Open University Library Research Articles

Pemanfataan Sistem Informasi Database Online Perpustakaan Universitas Terbuka (UT) Sebagai Sumber Informasi

The title of this article is Utilization of the Open University Library's Online Database Information System as a Source of Information. This article aims to explain the reasons for the benefits of information systems in online databases in libraries and to find out about digital libraries. So it is important to utilize information sources easily, users can search for information more easily, users can search catalogs from outside the library. Leveraging information systems is not about automating some regularly performed tasks, but about creating new information flows that are integrated into a systematic integration system. However, there are still many problems in library management, including difficulty accessing the necessary information, lack of resources, and lack of effective and efficient management. When faced with these challenges, the use of databases is the best solution for libraries. Databases help libraries better manage and store information resources, making it easier for readers to access the information they need.

The library's influence and impact on learning: a case study from The Open University (UK)

PurposeThe Open University (OU) in the UK has been providing distance learning since 1969. The purpose of this case study is to outline the impact that The OU Library in the UK has had on student learning outcomes by embedding academic literature and digital and information literacy (DIL) skills materials in the curriculum.Design/methodology/approachThe case study presents an overview of the university context, including how the curriculum is developed. It discusses the role of the library in this process, outlining how librarians work with academic staff to embed skills and literature in the curriculum. Unique in-house technical solutions are presented to aid future approaches to providing distance library services.FindingsThe impact of the library on university education is discussed. Findings from qualitative research are presented, outlining the value the university places on the role of the library as an educational partner. Quantitative research studies are also presented, outlining the positive relationships between library content access and training attendance with student success.Practical implicationsAs universities are considering their distance-learning offerings post-COVID-19, it is hoped that this case study will help both library and university administrators examine the role of their libraries in this strategy.Originality/valueA case study on the approach The OU Library takes to support education in its broadest sense has not been published before.

Instrument Analysis of Library Service Components in Distance Education Conceptualized Library Accreditation at Universitas Terbuka

Library accreditation is a form of legal recognition of a library in an institution. Open university libraries that have the concept of distance education carry out library accreditation from the directorate of standardization of the National Library of Indonesia. Where there are 6 components and 103 instruments. in this paper only discusses component 3, namely the service component, where there are 19 instruments. From the discussion of library service component instruments, there are several instruments that are not suitable for open university libraries that implement distance education, namely library visitor instruments, where those who come offline are far different from conventional universities while online open university library visitors are more than 16 million. In addition, the collection lending instrument is also different, where borrowing at open universities is done virtually. In the future, there needs to be a distinction for instruments for distance education libraries and conventional university libraries.

Research on the Strategy of University Library Serving Family Education under the Background of "Double Reduction"—Take the Open University Library as an Example

Research on the Strategy of University Library Serving Family Education under the Background of "Double Reduction"—Take the Open University Library as an Example

Keterampilan Literasi Informasi Pada Mahasiwa Prodi Ilmu Perpustakaan Di Universitas Terbuka Berdasarkan Standard Association Of College Reseach Libraries (ACRL)

The research is aimed to know the literacy skill of open university library science student. This is a descriptive research with sample of open university library science student as many as 910 student among 6063 students. Tested by using the rate value. The results showed that the information literacy skills of the students of the open university library science study program were skilled. With the following details: (1) the ability of students to determine the rerequired information needs with an average score of 2.85 is included inte skilled category. (2) the ability of students to find the information needed effectively and efficiently with and average score of 2.77 skilled category. (3) evaluation of information and sources criticall with an average score of 2.71 in the skilled category. (4) capability of using the information to accomplish particular purposes with an average score of 2.77 in the skilled category. (5) understanding economic, legal, and and social aspects which are related the use of information with an average score of 2.84 in the skilled category. The researcher’s suggestion from the result of the research found is necessary to improve students’ information literacy skill to develop students’ literacy skills so that they can complete various tasks that are well received.

Supporting Open University students in prison: a case study

The Open University (OU) has around 1800 students studying in prisons (Students in Secure Environments, 2019) with no internet access. They study offline with no access to the OU library’s online resources. This case study explores the student volunteer scheme introduced to help students in prison to indirectly access online library resources. It looks at how and why the service was set up, the experience of running the service and an initial evaluation. Due to the small number of students taking part in the pilot and Covid-19 interrupting the service, further research is needed to assess the full impact on students studying from prison. This will be the next stage of our work.

Search Behavior For Millennial Generation Information

The purpose of this study was conducted to determine the behavior of millennial generation before, during and after searching for information. This research uses descriptive research with a quantitative approach and data collection methods using a questionnaire. The population in this study is the Open University library science students aged 20-24 years, who take tuton classes in the 2019.1 period. Samples were taken using the Slovin formula, so that a sample of 100 people was obtained. The questionnaire was distributed to online students through the Open Universits elearning page. The sample used in this study is accidental sampling in which the researcher chooses a sample from anyone who meets the criteria as a population. This research uses Ellis theory, in which the theory the researcher divides into 3 stages, namely before, during and after searching for information. The results showed that the behavior of Online Class Library Science Students after searching for information was positive, with a score of 3.09, this score was on an interval scale of 2.52 - 3.27. Behavior of Online Class Library Science Students when searching for information is positive, with a score of 3.08, this score is on an interval scale of 2.52 - 3.27. While the Online Class Library Science Student Behavior after searching for information is very positive, with a score of 3.30, this score is on an interval scale of 3.28 - 4.03. Based on the results of the study, the information seeking behavior of Online Class Library Science Students as a whole includes aspects before, during and after searching for information is positive, with a score of 3.16, this score is on an interval scale of 2.52 - 3.27

Developing a reusable methodology to conduct a review of library resources

In the academic year 2017–18 The Open University Library was asked to examine its collection and content acquisition policies as part of an institution-wide review of services to students and staff. For the part of the project looking at best value of the Library content service, we wanted to review the ‘higher-cost’ content held by the Library, which was in the main the larger journal packages. From the project, we developed a methodology for conducting reviews of our Library resources in much greater depth than we did previously. As part of this process, we also carried out an in-depth overlap analysis for resources that contain full text content. The reason for the development of this methodology was to identify just how much ‘redundancy’ there was in the Library collections, as well as identifying unique selling points of certain collections. Also, by examining the subject coverage of the content we reviewed, we were able to show how well our content aligned with the teaching of the University outlined in the 2018 curriculum plan. The approach we took to this project offers a fresh perspective on how such review tasks can be undertaken in libraries. The methodologies developed could provide a useful tool to others wishing to carry out a similar review.

Library resources, student success and the distance-learning university

PurposeResearch at the Open University Library Services has been investigating the relationship between access to online library resources and student success. The purpose of this study/paper is to help to understand whether there is a similar relationship at a distance-learning university to that found in other institutions.Design/methodology/approachA small library data project was established to investigate this area. The study analysed online library resource data from access logs from the EZproxy and OpenAthens systems. A data set of 1.7 million online resource accesses was combined with student success data for around 90,000 undergraduate students and a series of analyses undertaken.FindingsThe study found a pattern where students who are more successful are accessing more library resources. A chi-square test indicated a statistically significant association between library resource accesses and module result, while an ANOVA test suggests a medium-sized effect. The study also found that 152 (76 per cent) of the 199 modules had a small, medium or large positive correlation between student success, measured by the overall assessment score, and online library resource accesses.Originality/valueThis study builds on evidence that there is a relationship between library use and student success by showing that this relationship extends to the setting of a non-traditional, innovative library service supporting part-time distance learners.

Profiling information-seeking behaviour of distance learning students in Wawasan Open University

Purpose Wawasan Open University Library undertook a survey study, based on the Wilson’s revised model of information behaviour (1999), to profile information-seeking behaviour of their distance students in using library resources in their research and learning activities. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Using random sampling method, samples were selected to ensure proper representation of the population across four schools of studies and five regional centres. A total of 550 questionnaires were sent to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and 435 completed questionnaires were returned with a success response rate of 79 per cent. Findings Findings indicated significant differences between undergraduate and postgraduate students in using the university’s MyDigital Library and physical library for their information needs. Findings also indicated significant difference between first-year and post-first-year students in using internet search engines as part of their information-seeking process. Practical implications Students improving on their information-seeking behaviour in the learning and research work paved way for them to better experience university vivacity and not isolate themselves from distance learning. Originality/value This paper acknowledges the importance of promoting good information-seeking behaviour among distance learners in the scholarship of learning and research work. The paper also amplifies the important role library plays in minimizing students’ sense of isolation in university learning experience.

Open access repositories on open educational resources

Purpose Triggered by the advancement of information and communications technology, open access repositories (a variant of digital libraries) is one of the important changes impacting library services. In the context of openness to a wider community to access free resources, Wawasan Open University Library initiated a research project to build open access repositories on open educational resources. Open educational resources (OER) is an area of a multifaceted open movement in education. The purpose of this paper is to show how two web portal repositories on OER materials were developed adopting a Japanese open source software, called WEKO. Design/methodology/approach The design approach is based on a pull to push strategy whereby metadata of scholarly open access materials kept within the institution and network communities’ digital databases were harvested using the Open Archives Initiatives Protocol for Metadata Harvesting method into another open knowledge platform for discovery by other users. Findings Positive results emanating from the university open access repositories development showed how it strengthen the role of the librarian as manager of institutional assets and successfully making the content freely available from this open knowledge platform for reuse in learning and teaching. Research limitations/implications Developing further programmes to encourage, influence faculty members and prospective stakeholders to use and contribute content to the valuable repositories is indeed a challenging task. Originality/value This paper provides insight for academic libraries on how open access repositories development and metadata analysis can enhance new professional challenges for information professionals in the field of data management, data quality and intricacies of supporting data repositories and build new open models of collaboration across institutions and libraries. This paper also describes future collaboration work with institutions in sharing their open access resources.

E-book purchasing: the Open University’s experience

The Open University’s Library Service has witnessed a huge shift away from print in order to at first drive and then meet the growing demand for e-books. Processes and workflows have grown responsively and almost organically as Library staff strive to manage this change operationally on what has felt like an internal and external landscape of shifting sands. This article presents a case study that discusses issues faced by Open University Library Services around the acquisition of e-books and some of the ways that these issues have been, and continue to be addressed. It concludes that the best solution to meet future demand for e-books from students, tutors and researchers lies in the collective expression of requirements and collaborative provision of solutions across all relevant sectors of the information supply chain.

Symposium 4: Learning about new tools

This paper examines an innovative approach prototyped to deliver staff development at The Open University (OU). The Digilab creative space was built within The Open University Library for staff to engage “hands on” with technologies which have the potential to enhance learning, both for experimentation and for familiarisation. Initially users were encouraged to explore the technologies at their own pace in the Digilab, but a survey of OU staff carried out in 2007 indicated that whilst in the main staff embraced the idea of working with new technologies, many lacked the confidence to tackle using them without support.As such, structured experiential activities to support staff in developing their skills have been developed. ‘Digiquests’ are supported by a mixed team of elearning professionals from academic and academic related backgrounds. These quests require staff to navigate their way through technology themed topics using a variety of accessible devices and immersive environments to support reflective learning, the main objective being maximising hands-on experimentation. The resulting activities form a suite of self paced and collaborative opportunities to encounter some of the key issues, constraints and possibilities for developing technology enhanced experiential learning for learners and practitioners within a safe, informal and neutral space. Shorter, self-paced ‘digibytes’ have also been developed. Participation in Digilab activities is steadily increasing, and in addition to the original aim, of developing the skills of academic staff, a number of additional uses of the space have been realised. Feedback has been positive, indicating that participants appreciate the nature of the space, the opportunity to interact with the technologies provided there, and recognise that the experiences help support new ways of thinking about technology. The Digilab team will continue to work closely with other units to integrate our hands-on activities into the university’s staff development offerings. The Digilab is also increasingly being used by course teams and developers to test course materials on different platforms, such as mobile phones and game consoles, or to explore the integration of technology enhanced learning into course models.

Open University Library: impact and effectiveness of information literacy interventions

The Library's Information Literacy Unit,
 launched in 2002, has produced an IL Strategy
 for the University and coordinates an ongoing
 work programme, including face to face
 training, the development of online materials,
 input into courses throughout the curriculum
 and stand alone online courses. The idea was to
 develop a tool of some kind which would
 enable us to measure the effectiveness of our
 various interventions, to allow learners to
 ascertain their level of skills and hence
 understand their development needs in this area,
 and also to help us to understand the needs of
 our learners (students and staff). We were also
 interested in possible research applications in
 the future.

Librarians On Call: an instant messaging enquiry service for Open University distance learners

From March 4 - May 31 2002, The Open University Library piloted a new, instant messaging enquiry service for use by its distance learners, called Librarians On Call. The service enabled OU distance learners to remain online using electronic library resources, whilst also obtaining instant help from a librarian, without the need to disconnect from the internet to use the telephone. Student reaction to the service was overwhelmingly positive, and as a result the Open University has decided to continue the Librarians On Call service. Exit surveys conducted with students indicated students preferred the Librarians On Call service to both email and the telephone, and that they found the service both beneficial and easy to use. The article details the results of the pilot, and also discusses some of the practical issues encountered whilst setting up the service, such as software selection and staffing.

Captivating Open University students with online literature search tutorials created using screen capture software

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to share the experiences and challenges faced by the Open University Library (OUL) in using screen capture software to develop online literature search tutorials.Design/methodology/approachA summary of information literacy support at the OUL is provided as background information to explain the decision to experiment with screen capture software with particular subjects. A detailed consideration of the design, development and implementation stages of a literature search tutorial in information and communication technology is given before a critical appraisal of the problems encountered.FindingsThe paper highlights the challenges in writing and designing self‐guided online learning materials in a subject context. It considers the strengths and weaknesses of the particular screen capture software used, especially with regard to accessibility.Practical implicationsThe paper is of interest not only to other academic libraries, but also any organisation seeking to publish online help or learning materials for different audiences.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to document the use of screen capture software for information literacy purposes in a UK academic library and distance‐learning context.

E-book Subscription in a Distance Education Institution: A Case of Indira Gandhi National Open University, India

The present study details e-book subscriptions at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Library, New Delhi, India, and describes the various publishers and aggregators of e-books, collections, pricing models, access, functionality, and other important features of various packages. It highlights the challenges to overcome in stabilizing e-book solutions for academic libraries, especially libraries operating for the benefit of off-campus learners. The study considers the elements and strategies of e-book collection development and access which must be adopted by academic libraries, especially for distance education facilities.

E-book Subscription in a Distance Education Institution: A Case of Indira Gandhi National Open University, India

The present study details e-book subscriptions at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Library, New Delhi, India, and describes the various publishers and aggregators of e-books, collections, pricing models, access, functionality, and other important features of various packages. It highlights the challenges to overcome in stabilizing e-book solutions for academic libraries, especially libraries operating for the benefit of off-campus learners. The study considers the elements and strategies of e-book collection development and access which must be adopted by academic libraries, especially for distance education facilities.

User involvement in the Open University library building project

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to show that the Open University library building project was particularly successful for its inclusion of library staff. This was mainly due to the emphasis on a partnering ethos with integrated workshops. The paper identifies the value of such approaches in all building projects and highlights additional factors that enabled a full contribution from the Library.Design/methodology/approachThe Open University project is used as a case study of user involvement in a building project.FindingsThe paper finds that making partnering work is dependent on putting in place a structured approach that incorporates all the elements included in the definition: delivering better value for partners; reducing duplication and waste of resources; identifying and evaluating progress towards mutual objectives; developing an issue resolution process; and measuring through the use of performance indicators.Originality/valueThis is the only example of a partnering project used for a library building known to the author. Promoting the advantages of partnering and integrated teamworking is of value to the construction industry as well as to clients (Estates departments) and building users (library staff and customers).

Learning and teaching

Learning and teaching