Digital Commons Network^™

Crafting A Queer Information Literacy (Qil) Framework: An Exploration Of Embodiment, Digital Learning, And Information Literacy In Academic Spaces, Joseph Kevin Sebastian

Library Faculty Presentations

This presentation introduces and explores Queer Information Literacy (QIL) as a critical, embodied, and transformative framework within academic and digital learning contexts. Bridging theoretical explorations with practical applications, the project delves into the intersections of queerness, embodiment, and information literacy, challenging and subverting normative structures embedded within traditional literacy models and digital learning environments. Personal narratives from the researcher’s experiences as an academic librarian and digital learning specialist enrich the discussion, offering tangible insights and strategies for enacting QIL. The presentation ultimately advocates for a QIL that is collaborative, adaptive, and reflective, honoring the fluidity and multiplicity of queer experiences …

Desire Paths In The Information Landscape, Victoria Van Hyning, Mason A. Jones, Travis Wagner

Journal of Critical Digital Librarianship

Libraries and archives serve so many different users who come to information institutions with various perspectives, needs, experiences, and desires around accessing physical or digital collections. While our users may find what they are looking for immediately, many have to beat their own paths through complex systems and metadata that doesn’t align with their needs. Their search strategies may leave digital “desire paths”–alternative routes through the information landscape that can show us how to better meet their needs. This article covers three scenarios where users’ desire paths can be seen or where gaps around user experience can be better addressed. …

Theory-Based Science Communication At Comic Cons, Lisa Lundgren, Emily Slater, Man Zhang, Kadie Kunz, Gabriel-Philip Santos

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

The majority of research concerning science communication happens in spaces where people already have a vested interest in or knowledge of science, such as museums and science cafes. Thus, there is a gap in understanding what theory-based science communication looks like in non-science-centered spaces. This qualitative research study, which featured cosplaying science communicators at comic conventions, offers insights into what science communication practices occur within everyday spaces. We conducted observations of and semi-structured interviews with 15 cosplaying scientists, examining how they utilized effective framing and narrative structuring when communicating science at comic cons in cosplay. Across 700 coded utterances, cosplaying …

Assessment Of Computer Literacy And Online Information Searching Skill Of Open And Distance Learners: A Study, Veen Naik G, Veena Naik G, Veena Naik G

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The use of ICT has increased and enlarged the impact and skills of distance students on how to search information electronically. The use of ICT increases the learning productivity of students. With online search conveniences, information stored at dissimilar locations can be easily retrieved by using web pages, e-mail, and CD-ROM, at anytime by anyone from anywhere in the world. Therefore students are required to enhance their computer and communication technology skills to live successfully in a knowledge-based society. The main objective of the present study was to identify computer literacy skills and information searching strategies of students of distance …

Cognitive And Affective Information Seeking Barriers Affecting First-Year Students At The Tshwane University Of Technology (Tut), Rirhandzu S. Mhinga, Rirhandzu Sharon Mhinga, Madely Du Preez

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Introduction. Investigates cognitive and affective barriers caused by uncertainty that affect the information seeking and searching behaviour of first-year students registered at the Tshwane University of Technology, Polokwane campus. These students do not have a background of using academic information resources and systems. Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP) model and the four levels of information needs identified by Taylor guided this study. The research question that shaped this investigation is, how do feelings of uncertainty affect the information seeking behaviour of first year students?

Methods. A phenomenological research approach was employed in the study. Fifteen first-year students were interviewed. …

This Be The Beloved Curse: Learning To Love Ever-Evolving Born-Digital Description, Ruth E. Bryan, Megan M. Mummey, Andrew Mcdonnell

Library Presentations

The title of the presentation, “This be the beloved curse” is taken from Philip Larkin’s poem “This be the curse.” In it, Larkin describes the cycle of life where children are messed up by their parents, who, with the best intentions, “...fill you with the faults they had/and add some extra, just for you.” He goes on to explain, though, that our parents, in their turn, were equally messed up “...by fools in old-style hats and coats…”, handing on what Larkin terms “misery” from one generation to another.

As archivists, and especially as archivists working with digital formats, our “beloved …

Who Gets To Decolonize: A Reflection On The Importance Of Positionality In The Decolonization Of Digital Learning Spaces And Learning Design, Rebecca Y. Bayeck, Tutaleni Iita Asino

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Decolonization as a term and concept gained prominence in the 20th century as new nations emerged from the cessation of the global colonial project which primarily saw European countries occupying different parts of the world. In modern times, interests in decolonization have taken different forms, particularly in learning design and digital learning spaces. In the digital space, researchers mainly suggest introducing indigenous perspectives and cultural lenses in the design of digital learning environments and the design of emerging technologies that embed indigenous perspectives (Nede, 2023). This reflexive essay discusses the importance of positionality in digital learning spaces and learning/instructional design. …

Information Seeking Behaviour Of Physicians For Patient Care In University Teaching Hospitals In North-Central, Nigeria, Onyeke Emmanuel Onyeke, Prof. Chinwe N. Ezeani

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study investigated information seeking behaviour of physicians for improved patient care in University Teaching Hospitals in North Central Nigeria. To achieve the research objectives, the study sets to find out: information seeking behaviour of physicians for improved patient care in University Teaching Hospitals, in North-Central, Nigeria; determine the extent to which the medical library provides the needed information for physicians in University Teaching Hospitals, in North-Central, Nigeria; determine the extent to which physicians use the medical library in University Teaching Hospitals, in North-Central, Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated to serve as a guide to the study. A descriptive …

Shifting To The Online Environment: Exploring Virtual And In-Person Collaborations Between Community College Libraries And Writing Centers, Julia Stone

Library Faculty and Staff Publications and Presentations

Community college libraries and writing centers are natural partners due to their shared goals regarding academic support and student success, as well as their joint focus on the interrelated processes of writing and research. Research has shown that libraries at four-year institutions and writing centers collaborate in many ways, but little research has been conducted on collaborations at community colleges and whether these collaborations have moved to a virtual setting. Given the rise in online education at community colleges and students' need for developmental education in writing, this study used a qualitative survey approach to gain a better understanding of …

The Wicked Problem Of Climate Change And The Challenge Of Engagement: Exploring Educational Approaches And Possibilities For Information Literacy, Andrea Baer

Libraries Scholarship

Climate change is a prime example of a “wicked problem”: it is characterized by complexity and unboundedness and has no complete or simple solutions, though communities can develop constructive interventions that address particular aspects of the problem (for example, in cities increasing green spaces that have a cooling effect). Because the problem of climate change is so expansive and the answers to it remain limited in scope and impact, engaging with the topic inevitably evokes difficult emotions like uncertainty, overwhelm, despair, and grief. So it is understandable that a common response to the realities of climate change has been denial …

The Browsers Are A’Changing: Lessons From The Aftermath (?) Of Browser Changes, Michelle E. Colquitt

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Understanding Non-Designers' Practices And Processes In A Human-Centered Design Course, Luettamae Lawrence, Saadeddine Shehab, Mike Tissenbaum

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Human-centered design (HCD) has been identified in the literature as a useful problem-solving approach for learners. However, learning and applying HCD poses several challenges for students who are unfamiliar with this form of learning. In this paper, we analyse how a novice design team worked on a HCD class project to examine how non-designers learn about and integrate HCD practices into their project. We introduce the HCD taxonomy to define the processes and practices that students engage in. The team’s design work is triangulated across multiple data sources and revealed three challenges for engaging non-designers in HCD: 1) the need …

Exploring Trends In Library And Information Science Literature: A Scientometrics Analysis From A Global Perspective, Hafijull Mondal, Anamika Das Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Scientometrics, a notion of Meta-science, applies quantitative methods to analyse scientific publications, likewise it may also be used to delve into the LIS field offering insights into its structure and dynamics. This paper utilizes Scientometrics analysis to investigate global trends in Library and Information Science (LIS) literature, covering the period from 2000 to 2023. The research examines publications, citations, co-occurrence networks, and keyword trends to identify key thematic areas, emerging topics & collaboration patterns between countries. Using bibliographic data from the Scopus database, the study analyses 5591 articles, focusing on English-language publications, The Bibliometrix package in R-Studio’s Biblioshiny and VOSviewer …

Influence Of The Use Of Ict On Students’ Academic Performance In Mathematics In Efon-Alaaye Lga, Ekiti State, Temitope Samuel Akinbinu Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The application of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in education has revolutionized teaching and learning. This study sought to determine the influence of ICT in terms of students’ attitude towards ICT use and the extent of using ICT facilities on students’ academic performance in mathematics. Specifically, the study focused on the students’ attitude towards ICT use, the extent to which ICT facilities was used, challenges encountered in the course of using it, the significant effect of ICT on student academic performance in mathematics and significant difference on academic performance based on gender.

The study was non-experimental, it adopted survey research …

Rolling (Over) In The Deep: Cleaning Up All Continuing Resources With The Nasig Core Competencies In Mind, Michelle E. Colquitt

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Development Of Public Library Services To Support Small Businesses In Iran: A Systematic Review, Maryam Habibi, Soraya Ziaei

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

چکیده : توسعه اقتصادی اولویت همه کشورهاست. همانطور که کتابخانه ها همچنان به نوآوری برای تأثیر قرن بیست و یکم و حمایت از خدمات تجاری ادامه می دهند، می توانند ارتباط فعلی و آینده خود را در دنیای در حال تغییر نشان دهند. کتابخانه ها به عنوان یک نهاد مرکزی در جامعه، اطلاعات و منابع آموزشی را در اختیار همه قرار می دهند و این می تواند به صاحبان مشاغل کوچک که به دنبال کسب درآمد هستند کمک کند. آنها نقش مهمی در اکوسیستم کسب و کارهای کوچک دارند. هدف پژوهش حاضر مروری نظام مند بر شناسایی اقدامات و برنامه …

Review Of Building Representative Community Archives: Inclusive Strategies In Practice, Louis Knecht

Journal of Western Archives

Review of Building Representative Community Archives: Inclusive Strategies in Practice.

The Role Of Livestock Cooperative Societies In Providing Information On Livestock Production In Northwest Nigeria, Suleiman Idris, Abdulkadir Tsagem Mamman

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Livestock cooperative societies play an important role in disseminating information related to livestock production practices to farmers in Northwest Nigeria. These societies aim to support farmers by sharing knowledge that can help strengthen animal husbandry techniques, improve productivity, and increase farm incomes. Through organized events, training programs, and distribution of educational materials, the livestock cooperatives in the region seek to provide farmers with the latest research-based information on topics like animal breeding, feeding, disease prevention, and market access. The objective of this study is to assess the types of information services provided by livestock cooperative societies to address the information …

Functionalities Of Koha And Evergreen: A Comparative Study Open Source Library Management Software, Partha Sarathi Mandal

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This research article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of two prominent open-source library management software solutions, Koha and Evergreen. As libraries increasingly transition to digital systems, selecting appropriate library management software becomes crucial for efficient operations and user satisfaction. Koha and Evergreen stand out as leading open-source options for their features and functionalities to meet the diverse needs of libraries worldwide. The study is based on qualitative assessments based on user feedback and expert evaluations. Through a detailed examination of critical criteria such as usability, customization capabilities, community support, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, the research aims to provide librarians, administrators, and …

Volume 44, Number 2, June 2024 Olac Newsletter, Tanesa King, Morris Levy, Amanda Mack, Meg Wang, Alex Whelan, Nerissa Lindsey

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized June 2024 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.

Active And Retroactive Digital Newspaper Preservation, Andrew Mcdonnell

Library Faculty and Staff Publications

The University of Kentucky Libraries’ (UKL) long-running efforts to document and provide access to the state’s history via newspaper preservation have necessarily evolved over the last 80 years. As news formats and preservation technologies have changed, particularly in relation to born-digital media, the libraries’ efforts have had to keep pace. The race to preserve these materials before they disappear or are locked away on media inaccessible to modern computers is not always chronologically linear, though. Digital archivists and librarians must sometimes straddle multiple generations of technology to successfully migrate, capture, and otherwise preserve digital publications, and there is no single …

Connecting The Dots: Sharing Hidden Histories Of Regional Inventors’ Patents, John Schlipp, Kris Kallies

Journal of the Patent and Trademark Resource Center Association

Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) support inventors, entrepreneurs, and researchers with patent and trademark information. Some PTRCs share regional patent history as part of their community outreach. This article focuses on PTRCs that have developed online databases and published works documenting regional patents, thereby providing hidden historical insights for historians, genealogists, and students. It spotlights the development of Georgiavation, a historic patent database developed by the PTRC at Georgia Southern University. Finally, this article offers guidance for libraries, museums, and other institutions interested in documenting their state or regional patent histories. This can result in a more inclusive narrative …

Writing Instructors’ Intentional Integration Of The Information Literacy Framework, Catherine F. Riehle, Erica Defrain, Deborah Minter, Janel Simons

Communications in Information Literacy

This article presents an exploratory study that examines how 11 first-year writing instructors’ conceptualizations of information literacy evolved over the course of their participation in an inquiry group co-developed and co-facilitated by the Libraries’ teaching faculty and the Director of Composition & Rhetoric at a public university in the United States. The authors developed a coding schema to identify the presence of information literacy-related themes and practices in pre- and post-program course syllabi and in reflective pieces submitted by instructors. The findings revealed that instructors’ use and applications of the ACRL Framework increased after the program, showing greater personal engagement …

Addressing Barriers To Research-Informed Practice: A Library And Social Work Collaboration To Empower Future Practitioners, Amanda Dinscore, Debbie Gonzalez

Communications in Information Literacy

Social work education prioritizes the use of research to inform practice. As university students, prospective social workers have a wealth of research available to them as well as librarians to help them find, evaluate, and use that information. However, access to much of this research ends once the student graduates—at a time when it is most needed to inform their professional practice. To address this challenge, a librarian and a social work faculty member worked with one class of students in their final semester of a bachelor’s degree in social work program to promote awareness of information privilege and barriers …

Fy24 Usability Program Test #7: Retesting And Observing Search Behaviors, Lindsey Skaggs

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

The FY24 Usability Testing Program was designed to iteratively assess user experience at Milner Library. The program gathers data through usability testing of the library's website and discovery layer, as well as survey questions about users' experiences with library services. Test #7 gathers information from library users about their experiences locating and accessing materials and information. Takeaways and recommendations are included in the report.

Choose Your Own Research Adventure: An Asynchronous Tutorial To Address “Research As Inquiry”, Stacy Brinkman, Samantha Hilton

Communications in Information Literacy

The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education posits that the practice of asking questions in order to deepen inquiry and understanding is a key element of information literacy. While the “Research as Inquiry” frame is teachable in library instruction, it can be difficult to scale. Popular instructional design software tends to present information in linear formats that can limit how students understand the iterative nature of research. This article presents an attempt at an asynchronous tutorial that overcomes this limitation of medium and that presents “Research as Inquiry” through an iterative and question-based online game. We discuss the development, …

Independent Long Covid Journalism As A Lens For Critical Information Literacy: Conversations With The Sick Times Founders Betsy Ladyzhets And Miles W. Griffis, Andrea Baer

Communications in Information Literacy

Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the acceleration of climate change illuminate how difficult it can be to make sense of information about wicked problems—that is, issues that are highly complex and have no simple or complete solutions (Rittel & Webber, 1973). One approach to grappling with wicked problems is to consider the information practices that different people, communities, or professions use to make sense of those issues. In this Perspectives piece, I explore possible ways to practice and teach about critical information literacy by looking to the views, experiences, and professional practices of two independent journalists who report on …

Examining Book Banning Trends In The U.S., Amanda D. Filchock

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This capstone project is a web application for users to explore book banning trends across the United States. It is intended to serve as a resource for students, parents, educators, librarians, and authors who are interested in understanding the ways that book banning attempts have changed between 2021-2023 in the United States. These audiences will be able to interact with data visualizations to inform their own research and deepen their understanding of this current topic. Interactive features include: the ability to search by the title or author of a book to learn where, when, why, and by whom the book …

Cyber Loafing And Innovative Work Behavior As Predictors Of Perceived Job Performance: A Nigerian Study, Oluyomi Folorunso, Ruth Okeile

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Previous studies on Perceived Job Performance (PJP) have focussed almost entirely on organizational settings different from the library. Furthermore, the studies did not investigate how the pertinent variables of Cyber Loafing (CL) and Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) predict PJP of the organizational workers. This study, therefore, was designed to examine CL and IWB as predictors of PJP of the personnel of some university libraries in Nigeria.

Theories of Reasoned Action and Job Performance anchored the study, while the survey design of correlational type was adopted. The study population comprised the 96 professional librarians and 95 library officers in the 12 …

Active And Retroactive Digital Newspaper Preservation, Andrew Mcdonnell

Library Presentations

This presentation was given at the 2024 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions News Media Conference in Aarhus, Denmark on May 31, 2024. It illustrates a brief glimpse of the University of Kentucky's Digital Newspaper Preservation program, highlighting challenges presented by two new born-digital additions to the collection.