Digital Commons Network^™

The Spring Issue 2024, Emily Watson, Phoebe Thomas, Tifanee Mask, Destiny Dehart, Xinyu Yu Mills, Cameron O'Steen

Fonds and Feathers

This issue edited by Emily Watson features "How culturally competent are you" by Phoebe Thomas, "Revitalizing indigenous rights" and "Unveiling Clotilda" by Tifanee Mask, and "Archive atrocities" by Destiny Dehart. In addition, upcoming conferences are listed. A list of students who will graduate in May 2024 with MLIS and the graduate archival certificate are honored.

Bringing Open Science Training Back To Basics: The Foundations In Open Science Oer, Sinéad Hanrahan

Publications

Open Science (OS) seeks to apply the concept of openness across all stages of research practice. It aims to facilitate the dissemination of research at speed and to foster collaboration between researchers (Foster Open Science, 2023). OS is an essential aspect of Responsible Research Practice (ALLEA, 2017) and integral to addressing the complex problems facing the world (UNESCO, 2021). It is thus imperative that research performing organisations provide effective OS training. Anecdotal evidence gleaned over five years of OS Training provision suggests that researchers have less understanding of foundational research practices than library OS instructors anticipate. This further suggests that …

Utilization Of Social Media Platforms For Research Productivity By Postgraduate Students In Universities In Benue State, Nigeria, Theresa Elaine Adeyi Mrs, Ashiver Elizabeth Annune Dr, Jacob Faga Tsegba Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study investigated the utilization of social media platforms for research productivity by postgraduate students in universities in Benue State, Nigeria. Four specific objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprises 2035 postgraduate students in three Universities in Benue State. The sample size consisted of 334 postgraduate students from the three universities under the study. The instrument for data collection is a self developed questionnaire titled “Utilization of Social Media for Research Productivity by Postgraduates in Universities Questionnaire” (USMRPPUQ)”. The questionnaire was validated by three experts. …

Lanthorn, Vol. 58, No. 15, March 25, 2024, Grand Valley State University

Volume 58, August 7, 2023 - April 15, 2024

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Creating Accessible Instruction Materials, Rachel E. Trnka

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Webinar for the Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC)

Have you attended multiple webinars and trainings on accessibility and feel a little overwhelmed with information and resources? Join me as we focus on specific strategies for making your library instruction materials accessible. Rather than offering generalized information about web accessibility, this presentation will address accessibility issues related to specific types of instructional materials, including presentation slides, LibGuides, and videos. In this session, we’ll discuss

• Interpreting common accessibility standards and vocabulary
• Creating an inventory to help plan your approach to updating materials
• Specific tools to help you evaluate and improve the accessibility …

Promoting Faculty Research Excellence And Visibility In Nigerian Universities Through The Open Access Paradigm Shift, Colette Ogugua Onyebinama Dr., Ngozi Chima-James Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The primary objective of this article is to promote faculty research excellence and visibility in Nigerian universities through open access publishing. The article begins by briefly discussing the vital role that universities play in research, which is a fundamental duty of faculty members. The study provides a succinct definition of research excellence and visibility, as well as the methods for assessing research excellence. This leads to a brief discussion on promoting faculty research visibility through publication on open access platforms such as open access journals and open access institutional repositories to increase citations rates and enhance visibility. The paper further …

Patrons Of D.V.G Public Library, Kolar Are Aware Of And Using The Information Sources & Services: A Survey, Geetha C S, M S Akshay Kumar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The most important aspect of any library is its patrons. Any library’s goal is to determine what its users need, meet those needs, and satisfy them to the best of its ability. When it comes to public libraries, they face greater challenges in meeting the requirements of their increasingly diverse readership. The present study is an attempt to analyze the awareness and usage of the information sources and services offered by the D.V.G. public library, Kolar. A well-structured questionnaire was distributed to draw the data from the users. Responses from the users show that 95% of respondents are aware of …

Buckets Of Fun: Impacts Of Fraction Ball Activities On Students' Math-Related Emotions, Siling Guo, Drew H. Bailey, Katherine Rhodes, Kreshnik Nasi Begolli, Vanessa N. Bermudez, Luettamae Lawrence, Daniela Alvarez-Vargas, Lourdes M. Acevedo-Farag, June Ahn, Andres S. Bustamante, Lindsey E. Richland

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Rational number learning can cause frustration and negative emotions for elementary school students. Fraction Ball, a play-based math intervention, allows students to actively learn rational numbers through engaging and interactive activities. Based on a cluster-randomized trial with 16 teachers and 360 students, our pre-registered analyses showed moderate positive impacts of Fraction Ball on overall students' self-reported math-related emotions. Exploratory analyses indicated that students with higher negative emotions at pretest showed larger experimental impacts on decreasing negative emotions at posttest. Finally, we found that Fraction Ball evidenced no trade-off between rational number learning and emotional outcomes at the classroom block level, …

Value Beyond Cost Savings: Unlocking Diversity, Equity And Inclusion With Open Educational Resources, Nancy A. Henke

University Libraries Workshops & Webinars

The cost savings offered by the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) have garnered significant attention. As free teaching, learning, and research materials, OER reduce financial barriers to education by eliminating textbook costs. However, fewer people are aware that OER also contribute to a more inclusive learning environment. This session explores the value of OER beyond financial benefits, delving into how OER, as free and accessible resources, play a role in building an inclusive educational landscape. From embracing diverse perspectives in content creation to providing the opportunity to tailor course materials to students’ specific needs, this presentation uncovers the many …

Influence Of Social Media Marketing On The Utilization Of Library Resources And Services By Undergraduate Students In Universities In Kwara State, Saliu Abdulfatai

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study was conducted on the influence of social media marketing on the utilization of library resources and services by undergraduate students in universities in Kwara State. the study formulated used four research questions and adopted simple random sampling method to select the sample population for this study out of two thousand eight hundred and ten (2810) of the entire population. A survey method was used in undertaking the study, in which answers were sought on the determine the library resources and services marketed to undergraduate students using social media in university libraries, social media used by undergraduate students for …

Analysis Of Library School Syllabi Reveals Poor Design And Limited Content About Disability And Accessibility, Nandi Prince

Publications and Research

A Review of: Pionke, J. (2023). What are library graduate students learning about disability and accessibility? A syllabus analysis. Urban Library Journal, 29(1). https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ulj/vol29/iss1/2/

Approaches To Regulating Privacy Dark Patterns, Matthew Gaulton, Dominique Kelly, Jacquelyn Burkell

FIMS Publications

In this paper, we will evaluate new bills slated to replace the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and offer stronger privacy dark pattern protections to Canadians.

Existing scholarship in the realm of privacy law, such as “Deceptive Design and Ongoing Consent in Privacy Law” by Jeremy Wiener and “Privacy Dark Patterns: A Case for Regulatory Reform in Canada” by Ademola Adeyoju, primarily focuses on creating frameworks for understanding privacy dark patterns in the law and explaining the pitfalls and legal inadequacies surrounding dark pattern legislation in Canada.

However, the aim of this paper diverges significantly. While acknowledging …

Examining How Users Perceive And Respond To Dark Patterns, Vicky Chung, Dominique Kelly, Jacquelyn Burkell

FIMS Publications

Dark patterns are user interface (UI) design elements that influence users to take actions that benefit an online service and that are generally not in the user’s best interest. Studies show that users demonstrate some awareness of and ability to identify dark patterns. Users also report experiencing negative emotions such as annoyance when encountering these tactics online. Yet, while users may abstractly understand that dark patterns exist, there is a disconnect between this understanding and their behavioural responses to manipulative design. Research has experimentally determined that dark patterns are effective at influencing users’ behaviour across different online activities, including consenting …

Identifying And Responding To Privacy Dark Patterns, Dominique Kelly, Jacquelyn Burkell

FIMS Publications

Privacy dark patterns are user interface design strategies intended to “nudge” users to reveal personal data, either directly or by enabling (or failing to disable) privacy-invasive platform/profile settings. Examples of privacy dark patterns on social media include defaults that enable the public display of posted content, warnings that follow attempts to reject personalized ads, and hidden “skip” buttons that make it more challenging to decline privacy-undermining requests such as to sync contacts.

Our project aims to minimize the impact of privacy dark patterns on Canadian youth. Building on our prior research documenting the use of these strategies on five social …

The Role Of Content Management Systems In Developing Library Websites, N Selvi, P Vinayagamoorthy, J Shanthi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Library websites are essential in disseminating information and encouraging community participation in the digital era. Content Management Systems (CMS) have evolved as critical tools for developing and managing these websites, enabling content generation, organization, and distribution. This paper discusses the role of CMS in library website creation, focusing on its functionality, appropriateness for library purposes, and best practices for implementation. It looks at the specific needs of library websites, gives an overview of standard CMS solutions, analyses CMS selection criteria, shows case studies, and offers advice for effective implementation. Future trends and problems in CMS technology and library website creation …

Records Management Practices And Service Delivery In Private Universities: A Case Of Academic Registrar’S Department At The All-Saints University Lango, Abong Kenneth, Luyombya David

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The delivery of services in an academic department relies on its ability to manage records through good records management practices. This study was carried out to examine the records management practices in the Academic Registrar’s Department (ARD) of All Saints University Lango (ASUL), and how they impact service delivery. The objectives were to examine the types of records kept, records management practices, and the associated challenges, and recommend strategies for improvement. The study used a case study design with a qualitative approach that was employed in the study. Purposive and convenient sampling was carried out on the study participants. Data …

Creating An Index To Graduate Theses To Support Their Discoverability, Ellen Petraits

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

As a Research and Instruction Librarian, one of the most frequent questions I'm asked is how to find past theses on a particular topic or theme. There is an active thesis culture at RISD that goes beyond writing and binding a text. An exhibition is held in the graduate gallery to celebrate a curated selection of theses at the beginning of the academic year. (See Book of Thesis Books) Theses can range in format from an artist book to a loose-leaf portfolio. Many emphasize the visual and are a bridge to the student’s studio work. They may include unusual or …

Publishing As Hidden Curriculum: How Learning To Publish Is A Piecemeal Process For Graduate Students, Martha Stuit, Christy Caldwell, Lucia Orlando

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

This presentation will share the results of a survey on what and how graduate students learn about the publishing process at an R1 university. This presentation will build on an earlier poster about our study, called “Making the Publishing Process More Transparent: Identifying a Baseline for Publishing Support through Researching Gaps between Graduate Students and Their Faculty Advisors’ Support,” at Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students (TLGS) 2022 (Stuit 2022). That poster covered our methods, literature review, and research questions. This full-length presentation will cover our findings and takeaways that other librarians may use in their work with graduate students.

Faculty …

Teaching A Credit-Bearing Library Course For Graduate Students: From Proposal To Postmortem, Jill Cirasella

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

For years, library faculty at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York had fantasized about some day offering a credit-bearing course to our master’s and doctoral students. In 2021, we finally transitioned from idle dreams to directed discussion. As we explored how to get a library course on the books at an institution that had never before had one, we had to rethink and rework our plans several times, in unexpected but not unreasonable ways.

For example, we had believed that a one-credit course would be most appropriate—and most palatable to the institution—but we learned that only …

Building A Graduate Research Exhibits Program In An Academic Library, Alyssa Wright, Sally Brown

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

This session will describe West Virginia University Libraries’ annual Graduate Student Exhibits Award. The award, managed by our Art in the Libraries Committee, invites current graduate students to submit ideas for an exhibit to visually showcase their scholarship in new and experimental ways. These can present a visual evolution of their work, visualize their research and influences, or answer a research question. Graduate student proposals can be based on academic or creative research and lend themselves to visual interpretation with Library consultation. Awards include a $500 prize and help with design, installation, promotion, and coordination of a public program, offering …

Supporting Graduate Students Conducting Human Subject Research, Jay-Marie Bravent

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Current events and research trends related to COVID, climate change, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, mental health, social justice, as well as other public health and social issues have heightened the need and demand for human subject research projects across all disciplines, including librarianship. Librarians and archivists serving at all types of repositories, including government, public libraries, local museums and cultural institutions, historical societies, corporate libraries, hospitals, or universities, have a crucial stake in collecting and preserving materials that support this current scholarship. Graduate students and new professional librarians and archivists need to be trained and prepared to serve as …

Lanthorn, Vol. 58, No. 14, March 11, 2024, Grand Valley State University

Volume 58, August 7, 2023 - April 15, 2024

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Judicial Libraries As Predictors For Effective Administration Of Justice In Nigeria, Emmanuel Owushi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined judicial libraries as predictors for effective administration of justice in Nigeria. The population involved all legal practitioners and legal educators in Nigeria. 4000 respondents were sampled. Due to unavailability of the population at the time of the study, the adopted convenience sampling technique to sample 4000 respondents across legal professional bodies in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire titled ‘Use of Judicial Library and Administration of Justice Scale’ was used for data collection. The questionnaire was structured with the 4-point Likert scale response style, designed on Google form and distributed to the respondents via various social media platforms. A …

Empowering The Future Of Learning: Integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4ir) Technology In Enugu State Secondary School Libraries To Enhance Literacy Level Among Students, Cyriacus Sochinwekene Aneke

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology in Enugu State secondary school libraries to enhance literacy level among students. The research design adopted for this study was Descriptive Survey Design. The population of the study is derived from ten (10) schools from each of the six (6) education zones in Enugu State. The intended population was 1, 044, 890 students and 60 school/teacher librarians, but Taro Yamane's formula resulted in 399 students and 52 school/teacher librarians. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and the collected data were analyzed using frequency, mean and standard deviation. The …

University Libraries Impact Report 2023, Leslie Haynsworth, Kristine Hontz

University Libraries Policies and Reports

A report on notable activities in University of South Carolina Libraries in 2023.

Promoting Your Scholarship To Other Researchers For Maximum Effect, Barbara M. Pope

Faculty Submissions

Getting the word out about your scholarship is fundamental to other researchers being able to read it. Greater visibility in turn augments the possibility of researchers citing your work and higher altmetrics scores. There are easy and sustainable ways of publicizing your scholarship, including depositing articles into a repository, where it can be seen by scholars around the world. Researchers can also locate download and citation data on their scholarship and use it to support tenure and promotion dossiers and annual performance reports. Come to this session to learn about the importance of making your scholarship more visible and gauging …

Digital Humanities Development And Innovations That Enhance Information Markets In Academic Institutions, Elisha Ondieki Makori, Hellen Gesare Omangi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose was to investigate digital humanities development and innovations that enhance information markets while expanding strategic and competitive value in academic institutions in Kenya. Objectives included examining the extent to which digital humanities and applications enhance information markets in academic institutions; exploring digital humanities and innovations that support research and learning in academic institutions; establishing emerging digital technologies and innovations that promote information management in academic institutions; and determining strategies to improve digital scholarship for information markets in academic institutions. The research applied qualitative information from information professional experts that was collected through the interview schedule. Modern transition to …

Ai Tools For Literature Reviews, Jing Lu, Zoeanna A. Mayhook

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

With the proliferation of AI tools, graduate students often ask themselves how these tools can be ethically used to bolster their research. ChatGPT has gained traction, but its utility is constrained by issues like outdated information, artificial hallucinations, and limited access to scholarly publications hidden behind a paywall. Fortunately, new AI tools have been developed that promote academic exploration and discovery, such as offering generative article summaries, citation chaining, and thematic literature mapping capabilities. This workshop will explore three AI tools—Perplexity, Research Rabbit, and Inciteful—designed to support the research and literature review process. This session will provide a demonstration showcasing …

Assessing The Integration Of Information And Communication Technology (Ict) In Library Service Delivery At The Ashanti Regional Library, Akosua Boatemaa Adarkwa, Adwoa Pokua - Ababio, Chrisbel Adusei

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study assesses the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in library service delivery at the Ashanti Regional Library. Specifically, it sought to assess the available ICT infrastructure in the library, evaluate the extent of adoption of ICT tools by the library, examine the ICT skill level of staff and users, identify challenges in the usage of ICT infrastructure, and propose measures for improving ICT in the library. A survey research design was employed to gather responses from 66 library users/patrons and 25 library staff through the use of questionnaires. Findings indicate a moderate level of ICT adoption indicating …

Introduction To The Special Issue: Responsible Ai In Libraries And Archives, Sara Mannheimer, Doralyn Rossmann, Jason Clark, Yasmeen Shorish, Natalie Bond, Hannah Scates Kettler, Bonnie Sheehey, Scott W.H. Young

Mansfield Library Faculty Publications

Librarians and archivists are often early adopters and experimenters with new technologies. Our field is also interested in critically engaging with technology, and we are well-positioned to be leaders in the slow and careful consideration of new technologies. Therefore, as librarians and archivists have begun using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance library services, we also aim to interrogate the ethical issues that arise while using AI to enhance collection description and discovery and streamline reference services and teaching. The IMLS-funded Responsible AI in Libraries and Archives project aims to create resources that will help practitioners make ethical decisions when implementing …