Criteria for evaluation and implementation of web information sources in news media libraries

The documentary criteria that researchers and professionals think are essential for assessing Internet information sources and for implementing these sources in news libraries are presented. Results of a Delphi study conducted in 2013 with eight experts in news librarianship and a survey of 81 news librarians working in Spanish media are discussed. Aspects such as the impact of digital sources on news libraries, their frequency of use, the type of resource searched, and the consequences for professional routines in these centres are analyzed. 86.4% of respondents use the Internet every day to search for information. Documentation centres of the Spanish mainstream media have not established a policy for the selection of information sources on the Web

EBSLG Annual General Conference, 18. - 21.05.2010, Cologne. Selected papers

Am 18.-21. Mai 2010 fand in der Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek (USB) Köln die „Annual General Conference“ der European Business Schools Librarians Group (EBSLG) statt. Die EBSLG ist eine relativ kleine, aber exklusive Gruppe von Bibliotheksdirektorinnen und –direktoren bzw. Bibliothekarinnen und Bibliothekaren in Leitungspositionen aus den Bibliotheken führender Business Schools. Im Mittelpunkt der Tagung standen zwei Themenschwerpunkte: Der erste Themenkreis beschäftigte sich mit Bibliotheksportalen und bibliothekarischen Suchmaschinen. Der zweite Themenschwerpunkt Fragen der Bibliotheksorganisation wie die Aufbauorganisation einer Bibliothek, Outsourcing und Relationship Management. Der vorliegende Tagungsband enthält ausgewählte Tagungsbeiträge

CC-interop : COPAC/Clumps Continuing Technical Cooperation. Final Project Report

As far as is known, CC-interop was the first project of its kind anywhere in the world and still is. Its basic aim was to test the feasibility of cross-searching between physical and virtual union catalogues, using COPAC and the three functioning "clumps" or virtual union catalogues (CAIRNS, InforM25, and RIDING), all funded or part-funded by JISC in recent years. The key issues investigated were technical interoperability of catalogues, use of collection level descriptions to search union catalogues dynamically, quality of standards in cataloguing and indexing practices, and usability of union catalogues for real users. The conclusions of the project were expected to, and indeed do, contribute to the development of the JISC Information Environment and to the ongoing debate as to the feasibility and desirability of creating a national UK catalogue. They also inhabit the territory of collection level descriptions (CLDs) and the wider services of JISC's Information Environment Services Registry (IESR). The results of this project will also have applicability for the common information environment, particularly through the landscaping work done via SCONE/CAIRNS. This work is relevant not just to HE and not just to digital materials, but encompasses other sectors and domains and caters for print resources as well. Key findings are thematically grouped as follows: System performance when inter-linking COPAC and the Z39.50 clumps. The various individual Z39.50 configurations permit technical interoperability relatively easily but only limited semantic interoperability is possible. Disparate cataloguing and indexing practices are an impairment to semantic interoperability, not just for catalogues but also for CLDs and descriptions of services (like those constituting JISC's IESR). Creating dynamic landscaping through CLDs: routines can be written to allow collection description databases to be output in formats that other UK users of CLDs, including developers of the JISC information environment. Searching a distributed (virtual) catalogue or clump via Z39.50: use of Z39.50 to Z39.50 middleware permits a distributed catalogue to be searched via Z39.50 from such disparate user services as another virtual union catalogue or clump, a physical union catalogue like COPAC, an individual Z client and other IE services. The breakthrough in this Z39.50 to Z39.50 conundrum came with the discovery that the JISC-funded JAFER software (a result of the 5/99 programme) meets many of the requirements and can be used by the current clumps services. It is technically possible for the user to select all or a sub-set of available end destination Z39.50 servers (we call this "landscaping") within this middleware. Comparing results processing between COPAC and clumps. Most distributed services (clumps) do not bring back complete results sets from associated Z servers (in order to save time for users). COPAC on-the-fly routines could feasibly be applied to the clumps services. An automated search set up to repeat its query of 17 catalogues in a clump (InforM25) hourly over nearly 3 months returned surprisingly good results; for example, over 90% of responses were received in less than one second, and no servers showed slower response times in periods of traditionally heavy OPAC use (mid-morning to early evening). User behaviour when cross-searching catalogues: the importance to users of a number of on-screen features, including the ability to refine a search and clear indication that a search is processing. The importance to users of information about the availability of an item as well as the holdings data. The impact of search tools such as Google and Amazon on user behaviour and the expectations of more information than is normally available from a library catalogue. The distrust of some librarians interviewed of the data sources in virtual union catalogues, thinking that there was not true interoperability

Improving Primo Usability and Teachability with Help from the Users

In the aftermath of a consortium migration to a shared cloud-based resource management and discovery system, a small college library implemented a web usability test to uncover the kinds of difficulties students had with the new interface. Lessons learned from this study led to targeted changes, which simplified aspects of searching, but also enhanced the librarians’ ability to teach more effectively. The authors discuss the testing methods, results, and teaching opportunities, both realized and potential, which arose from implementing changes

HILT IV : subject interoperability through building and embedding pilot terminology web services

A report of work carried out within the JISC-funded HILT Phase IV project, the paper looks at the project's context against the background of other recent and ongoing terminologies work, describes its outcome and conclusions, including technical outcomes and terminological characteristics, and considers possible future research and development directions. The Phase IV project has taken HILT to the point where the launch of an operational support service in the area of subject interoperability is a feasible option and where both investigation of specific needs in this area and practical collaborative work are sensible and feasible next steps. Moving forward requires detailed work, not only on terminology interoperability and associated service delivery issues, but also on service and end user needs and engagement, service sustainability issues, and the practicalities of interworking with other terminology services and projects in UK, Europe, and global contexts

The changing roles and identities of library and information services staff

A review of the changing roles of library, IT and e-learning staff from 1960 to date. Examines convergence and blurring of roles and what constitutes professional identity

An Investigation of the Inclusion of Information and Communication Technologies in the Management of University Libraries

The advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the astronomical growth of information have brought about a tremendous transformation in the ways libraries of every sort are being managed as well as the ways services are rendered to users. This study therefore investigated the inclusion of ICTs in the management of university libraries in Nigeria with Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Nigeria as a case in point. The study applied a descriptive survey design with a population sample of 45 library staff selected through purposive sampling method and was guided by five research questions. The main instruments used to obtain data for the study was a four-point Likert scale design structured questionnaire which was validated by three experts one from the Department of Library and Information Science and two from the Department of Computer Science from two universities in Nigeria. While the reliability of the instrument was established through conducting a two week pilot study at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Library.. The result of the pilot study was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the questionnaire which stood at 0.81. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and charts while at 0.05 level of significance, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis was used to test the only null hypothesis. The outcome of the study shows that the emergence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have brought an undeniable transformation in library operations and the ways services are provided to users and other stakeholders and that the inclusion of ICT facilities in the management of the library has tremendous positive effect in the management of the library. The study recommended among other things that, a policy should be put in place by National Universities Commission mandating all universities to have their libraries automated within a specific period of time as to allowing for collective resource sharing and proper networking among university libraries

Illinois Digital Scholarship: Preserving and Accessing the Digital Past, Present, and Future

Since the University's establishment in 1867, its scholarly output has been issued primarily in print, and the University Library and Archives have been readily able to collect, preserve, and to provide access to that output. Today, technological, economic, political and social forces are buffeting all means of scholarly communication. Scholars, academic institutions and publishers are engaged in debate about the impact of digital scholarship and open access publishing on the promotion and tenure process. The upsurge in digital scholarship affects many aspects of the academic enterprise, including how we record, evaluate, preserve, organize and disseminate scholarly work. The result has left the Library with no ready means by which to archive digitally produced publications, reports, presentations, and learning objects, much of which cannot be adequately represented in print form. In this incredibly fluid environment of digital scholarship, the critical question of how we will collect, preserve, and manage access to this important part of the University scholarly record demands a rational and forward-looking plan - one that includes perspectives from diverse scholarly disciplines, incorporates significant research breakthroughs in information science and computer science, and makes effective projections for future integration within the Library and computing services as a part of the campus infrastructure.Prepared jointly by the University of Illinois Library and CITES at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaig

Application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to Library Operations and Routines in Selected Nigerian Federal University Libraries

Digital media have revolutionized information sources and advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and have dramatically enhanced information provision. The process of library operations and routines has become very challenging and complex. Libraries as centres for learning, teaching and research can no longer cope with the use of traditional methods. To this end, the study examines the Application of Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) to Library Operations and Routines in Selected Nigerian Federal University Libraries. Survey research method was adopted for the study; six (6) academic libraries in Federal Universities in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria were selected for this study. Area or cluster probability sampling was used for this study. Questionnaire was instrument used for data collection. A total of 336 (92.3 %) copies of the questionnaire were returned duly completed and found usable for this study, Data were analysed descriptively, to further clarified the researchers interviewed one staff each from the selected academic libraries. The study found among others that ICT facilities are frequently applied in cataloguing and classification of information resources with a score of 250 (74%) and selection of information resources with a score of 244 (73%) while statistical records with the least score of 44%, computers was the most often used IC facilities in the library studied. The study concluded that digital media have revolutionized information resources and the advances in ICT have dramatically enhanced information provision not only in the selection, ordering, acquisition, processing, storage and retrieval of library information resources but also improved staff productivity. It is expected that the NFUL can fully utilize the benefit of ICT facilities, especially, the digitization of local contents, institutional repository and functioning websites. The challenges of ICT utilization in the libraries if not properly handled will reduce their potentials to achieve the goals and objectives of their parent institutions. The study recommended among others that, the NFUL should use Open-source library information management software and DSpace content management system and document management to manage the library

ASSESSMENT OF ICT COMPETENCIES OF LIBRARY STAFF IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Information and communication technology (ICT) has changed the world of library such that activities been carried out manually before are now been automated. The work of library staff are now being characterized by information and communication technologies. Academic libraries were observed to be more equipped with information infrastructures more than any other type of libraries, but no library no matter how well equipped that doesn’t require the service of a workforce that is highly competent in the use of ICT tools, as such information infrastructure will remain unused or under-utilized. It is in connection to the above, that this study assessed the ICT competence of library staff in selected universities in Kwara state using a descriptive survey design of quantitative research method, where sample size of one hundred and twenty two (122) were drawn from population of one hundred and ninety one (191). Questionnaire served as instrument for data collection, with one hundred and nine participants (which constitute 89.3% return rate) fully completed and returned the instrument. Result of findings demonstrated a high level of ICT competency on the part of library staff in selected university libraries (University of Ilorin, Kwara State University and Al-Hikmah University), most especially on skills that were considered basic and intermediate ICT skill. Verdict from the study has it that library staff in those universities can effectively deploy ICT tools for operations in the library. They identified library schools, computer training centers, workshops and seminars, personal training, watching demonstrations on YouTube, guidance from friends and relatives as sources from which Library staff can acquirer ICT skills, but more emphases is on having additional qualification in computer science. Constraints to ICT skills acquisition identified include; tight working schedule, lack of motivation, lack of experience, inadequate training, and inappropriate library and information science curriculum. Identified challenges militating against effective utilization of ICT tools in the library for dynamic information service delivery include; lack of adequate information infrastructure, absent of provision for staff training and development, limited and tighter budget for the library, lack of technological know-how, fear of technology on the part of library staff as well as epileptic power supply. Sequential to the above identified challenges and constraints, the study recommends that library management should make available adequate information infrastructure and as well make provision for staff development and training. Experienced staff should as well train the upcoming or new staff in the library. Library schools should revise curriculum and design one that will accommodate development in information and communication technology. Professional associations and regulatory bodies should organized regular seminars and workshops that will improve ICT skills of librarians