Development Of University Libraries Research Articles

Development and influence of European and American university libraries

AbstractThe author compares the development of university libraries in Europe and in the United States of America. She finds that the university libraries in the United States of America have developed for three centuries under the influence of the European libraries, but now in the last century the European libraries have developed under the influence of the American ones. In times when there were no professional librarians, the American university libraries were managed by university professors, who were educated at European universities. The European management patterns were consequently applied also to the American libraries. The first books were also first brought from Europe. The Humboldt university also had a strong influence on the development of the American university libraries. Not until the second half of the 19th and especially the 20th century did the American university libraries achieve such high levels of cataloguing, classification, co-operation, organisation, computer networks, information holders, education and constructing library buildings that the European libraries started assuming their methods.

LibQUAL in Ireland: Performance Assessment and Service Improvement in Irish University Libraries

This article reviews the Irish university experience of LibQUAL, drawing from interviews with administrators and library directors in the seven Irish universities together with data from the Irish LibQUAL notebooks generated from 2009 to 2012. Of the seven Irish universities, three find it very useful, run it regularly and have integrated it into their planning activities. Two found LibQUAL to be very useful in an occasional sense and two found LibQUAL to be less useful for their needs. The results from all LibQUAL notebooks indicate common poor perceptions about library buildings among users. However Irish users' expectations of library buildings appear to be higher than elsewhere. The approaches to analysis, interpretation and response to the results varied from library to library. While most institutions reported implementing changes as part of their LibQUAL action plans, attitudes around whether LibQUAL was a catalyst for change in their libraries varied. The majority of those interviewed described themselves as somewhat satisfied, as opposed to very satisfied, with the tool. At a national level, LibQUAL has repositioned the importance of the physical library environment within strategic planning and has placed the customer firmly at the centre of Irish university library development.

Gifts in university library resource development in the information age

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the trend of resource development at the University of Calabar Library, using gift items received from 2005 to 2009.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a descriptive research design based on survey. Relevant documents, including gift and donation files, acquisition records and library accession registers, were examined and analysed to provide answers to questions relating to study objectives.FindingsThe usefulness of gifts to university library resource development is underscored by the quality and currency of the 2,462 volumes of materials received during the study period. Furthermore, the impact that collaborative donor efforts could make towards supporting university library resource development in the information age is highlighted. Associated problems included deficiency in subject coverage, foreign language materials, irregular giving patterns as well as an increasing tendency towards electronic resources acquisition where manual procedures are available.Practical implicationsAcquisition librarians should intensify efforts at soliciting for and directing corporate giving endeavours towards providing for infrastructural support required for university library development in Nigeria. The deficiency in subject coverage highlighted in the study can be addressed if donor agencies are encouraged to adopt relevant library profiles or assign grants to core areas of university academic programs. There is also need for the inclusion or revision of gift statements in collection development policies.Originality/valueThe paper highlights strategies for tackling the challenges of resource acquisition.

The information commons at Sichuan University Jiang'an Library

PurposeThis paper aims to give a snapshot of planning, building and developing the information commons at a comprehensive research university library in China. It seeks to frame and confirm a new and effective strategy for the future development of university libraries illustrated by its actually positive outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with an overview of information commons as a major international concern that represents a strategic direction of library development, followed by the changing academic landscape in China. It then explains the background and process of building the information commons at Sichuan University Jiang'an Library with its emphasis on its positive outcomes, illustrated by the latest factual data compared with other university libraries in Sichuan. It also discusses the future prospects of developing the information commons.FindingsThe paper reveals that information commons is undergoing its international journey from theory to practice and has proved its positive impact on improving the usage of physical and virtual space, resources and services of university libraries in the changing information environment.Practical implicationsDetailed recommendations regarding the construction and development of information commons in Chinese university libraries are provided.Originality/valueThis case study offers insight into practical and effective approaches to enhancing the usage of university libraries in China and emphasizes the importance of integrating the actual situation and background of the university, the region and the nation.

Study of the application of information technology for effective access to resources in Indian university libraries

Information Technology (IT) has revolutionized the information handling activities in research and academic libraries in India. The university libraries, as Centres of information services, have largely benefited by the rapid changes in the IT. Indian universities constitute one of the largest higher education systems in the world. It comprises more than 310 universities/institutions, 15,500 affiliated colleges, 10 million students with 5 lakh [1 lakh=100,000] teachers. The university libraries in India are at various stages of development in the application of information technology tools in their day-to-day activities. INFLIBNET—An Inter University Centre of University Grants Commission (UGC) has undertaken the task of providing assistance to university libraries across the country through its number of initiatives. This paper is an attempt to give an overview of Information Technology implementation in different university libraries in India that provides effective access to resources available within universities and elsewhere. Also discussed is the role of the INFLIBNET Centre in the overall development of university libraries across the country with special emphasis on efforts through UGC-Infonet E-Journals Consortium.

Fundraising for university library development: The case of the London School of Economics

Fundraising for university library development: The case of the London School of Economics

University Library Development in the Arab Gulf Region: A Survey and Analysis of Six State University Libraries

This study examines the development of six state university libraries in the Arab Gulf countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Despite the relatively short history of higher education in these countries, these libraries have made some significant progress. It should be noted that in terms of library organization, size of collections, number of staff, service activities, and computer applications, these libraries are considered by default the main libraries in their respective countries. At present, only Saudi Arabia has a national library.This study employed a survey questionnaire which was sent to all Gulf university libraries to identify and gather pertinent and current information necessary to establish an accurate profile on each one of these libraries.The study provides basic information on library organization and analysis of collections, services, staffing, budgeting, expenditures, automation, and information technology. The study findings suggest that further research is needed to examine and evaluate collections, service activities and instructional programs, staff development and training, co-operation among Arab Gulf universities, and library education programs in the region.

University Library Development in the Arab Gulf Region

This study examines the development of six state university libraries in the Arab Gulf countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Despite the relatively short history of higher education in these countries, these libraries have made some significant progress. It should be noted that in terms of library organization, size of collections, number of staff, service activities, and computer applications, these libraries are considered by default the main libraries in their respective countries. At present, only Saudi Arabia has a national library.This study employed a survey questionnaire which was sent to all Gulf university libraries to identify and gather pertinent and current information necessary to establish an accurate profile on each one of these libraries.The study provides basic information on library organization and analysis of collections, services, staffing, budgeting, expenditures, automation, and information technology. The study findings suggest that further research is needed to examine and evaluate collections, service activities and instructional programs, staff development and training, co-operation among Arab Gulf universities, and library education programs in the region.

THE LONG ARM OF THE LIBRARIAN

Inaugural professorial lecture delivered at Lancashire Polytechnic in May 1990. The roots of polytechnic libraries can be found both in the development of the Mechanics′ Institute movement in the 19th century and in the earlier development of university libraries. However, modern pressures, including changing learning methods and the development of the information society, lead to the changing model of the polytechnic library, centred on the user. The role of the academic library in the future will therefore be different from that in the past.

Accounting education: Turning wrongs into rights in the 1980's

Abstract This article speculates upon the evolution of accounting education in the 1980's. Ideas are presented which impact upon many facets of higher education including undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, as well as research and service. Further, institutional issues concerning the role of academics are addressed. The paper begins with “wrongs” of accounting research, education, libraries, and continuing education. Particular stress is placed upon weaknesses in educating and motivating accounting faculty to teach and have primary concern for students. Promotion, tenure, expense support, and reward structures are biased toward research and publication rather than teaching. Funding and faculty attention are not directed toward innovation in accounting education and development of university libraries as learning centers. In short, accounting educators continue to “educate for absolescence.” The paper ends with some suggestions of how to turn “wrongs” into “rights.” More than increased funding is needed. Of primary importance is a shift in attitudes and reward structures.

Development of University Libraries in Papua New Guinea. Leigh R. Baker

<i>Development of University Libraries in Papua New Guinea</i>. Leigh R. Baker

Budget proposal to the Government for the development of university libraries in 1977-National University Association-

Budget proposal to the Government for the development of university libraries in 1977-National University Association-

Education for Librarianship in Indonesia

EDUCATION for librarianship in Indonesia is now in a position to move forward decisively. I reached this optimistic conclusion in the summer of 1970 when I had an opportunity to observe the changes that had taken place in Indonesian librarianship during the eight years since I was last in that beautiful country. At the end of my six-week visit, I felt considerable confidence that, given generous support and imaginative leadership, the library school in Djakarta can become a major educational facility for the whole of Southeast Asia. In addition, training programs in at least four cities have begun to prepare library technicians to fill subordinate positions and, for the time being, to take charge of many libraries. Certainly no one familiar with librarianship in Indonesia can blink the major deficiencies and the great needs, but there is now sound reason to be hopeful. I was last in Indonesia from I960 to 1962 as Library Consultant to the Ministry of Education-Ford Foundation-State University of New York Project for assisting teachers colleges in Bandung and Malang on Java and in Medan on Sumatra. Although most of my colleagues in the project served in only one location, I travelled frequently throughout Java and to Northern Sumatra. I thus had an unusual opportunity to become familiar with library policies and practices in much of Indonesia. During 1970, 1 again was able to travel a great deal. My assignment was to serve as consultant on university library development to the Directorate of Higher Education under a contract between the American Library Association and the United States Agency for Inter-

University Libraries in English-Speaking Central Africa

A brief survey is made of the move to establish university institutions in the former British Central African Territories after the Asquith recommendations in 1945. The three university establishments in English-speaking Central Africa are recently founded and small. The pattern of university library development is influenced by immediate, cultural and social needs and conditions peculiar to Tropical Africa—lack of other types of libraries and lack of adequate book supplies. The libraries resemble those of small UK universities. Some com parative evaluation follows, of the administrative organization, acquisitions policy, readers' services and staff composition. Bibliographic and reference services, though well provided, should extend to training the student reader in an independent approach. The universities are providing national reference and information services. They should encourage greater co-ordination of library resources through co-operative activities. Training of indigenous librarians for national needs at all levels is an activity already being tackled and more help should begiven. Bibliographical projects and library research should be the main preoccupation for national benefit.