Library And Information Science Professionals Research Articles

International Accreditation and Recognition of the Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS) Degree Curriculum: A Case Study of Zimbabwe

This opinion paper discusses the impact of the Library and Information Science (LIS) course/program accreditation, and implications for graduating students when it excludes an international element. The case study describes the accreditation status of Zimbabwe’s LIS training and qualifications, while also gathering insight from international practices. Results reveal the need for a solid support system to the LIS profession from various constituents including LIS curriculum developers, library associations, and an environment that encourages library and information professionals to possess qualifications relevant to their respective markets and innovation. The paper concludes with a recommendation for international accreditation practices, principles and standards that produce well-equipped, versatile LIS professionals. In exploring the process and implications of international accreditation and recognition of library science qualifications in Zimbabwe, the paper holds promise for informing other situations beyond Zimbabwe.

Librarian’s perception on data librarianship core concepts: a survey of motivational factors, challenges, skills and appropriate trainings platforms

Purpose Data librarianship, or data-driven librarianship, is the combination of information science, data science and e-science fields and is gaining gradual importance in the library and information science (LIS) profession. Hence, this study investigates the data librarianship core concepts (motivational factors, challenges, skills and appropriate training platforms) to learn and successfully launch data librarianship services.Design/methodology/approach A survey method was used and the data were collected through online questionnaire. Purposive sampling method was applied and 132 responses were received with 76 respondents from the public and 56 from the private sector universities of Pakistan. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 25) was used, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyzed the data.Findings LIS professionals understand the importance of data-driven library services and perceive that such services are helpful in evolving the image of the library, helping with the establishment of institutional data repositories/data banks, developing data resources and services for library patrons and especially researchers, and receiving appreciation and acknowledgment from the higher authorities. The major challenges that emerged from the data were: missing data policies, limited training opportunities for data librarianship roles, no additional financial benefits, lack of infrastructure and systems, lack of organizational support for the initiation of data-driven services, and lack of skills, knowledge and expertise. Data librarianship is in its early stages in Pakistan, and consequently, the LIS professionals are lacking basic, advanced and technical data-driven skills.Research limitations/implications The policy, theoretical and practical implications describe an immediate need for framing data policies. Such policies will help the libraries or any other relevant entities to store the data and assign metadata and documentation in such a way that it is easy to retrieve and reusable for others.Originality/value This is the first study in Pakistan to investigate the perceptions of LIS professionals about data librarianship core concepts: motivational factors, challenges, skills and appropriate training platforms to grasp data-driven skills and successfully launch library services.

Information driven entrepreneurship: A competitive intelligence approach

At present, there is an increasing concern about the dearth of white-collar job opportunities for many recent graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including graduates of Library and Information Science (LIS) programmes. Hence, there is a need for LIS professionals to proactively explore ways to create jobs based on their professional skills and knowledge, rather than wait to be employed. This paper identifies and discusses areas of information driven entrepreneurial opportunities available for LIS professionals in Nigeria and highlights how competitive intelligence could be applied as a strategic tool to start their own businesses by putting LIS skills into practice. It also highlights the necessary skills required for entrepreneur startup and its sustainability as well as the benefits of being a librapreneur.

Notes from the Special-Issue Editor

Notes from the Special-Issue Editor

Sentiment analysis of online discussion of LIS professionals using R

PurposeThe main focus of the present study was threefold. Firstly, extraction of the data from the Library and Information Science (LIS) Links; secondly, pre-process the data to remove noises on maximum parameters; and lastly, to know the polarity of the discussion posted on LIS Links.Design/methodology/approachThe advancement in the internet and Web 2.0 technologies have facilitated the academic community with many online platforms like Q&A sites, mailing lists, discussion forums, etc. for disseminating or seeking information. LIS Links is one such discussion forum commonly used by Indian LIS professionals. The analysis of these discussions can help in knowing the experience of LIS professionals in different aspects. The present study is based on a lexicon-based approach, which works on the bag of word model. The open source environment R and its different packages were used for the analysis.FindingsThe analysis shows that the majority of the posts on LIS Links were discussed with positive sentiments. There were only very few words of negative sentiments on the discussion forum of LIS Links.Originality/valueThe above review of the literature shows that there have been many studies in different domains. The user responses on different platforms were explored. Also, some studies have conducted sentiment analysis in LIS. However, this was limited to content posted by the libraries or the reviews of books. No research was found in the published literature on the analysis of the opinion of LIS professional.

Evidence-based biomedical research in Sub-Saharan Africa: how library and information science professionals contribute to systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Objective:This study investigated the contributions of library and information science (LIS) professionals to systematic reviews and meta-analyses with authors from Sub-Saharan Africa. It also investigated how the first author's address and type of collaboration affected the involvement of LIS professionals in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Methods:Bibliographic data of systematic reviews with author(s) from the forty-six Sub-Saharan African countries was retrieved from MEDLINE. Content and bibliometric analyses were performed on the systematic reviews' full-texts and bibliographic data, respectively, to identify the contributions of LIS professionals and collaboration patterns.Results:Beyond traditional roles as search strategy developers and searchers, the LIS professionals participated in article retrieval, database selection, reference management, draft review, review conceptualization, manuscript writing, technical support, article screening and selection, data extraction, abstract review, and training/teaching. Of the 2,539 publications, LIS professionals were mentioned in 472 publications. LIS professionals from only seven of the forty-six Sub-Saharan African countries were noted to have contributed. LIS professionals from South Africa were mentioned most frequently—five times more than those from other Sub-Saharan African countries. LIS professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa mostly contributed to publications with first authors from Sub-Saharan Africa (90.20%) and intra-Sub-Saharan African collaboration (61.66%). Most LIS professionals (97.91%) that contributed to international collaboration publications were from outside Sub-Saharan Africa.Conclusion:The contribution of LIS professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa to evidence-based biomedical research can improve through training, mentoring, and collaboration between LIS associations in Sub-Saharan Africa and those in countries with resources and a history of research collaboration with the region.

X-Raying the Million-Point Agenda of the Nigerian Government by Library and Information Professionals in the Country

This study investigated X-raying the million-point agenda of Nigerian government by library and information professionals in the country. Six objectives were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted using the online Google Form to collect data/responses from the library and information science (LIS) professionals in Nigeria. The population of the study comprised LIS professionals in all the states in Nigeria. The sampling technique used for the study was the total enumeration sampling technique (120) as the whole responses were used for the analysis using tables, frequencies percentages, mean and standard deviation for easy appreciation and comprehension. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was also deployed and it was found out that there appears to be some high level of corrupt practices in the country, Nigeria, insecurity as of today remains on the high side which is not only worrisome but disturbingly a threat to too many households. Respondents have rated the economy to be at its lowest ebb as the majority of the citizens now wallow in poverty and agony, education standard is quite low in the country, there are deliberate steps to take in order to save Nigerian country from war and disintegration. To this very end, the well-informed class including library and information professionals should deliberately rise up to their duty by not just studying the current situation but also proffer recommendations and solutions to disturbing problems; hence recommendations are all Nigerians, irrespective of position or social, status must resolve to live a corrupt-free life; Government and all security agencies must be on the alert and, if possible, request international assistance; economic policies must be reviewed as a matter of urgency in Nigeria; education must be made easily accessible and funds made adequately available for educational institutions at all levels as prescribed by UNESCO; library and information professionals should continue to put government officials on their toes by regularly exposing their inadequacies to the citizens amongst others.

Information Literacy Skills among Library and Information Science Professionals: a forecaster of Research Support Services

PurposeThe present research aims to gauge the Information Literacy Skills (ILSs) of the University Library and Information Science Professionals (LISPs) of Pakistan and consider it as a forecaster of improved Research Support Services (RSSs).Design/methodology/approachThe purposive sampling method through a questionnaire was applied and administered (online and offline) to assemble data from LISPs of 219 universities of Pakistan. The questionnaire covered the eight factors of ILSs and four of RSSs.FindingsThe regression model illustrates that the predicted variation of ILSs in RSSs is statistically significant. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicates that ILSs predict 70% variance in RSSs. Furthermore, the beta coefficient demonstrates that the input value of “managing findings” toward improved RSSs is moderately high as compared to other factors of ILSs. Therefore, the study concludes that ILSs of LISPs are a prerequisite for their professional growth to improve their RSSs.Originality/valueThe research has discovered the whole levels of ILSs and RSSs of the university LISPs of Pakistan. The study recommends raising the ILSs of LISPs to provide more efficient RSSs.

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.

Workplace harassment in university libraries: A qualitative study of female Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in Pakistan

PurposeThe existence of workplace harassment in a feminized profession such as Library and Information Science (LIS) cannot be ignored. There is limited literature on workplace harassment in the profession, especially in the context of the developing world. This study investigates the status of workplace harassment and the level of awareness about the relevant legislation among working women of Pakistan. MethodologyA qualitative research approach was used and data was collected through in-depth interview. Thirty-four female LIS professionals working in the university libraries of Lahore, Pakistan, were approached. However, eight were given consented to participate in the study. FindingsMost of the working females did not agree to participate in the study due to privacy concerns and the taboo nature of the topic in Pakistani society. The findings revealed the females had witnessed workplace harassment which they perceived as both physical and psychological in nature. The study also reports the respondents' level of awareness about harassment-related legislation and policies in the country as well as strategies to enhance it. It also highlights the barriers faced by them while reporting harassment issues. ImplicationThis study presents theoretical, practical, and policy implications related to workforce harassment faced by women working in LIS.

India’s research contribution to world LIS literature: a study 2011–20

PurposeThis study aims to find out the India’s research contribution to world Library and Information Science (LIS) literature from 2011 to 2020. Attempt has been made to reflect both the number of research articles published by the Indian LIS researchers during the past decade and the percentage share of Indian LIS researchers to the world LIS literature. Attempt has also been made to reflect the 20 leading LIS researchers from India, 20 leading LIS journals in which Indian LIS researchers mostly prefer to publish their research results and leading LIS research institutions and more.Design/methodology/approachThe scope of the study is limited to library and information research undertaken across the world in general and India in particular during the past decade, viz., 2011–20. To undertake the present study, data were retrieved from SCOPUS data source. The data were retrieved keeping in view the objectives of the study; accordingly, key words were framed and used to search the relevant data.FindingsOverall 77,659 research articles were published in the subject discipline of LIS across the world during the past decade, viz., 2011 through 2020. During the period of study, LIS researchers from India contributed 3,562 research articles constituting 4.59% of the total global LIS research output. The USA emerged the leading LIS research country with 33.03% research contribution, while India emerged as the fifth largest LIS research country in the world. A total of 12.85% research articles from India were contributed by 20 leading researchers. Only two LIS research journals from India were found indexed in the SCOPUS, in which 18.10% research articles were published by Indian LIS researchers during the period of study. More than 80% research results produced by Indian LIS researchers were published in foreign LIS research journals, mostly published from the USA and the UK. A good lot of Indian LIS researchers prefer to publish their research results in open access research journals. Library professionals, teachers and scholars from University of Delhi and University of Kashmir were found more active in LIS research in India.Research limitations/implicationsIndia is one of the world’s popular LIS academic, research and practicing country and has more responsibility toward world LIS research, whereby India, apart from fulfilling its own LIS research requirements, has to meet out the global LIS research demand. Thereon, if it lacks on research front, which otherwise acts as a backbone in the survival of a subject discipline, the survival of subject discipline may become difficult.Social implicationsIndia is one of the most progressive LIS research countries in the world and is about to play a far greater role in propagating newer and modern library practices and services in the years to come.Originality/valueQuantification of research output at regional level or country level is very common among LIS professionals; accordingly, the existing study adds to existing world LIS literature about the India’s contribution to world LIS research during the past decade.

Sustainable relevancy in the changing library job market in Kuwait

PurposeThe Library and Information Science (LIS) discipline face challenges such as technology applications and information overload in its effort to remain relevant in the challenging job market. This study aims to determine the skills and knowledge needed for LIS professionals in the job market to rethink the current syllabus and offer better future employability.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a survey method to collect data concerning personal information, LIS employment opportunities, job titles and skills needed. Content analysis followed to determine librarianship job listings and the need for LIS graduate jobs in Kuwait.FindingsThe findings suggested difficulties and challenges; they also compiled a comprehensive list of skills needed and recommended courses and institutions hiring LIS graduates. The research improves decision-making in syllabus development and experiences recommended by employers.Practical implicationsAcademic departments can follow this research to develop and update their syllabuses according to the requirements of the job market, thus offering better future job opportunities.Social implicationsAs LIS graduates are provided with better education, the updating of their employability skills will help them socially by recognising their employment status and economically by raising their pay.Originality/valueThe research is the first in Kuwait to collect LIS job titles and analyse employability needs.

Antiracism in the LIS Profession: Not Just Lip Service

AbstractWith rising cases of brutality, gun violence, and racial injustice towards particularly the Black and AAPI (Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders) communities, racism is being recognized and declared as an emergency and public health threat. Diversity, equity, and antiracism are core to the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession as we strive to uphold the principle of “libraries serve humanities” and the motto of “free to all.” During this extended period of “racial‐injustice as a public crisis”, what are the roles of LIS professionals in battling racism, violence, and other systems of oppression? This panel session features experienced LIS professionals and educators who specialize in DEI, reporting their activities, stories, and thoughts on antiracism. A breakout room activity is envisioned following panelists' presentations, with participants discussing and sharing their antiracism initiatives. Participants will also brainstorm the next course of action in the LIS profession's journey in battling racism.

MOOCs as a Professional Development Tool for Library and Information Science Professionals: A Study

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are recent innovative addition to the online learning landscape and spreading rapidly in all disciplines including Library and Information Science (LIS) profession. MOOCs proliferates, LIS professionals have the opportunity to leverage this technology to improve their professional skills. This paper, intended to understand the MOOCs concept, MOOCs and LIS Education, MOOCs Benefits, Why LIS should be part of MOOC, and at the end discussed feasible areas of application of MOOCs in LIS domain etc.

Whose Safety is the Priority?

Police and policing have tacitly, and at times explicitly, been normalized as aspects of library service in the U.S. As American forms of policing are exported at an international scale, this has international implications. Justification for embedded policing inside library walls has turned upon librarian and library staff conceptions of safety. This essay posits that a lack of critical engagement with the topics of policing and safety reflects the deficit of substantive discourse around antiracist pedagogy within library and information science (LIS) education and practice. The paper pairs critical research on safety and criminalization with patrons’ comments on policing and grassroots activism by LIS professionals to rethink safety as something shared between librarians, staff, patrons, and potential patrons (the community). Ongoing, organized campaigns around policing and security within libraries are documented so that their efforts, trials, and successes will engender further research and set a marked precedent of how LIS education and professions can reevaluate the role of policing and police in library settings everywhere.

Shaping LIS Education for Blended Professionals in a Pluralist Information Environment: Global Reflections

Technological innovations have led to an increase in demand for information technology (IT) skills in contemporary library and information agencies. This in turn has created an increased need for pedagogical skills on the part of library and information science (LIS) professionals for them to empower users with knowledge and skills to navigate a complex digital information terrain. Hence LIS professionals with both technology and pedagogical skills have become increasingly critical in a digitized information environment. In the context of this confluence of knowledge and skills requirements for the LIS professional, this article draws early findings from a global phenomenological probe into curriculum design and development directed at the blended or hybrid LIS professional located in a pluralist information environment and requiring cross-disciplinary competencies spanning LIS, IT, teaching and learning, and perhaps even other cognate areas. It explores, in this context, challenges, ideas, and thinking in LIS education from preliminary empirical findings from parts of Africa, Asia, and South America (representing the Global South) and from parts of Europe and North America (representing the Global North), with a view to stimulating debate and discourse on the repositioning of the LIS discipline toward staking an intellectual claim on the broadening of its disciplinary space resulting from a natural evolution of the LIS discipline in response to a technology-driven information environment. Shank and Bell’s concepts of “disruptive innovations” and the blending of traditional librarian skills with information technology and pedagogical skills, together with Corrall’s “content, conduit, and context” approach to educating for a pluralist digital information environment, are used to frame this reflection.

The essential skills and competencies of LIS professionals in the digital age: alumni perspectives survey

PurposeThe librarianship profession has gone through many changes over time, more so with the emergence of digital technologies. To thrive in the library and information science (LIS) profession, professionals must have knowledge, skills, competencies and abilities to perform their job duties. The purpose of this paper was to identify essential knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) for the LIS professionals.Design/methodology/approachThe targeted survey group for the study were alumni of ten LIS schools in India, who are now working in various library sectors. A structured questionnaire was designed to seek their opinions, and the snowball sampling technique was adopted to collect the data. A total of 377 responses were received from the respondents.FindingsFive broad areas of KSAs were identified: traditional library skills, research skills, computing skills, data management skills and soft skills. This study found that computing skills, library automation and library digitization are considered absolutely essential for the LIS professionals. The results also brought out the importance of “soft skills” for the LIS professionals. Prerequisite knowledge of library liaison services, technical services and foreign language were reportedly important only for working in special libraries.Practical implicationsThis study identified 54 skills across five broad areas that are essential for the professionals working in library and information centres. The research findings will be helpful for the educators who want to design, develop and upgrade the LIS course curriculum in accordance with the skills that are in demand in the market.Originality/valueThis study establishes that though the participants expressed satisfaction with the practicum of the curriculum, the LIS course curriculum needs to be improved. It would be in the best interest of the LIS schools to identify and rectify the gap.

Assessing the Technological Competencies of Library and Information Science Graduates and Their Employment Outcomes: A Case Study of Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to compare the self-perception of early career Library and Information Science (LIS) graduates’ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) competencies with the expectations of senior Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals’ in Pakistan. A quantitative research approach based on a survey was used in the study. Purposive sampling technique was employed to collect data from 100 early career LIS graduates and 100 LIS professionals having more than five years’ experience through a questionnaire. The researcher received 89 questionnaires from senior LIS professionals and 91 from early-career Department of Information Management (DoIM) graduates resulting in a 89% and 91% response rate respectively. The results of the study indicate that there is a gap between the expectations of senior LIS professionals’ and the perceptions of early career LIS graduates’ regarding their ICT competencies. Senior LIS professionals expected that early-career LIS graduates would have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, computer operating systems, computer hardware and functions, social networking sites, electronic database searching, and institutional repository software. Senior LIS professionals also expected that early career LIS graduates should be familiar with research management tools such as Endnote, Mendeley and Zotero, integrated library systems and plagiarism detection software such as Turnitin and SafeAssign. The early career LIS graduates reported that they were expected to have knowledge of above-said expertise and that iy was considered essential for their future jobs. The findings of the study would be beneficial for the faculty of library schools and policymakers to make changes in the curriculum so as to minimize the gap between academia and the industry.

The Perception of Library and Information Science (LIS) Professionals about Research Data Management Services in University Libraries of Pakistan

Abstract Research data management services (RDMS) is considered as an emerging and groundbreaking area for research libraries. A large number of studies focused on researchers’ perspectives of how they perform research data management practices. There are some studies that examine this important area of research from library and information science (LIS) professionals’ context, especially developing countries like Pakistan. Hence, this study addresses the gap and investigate the RDMS training needs, motivational factors, possible hindrances, and key reasons to support RDMS. A survey method was used and a self-developed questionnaire was prepared using Google Docs survey. The questionnaire link was shared with LIS professionals considering purposive sampling technique. The study highlights the main RDMS supporting reasons, needed training areas, best methods to get training, the motivational factors, and possible hindrances while planning and implementing RDMS. This study fills the gap and addresses research data management literature in developing countries’ context, especially Pakistan, and established that RDMS are poorly observed in developing countries and require some drastic steps to be launched and improved. Higher Education Commission/departments, university administrations, and donor agencies take such initiatives that research data should be openly available through repositories and the maximum number of training opportunities should be provided to LIS professionals.

The role of human environment in making a workplace congenial: a case of university libraries

PurposeOrganizations ought to provide a congenial workplace for employees, particularly females, to get optimum performance. This study aims to investigate the congeniality of libraries’ human environment for female library and information science professionals (LIPs). Regarding the human environment, the manager’s support, relationship with colleagues and informal communication have been studied.Design/methodology/approachFor this quantitative study, the researchers use a survey research method based on a self-constructed questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions, which were used to collect the data; however, the open-ended question entitled comments was also added to take the opinion of respondents. The sampling includes the female LIPs working in the university libraries of Punjab, Pakistan.FindingsThe results highlight that female LIPs were satisfied with the human environment at their workplaces. Participants not only appreciated the role and support of their immediate managers in terms of respect, feedback, task allocation and approachability but also recognized the role of colleagues and informal communication (social interaction) in making their workplace congenial and comfortable to work by establishing a positive relationship with supervisors, colleagues or subordinates at the workplace. However, some open-ended comments reveal that females face leg-pulling, favoritism, male colleagues’ indecent behavior and managers’ critical behavior at the workplace.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the sensitivity of the topic and limitedness of an instrument, the respondents might have been hesitant to give real opinions. This study was limited in terms of participants as data was collected only from one province of Pakistan.Practical implicationsWorkplaces for females in a male-dominated society like Pakistan impede their commitment to giving their best. Despite an increased number of females in the profession, it is surprising that so little empirical research has been conducted on the topic. Therefore, this study is an excellent addition to the dearth of literature on the subject. The findings may help in sensitizing the management and authorities to control the human environment at workplaces as this study will also bring into light the prevailing working environment for females.Originality/valueLibraries as a workplace have been studied internationally (Farler and Broady-Preston, 2012; Ocholla, 2002; Oud, 2008). From the local perspective, the only study concerning the workplace issues of libraries is by Yousafet al.(2013), which was limited to the managerial problems faced by female librarians working at the University of the Punjab. Hence, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be one of its nature.