Library Computer System Research Articles

Challenges Associated with Postgraduate Students’ Awareness and Use of Online Journals in Nigerian Universities

This study investigates the challenges associated with postgraduate students’ awareness and use of online journals in Nigerian universities. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised 10, 775 registered postgraduate students in federal and state universities in south-south zone of Nigeria. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table, a sample size of 370 postgraduate students were chosen for the study. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Copies of the questionnaire were distributed by hand by the researchers with the help of research assistants. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data from the questionnaire. The major findings challenges associated with postgraduate students’ awareness and use of online journals were identified to include absence of enlightenment on online journals by lecturers (𝑋̅2.94,SD=.87), lack of knowledge of publishers of online journals (𝑋̅2.67,SD=.98), lack of user education on online journals from university libraries (𝑋̅2.80,SD=.93), inadequate computer systems in university libraries (𝑋̅3.58,SD=.73), frequent power outages in libraries (𝑋̅3.48,SD=.66), and slow internet connectivity in university libraries (𝑋̅2.96,SD=.94) among others. Respondents in the study proffered several strategies for enhancing awareness and use of online journals. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the cost of data bundle should be reduced by Internet service providers, particularly for postgraduate students to enhance the use of online journals. University libraries should engage in aggressive awareness campaign on online journals and their usefulness for effective research in universities. Additionally, university libraries should create a database of open access online journals to enable users search full text articles online from various publishers.
 Keywords: Online Journals, Awareness, Use, Universities, Challenges

Creating an integrated information retrieval system Scientific and Technical Library of National Aviation University using existing bibliographic databases

The rapid development of the information space of the world and Ukraine and increase the number ofpaper and electronic documents in libraries causes problems effectively work with documents, whichentails a significant increase in the time to find the desired document. The problem can be solvedthrough the use of automation of the search based on the use of computer systems. The work isdedicated to the creation of an information retrieval system, linked to a bibliographic database andsystem of informing users of the library institution of higher education and the availability of seatsconservation literature. The existing mechanisms for receiving, storing and processing data andfeatures improve productivity of library computer systems.

Web 2.0 and folksonomies in a library context

Libraries have a societal purpose and this role has become increasingly important as new technologies enable organizations to support, enable and enhance the participation of users in assuming an active role in the creation and communication of information. Folksonomies, a Web 2.0 technology, represent such an example. Folksonomies result from individuals freely tagging resources available to them on a computer network. In a library environment folksonomies have the potential of overcoming certain limitations of traditional classification systems such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Typical limitations of this type of classification systems include, for example, the rigidity of the underlying taxonomical structures and the difficulty of introducing change in the categories. Folksonomies represent a supporting technology to existing classification systems helping to describe library resources more flexibly, dynamically and openly. As a review of the current literature shows, the adoption of folksonomies in libraries is novel and limited research has been carried out in the area. This paper presents research into the adoption of folksonomies for a University library. A Web 2.0 system was developed, based on the requirements collected from library stakeholders, and integrated with the existing library computer system. An evaluation of the work was carried out in the form of a survey in order to understand the possible reactions of users to folksonomies as well as the effects on their behavior. The broad conclusion of this work is that folksonomies seem to have a beneficial effect on users’ involvement as active library participants as well as encourage users to browse the catalogue in more depth.

Forty years of library automation: a personal reflection

PurposeTo provide an overview of one person's involvement with computer systems in libraries over the last 40 years.Design/methodology/approachPersonal memories corroborated with published articles.FindingsThere have been very many developments in libraries in a comparatively short period of time as a result of using computer systems, and this may only be the start of a revolution.Originality/valueOf relevance to anyone interested in historical aspects of library automation.

Program: a record of the first 40 years of electronic library and information systems

PurposeTo provide a broad overview of the history of the journal Program: electronic library and information systems and its contents over its first 40 years.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of content from the original published material, as well as from abstracting and indexing publications and from minutes of Editorial Board meetings.FindingsThe publication has grown from modest beginnings as a newsletter for UK university librarians to a respected refereed journal with a wide international readership.Originality/valueAn analysis of the content of articles published on computer systems in libraries and information units over the last 40 years.

Developing recommendations for consortial cataloging of electronic resources: Lessons learned

In 2003, the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO) consortium convened a task force to recommend a set of consortial standards for cataloging electronic resources in its new Voyager integrated library management system (ILMS). The CatER group faced the task of producing proposals that would embrace coherently a variety of local practices, and do so within a distributed system architecture. In the course of its work, CatER considered the interplay of many factors, including historical practice, user expectations, MARC standards, system functionality, conflicting cataloging philosophies, and the impact of new technologies. This paper summarizes some instructive aspects of the group's deliberations and elaborates upon the main themes that emerged.

E-Resource Cataloging Practices

This article discusses current practices for the cataloging and display of electronic resources in academic/research libraries and consortia. Data were collected via survey by the Cataloging Electronic Resources/Electronic Resource Display in OPAC (CatER) Task Force of the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO) Users' Advisory Group during the spring and summer of 2003. Survey questions covered a variety of areas, including: methods of access, percentages of total e-resources cataloged, policies and guidelines, adherence to national standards, the single-record versus multiple-record approach, the use of vendor records, the placement, tracking, and verification of URLs and their components, persistent problems, future plans to enhance bibliographic control, and the cataloging and display of electronic resources.

Sharing Technology for a Joint-Use Library

Abstract Building joint-use libraries to foster new types of learning and collaboration is a growing phenomenon that is of great interest to academic library planners around the world. Noteworthy among these efforts, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in San José, California, is a collaboration of a metropolitan university library and a major public library. This article describes the information technology challenges in the design and development of this innovative partnership: (a) selecting a shared library computer system, (b) building a merged web site, (c) designing a new telecommunications network, (d) co-managing IT staff and services, and (e) planning for the new integrated library.

The Protective Function of Separated Network System for Library Computer System

The Protective Function of Separated Network System for Library Computer System

Allocating costs in a consortial environment: a methodology for library consortia

Reports on the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO) assessment methodology task force’s work in determining their assessment formulae for the decade covering ten fiscal years, 1988‐1999. The article includes the rationale ILCSO used for membership assessments, assessment totals by fiscal year, assessment methodologies by fiscal year, new member assessments and an appendix detailing the cost allocation methodologies used by 21 other consortia.

Empowering the Patron

Redesigning the interlibrary loan process by empowering the patron at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's Library Affairs has involved a number of projects. These include patron initiated interlibrary loan for items held by members of the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO); introduction of the interlibrary loan link on FirstSearch, and implementation of web-based interlibrary loan request forms. This article will explore the Access Services Department's success in meeting three of the objectives outlined by the Association of Research Library's North American Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery (NAILDD) Project. It will provide descriptions of three projects designed to empower patrons, explain the role of institutional support and interdepartmental collaboration in these efforts, and discuss the impact on services.

From Access Points to Materials: A Transaction Log Analysis of Access Point Value for Online Catalog Users

It is possible to obtain some insights into searchers’ judgments by using transaction log analysis to associate online catalog search methods with decisions to retrieve location information, The Mainframe Interface to Libraries Online (MILO) is cm interface to the Illinois Library Computer Systems Office online union catalog for 45 academic libraries. MILO provides access to a bibliographic database and directly links to another database with circulation and location records. Because the latter database only provides location and circulation Status, searchers’ decisions to make links to such data are seen as an indication that the records being linked represent potentially useful material, Via a transaction log analysis, the linked location records were associated with the access points used to retrieve them in order to analyze the value and problems of searchers’ uses of specific access points. Transaction logs were analyzed for a 38-day sample of the 1994 logs. Counting records retrieved through the use of multiple access points (making the total greater than 100%), subject fields were used to access over 30%, author fields to access over 19%, and title fields to access over 51 % of all records linked to location information. Other fields were used to retrieve very small percentages of linked records.

The use of PRINCE project management methodology in choosing a new library system at the University of Wales Bangor

This paper examines how the application of a project management methodology (PRINCE) together with the use of project management software (Microsoft Project Version 4.0 for Windows) helped with the exercise of replacing a library computer system at the University of Wales Bangor. It concludes that the use of project management techniques within the higher education sector is necessary. Although the task of adopting such methods appears daunting, the possible alternative of expensive failure is perhaps more frightening. In addition, it examines how computer software can greatly reduce the administrative burden of managing large projects, especially and almost paradoxically, when resources are limited.

Shared Authority Control

Authority control is usually the last component to be considered by libraries when investing in an online catalog. Its importance, while minimized by many, affects not only catalogers but also impacts the user. What happens to authority control when the online catalog is shared by over 800 libraries ranging in size from small school libraries to large academic research libraries? Members of ILLINET Online's Bibliographic/Authority File Sites Subcommittee, a subsection of the Illinois Library Computer System's Organization's Maintenance Committee, is the policy making body of nine libraries that are responsible for online maintenance of this file. The policies underlying its decisions and an overview of the training program are included here.

Computer systems in libraries: Have we considered the tradeoffs?

Computer-based access systems have created new potential for achieving the objectives of librarianship: access to and delivery of information. The author of this article, however, suggests that librarians have not adequately considered the tradeoffs imposed by the new technologies, and have not been proactive enough in shaping their design and function. She examines the problems posed by online and CD-ROM-based tools and proposes several areas for librarian involvement.

Use of CDS/ISIS for a survey of computer systems in medical libraries

A survey of library automation was conducted in 1990 of members of the US Medical Library Association and the European Association of Health Libraries and Librarians using a questionnaire designed to obtain information on library automation. The questionnaire was designed to determine the degree of automation in medical libraries and the type of hardware/software used by library function and geographic location.

MARC and relational databases

MARC format is a well‐established syntax for transmitting bibliographic records between heterogeneous computer systems. On the other hand, relational databases are the leading technology for the design of the computer systems. Unfortunately, there seem to be some incompatibilities between the two. A solution is presented here, in accordance with the more recent standards about Open System Interconnection (OSI) and based on a real experience in an active library computer system.

The customer is always … what?

Remember that old saying, the customer is always right? Or at least important? Forget it! Like chivalry and Shakespeare, it's dead. Would that I had never heard of A Very Well Known Library Computer System Company Inc. (now both overtaken and taken over!), let alone bought their library system on false promises. How could I ever have been so stupid as to give them my address to add to their mailing list? It obviously works on the same monolithic principles as their library system — you can purge all the records but you can never ever get rid of just the one you want. How many times have I writ‐ten to them begging, pleading to get taken off their mailing list for their smug little press releases and their chintzy little newsletters? All to no avail — like the rest of their customer support, nothing happens.

RVIB Talking Book Library computer system

The Talking Book Library of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind provides library and information services to people with print disabilities. Most of the library's borrowers do not come into the library to select their own material and circulation of library material to borrowers is conducted mainly by mail. The selection of a new automated management system for the library was complicated by the need for the system to compensate for this by providing borrowers with the means of making their own choices at a distance.

Computerisation of library operations in Singapore: An overwiew

This paper traces the development of computerisation of library operations in Singapore from 1970–1989. Two levels of computerisation are examined, namely: 1. (i) institutional level, and 2. (ii) network or national level. At the institutional levels, the National Library, National University of Singapore Library, Nanyang Technological Institute Library, Singapore Polytechnic Library, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Library, the Law Libraries Consortium, the Education Libraries Consortium and the ECOMNET Libraries Consortium are among the major libraries examined. At the network level, the development and progress, functions and organisation of the Singapore Integrated Library Automation Service (SILAS) are outlined. The author concludes that computers and related technologies are becoming increasingly important in the library scene of Singapore and that there is no perfect library computer system and upgrading is a necessary continuous process.