraries' response to space, collection and services

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was a major public health emergency on a global scale. The literature regarding the pandemic and its impact on academic libraries is still rising. This article examines the two-year process of developing a flexible service scenario and the broader picture by analyzing data on Chinese top university libraries' programmes and outreach initiatives prior to, during, and the normal COVID-19 pandemic (Sept. 2019–Sept. 2021). COVID-19 is found to have a significant impact on the physical space, collection development, and service of the library, demonstrating the characteristics of space access restricted by security measures, collection digitization, and online service. This research also examines the previous year's initiatives and programmes and discusses the next phase of “new normal” procedures. Hopefully, this study will give insight on how Chinese libraries responded to the recent pandemic, informing libraries' outreach and efforts to be better prepared to take imperative, swift, and decisive action in the post-COVID-19 era and beyond.

Study on the Present Situation and Optimization Path of Gamification Design in Chinese University Libraries

In this paper, 137 “First-class universities” and “First-class discipline” construction universities in China are selected as the objects of investigation to analyzes the present situation and characteristics of the game design of University Library in China. Taking the university library in other countries as the reference object, this paper compares the differences of the game design of University Library in China and other countries, sums up the deficiency of the gamification service practice in Chinese university libraries. At last, this paper proposes an optimization path of the gamification design of Chinese University Library from six aspects of game type, game service object, game interactive mode, game application, game development and game play-ability.

Research on Service Innovation of University Library under the Background of Informatization

As an important place for knowledge dissemination in the information age, university libraries should be guided by users' needs, rely on information construction, and make in-depth development and utilization of collection resources to adapt to the rapid development of information and the constant changes of social needs. In this case, in order to improve their own management level and service quality, Chinese university libraries must keep up with the development trend of the times, incorporate Internet information technology into library management in the information age, innovate service models, and take the characteristics of libraries in the information age as the basis for the reform and innovation of library service models. This paper lists the characteristics of university libraries in the information age, innovative strategies of university libraries' management mode in the information age, and the creation of university libraries' service mode, and constantly innovates service concepts, service forms and means, and information resource sharing methods.

Personalized Service for University Library Users Based on Data Tracking

This paper discusses the personalized service processing methods of university libraries, and proposes implementation methods, demand analysis and personalized service forms for university libraries based on data tracking technology. This paper uses big data behavior tracking and other technologies to analyze and track the user behavior information of user groups in Chinese university libraries through the Internet, find the points of interest to users, and then make point-to-point service recommendation. Through the investigation and analysis of a large number of library user demand data, personalized services are provided from the aspects of library personalized reading, book classification recommendation, personalized book evaluation technology design, etc. The construction of the reading service platform plays a positive role in demonstration and guidance.

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.

Intellectual property information services and the impacts on academic libraries’ transformation from the perspective of Chinese university libraries

Approximately 100 Intellectual Property Information Services Centres have been established in Chinese university libraries, more than 80% of them since 2017. The context of this boom in Intellectual Property Information Services Centres is the rapidly increasing number of patent applications in China, as well as an unacceptably low transfer ratio. Do Intellectual Property Information Services Centres represent a promising direction for university library transformation? This is the central issue addressed in this article. The characteristics of the Chinese evolutionary path and driving forces are discussed, and distinctive intellectual property information service practices are studied and summarized. Comparisons are made with the USA, the UK, Europe and India. With Intellectual Property Information Services Centres, university libraries can evolve from information providers to innovation catalysts, and establish closer connections between universities, communities and industries. The impacts of Intellectual Property Information Services Centres on university librarianship are multifaceted. The trends and challenges of intellectual property information services are also discussed in the article.

Mobile phone library service: seat management system based on WeChat

PurposeThis paper proposes a systematic method to manage students to use limited seat resources in Chinese university libraries, with the aid of mobile phone app, at the same time, its use is being investigated.Design/methodology/approachUse mixed research methods, quantitative and qualitative research. Through observation, questionnaire and interview to achieve research purpose. The survey was conducted in the library of Nanjing agricultural university.FindingsThe result shows system can offer convenient, accurate, more personalized, mobility service to each user. Actual average seat usage rate is over 51.7% in a day, most of users are satisfied with the seat management system, students' satisfaction degree are 94.8%. It is also an extension of mobile phone library service.Originality/valueSeat management system innovate traditional people-oriented service mode of study room into smart, readers can browse usage information of seats anytime and anywhere, get what they want, service become fast and convenient. In period of COVID-19, the seat system also plays an important role, it is easy for librarians to control the number of students to enter, the trajectory of readers in the library can be tracked and the possible epidemic risk can be accurately prevented and controlled.

Research Data Management Policy and Practice in China


 On April 2, 2018, the State Council of China formally released a national research data management (RDM) policy “Measures for Managing Scientific Data”. Literature review shows that university libraries have played an important role in supporting Research Data Management at an institutional level in countries in North America, Europe and Australasia. The aim of this paper is to capture the current status of RDM in Chinese universities, in particular how university libraries have involved in taking the agenda forward.
 This paper uses mixed methods: a website analysis of university policies and services; a questionnaire for university librarians; and semi-structured interviews. Findings from website analysis and questionnaires indicate that RDS at a local level in Chinese Universities are in their infancy. On the whole there is more evidence of activity in developing data repositories than support services. Despite the existence of a national policy there remain significant barriers to further service development, such as the lag in the creation of local policy, insufficient funding for technical infrastructure, shortages of staff skills in data curation, and language barriers to international data sharing and open science. RDS in Chinese university libraries are still lagging behind the English-speaking countries and Europe.

New Knowledge Services for Grey Literature: Innovative Ways to Improve Our Services in China

ABSTRACT How to get deeper knowledge from the grey literature and other numerous resources is more and more important. To support the scholars or scientists efficiently, new knowledge service appears in the ranks of library services with a new look, and highlights its increasingly important role. Despite an emerging picture worldwide, a lack of published research or library practices has made it difficult to gain an accurate overview of new knowledge services to support researching on grey literature in China. This paper aims to introduce new knowledge services for grey literature in China, and finally show a comprehensive framework of new knowledge services in China for librarians around the world. This paper introduces the knowledge services for grey literature in Chinese literature and the homepages of Chinese University libraries by using the method of document analysis and homepage research. This paper points out that research data services, knowledge sharing services, academic publishing consulting services, knowledge service librarians, information literacy services are important themes of knowledge services. We find that all of these types of services are provided by the Peking University library. All these prove that the Peking University library can be regarded as an excellent knowledge service provider. Our findings highlight a range of creative library programs that will assist librarians in improving knowledge services for grey literature. This paper will be of interest to public and school libraries around the world. The paper will also provide systematic review that is readily available for professionals and academician.

The Evolution and Approaches of Information Analysis Service of University Libraries in China

ABSTRACT The role of reference and information service has been redefined in some Chinese university libraries. In these libraries the focus of reference and information service has transformed into information analysis. University libraries have been a participant in the management and evaluation in scientific research, technological innovation, and discipline construction. The information analysis service of Zhejiang University Library is a typical case. Zhejiang University library established an information analysis group in 2009 in reference and information service division. To further guarantee the professionalism of service, the information analysis service center was set up in 2018 as a separate division. Over the past decade, information analysis service has played the potential of library in supporting decision-making, scientific research and innovation, discipline construction, research performance evaluation, etc. Information analysis service makes the popularity and status of the university library improve continuously. The evolution of information analysis service of Zhejiang University Library is reviewed in this paper, from the initial stage to the expansion stage, and then to the establishment of professional division. Approaches to promote the progress of information analysis service are summarized. The future goals are also discussed from the perspectives of strengthening the innovation mind-set, librarian development, and information analysis literacy.

Research data management policy and practice in Chinese university libraries

AbstractOn April 2, 2018, the State Council of China formally released a national Research Data Management (RDM) policy “Measures for Managing Scientific Data”. In this context and given that university libraries have played an important role in supporting RDM at an institutional level in North America, Europe, and Australasia, the aim of this article is to explore the current status of RDM in Chinese universities, in particular how university libraries have been involved in taking the agenda forward. This article uses a mixed‐methods data collection approach and draws on a website analysis of university policies and services; a questionnaire for university librarians; and semi‐structured interviews. Findings indicate that Research Data Service at a local level in Chinese Universities are in their infancy. There is more evidence of activity in developing data repositories than support services. There is little development of local policy. Among the explanations of this may be the existence of a national‐level infrastructure for some subject disciplines, the lack of professionalization of librarianship, and the relatively weak resonance of openness as an idea in the Chinese context.

Embedded Librarianship is Not Well Understood by Librarians at Chinese Universities, but Represents a Promising Service Model

A Review of:
 Sun, H., Liu, Y., Wang, Z., & Zuo, W. (2019). Embedded librarianship in China: Based on a survey of university libraries. The Library Quarterly, 89(1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.1086/700663
 Abstract
 Objective – To determine the extent to which embedded librarianship is understood and implemented with a focus on service models, best practices, and barriers.
 Design – Survey questionnaire with follow up interviews.
 Setting – Provincial and ministerial university libraries in China.
 Subjects – Subject or liaison librarians from the 84 institutions with science and technology “information searching and evaluation centres” called S&TNS (p. 56).
 Methods – The authors identified potential participants through the eligible institutions’ library websites or by contacting the library’s managers. Then they randomly selected three librarians (n = 252) from each library to be invited to participate. 56 responded from 41 unique institutions. When respondents indicated that their library had embedded library services, the authors contacted them for follow up interviews.
 Main results – Results of the questionnaire revealed that most respondents were unclear about the concept of embedded librarianship with many mistaking traditional models of librarianship as embedded. Roughly half (n = 21) of respondents reported embedded librarians at their institution.
 Follow up interviews revealed five models of embeddedness: (1) subject librarianship, (2) teaching information retrieval or library orientation sessions, (3) participation in research teams, (4) co-location with academic departments, and (5) assisting university administration with decision-making. Only half of these libraries (n = 11) conducted some form of assessment.
 Conclusion – Embedded librarianship is a promising, but not yet widely adopted model in Chinese university libraries. More should be done to advocate for its implementation or libraries risk obsolescence.

중국 대학도서관 비형식 학습공간의 연대별 변화에 관한 연구

중국 대학도서관 비형식 학습공간의 연대별 변화에 관한 연구

Research on the Management Mechanism of BALIS Projects

The Beijing Academic Library & Information System (BALIS), as the largest regional university library alliance (RULA) in Beijing, was founded in 2007 and has 90 member libraries, covering almost all university libraries in Beijing. It also is the representative of Chinese RULA, through more than ten years of development, which has formed a certain business scale. BALIS adopts the method of project establishment to develop itself, and the Management Committee (MCE) organizes the application of sub-projects (SP) every year. After the SP is approved, the BALIS management center (BMC) is responsible for the process management and performance evaluation of the SP. This article mainly adopts the method of case analysis, taking BALIS’s management of SP, funds, performance, files as the research object; the purpose is to explain the management mechanism of the regional alliances of Chinese university libraries.

Research on the University Library Alliance of China

With the development of China’s society and economy, especially entering the 21st century, the Chinese university library alliances (CULA) have made great progress, not only have built the China Academic Library & Information System (CALIS), China Academic Social Sciences and Humanities Library (CASHL) such as national alliance organizations, but large-scale regional alliances in various provinces have also been established, and “Opening-up, Co-construction and Sharing” (OCS) has become the strong voice of the cooperation. The construction of CULA has gone through the stage of networking and digitization. With the continuous emergence of new information technologies, whether to use cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things, blockchain and other technologies to meet the increasingly professional, intelligent and personalized needs of readers is an important issue. It can be said that the development of CULA has reached an important stage where they can use emerging technologies to realize its own transformation and upgrading. This article will adopt the method of case analysis to study the construction ideas (CI), organizational structure (OS), and operation methods (OM) of the CULA.