Digital Commons Network^™

From Panels To Shelves: The Evolving Intersection Of Comics And Italian Libraries. History, Issues, Perspectives, Andrea Tosti

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

Despite comics' popularity and cultural significance in Italy, its integration into Italian libraries has been slow, problematic, and uneven. This is reflected in the scarcity of academic research on the topic, which demands further in-depth exploration.

In the context of Italian libraries, characterized by chronic underfunding and staffing shortages, comics might be perceived as a low priority. However, as essential cultural institutions, libraries must strive to reflect both the contemporary era and the evolving reading habits of their audience. Comics, in this regard, could prove to be – and in part already are – a critical resource, a 'booster' for …

Developing And Sustaining A Graphic Scholarship Collection For Academic Libraries, Stewart Brower, Toni Hoberecht, Zane Ratcliffe, Bethie Seay

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

In early 2021, the Schusterman Library at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa satellite campus took a new step towards building a culture of interest by creating the Graphic Scholarship Collection. This new endeavor is a curated collection of graphic novels, primarily non-fiction, aligned with the academic programs on campus, as well as promoting University initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion. A new organizational structure for the collection materials and their circulation metrics will be examined in detail. There will also be consideration of the challenges of selection and acquisition by a mixed team of selectors, some of whom have no experience …

The Role Of School Libraries In Curbing The Decay In Reading Habits Among Secondary School Students In Nigeria, Inemesit Udom Udoh Mr., Nse Emmanuel Akwang Phd, Cln

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study explored the role of school libraries in curbing the decay in reading habits among secondary school students in Nigeria. It adopted the conceptual research approach by relying on existing literature. The study discovered that reading makes a knowledgeable student, and facilitates self-discovery, vocabulary expansion, development of effective communication skills and students’ overall academic success. It also revealed that effective reading habits is a crucial skill that students should possess as it adds value to life; frees the mind from the shackles of information poverty and enriches their problem-solving skills. The study showed that the causes of decay in …

The Joker Controversy: An Origin Story, Brandon Bosch, Lisa Kort-Butler

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The Joker has been in the Batman comics for over 80 years and appeared on small and large screen as Batman’s violent arch-nemesis. In the month prior to its theatrical release, commentary about the 2019 film Joker spurred a viral media reaction with concerns about the film inciting violence. To understand this phenomenon, we used Google Trends to trace a timeline of online media reactions mapped to events. Then, we analyzed over 200 news stories, commentary articles, and film reviews for explanatory narratives. We noted four key moments: the Venice Film Festival; an open letter by family members of victims …

The Fight For Intellectual Freedom For Lgbtq+ Youth, Kelly Clark

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

One of the core values of the library profession is intellectual freedom, which espouses the rights of individuals to access information that includes all perspectives and lived experience. The past few years have seen that freedom threatened with a record number of book bans and challenges in school and public libraries, with a particular focus on materials for LGBTQ+ youth. This censorship assault is highly organized and grand in scope, backed by newly formed conservative groups and increasing instances of state legislation. While librarianship has a firm foundation in the American Library Association and its tools from which to draw, …

Accuracy Of Covid-19 Relevant Knowledge Among Youth: Number Of Information Sources Matters, Patricia Wonch Hill, Judy Diamond, Amy N. Spiegel, Elizabeth Vanwormer, Meghan Leadabrand, Julia Mcquillan

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Can comics effectively convey scientific knowledge about COVID-19 to youth? What types and how many sources of information did youth have about COVID-19 during the pandemic? How are sources of information associated with accurate COVID-19 knowledge? To answer these questions, we surveyed youth in grades 5–9 in a Midwestern United States school district in the winter of 2020–2021. The online survey used measures of COVID-19 knowledge and sources, with an embedded experiment on COVID-19 relevant comics. Guided by an integrated science capital and just-in-time health and science information acquisition model, we also measured level of science capital, science identity, and …

Information Needs And Seeking Pattern Of Children In Public Libraries: A Case Study Of Kwara State Library, Nigeria, Ronke Oyetunji, Michael Chinweike Chigbundu, David Azeez Olokode

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The continuous advancement of children in sizes and knowledge, influences their curiosity and need for information which in turn precedes their information seeking patterns. The Children’s section in public libraries saddled with the responsibilities of meeting the information needs of children ensures that there are adequate information resources available for children. This study was carried out in Kwara State Library, Nigeria, with the aim of identifying the information seeking patterns and needs of children in Kwara State Library. To achieve this aim, four objectives were formulated. Which are; to identify the sources of information available to children in Kwara state …

Vaccinate: Posters From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Aaron Sutherlen, Judy Diamond, Meghan Leadabrand, Julia Mcquillan, St Patrick Reid

Zea E-Books Collection

In 2022 we are living through a global pandemic, and vaccines are one of the most effective strategies for slowing the spread of infectious disease, minimizing symptoms, and lowering healthcare demands. In short, vaccines save lives and can reduce the risk of contagion from social interaction.

In the United States in late 2021, after the vaccines had been broadly available for almost a year, one in five adults still chose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Art can disrupt what is embedded in our minds and open us up to new perspectives and insights. We hope to offer access to …

Creating A Popular Science Collection To Support Interest, Research, And Curriculum At The University Of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries, Casey Hoeve, Kiyomi Deards

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Conference Presentations and Speeches

In 2016 the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries opened the Adele Coryell Hall Learning Commons in the main library (Love Library) with the intention of creating an informal user space for study and social interactions. Within the Learning Commons, a popular science collection was curated based upon patron interest and to organize a scattered collection into a more discoverable location. The collection has been highly used by patrons, and new content is regularly added each year.

In addition to general interest, the popular science collection supports on-campus classes and colloquial talks. In this presentation, the history of the collection and which …

Establishing Prison Libraries In Tanzania: Prospects And Challenges, Valeria Kyumana Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Despite the educational support role that libraries can play to prisoners in Tanzania as inmates can pursue long distance education and other formal or informal education, no prison in the country has yet to establish a library. This study, therefore, sets out to understand prospects of and challenges to establishing a prison library in Tanzania’s prisons taking two Dar es salaam-based central prisons dubbed X and Y as twin case studies. The study used an explorative qualitative research design to achieve its objectives. Data was collected from purposively and conveniently selected sample of using questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth …

Trends In Reading Habits Of Students From School Level To Higher Levels Of Education: Evidence From The Review Of Literature, Jiarlimon Khongtim

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper discusses the trends in reading habits of students from school level to higher (College and University) levels of education through the review of related literature. It reveals the different choices of reading materials, the time spent on reading, the purpose of reading and the most preferred place for reading when the students are at different levels of education. It also highlighted the factors which affect and motivate the reading habits of the students.

Library Usage By Faculty Members Of Benguet State University, Noel W. Cabfilan, Marjorie C. Ricardo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study's objectives were to determine Benguet State University faculty members' general impression of the library resources and their usage of these resources. To answer these objectives, questions on faculty members' satisfaction with the library resources, frequency of usage, purposes of using the library resources, reasons for not using the library resources, reasons of not being able to find the resources they are looking for in the library and suggestions for library development in terms of library resources were asked.

It was found out that the majority of the faculty members have used the library resources at least once-a-term. On …

From Library Services To Literacy Development Programme In Nsukka Prison Library: Our Experience, Grace Uchechi Onyebuchi, Elizabeth Titilope Babarinde, Ify Evangel Obim, Victoria Olayemi Fagbemi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Prisons serve as a place where criminal behaviors are suppressed. The need for these set of individuals to gather skills which help them remain positive right in the four walls of the prison yard and after serving their jail terms cannot be overemphasized. It is for this reason that the team set out to develop a programme aimed at inculcating literacy and creative writing skills that will help them participate more effectively when they finish their jail term. The aim of the study was to explore the importance and contributions of library resources and services to the lives of prison …

Teachers’ Attitude And Reading Culture Of Pupils In Selected Staff Primary Schools In Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria., Andrew Oshiotse Okwilagwe Prof., Deborah Kelikume Duke Miss

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

This study investigated teachers’ attitude and reading culture of pupils in selected staff primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The study population consisted of 400 primary four and five pupils and ten staff selected from three staff schools in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria adopting the total enumeration sampling technique. The questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. It consisted of 42 questions arranged in four sections. Simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment correlation were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that pupils read story …

Entrepreneurial Skills And The Child: One Way The Librarian Can Make A Difference, Margaret Nwakago Ngwuchukwu Ph.D, Chiegonu Bridget Nwachi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Entrepreneurship is considered as sin qua non to the well being of an individual, most especially in a developing economy like Nigeria where unemployment and quest for white Collar jobs is on the increase. It then becomes necessary to inculcate the entrepreneurial spirit from the cradle. As a child cannot walk immediately the child is born, so will an individual who does not have the necessary entrepreneurial skills at childhood stage cannot or may find it difficult to be self employed at adult stage. At teething stage, little attention is paid to the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills. Librarians have a …

Nigerian’S Children’S Literature: A Viable Tool For Addressing Social Issues In Nigeria, Margaret Nwakago Ngwuchukwu Dr, Cletus Obinna Ezugwu, Beatrice Ewa Mrs

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Nigerian’s Children’s literature is one valuable tool for addressing social issues in Nigeria. However, it is often neglected due to its simplicity and it has implication for the future of any nation. This paper discusses the concept of Nigerian children’s literature and how it can be used as a method for addressing social issues in Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to identify these social issues which include gender discrimination, insecurity, corruption and sexual immorality, the causes of these social ills, the implications of these social issues, the relationship between social issues and children’s literature and also proffer children’s …

Reading Habits Amongst Undergraduate Students: Case Study Of Michael And Cecilia Ibru University, (Mciu)Agbarha-Otor, Stanley Efe Okolo, Oghenetega Ivwighreghweta

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigates reading habits amongst undergraduate students. Thus, the study discovered among others, the meaning of reading and the types of reading habits usually engage in by undergraduate students. To achieve this study, four (4) research objectives and from which the research questions were derived were formulated and they are: to ascertain the time spent by undergraduate students in reading; to identify the various reading habits of undergraduate students; to determine the factors affecting the reading habits of undergraduate students; to know the effect reading habits has on undergraduate students. The study adopted a descriptive research method which …

Library Services To The Disabled In The Public Libraries Of Iran (A Case Of East Azerbaijan Province), Ali Akbar Khasseh, Soghra Rahimi-Yamchi, Hamideh Azimi, Hamid Ghazizadeh, Omid Alipour

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the status of East Azerbaijan Public Libraries' services to the users with disabilities. The population of the study consisted of 80 managers and supervisors of public libraries in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire, inspired by the American Library Association checklist and the library access checklist (by IFLA) has been used for data gathering. Findings revealed that most of the public libraries in East Azerbaijan province (56.9%) lack sufficient budget for serving the disabled. There is no established policy to provide services to the users with disabilities in libraries. Most of …

Does The Gender Influence The Reading Habits, Preferences And Attitudes Of School Students? : A Case Study, Ramasamy K Dr., Padma P (Dr.)

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present study aims at investigating the effect of gender on the reading habits, reading preferences and attitudes towards reading among the school students. Survey research with a well-structured questionnaire was employed by the researchers. Five matriculation schools of Madurai City, Tamil Nadu State, India are the unit of study. The secondary and higher secondary students form the sample of the study. Out of 250 questionnaires distributed, 200 duly filled questionnaires were received back. The study reveals that : More boys than girls prefer non-fiction, prefer science fiction, crime and fantasy stories, prefer biographies and autobiographies and essays, spend 1-2 …

Exploring Reading Interests Of College Students Of University Of Delhi, Deepti Khatri, Paramjeet K. Walia

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigated the reading interests of undergraduate students of select colleges affiliated to University of Delhi by studying the various aspects of reading interests and habits such as reading likeness, preference for various categories of information, purpose of reading, preference for fiction and non-fiction books and time spent on various activities per day.The structured questionnaires were distributed to get the responses from male and female respondents of different disciplines. The collected data was analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science, Version-25) applying different statistical tests i.e. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Brown-Forsythe and Welch test and Weighted …

Enhancing Literacy Learning Among Primary School Pupils In Nsukka Local Government Area Of Enugu State: The Role Of The Children’S Centre Library, University Of Nigeria, Nsukka., Ezi O. Njoku Mrs, Alice O. Okore Dr., Ngozi Eunice Osadebe Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examines the role of the Children’s Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in enhancing literacy learning among primary school age pupils of Nsukka Local Government Area. The study is a case study that employed qualitative method. Four specific objectives guided the study. Five members of the Children’s Centre were purposively selected to participate in the study. An unstructured questionnaire and oral face to face interview were used for data collation. The data collated were coded, sorted, interpreted and presented in narratives. Findings revealed that Children’s Centre contributed in enhancing literacy development among primary school pupils in Nsukka Local Government …

Collection Development For Graphic Novels In Academic Libraries: Results Of A National Survey, Stephen Finlay

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A survey on collection development for graphic novels was sent to 632 collection development librarians and also placed on the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services listserv. Once 200 responses had been received analysis of results began. Findings indicate that while all libraries reported possessing at least some graphic novels and most reported having what they would call a “graphic novel collection,” the medium is still quite uncommon when compared to existing library collections, comprising less than 1% of all books in academic libraries. Further, while it was found that most libraries are currently collecting graphic novels, collection development …

Reading Materials Preference And Family Support Towards The Development Of Farmer Children’S Reading Interest, Fica Rizky Aulia, Yeni Budi Rachman

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This research discusses about reading materials preference and family support towards the development of farmer children’s reading interest in Cengkong Village, Karawang, West Java Province, Indonesia. The research aims to discover the type of reading materials favorited by farmer children and identify family support towards the development of farmer children’s reading interest in Cengkong Village, Karawang, West Java Province, Indonesia. This is a qualitative research with case study method. Informants in this research were four farmer children, three parents, and a grandmother of one of the children. Results show that those four farmer children in Cengkong Village already had got …

Reading Habits And Subjects Predilection By Mobile Readers: A Study, Somipam R. Shimray, Chennupati K. Ramaiah

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to inspect the mobile reading behaviors and readers’ content predilection in Hyderabad city, India and to find out the interrelated problems.

Design/methodology/approach - This study used a survey method and questionnaire tool for collecting data. Simple random sampling technique is employed to determine the sample population. SPSS software is used for analyzing data, independent t-test and One-Way ANOVA tests are conducted to test the stated hypotheses.

Findings - The findings from t-test results discloses that there is a significant difference concerning males and females in term of reading e-books (t-value = …

Domain Analysis Of ‘Urban’ In Library Classification Schemes, B Preedip Balaji

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Urban is a complex domain, dealing with characteristics of life in cities to meet the needs of urban society. With a changing demography, spatial and socio-economic conditions, urbanization is experienced in the globalized cities, as half of the world’s population live in large cities and towns in 21st century. There are ongoing debates on positing ‘urban’ in social science, science and technology and in arts disciplines, which interpret and define the meaning of ‘urban.’ However, the existing disciplines are interdisciplinary, intersectional and diversified with various approaches, models and theories to study urbanism. Towards the goal of arriving at the subject …

Batman’S Animated Brain(S): Paper Presented To The Batman In Popular Culture Conference, Lisa Kort-Butler

Department of Sociology: Faculty Presentations

I was in the beginning stages of a project on the social story of the brain (and a neuroscience more broadly), when a Google image search brought me a purchasable phrenology of Batman, then a Batman-themed Heart and Brain cartoon of the Brain choosing the cape-and-cowl.1 A quick search of “Batman brain” yielded something interesting: various pieces on the psychology of Batman (e.g., Langley 2012), Zehr’s (2008) work on Bruce Wayne’s training plans and injuries, the science fictions of Batman comics in the post-World War II era (Barr 2008; e.g., Detective Comics, Vol. 1, No. 210, 1954), going back to …

Bat Meets Girl: Adapting The Dark Knight’S Love Life To The Big Screen, Brandon Bosch

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

It is no secret that Hollywood loves a good romance. What is perhaps sometimes overlooked however is how important romance and female characters are to male-dominated action films. Esma Kartal argues women and romance are deliberately placed into action films to create “romantic relief” and attract female viewers for greater crossover appeal.¹ In addition to romance, Yvonne Tasker observes how women in action films serve as a witness for “the hero’s suffering” and humanity in action films.² Finally, a classic use of women and romance in action films is that of the damsel-indistress, which continues to this day …

Batman's Animated Brain(S), Lisa Kort-Butler

Department of Sociology: Faculty Presentations

Much of the analysis of Batman’s brain – whether by scholars, writers, or other comic characters – focuses on his psychological make‐up. That is, what makes Bruce Wayne psychologically motivated to be The Batman? His childhood trauma is often poised as the answer, the tireless pursuit of “justice” in an attempt to regain control from the trauma of his parents’ murders (Sanna 2015). The same could be said for his nemeses. Madness, psychopathy, and insanity are centered in the corrupted minds of Gotham’s ghastliest, some of whom have also had psychological or physical traumas (Langley 2012; Lytle 2008). A psychological …

Reading Habits And Attitudes Of Undergraduate Students: A Gender Based Comparative Study Of Government Degree College (Boys) And Government Degree College For Women, Anantnag (J&K), Shabir Ahmad, Bilal Ahmad Dar Mr., Javed Ahmad Lone Mr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Reading habit is an essential and important aspect for crating the literate society in this world. It shapes the personality of an individual and it helps them to develop the proper thinking methods and creating new ideas.One of the main functions of library system at college level is to inculcate the reading habits among the students. Today's students are the future citizens and also the nation builders of tomorrow. In present scenario, due to the influence of the social media and digital environment, students do not show much interest in reading the books, magazines and journals etc. The current study …

Opinions Of Children Regarding Their Needs And Use For Children Library: User Expectation Survey In Varanasi, Navneet Kumar Sharma

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose- The vital part of society that decides how the world will be after some years is ‘child’. Child care and nurturing become the focus point for any society. Due to lack of money, they are deprived of good education and other basic facilities of life. In India, rural community faces more problems in delivering proper education and basic facilities to the children than urban one. If we can make good changes in a child’s life, then eventually it will help in shaping a better world in future. Libraries can help in shaping a better future for a child. Children …