Emerald | Electronic Library, The | Table of Contents

Survival Avenues for Pakistani Libraries in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Adoption of Library 2.0 and Library 3-D

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Farzana Shafique, Ann Riedling) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to explore the concepts of Library 2.0 and Library 3-D and provide a proposal for availing the new opportunities prevailing in the adoption of Library 2.0 and Library 3-D concepts. Following are the specific objectives of this study: 1. To review the status of research in Pakistan on any aspect of Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Library 3-D 2. To explore how a user-centered library can be developed with the help of Library 2.0 and Library 3-D applications 3. To find out the information professionals’ opinions in this regard 4. To provide a proposal for adoption of Library 2.0 and Library 3-D tools Design/methodology/approach - This study is descriptive in nature and is based on the literature review and personal interviews. The researchers reviewed the findings of previous surveys recently conducted by researchers in Pakistan on different aspects of Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Library 3-D. These surveys assisted the researchers in exploring the current status of acceptability of these applications by the library community of Pakistan. Moreover, semi-structured interviews were conducted for in-depth understanding of the phenomena under study. At the end, keeping the findings of reviewed literature, previous surveys and current interviews in mind, a proposal for libraries in Pakistan is given for their survival in the era of emerging technologies. Findings - It was found that libraries in Pakistan are now becoming aware of the use of Library 2.0 Second Life for Library Services; however, they are less conversant with the use of virtual tools such as Second Life for Library Services. This paper suggests different ways of using these emerging technologies for library services. Research limitations/implications - The interviews being limited to a purposive sample of information professionals, care has to be taken in generalizing the findings of the study.Practical implications - The paper not only presents a good understanding of different concepts such as Library 1.0, Library 2.0 and Library 3D, but their application side as well.Originality/value - The paper is the first one in Pakistan, dealing with the emerging concept of Library 3-D. It also provides a proposal for information professionals in using Library 2.0 and Library 3-D applications for library services.

Library Automation to Resource Discovery: A Review of Emerging Challenges

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Preedip Balaji Babu, Madaiah Krishnamurthy) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The objective of this study is to analyse the paradigm shift of library automation to resource discovery by exploring the applications of resource discovery. The present status of India on adapting resource discovery applications is discussed.Design/methodology/approach - An evaluative method to examine the status quo of India automation and resource discovery scenario is drawn with a related literature review. Moreover, various pertinent global challenges of embracing discovery tools in the digital environment are highlighted. Findings - The growth of the Indian library automation industry is booming. However, library software adaptation, next-generation catalogue enhancements and community development avenues are dearth, seemingly remote and far from satisfactory. Originality/value - Focuses on the emerging scenario of resource discovery applications with an overview of global challenges.

Academic Style with substance: a collaborative screencasting project to support referencing skills

Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper seeks to report the initial phase of a cross-institutional screencasting project designed to provide digital, multimedia support for referencing skills. Use of screencasting software, with strong educational design, has the potential to asynchronously reach all learners, regardless of mode of study, and this paper focus on the transferability of the principles and skills in this project to other contexts and institutions.Design/methodology/approach - The referencing tutorial makes use of dual coding theory to provide an aligned visual and auditory learning experience and is discussed in reference to the current literature. The foundation of the project was collaboration between the academic libraries and lecturers in the field of academic learning skills. The pedagogical and technical design and challenges are discussed, with a view to incorporating feedback into further iterative development stages. Findings - This paper finds that screencasting has been used to effectively support the development of referencing skills across a diverse student cohort, but recognises that further, in-depth analysis will be required to determine the impact of the project. It also provides an example of a low-cost project which could be replicated by other institutions to positively frame referencing within the context of broader academic writing.Originality/value - The paper provides an overview of a short project to collaboratively develop a screencast and add value to existing referencing resources (which are predominantly text-based). The design approach situates referencing within an academic writing continuum seeking to explicitly provide a rationale for the mechanics of referencing, whilst also acknowledging the challenges presented by a rapidly changing information environment.

A CERIF-based schema for encoding research impact

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Richard Gartner, Mark Cox, Keith Jeffery) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The need for a more structured methodology than currently exists for describing the impact of academic research is widely acknowledged. The most widely-used research information standard, CERIF, does not currently allow the encoding of research impact in a structured way: this project devised and tested an extension to CERIF to address this omission. Design/methodology/approach - The core methodology of the project is a series of extensions to the CERIF model to encode 'impact statements', indicators of impact and measures as evidence for them. These can be linked to persons, organisational units or research outputs. This model is supported by a small semantic taxonomy of indicators and measures. The model was tested by evaluating it against current information environments, and by assessing its compatibility with CERIF and non-CERIF compliant current research information systems.Findings - Despite some concerns expressed about the validity of reducing qualitative evidence of impact to atomistic measures, and about a general paucity of such data in existing systems, the model tested well against working environments. It offers the potential for reducing workloads and more continuous assessment of research impact within its stakeholder communities.Originality/value - No substantive methodology for encoding impact statements existed in CERIF prior to this project. In addition, the atomistic, quantifiable approach to describing impact is relatively unexplored in the higher education community, but offers substantial advantages. The work is of relevance to research managers, developers, system designers and metadata specialists.

Digital Preservation Policy in National Information Centres in Nigeria

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ezra Shiloba Gbaje, Mohammed Zakari) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The study examines availability, coverage of digital preservation policy and the structures put in place by the National Information Centres in Nigeria to preserve digital information. Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative research methodology using the case study approach was adopted. Documentary sources, semi-structured questionnaire for the focus group, and Interview were the instruments used to collect data. While a homogeneous sampling of five staff in the digitization/digital preservation unit was adopted for the focus group interview, only one top management staff from the rank of Assistant Director of each of the selected three National Information Centres was interviewed. Findings - The National Bureau of Statistics and the National Library of Nigeria have digital preservation policies, however the area of coverage of the available policies are not adequate enough to ensure the long-term preservation of digital information. Similarly, the study revealed that lack of institutional support from the National Information Centres studied is one of the challenges in the implementation of the digital preservation policy. Practical implications - For any National Information Centre to ensure the accessibility and re-use of its digital information, it must have a digital preservation policy. Without which the active management of digital information will be very challenging and can result in the loss of vital digital information of significant importance.Originality/value - There is currently no research work addressing issues on digital preservation policy with particular focus on Nigeria. This paper, therefore highlights short comings of the available digital preservation policy and proposed a National Digital Preservation Policy that will chart a road map for effective digital preservation activities in any National Information Centre.

Electronic Theses and Dissertation in Nigeria University Libraries: Status, Challenges and Strategies

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ifeanyi Jonas Ezema, Cyprian Ifeanyi Ugwu) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - To investigate the current status of electronic theses and dissertations project in Nigerian university libraries.Design/methodology/approach - Survey research methodology was applied. Questionnaires were distributed to librarians in eight government funded universities in South Eastern Nigerian. The researchers’ self designed questionnaire was distributed to the 125 respondents and 118 of these questionnaires were returned and used for the study. The response rate was 94.4%. The responses to the items in the questionnaire were based on a 4-point scale of 1 – strongly disagree, 2 – disagree, 3 – agree, and 4 – strongly agree. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables.Findings - Only three out of the eight universities surveyed have started ETD projects in their libraries. Other universities have intention of adopting ETD but very little has been done towards that. The study also revealed that university libraries in Nigeria stand to benefit immensely from ETD projects. Some of these benefits as revealed from the findings include enhancing scholarly communication in Nigeria, promoting the global visibility of Nigerian universities, enhancing research dissemination. The results of the study also revealed some challenges of ETD in Nigeria. Strategies to mitigate these challenges were also identified from the findings. Practical implications - The paper established that adoption of ETD in Nigerian university libraries is very low. Nigerian universities must therefore adopt a pragmatic approach to develop an ETD programme that will facilitate the dissemination of research documented in theses and dissertations.Originality/value - The originality lies on the empirical evidences obtained from the eight university libraries surveyed

Impact of Web 2.0 technologies on academic libraries: A survey of ARL libraries

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Khalid Mahmood, John V. Richardson Jr.) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - A survey of academic libraries about the adoption and perceived impact of Web 2.0 technologiesDesign/methodology/approach - Sixty-seven US academic libraries participated among the members of the Association of Research Libraries.Findings - It was found that each library was using some form of such technologies. RSS, blogs, social networking sites, wikis and instant messaging were the most adopted technologies. On a Likert type scale the participant librarians significantly preferred advantages of Web 2.0 over disadvantages. There was a significant positive correlation between the extent of Web 2.0 adoption in libraries and librarians’ opinion about their advantages.Originality/value - The paper is useful for future planning of the use of Web 2.0 technologies in academic libraries.

Public Library Blogs and Elders’ Self-Learning: A Content Analysis

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Mei-Yu Wang) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - To present an exploratory analysis of the blog sites built by older adults and public libraries in Taiwan in order to explore what improvements the public library blogs can make to support self-learning for older adults.Design/methodology/approach - This study was conducted in three stages: the location of the blogs built by older adults that meet the search criteria, the location of the blogs built by public libraries in Taiwan, and the examination of data related to the blog posts by adopting a content analysis methodology.Findings - The content of blogs built by older adults are categorized into eight major themes: spiritual growth and religion, health and medicine, leisure activities, learning, food, politics, investment, and selling. Blogs built by public libraries concentrate on four dimensions: news or announcements, library instruction materials, learning information or materials, and book clubs. Only a few blogs support self-learning by supplying learning materials and/or initiating learning activities.Research limitations/implications - This study has two limitations: (1) there are cutoff dates for the target content: 31 January, 2010 for the blogs built by older adults and 28 February, 2010 for the blogs built by public libraries in Taiwan; (2) it is possible that some of the blogs targeted were not detected and identified.Practical implications - Useful as an introduction for public libraries to build or redesign their blogs that can support self-learning for senior citizens.Originality/value - This study represents a timely analysis of rapidly growing blogs built by older adults and public libraries and makes an original contribution by identifying what has not been discussed in the literature.