Special Libraries Research Articles

Are library professionals overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in the current reality?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on library and information services (LIS) and how library professionals overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in the current reality.Design/methodology/approachThis study used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladesh’s LIS professionals. A structured online questionnaire was designed for the purpose of a quantitative survey. The respondents of this study were LIS professionals in all categories of libraries (e.g. academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries and national library) in Bangladesh. A total of 106 responses from LIS professionals in Bangladesh were received. This study analyzed qualitative data using Braun and Clark’s technique for thematic coding. Researchers interviewed librarians in two phases (during the COVID-19 pandemic and after COVID-19) about how libraries cope up with the COVID crisis. The descriptive findings were examined using diverse descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency numbers and percentages), and for examining the significant differences among demographics’ information regarding challenges faced by LIS professionals, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted. The qualitative responses were carefully analyzed for familiarizing, coding and theme generation.FindingsThe result showed that most LIS professionals (i.e. 46.2% and 43.4%) had faced difficulties in accessing e-resources from home and had failed to maintain balance between work and personal life and to offer remote library services. The LIS professionals mostly used Facebook Messenger and Zoom to communicate with their colleagues and users. Furthermore, many LIS professionals (50.0%) secured their health and safety, adopted hygienic procedures at their workstations and provided virtual reference services. The qualitative findings show that though some libraries have faced challenges in providing online sources and services due to the absence of authority interest, budget scarcity and inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure, some libraries took the initiative to establish library institutional repository and make it available for users from home.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study only concentrated on the staff and their actions during and after the pandemic, which was mentioned as a limitation. It would be more effective if the study also considered the user’s viewpoint. The researchers hope that this study will help LIS professionals to support and provide digital and innovative service initiatives in their organization.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first of its kind study in Bangladesh where the staff of all types of libraries expressed their views on the problems they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps they took recently to overcome them.

Cooperation of Librarians and Educators as a Direction of the University Library’s Work (on the Example of Creating and Filling in a Scientist's Scientometric Profile).

The purpose of the article is to analyze and summarize the experience of cooperation between library specialists and scientists and lecturers within the framework of the university library on the example of creating and filling in the author’s profile in various scientometric databases. The research methods are based on the information approach, which made it possible to identify problems related to the need of scientists for information support in the processes of creating and filling in their scientometric profiles; to determine the role of library specialists as information (digital) analysts in the methodological support and intensification of research in a modern university. The paper also applies general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis that have allowed us to analyze the subject of the study properly. The scientific novelty of the results obtained is to establish a correlation between the information and consulting support for the process of creating and filling the scientometric scientist’s profile and the formation of new competence models of library and information specialists within the research infrastructure of a modern university. Conclusions. It has been emphasized that current trends in information support and research support indicate a change in the role and place of academic libraries in the university research infrastructure, whose staff is constantly striving to provide the faculty with expanded services and facilities. This actualizes the problem of university libraries’ modernization in the scientific communication system, which is a condition for the development of new competence models for library and information professionals. It has been proved that registration, creation and filling of profiles in ORCID, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, etc., synchronization and exchange of data in these systems, using the potential of social networks (ResearchGate) require from library staff proper information and analytical support, advanced training in scientometrics, development of new proposals, expansion of the range of information products and services offered, which makes scientometrics one of the most relevant areas of activity of the university library.

Reprints, reboots and retcons: standardizing comics cataloging with the Best practices guide from the GNCRT

Response to a plethora of historical forces that devalue comics, including hostile cataloging standards, led to the creation of the Best practices for cataloging comics and graphic novels using RDA and MARC21. The guide supports comics cataloging using current standards, recognizing the great diversity in this sequential art medium, as well as needs particular to public, academic and special libraries. With this, and related current and future projects, the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) hopes to promote equity in comics cataloging, and improve patron access to comics.

Development Vectors of Effective Cooperation between Education Field Workers and Employers in the Training System of Library Specialists

Development Vectors of Effective Cooperation between Education Field Workers and Employers in the Training System of Library Specialists

Deposit of Intellectual Activity Results: Challenges and Opportunities of Open Access and Open Science for Ukraine

The aim of the article is to study the place of the process of depositing the intellectual activity results within the paradigm of open science; to summarize relevant international developments; to offer their use for the transformation of the deposit system in Ukraine.
 Research methods. The article uses a set of general scientific methods of generalization and analysis, synthesis and forecasting, as well as special library science methods, which made it possible to achieve the declared goal.
 Scientific novelty of obtained results lies in grounding the need in modification of policies and procedures for depositing intellectual property results, and the creation of necessary infrastructure, taking into consideration the concepts of open access and open science, as well as the corresponding international practice.
 Main conclusions. The open science paradigm implementation is a current world trend, which enables immediate and constant access to the results of scientific research and data. Many challenges are brought about by this tendency for both scientists and those ones in charge of publishing, storing, and preserving data, such as libraries. The transformation of the system of intellectual property results depositing in Ukraine should take into account the best international experience in the development of research infrastructure, and the creation of repositories of publications and data; ensuring their compatibility and interoperability; more active introduction of the culture of preprints and open review; the development of public license and copyright policies; the needs of relevant research and practices in the field of digital curatorship. Especially, all the highlighted above should be viewed in the aspect of the National Open Science Plan which was approved in Ukraine in October, 2022, the need for integration with the European Open Science Cloud, and the new version of the Law of Ukraine “On Copyright and Related Rights”, which has entered into force since January 1, 2023.

The Library of German Chemical Society: History, provenance, and current status

The Library for Natural Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences embraces publications from the Library of German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker). The Library was established all at the same time as the Society, in 1867. The outstanding collection of chemical literature was being developed over decades. The Library was receiving books and journals from Russia owing to close ties between Russian, Soviet and German colleagues. By the beginning of the World War II, the collection comprised 300 periodical titles, along with monographs, reference books, dissertations and chemical patents. After the war, the library was displaced to the USSR and transferred to the special libraries of the Academy’s of Sciences institutions. In 1956, the monographs were returned to the Society in the Federal Republic of Germany. Today, they are deposited in Humboldt University in Berlin. The periodicals are stored in the RAS Library for Natural Sciences. The publications have played significant role in Soviet chemistry information support and are still relevant. The favorable storage environment is maintained.

Youth marketing development of special libraries in the digital era: viewpoint from the Taste Library with 7Ps marketing mix

PurposeIn the 21st century, libraries are experiencing a significant decline in users due to shifting reading habits and the impact of technology, necessitating library transformation and a heightened emphasis on library marketing. Special libraries, in particular, rely heavily on patrons for survival, often due to their private ownership and limited resources. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines the Taste Library, a special library in Hong Kong, and analyzes its current practices based on an interview with its founder, website content, and social media presence. The 7Ps Marketing Mix model is employed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the library's current market position.FindingsThe Taste Library's existing practices exhibit limitations in attracting young patrons. To address this issue, we propose marketing strategies focused on enhancing social network presence, offering digitized content, and engaging in school outreach.Practical implicationsBy concentrating on youth marketing, this study offers valuable insights for special libraries in developing strategic plans for transitioning and maintaining sustainability.Originality/valueFew studies concentrate on marketing small special libraries, particularly in the East, within today's digitized economy.

Redesigning library websites using the MDA framework

Purpose The purpose of this article is to examine the structure and determine the MDA framework for use in the development and design of library websites. The topic of innovation in libraries is frequently discussed; thus, we have tried to offer techniques for innovation in website design for libraries. Design/methodology/approach This study compares these two approaches to determine if the mechanical, dynamic and aesthetic (MDA) framework can also be used to create library websites. Each of the MDA framework’s three components was assessed for their applicability to the development of a library website. Findings When building a library website, three crucial characteristics that must be carefully taken into account are, among other things, being supporting and safety-oriented; adaptable and accessible; and aesthetically pleasing to the user. Studies have also revealed several additional criteria that may be regarded as success factors for library websites. In addition, there is also a framework for creating touch- and gesture-based interactions. It is also a method for understanding the creation and playing of video games. The acronym MDA stands for the three components of its structure: mechanical, dynamic and aesthetic. Originality/value Many kinds of library websites exist, including those for academic, public, school and special libraries. So far, models and approaches for designing pages have been offered for each of these library website categories.

Competencies of Librarians in the Ecosystem of Open Science

The development of an open science information infrastructure requires the presence of highly qualified library staff. He should be capable of responding to and interested in changes in science and technology, able to create innovative information products and make them available to the public, organize new forms of interaction with scientists, implement educational programs, and advise on associated with the concept of open science. The study is conducted in order to determine the areas of training and practice-oriented training for additional professional programs and retraining of specialized specialists. These programs are the specialists to acquire practical skills in the creation and use of open information resources of various types, the formation of information culture of users, the development of scientific communication and new library and information services. The results of the analysis of the required competencies of library specialists are presented. They take into account the trends in the development of the information ecosystem of open science and building relationships with users through partnerships; the system of different training in Russia is studied and the gap between the education of librarians and the practice of their work on information support of research activities is determined.

Professional Orientation of Library and Information Specialists of The Republic of Tatarstan (Research on the Basis of the Central Library of Kazan)

The article presents the results of a survey conducted on the basis of the Kazan Central Bank in 2022. The study showed that not only the theoretical knowledge acquired at the university and in the course of work, but also the organizational culture, psychological, moral climate of the library staff are of determining significance for the formation of professional orientation and personal development of library specialists. Thus, the importance of professional orientation and relevant competencies for a successful career and the achievement of professional goals are confirmed.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ИНДЕКСА УПРАВЛЯЕМОСТИ И ВЫЯВЛЕНИЕ ОСОБЫХ ПОЛОЖЕНИЙ ПАРАЛЛЕЛЬНОГО МАНИПУЛЯТОРА

The article presents a model, tools, methodology and results of identifying special provisions when planning the movement of a parallel manipulator such as the Gough-Stewart platform. Special positions are understood as positions having geometric uncertainty, singularity. Singular positions are estimated by analyzing the Jacobian matrix using its singular value decomposition. The calculation of the Jacobi matrix and its singular values is performed using special libraries of the high-level Python programming language. The presence of special positions in the workspace is analyzed using the dexterity index, which characterizes the ratios of the singular values of the singular value decomposition of the Jacobian matrix. A series of computational experiments are carried out to calculate the dexterity index, identify and analyze special positions in the working area. The results of a computational experiment for various design versions of the platform, which differ in the ratio of the radii of the movable platform and the fixed base, are presented. The analysis of the characteristic features of the formation of singularity zones in their working zones is carried out and design options are identified that have the maximum dexterity index of the working area. The presented approach is applicable in the framework of the development, modernization, optimization of structural elements of parallel structure manipulators.

URGENSI PERPUSTAKAAN MASJID DALAM MENCERDASKAN UMAT ISLAM

The Mosque not only a facility for performing Sholah but also it can becomes a social institution that has many roles for building education, economic and social politic. The Mosque has many function, one of them, as an institution of education. As an institution of education, the mosque can be separated from the exist of the library. The mosque library is one of the kind of special library has function to serve the needs of intellectual people around it. By the presence of library, The mosque has function as a center of education because by the library mosque congregation and the moslem society can learn whatever resulted by the former people and also can follow the developmen information and knowledge positively.

Librarian’s Reading Competence as a Factor of Library and Information Activity Efficiency

The authors note that the efficiency of librarianship in the conditions of intensive changes in the information environment raises the question of the development of the reader’s culture in the course of the formation of the readiness of future librarians . In order for a librarian to be a reader , he must not only “ love books and reading ”, but also receive appropriate training and reader development in the professional training system , master various reading strategies and the ability to expediently carry out his own reading activity . The article considers reading and reading competence , their place in educational standards and their role in the professional activity of a library specialist .

Benchmarking of Remote Services of University Libraries of Ukraine

The purpose of the study is to compare remote services of book collections that are leaders among the libraries of pedagogical, special, technical and classical institutions of higher education and to determine the institution with the largest list of remote services. The research methodology consisted of the method of analysis, synthesis, comparison, review and analysis, generalization, and benchmarking. The scientific novelty consists in identifying the leading libraries of Ukrainian universities that provide the widest range of remote services during quarantine restrictions and martial law. Conclusions. The article conducts a comparative analysis of library websites that were identified as leaders in providing remote services during quarantine restrictions and martial law. A number of remote library services were identified. As a result, the study showed that, on a parity basis, the leaders in the provision of remote services are the scientific and technical library named after G.I. Denysenko KPI named after Igor Sikorskyi and the library of Sumy State University. The library of Sumy State University carries out online user registration, provides the service of thematic selection of literature for educational and scientific works, online services for the assignment of classification indexes, electronic delivery of documents. Library employees conduct remote consultations and trainings on a wide range of issues. The library provides remote access to Scopus, Web of Science, SciVal, Springer Nature, MedOne Education databases. Users can ask questions or get advice in real time using the online consultant. Scientific and technical library named after G.I. Denysenko KPI named after Igor Sikorsky provides an opportunity to use the service of electronic delivery of documents, online determination of the UDC index, virtual help service, remote access to materials available only on the university's local network. Online events are offered, individual online consultations are actively provided, library specialists perform a selection of information sources by topic. Users can communicate with librarians of the scientific and technical library named after G.I. Denysenko through the online chat on the library's website. Keywords: remote services, service, library, website, benchmarking, martial law, quarantine, library user, remote service, Universities of Ukraine.

Institutional Repository: A Green Access for Research Information

In recent times, there has been a growing concern among the research community regarding the cost of penetrating exploration publications. Scholarly publishers frequently charge extravagant freights to pierce exploration papers, which can be a significant hedge to exploration and literacy. Fortunately, institutional repositories give an indispensable means of penetrating exploration information that’s both cost-effective and sustainable. Green access is one of the arising generalities in the last many times. It has brought a revolutionized change in scholarly communication, which promotes free access to scholarly content over the internet. This paper reports the conception of Green Access and highlights the enterprise taken by special Libraries of Lucknow in a Green access area.

РАЗВИТИЕ НАВЫКОВ СОЗДАНИЯ САЙТОВ У ОБУЧАЮЩИХСЯ НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ ПОДГОТОВКИ 51.03.06 БИБЛИОТЕЧНО-ИНФОРМАЦИОННАЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ

A modern library specialist is a highly qualified specialist who is proficient not only in traditional library technologies and techniques, but also equally able to use information technologies, including web technologies. The paper discusses the methodology of teaching the discipline «Site Building», describes the practice of teaching it at the Orel State Institute of Culture for the direction of training 51.03.06 Library and information activities. The article analyzes topical issues of the use of web technologies in the professional activity of a librarian.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Choosing a Path for Career Development

Librarians can choose between the career strategy of staying put in one library or moving around to different libraries. Money may be the most important factor; but fringe benefits, cost of living, the librarian’s financial needs, and moving expenses also matter. Professional considerations include: current job satisfaction, relationships with colleagues and administration, ultimate career goals, and job security. Lifestyle preferences can play a big part. Finally, moving may impact the librarian’s personal relationships. School librarians lack promotion possibilities; the libraries are small and state certification is often needed. Moving between public libraries is easiest because job duties, status of librarians, and organizational structure are similar. The wide differences in special libraries create obstacles. Academic libraries present a complex challenge with differences in status, multiple promotion paths, and more varying responsibilities. The final decision is often less rationally based than most believe. The good news is that staying put or moving around are important in the short run, but both strategies can lead to successful library careers.

Information Analytics: the Role of Library Specialists

Information Analytics: the Role of Library Specialists

Creating the South Caroliniana Library

Creating the South Caroliniana Library

Operation, development, opportunities and challenges of a human library in Taiwan

PurposeHuman libraries are special libraries that give access to real persons known as “human books.” Readers “check out” human books by attending reading sessions organized by the human library. The majority of previous studies focus on reporting the achievement of human libraries, especially on reducing prejudice and promoting social inclusion. There is a dearth of research to investigate how a human library serves and interacts with society. In this regard, this study aims at examining the operation, development, opportunities and challenges of the New Taipei City Human Library (NTCHL), the first and largest human library in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a triangulation methodology to collect and analyze a multitude of data. Participatory observation intends to understand the operation of the NTCHL. In-depth interview is conducted to collect the opinions of the staff of the NTCHL to identify the challenges and opportunities of the human library. Content analysis on relevant documents is performed to review the development and performance of the NTCHL.FindingsResults indicate that the NTCHL has successfully developed a good collection of human books. The NTCHL not only provides an alternative channel of learning, but also helps build connections between community members. The number of book loans and readers has substantially increased since NTCHL' inception, indicating an increasing demand for human library services in Taiwan. While the NTCHL strives for providing readers with better and diversified services, the issues of limited involvement and commitment of human books, heavy workload and the difficulty to establish a good collection of human books need to be addressed.Research limitations/implicationsThis study investigates a human library in Taiwan, but human libraries in different places are different in some aspects because those human libraries' social contexts are different. Future studies are recommended to compare the similarities and differences between different human libraries systematically. Furthermore, this study identifies the benefits of the human library but human library's effectiveness is not quantified and evaluated. Future studies may conduct quantitative assessments to fill the research gap.Practical implicationsHuman libraries must strive for providing better and diversified services to readers, but there are implications for workload and administration. The experience of the NTCHL may cast light on the future development of human libraries in Taiwan and other countries around the world.Social implicationsThis study shows that the NTCHL has brought a couple of benefits to the society of Taiwan. First, the NTCHL provides readers with an alternative experience of reading. This is an effective way to transmit informal or tacit knowledge. Second, building connections between community members was another benefit of the NTCHL. As modern people are becoming more accustomed to virtual life on the internet which suppresses interpersonal communication, the NTCHL represents an effective platform for communication and sharing of interpersonal experiences.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study is the use of triangulation methodology to investigate the operation, development, opportunities and challenges of the first and largest human library in Taiwan. The findings of this study may cast light on the future development of human libraries in Taiwan and other countries.