Assessing postgraduate students' awareness and usage of electronic library services: A case study of selected universities in Ghana

Three-sided matching decision for library service supply chain in the mixed preference environment

Knowledge translation (KT) applies scientific evidence in healthcare decisions. Organizational readiness is crucial for KT implementation. This study aimed to create and test a tool assessing organizational readiness for KT in Iranian medical universities. A three-phase sequential exploratory mixed-methods study assessed organizational readiness. Phase 1: a scoping review (14 articles from 4,540 records) identified readiness dimensions. Phase 2: a questionnaire was developed based on review findings and validated via psychometric evaluations (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) using data from 230 faculty/staff in library and information services at 11 Iranian Type I medical universities (cluster sampling). Phase 3: organizational readiness was assessed using the developed tool. An initial tool with 90 items was developed to assess organizational readiness for knowledge translation, identifying five dimensions and 14 components. Content validity was confirmed (CVI: 0.80-1.00; CVR: 0.50-1.00), reducing items to 80. Construct validity was supported through factor analyses (convergent validity: 0.590-0.680; discriminant validity supported). Reliability was verified (factor loadings > 0.40, Cronbach's alpha: 0.826-0.882, composite reliability: 0.878-0.914). Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit (CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.052). Organizational readiness in Iranian Type I medical universities was moderate to below moderate. The tool validly and reliably assesses organizational readiness for knowledge translation, aiding capacity enhancement planning in medical universities.

The study employed a multi method computational analysis approach utilizing Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Bibliometrics to identify twelve underlying latent topics prevalent across high quartile 16 Open Access (OA) Library and Information Science (LIS) journals during the contemporary phase from 2019 to 2023. The study selected 2313 articles for analysis and revealed topics ‘knowledge Management’, ‘Library Services’ and ‘Information Literacy’ as predominant topics. The distribution analysis identified certain journals such as ‘DJLIT’, ‘IJISM’ and ‘CRL’ exhibited diverse proportions of topic distributions in their publications, while journals ‘JIL’, ‘LQ’ and ‘IR’ were highly concentrated to specific research topics. Furthermore, the topic citation patterns revealed ‘Bibliometrics’, ‘Scholarly Communication’ and ‘Knowledge Management’ as highly impactful topics, while ‘Information Retrieval’ had highest Topic Citation per Publication (TCPP) of 12.56. The journal ‘JMLA’ had substantial contributions of ‘Information Retrieval’ and ‘Librarianship and Profession’, whereas ‘CRL’ had significant contributions of ‘Library Services’ and ‘Information Literacy’. Moreover, the study determined journals such as ‘JIL’ had specific thematic focus on topic ‘Information Literacy’ and journal ‘LQ’ for ‘Knowledge Management’. In addition, the journals ‘JMLA’, ‘CRL’ and ‘ITL’ emerged as highly influential journals contributing studies on high impact topics. The valuable insights revealed in this study would benefit researchers to understand and efficiently navigate the evolving OA LIS landscape. Moreover, policymakers and funding agencies can allocate research funds based on the emerging trends within the LIS domain. The journal editors can align the scope of their journal with latest trends, diversifying their journal’s publications.

Purpose Academic libraries play a vital role in supporting students' learning and research; however, mismatches between users’ expectations and service delivery can undermine their effectiveness. This study examines university students’ perceptions and expectations of academic library services in Bangladesh, focusing on core services, the library environment, and assistance and support. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative design was used, and data were collected via an online questionnaire from 505 students at six public and one private university. Convenience sampling was applied, and the data were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and paired-sample t-tests. Findings The findings reveal statistically significant gaps between perceived and expected services across all dimensions (p = 0.01). Students reported moderate satisfaction with traditional services such as library hours and documentation support, but expectations were substantially higher for digital and technology-based services, including e-books, digital lending and virtual reference platforms. Significant differences were also found in the library environment, particularly regarding collaborative learning spaces, sanitation facilities and secure, learning-friendly settings. Assistance and support services showed the largest gaps, highlighting unmet expectations for advanced research consultation, information literacy training, plagiarism awareness and online assistance. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence of service gaps in Bangladeshi academic libraries and underscores the need for user-centered policy interventions. Unlike prior studies in the Bangladeshi context, this research focuses explicitly on quantifying expectation-perception gaps rather than solely measuring service perceptions or validating standardized instruments.

ABSTRACT Indigenous Librarianship represents a vital yet underdeveloped field in Australia, requiring urgent development as the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) formally recognises Indigenous contexts within its professional framework and government policy increasingly acknowledges Indigenous data rights as national priorities. Drawing on Burns, Doyle, Joseph, and Krebs’ (2009) foundational definition of Indigenous Librarianship as a field that unites library practice with Indigenous knowledge systems and methodologies, this paper sets an agenda for Indigenous Librarianship in Australia. Drawing on international Indigenous librarianship scholarship and Australian policy frameworks, we conducted thematic analysis of discussions from the ‘Libraries and their Intersection with Indigenous Knowledges’ dialogue session hosted by ALIA on 15 October 2024. Our findings identified two priority areas: Indigenous Librarianship and Leadership, and Indigenous representation in library collections, systems and services. We argue that establishing a strong foundation for Indigenous Librarianship in Australia requires structural change within institutions and meaningful partnership with Indigenous communities in advancing their aspirations for sovereignty over Indigenous cultural heritage. We propose two purposeful acts: collaborative research to define Indigenous Librarianship in the Australian context, and the establishment of recognised qualifications and career pathways to support Indigenous-led practice that advances self-determination while connecting to international Indigenous librarianship movements.

Uses of ChatGPT in Library Services: Emerging Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Indian Libraries

Purpose Research. The uneven distribution of demographic characteristics and regional competitiveness across Indonesian provinces creates structurally differentiated information needs that existing public library services have yet to address systematically. Although the Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI/IDSD) developed by BRIN provides a comprehensive twelve-pillar framework for assessing regional development performance, no prior study has integrated this instrument with demographic analysis to map strategic information needs comparatively across high-performing provinces, leaving a critical gap in both theoretical and policy literature on information services within decentralized governance contexts. Research Method. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design combining document analysis and comparative analysis. Secondary data is drawn from demographic data of each province from the Central Statistics Agency, IDSD data from BRIN in 2025, and supporting peer-reviewed literature. Data collection was followed by content analysis, the construction of a structured comparative matrix, typological clustering, and interpretive synthesis. Analysis Data. Data were analyzed in three sequential stages: content analysis, comparative and typological analysis, and strategic synthesis, validated through source triangulation and standardized conceptual categories. Results. Four distinctive typologies emerged: Metropolitan Formal, Tourism-Cultural, Urban Buffer, and Agrarian-Inclusive, each corresponding directly to measurable SDG attainment gaps across SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 17. At the same time, SDG 6, 7, 13, 14, and 15 remained unreachable due to IDSD's inherent environmental blind spots. Conclusion. Strategic information needs are systemically differentiated, requiring asymmetric library interventions. Future research should develop a library-readiness index that integrates all 12 IDSD pillars and incorporates environmental indices to achieve holistic coverage of the SDGs. Keywords: Information Needs; Regional Competitiveness Index; Demographic Analysis; Public Library; Sustainable Development Goals

This study examines the availability of IT infrastructure and the level of user awareness in autonomous engineering college libraries in Karnatakas Bangalore (A+) region. Data were collected through a descriptive survey using structured questionnaires, with 345 responses obtained from a total population of 390 users, yielding a response rate of 88.5% (345 out of 390). The results indicate that basic facilities such as internet connectivity and Wi-Fi are widely available, whereas advanced services such as remote access are only moderately available. Most users rely on personal devices - laptops and mobile phones - to access library resources, and digital library services are the most frequently used. Internet-related problems, a shortage of computers, and limited user awareness emerged as the main challenges. Statistical tests found no significant differences between male and female users in terms of usage patterns or problems encountered. Overall, the study recommends improved user training, stronger remote access infrastructure, and the development of support materials in the Kannada language to enhance the use of IT resources.

This study is motivated by the limited empirical understanding of the extent to which library service digitalization influences users’ ease of access to information. Although various digital services have been implemented, their effectiveness in improving information accessibility requires systematic investigation. This study aims to examine the effect of library service digitalization on users’ ease of information access at the Regional Archives and Library Office of West Sumatra Province. A quantitative approach with an associative method was employed. The population consisted of 17,410 digital service users during the October–December 2025 period, from which 100 respondents were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using normality testing, linearity testing, Pearson correlation, simple linear regression, and coefficient of determination with SPSS. The findings indicate that library service digitalization has a significant effect on users’ ease of access to information (Sig. = 0.000 < 0.05). The correlation coefficient of 0.547 shows a moderately strong positive relationship, while the coefficient of determination of 0.300 indicates that digitalization contributes 30% to users’ ease of information access, with the remaining 70% influenced by other factors. These findings demonstrate that library service digitalization plays an important role in enhancing information accessibility for users. This study contributes to the literature on digital library services by providing empirical evidence of the relationship between service digitalization and information access. Practically, the findings imply the need to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve librarians’ digital competencies, and expand digital collections to optimize technology-based library services.

ABSTRACT As libraries adapt to the digital age and the challenges posed by the evolving information landscape, adopting emerging technologies becomes paramount. With its reputation for security, transparency, and decentralization, blockchain technology has come to light as a potentially revolutionary instrument that might completely change library services and operations. This review paper explores how blockchain has been applied and adopted to suit libraries, shedding light on its transformative capabilities and its benefits. It begins with an introduction to blockchain technology, characterized by critical features and historical context. It then delves into specific use cases within libraries, ranging from cataloguing and metadata management to digital asset preservation and copyright management. Real‐world case studies and examples are presented to illustrate the practical implementation of blockchain in libraries and their consortia. While blockchain technology holds great potential, this article also identifies the implementation obstacles that libraries may encounter, such as budgetary constraints, issues with scalability, and compliance with regulations. Ethical and privacy considerations are examined, emphasizing the need to protect patron data and ensure responsible usage of blockchain technology in a library environment. Additionally, this research review outlines the many advantages and possibilities that blockchain offers libraries, including increased user trust, decreased fraud, and flexibility to accommodate changing user requirements.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT hold the capacity to tremendously impact patterns of information seeking behavior in higher education, as students rely on AI tools for a variety of tasks in their daily life. This study examines the current state of how U.S. university students perceive and use AI chatbots versus traditional online search engines and academic library resources for academic information seeking and retrieval tasks. Based on an understanding of information seeking concepts drawn from existing information behavior research and theory, an electronic survey was distributed to 236 students from diverse demographic backgrounds, measuring information source use, preference, perceived relevance, and satisfaction across AI tools, search engines, and library databases. The results of the survey suggest that, while search engines like Google remain dominant for information retrieval in higher education, generative AI tools are an increasingly significant component of students’ information worlds. Younger students and international students are especially likely to use AI for academic tasks. Students who are frequent AI users also report higher satisfaction in the information supplied by AI models. These findings are indicative of a shifting ecology of information behavior where artificial intelligence serves both as a complement and a competitor to traditional information sources like search engines and university libraries, presenting important implications for information literacy instruction, academic library services, and educators navigating AI integration in higher education.

This research develops a framework and wireframes for an AI-driven personalization and recommendation system designed to enhance Library Management Systems (LMS). AI adapts library services dynamically to individual user characteristics and behaviors, such as reading preferences and interaction patterns, using predictive algorithms and behavioral analysis to deliver tailored recommendations. The study is primarily grounded in a User-Centered Design Thinking approach to ensure the system is intuitive, responsive, and meets diverse user needs. The proposed framework emphasizes seamless data integration and adaptive interface design. Prototypes created using Figma reflect intuitive, inclusive, and accessible features aligned with user needs. The prototype was evaluated in a controlled environment with high-frequency LMS users using the System Usability Scale (SUS) to assess usability and user satisfaction, achieving a score indicating excellent usability. Although the AI processing engine remains conceptual, this research provides a structured foundation for the future implementation of AI-driven recommendation systems in LMS, supporting enhanced user engagement and improved Selective Dissemination of Information through personalized and inclusive library experiences.

ABSTRACT Growing dementia-friendly library services contribute to community-based care. This paper presents a case study examining a social and storytelling program for people with dementia run by a Canadian public library. The study involves participant observations of the program and semi-structured interviews with people with dementia, caregivers, and program facilitators (librarians and Alzheimer Society coordinators). The thematic analysis of fieldnotes and transcripts reveals how this inclusive platform supports engagement, fosters relationships, helps caregivers, and reaches broader communities while demonstrating librarians’ diversified roles. This work positions public libraries as underrecognized actors in community-based dementia care, extending their role in social health infrastructure.

ABSTRACT One of the most important aspects of launching a new library service – and one that is often overlooked – is marketing the service to make sure all potential patrons are aware of its existence. This article details the various strategies the authors tried to best market their newly launched evidence synthesis consulting service and assesses those that were effective, as well as the less effective attempts. Particular attention is paid to the specific ways in which the service was marketed toward science researchers.

Purpose This study aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of machine learning in libraries. It also aims to reveal challenges linked to implement machine learning in library settings. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review methodology was applied to address the study’s objectives. Twelve digital databases and Google Scholar were used to conduct the study. Findings The findings showed that enhanced user experience, operational efficiency, strategic value, technological innovation and capacity building were the key factors influencing the adoption of machine learning in libraries. Results also revealed that financial constraints, skills deficiency, ethical concerns and integration challenges negatively affected the adoption of machine learning in library settings. Originality/value This study has developed a framework based on evidence-based findings to adopt machine learning-based systems and services in libraries. It has provided significant theoretical, managerial, methodological, economic and policy and social implications through the addition of valuable literature to the existing body of knowledge.

Purpose This study aims to explore how academic libraries can be transformed into GenAI-enabled libraries by integrating the uses and gratifications (UGT) theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM). It further proposes 3Es dimensions: experience, evaluation and engagement to explain how GenAI enhances gratification, interactions, cognitive outcomes and fosters behavioural intention (BI) and use of GenAI-enabled libraries among university students. Design/methodology/approach This study is cross-sectional in nature and used seven constructs categorised as informative gratification (IG) and affective gratification (AG) related to the “experience” dimension, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) and cognitive offloading (CO) used for the “evaluation” dimension and BI and use behaviour (UB) were related to the “engagement” dimension. Partial least square-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Findings The findings pertain to students’ overall experience and evaluation of GenAI-enabled tools in academic settings. The results showed that IG had a significant positive influence on both PU and PEU. AG significantly influenced PEU, but its effect on PU was not significant. Thus, students’ perceptions regarding usefulness are driven more by functional value than emotional experience. In addition, both PU and PEU positively affected CO. A strong positive relationship was observed between CO and BI, and BI, in turn, strongly influenced UB, thereby confirming students’ intention and use of GenAI-enabled library services. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to propose 3Es dimensions: experience, evaluation and engagement to provide a novel perspective on how academic libraries can be transformed into a GenAI-enabled ecosystem for developing countries like India by measuring students’ experiences, cognitive evaluation and engagement.

The University of Oslo Library provides various guidance services, including literature searching, referencing, and academic writing support. Many students struggle to understand and use these services. They are often unaware of them, not expecting that the library offers that kind of assistance. The primary goal of our project was to design a guidance service that is accessible, easily understandable, and tailored to the students’ needs. In this project we have used User Experience (UX) methods. UX methods are a range of techniques used to understand user behavior, needs, and preferences to improve the design and usability of products and services. Our approach incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods, including guerrilla testing, semi-structured interviews, prototyping, surveys, usability testing, and idea generation. Throughout the process, we actively engaged both students and guidance providers, focusing on creating user-friendly services. We explored user needs, tested alternative forms of guidance, and implemented a new system for booking guidance sessions. Developing new websites has also been a part of the project. Our findings underscore the importance of engaging with students and involving them in the development and design of library services. Their unique perspectives are invaluable for our decision-making processes, and for gaining a deeper understanding of their needs. This project has made it clear that library services must be easily accessible, highly visible, and approachable. Currently, many students find it challenging to seek help, and it is therefore essential that these services are recommended to them by someone they deem trustworthy and credible.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic libraries globally has catalyzed significant transformation in library and information services. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the application, prospects, requirements, and challenges of AI in tertiary institution libraries, with special reference to Jigawa State, Nigeria. The state’s libraries, while showing slow but perceptible signs of AI adoption, face numerous challenges ranging from infrastructural inadequacies, funding gaps, digital skills shortages, and policy limitations. The paper reviews current literature, highlights successful case studies, analyzes implementation gaps, and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, educational leaders, and library professionals. The findings highlight that with deliberate investment, capacity building, and coherent policy frameworks, Jigawa libraries can harness the full potential of AI to support enhanced research, teaching, and learning.

The growth of wireless technologies and ubiquitous mobile devices has transformed the way library resources and services are delivered to users. Most libraries have adopted mobile library applications (MLA) to improve their service delivery. Despite such widespread adoption, little attention has been paid to the long-term viability of MLAs for service provision. Accordingly, this study investigates mobile library application continuance usage intention among users of Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania. This study integrates the Expectation Confirmation Model, Technology Acceptance Model, and Information System Success Model to explore library users’ continuance intention toward MLAs. Furthermore, the integrated framework is extended by incorporating perceived value and application accessibility, while the moderating role of habit on continuance usage behaviour is also examined. A random sampling method was adopted to collect 361 valid and complete responses from libraries across Tanzanian HLIs for data analysis. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed hypothetical relationships. The results reveal that perceived usefulness, user satisfaction, and habit exert significant positive effects on users’ continuance usage of MLAs in HLIs. Moreover, service quality and system quality significantly affect perceived usefulness, and perceived usefulness in turn significantly influences perceived value. In addition, confirmation is found to positively affect both perceived usefulness and user satisfaction with MLA usage, whereas application accessibility significantly impacts perceived ease of use. This study yields theoretical contributions and practical implications, which facilitate subsequent scholarly research on MLAs, and support policymakers and service providers in formulating sustainable strategies for digital library services within HLIs.