Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of Electronic Information Resources By Distance Learners Of The Open University Of Sri Lanka, Irosha Marasinghe

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Electronic resources’ availability, accessibility, currency and reliability make distance learners use e-resources for their learning and research activities. This study investigated the use of e-resources in terms of frequency, types of e-resources, purposes of use, and reasons to use by distance learners of the Open University of Sri Lanka. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The total population of the study comprises 26,503 active undergraduates of the Open University of Sri Lanka. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of 379 respondents. Data were collected using a questionnaire and were analyzed using …

Library Staff Perceptions Of Virtual Library And Information Services At Makerere And Uganda Christian Universities, Uganda, Lydia Namugera, Joyce Bukirwa, Constant Okello-Obura

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study, which was underpinned by the ServQual model aims to determine the perceptions of library staff of Makerere and Uganda Christian Universities on the provision of virtual library and information services (VLIS), the challenges faced and strategies for the enhancement of VLIS provision. A qualitative design was used to collect data from eight library staff who were selected through purposive sampling until data reached saturation. The findings indicated that majority of librarians exhibit poor perceptions towards VLIS; as manifested in their reluctance to participate in VLIS provision, their conservatism, which impedes acceptance of new VLIS and their …

Restoring School Librarians: Challenges And Strategies, Debrah E. Kachel

Learning Hub

The article examines efforts to restore school librarian positions across eleven urban U.S. school districts, despite significant financial and administrative obstacles. It documents strategies used by district library leaders to advocate for staffing, funding, and policy changes, emphasizing equity in access to certified school librarians. Through structured interviews and analysis, the report highlights key barriers, advocacy methods, and funding mechanisms that have influenced school library staffing. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational equity and policy reform in K-12 library services.

Spartan Daily, February 6, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 7

“Burned Through”: Performing Social Justice In The Academy, Matthew P. Bejar, Saemi Lee, Terilyn C. Shigeno, Leslie K. Larsen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

In this chapter, we discuss and interrogate our experiences of infusing social justice into our research, teaching, and service amidst sexism, racism, and other intersectional forms of oppression that are prevalent within the academy and how this tension has tended to elicit performative social justice. First, we situate this chapter by summarizing our individual journeys with social justice in sport and exercise psychology (SEP). Second, we describe our collective journey as former graduate students and early career professionals. Third, we discuss the challenges that we encountered with respect to our social justice work. Fourth, we share the ways that we …

Spartan Daily, February 5, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 6

Spartan Daily, February 4, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 5

Intelligent Blind Crossings For Suburban And Rural Intersections, Shahab Tayeb

Mineta Transportation Institute

Blind intersections in suburban and rural areas pose significant safety challenges due to limited visibility and inadequate infrastructure. This project proposes an innovative solution leveraging the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) paradigm, utilizing connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) for seamless communication to enhance safety at these intersections. The research focuses on developing a specialized Road-Side Unit (RSU) system equipped with a Virtual Traffic Light Algorithm implemented on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Key stakeholders, including transportation authorities, vehicle manufacturers, and local communities, stand to benefit from this initiative. The RSU system acts as a critical infrastructure component, facilitating efficient intersection management …

Insights For The Future Of Car Rental And Ridesharing: Driving Behavior Across Different Levels Of Automation, Pranav Meda, Aubrey Victoria Contreras, Wei-Hsiang Lo, Gaojian Huang, Yue Luo

Mineta Transportation Institute

Autonomous vehicles are reshaping the car rental and ridesharing industries, potentially leading to a unified model of on-demand transportation suitable for both uncommon (e.g., business trips) and daily commuting. An exploratory study of human behavior towards autonomous vehicles can uncover the challenges and opportunities inherent in different levels of vehicle automation. This study aims to (a) identify behavioral differences in drivers operating vehicles at various levels of automation and (b) explore how these behaviors vary with different assistance feature styles, specifically between risky and conservative modes. Human-subject experiments were conducted among twelve participants (aged 21 to 29, including four women) …

Understanding The Prevalence Of Mental Health And Behavioral Distress In Transit Assaults And Presenting Targeted Response And Mitigation Methods To Reduce Victimization Trends, Kathleen Moore, Emilie Ellenberg, Melissa Carlson, Jodi Godfrey, Lisa Staes

Mineta Transportation Institute

This research project was performed to better understand the prevalence of mental health and behavioral distress in transit assaults and present corresponding targeted response and mitigation methods to reduce victimization trends. It includes a literature review, a data presentation and overview of reported public transit assault-related events, an examination of the contributing factors to those events, and documentation of 10 transit agency case studies. The literature review discusses some of the misconceptions of mental illness and associated stigmas and discrimination that can occur in response to these misconceptions. It discusses various approaches and strategies that transit agencies have used to …

Use Of Generative Ai In Aiding Daily Professional Tasks: A Survey Of Librarians’ Experiences, Lili Luo

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This study examines how librarians are using third-party generative AI (GAI) tools such as ChatGPT to aid their daily professional tasks. An online survey of 272 librarians found that text-generating AI tools were the most popular. The majority of respondents felt that GAI tools were effective in improving productivity. Key challenges included ensuring content accuracy and designing effective prompts. Top suggestions for better preparing librarians to use GAI include practical training on using GAI, establishing AI policies and guidelines, fostering collaboration and communities of practice, and providing access to useful GAI resources. The study highlights popular use cases that can …

Spartan Daily, January 30, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 4

Spartan Daily, January 29, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 3

Spartan Daily, January 28, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 2

Spartan Daily, January 23, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 1

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Data Privacy: A Risk Management Perspective, Norman Mooradian, Patricia C. Franks, Amitabh Srivastav

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to increase the artificial intelligence (AI) ethical literacy of information governance professionals by explaining how AI intensifies familiar data privacy issues by virtue of its dependency on data and ability to create new personal information, to explicate emerging privacy enhancing methods and to show their continuity with existing privacy and information governance principles. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses an interdisciplinary design research methodology that extends current governance frameworks by combining information science, information governance and applied ethics concepts. Three information sources were referenced: 1) academic papers; 2) standards and best practices published by governmental …

In Touch With Those In Need: How Touchscreen Devices Lead Consumers To Support Social Causes, Aekyoung Kim, Hyojin Lee, Saerom Lee

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

As consumers are increasingly using touchscreen devices (e.g., tablets or smartphones) when exposed to various marketing messages, this research explores how touchscreen devices alter consumer reactions to social cause marketing. This research shows that using touchscreen (vs. nontouchscreen) devices while viewing online charity ads featuring human victims increases consumers’ support for the advertised social causes. Four studies demonstrate this effect by examining consumers’ social media activities, donation intentions, and actual donations in field and lab settings. Mediation analysis reveals that using touchscreen (vs. nontouchscreen) devices enhances consumer support through increased empathy for the victims featured in charity ads. Together, this …

Spherical And Sessile Droplet Dynamics By Fluctuating Hydrodynamics, John B. Bell, Andrew Nonaka, Alejandro L. Garcia

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

We simulate the mesoscopic dynamics of droplets formed by phase-separated fluids at nanometer scales where thermal fluctuations are significant. Both spherical droplets fully immersed in a second fluid and sessile droplets which are also in contact with a solid surface are studied. Our model combines a Cahn-Hilliard formulation with incompressible fluctuating hydrodynamics; for sessile droplets, the fluid-solid contact angle is specified as a boundary condition. Deterministic simulations with an applied body force are used to measure the droplets' mobility from which a diffusion coefficient is obtained using the Einstein relation. Stochastic simulations are independently used to obtain a diffusion coefficient …

Action Research As A Pathway To Discovery In The School Library, David Vickers Loertscher, Michelle Young

Learning Hub

No abstract provided.

(Missed) Opportunities To Build Solidarity: A Critical Analysis Of Spanish-English Bilingual Children’S Books, Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica, Allison Briceño

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Two-way dual language (TWDL) programs have traditionally served white and non-Black Latinx students, with limited attention to other cultures and races. This limitation can result in the erasure of Afro-Latinx culture from bilingual programs. This study explores the ways Black characters are represented in bilingual picturebooks, which can serve to perpetuate or combat anti-blackness within bilingual education. We completed a critical content analysis of Spanish-English bilingual picturebooks that include Black or Afro-Latinx characters, employing LatCrit and BlackCrit theoretical frameworks to explore how Black characters are positioned. Findings show a significant dearth of bilingual books that include Black or Afro-Latinx characters. …

Self-Directed Learning In The Elementary Library, Maggie B. Doud

Learning Hub

This article examines the implementation of the "My Time" self-directed learning framework in elementary school libraries, focusing on its impact on student autonomy, critical thinking, and engagement. "My Time" integrates structured choices with flexible guidance, enabling students to take ownership of their learning. The author reflects on practical experiences and connects them to theoretical foundations, including Glasser’s Choice Theory, Knowles' self-directed learning model, and constructivist principles. Key findings demonstrate that "My Time" significantly improves student engagement, autonomy, and behavior through activities such as makerspaces, inquiry-based projects, and reflective goal-setting. The article emphasizes the program's potential to transform school libraries into …

The Data-Driven Library: Communicating The Value Of Your School Library Program To Administrators, Parents, Students, And Colleagues, Shala Howell

Learning Hub

This article examines the use of data dashboards as a tool for teacher librarians to advocate for their school library programs. It emphasizes the importance of linking library services to district priorities to secure funding, increase collaboration, and demonstrate the library’s impact on student outcomes. An eight-step process is detailed, including defining objectives, identifying target audiences, collecting and visualizing data, and publishing dashboards using accessible tools like Google Workspace. By crafting coherent, audience-specific narratives, librarians can highlight how their programs support educational goals, improve resource utilization, and foster collaboration. The article concludes that data dashboards provide a sustainable and compelling …

Characteristics Of World Class School Librarians, David V. Loertscher, Michelle Young, Charlene Peterson

Learning Hub

Over 30 school librarians across the U.S. and Canada and who had been nominated by their peers for their excellence were interviewed as a part of the AliveLibrary Project at San Jose State University. The major question was “What are the major characteristics of world class school librarians.” Each was read and rated by three researchers, and in several rounds resulted in eight major characteristics that seem to undergird high impact on teaching and learning across a wide spectrum of locations, affluence, diversity, and communities.

Librarians In U.S. Public Schools Without Other Kinds Of Specialist Educators: The Scale Of Opportunities For Instructional Leadership, Keith Curry Lance, Caitlin Gerrity

Learning Hub

This article explores the unique instructional leadership opportunities for school librarians in U.S. public schools that lack other specialist educators, such as technology specialists, instructional specialists, and instructional coaches. Drawing on data from the 2020–21 National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), the study highlights the prevalence of schools with librarians operating without full-time or part-time technology specialists, subject-specific instructional specialists, or instructional coaches. The absence of these roles often places librarians in a central position to support both students and teachers in areas such as literacy development, STEM education, and technology integration. Additionally, the article examines the potential for librarians …

Archeota, Fall/Winter 2024, Sarah Miller, Kaitlyn O'Dell, Erica Leff, Peyton Walters, Joshua Insel

Archeota

Archeota is a platform for SJSU iSchool students to contribute to the archival conversation. It is written BY students, FOR students. It provides substantive content on archival concerns and issues and promotes professional development in the field of archival studies. Archeota upholds the core values of the archival profession.

Contents

A Tale of Two Film Archives: History and Impact of the British Film Institute and the Cinémathèque Française by Sarah Miller

Enhancing Archival Access with Sustainability: Insights from a Library Scholar Internship at Cal Poly Humboldt by Kaitlyn R. O’Dell

Farewell to Our Winter 2024 Graduate: Interviews with SAA Student …

The Role Of Advocacy And Occupational Justice In Increasing The Accessibility Of Parks For Parents With Disabilities, Nathan Burke-Tan

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to address ongoing accessibility barriers experienced by adults with disabilities, particularly those in caregiving roles, in public parks and playgrounds in the greater San Diego region. Although many parks meet the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), research shows that caregivers with disabilities continue to encounter obstacles that limit safe, meaningful participation in community spaces (Dalpra, 2022; Fernelius, 2017; Firkin et al., 2024; Movahed et al., 2023; Ogletree et al., 2020; Prellwitz & Skar, 2007). These persistent gaps indicate a need for stronger advocacy and clearer public awareness of …

Visionmate: Ai-Powered Image Captioning Web Application, Sai Anoushka Kokku

Master's Projects

VisionMate is a web application that generates captions for camera-captured images. It is designed
to assist users with visual impairments by converting visual input into spoken and written text. The
application uses the GIT-base model from Hugging Face, which processes the image and returns a
descriptive caption. Users can take a picture using the device camera—either via webcam on
desktop or the native camera interface on mobile. The app provides audio output using the
SpeechSynthesis API and uses full-screen tap interaction to simplify accessibility.

The frontend is implemented in React.js, and the backend is built with FastAPI. The backend calls …

Unconditional-To-Conditional Transfer And Optimization For Web-Based Skybox Gan, Crystal Kwong

Master's Projects

Generative adversarial networks (GANs) are known for their ability to generate high quality
images mimicking real life or even particular art styles. Yet for all their capability, casually
training a GAN on an average machine can be infeasible as GANs require an enormous amount
of time and data to train. Even with a trained GAN, model inference demands heavy
computations, making GANs difficult to deploy on applications. To address these limitations,
techniques such as transfer learning and quantization have been leveraged to speed up training of
GANs and lighten computational cost of GAN inference. This project aims to use such …

Photoproof: A Mobile Application For Verifying The Authenticity Of Images, Pruthviraj Urankar

Master's Projects

The easy access to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as deepfakes and generative adversarial networks (GANs), has facilitated the creation of highly realistic artificial images, thereby undermining the authenticity of photos in today’s digital age. Misinformation and manipulation are key dangers to digital content due to this advancement. Therefore, the need for reliable methods of photo verification and authentication has become increasingly important. This report presents a decentralized iOS app that uses blockchain to ensure photo authenticity. The app leverages Ethereum smart contracts and cryptographic hashing to securely log image metadata. When a user takes a photo, the app hashes …

Optimizing Analytics Storage Strategies For Search Engines And Wiki Platforms, Sujith Kakarlapudi

Master's Projects

Modern search engines and wiki platforms generate vast quantities of user inter-
/="/">action data such as page views, edits, clicks, and session events. This data must be stored and aggregated efficiently to enable scalable analytics and responsive querying. Yioop, an open-source search engine framework, serves as our primary case study, processing millions of such events to power its indexing and recommendation features. This report explores a shift from the conventional database storage based model to a log based model, in order to improve scalability and write efficiency. A size-limited, append-only logging facility was provided to log analytics events: the …