Perceptions Of Librarians Research Articles

Academic Librarian Perceptions of Academic Librarians: Building a Foundation of Shared Understanding

A survey concerning perceptions of academic librarians was conducted at a large, 4-year university with three populations: librarians, faculty, and undergraduate students. The high response rate and the use of an instrument based on previous studies offers the possibility of longitudinal comparison and the identification of relationships between groups within one environment. This article focuses specifically on academic librarian perceptions about what librarians know (expertise and skills), what librarians do (roles and duties), and what librarians are like (motivations and affective behaviors). Twenty librarians employed in James Madison University Libraries responded to an online survey (62.5% response rate); four follow-up interviews and card sorts were conducted later to provide context to the data. Results have implications for libraries specifically in the areas of outreach, instruction, management, and collaboration. Differences in the responses of liaison and nonliaison groups are not generalizable to the population, but patterns were found that suggest future research in this area should include examination of differences related to the type of librarianship or focus on specific aspects of librarianship. Subsequent articles will situate these findings with those from surveys of faculty and undergraduate students and discuss implications for practice.

No-show at the reference desk: perceptions of appointments

PurposeThis study aims to explore the prevalence and librarian perceptions of no-show research appointments in academic libraries. These findings are examined in light of the literature within academic libraries and other industries (health, hospitality) with appointment models.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses an exploratory survey of reference librarians across a stratified sample of academic libraries in the USA. The findings are considered through the lens of critical theory in academic libraries.FindingsAcademic libraries lack consistent understanding and language used to describe appointment-based reference models. Librarians do not gather much reliable data on the percentage of no-show appointments and further research is needed on this topic.Research limitations/implicationsStudy results are limited to academic librarians in the sample who responded to the survey and indicated the availability of research appointments at their institution. The implications of this paper suggest ideas for gathering appointment statistics and evaluating the rhetoric used to advertise appointments to college students.Originality/valueThis research is unique in that it is the first exploratory study on the prevalence and perception of missed appointments in academic library reference models.

Investigating the Perceived Value of Special Collections in the Academic Library

The literature lacks empirical evidence supporting the claim that the value of special collections in the academic library has grown significantly. Through a web-based survey the perceptions of librarians and archivists (N = 243) in academic libraries were investigated. The results give insight into what measures of value are perceived as important. Minor differences were found based on institutional size and managerial status. More significant differences were found for gender identity. Findings will allow directors and staff to have more productive conversations about limited resources and staff time, and advance professional discourse about the assessment of value for special collections.

Students’ perceptions of librarians as teachers of information literacy at a large African university

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the students’ perceptions of librarians as teachers of information literacy at the North-West University in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a survey research method in which online questionnaires were used to gather data from students who would have attended information literacy classes.FindingsStudents found librarians to be effective teachers of information literacy, and they found the subject to be very useful. However, some of the surveyed students felt that a lot of the subject was presented in a short period, which could easily result in exhaustion and information overload. The use of local or vernacular languages was also indicated as an area requiring the librarians’ attention for the teachers to be more effective.Practical implicationsThe results of this study support the assessment of librarians as teachers by students to assist them (librarians) to refine their teaching methods and to make the conduct of information literacy worthwhile for the students.Social implicationsThe outcomes of this study may be used to advocate for more information literacy (IL) contact time with the students by librarians when negotiating with faculty. Further, these results may be used to showcase the value placed by students to IL.Originality/valueThis study is a welcome addition to the scant literature on the quality of teaching delivered by the librarians and the assessment mechanisms used to provide feedback on students’ learning of IL. This study is a first of its kind comparing the perceptions of librarians’ teaching abilities by postgraduate and undergraduate students.

Librarian, Faculty, and Student Perceptions of Academic Librarians: Study Introduction and Literature Review

A survey concerning perceptions of academic librarians was conducted at a large, 4-year university with three populations: librarians, faculty, and undergraduate students. The high response rate and the use of an instrument based on previous studies offers the possibility of longitudinal comparison and the identification of relationships between groups within perceptions of librarians. Subsequent papers will present results from the three surveys and offer analysis across the three groups. The literature review focussed on research studies of perceptions of librarians. Subsequent papers will present results from the three surveys and offer analysis across the three groups. The literature review focussed on research studies of U.S. and Canadian academic libraries since 2000 with relevance to these major research questions: perceptions about what librarians know (expertise and skills), what librarians do (role and duties), and what librarians are like (motivations and affective behaviours). Librarians’ perceptions of themselves as critically important yet underappreciated seem to have persisted, perhaps because they are the only group to see the university-wide scope of their jobs, whereas, non-librarian faculty and students have a more limited views of the profession. In contrast to previous studies, recent literature suggests that course-integrated information literacy (IL) instruction has increased the visibility of librarians as educators to both faculty and students. The influence of popular media on students’ perceptions seems less powerful, opening the door wider for library marketing and branding programmes.

Perception of Using ICT in Libraries: A Survey of Library Professionals Working in Government Degree Colleges of Kashmir (J&K)-India

The application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has put a huge impact on Information Industry and has revolutionized the way libraries acquire, process, organise, store and disseminate information. It has also caused a drastic change in different library services making it possible for the libraries to serve their clientele quickly, efficiently and distantly. Thus, in this digitally-driven environment, the role of library professionals with respect to serving their users has equally become more important and challenging. On one hand, the library professional should be digitally sound and techno-savvy, on the other hand, he must be able to efficiently use his ICT skills to serve the user community. The objective of the current study was to assess the perception of professional librarians working in the government-run Degree Colleges of Kashmir regarding the use of ICT. This research is based on 44 Govt Degree Colleges in Kashmir region of J&K state. Questionnaire method was used for data collection from the target population. The findings of the study revealed that SOUL, the library management software, and Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) had the highest impact on the role of professional librarians. The findings of the present study support a need for the implementation of ICTenabled systems in libraries for better management of library house-keeping operations and for providing better and efficient services to the users.

Perceptions of Academic Librarians toward LGBTQ Information Needs: An Exploratory Study

While previous studies have examined lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) information needs, none have addressed librarian confidence in addressing LGBTQ-themed information needs or the factors affecting this confidence. The authors used a mixed-methods survey to assess the knowledge and perspectives of academic librarians in responding to information inquiries related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Based on an exploratory factor analysis, three variables were identified: duty of care/vulnerability of inquirer, public visibility of work conducted, and personal biases and prejudices. These factors can reduce or otherwise influence the ability to meet LGBTQ information needs.

Real Talk: Librarian Perceptions of the Professional Conversation on Information Literacy Assessment

This qualitative study investigates how academic librarians perceive the professional conversation about information literacy assessment, focusing on their characterization of the discourse and the benefits of and barriers to their participation. Findings from phenomenological interviews indicate that librarians view the conversation as valuable and inspiring, but also divisive and inapplicable to many libraries. While they find value in sharing ideas and engaging in a community of practice, they may face such barriers as feelings of inadequacy and insufficient resources. The authors provide recommendations to help librarians, administrators, and conference planners foster more inclusive and productive engagement in the professional conversation on information literacy assessment.

A Study on the Library’s Cultural Value Based on the Perceptions of Users and Librarians in Korea

Abstract This study was conducted to assess the cultural value of the library by performing a perception survey for public library librarians and users. We have undertaken the processes of deriving a preliminary evaluation index based on domestic and foreign research results, determining the final evaluation index, and assessing the library’s cultural value within the scope of librarians and users, among others. As a result of conducting this research, we have divided the evaluation areas around cultural values into four areas of development: local culture, succession and promotion of cultural heritage, contribution to local residents’ cultural enjoyment, and formation of community culture in general. As a result of analyzing by evaluation area, the area of the formation of community culture turned out to have the highest average of 3.92, followed by an average of 3.84 for the area of contribution to the local residents’ cultural enjoyment, 3.82 for the area of development of local culture, and 3.53 for the area of the formation of community culture. Furthermore, respondents demonstrated the highest level of agreement to the evaluation item, stating that libraries contribute to resolving the cultural gap, within the area of formation of community culture.

Analyses of Awareness, Perception and Attitude towards Embedded Librarianship among Librarians in North-Eastern Universities, Nigeria

Innovations in library services and need for professional development among librarians with growth in research have brought to bear on the concept of embedded librarianship as a new research area in librarianship. It is expected that librarians in Nigeria must do all to move with the current trend in the discipline. This study aims to under the roles of awareness, attitude and perception of academic librarians in North-east Nigeria towards embedded librarianship practice. A survey of 11 university libraries in the region was undertaken with 356 conveniently selected samples. The descriptive result indicates a high level of awareness while attitude and perception recorded significant agreement to answer the research questions. The null hypothesis of non-significant effect of awareness, perception and attitude on embedded librarianship among academic librarians in university libraries in the north-east, Nigeria was rejected at F(3: 352) =2376.807, P<.0005, R2 =.953 and was replaced with the alternate hypothesis. The study concludes that academic librarians in the study area have a high awareness level, positive attitude and perception about embedded librarianship. However, the actual practice of the term is still low from the practical assessment.

School library concepts developed by an inquiry-approach curriculum organization

Focusing on a recently-published pedagogical statement about the role of school libraries and librarians for specific inquiry-focused curricula, this paper looks at how school librarians used the documentation in individual situations. Experiences and perceptions of individual librarians resulted in analysis of specific uses of the document: informing school leadership teams, contribution to developing school library and librarian roles and documentation, including jobs descriptions, and aiding preparation for school evaluation by the curriculum organization concerned.

The Image of Croatian School Librarians in the Professional Public

This paper consists of research on the perception of school librarians in the professional public. The paper has shown that the problem of insufficient visibility of the school librarian's field is not of such importance in its professional public, contrary to the opinion of school librarians, and that the image of school librarians is positive, somewhat more positive in the educational public than in the library public. The paper also provides recommendations regarding the development of a communication strategy.

Building the Systematic Review Core in an academic health sciences library.

BackgroundThe authors present efforts to build capacity at our institution for conducting systematic reviews and other forms of evidence synthesis through partnerships and a recharge model. This report describes how we successfully created and launched a for-fee systematic review core at our library.Case PresentationThroughout 2014 and 2015, library leadership proposed different models for getting institutional and financial support for librarians and staff to better support university researchers conducting systematic reviews. Though well received, initial requests for financial support were not funded. The executive director of the Health Sciences Library released two years’ worth of salary and benefits to fund an evidence synthesis and retrieval librarian position. With this new position, the team formed a charge-back core facility in partnership with our university’s Clinical Translation and Science Award hub. A series of procedural decisions and operational changes helped the group achieve success. Within eighteen months after launching the Systematic Review Core, we reached maximum capacity with more than twenty ongoing reviews.DiscussionAssigning a dollar value to our expertise put us on par with other subject matter experts on campus and actually drove demand. We could act as paid consultants in research projects and shifted the perception of librarians from service providers to research partners. Affiliating with our partners was key to our success and boosted our ability to strengthen our campus’ research infrastructure.

Awareness and Readiness of Librarians towards the Use of Social Media for Information Service Delivery in Higher Institutions of Learning in Bauchi State

This paper examines the librarians’ awareness of social media, types of social media used by librarians, perception and readiness of librarians towards the use of social media, the level of use of social media and factors facilitating the use of social media in higher institutions library in Bauchi state. The rationale behind the subject matter (social media) was to expose librarians to the potentials of the use of social media in the library, particularly with regards to effective and efficient information service delivery to meet the ever growing demands and needs of sophisticated users. In doing this, quantitative research methodology using cross-sectional survey design was used which helped the researcher gather large amount of data that can be easily organised and manipulated into reports for analysis. A well developed and structured questionnaire was used to generate data from the respondents.

A Survey Exploring the Perceptions of Academic Librarians as Researchers

This study examines the perceptions of academic librarian research at six Canadian prairie-province universities. An understanding of how librarian research is viewed and valued at academic institutions can lay the groundwork to improve the state of librarian research in the future. Surveys were sent to librarians and non-librarian faculty in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences at these universities to gather information about how both groups perceive academic librarian research. Thirty librarians and 30 non-librarian faculty responded to the survey. In general, research was viewed as an important and positive aspect of librarianship, though one that was of secondary importance to service. Non-librarian faculty largely lacked awareness about librarian research, and librarians reported being unsupported in their research needs by their institutions. Librarian research collaboration with non-librarian faculty was of high interest to both groups of respondents. The results of this survey highlight the importance of research to academic librarianship while indicating that there is room for further improvement by raising the profile of librarian research outside of the library, fostering collaborative research projects, and providing librarians with the support necessary to engage in research activities.

Librarians’ perceptions about adoption and uses of the Koha integrated library software in Punjab, Pakistan

Purpose This study aims to find out the reasons of adopting Koha integrated library software, discovers the problems faced by librarians during its implementation, and gets the perceptions of librarians about the performances of Koha in Punjab, a province of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Survey method was used to collect the data through questionnaire from the purposefully selected sample (N = 66) of university librarians of Punjab, a province of Pakistan. Findings The librarians adopted Koha due to the availability of Web online public access catalog (OPAC), provision of MARC21 standards for cataloging and its free availability. During implementation, the librarians were faced with the problems of lack of technical skills, lack of knowledge about the Linux operating system, shortage of skilled manpower, slow internet speeds and approval from their organization. They highly rated the performance of the cataloguing, circulation, patron and OPAC modules of Koha. Originality/value This research provides a brief picture of librarians’ perceptions about Koha adoption and satisfaction levels. The findings highlighted the issues and problems faced during the implementation of Koha. This study will be helpful for librarians in the selection, implementation and usage of the Koha software in their libraries.

Faculty perceptions of librarian value: The moderating relationship between librarian contact, course goals, and students' research skills

Faculty perceptions of librarians' contributions to students' research skills has been linked to frequency of librarian contact in the extant literature. Yet, to date, no studies have tested this hypothesis via a large-scale nationally representative data set. In addition, the hypothesis that faculty perceptions of librarians might also be a function of faculty course goals has yet to be tested. This current study analyzed the most recent Ithaka S + R US Faculty Survey responses to evaluate the relationship between librarian contact, course goals, and faculty perceptions of librarians' contributions. The analyses support the conclusion that perceived frequency of librarian interaction and faculty course goals are both associated with faculty perceptions of librarians' contributions to students' research skill development. Furthermore, this study unveiled a moderating effect between perceived frequency of librarian contact and faculty course goals; that is, one is contingent on the other.

Perception of Librarians towards Use of Social Media for Information Service Delivery: A Conceptual Paper

This study conceptualizes how librarians perceive social media in library and information service delivery. The study consults and review previous research on the use of social media to provide service delivery by librarians by librarians. Social media encourages librarians to create new knowledge, ideas, and services and share it across their community of users. Service delivery is the primary function of any university library. Due to the difficult nature of traditional library services, libraries now embrace and adopt some social media tools for service delivery. This research highlighted the opportunities offer by social media to improve service delivery, the study also discuss the categorization of social media, types of social media, applicability of social media, challenges face by librarians when using social media and strategies on incorporating social media when using service delivery. Based on the conceptual review carried out, majority of studies reveals that librarians use social media and ICT in information service library and the most use form of social media is the Facebook, WhatApps and twitter, but, however, they do encounter obstacles in terms when using the social media. The study concludes that librarians actually use social media for library information service delivery, but yet there is a lot of challenges for proper use of social media in library and information delivery. Therefore, the study recommends that university libraries should incorporate more social media to provide effective services to their clients and adequate finance should be provided regularly by the university management to improve the use of social media in information service delivery and finally librarians should render more proactive and more quality social media services to meet the information needs of clients

Evolving and Enduring Patterns Surrounding Student Usage and Perceptions of Academic Library Reference Services

This descriptive study analyzes results from an 18-item survey which assessed students’ usage and perceptions of library reference services at a comprehensive public metropolitan university. Among 235 surveys completed between November 2016 and January 2017, the majority of respondents represented the “Generation Z” population of college students, 18 to 24 years of age. Quantitative and qualitative findings revealed patterns of reference service usage, perceptions of librarians, and barriers and facilitators to seeking help from a librarian. These findings can inform decision-making to improve marketing and outreach to students regarding general reference services, reference models, and liaison roles.

News Literacy and Fake News Curriculum: School Librarian Perceptions of Pedagogical Practices

Abstract People need to consciously and critically analyze and evaluate mass media messages, especially in the light of increasing fake news; they need to be news literate. The logical time to start teaching such literacy is in K-12 educational settings so that all individuals have the opportunity to learn and practice news literacy. California middle and high school teacher librarians were surveyed to ascertain their perceptions of the level of news literacy demonstrated by their schools’ students. Forty-one respondents indicate a need for news literacy instruction, but they also indicated that little curriculum attention was given to that need. Moreover, teacher librarians and classroom teachers need training on news literacy. Fake news is a wake-up call to educators and the community at large to gain competency in critically analyzing fake news in particular, and information in general.