Library Initiatives Research Articles

Application of Information Success Model in Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak (PTAR) UiTM

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Internet have changed the way organizations deliver services. Using ICT and Internet technology, organizations can deliver digital services to consumers quickly and effectively. In the context of libraries and digital libraries, service delivery has been greatly improved along with the extensive use of ICT and Internet in the library. This paper discusses the delivery of digital library services at UiTM’s Tun Abdul Razak Library (PTAR) with reference to the Information System Success Model introduced by Delone & Mclane. PTAR digital library initiatives such as MyKnowledge Portal, CHAT WITH LIBRARIAN, E-Class Information Skills (eKKM) are discussed by mapping them with service quality (SQ), Information Quality and System Quality elements in the IS Success Model. As a result, from the context of the use of the system as a service delivery platform, the implementation of PTAR digital initiative is found to be aligned with IS Success Model

Biblioteca Digitale, o dell’evoluzione della biblioteca: la Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana e la sua nuova Biblioteca Digitale ad accesso aperto dedicata ai manoscritti

The Digital Library – used here to connote a general category – aims to innovate the range of services offered to the public by ‘analogue libraries’ to a varied group of users. These services cross the multifaceted cases of public reading libraries (and a large and generalist pool of users), of university libraries (and an equally large pool of users made up of students, undergraduates, faculty, and researchers), and also extend to the world of conservation libraries, which attract a specialized niche audience, very often of international origin. The digitization of precious, ancient, books – both manuscript and printed – represents a great and complex challenge from many points of view (conceptual, design, implementation, logistics, economic, personnel management, etc.), but also the most intuitive way we have now to expand the services offered to users in digital form. In the (recent) past, many digital library initiatives have been carried out in this sense by individual library institutions, as well as by individual private programs or government projects, with variable results in terms of objectives actually achieved, sustainable permanence online, and their ability to effectively counteract the so-called ‘digital obsolescence’ by updating the entire technological infrastructure of the project itself, as well as the individual digital contents, to guarantee their survival. Nowadays, web- based technologies have evolved, increased, and standardized to such an extent that a new approach is possible for digital libraries in terms of usability, visualization, and multi-platform replication of digital content.

Library Services to Diverse Communities in Europe

Public libraries have developed standards to provide reading and information services to diverse populations. This has helped the public library to fulfil an informal educational and social role, particularly in engaging traditionally excluded groups, such as the Roma minority in Spain. However, well-developed library initiatives in Spain are scarce; in addition, culturally sensitive services do not thrive, and research and reflection on this reality from the library standpoint are rare. The overarching goal of this article is to provide librarians with suggestions for improved services for the Roma community in Spain. It is achieved through the critical analysis of public library services to the Roma community that currently exist in the European Union. Based on this analysis, practical suggestions are offered.

An overview of recent digital humanities initiatives in US art libraries

As producers and mediators of digital resources, art librarians frequently interact with the digital humanities in a broad sense. In the following brief overview of recent DH work undertaken in US art libraries, engagement with digital humanities is evidenced by the development of open access projects, the creation of linked data sets and the innovative sharing of art and archive collections to support digital pedagogy. Related activities of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA), its Digital Humanities SIG and the ARLIS/NA in the Humanities Commons are also discussed.

Core Interests of School Library Practitioner in Asia and Pacific Region

Internationally, there are well-known school library models including the U.S. model, with its strong groups of professionals, the British model, dependent on school library services in the community, and the Australian model, which can be described as either a successor to or a middle way between these two models. However, no independent school library model has been established in Asia. In Japan, the Library and Information Professions and Educations Renewal (LIPER) project was established in 2003 to study reforms to and the reorganization of library and information science education, with the members of the Japan Society of Library and Information Science. The School Library Initiatives for Asia & Pacific (SLAP) Forum, an international meeting for school library practitioners, was held in Tokyo in January 2013, and even before then an initiative was conducted as part of the studies spun off from the LIPER’s third stage. This paper reports on these topics.

Examples of game-based initiatives in libraries

Examples of game-based initiatives in libraries

Students and Parents: How Academic Libraries Serve a Growing Population

In recognition of the critical role that libraries play in the educational lives of student parents, there has been a noticeable trend in academic libraries to offer services and spaces for students and their children. This article reviews recent library and information science (LIS) literature on student parent initiatives in academic libraries. The purpose of this synthesis is to highlight demographic data, research findings, and case studies that, considered together, may significantly expand the profession’s knowledge about the barriers student parents face in accessing the academic library and its services. The article first lays out the rationale and urgency of providing library services and spaces to student parents. Then, a summary of existing LIS literature on student parents is provided. To enable individual libraries to undertake their own family-friendly initiatives, this section outlines the stages and steps identified by scholars and practitioners as necessary to design and implement successful policies, spaces, and services for student parents.

Online mode as a motivation for library initiatives (on the example of the Russian State Library of Arts)

The article generalizes and systematizes exhibition, educational and project activities of The Russian State Library of Arts (RSLA) in terms of measures related to self-isolation under the threat of coronavirus infection ­(COVID-19) spreading. The necessary and sufficient conditions for effective work in remote mode are considered. Emphasis is made on the organization of work on projects. The conclusion is made on the strategic importance of teamwork, network interaction of employees, and operational coordination of work. It is noted that the library managed to significantly expand its Internet resources. This was reflected in the development and presentation of virtual exhibitions, thematic online lectures and publications, video reviews, virtual excursions, meetings on the Zoom platform, in the reorganization and adaptation of planned events to new conditions. The important organizational steps were: mastering the necessary software products, including video editing, and psychological and pedagogical skills to retain the audience; understanding the need to discuss virtual expositions in working groups and exhibition councils. All this made it possible not only to preserve the old audience, but also to attract a new one for RSLA. A conclusion is also made for the future: when planning events and publications in the web space, it is very important to balance the issues of lectures, reviews, video meetings, modern and retrospective topics, archival recordings and new publications.

The Coin of Love and Virtue: Academic Libraries and Value in a Global Pandemic

In September 2010, the Association of College and Research Libraries released The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report. The spread of the novel coronavirus and the resulting global pandemic has raised questions about the concept of value in academic libraries. How is value attributed? How does value function? What does it mean to demonstrate or prove our value? We begin with an overview and analysis of ACRL’s Value of Academic Libraries Initiative. We then provide a description and timeline of the spread of COVID-19 and the reaction of both institutions of higher education, academic libraries, professional library organizations, and individual librarians. The pandemic has created a new category of workers - “essential workers” - who provide vital services, perform maintenance work, and labor to keep infrastructures intact. The role of carework and careworkers in the pandemic helps illuminate the situation of academic librarians within regimes of neoliberal austerity. Ultimately we argue that although the discourse of library value seeks to prove library value rationally and empirically, through a lot of quantitative data, capitalism, the economy, and value are fundamentally irrational. Academic library value must be claimed politically; misrecognizing the nature of the problem and relying on commonsense understandings of value and the economic, which is what the discourse of library value has done for the past decade, goes nowhere.

Implementing an Open Source Catalog in a Consortial Environment

The Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and United Lutheran Seminary) have had a joint library catalog between their three libraries for over 18 years. This has allowed for inter-campus lending, some shared purchases, and joint collection development. After using a shared instance of Voyager for 17 years, the Cluster knew it was time to upgrade. During the 2018–19 school year, the Cluster researched alternative software and ultimately selected the open source tool Koha, hosted by Equinox Open Library Initiative. This paper explains the reasons for change, the selection process, key decisions in the install process, lessons learned, and an overall assessment of the transition to Koha.

Application of linked data technologies in libraries: Pakistani information professionals’ attitudes and perceptions

Purpose This study aims to ascertain the information professionals’ perceptions and attitudes towards the application of linked data (LD) technologies in libraries in the context of a developing country. It also explores the Pakistani information professionals’ level of familiarity with LD concepts, plans and efforts in its application, along with its potential benefits. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire survey was used to identify the information professionals’ perceived level of familiarity with LD concepts and benefits to implement LD in libraries, and their plans and efforts to adopt LD technologies. A questionnaire was developed to meet the objective of the study and collect data from the purposefully selected professionals (N = 86) working in university libraries in Pakistan. SPSS was used to analyse the data set. Findings Findings show that LD application in libraries is still not common among Pakistani information professionals. They have a moderate level of understanding with semantic Web (SW) and LD key concepts. The respondents were positive about the potential benefits of implementing LD technology in libraries, such as assisting patrons to discover relevant information, enriching traditional bibliographic records, enhancing the visibility and discoverability of library data and improving the users’ overall search experiences that may foster future developments. Overall, the respondents’ institutions were on different levels of planning – from working on a plan to having a finalized plan. The findings emphasized establishing the SW’s potential in library services. Research limitations/implications There are certain limitations of this study. Firstly, the population is Pakistani information professionals who are purposefully selected. Secondly, the findings reveal that the respondents’ understanding with LD concepts, opinions about LD, plans and efforts to its application along with its potential benefits in libraries are self-perceived and not tested in any way and they were not actually implementing these technologies in their institutions because of a lack of best practices. It is a quantitative study and it will serve as a baseline study, even though there is a need to conduct more in-depth qualitative studies in the information environment to explore the phenomenon. Social implications This study will guide information professionals and policymakers to take initiatives towards the implementation of LD technology in libraries. It may also lead to further research to understand the perceptions of information professionals so that appropriate training and advocacy programmes can be developed to promote LD initiatives in libraries. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known empirical study in the context of a developing country. It clearly demonstrates the Pakistani information professionals’ perceptions regarding the library LD and associated plans along with potential benefits to implement it.

Team Effectiveness in Academic Law Libraries: Using Targeted Team Interventions To Improve Dynamics and Performance

Academic law library staff work in task specific teams to accomplish law library initiatives and further the library’s mission. Targeted team interventions serve to improve team cognition, behavior, and attitudes by developing the core teamwork competencies and mediating mechanisms. Academic law library work in task determined teams. The author argues that law library team leaders should implement targeted team development interventions to enhance team effectiveness and performance, and law libraries should incorporate team interventions into routine librarianship.

Liberate our Library: doing decolonisation work at Goldsmiths Library

Library work now has a role to play when it comes to decolonisation. This article outlines what Goldsmiths Library, University of London is doing, through the Liberate our Library initiative, to diversify and decolonise its collections and practices against the backdrop of worldwide movements for education and social justice led by both students and academics to challenge the dominance of the ‘Westernised university’.2Examples of how we are doing this work are explained using critical librarianship as our guide, whilst recognising that we are still developing expertise in this evolving field of practice. This decolonisation work also uses critical race theory (CRT) as a means to dismantle racial inequality and its impact on higher education.Here, I would like to acknowledge the excellent and inspirational content of ALJ, Critical Librarianship: Special Issue (v.44, no.2) and I see this article as an ongoing companion piece.Goldsmiths Library's liberation work endeavours to empower its users with critical thinking and study skills whilst conducting their research using hierarchical systems and resources which in themselves are in the process of being decolonised.Decolonising a library collection and a profession must of course always begin or at least happen in tandem with the self, through a process that Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o describes as ‘decolonising the mind.’3

Libraries and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: The past, present, and future

AbstractThis paper presents initial research from a broader project about the impact of libraries on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, the UN launched the SDGs, a set of 17 goals for global development by the year 2030. Librarians helped shape the inclusion of access to information in these goals and are involved in furthering them through providing access to information. The OCLC Global Council has selected the SDGs as its area of focus for 2020 and is formulating a research program that will identify and advocate for the ways that libraries can help further the SDGs. This paper details the history of the SDGs and the role that librarians played in shaping them. It shows examples of ways that librarians and library initiatives have helped further them through providing access to information and information literacy skills. Finally, it offers suggestions for ways that library leaders could structure their information activates around the SDGs, based on data from a survey of OCLC Global Council delegates.

SolarSPELL Assessment: Impact of a Solar-Powered Digital Library as a Teaching-Learning Resource on Climate Change

Inclusive and quality education can provide nations with the tools to solve global problems. However, some barriers prevent equal access to this education. These obstacles include the lack of basic resources such as electricity and internet availability, which prevents appropriate training in the skills necessary for sustainable community development. Therefore, we have responded with the Solar-Powered Educational Learning Library (SolarSPELL) initiative, which offers a solar-powered digital library and provides an internet-like experience through its offline WiFi network. This educational innovation has been implemented in rural schools across the Pacific Islands, including in some of the more remote islands of Fiji, an area strongly affected by climate change. The objective of the study was to understand the impact of SolarSPELL on teaching and learning about climate change in the schools where it was implemented. This research used a case study method in which quantitative tools were applied to understand the characteristics of the schools and the impact of this educational innovation. The results showed that the SolarSPELL library was an impactful pedagogical resource in the schools where it was implemented. It served as support for teachers and motivated the students, promoted the democratization of knowledge in vulnerable areas, and provided appropriate educational resources to generate knowledge about problem-solving actions that can respond to climate change. The importance of this educational innovation lies in presenting strategies and best practices that help improve the quality of education, making it more inclusive and eliminating barriers to the acquisition of knowledge.

Digital library of required classical literature for elementary and secondary school curricula in domestic languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to present, in the introductory part, the main project phases and the translation of classical literature masterpieces in the public domain from English or French languages to Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian; digital formatting to make the contents as usable and attractive for students and teachers as possible; Web presentation and digital library application; and marketing of the project and the materials published. Additionally, extensive descriptions of all project activities and elaboration on the financial constraints are given together with the observations related to the proposed self-sustainability by using the cross-platform free cloud software. Another challenge originating in a unique political context was presented with an explanation of the necessity to create digital content in three domestic languages. The central part provides a wider context by discussing the potentials of similar digital practices to be applied elsewhere based on the lessons learned. Finally, in conclusion, the short recapitulation and the final assessment of the project are given.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents the project Digital Library of Required Classic World Literature for Elementary and Secondary School Curricula in Domestic Languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (in Bosnian: Digitalna biblioteka lektira). The descriptive methodology has been used to present the project to the scientific community and get constructive feedback.FindingsThis study aims to be the first significant school digital library initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, because of zero funding and plans directed to self-sustainability through the use of free cloud software solutions, its viability will be tested over time.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations are concerned with paper length and formal limitations. A longer study should be written to present all features of this project. However, it implies possible positive developments in digital content creation and usage in schools of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Practical implicationsThis study was initiated to support the physical school libraries, but in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, its importance increased exponentially since the classes went online.Originality/valueThis paper is based on the original project and is written by the person who is the project leader and digital librarian. This paper aims to be the first significant school digital library initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Improving the quality of university library services to meet the requirements of basic educational quality accreditation

This paper examines the results of quality accreditation of library criteria retrieved from universities (according to the set of standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training) from 2016 to the present. By studying the limitations of libraries, recommendations from external organizations for quality accreditation and identifying the causes, the authors propose solutions to improve the quality of university library services. Proposed solutions involve the library's initiative in understanding user needs and providing services that meet the needs of learners and stakeholders, carrying out good management of libraries and periodically surveying users to better the quality of library services

Conceptions of digital libraries: an African perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to explore African conceptions of digital libraries from the perspective of the historical literature. This paper argues that the concept of digital libraries is a western creation and that there was a need for developing societies to develop their own conceptions to guide their own digital library development agenda.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a literature review. The paper makes use of publicly-available literature on the theme of digital libraries from both the Western and African perspectives. The search terms used were “digital libraries”, “Africa digital libraries”, “electronic libraries”, “information communication technologies/libraries” and “institutional repositories”. A total of 89 publications were examined for this purpose.FindingsThe analysis revealed that most of the initial digital library initiatives in Africa emanated from the west with African countries benefiting from international initiatives to expand access to information resources to bridge the global digital divide. However, due to a number of contextual challenges such as lack of sustainable funding and inadequate capacity and strategy, the development of digital libraries was hampered. Thus, even though digital libraries enjoy considerable goodwill, there remain negative conceptions of digital libraries in Africa.Practical implicationsInformation institutions in African countries must evolve a unified conception of digital libraries as this would largely drive the direction of digital library development towards achieving the developmental goals of the continent.Originality/valueThe study applies the attributes of innovation to explain contextual factors shaping African conceptions of digital libraries.

The Impact of Humanoid Robots on Australian Public Libraries

ABSTRACT ‘Humanoid robots’ or ‘social robots’ are an emerging generation of robots that have abilities to perceive their environment, recognise faces, read emotions and communicate with people. They have been introduced into Australian public libraries over the past few years but their impact on library practice has remained unknown. This research therefore aims to fill this gap. It explores the influence of these robots on Australian public libraries through the view of librarians and the experience of library clients. Ten in-depth individual interviews with librarians in Australian public libraries, who are directly involved in designing and running humanoid robot programmes, were carried out. Observations of interaction between library patrons and humanoid robots at five events in five public libraries were also conducted. Interview transcripts and field notes were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The analysis revealed four themes describing the way humanoid robots impact Australian public libraries. Humanoid robots are considered as a community builder, a teacher, an aide, and a challenger. This research provides an evidence-based understanding that supports the research, planning and implementation of humanoid robot initiatives in Australian public libraries in order to enhance the experience of library user communities.

Entrepreneurship Initiatives in Academic Libraries

Academic library spaces and services have widely broadened their missions away from providing only traditional research services and quiet spaces for study. Today, academic libraries are increasingly repurposing space and redesigning services to become the hub of innovation on university campuses. The literature explores entrepreneurship and academic libraries from many perspectives but with a common theme of the library as a leader in support of entrepreneurship initiatives on campus.