Librarians’ Use of Social Media for Professional Development in Nigeria

This paper examined the use of social media for professional development by librarians in Nigeria. The study was carried out using the survey research method. The study population was made up of 1294 registered members of Nigerian Library Association Online Forum. Random sampling technique was used in selecting 297 respondents for the study. Data was collected by means of questionnaire. Findings from the study revealed that online discussion forums such as NLA online forum, online social networks such as Facebook and Wikis were mostly used for professional development, while others such as podcast and book marking tools were used minimally. Librarians were also found to learn mostly by reading through the conversations of others and joining discussion groups. Based on the findings, the study concluded that librarians in Nigeria actively seek means of professional development using social media and recommends among others, that the use of social media applications such as podcast and bookmarking tools be explored as they could also contribute to professional learning/development

User Engagement with Social Media, Implication on the Library Usage: A Case of Selected Public and Academic Libraries in Malaysia

The mainstream use of social media has impacted the library as it has been identified to be an efficient platform for libraries to foster networking and enhance engagement with their user community. The unique characteristics of social media with ‘high tech’, ‘interactive’ blend with the ‘human touch’ give a valuable means for libraries to provide information resources and services beyond their physical walls. However, despite its widespread usage, an engagement rate on social media is still low among library users and evaluation of social media use is still elusive and scarce in the library literature. Prior studies have yet to reveal to what extent the presence of social media triggers users’ awareness and influence their engagement. Subsequently, how it further impacts the actual library usage among end-users. Therefore, the present study attempts to investigate the factors that drive users’ engagement with social media and further examine the relationship of users’ engagement with social media and actual library use from both users and librarians’ perspectives. A mixed method approach was employed, and the study population consists of selected State Public and Academic Libraries in Malaysia. The integration of DeLone and McLean’s Information Systems Success Model (ISSM), Perceived Interactivity (PI) and Consumer Online Engagement (COE) models were adapted to establish the direction of the research. A total of 334 respondents which consisted of library users; and 11 interview participants comprise of professional librarians. The statistical data was analysed usingSPSSand SmartPLS, while thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative approach. The findings indicated that Information Quality, Perceived Interactivity, and Perceived Net Benefit have empirically proven to be significant predictors of users’ engagement with social media. The study also revealed that two dimensions of online engagement (affective and behavioural) have a positive and statistically significant effect on actual library use; while cognitive engagement proves to be insignificant. The study is significant in providing libraries a holistic overview about determinants of social media engagement and offers guidelines on evaluation of library social media. It also explored the potential and gauges the prospective areas of improvement for harnessing the use of library resources and services in meeting users’ ever-changing needs. Finally, the study proposed a framework for social media engagement evaluation for libraries which act as a benchmark to determine the best social media platforms to be adopted by libraries. Furthermore, the proposed criteria can be applied to increase users’ awareness and greater users’ engagement of library services

6th International Conference on Libraries (ICOL) 2017 “Towards Lean Libraries”

The International Conference on Libraries (ICOL2017) held in Penang, Malaysia on 2-3 August 2017, was the sixth international ICOL conference, a once-every-two-years opportunity that provides platform for participants and presenters to access the best information, discover new ideas and network with people in the profession. More than 20 abstracts submitted by interested authors, however, after being reviewed, only 18 papers have been accepted. Two accepted papers were withdrawn by their authors by the time of publishing. There were two speakers sponsored by the vendors who gave inputs on topics relevant to the conference but not included in this proceeding. A total of 14 full papers are included in this publication which covers the section of Managing Libraries; Creativity and Innovation; Right Tool at the Right Time and Improve while Reduce

The doctoral research abstract. Vol:9 2016 / Institute of Graduate Studies, UiTM

FOREWORD: Seventy three doctoral graduands will be receiving their scroll today signifying their achievements in completing their PhD journey. The novelty of their research is shared with you through The Doctoral Abstracts on this auspicious occasion, UiTM 84th Convocation. We are indeed proud that another 73 scholarly contributions to the world of knowledge and innovation have taken place through their doctoral research ranging from Science and Technology, Business and Administration, and Social Science and Humanities. As we rejoice and celebrate your achievement, we would like to acknowledge dearly departed Dr Halimi Zakaria’s scholarly contribution entitled “Impact of Antecedent Factors on Collaborative Technologies Usage among Academic Researchers in Malaysian Research Universities”. He has left behind his discovery to be used by other researchers in their quest of pursuing research in the same area, a discovery that his family can be proud of. Graduands, earning your PhD is not the end of discovering new ideas, invention or innovation but rather the start of discovering something new. Enjoy every moment of its discovery and embrace that life is full of mystery and treasure that is waiting for you to unfold. As you unfold life’s mystery, remember you have a friend to count on, and that friend is UiTM. Congratulations for completing this academic journey. Keep UiTM close to your heart and be our ambassador wherever you go. / Prof Emeritus Dato’ Dr Hassan Said Vice Chancellor Universiti Teknologi MAR

Usability of the Institutional Repository by Faculty and Postgraduate Students at the University of Swaziland.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2017.This study investigated service quality and technology acceptance factors that promote or inhibit UNISWA faculty and postgraduate students from effectively using their IR. This is based on the premise that the IR has remained under-utilised by faculty and postgraduate students, majority of whom are involved in research. They have also not been keen to deposit their published work in the IR. The study sought to address the following research questions: What are the perceptions of faculty and postgraduate students towards service quality in the use of the UNISWA IR? What quality factors influence the usability of UNISWA’s institutional repository by faculty and postgraduate students at UNISWA? What is the level of usage of UNISWA’s institutional repository by faculty and postgraduate students? What are the challenges of service quality facing faculty and postgraduate students in the use of the UNISWA IR? What is the role of librarians in promoting service quality of the UNISWA IR? The study was underpinned by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and the Service Quality model (SERVQUAL). The study adopted a post positivist paradigm using the survey research design. A mixed methods approach was used, focusing on faculty, postgraduate students, and librarians. Data was collected using survey questionnaires and interview schedules. Quantitative Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to produce descriptive statistics, and qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented through narration and tables. The findings revealed that the UNISWA IR did not satisfy users’ service quality needs. It was further revealed that faculty and postgraduate students’ intensions to use and adopt IR were influenced by UTAUT constructs including, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and facilitating conditions. The findings also indicated that majority of faculty were aware of the existence of the IR, while many students were not. Even though awareness levels were high amongst faculty, many of these respondents did not use the IR, followed by those who infrequently used it. Reasons for the poor usage included lack of awareness, limited time, lack of knowledge, preference for other web sources, lack of skills, discouraged by slow internet, and preference for reputable journals among others. The findings indicated that while students were likely to be inhibited by lack of computer access from using the IR, this was not the case with faculty. Moreover, respondents were not likely to be inhibited by fears of violating copyright restrictions from using the IR. The results further revealed that librarians’ IR promotion efforts were not adequate. Respondents suggested IR promotion strategies that would include specialised departmental workshops, periodically emailing users, seminars and presentations, posters, brochures and leaflets, orienting new staff and students, library skills classes, using faculty board meetings, social media, media, and word of mouth. This study has implications for practice, policy, and theory. From the practical perspective, the study enhances awareness about the role of IRs in gathering, preserving and disseminating scholarly content. The study further provides information upon which relevant training programs for faculty and students can be based to enhance the IR service. From a policy perspective, the study provides a framework for the development of relevant policies to guide IR content recruitment procedures, and the overall functioning of the IR. Theoretically, the study validates the applicability of the UTAUT theory and SERVQUAL model in an online library setting, from a developing country context. The study recommends amongst other things the need for IR administrators to conduct regular service quality assessments and usability studies in order to understand users’ service and technology needs. The study further recommends the improvement of IR usage levels through raising awareness about the IR, frequently training users, and the formulation of policies to guide the overall functioning of the IR

Investigation of Factors That Influence Public Librarians’ Social Media Use for Marketing Purposes: An Adoption of the Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior

This study aims to explore multiple factors that are associated with social media use by public librarians for marketing purposes. Based on the technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior, the effects of five factors—usefulness, ease of use, attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral control—on social media use intention were examined. A survey was conducted, and 462 valid responses were collected from public librarians across the United States. The findings revealed that all five factors have a significant impact on librarians’ intention to engage in social media activities for library marketing. Perceived behavioral control factors were the most influential on social media use intention. Both practical and theoretical implications are discussed based on the findings of this study

Innovative Web2.0 based collaborative learning and study circle model: integrating Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Science

Collaborative learning based on the Crus and Carvalho model of Information Communication Technology learning environment could improve, self -regulation, critical thinking, engagement, motivation and awareness of learners. This study designed, developed and evaluated an ICT artifact, including Facebook’s page and groups based on this model for practicing collaboration and research on verses of Quran, integrating revealed knowledge and human science. All features utilized, be evaluated by library-based research, observation, Facebook metrics and interviews based on activities and interactions amongst students and all users on Facebook with design science research methodology (DSRM). This study shows students and learners could practice collaborative learning and regulate their knowledge in this platform and enhance their learning competence

Behavioral Intention on Islamic Crowdfunding Usage among Malaysian Bumiputera SMEs: Moderating effect of technology readiness

Access to financing is crucial for Bumiputera SMEs’ growth, but lending from financial institutions is reduced due to default risk. Therefore, entrepreneurs often rely on short-term resources like personal savings, friends and family. Islamic crowdfunding offers wider financing alternatives to help Bumiputera SMEs grow their businesses. Hence examining the contructs that influence Bumiputera SMEs' intentions to use Islamic crowdfunding is vital. These factors are investigated using UTAUT theory, adding technology readiness as moderating factor. The proposed framework could provide insights for crowdfunding providers and policymakers to increase awareness of financing alternatives among SMEs in Malaysia

Assessing digital library effectiveness of selected Iranian Universities / Ismail Samadi and Mohamad Noorman Masrek.

Given that digital libraries (DL) have been implemented in most Iranian universities and academic higher learning institutions, knowledge regarding users’ usage behaviour is still very limited. Not much is really known about the extent users; especially students exploit the DL for the purpose of enhancing their performance and productivity. Similarly, little is really known about the factors that shape Iranian students’ DL usage behavior from users’ lenses. To this effect, this study is aimed to investigate the usage behavior of users in a DL environment in selected Iranian universities. In addition, it is also aimed at investigating the determinants of DL usage behavior. The study used the survey research methodology and questionnaire as the tool for collecting data. A total of 750 valid responses was analyzed to test the developed hypotheses and the findings suggest that information quality, systems quality and service quality are significant predictor of DL usage. In addition, DL usage was found to have significant impact on personal sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and talks productivity. The contribution of the study can viewed from both theoretical and practical perspectives. From the theoretical viewpoint, it has developed an empirical based framework depicting the determinants and impacts of DL use. From the practical viewpoint, the developed instrument can be used to gauge the performance of the DL

The impact of ex-auditors' employment with audit clients of perceptions of auditor independence

This study examined whether the practice of ex-auditors’ employment with audit clients affects perceptions of auditor independence from the perspective of financial statement users in Malaysia. It has been argued that the main problem with employment with an audit client is the ability of current auditors to remain independent when dealing with top managers who were previously their fellow auditors. The collapse of Enron in 2001 in the United States, along with other infamous financial scandals like Global Crossing and Waste Management revealed that in each of these companies, the senior accounting and finance officers were hired directly from their external auditors. The results of the study showed that financial statement users are concerned about the practice of ex-auditors seeking employment with audit clients. However, the cooling-off period of 2 years that audit firms must observe before an audit partner joins a client company (otherwise, the firms have to resign from the audit engagement) was perceived as sufficient to safeguard auditor independence. As the majority of respondents seemed to support the current policy, a reduction or an extension of the existing cooling-off period is deemed not necessary