Library Experience Research Articles

Libraries Assist Disaster Survivors with Information Needs and Refuge but Need to Amplify Their Role and What They Offer

A Review of: Braquet, D. M. (2010). Library experiences of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans flood survivors. LIBRES: Library and Information Science Research Electronic Journal, 20(1), 1. https://www.libres-ejournal.info/528/ Abstract Objective – Describe the experiences and library usage of patrons displaced by Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans Flood. Design – A qualitative study with interview components and a questionnaire with open and closed-end questions Setting – New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding area Subjects – 314 questionnaire respondents and 30 interview (24 face-to-face and 6 phone) participants with 5 individuals completing both Methods – The study consisted of an online questionnaire with open and closed-end questions occurring concurrently with semi-structured interviews conducted over the phone and in person. Individuals were recruited via convenience sample by flyers at public locales in the New Orleans area and electronic mailing lists, forums, blogs, and news sites that catered to the New Orleans community. Main Results – Disaster survivors use libraries for Internet access, information and technology assistance, mental relief, physical refuge, and also view them as symbols of both loss and hope. Library resources (including the physical spaces) allowed survivors to regain a sense of control by helping patrons access local information and experience pre-disaster pastimes, such as leisure reading. Conclusion – The study provides rich description of how libraries can support people displaced by disaster, however just over half of participants did not consider the library a part of their disaster experience. Future research should examine how libraries and library workers can amplify their impact during disasters and disaster recovery, as well as partner with disaster planning and response professionals.

Mentoring Experience of Academic Librarians: A Pilot Study of Mentorship in Academic Libraries

Librarians have embraced the critical role mentoring can play in the professional growth, socialization and leadership development for academic libraries. The author sought to understand mentoring experiences in career and professional development and psychosocial functions as well as barriers to entering mentoring relationships in New England academic libraries. Surveys sent to academic librarians at Association of College and Research Libraries/New England Chapter News Group invited them to share their experiences with mentoring relationships and its benefits. The study suggests that few structured formal mentoring programs from their own libraries exist for librarians outside of professional associations’ mentoring programs. Additionally, results suggest that the mentoring program antecedents of library organizational culture, prior positive mentoring experience are the main influencing factors for successful implementation of mentoring programs.

Job engagement and employee-organization relationship among academic librarians in a modified work environment

The aim of this study was to quantitatively examine job engagement and employee-organization relationship among faculty librarians during the work-from-home period of the COVID-19 pandemic, using a modified version of the Walden et al. (2017b) Job Engagement and Employee-Organization Relationship Survey to examine information flow, job engagement, and organizational commitment. Using a single institution as a population sample, the study surveyed faculty librarians at six weeks and six months into the teleworking period to see how specific indicators of engagement and relationship with the organization changed as experience working-from-home progressed. The results of this study indicate that duration of employment has an effect on perceived information flow, job engagement, and organizational commitment on librarians operating under COVID-19 modifications at both the six week and six-month checkpoints. Job engagement scores from faculty academic librarians were significantly reduced between the six week and six-month checkpoints. This study presents novel findings regarding the workplace experiences of academic librarians during COVID-19 and has potential impact for libraries considering the effects of workplace modifications on employee experience and retention.

Comics in the Practical Activity of Ukraine Libraries

The amount increasing of produced information raises the issue of its effective perception and assimilation and increases attention to graphic information products as effective communication tools, including, in particular, comic books, and library practices built around comics. The article is devoted to the disclosure of modern domestic library experience in activities related to the comics use, outlining the system of service formed around comics in the libraries of Ukraine. Based on the study of funds and official websites of domestic libraries, professional publications, media materials, and the use of a set of research methods – especially bibliographic and heuristic search methods, analysis of content – it was found out that comic books are presented in the funds of domestic libraries of different levels and types: from large national-level institutions to small district book collections. The beginning of the comics history in the libraries of Ukraine dates back to the 20-the 30s of the twentieth century and today we can already talk about the formation of a comprehensive innovative library service around comics as an information product, the main components of which are the organization of educational events dedicated to comics, informing about the receipt of comics in the library, organizing exhibitions of comics, compiling lists and preparing bibliographic indexes and organization of meetings with authors and publishers of comics, workshops, and competitions. It has been found that comics as an information product is not only the subject of work of domestic librarians but also an effective tool for solving educational, social, and internal narrow professional tasks to promote the library profession and library business by them.

Covid-19 dan Perpustakaan: Sebuah Literature Review

The covid-19 outbreak in the world and in Indonesia since last March 2020, has caused the activities of most people to be carried out from home. The library is an institution that is obliged to carry out work from home. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the activities carried out during the covid-19 pandemic. This research uses the literature review method. The data source used was EBSCOhost which was accessed fro the E-Resources of the National Library of Indonesia on May 6, 2020. The search used the keyword covid-19 and objectives. The data obtained from the search results are then analyzed against each article with the aim of solving and identifying important information contained therein. Furthermore, the synthesis of all the articles obtained is carried out, namely integrating and identifying conclusions that can be drawn from all articles. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that abroad, during the covid-19 pandemic, both public libraries, college libraries, although there are some closed, there are those who postpone activities, but they still provide services to users by utilizing various information technology platforms and social media. In addition to providing information services to users, libraries even provide infrastructure to be used as a place to distribute aid resources to communities affected by covid-19. The experiences of several librarians who are involved in the response to covid-19, such as the participation of a librarian in providing face shield can provide information to the public that librarians are also contributing to the prevention of the covid-19 outbreak.

Exploring the library experiences of military dependents

College and university library programs and services for military-affiliated populations are typically aimed at student veterans and service members and not their spouses or children who are also students. However, librarians organizing programming for student veterans and service members often receive questions about also including other military-affiliated groups on campus, such as ROTC cadets or military dependents, the spouses/children of veterans who are using educational benefits, in their programming audience. This study explores the potential relevance of targeted library support for veterans and service members to military dependents. Findings suggest that incoming dependents' demographics and experiences with libraries are similar to those of other first time in college students. When designing programming and services for student veterans and service members, librarians should think critically about whether those programs and services are also appropriate for military dependents before expanding the target audience.

THE ROLE OF THE LIBRARY IN THE FORMATION OF INCLUSIVE COMPETENCE OF FUTURE TEACHERS: RELEVANCE, DIRECTIONS, EXPERIENCE

Objective. The article is aimed at reviewing the current state of inclusion implementation in Ukraine and the role of university libraries in these processes. Methods. The research was conducted by analyzing the world literature on educational practices of development and implementation of inclusion and experience of the library of Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University (VSPU) in creating inclusive library space. Results. The term "inclusive education" is explained and the factual basis of the importance of training highly qualified teachers in the conditions of inclusive education is expanded. The essence of inclusive teacher competence as a scientific category is analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the experience of the VSPU library in creating an inclusive library space. It is proved that the library, using various forms and methods of work, promotes the introduction of the latest educational standards, among which is the inclusive education. The main directions and aspects of the implementation of the inclusive project "Library without Borders" are highlighted. Conclusions. Ukrainian educational institutions take an active part in inclusive education practices. In these processes, the university library is an important link in providing inclusive education. The necessity of supplementing the further strategy of the library activity with the direction of formation of inclusive space and inclusive library is determined.

Exploring the workforce experiences of autistic librarians through accessible and participatory approaches

Understanding job seeking and workforce experiences of autistic adults in librarianship may help to create more inclusive practices in the field. However, the topic largely remains unexplored. This may be in part due to traditional research practices that do little to encourage meaningful participation from autistic adults. Ten interviews were conducted with autistic librarians in professional and paraprofessional roles about their workforce experiences, using inclusive, accessible measures and providing options for communication and participation. Findings reveal common themes for autistic librarians in the workforce, and also lead to implications for research involving members of the population. Based on findings, guidelines for future research are presented. By moving toward a more accessible, participatory research approach, qualitative studies can gain a better understanding of participants' lived experiences while producing work with practical implications for members of the population itself.

Global trends in library web-archives

The need for studying and promoting web-archiving for longterm information preservation and accessibility in future is substantiated. The existing technologies of web-archiving are specified and the problems related to the web dynamic character, errors, content complexity, are revealed. Successful experience in the world libraries’ web-archiving is discussed (selection, search, description technologies, access terms, etc.). The study findings demonstrate that web-archives are selected to supplement the libraries’ digital collections on hot topics, like COVID-19, or to meet the demands of specific user groups. For the purpose of cultural heritage preservation, the national libraries often focus of acquiring web-sites by the domains in the corresponding country. The university libraries focus on acquiring web-archives that meet research and educational demands of their users; and public libraries prefer the resources of interest to their local community. The findings may be used by world libraries for developing their digital collections.

Children's Literature in School Libraries

To recognize differences between equals, to accept and retain diversity implies the intervention of school, in particular in if S practices. In this context, children's literature - in particular one Portuguese book analyzed here in relation to a school library experience - gives the possibility to work on the topic of diversity. That book is an interesting literary work that may develop intercultural education and conviviality in a society with a plurality of cultures. In this presentation the intercultural messages presented by the book and analyzed through young children's reaction to the story.

Humanizing Oppression: The Value of the Human Library Experience in Social Work Education

ABSTRACT Similar to discussions in social work education classrooms facilitated by Intergroup Dialogue (IGD), the Human Library (HL) is an opportunity for students to engage in personal one-on-one dialogue about prejudice, discrimination, and oppression. To date, no study has been conducted of the use of the HL in social work education. A qualitative case study approach exploring the perceptions of 11 participants in an HL event hosted by one midwestern university explored two research questions: How do those in the role of enlisted participants (Books) describe the HL experience? and What potential does the HL have to create IGD in the social work classroom? Data analysis revealed the following unique themes: (a) arriving with the baggage of the narrative, (b) intention to educate and raise awareness, (c) surprise at the undeserved respect they received from readers, (d) perception of a shift from monologue to dialogue, and (e) recognition of expanding the narrative that fueled positive self-perceptions. Freire’s critical theory was applied to the findings, identifying the benefits of its use in social work education compared to more traditional IGD offerings.

Tapping Librarians for a Successful Technology Training Pilot

This text reports on the early success of a technology training program designed to introduce incoming first-year students to the basics of academic technologies they will use during their undergraduate career on a campus in a U.S institution. The training was built upon existing but independent programs. Their content was consolidated and redesigned for the remote learning environment of Summer and Fall 2020, leveraging the experience of librarians and library staff to facilitate its quick development. The content of this training, its implementation using the campus learning management system (LMS), and the initial assessment results are reviewed, along with thoughts on the next steps to extend the pilot to the Spring of 2021 and beyond.

Nigerian Medical Libraries Face Challenges With High Hopes for the Future

A Review of: Popoola, B., Uzoagba, N., & Rabiu, N. (2020). “What’s happening over there?”: A study of the current state of services, challenges, and prospects in Nigerian medical libraries. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 108(3), 398–407. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2020.607 Abstract Objective – This study examined the field of medical librarianship as it is currently practiced in Nigeria. Design – Mixed methods: electronic survey and in-person interview. Setting – The survey was advertised via an email list and a WhatsApp discussion group, both based in Nigeria. The interviews were requested directly by the authors. Subjects – Librarians working in medical libraries in Nigeria for the survey; library heads for the interviews. Methods – The survey was created in Google Forms and shared via the Nigerian Library Association’s email discussion list and the WhatsApp Group for the Medial Library Association of Nigeria. Question categories included personal and library demographics, library patronage/social media use, library services for users, and librarians’ training and challenges. Most questions were closed-ended. Survey data was analyzed in SPSS for response frequencies and percentages. The interviews were conducted in person. Questions covered topics such as demographics, challenges, and prospects (for medical librarianship in Nigeria). Interview transcriptions underwent thematic content analysis. Main Results – The majority of the 58 survey respondents (73%) reported seven or more years of medical library experience. There was no consensus on classifications schemes used throughout medical libraries in Nigeria, with 43% using the US National Library of Medicine classification and 32% using the Library of Congress. Social media use also varied, but the majority (approximately 45%) reported using social media less than monthly to promote their libraries or programming. Monographs were the main collection material reported by roughly 35% of respondents. Journals followed at approximately 24% while only 10% reported electronic resources as the main collection material. The majority of respondents (53%) noted that their library did not offer specialized services. Others (31%) reported “selective dissemination of information, current awareness services, or reference services” (p. 402) as specialized services; 7% reported literature searching. The majority of respondents (70-75%) rated their skill levels in evidence based medicine and systematic reviews as beginner/intermediate. Half of respondents reported that their libraries had not held any training programs or seminars for library users in the six months prior. Interviews with library heads revealed that they all had high hopes for the future of medical libraries in Nigeria but also noted many challenges. These included a lack of cooperation between libraries, a lack of interlibrary loan services, budget deficiencies, and insufficient access to the internet. This mirrored survey responses, 50% of which noted access to electronic information was a “significant barrier to improved services” (p. 402) along with a lack of training (53%) and low library usage (57%). Conclusion – Medical libraries in Nigeria face multiple challenges. Budgetary constraints, a lack of library cooperation, and internet accessibility limit the availability of electronic collections. The authors suggest that library associations in Nigeria focus on education and training opportunities for current and future medical librarians.

Los archivos personales conservados en bibliotecas universitarias argentinas y su importancia para la investigación y la cultura

Hoy día es notorio el interés que existe en la comunidad académica por los archivos personales. En el relevamiento de la literatura publicada en América Latina predominan textos sobre un fondo personal específico –a partir del cual se trabaja la noción de archivo personal, su organización, descripción y preservación– pero es escaso el relato de experiencias en bibliotecas. Esta investigación exploratoria-descriptiva tiene por objetivo conocer, mediante una encuesta, la cohabitación de fondos personales en bibliotecas universitarias argentinas de gestión pública y privada, así como la opinión de sus responsables en relación a la disponibilidad de este tipo de documentos en sus instituciones. La población de estudio estuvo conformada por las bibliotecas pertenecientes a 131 instituciones de educación superior. Para la recolección de datos se elaboró un cuestionario. Sobre 35 respuestas obtenidas, los resultados muestran que la mitad de las bibliotecas poseen este tipo de fondo, la mayoría ha confeccionado algún instrumento de descripción, 40 % ha iniciado su digitalización, 17 % cuenta con políticas en materia archivística, y 80 % de los responsables de biblioteca valoran positivamente el ingreso de archivos personales; todas señales de que las bibliotecas están replanteando sus prácticas y políticas frente a estas valiosas fuentes de información.

Lithuanian school libraries today: Problems and perspectives

The situation of Lithuanian school libraries and the status of librarians are ambiguous, because libraries are financed by Ministry of Education and Science, but legal acts, except the laws, are organized by Ministry of Culture. School libraries are very important among other libraries in Lithuania according to the latest statistic data of Lithuania. In 2000 the school libraries computerization started and in 2004 they were instilled with a simplified version of the Lithuanian Integrated Library Information System (LILIS) – so called Information System of School Libraries (ISSL).The questioning of school librarians was done in 2006-2007 years. Analysis of questionnaires showed that there are some problems in activity of school libraries. The Standard of Digital Literacy of School Librarians (SDLSL) has contradictory estimations. It contains extremely high requirements for school librarians in the sphere of ICT use. Lithuania school librarians do not have a professional association. Members of IASL in Lithuania are only separate school librarians. The methodical help to school libraries should be given by the Municipality public libraries but the help is given not very often. In some towns more active and experienced librarians organize methodical groups, give seminars for those, who are less experienced.School librarians take part in different state actions. Year 2008 is announced to be Reading year in Lithuania. Reading year is stage of Reading Promotion Program confirmed by the Government.

Welcome from the Editors

Welcome from the Editors

Editorial Preface

Editorial Preface

Let’s understand the position of academic libraries in views of different users

This paper attempts to understand the position of academic libraries in views of different users include stakeholders, employer and service providers. Academic libraries have gone through computerization and then are practicing use of ICT. While functioning they are tackling variety of issues at a time and thus it has resulted it some confusion and difficult stage. Focusing on these issues few questions were asked to the experienced librarians and then views of different groups are discussed in the paper. Knowing difficult issues recommendations are suggested. There is need to counsel different user groups particularly students group is recommended in the paper. Keywords: Academic libraries, Users, Teaching and non-teaching staff and Library staff etc.

Lithuanian school libraries today

The situation of Lithuanian school libraries and the status of librarians are ambiguous, because libraries are financed by Ministry of Education and Science, but legal acts, except the laws, are organized by Ministry of Culture. School libraries are very important among other libraries in Lithuania according to the latest statistic data of Lithuania. In 2000 the school libraries computerization started and in 2004 they were instilled with a simplified version of the Lithuanian Integrated Library Information System (LILIS) – so called Information System of School Libraries (ISSL).The questioning of school librarians was done in 2006-2007 years. Analysis of questionnaires showed that there are some problems in activity of school libraries. The Standard of Digital Literacy of School Librarians (SDLSL) has contradictory estimations. It contains extremely high requirements for school librarians in the sphere of ICT use. Lithuania school librarians do not have a professional association. Members of IASL in Lithuania are only separate school librarians. The methodical help to school libraries should be given by the Municipality public libraries but the help is given not very often. In some towns more active and experienced librarians organize methodical groups, give seminars for those, who are less experienced.School librarians take part in different state actions. Year 2008 is announced to be Reading year in Lithuania. Reading year is stage of Reading Promotion Program confirmed by the Government.

Christchurch City Libraries ‘Ready for Reading’

This paper reports on the experiences of the Evaluation Team, comprised of experienced librarians from the Christchurch City Libraries and primary teacher educators (from Canterbury University) as they planned and implemented interventions working with the children of teen mothers (one marginalised cohort within a wider study). In particular it focuses on the Christchurch City Libraries’ (CCL) use of the Ready for Reading kit (R4R) to provide an intervention for a group of non-library users. It explores the diversity of strengths within the Research Evaluation Team and describes the challenges faced, and resilience required as they focused on motivating non-library using parents to support their children’s literacy development. Strengths of a multidisciplinary team are explored and how the ingredients of community connections and passion for literacy, together with clear knowledge of the reading process, were needed to develop interventions that would meet the needs of the target groups by supporting children’s transition into school.