Library Information Research Articles

Propuesta de lineamientos generales para la gestión del conocimiento en bibliotecas infantiles

The objective of this research is to present a proposal for general guidelines for knowledge management in children’s libraries, taking as reference the experience of the academic activity of the School of Library Science, Documentation and Information (EBDI) of the National University (UNA) of Costa Rica with the name of the Miriam Álvarez Brenes Children’s Library (BIMAB) in the period between January 2018 and June 2020. This study had a qualitative approach and was explanatory; data collection was done primarily through bibliographic review and experiences obtained in the management of this academic activity. As main results and conclusions, it is possible to highlight the definition of a series of general guidelines for knowledge management that can be related and adjusted to the context of any children’s library; so, general guidance is provided for the continuous improvement of management processes of the information unit and to facilitate access and democratization of information products and services for its community of users.

Perencanaan Strategis Sistem Informasi pada Web Perpustakaan Amikom Purwokerto

The rapid development of information technology has encouraged various organizations, including educational institutions, to utilize technology to support their operational activities. One form of information technology utilization in the academic field is the implementation of a web-based library information system. The Amikom Purwokerto library website faces several challenges in its use. One of the main problems encountered is the low level of user access, which is due to the users' limited understanding of the library website's usefulness and a lack of effective information regarding the available features. This situation creates a gap between user needs and the services provided, preventing the library from delivering optimal service. Therefore, strategic information system planning is needed by using the Ward and Peppard method and conducting an analysis using SWOT and Value Chain.

Manajemen Perpustakaan Sekolah/Madrasah: Strategi, Tantangan, dan Implementasi Teknologi

Library management is a crucial aspect to ensure efficient and effective access to information resources for users. It involves planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the library's information resources, including collections, staff, budget, and information technology. The main objective of library management is to support and enhance learning, research, and knowledge development by providing high-quality and relevant information services. The principles of library management include planning, organizing, leadership, control, collection development, user services, and technology utilization. Libraries play a significant role in supporting the learning process in schools and madrasas by providing various learning resources, facilitating independent learning, enhancing information literacy, supporting student research and projects, promoting a reading culture, collaborating with teachers, providing access to digital resources, and offering reference and consultation services. Collection development is a critical aspect of library management, involving the systematic selection and acquisition of library materials based on user needs, curriculum relevance, and the latest developments in various fields of knowledge. The maintenance and preservation of library collections are also essential to ensure their longevity and accessibility. Effective library management strategies, including the development, maintenance, and preservation of collections, are vital to providing diverse and high-quality resources that support learning, research, and knowledge development in educational environments.

Designing and Implementing a Community-Engaged Research e-Library: A Case Study for Adapting Academic Library Information Infrastructure to Respond to Stakeholder Needs.

The Duke University Clinical and Translational Science Institute Community Engaged Research Initiative (CERI) created an e-Library in 2018. This e-Library was developed in response to requests from academic researchers and the community for reliable, easily accessible information about community-engaged research approaches and concepts. It was vetted by internal and external partners. The e-Library's goal is to compile and organize nationally relevant community-engaged research resources to build bi-directional capacity between diverse community collaborators and the academic research community. Key elements of the e-Library's development included a selection of LibGuides as the platform; iterative community input; adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic; and modification of this resource as needs grow and change.

Assessment of the use of Open Educational Resources at five European Library and Information Science higher education institutions during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.

This article presents an analysis of the impact of Open Educational Resources (OER) during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their potential use in the post-pandemic, in Library and Information Science (LIS) higher education institutions. The research explored how OER were used and created, what were the main barriers and drivers in practice and some main lessons learned that can help to improve the quality and increase the use of OER beyond times of crisis. The research was based on fieldwork carried out in the LIS departments of the universities of Barcelona (Spain), Hildesheim (Germany), Osijek and Zagreb (Croatia) and the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies in Sofia (Bulgaria). The methodology approach was qualitative and was based on interviews with faculty and focus groups with students. Results show that faculty members were still hesitant to adopt OER since they generally did not consider them. Moreover, those who did use them did so on their own initiative and as additional resources. We discuss the different speeds of OER implementation that have been observed depending on the faculty's prior level of knowledge, and on whether their institutions and countries are prepared to support the use of OER. The promotion of post-pandemic OER involves greater capacity building, as well as collaboration and institutional support. Students' attitudes about the usefulness of OER focus on their availability. The large number of teachers and students who participated in the study, as well as the international scope of the study, constitute a strength in the treatment of a topic such as the use of OER where the user perspectives and LIS context have been little addressed in the literature.

The current trends in the development of methods and regulatory framework for indexing library information resources

The author examines the development of the basic concepts of indexing information resources using classifications and dictionaries of information retrieval languages. The impact of digital communications and the Internet on the indexing methods in the information environment, including the libraries, is emphasized. The modern library collections comprise various types of resources, both traditional paper publications and digital resources of various types, widely available on the Internet. In these conditions, harmonization of indexing methods with the principles of Internet information retrieval grows in importance. The author discusses the regulatory framework for indexing in the library sector and its relationship with Internet standards within the concept of Semantic Web. The author reviews the main stages of the development of the regulatory framework both on the international level and in this country. The author emphasizes the need to study the experience of other organizations in the field of standardization for further development of indexing technology.

Library instruction and information literacy 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to present recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy (IL). It provides an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of publications organized thematically and detailing study populations, results and research contexts. The selected bibliography is useful to efficiently keep up with trends in library instruction for academic library practitioners, library science students and researchers wishing to learn about IL in other contexts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper annotates 374 English-language periodical articles, dissertations, theses and reports on library instruction and IL published in 2023. The sources were selected from the EBSCO platform for Library, Information Science and Technology s (LISTA), Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Elsevier SCOPUS and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Sources selected were published in 2023 and included the terms “information literacy,” “library instruction” or “information fluency” in the title, subject terms or author-supplied keywords. The sources were organized in Zotero. Annotations were made summarizing the source, focusing on the findings or implications. Each source was then thematically categorized and organized for academic librarians to be able to skim and use the annotated bibliography adeptly.FindingsThe paper provides a brief description of 374 sources from 159 unique publications and highlights publications that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions. Further analysis of the sources and authorship are provided such as country affiliation and institutional Carnegie classification.Originality/valueThe information is primarily of use to academic librarians, researchers and anyone interested as a convenient and comprehensive reference to literature on library instruction and IL published within 2023.

Cluster of the e-Libraries of the Students’ Scientific Society at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies in Sofia, Bulgaria

The information resources of the Students’ Scientific Society (SSS) at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) in Bulgaria are presented in the current article as an example of reference-information mapping. The retrospective channel of this modeling, structured in 29 e-libraries (2005–), designed for universities, libraries and civil society, was defined as an interdisciplinary cluster of the informatization in Bulgaria with wide international resonance. The methodology of development of the e-libraries and the used terminology define them as a secondary-documental resources. The semantic aspects of the е-libraries are shown as a unified system that is rooted in the universal humanitarian studies and virtually organized around the model of theoretical and practical methodological directions for organization of reference information retrieval databases. The perspectives of the development of similar information resources in the future are revealed. The creation of these e-libraries was part of a pedagogical practice through which students of Library Studies and Information Technologies learned information modeling in an open laboratory environment.

Invisible Images: Pictures, Illustrations and Visual Data in the Text-Centric System of the Library

This study investigates how the library information infrastructure steers not only the access, searchability and retrievability of the images it preserves but also, on a more profound level, how images are understood as sources of information. Using the National Library of Sweden as a case study it first outlines how images are handled and conceptualized – as single pictures, as illustrations secondary to text, or as visual data, repositories of iconographic visual content. Second, through close analysis of five types of images common in library collections in general, it examines how they are classified, demarcated and made accessible. As this study shows, both analogue and digital information infrastructures in the library are, on a very profound level, tailored for text. Such unuttered, even unconscious, text-centrism has the effect that images as sources of information are made literally and figuratively invisible.

Creative Pedagogy in Information Literacy

Creative pedagogy is not well defined and has not yet received much attention in the field of library and information science. This research employed constructivist grounded theory, through semi-structured interviews conducted with library information literacy instructors, to better understand the role of creative pedagogy in information literacy. The aim of the research was to synthesize findings into a theory to better understand how and to what extent creative pedagogy is being applied in the teaching of information literacy. The findings show that although they do not necessarily use the language of creativity, many library instructors are integrating elements of creative pedagogy into their teaching. Perceived challenges, such as being a guide or guest in someone else’s classroom and in connecting with students around information, as well as opportunities in both the physical and virtual classroom spaces, seem to require a shift in the way information literacy engagement takes place. Library instructors recognize the need for these shifts but many struggle to implement an alternative approach in the information classroom. At the same time, library instructors face several barriers, including a lack of preparation for their teaching role and the limitations of the one-shot instruction session.

Curriculum SIG: The Ethics and Evolution of Truth and Information

The Curriculum SIG will examine how library science education curricula can prepare future librarians to engage with the ethics and evolution of truth and information. The session will begin with presentations of each paper, followed by an interactive discussion inviting attendees to participate in an open dialogue and Q&A with the presenters about the issues raised by the papers, implications for practice, and potential areas for future research. Dr. Natalie Taylor will deliver a presentation titled “Core Competencies, Core Courses: How Accredited MLIS Programs Interpret the ALA’s Core Competencies through their Curriculum.” This paper aims to examine the way that the 66 accredited degree programs describe their programs’ relationship with the ALA Core Competencies (ALACCs) and whether these descriptions can demonstrate a measurement of the influence of the ALACCs on curriculum. This finding will serve two purposes: 1) a representation of the strength (or weakness) of the connection between the library profession (as represented by the American Library Association) and MLIS degree programs and 2) a better understanding of how the curriculum of these programs represents the competencies called for by ALA. Dr. Cynthia Stogdill and Dr. Elizabeth Burns will present “Information Literacy: A Case Study in Inquiry Instruction.” Information literacy is a set of skills we expect school librarians to teach K-12 learners. AASL embeds these competencies within their instructional standards for learners and school librarians however, there is little agreement on a model of inquiry that should be used with K-12 learners. Further, there is little consistency in pre-service school librarian information literacy instruction. This exploratory case study examines the information literacy instructional models used with one cohort of pre-service school librarians. Findings discuss practices that can be shared and further developed for LIS education. Dr. Rhonda Clark, Dr. Xiaofeng Li, and Dr. Angela Jones will present “A Study of US Public Library Strategic Plans: Trends and Trajectories.” This paper reports the results of a content analysis, reviewing strategic plans from public libraries across multiple states in the U.S. The presenters will make recommendations based on their analysis to help library educators teach an effective writing style for strategic plans. They will also advocate for the importance of strategic planning as a necessary skill in the curriculum. Additionally, they will invite attendees to discuss how library schools implement curriculum development through strategic planning. Overall, these presentations will provide valuable insights into how library science education programs address core competencies, information literacy instruction, and strategic planning to better prepare future librarians for the evolving challenges of the profession.

Implementation of the Package of Essential Non-Communicable (PEN) Disease Interventions in Low-Resource Settings: A Systematic Review.

To deal with the rising prevalence and death rate of non-communicable diseases, the WHO designed a package of essential interventions for non-communicable diseases for low- and middle-income countries. This review aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators of the implementation of this program. The electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scientific Information Database (SID) were searched for papers without a time limit at the end of Dec 2020. Only English and Persian languages were considered. The PRISMA guideline was consulted. Overall, 15 articles were selected for the final analysis out of 404 initially retrieved ones, based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and quality assessment. Thirteen articles had good quality, while 2 articles were of fair quality. Studies were published during 2014-2020. Thematic analysis was used to make sense of papers so that barriers and facilitators were categorized within 2 main themes and 7 sub-themes. Certain organizational factors including human resources, service delivery, structure, leadership/governance, data and information, resources, and financing were identified as barriers and facilitators. Knowledge and culture, and economic and social factors were identified as contextual factors. By considering the factors identified in this study, policymakers and health system managers can be more successful in implementing this WHO PEN and similar packages.

Latvian Research Libraries from the 1980s to the Present

Abstract This article explores the evolution of Latvia’s leading research libraries from the final decade of Soviet occupation to the present day. After the Soviet time, libraries have undergone great changes and have become modern, multifunctional cultural, educational, and research centres responding to the needs and expectations of society. The article focuses on the National Library of Latvia, centre of the Latvian library system since its foundation in 1919. The State Unified Library Information System has modernised the entire network of publicly accessible libraries. Twelve major libraries have been involved in developing the electronic catalogue. Work on the Latvian National Digital Library has been ongoing since 2006. The Latvian Government’s decision in 2002 to build a new National Library (opened in 2014) has also spurred on the renovation or construction of many other libraries in Latvia.

SISTEM INFORMASI PERPUSTAKAAN MENGGUNAKAN QR CODE PADA SMP NEGERI 6 KEMPAS BERBASIS WEB

Information technology has developed very rapidly nowadays, this has had a significant influence on human activities, such as making various fields of human work easier. One of these technological developments is the Library Information System. The Library of SMP Negeri 6 Kempas currently still uses media in the form of master books as storage media to manage library data. Storage that uses master books has the potential to experience many problems such as data loss because master books are easily torn, faded or lost, inaccuracies in reports, the length of the book management process and many other problems. The aim of this research is to produce a website-based library information system using QR Codes that can be used to handle the service process and book data management at the SMP Negeri 6 Kempas library and overcome the problems and weaknesses that occur when using the old system that is currently in use. The result of this research is to produce a Web-based QR Code Library Information System and has passed system Functionality testing with a score of 100% and Usability with a score of 81.6%.

Information market, educational and library environment in the contemporary digital setting: New trends and expectations (The annual paper delivered at the Eighth World Professional Forum “The Book. Culture. Education. Innovations” (“Gelendzhik-2024”))

The author reviews and analyzes the status and prospects for the educational and library technologies and information market within the digitalized community. The increasing AI role, its advantages and drawbacks in education and publishing are discussed. The library behavioral models under the new circumstances are evaluated. The libraries’ role in education support and user services is emphasized.

The Application of Dewey Decimal System in Traditional Libraries

The Dewey Decimal System, created by Melvil Dewey in the late 19th century, has been a linchpin of traditional library classification systems for well over a century. This abstract provides a concise overview of the historical significance, principles, and enduring relevance of the Dewey Decimal System in traditional library settings. The Dewey Decimal System revolutionized the way libraries organized their collections, simplifying the process of locating and accessing books and materials. This paper traces the historical development of the Dewey Decimal System and its profound impact on traditional library cataloging and information retrieval. Key principles, such as the use of decimal notation and hierarchical classification, are explored in detail, highlighting their pivotal role in enhancing library management efficiency. Despite its enduring utility, this abstract also acknowledges the system's limitations. Traditional libraries have faced significant challenges in adapting the Dewey Decimal System to accommodate digital resources, multimedia materials, and non - traditional formats. Furthermore, questions have arisen regarding the system's cultural biases and its ability to adequately represent the diversity of knowledge and perspectives. In today's digital age, traditional libraries confront a unique set of challenges, necessitating a reevaluation of the Dewey Decimal System's role and adaptability. This abstract underscores the ongoing dialogue surrounding the system's relevance and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of modern libraries and information seekers. In conclusion, the Dewey Decimal System remains a cornerstone of traditional library organization, albeit with notable adaptational challenges. This abstract serves as a foundation for understanding the historical and contemporary significance of the Dewey Decimal System within the context of traditional libraries, setting the stage for a more comprehensive examination of its impact and future prospects in the full paper.

A Study on the Utilization of Library Information Resources for Undergraduate Students in Women's Colleges of Government Level from 2017 to 2023

The aim of this study to find out the effective usage of Library and information resource from our college undergraduate students to develop their academic and career achievements. This study was only conducted for “BA” and, “Bcom” final year students from 2017 to 2023. Co - relation of the student’s response with their academic and currier achievement had significant relationship to their use of books and use of competitive magazines, reference material, and other electronic materials.

Turning Points in the Croatian Information Environment: From the 1980s to 2023

Abstract The article deals with the development of standards and library information systems in Croatia from the late 1970s to 2023. Despite the turmoil of the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, the National and University Library in Zagreb (NUL) was able to continue its operations and was central to initiatives aimed at adapting national needs to international developments until the early 2000s, when it switched to a commercial system. The publication of the National Content Standard in 2021 has given the NUL the opportunity to assume again its central role in the Croatian bibliographic ecosystem.

It Takes a Village

The introduction of Large Language Models (LLM) to the chatbot landscape has opened intriguing possibilities for academic libraries to offer more responsive and institutionally contextualized support to users, especially outside of regular service hours. While a few academic libraries currently employ AI-based chatbots on their websites, this service has not yet become the norm and there are no best practices in place for how academic libraries should launch, train, and assess the usefulness of a chatbot. In summer 2023, staff from the University of Delaware’s Morris Library information technology (IT) and reference departments came together in a unique partnership to pilot a low-cost AI-powered chatbot called UDStax. The goals of the pilot were to learn more about the campus community’s interest in engaging with this tool and to better understand the labor required on the staff side to maintain the bot. After researching six different options, the team selected Chatbase, a subscription-model product based on ChatGPT 3.5 that provides user-friendly training methods for an AI model using website URLs and uploaded source material. Chatbase removed the need to utilize the OpenAI API directly to code processes for submitting information to the AI engine to train the model, cutting down the amount of work for library information technology and making it possible to leverage the expertise of reference librarians and other public-facing staff, including student workers, to distribute the work of developing, refining, and reviewing training materials. This article will discuss the development of prompts, leveraging of existing data sources for training materials, and workflows involved in the pilot. It will argue that, when implementing AI-based tools in the academic library, involving staff from across the organization is essential to ensure buy-in and success. Although chatbots are designed to hide the effort of the people behind them, that labor is substantial and needs to be recognized.

Readiness of Future Librarians to Work in Today's Digital Environment in Kazakhstan

The purpose of this research is to determine the optimal pedagogical conditions in the context of the formation of information and communication competencies of future librarians, as well as to reveal the basics of professional training of information-library specialists in the higher educational institutions of Kazakhstan. The basis of the methodological approach is a qualitative combination of the system analysis methods of librarians’ training at universities with the analytical study of the development of professional competencies of future specialists. To implement the conceptual tasks of professional education, an important component is the psychological and pedagogical conditions for the training of qualified personnel, which involves the use of modern approaches to teaching in the educational process with the use of innovative methods. The results of this study reflect the problem of preparing librarians for professional activity in the modern digital environment. It also presents ways of effectively organizing the educational process in the context of the formation of information and communication competencies of higher education students.