Access to information in digital libraries : users and digital divide

Recognising the importance of information and knowledge in all spheres of human life, the recently held World Summit on Information Society came up with a plan of action for building a global information society. The goal of the world information society initiatives is the same as that of digital library research and development - to make information and knowledge accessibleto everyone in the world. Digital libraries have progressed very rapidly over the past ten or soyears. This paper addresses the two most important aspects of the information society - information users and digital divide. Findings of some large-scale studies on human information behaviour on the web and digital libraries have been discussed. The major findings of a study on access to electronic resources by university students are the presented. Proposed that a one-stop window approach with a task-based information organisation and access system may be the way forward

Perpustakaan Universitas Riau dengan Pendekatan Arsitektur Perilaku

Riau University library is a facility that managing and providing access to information services, resources, and knowledge that support teaching, learning, and research for the library users. The Existing of library building still not meet the functional requirements and user comfort. With presence of new library building planning in the University of Riau Masterplan year 2013-2033 became the reason for the design. Riau University library design is using the application of behavioral architecture approach with the intention that the designed libraries considering human aspects and behaviour. The concept that used in the design is behavioural accomodation. The design of Riau University Library is expected can meet the needs of user in terms of both function needs and users comfort by directing, and considering its behavior factor like privacy, territory, personal space.The results of the behaviour accomodation concept application contained in the design of Riau University library that includes zoning of function and behaviour, circulation that accomodate accessibility behaviour, indoor setting arrangement to accommodate behaviour and comfort, outdoor setting for outdoor actvity, form of mass wich is result from room setting, mass order inside the site, building structure, utilities that support function and comfort, building facades, vegetation and landscaping detail

On the role of a librarian agent in ontology-based knowledge management systems

Abstract: In this paper, we present an agent-based approach for the improvement of searching in an ontology-based knowledge management system. The system implements a library scenario in which users query the repository for knowledge resources. Consequently, the so-called Librarian Agent plays the role of the human librarian in the traditional library it uses all possible information, about the domain vocabulary, the behaviour of previous users and the capacity of the knowledge repository, in order to help users find the resources they are interested in. We partially implemented the approach in the Web Portal of our Institute and some initial evaluation results are shown

Libraries in Web 2.0 Environment

Changes in the Web environment have influenced all aspects of human professional and leisure behaviour. As libraries main purpose has always been to respond to its users’ information needs the transition currently affecting information environment has posed new challenges on them. Paper presents overview of the definitions and insights into the Library 2.0 concept looking at its both positive and negative aspects

Users’ information seeking behaviours, their interactions and experience with the academic library web interface

The websites provided by academic libraries are challenged by the rapid developments in information and communication technology (ICT). These developments have created diverse options and channels for information sources that can be accessed easily by users through the Internet. Because of these alternate sources, many users no longer physically visit the library. Instead, they depend on the library’s website to obtain information online, or they use Internet searches to obtain the information they require.This research addresses the following question: How do the users of academic libraries search for information and interact with the libraries’ web interfaces? The research draws on models from the disciplines of information-seeking behaviour (ISB) and human-computer interaction (HCI). A unified model based on the models in ISB and HCI is created and investigated. In addition, a qualitative study has been conducted to investigate users’ information needs, information-seeking behaviours, and difficulties and experiences with the websites of academic libraries. Interpretive case studies were conducted at two universities, one in the UK and one in Kuwait. Qualitative data were collected in interviews, focus groups, and observations of diverse groups of library users. Furthermore, a content analysis approach was applied to analyse the data.The findings revealed seven steps taken in searching for information and interacting with academic libraries’ web interfaces, but exposed variance in the order in which users executed these steps. The findings also revealed several issues regarding the use of library websites to search for information. In particular, these concerned the complexity of finding information, the content organisation of the library websites and the use of incomprehensible terms on the library websites. As a result, the library users relied heavily on Google to find information. The thesis concludes with suggested guidelines for how academic library interfaces can best support the way users search for information, as well as their interactions, experiences and needs.Keywords: information-seeking behaviour, human-computer interaction, users’ needs, user experience, academic library website, usability, content analysis, postgraduate students, academics, library staff, Kuwait, UK

The application of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information behaviour towards effective service delivery for students with disabilities within an academic library context

This paper explores the applicability of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour for effective service delivery to students with disabilities in the context of academic libraries.The paper is based on a literature review based on Oliver’’s social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in relation to service provision to students with disabilities in academic libraries. The literature review provided a background to the two models and their criticisms and implications to academic libraries.This paper shows that despite their respective weaknesses, using the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in the academic library context offers an opportunity for academic libraries to re-look at their systems and services in order to address the different barriers faced by students with disabilities in their day to day information seeking. As libraries acquire and organise their resources, the needs of students with disabilities should always be prioritised. Academic libraries as a key information source in any academic setting have a responsibility to provide information in various formats using various facilities for easy accessibility and use by their diverse users.Access to any form of information is a fundamental human right. Academic libraries must identify and remove barriers that may inhibit information seeking for students with disabilities. Additionally, academic libraries should use multiple facilities to provide information. This will ensure that information needs for users with disabilities are catered for.Keywords: Social model of disability, Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour, students with disabilities, academic librarie

BEHAVIORAL PATTERN OF INFORMATION SEEKING USERS OF NATIONAL LIBRARY, KOLKATA

A library is an open system which in turn belongs to a subsystem of the education system, whose functions are dependent on the community concerned. The National Library plays a vital role in creating human resources and their development in our country. It is a life-long process in the appreciation of the achievement of humanity in knowledge and culture. It also helps in the replenishment of people\u27s spirit by providing books for relaxation and pleasure, with assistance to the students. It performs a significant task in a developing country like India. The progress of a nation mainly depends on education, which provides to its citizens either through formal or non-formal means. In present study the behavioural pattern like their frequency of visit and dependence on the public library has been discussed with special reference to the National Library of India. The paper also explores the information seeking behaviour such as their purpose of visit, materials accessed during their visit to the National Library. The main objective of this study is to examine the services provided by National Library of India to its esteemed users

On Birthing Dancing Stars: The Need for Bounded Chaos in Information Interaction

While computers causing chaos is acommon social trope, nearly the entirety of the history of computing is dedicated to generating order. Typical interactive information retrieval tasks ask computers to support the traversal and exploration of large, complex information spaces. The implicit assumption is that they are to support users in simplifying the complexity (i.e. in creating order from chaos). But for some types of task, particularly those that involve the creative application or synthesis of knowledge or the creation of new knowledge, this assumption may be incorrect. It is increasingly evident that perfect order—and the systems we create with it—support highly-structured information tasks well, but provide poor support for less-structured tasks.We need digital information environments that help create a little more chaos from order to spark creative thinking and knowledge creation. This paper argues for the need for information systems that offerwhat we term ‘bounded chaos’, and offers research directions that may support the creation of such interface

Rational expectations modelling in O.R

The conventional OR approach to managing a system is, in outline, firstly to create a model of the existing system, secondly, to investigate changes in the model which improve or control the behaviour of the model and thirdly, to implement these changes in the system. It is assumed that the model incorporating these changes will be a valid representation of the system after the changes, in as far as the original model was a valid representation of the original system, and can thus be used to assess the benefits and disbenefits arising from the changes