Library Information Resources Research Articles

Assessing Information Needs of Final Year Diploma Students at Kitale Polytechnic Library, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

This study assessed information needs of final year diploma students and the aspects explored were the adequacy, relevance, access and challenges faced in the use of the information resources. The study was limited to Kitale polytechnic library and the focus was the information that students seek to satisfy their information needs. The theory adopted for this study was the Principle of Least Effort that was developed by George Kengsley and explored in a study of library use of graduate students by Zao Lang. The independent variable was information needs and library user satisfaction was the dependent variable. Access and use of information resources, information literacy level and staff skills and competencies were the intervening variables. A descriptive research design was adopted to describe the level of students’ information needs and use of the library. Qualitative method was used to collect textual data and quantitative method was used to collect numerical data. The target population of 426 library staff members and final year diploma students based on the polytechnic management records was purposively sampled for study. A sample size of 68 participants was selected for study. The main data collection tools were a structured questionnaire and an interview schedule which targeted students and key informants (library staff) respectively. A pilot study was conducted at Eldoret National Polytechnic. This involved four library staff members and four diploma students who were in their final year of study. Validity was sought by use of expert knowledge in the field of information science to ascertain accuracy of the research instruments and the split half method was used to achieve reliability of the instruments and information collected. The researcher used interview to collect data from the library staff and questionnaires were employed to collect data from the sampled students. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed to generate percentages, frequency distribution tables and charts. The results established that majority of students need information for academic purposes while others use it for other information related requirements. The study also revealed that the library collection does not adequately cater for the information needs of students and it was further established that most of the library information resources are rarely relevant to students’ information needs. The study concludes that most polytechnics are not keen on issues related to limited resources, staffing and the quality of information resources and services which negatively affect students in the library. The study recommended that polytechnic policy developers should formulate library policies that are not only academically inclined but also aimed at promoting other information related purposes. The study also recommended that the Institutional management should increase library allocation of resources to ensure improved equipping of a balanced library collection that addresses the diverse information needs of students. The study further recommended that polytechnic library management should enhance its acquisition policy to help acquire information resources from publishers that are more relevant to students’ education and courses of study. The study should be useful to TVET department of the Ministry of Education in their quality assurance programs to formulate policies for polytechnics that maintain high standards of libraries and quality information services for students. The study further recommended that another study should be undertaken to explore more on the use of Wi-Fi in the provision of information services for polytechnic students; an area that deems necessary based on the studies that have been highlighted in this research.

Virtual book exhibition as an information resource of the library (from the experience of the V. O. Sukhomlynskyi SSPL of Ukraine)

The question of the relevance of the use of information resources, their importance as a tool for presentation and preservation of cultural heritage by libraries and new relevant publications is revealed. The experience of the V. O. Sukhomlinsky State Scientific and Pedagogical Library of Ukraine as a branch information center, which provides for the modern needs of users in library and information products based on the widespread use of the latest information and communication technologies to create virtual exhibitions. Virtual exhibition is considered as one of the innovative forms of library work to provide a wide range of opportunities for exhibitors, which allows to significantly expand the audience of users of educational and information resources. The characteristic features and peculiarities of the virtual library exhibition, their models are studied, among which attention is paid to the expanded exhibitions — with sections, quotations, illustrations, text, video and audio materials. Examples of personal and thematic exhibitions created by the specialists of of the V. O. Sukhomlynskyi SSPL of Ukraine and posted on the library's website are given. The content of the concept of "virtual exhibition" is clarified, the main stages of its preparation, methods of creation using traditional Microsoft Office applications, PowerPoint, Internet services authorSTREAM, Calamеo, Prezi, PhotoPeach, which allow you to create them directly on the network. The requirements for the organization of virtual exhibitions in the library space, their place in the system of electronic information resources of the library, the importance of the virtual exhibition as a tool to promote the library fund, a current leader in a large flow of information to ensure intellectual and creative development of educators and a powerful library information resource.

Analysis of the life cycle of a library information resource using Process Mining technology

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the applicability of the Process Mining methodology for the analysis of life cycle models of information resources. ProM software was used with the Inductive visual miner plugin. The source data was a database of the Seattle Public library hosted on the site Kaggle.com. Even from a fragment of the transaction history of library information resources, it was possible to recover the lifecycle model. The result confirms that it is possible to build and analyze models of the life cycle of information resources based on the event history logs.

Degradation and preservation practices of information resources in academic libraries in Cross River State, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to studyinvestigate degradation and preservation practices of information resources in academic libraries in Cross River State, Nigeria.It examined the nature and causes of degradation of information resources, strategies used in their control, and constraints limiting effective preservation.The study adopted survey design. The population for the studyconsisted of all information resources in the five academic libraries in the state. Purposivesampling technique was used in selecting 202 respondents who suppliedthe information used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the data were analyzed using t-test. The result of the analysis showed that all the four null hypotheses were rejected. This means that the nature of information resources degradation in academic libraries in Cross River State is significantly high. The study also revealed that barriers to effective preservation of information resources in academic libraries in Cross River State are significantly high. Based on the findings,the study recommended among others that academic libraries should recruit adequate and trained manpower in the libraries for effective preservation programmes and activities.Academic libraries should consider various methods that could be applied to curb degradation of information resources in their holding. And,adequate annual budget allocationshould be provided for preservation programmes in academic libraries in the state.

Application of Conservation and Preservation Techniques to Enhance the Life of Traditional and Digital Information Resources in Libraries

India has always been rich in knowledge from ancient times which is passed on from one generation to another. The method of passing knowledge is different in different regions of India. Due to huge advancement in ICT, there has been astronomical growth of digital resources. These resources are popular among students and researchers; hence libraries spend so much on them. Unfortunately, accessibility and use of these resources by future generations depends on technology which very rapidly evolves and changes. The fragile nature of digital resources makes its accessibility dependable on technology which is rapidly evolving. Hence, access to such resources for future users is a huge task for libraries. To use this information in daily life, we perform conservation techniques. In this research paper, we are exploring the different preservation and conservation techniques for traditional documents as well as digital resources used in selected libraries of New Delhi, India.

Research on the Security Strategy and Technology of Information Resource Network of Chinese Academy Library

This article briefly analyses the Security Strategy and Technology of Information Resource Network of Chinese Academy Library. At present, every country in the world is paying very close attention to the management of library Information resource network (IRN). Library Information Resource System is an important part of the information technology category. There are many risks in the library’s information resource system. In order to provide the users with the information accurately and timely, we need to develop a reliable and stable defense strategy.

Construction of Digital Library Precision Service System under Big Data Environment

With the promotion of Internet communication technology and information technology, university digital libraries are also in the process of continuous reform and development. With the passage of time, the information resources of digital libraries accumulate more and more, coupled with the continuous update of computer technology and social networks, users will generate more and more information resources. The rapid development of communication and Internet technology in the era of big data brings opportunities to digital library’s accurate service, and at the same time, it also makes it face huge challenges. The library should rely on the massive book resources platform, combine the big data processing technology with the digital library service concept, and actively explore the data acquisition, sorting and storage technology, so as to provide more effective and humanized services for users. This paper introduces the goal of precision service of Digital Library Based on big data, expounds the characteristics of precision service of Digital Library Based on big data, and puts forward the construction method of precision service system of Digital Library under big data environment.

Collection Development Variables and Utilization of Information Resources in University Libraries, South-South, Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between collection development variables, and utilization of information resources in university libraries, south-south, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 16620 students and a sample of 800 respondents was awareness for the study. The awareness was done through the stratified and purposive random sampling technique. The results of the analyses revealed a significant relationship between awareness, acquisition and utilization of information resources. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others that: Government should prioritize funding for the acquisition of information resources for university libraries

Collection Development Variables and Utilization of Information Resources in University Libraries, South-South, Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between collection development variables, and utilization of information resources in university libraries, south-south, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 16620 students and a sample of 800 respondents was awareness for the study. The awareness was done through the stratified and purposive random sampling technique. The results of the analyses revealed a significant relationship between awareness, acquisition and utilization of information resources. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others that: Government should prioritize funding for the acquisition of information resources for university libraries

Innovative application of knowledge management in organizational restructuring of academic libraries: A case study of Peking University Library

A traditional library’s functions are centered on library collection and information resources and their utilization. A library management system comprises resource acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, reading, and reference in respect of “literature streams.” Functionally, libraries have currently evolved into knowledge service centers, which are oriented toward knowledge, committed to knowledge innovation, and centered on the knowledge demands of users. Meanwhile, library management has also gradually shifted to focus on knowledge management. However, the applications of knowledge management are mainly limited to library services. It lacks innovative applications in internal management such as business flow and institutional settings. This article takes Peking University Library, one of the top-notch academic libraries in China, as a case study to explore this issue. Through restructuring its organization and re-setting its staff positions based on the “knowledge stream” as the core, the academic library intends to satisfy the knowledge demands of different types of users and create an environment in favor of knowledge flow and innovation. All of these efforts further support the development of the university.

Influence of ICT Skills on Library Information Resources Utilisation by Undergraduates in Two Universities in South-West, Nigeria

The study investigated the influence of ICT skills on library information resources utilisation by undergraduates in two universities in South-west, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. From a population of 32,419 undergraduates in the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 407 respondents. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Four hundred and seven copies of questionnaires were administered to respondents, however, 377 were found useful for the analysis. Research questions were answered using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean distribution, while the research hypothesis was analysed, using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study showed that ICT skills possessed by the undergraduates were high. The extent of library information resources utilisation by undergraduates was generally low; however reference materials and monographs/textbooks were highly utilised. The result also revealed that there was significant positive correlation (r = .383**; p< 0.05) between ICT skills and library information resources utilisation. Thus, it was recommended that library management should leveraged on the ICT skill possessed by undergraduates by adopting and implementing ICTs in the provision of library services that would enhance ICT skills and facilitate the utilisation of library information resources by undergraduate.Keywords: ICT Skills, Library Information Resources, library resources, utilisation

Possibilities of Popular (Recommendation) Online Bibliography in the Promotion of Reading

The authors consider the possibilities of popular (recommendation) online bibliography in promoting young people’s reading. Basing on the analysis of the modern socio-cultural situation characterized by the rapid growth of digital interaction, the article raises the problem of fast and qualitative orientation in the increasing flow of information. The authors conclude that the real tool of information and bibliographic search for everyone can be online electronic bibliographic resources of libraries.There is insufficient information on the use of these resources by modern young people. There was conducted study in 2018 to obtain data on reader preferences and the bibliographic sources to which they mainly refer. Students of the Moscow City Pedagogical University attended it. The sample group consisted of 43 people. The authors assumed that modern young people are focused primarily on obtaining information on the Internet, while they have a need for competent assistance to find and select the right publications. Respondents got the questionnaire compiled of 13 questions. The processing of the survey results consisted of their qualitative and quantitative analysis. In accordance with the set tasks, the study was carried out in the following areas: analysis of sources of information about books and publications used by modern youth, study of inquiries to information resources of libraries, identification of satisfaction with the quality of bibliographic information. The results of the study showed that the respondents prefer to find complete, accessible and up-to-date information about books and publications, as well as the publications themselves, on the Internet. The most valuable and preferred is the bibliographic information provided in electronic form. At the same time, many respondents are not satisfied with their own search for the necessary and high-quality publications both in the libraries and on the Internet. The authors present the possibilities of network resources of popular (recommendation) bibliography as a navigator in fast and efficient search and selection of the necessary publications.

EXAMINES ACADEMIC LIBRARY USERS’ EXPERIENCE TOWARDS LIBRARY PATRONAGE IN STATE UNIVERSITIES IN SRI LANKA

Libraries and information centers are service units held with the responsibility of providing varied information services based on a number of resources. It covers tangible assets, namely library building, equipment, furniture, information resources and staff. The intangible element has been the information services provided by the libraries. The tangible assets and intangible services of libraries are changing greatly due to the development and changes in the area of information technology. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate to accomplish the relationship between Service Quality dimensions, customer experience (CE) library patronage (LP) and library user attitude (LUA) in the context of university library service quality in Sri Lanka. In addition, it investigates the mediating effect of customer experience in the relationship between dimensions of library service quality and the library patronage. Article visualizations:

Evaluating the Effect of Academic Library users’ Experience towards Library Patronage in State Universities in Sri Lanka: Development of a Conceptual Framework

Libraries and information centers are service units held with the responsibility of providing varied information services based on a number of resources. It covers tangible assets, namely library building, equipment, furniture, information resources and staff. The intangible element has been the information services provided by the libraries. The tangible assets and intangible services of libraries are changing greatly due to the development and changes in the area of information technology. Libraries may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about great design. It’s easy to assume the user experience of a library is limited to navigating a maze of bookshelves in reality; there has been a recent push among librarians and library professionals to apply user experience best practices to the design of their services. Library UX professionals include librarians and library staff members who specialize in improving the user experience of their libraries through research and design.

Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria

Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria

Undergraduates’ Awareness, Accessibility and Use of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) in Federal Universities in South West, Nigeria

This study examines undergraduates’ awareness, accessibility and use of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) in federal universities in South West, Nigeria. The total population of this study was twelve thousand, eight hundred and fifty six (12,856) undergraduates of the federal universities understudy. A sample of420 respondents was drawn from the total population using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The data collected for this study was analyzed using simple percentage/frequency counts and weighted mean. Findings from this study revealed that undergraduates’ in federal universities, to a very great extent, are aware of the types of electronic information resources that are accessible for use in their university libraries in South West, Nigeria, also the study found that the extent of undergraduates’ accessibility of electronic information resources in federal university libraries in South West, Nigeria is very high, that undergraduates’ in federal universities in South West, Nigeria use electronic information resources for: Accessing useful and relevant databases not subscribed to by the library; Access online/electronic news; Gaining access to information material not available in hard copies among others. The following challenges were faced by undergraduates’ in their effort to use the library: Poor maintenance of electronic information resources; Lack of training for students on the use of electronic information resources and erratic power supply among others. The following were suggested to improve on accessibility and use of electronic information resources by undergraduates’ in Nigerian universities: the library management should try as much as possible to acquire and make recent electronic books and journals available or students since their level of accessibility and use are very high in federal universities in South West among others.

Interaction of Libraries, Museums, Archives: Ukrainian Experience

The purpose of the article is to highlight the interaction as an innovation process among libraries, museums and archives in the communication space of Ukraine.Research Methodology. The author uses a socio-communication approach with the principles of systemic, socio-cultural and information sciences. The following methods are applied: the analysis of the content of websites of libraries, museums and archives; comparing and generalizing the obtained data, archival documentation.Results. According to the results of the conducted survey, 36% of Ukrainian libraries host joint socially significant events. Site monitoring also shows that engagement is still not a priority for Ukrainian libraries, museums and archives. 20% of libraries, 14% of museums and 40% of archives report their partners. At the same time, only 2% of museums among such partners indicate libraries and 3% of museums mention archives as partners.The priority areas of interaction among libraries, museums and archives have been described. They are: socio-cultural partnership, technological convergence which involves the integration of information resources of libraries, museums and archives; research and educational convergence based on the introduction to the educational process of the programs aimed at the development of future library, museum, archives specialists’ comprehension of the purpose, content, forms, types and kinds of communication among libraries, museums and archives. The interaction creates the conditions for the development of three socio-communication structures as subsystems of one system.Novelty. The areas of interaction among libraries, museums and archives as innovation process in the Ukrainian experience are systematized and summarized.The practical significante. Basic scientific findings, conclusions and results are useful for developing partnerships among libraries and museums and archives.Conclusion. The rapid growth in cooperation among libraries, museums and archives in the areas of socio-cultural, technological, research and educational interaction in the Ukrainian experience has been confirmed.

Young Adults and Reading in the Focus of the Regional University of Culture

The article considers the work of the Department of Library-Information Resources (LIR) of the East-Siberian State Institute of Culture (VSGIK), aimed at supporting the reading of young people. The purpose of this article is to reveal the experience of the Department of Library-Information Resources in the implementation framework of the project “Self-realization of young people in the journalistic creativity as the basis of psychological preventive health care”. The authors consider the stages of project implementation: conducting the contest of journalistic materials, publication of miscellany containing the best journalistic works of pupils of secondary schools, distribution of miscellany in school and university libraries of the Republic of Buryatia, implementation of different preventive events with VSGIK students and school pupils basing on the publication materials. The authors characterize the expert evaluation of competition works of pupils of senior school, based on the use of qualitative and quantitative criteria. The contest was held in two categories: “Best analytical materials” and “Best information materials”. The article describes the results of voting in the nomination “Popular vote Winner” in the social network “Vkontakte” on the VSGIK official web page. The authors describe the stage of work associated with publication of miscellany “On the threshold of adulthood: reflections of schoolchildren on literature, creativity and life”, which includes 28 competition works.The article highlights the most interesting works of senior school students, rich in reasoning, reflecting the emotional state of person, empathy for the main characters and clearly expressed life positions. The miscellany received feedback from library staff of the Republic of Buryatia, Irkutsk Region, Trans-Baikal Region, which gave high assessment of the overall level of published materials and emphasized the wide readership of the publication. Based on the feedback of library specialists and school pupils, the article concludes about the main results of the project: there were created interesting creative works containing the authors’ arguments and reference to their own, though small life experience. Students revealed the role of book in their lives and disclosed how the book forms the personality of a person.The authors present the quantitative and qualitative indicators of project performance. Distribution of the miscellany in 368 school libraries of the Republic of Buryatia makes it possible to ensure its wide application in the educational process.

Library information resource sharing cloud service based on cloud computing mode

Library information resource sharing cloud service based on cloud computing mode

Availability and Accessibility of Information Resources in an Academic Library: Pathway to Sustainable Development

This study was carried out to determine how availability and accessibility could bring about sustainable development in perceived academic performance of polytechnics’ students using Ibadan Polytechnic as a case study. Survey design was used with structured questionnaire and observation as instruments for data collection. The questionnaire was administered with the aid of a research assistant. From the findings, it was revealed that textbooks and dictionaries were readily available in the library while electronic books and journals were not accessible. The study also revealed lack of enough electronic resources, lack of enough computers to access Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and power failure as some of the challenges to availability and accessibility of library resources. Some recommendations were made based on the findings.