Library Environment Research Articles

Formation of scientific libraries in the humanitarian space of Novosibirsk

The article is an attempt to comprehend interaction and mutual influence of the library environment and the humanitarian space of Novosibirsk. Global connections, characteristic of the modern society, actively influence the entire system of normative and regulatory means and mechanisms for coordinating the vital activity of individuals and communities on the territories of their residence. The targeted study of the “environment” as a condition for forming values, interests and preferences among real and potential consumers of information, then transforming into readers’ demands, becomes the necessary component of any modern library theoretical and practical activities and allows to significantly expand the traditional frames of studying readers’ needs by involving a large number of factors, signs, meanings that recreate the environment in which these needs are formed. A spatial approach to the analysis of the library environment in the urban context is a current trend in the professional discourse.

Professional safety management in libraries of Ukraine

The article is devoted to understanding the issue of occupational safety management in Ukrainian libraries from the point of view of social and psychological safety. The problems and trends of library safety management are revealed in the issues of regulatory and legal support in the library sphere.
 It is indicated that the socio-psychological aspect of labor safety management needs special attention, since there is a contradiction between the inconsistency of norms and standards of the professional library environment with the conditions for the functioning of libraries, on the one hand, and the need to improve the efficiency of staff, on the other.
 It is determined that currently labor protection is at the stage of significant transformations. Along with well-known forms and methods of management, new models and principles of security management are widely distributed. The concept of hygiene and safety management, based on internationally recognized standards and recommendations, replaces the formed traditional forms and methods of labor protection management in Ukraine. 
 It is concluded that innovative activities in the field of social protection should be aimed at continuous improvement and development of a regulatory framework that promotes the identification and neutralization of negative factors of library labor. Priority areas of activity have been proposed that should be reflected in terms of measures to prevent, identify and neutralize the negative factors of library labor, to which: continuous improvement of working conditions, bringing them to indicators close to regulatory; reduction of professional risk to actually acceptable levels; The formation of corporate and behavioral culture in the teams, the principle is to work safely more importantly, than to work is profitable or productively different.
 It is concluded that changing the conditions of library work in the further development of the information society require special research and development of a set of relevant legal documents to create conditions for safe work in the library.

Value dominants of figurative-sensual communication in the library professional space

The article considers the transformational changes in the modern library environment, in which digital media content is the main source of information and communication. The tendencies in the studies of the axiological sphere of library science, namely the observance of the humanistic aspect of the activities of libraries as a center of science, education, culture, and communication, are highlighted. A decrease in the general intellectual level of users against the background of informatization of society has been noted, which requires improvement in the nature and types of information, as well as methods for obtaining and using it. The need to organize communication in libraries, to provide people with the opportunity to realize their need for it, was stated. It is noted that the figurative-sensual means of library communication are associated with communication at the interpersonal and intercultural levels. Library targeted activities related to art expand the users area of interest, help them to better understand the phenomena of reality and themselves. The ability to interact in the process of communication, to apply the skills of influencing dialogic action is recognized as a necessary component of the professional activity of librarians. Library dialogue is the universal means of establishing contacts and consolidating people. 
 The value aspects of figurative-sensual communication in servicing the modern user with libraries are investigated. The role of values in the vital activity of youth and society is substantiated. Currently, there is a transformation of information needs and value orientations in the library sector. It is noted that the formation of a harmoniously developed personality without the intellectual and aesthetic impact of the speech element of speech interaction is impossible. It is provided for deeping attention to the problem of recognizing and highlighting the value dominants of figurative-sensual communication in the modern library space.

The library Environment, Seat and Noise Making: The Case of Jiangsu University Library

A good environment plays a fundamental role in the learning process of an individual. As Jiangsu University celebrates the 20th anniversary of consolidation and the 119th anniversary of its establishment, this study investigates the influence of the library in the student's life, especially the influence of seats and the effect noise has on students in the library environment. This survey uses a quantitative method by adapting a survey questionnaire in a face-to-face approach for data collection. Most participants (45%) indicated they preferred a particular seat, and 57% always searched for a specific seat. More people preferred to study around small clusters of tables. The majority of respondents (41%) are pretty comfortable with the library's noise level. However, few indicated they feel a little discomfort, especially during the exams period as library attendance increases. The study also found that the designated places around the staircase are not really comfortable as they prefer seating sometimes. Furthermore, the reading areas are underutilized. This study recommends that a particular floor be dedicated to loud reading and others for quiet reading only. This research also contributes to the discourse by providing evidence for the usefulness of the seats provided.

Bibliotecas híbridas e o desenvolvimento das sociedades

Introduction: The distinctive and fundamental libraries’ properties are changed over time, and some of these changes reflected in the nomenclature used to refer to the characteristics of the libraries. This is the case of the traditional and hybrid libraries. This research defends the thesis that hybridity paradigm for libraries stagnated in the 1990s, however, the library management changed, because of their communities’ needs. Objective: It aimed to follow the sociocultural trajectory of the concept of hybrid library. Methodology: The study is qualitative, exploratory, and carried out a theoretical-epistemological and field research. It used the Multimodal Discourse Analysis as research method. The Bibliographic Research was used as a tool to collect data in specific and related Information Science databases. The Field Research was used as a tool to collect data in hybrid library environments placed in the State of Missouri, United States of America. Results: As partial results, was possible to identify that hybridity should be understood beyond its physical infrastructure, as a representative factor to develop communities. The concept of hybridity is inserted in the context of systemic organizations, presupposing an open environment action and administrative junctions, conjecturing micro and macro informational spaces.Conclusion: The hybridity promotes ways to use technology in favor of a collective intelligence, approaching knowledge networks, which can bring new perspectives to the libraries

User Experience (UX) Librarianship and Health Sciences Libraries (HSLs)

This article provides the results of an investigation into how health sciences librarians with user experience (UX) duties describe their roles and initiatives. Through an online survey, 40 respondents provided details on institutional demographics, work plans, participant recruitment, and data collection. Four interviews were also conducted. This investigation provides perspectives on UX within the health sciences library (HSL) environment including barriers and successes. It is hoped that the results of this article will influence research into timely and efficient UX initiatives within HSLs and provide librarians, staff, and administrators the information they need to support decision making.

Situation Awareness Data Fusion Method Based on Library Events

Microelectronic technology and communication technology are developed in deep manner; the computing mode has been transferred from traditional computer-centered to human centered pervasive. So, the concept of Internet of things (IoT) is gradually put forward, which allows people to access information about their surroundings on demand through different terminals. The library is the major public space for human to read and learn. How to provide a more comfortable library environment to better meet people’s learning requirements is a place where the Internet of things plays its role. The purpose of this paper is to solve the difference between the data fusion of library environment and the data fusion of other environments by the method of data fusion oriented to library. This paper presents a general technical framework of situational awareness for smart library system which includes a data fusion middleware. It can process data and inform the upper module of the changed library environment after deploying the smart library system in a library, including data collection and processing, how to judge whether events are triggered, how the system reacts, and the acquisition and update of user preferences. This paper presents a situational awareness recommendation method based on an effective data fusion model and algorithm for library after conducting experimental in service of library, which give more accurate of book recommendation than traditional method and good learning service environment of library for readers.

Afiş tasarımında mizah yaratma yöntemleri ve çağdaş grafik tasarımındaki yansıması

Today, the use of advertisements that use humor in their designs has become increasingly important. The effort of graphic designers is to provide a blue print for creativity and the message to capture the audience’s attention, and to communicate the message clearly. No specific structure can be considered for creativity. This is why unique advertisements have emerged from unframed thinking. Designers can take advantage of all kinds of charm and creativity. The most common of these is the use of humor. The growth of the media has led to the growth of humor in advertising. The aim of this research is to better understand the humor category in the posters designed by determining the advantages and disadvantages using a descriptive-analytical method. The information collection method, on the other hand, was a literature review and benefited from the library environment. Advertising posters were selected in the research and analyzed qualitatively. The results of the research revealed that the methods of using humor determine the amount and type of humor in poster advertisements. Also, there are many advantages of using humor in advertising banners, For example, the notification made the messages more fun and catchy. In addition, changing the format of both national and international posters has been the most widely used method to provide humor in posters.

공공도서관 수직정원의 이용 후 평가를 통한 관리방향 도출- 완주군립도서관을 대상으로 -

This study was conducted to suggest the effectiveness and management direction of vertical garden by identifying users' perceptions and preferences for vertical gardens created in public libraries. This study investigated the effectiveness, preference, behavior, and management of vertical garden for 80 public library users by using the post occupancy evaluation method. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS program for the collected data. Overall, the library is frequently used, the residence time is long, and the library is used for studying purposes. Satisfaction with the library environment is high, and environmental satisfaction is determined by stability, comfort, and safety. The components and overall satisfaction of the vertical garden are high, and the factors affecting the overall satisfaction are the size of the installation and the maintenance status. With the creation of a vertical garden, the effect of improvement in the environmental aspect was high, followed by the positive effect in the emotional aspect. It is recognized that the frequency of library use increases due to the creation of a vertical garden, which will positively affect the use of the library. On the other hand, compared to the satisfaction of the vertical garden, the management seemed to be passive, and management by the public was preferred. The vertical garden of the library has high satisfaction in terms of the effectiveness of environmental improvement, and the improvement of the emotional aspect has a positive effect on the use of the library. vertical garden management should also be carried out continuously for the effectiveness of the vertical garden and activation of use. To this end, it is required to establish a long-term plan for maintenance and management budget and inducing user participation. In addition, applying IoT-based smart maintenance technology will help improve management efficiency. 본

Digital Environment in Academic Libraries: Leveraging on Advanced Information Communication Technologies for Better Service Delivery

The advancement in technologies coupled with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and its associated technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI, robotic technology, virtual/augmented reality, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, and the likes have entered into the academic and other types of libraries have all brought changes into the digital environment of academic libraries. In light of this, this chapter examined the current digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter discusses the concept of the digital environment and academic libraries, describes digital components in academic libraries (old versus new), describes the impact of the digital environment on academic libraries, identify the new knowledge and skills required for academic libraries users’ and librarians’ functionality in the digital environment of academic libraries, and identifies changing formats ofthe environment of information material; the technological issue; the changing role of librarians; a collection of virtual information, archiving or preserving the virtual information; accessing of virtual information; special skills needed for librarians in building a virtual library; the cost factor of information technology; and the likelihood of job loss by the librarians as current challenges associated with the digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter recommends based on the findings that Academic librarians and studentsshould work to develop in-demand skills and continuously learn to use tools that reveal their capabilities and expertise to function in the digital environment of academic libraries and to provide efficient and effective information service. The academic librarians should anticipate and integrate new technologies to redesign access and delivery mechanisms to maximise utilisation of information and to minimise the costs of supporting such services. Keywords: Academic libraries, Digital environment, Digital literacy, Digital skills, Advanced technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

The User Satisfaction with the Quality of Library and Information Services: Research Results

The purpose of the study is to analyze the satisfaction of users with library and information services of the Scientific Library of Tuva State University. The main criterion of satisfaction with services is quality. Relatively large number of methods has been developed to study the quality of services provided. It is advisable to use various tools to obtain reliable and complete information about the quality of library work. In the practical activities of the Scientific Library of Tuva State University, there is most widely used statistical analysis of performance indicators, in particular, access to library resources, attendance (the library, the website, electronic library systems, etc.). To study satisfaction with the services provided by the Scientific Library of Tuva State University, there was conducted the user survey, which revealed strengths and weaknesses, as well as allowed to avoid problems in terms of customer service during the distance-learning period.Sociological research of the Scientific Library of Tuva State University revealed the need for advanced training courses for library staff in a number of areas, to create a welcoming library environment, to change the interface of the library website, as well as the need to redesign the training programs for library specialists.

Digital Environment in Academic Libraries: Leveraging on Advanced Information Communication Technologies for Better Service Delivery

The advancement in technologies coupled with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and its associated technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI, robotic technology, virtual/augmented reality, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, and the likes have entered into the academic and other types of libraries have all brought changes into the digital environment of academic libraries. In light of this, this chapter examined the current digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter discusses the concept of the digital environment and academic libraries, describes digital components in academic libraries (old versus new), describes the impact of the digital environment on academic libraries, identify the new knowledge and skills required for academic libraries users’ and librarians’ functionality in the digital environment of academic libraries, and identifies changing formats ofthe environment of information material; the technological issue; the changing role of librarians; a collection of virtual information, archiving or preserving the virtual information; accessing of virtual information; special skills needed for librarians in building a virtual library; the cost factor of information technology; and the likelihood of job loss by the librarians as current challenges associated with the digital environment of academic libraries. The chapter recommends based on the findings that Academic librarians and studentsshould work to develop in-demand skills and continuously learn to use tools that reveal their capabilities and expertise to function in the digital environment of academic libraries and to provide efficient and effective information service. The academic librarians should anticipate and integrate new technologies to redesign access and delivery mechanisms to maximise utilisation of information and to minimise the costs of supporting such services. Keywords: Academic libraries, Digital environment, Digital literacy, Digital skills, Advanced technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

Generation 1.5 and Academic Libraries: Strategies for Supporting English Learners (ELs) in Reference and Instruction

Background – Compared to native English speakers, English Learners (ELs) often face additional barriers to academic success. Though typically competent in social English, Generation 1.5 ELs struggle with academic English at the postsecondary level and are still considered to be in the process of learning English. As colleges become increasingly linguistically diverse, academic librarians must adapt to support the growing numbers of ELs in the campus community. Objective – This paper aims to provide academic librarians with information on the scope of English Learners in K-12 through postsecondary education, academic challenges of Generation 1.5 students at the postsecondary level, and strategies that librarians can employ to support English learners in the contexts of reference and instruction. Methods – The author searched journals in the disciplines of academic libraries, higher education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and linguistics. Additional resources searched include education data and statistics, research institute publications, and English as a New Language (ENL) teaching resources. These sources were explored in regard to the topics of EL educational statistics, K-12 ENL programs, ENL pedagogy, ELs in postsecondary education, Generation 1.5 students, ELs’ academic challenges and educational needs, and academic libraries and ELs. Results – A review of the literature on ELs in academic libraries, particularly Generation 1.5 students, reveals that Generation 1.5 is a population that is in need of support at the postsecondary level. Because Generation 1.5 students often hold strong social English skills, they may enter college without an EL designation or specialized academic support. However, research shows that Generation 1.5 students struggle with college-level academic English, specifically in grammar and vocabulary. These challenges impact students’ communicative success both in college classroom and library environments. Conclusion – Academic librarians may adopt pedagogical strategies commonly employed in ENL classrooms to use in reference and instruction environments. Techniques include themes such as awareness of language use and reinforcement of content, and require low-stakes implementation into library practice. Though librarians may be unaware of the language learning needs of their students, such strategies have shown to be useful for all students. Because techniques that are helpful to ELs also typically benefit all students, these strategies are also applicable to native English speakers.

Radical re-imagination: centering a BIPOC library workforce in an asset-based autoethnography

PurposeAcademic BIPOC librarians oftentime struggle to envision themselves and navigate in White-dominant spaces due to deficit thinking. To better understand how DEIA efforts can bolster structural change in academic libraries, the two BIPOC authors opted to lean on an asset-based exercise–imagining a positive work environment made possible through a library staffed entirely by BIPOC individuals.Design/methodology/approachThrough collaborative autoethnography, the two authors interviewed one another and centered their unstructured conversations around one question: “What does an academic library composed entirely of a BIPOC workforce look like?” Three emergent themes were agreed upon and finalized by the two authors.FindingsThe authors' imagined library is able to foster a supportive community and also function efficiently thanks to its shared purpose grounded in DEIA. Despite relying on an asset-based framework, the authors found themselves having to reckon with trials and tribulations currently faced by BIPOC librarians. Effectively envisioning the “ideal” library environment is not possible without also engaging with librarianship's legacy of racial injustices.Originality/valueRecognizing that confronting systems of oppression naturally invokes trauma, this paper encourages librarians to challenge deficit thinking and instead rely on asset-based models to candidly imagine an anti-racist academic library. The authors acknowledge that BIPOC voices and experiences add tremendous value to the library workplace. At the heart of this paper is the belief that reparations for past racial injustices should not only fix past wrongdoings, but also contribute to positive workplace cultures.

Making Teaching and Learning Effective Using Analytics

In this paper, an empirical comparison of three state-of-the-art classifier methods (artificial immune recognition systems, Lazy-K Star, and random tree) to predict teachers’ ability to adapt in a classroom environment is carried out. Two educational databases are used for this task. First, measures collected in an academic context, especially from classroom visits, are used (database 1). Then, the three classifiers quantify the acts, behaviors, and characteristics of teaching effectiveness and the teacher’s “ability to adapt in the classrooms.” Professional classrooms visits to more than 200 teachers are used as the second database (database 2). An interactive grid gathering 63 educational acts and behaviors is conceived as an observation instrument for those visits. Within the Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis library environment, and with the progressive enhancement of the raw database, the utilization of state-of-the-art classification methods when predicting teaching effectiveness shows promising results, especially when data quality issues are considered.

ASSESSMENT OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT OF LIBRARIES IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY

Background: Polluted indoor environments pose health challenges such as allergy, infections, and toxicity. Most indoor air pollution comes from hazardous non-biological and biological agents. Due to the nature of the indoor environment of libraries, it is prone to colonization by fungal species. Method: Three sampling sites were used for the study and they include Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library, Main campus Awka, Medical Library, Nnewi Campus and Library Complex, Agulu campus. A total of 100 air samples were analyzed Using the Zefon A6 Single-stage microbial air sampler and Malt Extract Agar supplemented with 0.05mg/ml of chloramphenicol while 16 nasal swabs were collected from the staff present using sterile swab sticks. The mould isolates were identified using the slide culture technique while the yeast isolates were subjected to candida chrom agar and integral yeast plus identification. Antifungal susceptibility was performed using the integral yeast plus system and the agar well diffusion technique. Results: Out of the 100 air samples, a total of 625 fungal isolates were identified of which C.lunata 201 (32.16%) was the most predominant, while P. marneffi, P. expansum, A. restrictus, A. infectoria and R. rubra 1(0.16%) occurred the least. All significant at (p≤0.01). A total of 7 fungal spores were isolated from the 16 nasal swabs and appeared thus in descending order of frequency: P. notatum, 3 (42.85%), A. niger, C. lunata, C. albicans and F. aqueductum, 1(14.3%). Antifungal Susceptibility of the 28 yeast isolates indicated that C. famata, C. laurentii and C. luteolus, were all susceptible to commonly used antifungals in the integral yeast plus system with a 100% susceptibility value, while the mould isolates showed relatively moderate susceptibility to selected antifungals. Conclusion: The organisms isolated are well known to be pathogenic especially to immunocompromised individuals. Their presence in the indoor environment of libraries serves as a risk factor to both the library staff and visitors. Adequate precautionary measures and occasional environmental surveillance need to be inculcated in order to reduce the number of fungi in the indoor environment of these libraries.

Key skills and competencies of LIS professionals in the digital library environment: a content analysis of job advertisements

PurposeThe main purpose of this research study is to identify the essential skills and competencies sought by prospective employers for library and information science (LIS) positions in India. The research study aims to find out various designated positions in job advertisements.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from a major weekly job journal “Employment News” in India over five years from 2016 to 2020. The Employment News provides the latest job vacancies of central/state governments, public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies in India. Each issue of Employment News was carefully scanned and searched for job advertisements in the field of LIS. The researcher analyzed various posts on permanent, deputation and short-term contracts to gain insights into the job’s skills.FindingsThe findings highlight that public sector academic and school libraries are the top employers of LIS professionals. One of the most frequent demands of employers is profession-related work experience. Results show that employers place the strongest emphasis on library administration, computer knowledge, technical skills, managerial skills and soft skills. Library management, library supervision and procurement of journals and books are the primary job responsibilities for top-level positions.Research limitations/implicationsThe weekly job journal, Employment News, is the largest source of LIS jobs in publicly funded organizations and institutions in India. It does not cover private educational institutes, industries and corporates. Job-related data were collected solely from this journal for the duration of 2016–2020. Therefore, this research study does not fully represent the LIS job market with regard to private educational institutes and corporate organizations.Practical implicationsThe research findings can help LIS professionals prepare themselves according to market needs and demands. The LIS school should integrate these required skills and competencies into the course curriculum for preparing professionals in the digital age.Originality/valueThe results are benchmarked to guide and evaluate LIS course curricula in India. LIS schools may emphasize soft skills in future curriculum design, which employers frequently seek.

The Quality of Work-Life and Work Comfort of Librarians During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background/purpose. This research aims to determine the quality of work-life and comfort of librarians during the Covid-19 pandemic. The intention was to provide input and reports to the leadership by mapping the performance of librarians.Methods. Consequently, thirteen informants were chosen, with the criterion that they were librarians working in the Library of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Diponegoro University. Interviews were used to collect the data, which were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods.Results. Subsequently, the results showed that ten parameters of quality of work-life affect the comfort of librarians working during the Covid-19 pandemic.Conclusions. The convenience of working was revealed as the main goal in improving the library environment. Also, working from home or the office was shown as capable of creating a sense of satisfaction, thereby improving the quality of work-life. This quality, specifically during the pandemic, has become a collection of the perceptions of a sense of comfort at work, with conditions of continued growth and development to improve performance.

Micro-environments in Libraries for Young Children

Most public libraries, small, medium, or large, offer a variety of services, facilities and amenities to their audience, depending on the assigned functions. The ideal size of space for children in public libraries cannot be calculated according to the population that it will serve, as is often the case with school libraries, but based on the activities to be developed and the characteristics of particular characteristics of childhood. Therefore, emphasis must be given primarily on the qualitative and secondarily on the quantitative characteristics of the children’s library physical environment. This paper presents answers on some basic questions. Do Public Libraries provide special space arrangements for children and their families in their establishments? Are Children Libraries “reading-rooms” suitably designed and furnished as to provide the necessary areas for reading, relaxing, playing or creating? Observations in several library facilities revealed some interesting findings concerning Children’s Library environments.

Makerspaces Designed for All: Creating Equitable and Inclusive Learning Environments in Libraries

AbstractIn this Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funded study, the authors investigate ways in which to bring about more inclusive and equitable makerspaces in public libraries (Brady, Salas, Nuriddin, Rodgers, Subramaniam, 2014; Yi & Baumann, 2018). Public librarians, librarians with disabilities, and disability self‐advocates were interviewed and took part in focus groups. In doing so, researchers worked to hear directly from members of the disability community and to learn from librarians at the intersection of disability, through their work or through personal experiences. This work‐in‐progress study has completed the majority of its data collection and is beginning in‐depth data analysis. Although still developing themes and takeaways, there has been initial findings that can be of benefit to the larger library and information science (LIS) community. Individuals with different needs and abilities should be represented when designing and providing a makerspace. While this study focuses on public libraries, it has implications for makerspaces in all libraries and similar learning environments.