4,803 research outputs found

    An International Prospectus for Library & Information Professionals: Development, Leadership and Resources for Evolving Patron Needs

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    The roles of library and information professionals must change and evolve to: 1. accommodate needs of tech-savvy patrons; 2. thrive in the Commons & Library 2.0; 3. provide integrated, just-in-time services; 4. constantly update and enhance technology; 5. design appropriate library spaces for research and productivity; 6.adapt to new models of scholarly communication and publication, especially: the Open Archives Initiative and digital repositories; 7. remain abreast of national and interanational academic and legislative initiatives affecting the provision of information services and resources. Professionals will need to collaborate in: 1. Formal & informal networks – regional, national, and international; and; 2. Library staff development initiatives – regional, national, international Professionals will need to use libraries as laboratories for ongoing, lifelong training and education of patrons and of all library staff ( internal patrons ): the library is the framework in which Information Research Literacy is the curriculum . Professionals will need to remain aware of trends and challenges in their regions, the EU, the US and North America, of models which might provide inspiration and support: 1. Top Technology Trends; 2. New paradigms of professionalism; 3. Knowledge-creation and knowledge consumption; 4. The shifting balance of the physical library with the virtual-digital librar

    Still Desperately Seeking Citations: Undergraduate Research in the Age of Web-Scale Discovery.

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    Web-scale discovery services promise fast, easy searching from a single Google-like box, pleasing users and making library resources more discoverable. Some librarians embrace the concept of giving users what they have come to expect from Google, while others are concerned that this will “dumb down” searching and undermine information literacy. In this paper we explore the potential impact of web-scale discovery tools on information literacy, focusing particularly on undergraduate research skills. We review the existing literature and present findings and experiences from two mid-sized academic libraries that have adopted EBSCO Discovery Service as their library home page portal

    Digital Literacy Skills of Undergraduate Students in Nigeria Universities

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    Influence of digital technology in our educational system cannot be overemphasized. Hardly can any undergraduate student survive in tertiary institution without basic skills and knowledge of digital technology. The composite skills require for student to fit into digital environment in achieving his/her academic pursuit is digital literacy skill. This prompted the study on the digital literacy skills of undergraduate students of Federal Universities in Southwest, Nigeria. Research design employed for this study was the descriptive survey design. The population for this study was 60,997 undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos. However, multiple stage sampling technique was used to arrive at 595 sampling size for the study. The instrument used was a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using frequency distribution tables; percentage, mean scores and standard deviation on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Finding of the study revealed that majority of the students admitted that they are confident on their level of information Literacy Skills, especially in using other people’s work (found online) without committing plagiarism. The students also indicated confidence in their level of Information and Communication Technology literacy skills, significantly when writing online on a web page for private use. Likewise, a high percentage of respondents were confident on their level of media literacy skill when using media-capture devices, e.g. recording on video. The study concluded that lecturers should encourage students to engage in academic research using electronic information resources on the web without committing plagiarism. Also, undergraduates ICT skills should be enhanced by encouraging them to open and operate online Blog for public access and lastly, lecturers and other academic staff should use electronic media resources in delivering lectures in order to challenge the confident level of undergraduates in using electronic media

    Relationship between students’ information literacy skills and availability of digital information resources in universities library of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

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    The present study was conducted with an aim to determine the relationship between students’ information literacy skills and availability information resources in universities library of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A survey research design was used to collect data from the participants. The population of this study were post-graduate students enrolled in public sector universities of AJ&K. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. A statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-20) was used for the analysis of data. The descriptive statistics was used to determine percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistic was used to determine relationship among variables. The results of the study revealed that a good number of information resources were available in university libraries but they were not properly utilized due to lack of information literacy skills (M=3.56). Lack of information literacy training and workshops were the main barriers faced by respondents while acquiring information literacy skills (M=3.56). Moreover, it was found that a statistical significant relationship (P= .000) exists between age of the respondents and their information literacy skills. Which shows that age of the respondents and information literacy skills were correlated with each other. The results of study also revealed that information literacy skills of respondents were correlated with age, gender, and availability of digital information resources. Further, the statistical value (P=. 218) indicated that level of degree and information literacy skills of respondents were not correlated

    Information Literacy as Correlates of Engineering Undergraduates’ Use of Electronic Resources in Three Universities in Osun State, Nigeria.

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    Information literacy conceptualized to be an individual recognized the need for information and know how to find, evaluate and communicate information effectively to make decision, this study focused on information literacy as correlates of engineering undergraduates use of electronic resources in three universities in Osun state, Nigeria. The study extensively discussed on: information literacy, electronic resources use, and types of information available, level of use. The descriptive survey design was adopted, the population consisted 100-500level engineering students both in a federal, private and state universities under study. Three hundred fifty- four (354) copies of questionnaire were administered to engineering undergraduate’s students across the selected three universities, two hundred and twenty-seven (227) copies of questionnaire filled were returned for analyses software package for social sciences were used for data analyses. The study further emphasized on types of e-resources, purpose of use of e-resources, frequency of use of e-resources etc, it was revealed from the study that, e-resources were found moderately available, usable for personal development of engineering undergraduates students in Osun state, the study therefore concludes that relevant electronic information resources, non-reliability of online information and staff willingness to assists students in the use of e-resources is one among the problems confronting engineering undergraduates students. Finally, it was recommended from the study that, information literacy should be incorporated into the general studies programme on library use which should be made compulsory for all undergraduates in their first year in the university

    Measuring Information Literacy Core Competency of Social Science Researchers in National Capital Region, India

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    This study aims to empirically measure the Information Literacy Core Competency (ILCC) levels of social science researchers on ACRL’s Standards. The core concepts identified from standard I to V are: ‘Information Need’, ‘Information Access’, ‘Information Evaluation’, ‘Information Use’ and ‘Information Use Ethics’. The study was conducted on a sample of 520 researchers enrolled for Ph.D. in select central universities in National Capital Region, India. These researchers hail from different parts of the country and provide a pan India representation. The questionnaire schedule was developed translating each identified concept into a set of ten questions and 2 marks were allotted to each correct answer. Various techniques of descriptive statistics including frequency distribution, percentage, bar graph and tools of inferential statistics like One-way ANOVA, F-ratio and Post-Hoc test using LSD were applied for data analysis. A Performance and Competency Scale was used to measure the ILCC levels. The study indicates that on Standard I, 77.7% of the respondents comprising 15.8% from Economics, 14% from Sociology, 13.7% from Political Science, 12.3% from History and 11% from both Geography and Law were having ILCC to determine the extent and articulate information need. The ILCC level of the respondents on Standard II was found low as only 53.8% of the respondents including 12.1% from Economics, 9.4% from Law, 9.0% from Political Science, 8.5% from History, 7.5% from Sociology and 7.3% from Geography were identified competent in ILCC to access needed information effectively and efficiently. On the competency scale maximum 13.8% of respondents from Economics, followed by 13.4% from Sociology, 11.5% from Political Science, 9.6% from Law and 9.2% from both History and Geography constituted 66.9% of the respondents competent in ILCC on Standard III to evaluate information and its sources critically for its authenticity and reliability. As many as 76.2% of the respondents (16.2% from Economics, 14.4% from Sociology, 12.3% from History, 12.1% from Political Science, 10.8% from Geography and 10.4% from Law) have shown ILCC on Standard IV to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. On Standard V, maximum 16.5% of respondents from Economics, followed by 15% from Political Science, 13.1% from History, 12.7% from Sociology, 11.3% from Law, and 11.0% from Geography constituted 79.6% of the respondents competent in ILCC to use information ethically and legally. Thus, on the competency scale, maximum 46.2% of the researchers for \u27Information Access\u27, followed by 33.1% for \u27Information Evaluation’, 23.8% in ‘Information Use\u27, 22.3% on \u27Information Need\u27 and 20.4% for \u27Information Use Ethics\u27 have shown incompetency in ILCC. The study also aims to identify and establish the ILCC levels of researchers within and across different subjects. The findings are supposed to be of great help to all the stakeholders to plan, organize and participate in various information literacy activities and ultimately enhance the IL competency of researchers

    The role played by academic libraries in the enhancement of information literacy : a study of Fort Hare library

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    Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-122).Many technological challenges today require libraries and various stakeholders to embark on student learning and empower students with the necessary information skills to function efficiently and effectively in the global information age. The aim of this study was to investigate the role played by the University of Fort Hare Library in the enhancement of information literacy. A survey method was selected. Findings and recommendations from students, the lessons of information literacy at the University Fort Hare library and other libraries are presented. Recommendations about what the library needs to do to empower students for lifelong learning is also presented

    Exploring End-Users’ Digital Literacy Skills in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

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    This study aimed to explore end-users’ digital literacy skills in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The study employed the quantitative research method to address the research questions. The quantitative data were collected from research students (M.Phil. and PhD) studying at different departments in the university through the questionnaire. The findings of the study suggest that the respondents had a high level of knowledge and skills to use the Internet, MS Word and computers. The participants were not aware of most of electronic resources. They possessed a low level of skills to retrieve digital information, produce and create digital contents, and evaluate digital information. The findings of the study will help university authorities, academic departments and the university library to take necessary measures to develop and improve students’ digital literacy skills, so that they can use digital resources effectively and undertake their research and study efficiently

    COMPUTER SKILLS AS CORRELATES OF USE OF ONLINE INFORMATION RESOURCES BY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

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    ABSTRACT The study focused on computer skills as correlates of use of online information resources by Library and Information Science undergraduates of University of Benin, Edo State. The study was guided by three research questions and two null hypotheses. A correlation research design was adopted for study. A census study technique was adopted to cover the entire population of 273 Library and Information Science undergraduates of University of Benin, Edo State. A rating scale titled “Students’ Computer Skills and Use of Online Information Resources” (SCSUOIR) was used as data collection instrument. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research question one, while Pearson (r) statistics was used to answer research questions two and three. The hypotheses were tested using t-test statistics of simple linear correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that: the students use online information resources to a high extent; there is a positive relationship between students’ operational skills and their use of online information resources; and there is a positively very low extent of relationship between students’ strategic retrieval skills and their use of online information resources. It was therefore, recommended among others that since the use of online information resources is highly influenced by the LIS undergraduates’ level of computer skills (operational and strategic skills), the university library management should be organizing regular training for students on the acquisition of these skills
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