Community Information Services Research Articles

Factors influencing user's health information discernment abilities in online health communities: based on SEM and fsQCA.

Online health communities have become the main source for people to obtain health information. However, the existence of poor-quality health information, misinformation, and rumors in online health communities increases the challenges in governing information quality. It not only affects users' health decisions but also undermines social stability. It is of great significance to explore the factors that affect users' ability to discern information in online health communities. This study integrated the Stimulus-Organism-Response Theory, Information Ecology Theory and the Mindsponge Theory to constructed a model of factors influencing users' health information discernment abilities in online health communities. A questionnaire was designed based on the variables in the model, and data was collected. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in conjunction with fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), the study analyzed the complex causal relationships among stimulus factors, user perception, and the health information discernment abilities. The results revealed that the dimensions of information, information environment, information technology, and information people all positively influenced health information discernment abilities. Four distinct configurations were identified as triggers for users' health information discernment abilities. The core conditions included information source, informational support, technological security, technological facilitation, and perceived risk. It was also observed that information quality and emotional support can act as substitutes for one another, as can informational support and emotional support. This study provides a new perspective to study the influencing factors of health information discernment abilities of online health community users. It can provide experiences and references for online health community information services, information resource construction and the development of users' health information discernment abilities.

ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE PROTOCOL AND COMMUNICATION SECTION OF THE REGIONAL LEADERSHIP OF BARITO KUALA DISTRICT

According to the community, services in the protocol and communication section of the Barito Kuala Regency Regional Leaders are not optimal, so activities involving regional leaders sometimes experience delays and can have an impact on the government's image. This study aims to determine and analyse how information and protocol services in the Protocol and Communication Section of Regional Leaders reach the community. The research approach used is qualitative. The data sources were five people. Data were collected through interviews and documentation. The collected data and information were analysed qualitatively based on narratives. The results showed that community services, information services, and protocol had been carried out, both directly and through the mass media. These service activities are always coordinated with regional apparatus organizations on an ongoing basis, and negotiations are carried out with interested communities so that these service programs are more effective. This research shows that maximum service has implications for building a better government image. Keywords: Public services, community services, information services and protocols

Digital Information Service to Combat Violence against Women: The Comunica Mulher Project

ABSTRACTThe present study discusses the methods and outcomes of a project conducted at the University of Brasília with the aim of providing information services to the community of the Federal District (Brazil) on COVID‐19 prevention and vaccination, as well as addressing domestic violence. Employing social marketing strategies, such as content marketing and viral marketing, the project sought to disseminate pertinent information and engage the target audience through social media platforms, primarily Instagram. The content marketing approach entailed the creation and distribution of reliable information utilizing authoritative sources and visual resources, such as illustrations, graphs, infographics, and diagrams. Simultaneously, the viral marketing strategy endeavoured to identify emerging subtopics of interest by leveraging the Google Trends tool and relevant commemorative dates. These integrated strategies yielded a remarkable 700% surge in the project's Instagram account reach alongside heightened audience engagement. The study concludes that community information services should prioritize the dissemination of contextually relevant information for various population segments, particularly those that are historically marginalized.

Satisfaction with information services among individuals in China’s urban communities during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThis paper aims to study individuals’ information service satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in China’s urban communities.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers analyse people’s uncertainties during the pandemic and argue that uncertainties caused by the lockdown can negatively affect people. By reducing people’s uncertainty during the pandemic, community staff members can improve individuals’ information service satisfaction and social order. This study constructs a conceptual model that includes key transparency and self-disclosure constructs and their relationships that can contribute to the trust and satisfaction of the community information service phenomenon. The researchers collected 489 responses to test their hypothesis from an online survey of Chinese residents in areas where the strict lockdown policy was implemented.FindingsThe empirical results show that policy and goods information transparency significantly affect information service satisfaction in a positive way, with goods information transparency having the highest impact. Second, self-disclosure of community staff members is also an effective way to increase information service satisfaction. Finally, trust plays a mediating role in the influence of information transparency and self-disclosure on information service satisfaction.Originality/valueThis paper innovatively uses uncertainty reduction theory to examine the effects of information transparency and self-disclosure on satisfaction with community information services. It expands the research in the field of information service satisfaction and extends the scope of the research subjects of self-disclosure.

Assessing Rural Community Empowerment through Community Internet Centre: Using Asset Mapping and Surveys Method

This paper assesses community empowerment through Community Internet Centre. Community empowerment is a process of the outcome made by the community to take action and change or improve the community's quality of life. Hence, adopting Information and Communication Technology would bridge the digital divide in rural areas. The digital divide affected rural community development through numerous barriers that widened the gap between urban and rural communities, consequently generating an imbalance in community development. The community internet center can bridge the digital divide among urban and rural communities. Asset mapping and surveys have been measured to assess rural community empowerment dimensions through distributed questionnaires to eight Community Internet Centres in rural areas of Kelantan. The findings indicate that the Internet Centre is a medium to encourage community empowerment. The Internet Centre bridges the digital divide among communities by providing Information and Communications Technology community building in rural areas. Hence, the center drives community empowerment and improves the quality of life in rural communities. Thus, Community Internet Centre prepared an appropriate platform for empowering the rural community. This is evidence based on the outcome of findings which resulted in three domains of community empowerment: (1) community participation, (2) ownership, and (3) information services. Nevertheless, community participation determined the outcomes of the roles played by the center to empower a community. Further study needs to be conducted in other groups of samples and gaining other perspectives from managerial of the internet center to get different views of the internet center program.

Chatgpt as a Tool for Community Information Service

Chatgpt as a Tool for Community Information Service

A comparative study of library services and job performance of librarians and paraprofessional librarians in public libraries in South-South Nigeria

PurposeThis study is aimed at comparing library services and job performances of personnel in public libraries in South-South Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a descriptive survey design using 107 personnel in public libraries in South-South Nigeria. The total enumeration sampling technique was used for this study. All 107 personnel in public libraries in South-South Nigeria were considered appropriate for this study. The instrument used to elicit data from the respondents was a self-designed questionnaire and oral interview, 103 respondents answered to the questionnaire.FindingsLibrary services such as recreational services, community information services, career information services, information alert services, services to prisoners, mobile library services and adult literacy education programs are not carried out. The result also revealed that factors such as poor funding by government, insufficient staff strength, lack of interpersonal skills and untrained staff hinder adequate job performance of personnel. In the final analysis, the result from the study amongst others shows that there is no significant difference between the six states on the types of job performed in the different state public libraries in South-South Nigeria. Meanwhile, there is a significant difference between the extent of job performance of librarians and paraprofessional librarians in public libraries in South-South Nigeria.Originality/valueTo the best of the researchers' knowledge, this research is the first to ascertain library services and job performance of personnel in all public libraries in South-South Nigeria.

Collections and services of public libraries in West Bengal, India: An evaluative study against the backdrop of the IFLA guidelines

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of district-level public libraries in West Bengal, India. The study focused on staff as well as services against the backdrop of collection development policy. It also investigated the problems faced by librarians and suggested measures to overcome these difficulties. The researchers used a mixed-methods approach – quantitative and qualitative methods – to obtain the data. However, the primary means of data collection was a survey method using a structured questionnaire. Additionally, interviews were carried out with librarians in order to bring more subjectivity to the results. The findings suggest that no selection committees have taken place to recruit new staff in different public libraries; hence, libraries have been suffering from a shortage of staff. Due to severe shortage of library staff, book database has not been completed in Libsys library management software in any surveyed library. Public libraries are established to provide a variety of services to their users. Thus, services are the main product of the public library system. The findings reveal that different kinds of services – such as children’s, career guidance and community information services – are provided by the surveyed libraries to benefit their user communities.

Role of Public Libraries in Providing Community Information Services

The goal of this paper is to analyze the role played by public libraries in driving community education and promoting information literacy in digital society. Public libraries being storehouses of knowledge, they have always supported user education while undertaking active part in community information services. We design a simple model to explain and analyze the effects of public libraries on user education and community literacy drive. We also discuss the relevance and value of public libraries in this age of digital technology. Our findings reinforce the claim that public libraries are still relevant even in this digital age, and they indeed support user education for the progressive improvement of society.

Developing Library Culture in Rural Areas by strengthening Community Information Services in Karnataka State: A Study

The public library has performed this role effectively and now it has penetrated into villages in the form of village libraries, rural information centres or grampanchayat libraries. There are 5766 numbers of gram panchayat libraries working in the state. As against 5766 number of grampanchayat, gram panchayat libraries have been established. But not much has happened in the grampanchayatlibraries , the library confined in one room in most of the gram panchayats and reading materials are only local language books , serials only magazine and newspapers, recent initatives by the public library dept. and rural development and panchayat raj to develop library culture among rural mass is gaining momentum and also a better result for this initative is coming up. This paper overviews the development happened and gap found and how to overcome with suitable measures.

Current Status of Community Information Services in Regional Central Libraries

Current Status of Community Information Services in Regional Central Libraries

Public Libraries and Community Information Services: An Experience in Blocks of Sundarban Region, South 24 Parganas

Public libraries are called people’s university. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between public library and Community Information Services (CIS) in various blocks of Sundarban region, of South 24 Parganas district. Community Information Services is one through which a public library provides community information to members of the community it serves. This paper also discusses Community Library cum Information Centres (CLICs). Examining the librarians’ as well as users’ perspectives, an effort has been made to offer some suggestions.

Web based Community Information Services in Public Libraries using ‘Koha’: Open Source Integrated Library System

Information acts as a crucial factor in the development of individuals and community. Community information is the information which is required by every human being in their day-to-day life for problem solving and decision making. In this ‘information age’, public llibraries face severe challenges from ICT developments and changing user expectations. UNESCO Public Library Manifesto defines public library as the local centre of information which makes all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users. Being the local gateways of knowledge, it becomes the duty of the Public Libraries to collect organize and disseminate all local information to the community it belonged to. This study explores Community Information Services in Public libraries and proposes providing web based community information services using Koha open source library system.

Current Status of Community Information Services in Korean Public Libraries - the Case of Online Service of Regional Central Libraries -

Current Status of Community Information Services in Korean Public Libraries - the Case of Online Service of Regional Central Libraries -

Community Information Services in Public Libraries: A Case Study of KNLS Nairobi County

Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) has been providing community information services based at the Community Area for a quite a long time. The services have benefitted all categories of the public. Despite this effort, no study has been carried out to establish the kind of information services and details about the people who use these services. In this regard, this study endeavored to investigate the provision of community information services by Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) in Nairobi County with a view of proposing strategies to improve its services. The objectives of the study were to: explore what information resources and services were available; establish the information needs of the users; identify the forms of community information services available; establish the users of community information services; examine the challenges faced in accessing and using need information; and to propose ways to improve the provision of community information services. The study used qualitative research method. The interview schedules were the main data collection instrument. The interviews were administered on 100 respondents Data was qualitatively analyzed by means of pie charts and tables. The study found that majority of the respondents use community information services, mobile services, children reading tents that provides relevant information that meets the needs of the community, libraries and other information centers where the users access the information which is relevant to the users were some of the Constitutes of community information services. Further, the study found that community information services improved the living standards of the rural people, it takes the information resources to those who do not have access to the libraries due to long distances, it saves the users time and enhance the reading culture among the communities, it educates the users on their way of living and improves the economic resources and it also promotes good governance. The study concludes that resources are available to support community information services at KNLS and at Nairobi County also Kenya National Library Service has laid down procedures of conducting community information services. The study recommends that library staffs who are not computer literate should take positive steps to remedy their deficiencies since Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have come to stay. Short computer training and retraining programs should be organized from time-to-time to assist Librarians who do not have knowledge and computer skills.

Dilly Wanderer initiatives – Wollondilly Health Alliance

Introduction : The Wollondilly Shire Local Government Area is a peri-urban area located on the south west fringe of the Sydney Metropolitan area facing increasing challenges associated with population growth, health concerns and service provision. Residents have access to local primary care but must travel outside the region for higher level health services. Compared to NSW, there are higher rates of obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and lung cancer. Short description of practice change implemented : The Dilly Wanderer is Wollondilly Shire Council’s mobile mini bus community engagement and information service. It visits towns and villages in Wollondilly Shire providing information to community members and activities for children and families to participate in. Aim and theory of change : The vision for Wollondilly is that the community is healthier, finds it easier and quicker to access services, enjoys quality services and has a say in the development and provision of health services that affect them. Consistent with the WHO Draft Framework for Country Action across Sectors for Health and Health Equity (2015) the Dilly Wanderer is an exemplar of “action initiated at the local government level…various sectors working together to address public health and health equity issues…through community-based or setting-based health promotion activities.” Targeted population and stakeholders : Potentially isolated individuals and families at risk of poor health due to deficits in social connectedness, health literacy, nutritional choices and physical activity. Timeline : The Dilly Wanderer enhancement commenced in May 2014 and is currently funded to 2017. Highlights : Since May 2015, the following enhanced activities have been delivered via the Dilly Wanderer, all evaluated through satisfaction survey or client experience interview: - Kiosks In addition to the regular Dilly Wanderer timetable, a specific schedule has been established which ensures the Dilly attends a predetermined location each week with the aim of promoting healthy messages and activities. - Special events Due to the increase in the hours of operation, the Dilly Wanderer has been able to attend community gatherings and events not previously attended, boosting overall community awareness and creating a positive brand association. - Workshops/education sessions Information sessions have been delivered to several Wollondilly villages on the topics of child development, parenting skills, healthy eating for families, how to access and identify the need for Allied Health services and basic first aid. The program has been enthusiastically received with all agreeing they would recommend the program to family and friends, 43% confident in making changes to their lifestyle, 63% enhancing their parenting skills and knowledge and 50% feeling a lot more connected to other people in their community. - Walking and exercise groups Walking and exercise sessions have been provided in several Wollondilly villages. The sessions have been well received with over 60 participants to date. Conclusions : Over a short period the Dilly Wanderer has generated positive community engagement, raised awareness, attained solid attendance, expanded its reach and tailored services to health need. Discussions : Community engagement, health literacy and social connectedness can be rapidly improved through mobile mini bus health promotion messaging.

Delivery of community information service as corporate social responsibility by librarians in Nigerian tertiary institutions

Various scholarly works have reported the absence of library and information services provision to rural dwellers for addressing their information needs for sustainable development. Coupled with this is the absence of community information centers in the rural areas. Thus, a key question that keeps arising is: whose job is it to provide effective community information services (CIS) to rural dwellers in the country? This necessitated the study, with a view to ascertaining if librarians in academic institutions, considering their location in rural areas, are involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by way of providing library and information services in communities? Using four federal tertiary institutions in Imo and Ebonyi states, South East, Nigeria, which are located in rural areas, it was discovered that librarians perceived such idea in the positive direction and also responded positively to the types of CIS that could be rendered as CSR. Possible challenges that may affect the planning and delivery of such CIS programme were also discovered, among which are financial implications, unavailability of communication gadgets and other requisite resources, absence of approval and support from the management of parent institutions, librarians may see such as additional responsibility without financial reward which may lead to resistance, and possible resistance or non-acceptability by leaders and traditional rulers in the communities involved. Recommendations were made for academic librarians to take up provision of CIS as CSR for actualization of sustainable development goals in rural areas in the country.Keywords: community information services, corporate social responsibility, sustainable development goals, librarians

Public and Community Library and Information Services in Rural South Africa: A Concept Paper

Public and Community Library and Information Services in Rural South Africa: A Concept Paper

Public and Community Library and Information Services in Rural South Africa: A Concept Paper

The community library’s environment is not a complex one. Both semi-literate and illiterate should be able to use this type of a library. A community library should not be a frightening place, and ...

고령자를 위한 공공도서관 지역정보서비스에 관한 연구

고령자를 위한 공공도서관 지역정보서비스에 관한 연구