Emerald | Program: electronic library and information systems

Adoption of Web 2.0 in US academic libraries: a survey of ARL library websites

Khalid Mahmood, John V. Richardson Jr — 2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to survey the web sites of the academic libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (USA) regarding the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies. Design/methodology/approach – The websites of 100 member academic libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (USA) were surveyed. Findings – All libraries were found to be using various tools of Web 2.0. Blogs, microblogs, RSS, instant messaging, social networking sites, mashups, podcasts, and vodcasts were widely adopted, while wikis, photo sharing, presentation sharing, virtual worlds, customized webpage and vertical search engines were used less. Libraries were using these tools for sharing news, marketing their services, providing information literacy instruction, providing information about print and digital resources, and soliciting feedback of users. Originality/value – The paper is useful for future planning of Web 2.0 use in academic libraries.

Automatic extraction of metadata from scientific publications for CRIS systems

2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to develop a system for automatic extraction of metadata from scientific papers in PDF format for the information system for monitoring the scientific research activity of the University of Novi Sad (CRIS UNS). Design/methodology/approach – The system is based on machine learning and performs automatic extraction and classification of metadata in eight pre-defined categories. The extraction task is realised as a classification process. For the purpose of classification each row of text is represented with a vector that comprises different features: formatting, position, characteristics related to the words, etc. Experiments were performed with standard classification models. Both a single classifier with all eight categories and eight individual classifiers were tested. Classifiers were evaluated using the five-fold cross validation, on a manually annotated corpus comprising 100 scientific papers in PDF format, collected from various conferences, journals and authors' personal web pages. Findings – Based on the performances obtained on classification experiments, eight separate support vector machines (SVM) models (each of which recognises its corresponding category) were chosen. All eight models were established to have a good performance. The F-measure was over 85 per cent for almost all of the classifiers and over 90 per cent for most of them. Research limitations/implications – Automatically extracted metadata cannot be directly entered into CRIS UNS but requires control of the curators. Practical implications – The proposed system for automatic metadata extraction using support vector machines model was integrated into the software system, CRIS UNS. Metadata extraction has been tested on the publications of researchers from the Department of Mathematics and Informatics of the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad. Analysis of extracted metadata from these publications showed that the performance of the system for the previously unseen data is in accordance with that obtained by the cross-validation from eight separate SVM classifiers. This system will help in the process of synchronising metadata from CRIS UNS with other institutional repositories. Originality/value – The paper documents a fully automated system for metadata extraction from scientific papers that was developed. The system is based on the SVM classifier and open source tools, and is capable of extracting eight types of metadata from scientific articles of any format that can be converted to PDF. Although developed as part of CRIS UNS, the proposed system can be integrated into other CRIS systems, as well as institutional repositories and library management systems.

A core journal decision model based on weighted page rank

Hei-Chia Wang, Ya-lin Chou, Jiunn-Liang Guo — 2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The paper's aim is to propose a core journal decision method, called the local impact factor (LIF), which can evaluate the requirements of the local user community by combining both the access rate and the weighted impact factor, and by tracking citation information on the local users' articles. Design/methodology/approach – Many institutions with a limited budget can subscribe only to the most valuable journals for their users. The importance of a journal to a local community can be calculated in many ways. This paper takes both global and local access frequency and journal citations into consideration. The method of weighted web page link analysis is adopted. Findings – This paper finds that the weighted page rank may be used efficiently in the core journal decisions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed LIF can effectively suggest journals to local users better than existing methods (i.e. impact factor or the local journal rank). Research limitations/implications – This research requires the determination of the thesis scores, which needs authorisation from the authors. If the scores are not available, the scores may be subjectively assigned or retrieved from the other resources. Practical implications – A case study in National Cheng Kung University was conducted to show that the LIF can be used to help library managers evaluate the real demands of local community users. Originality/value – Rather than existing research, this paper focuses on the utilisation and requirements of local community users and also finds the contributions of citation information to be significant and critical.

Web-based online public access catalogues of IIT libraries in India: an evaluative study

Margam Madhusudhan, Shalini Aggarwal — 2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine the various features and components of web-based online public access catalogues (OPACs) of IIT libraries in India with the help of a specially designed evaluation checklist. Design/methodology/approach – The various features of the web-based OPACs in six IIT libraries (IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Roorkee) are evaluated. The evaluation approach taken was similar to that of Luong and Liew with minor modifications, comprising 122 dichotomous questions with 174 features and categorized as 11 broad categories. Findings – The study explored different features of web-based OPACs, of which page layout received the highest average scores with 93.33 percent, followed by the general features category with 90 percent. In contrast, session filters was the weakest category with only 40.47 percent. The results indicated that some web-based OPACs reached the maximum scores for some categories. The results also indicated that VTLS-based and LibSys-based OPACs had the higher score on average (74.7 percent) and the iitKlas-based OPAC of IITK received the lowest score of 44.2 percent. None were rated excellent. Only 50 percent of the web-based OPACs studied achieved an above average ranking, of which Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) had the highest total score (131), and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) had the lowest total score (77). Almost all of the web OPACs studied lacked federated search, adjunct thesaurus help and spell check facilities, which seems to raise many questions regarding the facilities provided in the OPAC 2.0 environment of today and hence needs to be addressed as a priority in the subsequent generations of the web-based OPACs and their development. Practical implications – It is hoped that the libraries at the IITs will attend to the lacunae and soon develop fully functional web-based OPACs with Web 2.0 and 3.0 technologies. Originality/value – The findings of the study will not only guide study librarians and other newly established institutions but also ILMS vendors, so that they can overcome the limitations faced by users and improve their products as OPAC 2.0. This will also help the in-house web-based OPACs of IIT Kanpur and IIT Roorkee to compete with other reputed ILMS-based OPACs.

Towards text copyright detection using metadata in web applications

Marios Poulos, Nikolaos Korfiatis, George Bokos — 2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to present the semantic content identifier (SCI), a permanent identifier, computed through a linear-time onion-peeling algorithm that enables the extraction of semantic features from a text, and the integration of this information within the permanent identifier. Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ SCI to propose a mechanism for simultaneously checking the authenticity and degrees of similarity between different information objects, and present an empirical investigation of the method. A management scenario for the control of the authentication process and the detection of the degree of violation of documents is proposed. Findings – Such a mechanism could be adopted as a component of libraries' strategy for the protection of the copyrights for documents published on the web. Practical implications – The use of the proposed numeric code can be utilised efficiently as a constituent part of the digital object identifier (DOI) system, making its computation more efficient and meaningful. Originality/value – The identifier proposed in the paper can result in a more efficient index for identifying and retrieving objects in a digital library, as well as online repositories and commercial applications that can handle information retrieval requests more effectively.

Responding to user's expectation in the library: innovative Web 2.0 applications at JUIT Library: A case study

Shri Ram, John Paul Anbu K, Sanjay Kataria — 2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide an insight into the implementation of some of the innovative Web 2.0 applications at Jaypee University of Information Technology with the aim of exploring the expectations of the users and their awareness and usage of such applications. Design/methodology/approach – The study was undertaken at the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), Jaypee University of Information Technology (JUIT), Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. The LRC at JUIT serves its patrons in supplementing their research needs while creating an ambience for teaching, learning and research. The emergence of digital technologies and information and communications technology (ICT) tools in libraries has encouraged the implementation of a wide range of applications, such as digital libraries, video on demand, reference services and database services into library services. The advent of next-generation web technologies, known as Web 2.0 applications, has prompted a number of other pertinent services to be implemented to enhance the information literacy skills of the existing services. A survey method was used to understand the basic awareness and expectations of library users, and the usability of resources. Findings – The LRC has made a number of provisions to adopt some Web 2.0 applications in its library services to create information literacy. The users of the JUIT library still lack awareness about various Web 2.0 applications necessary for teaching and learning. Practical implications – The paper suggests that Web 2.0 applications can be used effectively to create information literacy amongst users. Library and information science (LIS) educators should take advantage of advances in the field of ICT and consider the learning preferences of information natives as well as information immigrants. Web 2.0 supports a constructivist approach to information awareness tools, and has great potential to socialise learning and information delivery to a greater extent. Web 2.0 technologies should be implemented as a medium of information communication, taking into account the pedagogical perspectives. Originality/value – The case study is a practical application at the Jaypee University of Information Technology. The LRC has implemented some Web 2.0 applications in the Library. The study was undertaken at the university to understand the basic awareness of Web 2.0 and to create information literacy amongst users through it.

Implementing Technology Solutions in Libraries: Techniques, Tools and Tips from the Trenches

2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

E-books in Libraries: A Practical Guide

2011-09-27 00:00:00.0

Taking Charge of Your Career: A Guide for Library and Information Professionals

2011-09-27 00:00:00.0