Library Web Research Articles

Making Instruction Mobile

Using interactive and mobile technologies enhances literacy instruction and outreach services. In the classroom, polling applications and clickers provide real-time assessment, inform future instruction, and encourage students to participate. Outside the classroom, we are creating instructional videos and media on topics such as search techniques, navigating the library, and publishing Web sites. These materials can be accessed via the library Web site, streamed onto handheld devices, added to course sites, and embedded throughout the library's physical site using quick response codes. These innovative methodologies help us reach students in a multitude of ways and broaden students' means and methods of access.

New Documents on the History of the Russian Historical Archive Abroad in Prague

The article discusses a newly-discovered collection of administrative documents and correspondence from the Russkii zagranichnyi istoricheskii arkhiv [Russian Historical Archive Abroad], which was active 1924–1945. The collection is housed in the Slavonic Library in Prague. It is important for both the history of the archive itself and the history of the Russian emigration. An inventory list of the collection is now available on the library's Web site.

Accessibility of digital special collections using screen readers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discover whether digitized materials from special collections libraries can be accessed using screen reader technology.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers looked at 69 US academic library web sites from the ARL in 2011 to determine whether textual materials sampled from their digitized special collections were readable with screen reader technology.FindingsThe researchers found that 42 percent of the sampled digital collection items are screen‐readable, while 58 percent are not readable.Research limitations/implicationsScreen readers are not evaluated against one another for effectiveness with digital collections. Library web site pathways to digital special collections were not evaluated with screen readers.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the accessibility of digitized special collections materials to persons using a screen reader.

LIBRARY 2.0 TIDAK TERASA ADA DI SEKITAR KITA

This essay reveals application of Web 2.0 tools in some Indonesia university, academic, and special libraries. It is an explorative preliminary study, and this literature based article is a starting effort to conduct a more comprehensive research in this subject. Fifteen library web pages are examined to identify their application of Web 2.0 tools. It finds out that some of them use such tool, but they seem not really aware the advantages of Web 2.0 for their libraries. This essay suggest that the implementation of Web 2.0 tools should be supported by decission makers.

With Scripps library closure, university tries to minimize impact

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) Library at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) closed on 29 June, succumbing to budget cuts and a change in library usage that has included a shift toward electronic media and fewer people using the library's physical facilities. The SIO library's book and journal collections—which include more than 227,000 volumes and more than 700 print periodicals—will be transferred to UCSD's Geisel Library about 1 mile away; the Scripps archives and special collections will remain in their current location in the Eckart Building at SIO, according to a UCSD announcement. A note posted on the UCSD library Web site states, “Though Scripps Institution of Oceanography loses a library facility on campus, the UC San Diego Library remains committed to supporting Scripps faculty, staff and students, and continues to develop electronic and print collections to support the Institution's academic mission. Research and curriculum support services also continue to be available, by appointment.”

Twenty Tips for Creating Your Library's First Mobile Web site

This article provides 20 tips for planning and building a library's mobile Web site. It is based on the presentation, “Planning for Your Library's First Mobile Website” given at the Handheld Librarian Online Conference III on July 29, 2010 (Kim, 2010b), and the blog post “20 Tips for Planning Your Mobile Website” at Library Hat (Kim, 2010a).

Law Library Faculty Services Web Sites: Effectively Communicating Services Provided for Faculty

This article contains the results of an empirical analysis and review of 199 American Bar Association-accredited law school library Web pages to identify the law library services for faculty that are advertised or promoted on law library Web sites. The analysis ranked the Web sites based on how thoroughly a law library communicates, or promotes on its Web site, the services it offers to faculty. The analysis also identified the percentage of law libraries advertising specific services for faculty, such as those related to library staffing, publishing support, teaching support, and research services. Suggestions are included for the promotion of the law library to faculty, including services some libraries are uniquely offering.

슬관절 전치환술 환자에게 적용한 재활요법 연구논문 분석

Purpose: The focus of this research was a systematic review of published articles and theses for a degree in Korea and foreign countries on rehabilitation therapy for patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: The literature until December in 2011 were searched and the data basis included Medline, CINAHL, KERIS, National Library of Korea, and National Assembly Library web sites. Words for the search were TKA or TKA and rehabilitation. Studies included randomized controlled and non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. 31 studies were analyzed focusing on type, application method, dependant variable and effect using descriptive statistics. Results: Seventeen rehabilitation therapies and forty-nine dependant variables were used. The application methods of rehabilitation therapy were diverse. The most frequently used rehabilitation type was an exercise therapy and a pain/discomfort was the most frequently used dependant variable. The effects of rehabilitation therapy were inconsistent. Conclusion: The individualized rehabilitation therapy must be comprised of type, time, frequency, period and duration. Attention must be made as to the research design, especially the better measurement of the dependent variables. This review may serve as a base for future research.

Analyzing RSS applications on library web sites

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the application of Rich Site Summary (RSS) in academic and public libraries emphasizing characteristic features and purposes of use. It seeks to highlight the degree of adoption of RSS in different regions and also between different types of libraries.Design/methodology/approachConvenience sampling method was followed to select four samples of population, one from each of four continents. Data were collected, using the content analysis method, along the checkpoints developed after consulting various literature and web sites. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.FindingsThe findings highlighted the basic features of RSS applied in libraries and the specific purposes of its use around the globe, underlining the areas where RSS is most effectively implemented. Disparities were revealed in RSS adoption between academic and public libraries, which may be attributed to diverse user profiles across different social spheres. Though there is little difference between libraries in North America and Australia with regard to the extension of RSS implementation, its adoption is considerably higher in North American libraries. However, the disproportionate use of RSS may be attributed to the differential internet penetration rate across the continents.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study was restricted to four continents – North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and the survey was completely internet based, conducted on library web sites accessible to all and available in English. Content analysis, combined with questionnaire and interview method may enable future researchers to focus on other aspects, such as the impact of RSS on users' and librarians' attitudes and perceptions. This, in turn, may help measure how far library web sites using RSS are capable of motivating and engaging users in harnessing web‐based library facilities and services.Originality/valueBeing an exhaustive assessment of one of the most viable library initiated net‐based functionalities; the findings provide concrete evidence of the applications of RSS in libraries across the continents. The findings will guide future librarians toward using library web sites effectively to provide web‐based information services, enhancing sustainability and service values.

How Well Do Ontario Library Web Sites Meet New Accessibility Requirements?

New changes to Ontario law will require library web sites to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). This study evaluates 64 Ontario university, college, and public library web sites to see how well they comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines at present. An average of 14.75 accessibility problems were found per web page. The most common problems included invalid html, poor color contrast, incorrect form controls and labels, missing alt text, bad link text, improper use of headings, using html to format pages, using absolute units of measure, and issues with tables and embedded objects.

“Discovering” what's changed: a revisit of the OPACs of 260 academic libraries

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the current usage of next generation online public access catalogs (OPACs) and discovery tools in academic libraries in the USA and Canada.Design/methodology/approachUsing the same random sample of 260 colleges and universities in the USA and Canada from their original study, the authors revisited each institution's library web page to ascertain whether the OPAC interface(s) offered were the same or different than in their initial data collection. Data was collected and analyzed in October and November 2011.FindingsDiscovery tool use has practically doubled in the last two years, from 16 percent to 29 percent. A total of 96 percent of academic libraries using discovery tools still provide access to their legacy catalog. The percentage of institutions using ILS OPACs with faceted navigation has increased from 2 percent to 4 percent. Combining the use of discovery tools and faceted OPACs, at least 33 percent of academic libraries are now using a faceted interface. Discovery tools that aim to be the “single point of entry for all library resources” are the most recently popular.Research limitations/implicationsAbout 16 percent of the institutions (n=43) in the sample either did not have web sites or did not provide access to their online catalogs. Thus, some data might be underreported.Practical implicationsThe findings identify trends that may inform academic libraries in the quest to providing next generation interfaces to their varied resources.Originality/valueThis study gives a timely update of next generation catalog (NGC) and discovery tool usage in academic libraries in the USA and Canada.

Comparative User Experiences of Next-Generation Catalogue Interfaces

One of the presumed advantages of next-generation library catalogue interfaces is that the user experience is improved—that it is both richer and more intuitive. Often the interfaces come with little or no user-facing documentation or imbedded "help" for patrons based on an assumption of ease of use and familiarity of the experience, having followed best practices in use on the Web. While there has been much gray literature (published on library Web sites, etc.) interrogating these implicit claims and contrasting the new interfaces to traditional Web-based catalogues, this article details a consistent and formal comparison of whether users can actually accomplish common library tasks, unassisted, using these interfaces. The author has undertaken a task-based usability test of vendor-provided next-generation catalogue interfaces and Web-scale discovery tools (Encore Synergy, Summon, WorldCat Local, Primo Central, EBSCO Discovery Service). Testing was done with undergraduates across all academic disciplines. The resulting qualitative data, noting any demonstrated trouble using the software as well as feedback or suggested improvements that the users may have about the software, will assist academic libraries in making or validating purchase and subscription decisions for these interfaces as well as help vendors make data-driven decisions about interface and experience enhancements.

Web Usability Evaluation of Iran National Library Website

It is obvious that each information service exists for the sole purpose of satisfying its users. All its activities, services and products, ie., the totality of its functions are geared towards this purpose. How well this purpose is served is a measure of the effectiveness and usability of that information service. According to the value place of National Library as the golden gateway to access quick easy and unlimited information, considering its web usability can be useful. This paper aims to provide knowledge about the metrics of web usability evaluation in Iran National Library Website. Taking a critical approach, this article examines Iran National Library Web Site, in order to conduct a reliable usability assessment. The tools for data collection was an explanatory checklist, developed by the researchers based on the review of the literatures - a practical way with providing appropriate solutions deals - consisted of 11 log evaluation criteria and 160 components. desired website was measured by it. In order to analyze research findings, descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) used for this purpose. In general, the results showed that the web usability evaluation of Iran National Library Website (In comparison with the overall assessment of compliance of all criteria, in index website, with 663 points) is 594 points (88/5 percent). While the design of National Library Websites should be completely based on functions that support of National Library’s major aims, especially in information retrieving as well as rendering public information services. Identifying the advantages and disadvantages of the method and employing it in real research environments to assess the usability of national library web site can not only be a useful exercise to measure the extent to which the studied website had the desired elements and features, but can also be a starting point for further discussions on the reliability of usability evaluation method which can also be applied to other types of web site.

Instruction and help services in the academic library websites and web pages in Sri Lanka

PurposeThe present study was carried out with the intention of examining what type of instruction applications and help tools have been used to serve clientele via academic library websites and web pages, and how Sri Lankan academic libraries instruct and help users via their library websites and web pages.Design/methodology/approachA sample study comprised only 14 academic library websites and web pages out of 223, which were accessible and necessarily presented instruction applications and help tools. Two coding sheets were prepared separately for instruction and help to include classified data, and then the frequency counted from each category by browsing the sample recorded in the coders for analysis.FindingsThe results confirmed that the quality of academic library websites in Sri Lanka in providing online instruction and help was dependent on different variables. The development of above online services remains in its infancy. Most important instruction applications and help tools have not been utilized by the majority of websites in academic libraries. Inaccessibility of such services via the library web reflects not only their malfunction in online instruction and help, but also onsite services of some areas in academic libraries.Research limitations/implicationsNonexistence of websites or web pages and lack of enough information in library websites caused the exclusion of most of the libraries in the country from inclusion in the sample; this in turn affected this study by limiting it to academic libraries only.Practical implicationsThe majority of recommendations originated from the study can be generalized for both web and online service development of any type of library in Sri Lanka.Originality/valueThe deficiency of research on library websites in Sri Lanka provides no clear image regarding the existing situation of online library services. Thus this study contributes towards addressing this gap in the literature and features distinctiveness within the available literature.

The Design and Implementation of Web Service Based on Axis2

With the rapid development of the Internet, a large number of data information appears on the Internet, however, these data information are come from incompatible applications and frameworks that cannot interoperate or exchange data, and it is difficult to effective share and use these data information. Web Service is a new model for the integration and sharing of data information, many scholars have been done much research work on how to achieve data sharing by using the web service technology. This paper analyzes the accessing process of web service based on the Axis2, and takes the library web service as an example to describe the whole process of web services creating, publishing, and accessing. The example of library web service shows that it has speediness, practicability and effectiveness to design and implement the web service by Apache Axis2.

A Comparison of Searching Functionality of a VuFind Catalogue Implementation and the Traditional Catalogue

As of spring semester 2010, Georgia Southern University began using a VuFind implementation as the default access to the library catalogue on the library Web page while maintaining a secondary link to the traditional Voyager "classic" catalogue. VuFind is an open-source product that has been adopted and adapted by all the state universities and colleges in the state of Georgia. For approximately ten years, Georgia libraries have used Voyager as their catalogue, and it remains available to users as the "classic" search option. This report examines the local VuFind implementation compared to the more traditional Voyager implementation, emphasizing the differences in the searching capabilities of each.

Introducing podcast in library service: an analytical study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the application of podcast in academic and public libraries, focusing on its purposes and characteristic features. It seeks to measure the degree of adoption of podcast in different types of libraries across the continents.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis method was used for data collection. Convenience sampling method was followed to select four samples of population, one from each of the four continents. Data were collected along the checkpoints developed by Nguyen and Tripathi and Kumar, and subsequently modified by the researcher. Microsoft Excel was used to analyze data.FindingsThe analysis revealed that library podcasts have some basic features and are implemented for specific purposes. It also revealed that adoption of podcast varies along the geographical regions. The study found that extension of implementation of podcast is high in North American libraries whereas intension of adoption of podcast is high in Australian libraries. However, the reason of disproportionate use of library podcast may be attributed to the differential internet penetration rate along the regions. The paper also identifies areas where podcast is being effectively used by libraries across the world.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study was limited to North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and the survey was completely internet‐based, conducted on web sites available in English only. A combination of questionnaire and interview method may enable future researchers to measure the impact of podcast on users' and librarians' attitude and perception, which in turn, will determine the extent to which podcast is capable of motivating and engaging users to harness library facilities.Originality/valueBased on the research findings, the scope of the present study may potentially be expanded with the inclusion of different dimensions to gain a comprehensive understanding on the practicability and usefulness of podcast in different libraries belonging to diverse socio economical levels. The findings will also guide future librarians and web developers alike in designing library web pages so that traditional library services could be provided in an innovative way to meet the expectations and information needs of the users.

Access and Availability:

AbstractArt museum libraries provide unparalleled resources to the interested user. While specialized researchers have long been aware of these collections, the general public has not necessarily known of their existence and accessibility. With the advent of the web and the digitization of collections, institutions have the opportunity to increase a collection's visibility. However, increased visibility does not inherently translate into increased accessibility or use. New patrons may not be aware of the norms associated with special research collections and may be intimidated by the process of accessing information. Using a codebook to perform content analysis, this study quantitatively evaluates use and visiting policies on art museum library web pages. By studying the existence of these policies, the author hopes to explore one aspect of library accessibility and provide librarians and museum professionals with a framework for understanding the utility of making these policies publicly available.

Best Practices for Integrating E-books in Academic Libraries: A Literature Review From 2005 to Present

Library Journal's 2011 Ebook Penetration and Use in U.S. Libraries Survey testifies to e-books’ increasing popularity in academic libraries. This review tracked literature published from 2005 that focused on academic librarians’ best practices for acquiring, cataloging, maintaining, and promoting e-books at their institutions. Some of these practices include implementing trial accesses, considering institutional requirements, providing an e-book presence in the library catalog, monitoring usage statistics, and utilizing the library Web site for promotional efforts.

디자인분야 교수들의 정보이용행태 연구

본 연구는 디자인분야 교수들의 정보이용행태를 파악하여 효율적인 정보서비스를 제공하기 위한 목적으로 디자인분야 교수 110명을 대상으로 세부전공, 연구경력, 연령에 따라 설문지를 배포하여 데이터를 수집하였다. 디자인분야 교수들의 정보이용 목적, 이용 경로, 자료유형별 이용 정보원, 소속기관 도서관 이용에 관한 정보 등을 파악하고 가설을 검정하였다. 디자인 분야 연구자들을 위한 대학도서관 정보서비스 제고 방안으로 회색정보원의 체계적인 수집, 전공자료 우선수집정책의 실시, 국내 외 디자인 관련 데이터베이스의 적극적 수집과 홍보, 주제별 정보활용교육 확대 등을 제시하였다. The purpose of this study is to effectively provide professors in the design field with information services by identifying their information use behaviors. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires after dividing the specialties of 110 professors in the design field into 4 areas. The results were made in terms of purposes of use and the acquisition channels, types of information sources, difficulties of information acquisition and the library use of the institution. Some suggestions were shown as follows: collection of gray literatures such as exhibition data, seminar data, reports and pamphlets, purchase of web databases in design field, information literacy education including the use of domestic and foreign design databases for the professors and the construction of web directories on the library web sites.