Library Organization Research Articles

Vector Embeddings by Sequence Similarity and Context for Improved Compression, Similarity Search, Clustering, Organization, and Manipulation of cDNA Libraries

Vector Embeddings by Sequence Similarity and Context for Improved Compression, Similarity Search, Clustering, Organization, and Manipulation of cDNA Libraries

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.

Adoption of Advanced Systems for Digital Resource Management in Academic Institutions

In educational organizations, digital resource management refers to the organization and enhancement of electronic resources, including databases, libraries, and digital instructional materials. Excellent administration ensures optimal utilization, improves accessibility, and advances learning objectives. To achieve better institutional results, this approach entails incorporating digital tools, handling issues like data security and user training, and adjusting to new technological developments. Using an emphasis on the integration of digital libraries, e-learning platforms, and research databases, this study investigates the technologies and approaches used in maintaining digital resources within higher education circumstances. Through the use of a survey research design, this study employed a quantitative research methodology. Data gathered from a sample of 250 undergraduate students was utilized in this investigation. This study looks at the connections between teaching profile (TP), technology competence (TC), digital technology awareness (DTA), utility perception (UP), and usage motivation (UM). SPSS was utilized statistically to obtain the outcomes. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analysis were used to obtain the results utilizing data gathered from a sample of university participants. Significant of both conceptual and actual consequences have resulted from the findings.According to the study's findings, efficient use of digital resources in academic institutions greatly improves accessibility and resource utilization, both of which contribute to better learning outcomes.

Public Libraries Encouraged to Meet the Health Information Needs of Tribal Women in Bangladesh

A Review of: Yesmin, S., Abdul Karim, M., & Atikuzzaman, M. (2023). Community engagement of public libraries for ensuring tribal women’s health literacy in Bangladesh. IFLA Journal, 49(4), 678–693. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231198260 Objective – To investigate public libraries’ existing community engagement practices, explore their willingness to provide health information services to tribal communities in Bangladesh, and examine tribal women’s health information-seeking behavior and interest in obtaining health information from public libraries. Design – A cross-sectional study using online interviews and structured questionnaires. Setting – Public libraries and tribal communities in tribal regions of Bangladesh. Subjects – Public librarians (n=11) and tribal women (n=276) from three tribal districts in Bangladesh (Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Mymensingh). Methods – Interviews were conducted with librarians via Zoom in January 2023. Survey questionnaires were distributed to a convenience sample of 300 tribal women from February to March 2023. Data was analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), using univariate and bi-variate measures. Main Results – All of the libraries provided print materials (books, newspapers, and periodicals) for reading and lending and offered photocopying and Internet browsing services. Other forms of resources such as microfiches and digital materials, inter-library loan services, and facilities for people with disabilities were not widely available. Most libraries (72.8%) did not provide any specific program (e.g., health-related outreach program) for tribal community engagement, although they all recognized the urgency and value of such programs. Lack of funding and bureaucratic complexities were identified as the top two barriers. Out of the 276 tribal women responding to the survey, close to two-thirds of the respondents indicated they were either moderately or very interested in receiving health information. The top three health topics the respondents sought information on were vaccinations, symptoms of disease, and nutrition. The primary health information sources for the respondents were doctors at nearby community clinics or government hospitals, and none of the respondents sought health information from public libraries. Most respondents acknowledged the importance of being informed about health issues and found it difficult to locate health information on the Internet. High costs and lack of awareness regarding health issues represented the main challenges the respondents encountered when seeking health information. Among the demographic variables, respondents’ religion and age were negatively correlated with their interest in health information, while their education status was positively correlated with it. Conclusion – Public libraries in tribal areas in Bangladesh lacked health information services but recognized the importance of providing them. Tribal women expressed interest in receiving health information, encouraging public libraries to develop and implement related services and programs. Public libraries may consider adding new job titles such as consumer health librarians and partner with other stakeholders for better community engagement. The government of Bangladesh should substantially invest in public libraries as community hubs and minimize bureaucratic hurdles that prevent public libraries from initiating new services. Professional library organizations in Bangladesh may also draw ideas from the study in establishing professional guidelines for health information services and community outreach programs.

Sharing Consumer Health Information in Florida: Understanding Challenges to Navigating Health Care Library Organization Collaboration

ABSTRACT In 2019, the Florida Health Sciences Library Association (FHSLA) and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Inc. (TBLC) joined together to increase awareness of reliable vetted health information resources for Florida residents. FHSLA, composed of approximately 75 academic/health sciences/hospital librarians, contacted TBLC, composed of public librarians and various library personnel in Florida, to explore opportunities for their members to work together and network through monthly health-focused webinars. This article describes their collaborative initiative.

The outline of Levas Vladimirovas' professional career

Levas Vladimirovas, born on February 27, 1912, is an outstanding authority in the field of modern Soviet library science, as well as the history of books and libraries. The essential part of Levas Vladimirovas' life and his entire scientific and teaching career is closely linked with Vilnius University. After World War II, he lectured on Marxism-Leninism (1948), the history of the book, and library science (1951). He was the first head of the Department of Library Science (1952-1964) and later the Department of Library and Information Science (1970-1973). Since 1973, Levas Vladimirovas has been the head of the Department of Information Science. Additionally, between the years 1948-1964, he served as the director of the university library. Between 1964-1970, Levas Vladimirovas was elected director of the UNO Dag Hammarskjöld Library. His contribution to the development of the library is immense. Levas Vladimirovas was also a member of various international library organizations and institutions. Alongside his many-sided teaching, library, and social activities, Levas Vladimirovas has made significant contributions to science. More than 300 publications in Lithuanian, Russian, English, and other languages are attributed to his pen. The focus of Levas Vladimirovas' research lies in the history of Lithuanian books, libraries, and culture during the feudal and capitalist periods. He was the first to investigate both known and new phenomena in the Lithuanian cultural heritage through the lens of Marxist methodology. Among his most outstanding works are Essays on the History of the Book and Libraries in Lithuania (XV cent. to 1917) ("Lietuvos bibliotekų ir knygos istorijos bruožai (XV a.-1917 m.)", 1965); publications dedicated to the pioneers of book printing in Vilnius—F. Skorina and I. Fedorov; and works on the history of Vilnius University and its library. L. Vladimirovas' comprehensive work The History of the Book ("Knygos istorija", 1979) provides a broad panorama of world book history, starting with primitive scripts up to the 17th century. In 1962, for his teaching, scientific, and social activities, Levas Vladimirovas was awarded the title of Honored Art Worker of the Lithuanian SSR. The professor was also among those who were awarded the Lithuanian State Prize for The History of Vilnius University ("Vilniaus universiteto istorija") in three volumes.

Representation of countries in IFLA

This study investigates the participation of countries in one of the leading international library organizations, IFLA. IFLA has aimed to strengthen libraries for a more literate, informed and participatory society. Its structure includes Sections, a Governing Board, and Regional and Professional Divisions. From an exploratory investigation on the IFLA web pages, the author surveyed the participation of countries in the entire structure, the nationality of the presidents and the headquarters of the World Library and Information Congress. The need for the organization to expand its regional diversity through internal policies stands out, since Global South countries, such as those in Latin America and Africa, occupy few places. Since IFLA is the main global entity in librarianship, it is essential to expand these representations, from participation in its structure to the possibility of a president-elect from these regions or the largest congress being hosted in these areas more often.

Uloga pokretnih knjižnica u županijskoj knjižničnoj mreži u kontekstu nabave novog bibliobusa Knjižnice i čitaonice „Fran Galović“ Koprivnica

Aim. The paper aims to illustrate the development of the network of mobile libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County, highlight the challenges in their development, operation, and funding, and emphasize the significance and importance of the existence of mobile library services in the County and the Republic of Croatia. Additionally, the aim is to describe the process of planning the construction and equipping of the new mobile library vehicle for the "Fran Galović" Public Library in Koprivnica, as well as the possibilities of developing programmes and services provided through the new vehicle. Approach/methodology/design. The research included an analysis of the legal framework for the establishment and operation of mobile libraries, research and analysis of existing statistical data, and reports on the activities of public libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County and the mobile library service in Koprivnica. This paper outlines the process of developing a new mobile library vehicle, whose space and services were designed based on insights into the functioning of mobile services in Croatia and other European countries, obtained through research and the authors' direct insight into the work and development of mobile libraries. Results. The paper addresses the process and challenges of establishing, maintaining, and operating a network of mobile libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County. It details the experience and challenges of purchasing, designing, construction, and equipping a new mobile library vehicle, as well as the development of programmes and services facilitated by the provision of new mobile library space. Originality/value. The experiences and examples presented in this paper are the result of the authors' many years of engagement and specialization in the field of mobile librarianship. The work synthesises professional knowledge acquired through practical work in the organization of mobile libraries, fieldwork in the mobile library itself, as well as gathering information and knowledge through training and direct observation of this segment of librarianship through personal insight into the work, equipment and programs in other countries. Consequently, the example of the establishment and operation of the mobile library service in Koprivnica, as an integral and extremely important part of the overall county network of public libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County, and the experiences in the procurement, construction, and equipment of a new, modern mobile library vehicle presented in this paper, can serve as a very valuable source of information for other libraries planning to establish a mobile library service or to acquire a vehicle for its operation.

Library of the Auditorium of Military Affairs in 1918—1921: History and Development of the Holding

The solution of urgent tasks to develop modern approaches to the organization of military libraries functioning is impossible without using the existing achievements in the field of military librarianship. Retrospective analysis of the work of the Information Historical and Scientific Center — Military Historical Library of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (IHSC — MHL GS AF RF) in the Soviet period can be used to improve the work of Russian military libraries at the present stage.Due to the lack of comprehensive studies on the history of the IHSC — MHL GS AF RF in the first years of Soviet power, this article attempts to fill this gap, in particular, to establish the sources of formation of the collection of the library, which changed its name. The aim of the study is to reconstruct the history of creation and formation of one of such sources — the library of the Auditorium of Military Affairs (later — the Department of Universal Military Training at the headquarters of the Petrograd District Commissariat for Military Affairs) in the context of the construction of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army (WPRA) in 1918—1921, as well as to analyze the dynamics of the library holding.The relevance of the issue under study is conditioned, on the one hand, by its insufficient research, and on the other hand, by the demand for the historical experience of military libraries to develop principled approaches to their reform. The source base of the research is represented by the materials of Russian archives (the Russian State Military Archive, the Central State Archive of Literature and Art of St. Petersburg, the Current Archive of the IHSC — MHL GS AF RF), documents of the main and central bodies of military administration of the RSFSR, publications in the periodical press.The research has broadened the understanding of the fate of military book collections of the Russian Empire after its collapse and the initial stage of formation of military librarianship in Soviet Russia. The fate of some nationalized book collections before they were added to the holding of the library of the Auditorium of Military Affairs has been established. The documents revealing the main directions of the library’s activity have been introduced into scientific turnover; its organizational and staff structure has been analyzed; the interrelation of the library’s history with the history of the Red Army in the first years of Soviet power has been traced. The results obtained show that the impressive book collection accumulated by the library of the Auditorium of Military Affairs is now a part of the holding of the IHSC — MHL GS AF RF.

Effects of World War II on Infectious Diseases in the Persian Gulf.

With the allied invasion, the southern half of Iran became the scene of a large presence of British and American occupation forces. The negative consequences of the styling of foreign elements during all the years of war and even afterward affected these areas in various dimensions of their health. The negative consequences of the occupation of southern Iran, the health and healthcare system of this part of Iran suffered problems in various forms of shortage of medicines, equipment, and treatment staff, especially the spread of various infectious and communicable diseases. The article aims to examine the effects of World War II on the southern, southwestern, and eastern regions of Iran from 1939 to 1945 and its consequences in the spread of infectious diseases in these regions. The research with an analytical-historical method relies on the library method and is based on the study of the data of unpublished documents from the archives of the National Archives and Library Organization, medical and economic social publications, and various local and public newspapers of Iran during this period. The study of documents and publications shows that due to Allied restrictive policies and successive waves of famine and widespread malnutrition, epidemic diseases, and drug monopoly, these areas experienced a period of severe decline in public health and spread of various infectious diseases.

THE ROLE OF HIGHER VOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

The intensive changes in all spheres of social life in general, especially in higher education and its adaptation to the European system of Higher Education, bring serious challenges that all responsible institutions and entities face. Of course, a special role in this direction is played by university libraries that should greatly help in meeting the educational, informational, and cultural needs of the students, but also help in advancing new ways of learning such as lifelong learning, distance learning, and thus help, the student to always be in the spotlight. In that regard, this paper is focused on the capacities, organization, and functioning of university libraries in the Republic of North Macedonia, to obtain relevant data on how ready they are to respond to such modern requests, and how ready they are to take their rightful place within the University.

A New Approach to Improving Search Efficiency in Digital Libraries

The development of Internet technologies influences the activities of libraries and changes their nature. The volume of content collected in digital libraries is growing rapidly. This requires the use of new technologies to search and obtain electronic materials (text, video, images, sound files) stored in the e-library. Today, using the new capabilities of network technologies and intelligent systems, the proper organization of the digital library, and increasing the efficiency of library services are the main factors leading to an increase in the number of readers and their satisfaction. The main objectives of digital libraries are to ensure efficient retrieval of electronic resources and collaboration between users. While researching various scientific articles on library and information sciences (LIS), we did not encounter approaches using cluster analysis in combination with wiki technologies. To collaborate users in digital libraries and their involvement in organizing electronic resources, we propose using an open database managed by wiki technologies. To effectively search for electronic resources in these open databases, it is proposed to use the clear clustering method. The clear clustering method also allows you to control the quality of clustering. The proposed method is important when creating intelligent (smart) libraries that are easy to manage and automate certain tasks. The research aims to create not just a smart library, but a smart library based on wiki technologies.

Connection Between Knowing and Doing? A Mixed Methods Exploration of Librarian Wellness Behaviors

ABSTRACT The authors examined the relationship between access to or use of health information resources by health sciences librarians (HSLs) and non-HSLs. We wanted to know if, compared to non-HSLs, increased access to and use of health information by HSLs was associated with more frequent performance of wellness behaviors. : A survey containing questions about access to health information resources, the use of health information resources, the frequency of the performance of wellness behaviors and barriers and facilitators to performing these behaviors was sent via e-mail to members of over 60 library organizations. A total of 1913 librarians responded to the survey. We found no difference between the HSLs and the non-HSLs by age or sex but HSLs were more likely to have master’s degrees or higher, work more hours, and to work in institutions that provide access to vaccines and/or wellness programs. HSLs have greater access to and use quality health information resources more often than do non-HSLs. Compared to non-HSLs, HSLs exercise more and eat more fruits and vegetables. Non-HSLs, however, are more likely to engage in regular spiritual activities. Barriers to performing wellness behaviors included lack of time, lack of motivation, fatigue, and chronic pain whereas facilitators included positive social support for wellness behaviors. Our data show that access to health information and frequency of use is correlated with the performance of wellness behaviors. While access to health information can work to nudge people to engage in healthy habits, information by itself is not enough.

Sinergi Kepemimpinan dan Literasi: Upaya Kepala Sekolah dalam Mengembangkan Perpustakaan Sekolah

This research analyzes the principal's strategy for developing the library at SMPN 5 Jombang. The research method is descriptive qualitative, with data collection techniques conducted through interviews, observation, and documentation. The research subjects consisted of the school principal, the head of the library, and class VIII students. The results of the research show that the principal of SMPN 5 Jombang implemented four strategies in developing the library, namely the strategy of advising by forming a library organization, the strategy of reprimanding indirectly through curriculum waka, the strategy of appreciating by giving praise and appreciation, and the strategy of receiving suggestions through coordination meetings. Apart from that, the school principal also makes efforts to develop library management, including completing collections, improving the spatial layout, improving services, increasing interest in reading through library programs, and supervising through annual evaluations. The results of this research reinforce the critical role of school principals in developing libraries as a vital means of supporting learning. Library development requires commitment and active participation from all school members, as well as continuous efforts to optimize library functions to support improving the quality of learning and achieving educational goals in schools.

ISSUES OF EXTRACURRICULAR EDUCATION ON THE PAGES OF «THE RUSSIAN SCHOOL» JOURNAL

In the second half of the XIX – early XX century extracurricular education was actively developing in Russia. It was aimed at educating the adult population and included organization of public libraries, public houses, public universities, Sunday schools and other cultural and educational institutions. Periodicals were one of the key ways to promote progressive ideas of the intelligentsia and people’s education. Among the large number of pedagogical journals of that period, “The Russian School” journal deserves special attention, articles on the problems of extracurricular education were regularly published on its pages. The purpose of the study is to study comprehensively the issues of “The Russian School” journal, stored in the funds of the scientific reference library of the State Historical Archive of the Chuvash Republic. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that on the basis of a historical source, such as a periodical, the materials on the theory and practice of extracurricular education are characterized. Materials and methods. A significant source of research is the materials of the periodical press, namely the pedagogical journal “The Russian School”. The research used the method of content analysis, as well as synthesis, analogy, systematization and the principles of historicism, objectivity, consistency and concreteness. Study results. Based on the analysis of the content in various issues of the journal, one can see an active discussion of the role and importance of extracurricular education in the country’s socio-economic development, accentuating the key tasks of adult personal development and education, considering organizational and thematic aspects in the work of new extracurricular institutions. Special attention is paid to the reflections of various authors on extracurricular education on the pages of the journal, since they contributed to this process understanding by a wide range of the public. Conclusions. “The Russian School” journal is a good source, because, firstly, it contains specific factual material, and, secondly, it reflects the views of contemporaries on the problem of extracurricular education development. It also provides correspondence from the field on the state and development of extracurricular education, as well as it contains a variety of information, including theoretical articles, practical materials and statistical data.

Деятельность судовых священников по организации библиотек на кораблях Российского императорского флота на рубеже XIX-XX вв.

The activity of the navy chaplains outside the framework of worship is still a little-studied aspect of the service of the Orthodox clergy in the navy. This article attempts, based on the analysis of various written sources, to reconstruct the activities of representatives of the naval clergy in organizing libraries on the ships of the Russian Imperial Navy in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. This is one of the least studied areas of ministry of navy chaplains. The authors, relying on personal sources, office materials and periodicals, analyze the existing practice in the fleet of creating and completing ship libraries, their types and features of functioning, and also determine the role of navy chaplains in these processes. It is important to note that many sources are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The authors came to the conclusion that, despite the frequent lack of initiative on the part of the officers or even with a certain opposition, the navy chaplains were directly related to the organization of both church and sailor's libraries. Some clerics acted quite effectively in this field, but they could not significantly change the general situation that had developed with librarianship on the ships of the Russian Imperial Navy.

Reconstructing Anamnesis in The Predisposition of The Directory Coverage of Prospective Librarians' Scholarly Works

Anamnesis is an interviewing activity conducted by interviewers with job applicants to obtain information about the applicant's educational, economic, social, and cultural background, as well as information about their experience, skills, and characteristics in order to avoid errors in making decisions about the required job position. Anamnesis uses interviewing techniques by asking structured and in-depth questions, including questions about the scientific work products of the job applicant, especially for librarian candidates. The scope of the directory should be able to be compiled in an interesting, in-depth, and varied manner through the suggestions of students or the guidance of scientific work advisers. The reality is that the student directory of scientific work authors still has a very limited thematic coverage area. The causes of this are among others, the students' lack of knowledge in disposing the theme of scientific work, which is about mobile libraries, archive preservation, human resources, library service quality, library effectiveness, library organization, library utilization strategies, library visitors, library roles, and library utilization. A wide thematic coverage can convince interviewers of the anamnesis activity to fulfill the standards or qualifications for librarians set by the workforce user. The directory of scientific work themes that have not yet been studied in the last 200 scientific works, include retrieval systems, indicative abstracts, informative abstracts, critical abstracts, mini abstracts, consecutive numeric, literary documentation, duplicators, electronic libraries, syndication, fumigation, historiography, interpolation, inversion, author catalogs, hybrid computers, classification, open services, monographs, news agencies, netiquette, public domain software, referral centers, retrospective, reviews, reproduction, roaming processes, quick references, alphabetical address filing systems, functional information systems, circulation, syllabification, secondary sources, telewriters, teleprocessing, bibliographic data, vertical recording, volume binding, web browsers, web hosting, working a beat, reference lists, message handling services, collection indexing, card control systems, zero access storage, subject headings, references, recordings, periodization, collection ordering, collection call numbers, reference collections, collection codes, library entrance counters, collection status, library modems, collection zones, web systems, equipment layouts, lexicon vocabulary, cataloging title catalogs, and archive restoration.

Книга як елемент соціальної комунікації в умовах російсько-української війни

The article* analyzes the role of books in social communication that is conducted at the interstate level at the wartime, taking as an example the humanitarian project "Ukrainian Bookshelf" initiated by Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. The aim of the article is to describe a book as a social-communicative phenomenon, outline how social communication occurs at the interstate level, and to characterize the elements of such communication according to Lasswell's model of communication. The article examines the elements and participants of communication about library projects, describing its main features at the institutional level. The project "Ukrainian Bookshelf" provides convincing data for the research as it has collected over 47,000 books in Ukrainian and translations and 190 Ukrainian bookshelves have been opened in 46 countries worldwide. Statistical data are provided for 22 countries where Ukrainians have been forced to relocate due to Russian aggression. The article examines the motivation of the Ukrainian state to deploy and support communication about Ukrainian literature in the situation when it faces existential challenges. The article describes the communicator and two types of communication recipients, namely foreign political and intellectual elites as well as millions of Ukrainian citizens, mostly women and children, who have become refugees. It is proved that the book becomes a channel of communication and its message. Ukrainian experience shows that books collection, organization of libraries, and arrangement of bookshelves can be the result of private and volunteer initiatives. Shelves are created not only in national and university libraries but also in places frequently visited by Ukrainians: cafes, information centers, temporary accommodation facilities for refugees, language courses, integration programs, private enterprises, and cultural and community spaces. It is assumed that humanitarian literary and library projects can become educational activism, offer readers a reflection on war and peace, and contribute to the formation and strengthening of the nation unity.

Information Literacy

Recent information studies literature defines information literacy as the set of integrated abilities and dispositions encompassing the understanding of how information systems function, the reflective discovery of information, and the use of information in sharing and creating new knowledge so as to participate wisely in a variety of settings. An information literate person will display a critical understanding of how information systems function and will wisely and intentionally participate in those systems as they consume, create, and share information to strengthen and serve professional, religious, family, and civic communities. Various library organizations have developed theories on information literacy, but everyone has a responsibility to learn and teach information literacy skills.

Supplementing the Stacks

Several recent studies have discussed approaches to planning and implementing digital exhibitions in libraries. However, prominent library organizations such as the American Library Association and IFLA have no published best practices or standards for digital exhibitions. The literature shows that digital exhibitions and digital supplements to in-person exhibits have benefits including increased accessibility and user engagement. Using interviews with professionals at information institutions, this paper reveals and clarifies the common practices used to create digital exhibitions and the challenges of the design process. Additional interviews with professors of religious studies who utilize digital exhibits and resources in their roles as educators provide insight into the use of digital exhibits as tools for expanding public understanding of important historical and cultural topics. The consensus of creators and users of digital exhibitions is that they are valuable educational resources that reach new users, provide additional context for materials, and increase user engagement.