Academic Library Users Research Articles

Contextual Factors Influencing the Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification Technology in Academic Libraries in Ghana

The implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in libraries is common across the globe, and many academic libraries, especially in technologically advanced countries, are using it. The use of RFID increases the efficiency of collection management and security in academic libraries. In Ghana, academic libraries, especially those at major tertiary institutions, are the most vibrant in the library system; they provide access to subscription-based online resources, including research databases and ebook collections, in addition to physical books and journals. The fast-increasing enrolment numbers in Ghanaian tertiary institutions translates into an increased number of academic library users, making it difficult for library staff to manage libraries effectively. The amount of work carried out by librarians in these academic libraries has created a need for implementing technology, for example RFID, that can promote efficiency and effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine the contextual factors influencing the implementation of RFID technology in academic libraries in Ghana’s tertiary institutions. A qualitative approach was used following a single-case study method, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. We conducted interviews with 18 senior academic librarians, covering six academic libraries comprising three traditional university libraries, two technical university libraries and one college of education library in Ghana. We found that no academic library in Ghana had implemented RFID at the time of this study. Several challenges, including a low budget, lack of skilled personnel, weak coordination between user departments and procurement units, were identified. The study suggested that if these challenges were handled effectively and efficiently, implementing RFID in Ghana’s academic libraries could be successful and beneficial.

The context and state of open source software adoption in US academic libraries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify barriers and drivers to open source software (OSS) adoption, and measures awareness and adoption stages of OSS in US academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach An online survey of chief information officers, chief technology officers or heads for IT in US academic libraries was conducted. A total number of 179 responses were used for data analysis. Findings From the survey, the authors identify significant barriers and drivers that US academic libraries may consider before adopting OSS and found that awareness itself is not a barrier. While about half of respondents confirmed using OSS, the authors found surprisingly low levels of intent to adopt from current non-adopters. Practical implications This research offers insights for promoting OSS adoption. Also, it provides funding agencies and administrators with guidelines to encourage successful deployment of OSS in higher education. Originality/value While extant research is mostly anecdotal, this research draws from an online survey to snap-shot the current state of OSS adoption in US academic libraries and provides a baseline for practice and research.

Adoption of NISO’s Shared Electronic Resource Understanding (SERU) at US Academic Libraries

Following the emergence of electronic resources (e-resources), librarians developed licensing guidelines, standards, models, and understandings to educate, increase efficiencies, and retain rights afforded by copyright law. To reduce licensing burdens, the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) released the Shared E-Resource Understanding (SERU) in 2008, a set of “understandings” created and agreed upon by libraries and vendors. The author conducted a survey in 2017 of licensing practices and SERU use at libraries. The survey analyzed 108 responses from US academic libraries signing at least one license in the twelve months preceding the survey.

Making research visible: A library competition for graduate students

Graduate students have always been a core academic library user group. However, because undergraduates typically make up a larger percentage of the on-campus student body, the development of targeted library services and programming for graduate students has often taken a back seat. Recently, however, interest in academic library services for graduate students has increased, as demonstrated by conferences devoted to this topic and the formation of an ACRL interest group focused on this issue.

Anytime, anywhere access to information resources: a case study from Kuwait

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the pervasiveness of mobile devices in ubiquitous access of information. Moreover, the study tries to ascertain the growing demands of mobile devices in library settings.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to gain in-depth information regarding the use of mobile devices and their use in information access. Further, it investigated the general uses of mobile devices in day to day life. The survey also contained some questions aimed at obtaining more comprehensive information about the impediments faced by the students in library settings and the way out.FindingsThe study highlights the rapid growth of mobile device usage among students at the College of Basic Education, Public authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait, and indicates the urgent need of libraries to the embrace mobile web.Originality/valueThe use of mobile devices in comfort zones demands libraries to disseminate information anytime, anywhere. This study examines the academic library users’ insistence for such services and the competence of libraries to provide services “on the go”.

Vroom’s expectancy theory to motivate academic library users in India using grounded theory approach

The purpose of study is to understand the motivation of academic library users by developing Vroom’s expectancy theory in the context of academic libraries using the grounded theory approach.,The grounded theory approach has been used for data collection, analysis and development of theory. The data were collected through the process of theoretical sampling. Interviews of faculty and students belonging to government and private universities in India were recorded and transcribed till theoretical saturation was achieved. The interviews were analysed in three stages, i.e. open coding, axial coding and selective coding, to identify concepts of Vroom’s theory and integrate them into a theoretical model.,The components of Vroom’s theory, i.e. motivation, expectancy, instrumentality and valence were generated from data. The motivation to visit an academic library can be classified as intrinsic motivation and force choice motivation. Expectancy in the context of academic libraries is related to ease or difficulty in accessing library and its resources which relates to ease of location access, timing access, remote access, access to siblings and discipline norms for access. Instrumentality is related to infrastructure, information, service and promotion. Valence is related to pleasure and satisfaction. The concepts were integrated into a theoretical model.,The study is limited to academic libraries under state universities and private universities in India. Hence, the study cannot be generalised across institutions enjoying autonomy by the Government of India. Users of academic libraries may be motivated by several factors other than those considered with respect to motivation, expectancy, instrumentality and valence. The findings are based on the grounded theory approach which is an inductive approach. Alternate research methodologies, both inductive and deductive, need to be used to strengthen the external validity.,The understanding of user motivation through Vroom’s theory will help academic libraries to increase user motivation, thereby increasing usage of library resources.,Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation in the context of academic libraries was developed using the grounded theory approach.

Library Acquisitions Patterns: Review

Key points The Library Acquisitions Patterns (LAP) project examines acquisitions patterns across 124 US higher education institutions in FY2017 and a subset of 51 institutions over fiscal years 2014–2017. The report began as a study of Amazon's impact as an academic library vendor, but expanded into a broader study of the purchasing of individual print and e‐book titles within a specific price range across all vendors. The project uses data provided by academic libraries that use Ex Libris' ALMA integrated library system and OCLC's Worldshare Management Services (WMS); these systems do not allow users to create customized fields of data and so, theoretically, would provide more compatible data. The report's strength is in defining high‐level acquisition patterns across academic libraries, vendors, and broad disciplinary fields; the analysis and findings are not granular. The authors believe their report provides one of the broadest overviews of acquisitions patterns of US academic libraries than has ever been conducted to date; there is no reason to doubt them. LAP demonstrates a methodology for study acquisitions and points to numerous other avenues of potential research.

Blind User Experiences of US Academic Libraries can be Improved by More Proactive Reference Service Delivery

A Review of:
 Mulliken, A. (2017). There is nothing inherently mysterious about assistive technology: A qualitative study about blind user experiences in US academic libraries. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 57(2), 115-126. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.57.2.6528 
 Abstract
 Objective – To explore blind users’ experiences with academic libraries.
 Design – Qualitative questionnaire.
 Setting – Academic libraries within the United States of America.
 Subjects – 18 individuals who are legally blind, have experience relying on a screen reader to access the internet, and have used an academic library either online or in person within the previous two years.
 Methods – An open-ended questionnaire was administered via telephone interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive approach to identify themes using Hill et al.’s (2005) approach.
 Main Results – The author found seven themes in the interview data: experiences working with reference librarians in person, difficulty with library websites, screen reader use during reference transactions, preferences for independence, using chat, interactions with disability officers, and challenges of working with citation styles. 
 Conclusion – The study concluded that academic libraries and librarians should be more proactive when approaching reference services for blind users. The author offered suggestions for practice about how to improve blind user experiences of academic libraries.

Academic and research libraries: Third mission between experience of practice and theory (CNR, Rome, 9 April 2019)

The Third stream (or Third mission) is a new emerging topic for academic and research libraries. The article deals with the discussions and reflections driven during the first Italian workshop on Third stream and libraries organized by the Central Library “Guglielmo Marconi” of the CNR (National Research Council) in Rome. The Third stream takes on new goals for the academic libraries, i.e.: the development of the cultural heritage, the long lasting education and the public engagement. In the workshop the best practices of some Italian university libraries (Roma Sapienza, Firenze, Torino, Napoli Federico II, and Ferrara) and two research libraries: the library G. Marconi of the CNR in Rome and the library of the CNR in Potenza have been presented. The discussion has highlighted a great number of activities carried out by Italian libraries that relate to the Third mission and contribute to expand academic library users and to attract the attention of new stakeholders and publics. The Third mission is increasingly becoming an element which changes the model of the academic and research libraries by giving them a role to play for the development of the society.

Assessing mobile application components in providing library services

Purpose This study aims to investigate the essential components needed to develop a practical mobile application for providing library services to its users. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in a descriptive-survey format. The statistical population constituted the libraries worldwide using mobile applications to provide library services to the users of academic and public libraries. The data were collected through the content-analysis method, World Wide Web and checklists. Findings It was found that services such as search, ask a librarian, database, renew, circulation and library hours were frequently used at academic libraries, while the services of search, search through barcode scanners and database were mostly common at public libraries. According to the users of academic and public libraries, circulation and renew, search, ask a librarian and library hours were considered as the most essential services to be included in library mobile applications. Practical implications Most libraries usually use mobile apps subjectively. Thus, it is important to identify the most important components of their usage and present them in a suitable pattern. The findings of this study identified the most important components in the design and development of mobile apps and proposed the right model for their integration into libraries. Originality/value The practical mobile application proposed here for library services is applicable to all types of libraries and provides an appropriate pattern for mobile application designers.

Eighteen Blind Library Users’ Experiences with Library Websites and Search Tools in U.S. Academic Libraries: A Qualitative Study

Telephone interviews were conducted with 18 blind academic library users around the United States about their experiences using their library and its website. The study uses the perspective that blind users’ insights are fundamental. A common theme was that navigating a webpage is time consuming on the first visit. Issues identified include the need for “databases” to be defined on the homepage, accessibly coded search boxes, logical heading structure, and several problems to be resolved on result pages. Variations in needs depending on users’ screen-reader expertise were also raised. Suggestions for libraries to address these issues are offered.

Repositioning the Academic Library in Support of Nigerian University Educational Programme: A Case Study of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Olusegun OKE Library, Ogbomoso, OYO State

The repositioning of our academic libraries in Nigeria is desirable to make them perform expected role effectively in the information environment/society. An effective and efficient academic library is an essential component of any high profile of academic institution to serve the students, lecturers as well as other researchers. This study investigated the repositioning of academic libraries to support the university educational program me. This study adopted descriptive survey design. The population for the study consists of all academic library users (registered members) Four hundred (400) questionnaire were distributed from which three hundred and sixty four (364) were returned, which shows that 91% 0f the questionnaire were answered by the respondents. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and mean. The analyzed data were summarized in a tabular form to facilitate the interpretation of the findings. The findings revealed that academic libraries will continue to play a key role in the repositioning and enhance educational development of a society. Based on the findings of the study, it recommends that Information Literacy Skills such as technical, computers and multi-media, communication, and marketing skills should be acquired by all users and staff of academic libraries. This will assist in repositioning and support educational programme in Nigerian Universities. Information literacy will allow the users to develop life-long learning and to become independent learners, motivated learners and critical thinkers.

Preservation is Political: Enacting Contributive Justice and Decolonizing Transnational Archival Collaborations

This article contributes to critical archival studies discourse and builds upon the theoretical and practical work accomplished under the postcustodial rubric in order to propose an archival framework that is explicitly oriented in the service of justice. Global north/south postcustodial collaborations highlight the ethical and practical obligation of adopting an archival framework that accounts for expanded notions of stewardship and narrative agency. As an archivist based in US academic libraries who works primarily on transnational archival collaborations in the global south, I want to introduce the concept of contributive justice to these postcustodial transnational collaborations because it reframes the role of the partner organization in the global south and acknowledges the agency of all partners (Gomberg 2007). By drawing upon my experiences facilitating transnational archival partnerships between US academic libraries and institutions in Cuba, El Salvador, and Rwanda, I build upon Michelle Caswell’s (2017) suggested actions for dismantling white supremacy within US archives by offering concrete ways archivists can utilize a contributive justice framework to decolonize archival practices (i.e., appraisal, description, access) within transnational partnerships. By offering these examples, we can begin to both imagine and enact a more just and liberatory archival praxis. As Caswell states, ‘through the lens of liberatory archival imaginaries, our work … does not end with the limits of our collection policies, but rather, it is an ongoing process of conceptualizing what we want the future to look like’ (2014a: 51). The stakes are high in the shaping of our collective histories, and we all have the responsibility of envisioning and enacting liberatory archival futures.

Blind academic library users’ experiences with obtaining full text and accessible full text of books and articles in the USA

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore a topic where blind participants expressed significant concern: obtaining full text and accessible full text.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study includes 18 open-ended telephone interviews with blind academic library users in the USA. The study uses the viewpoint that understanding blind peoples’ perspectives is essential for equal accessibility.FindingsLocating full text via link resolvers seemed problematic. Inaccessible articles and complications and delays creating accessible versions of print books limited participants’ use of materials. Enabling technologies and services were highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsCaution should be used when generalizing from this study due to its sample size and methodology. The study is not a web accessibility test, which would analyze coding, nor a usability test, which would observe users. Additional research would be ideal; however, libraries should not wait to attend to accessibility.Practical implicationsIn addition to improving digital accessibility, to address difficulty obtaining full text, libraries could offer to locate full text for blind users and implement SmartLinking and single sign on authentication. To deal with inaccessible full text, libraries could work with disability offices to obtain accessible materials and to convert materials to accessible format. DRM free HTML or EPUB e-books can have accessibility advantages. Outsourcing conversion to accessible format can also help. Libraries could offer reader service to assist blind users locating relevant sections of books to convert.Originality/valueCompared to previous studies, this study includes a larger number of blind screen reader users; describes some unique issues; and includes blind users’ own interpretations.

Desafios e possibilidades da atividade mediadora do bibliotecário na normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos: o uso do LaTeX

O artigo aborda a atuação do bibliotecário frente às novas demandas dos usuários, para as quais se faz necessário conhecer as ferramentas disponíveis, dentre elas o LaTeX. Tem por objetivo apresentar e incentivar o uso do LaTeX por bibliotecários e usuários de bibliotecas universitárias, com a finalidade de compreendê-lo em sua estrutura e enquanto recurso utilizado pela comunidade na produção e normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, de natureza aplicada, caracterizada também como pesquisa-ação, subsidiada pelas seguintes estratégias de coleta de dados: a observação da estrutura de teses e dissertações da área de Física e a realização de testes em softwares de edição em LaTeX. Discorre acerca da importância da participação do bibliotecário na normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos por meio do uso do LaTeX, ao explanar sucintamente as suas funcionalidades na edição de textos complexos e na definição de comandos para citação e referências bibliográficas, com uso do formato BibTeX e do gerenciador de referências JabRef. Apresenta a proposta de um template desenvolvido na plataforma ShareLaTeX, ferramenta online disponível para a edição compartilhada, estruturado em conformidade com as normas da Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ANBT). Destaca, por fim, ser essencial o bibliotecário manter-se atento às novas ferramentas de normalização bibliográfica, sendo apresentada a ferramenta LaTeX como mais um recurso disponível para as bibliotecas universitárias, exigindo do bibliotecário o compromisso em compreender, avaliar e aperfeiçoar as funcionalidades de acordo com as especificidades de cada área do conhecimento.Palavras-chave: Normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos. Estilos bibliográficos. Gerenciadores de referências. Formato BibTeX, LaTeX (programas de computador). Link: https://www.revistas.usp.br/incid/article/view/122868

Don’t Call It a Comeback: Popular Reading Collections in Academic Libraries

Despite the persisting notion that recreational reading does not have a place in the academic mission of college and university libraries, these libraries have a long history of providing pleasure reading for their patrons. During the latter half of the twentieth century, the idea of academic libraries meeting the recreational reading needs of students seems to have fallen out of favor, but a literature review of that time period shows that the collections themselves still existed. Discussion of—and justifications for—these collections, however, has enjoyed a resurgence in the library literature over the past decade. Given this renewed interest, this study seeks to assess just how common these collections are in US academic libraries today, and whether or not they are, in fact, enjoying a comeback from previous decades. This study surveyed the thirty-nine academic libraries that make up the Orbis Cascade Alliance in the Pacific Northwest, a diverse group of libraries in terms of size, type, budget, and student populations. The results of the survey show that a majority of libraries have a recreational collection and that these collections are valued by patrons and librarians alike. Recommendations are made for shifting the perspective on popular reading collections and their place in academic libraries, as well as for how to study them in the future.

Adult education and academic libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer practicing academic librarians an overview of adult education theories as a way to more deeply understand and further foster adult learning in academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a literature review.FindingsThis review introduces academic librarians to a range of specific adult education learning theories; it offers examples of academic library users engaging in these types of adult learning; it considers how academic libraries can further foster adult learning; and it identifies major characteristics of adult learners.Originality/valueThis literature review offers a summative overview of adult education in a way that has not appeared in the library literature to date, along with explicit connections between adult education theories and academic library practices.

How Twitter affects academic library users

PurposeThis study aims to determine the influence of social networking Twitter library on the level of utilization of college libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe method used to explore this problem is explanative as it uses the multiple linear regression test. The research location is at Universitas Airlangga Library, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sampling technique was purposive, as it used the criteria of the academic community of Airlangga University that became an active member or often visited the homepage of the library’s Twitter account at least three times in the past one month. The sample of this study was 220 respondents.FindingsThe results of this study illustrate that the satisfaction of users of social networking Twitter library which includes surveillance, diversion/entertainment, personal identity and social relationship, either partially or simultaneously, affects the utilization of the college library.Originality/valueBased on these results, libraries should always provide services in accordance with the characteristics of user behavior. In the era of booming social media Twitter for teenagers who are the largest users of college libraries, the use of social networking medium Twitter is considered effective in the libraries of universities.

„Dzień dobry, w czym mogę pomóc?” – czyli oczekiwania użytkowników biblioteki akademickiej

Users of modern academic libraries are people who follow their individual views and expectations. It is an unceasing challenge, which stands before library and their workers, to come ahead to their communities, learning their opinions and needs, and most importantly, to aspire to satisfy them. In a constantly changing academic environment, especially in a dynamically developing world of science, the library’s main objective is to create an offer not only attractive, but also open to users. To better identify expectations and needs of its readers, the Library of Maria Grzegorzewska University carried out a complex survey, asking about any field of its activity, but also areas for further development and change. This article’s main goal is to bring the figure of reader closer, as well as their reported needs and propositions of how to confront those changes.

Desafios e possibilidades da atividade mediadora do bibliotecário na normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos: o uso do LaTeX

O artigo aborda a atuação do bibliotecário frente às novas demandas dos usuários, para as quais se faz necessário conhecer as ferramentas disponíveis, dentre elas o LaTeX. Tem por objetivo apresentar e incentivar o uso do LaTeX por bibliotecários e usuários de bibliotecas universitárias, com a finalidade de compreendê-lo em sua estrutura e enquanto recurso utilizado pela comunidade na produção e normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, de natureza aplicada, caracterizada também como pesquisa-ação, subsidiada pelas seguintes estratégias de coleta de dados: a observação da estrutura de teses e dissertações da área de Física e a realização de testes em softwares de edição em LaTeX. Discorre acerca da importância da participação do bibliotecário na normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos por meio do uso do LaTeX, ao explanar sucintamente as suas funcionalidades na edição de textos complexos e na definição de comandos para citação e referências bibliográficas, com uso do formato BibTeX e do gerenciador de referências JabRef. Apresenta a proposta de um template desenvolvido na plataforma ShareLaTeX, ferramenta online disponível para a edição compartilhada, estruturado em conformidade com as normas da Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ANBT). Destaca, por fim, ser essencial o bibliotecário manter-se atento às novas ferramentas de normalização bibliográfica, sendo apresentada a ferramenta LaTeX como mais um recurso disponível para as bibliotecas universitárias, exigindo do bibliotecário o compromisso em compreender, avaliar e aperfeiçoar as funcionalidades de acordo com as especificidades de cada área do conhecimento.