Digital Commons Network^™

User Preferences On University Websites: A Study, S. Kothainayaki, K. S. Sivakumaren, S. Gopalakrishnan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The rapid development of information and communication technology has made it very easy to access information through various channels of communication. Website is one of the important medium wherein one can find all kinds of information relating to their area of interest. Websites of the universities reflect the activities and programmes that are carried out in the universities. The usability of these websites plays a significant role and an attempt has been made in this paper to find out the same. For the study, a structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the research scholars who are currently …

University Libraries In Kerala: A Swot Analysis For Marketing, P.K. Suresh Kumar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In view of the social, economic and technological changes, University libraries have begun to realize that marketing of information products and services is an integral part of administration. On account of information explosion, the technological revolution and escalating library costs are responsible for encouraging the university library profession to develop a professional marketing approach in its operations and services. This paper makes an objective analysis of the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of four university libraries in Kerala viz. Kerala University Library (KUL), Mahatma Gandhi University Library (MGUL), Cochin University of Science and Technology Library (CUSATL) and CH …

Information Needs And Seeking Behavior Of Law Faculty Members: A Survey Of The University Of Peshawar And Its Affiliated Law Colleges, Ghalib Khan, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article reports the results of a study of information needs and seeking behavior of the law faculty members in the University of Peshawar and its seventeen affiliated law colleges, Khayber Pakhtookhawa (North Western Frontier Post NWFP, Pakistan). Their preferences regarding various information sources, channels, methods, library use patterns, convenient study places, satisfaction level and problems encountered by them in their information needs and seeking have been explored though quantitative survey. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed among one hundred randomly selected law faculty members. The response rate was 86%. Results of the study revealed that majority of the …

Driving On The Green Road: Self-Archiving Research For Open Access In India, Mallikarjun Dora, Bulu Maharana

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The basic purpose of this paper is to review the relevance of Institutional Repository in the context of India and to prepare an account of the present state and future prospects of Institutional Repository in India. The paper is an outcome of a review of works in the area of Institutional Repository with specific reference to India. For this purpose, quite a good number of sources of information have been explored, analysed and assessed. The Study reveals that India has a huge potential for the growth of Institutional Repository. Hundreds of universities and thousands of colleges and other institutions including …

Present Status Of Library Cooperation, Networking, And Resource Sharing In Bangladesh: Web-Based Library Cooperation For Access To World-Wide Information, Mirza Mohd. Rezaul Islam

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Libraries have been cooperating and collaborating on collection building and resource sharing for many years. The cooperation was based on inter-library loan and preparation and publication of union catalogue. But the ways of cooperation in building resources and access to information resources was not easy and effective. Library cooperation for access to information resources was limited to the formation of networking among the libraries having homogeneous interest. Like many other countries, Bangladesh also formed networks of libraries of different disciplines of knowledge, which could not sustain due to lack of appropriate communication system. To ascertain the status of collection of …

Perceptions Of Information Professionals About Knowledge Management In The Information Institutions Of Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study, Md. Abul Kalam Siddike, M Nasiruddin Munshi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The main purpose of the study is to explore the perceptions of information professionals about Knowledge Management (KM) in Bangladesh. The study was conducted through survey using a pre-structured questionnaire. A short, well-structured both open and close ended questionnaire was sent 80 information professionals who had been working in different libraries of Bangladesh by post. The respondents were selected from each division of Bangladesh (30 respondents from Dhaka division, 10 each in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Sylhet division). We received 40 responses and the response rate was 40 percent. The results of the survey show that 90 percent of …

The Challenges Of School Libraries After The Implementation Of The New Educational Reforms In Ghana., Baffour Ohene Agyekum, Christopher Kwame Filson Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ABSTRACT

The study is focused on challenges of school libraries in the new educational reforms in Ghana. The study was conducted at the Konongo-Odumase Senior High School in the Asante-Akim North District of the Ashanti Region. It is aimed at finding the extent to which the reforms has improved school library service provision. The study revealed that, school library service provision has not seen remarkable change since the inception of the new educational reforms in Ghana. Some of these challenges are poor funding, untrained library staff, poor facilities among others. To meet these challenges, some recommendations have been made. It …

Use Of Information Sources By Faculty Members, Research Scholars And Students Of The Faculty Of Commerce, Amu, Aligarh: A Survey, Abdul Mannan Khan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of this study is to find out the level of use of information sources by faculty members, research scholars and students of the faculty of commerce, amu, aligarh. a structured questionnaire was administered to the faculty members, research scholars and students of the Faculty of Commerce, AMU, Aligarh. The survey reveals that the maximum number of Faculty Members as well as Research Scholars uses Journals for getting their required information, while Students prefer general books for getting their required information. After general books they consult journals as well as supervisors/seniors. It is also found that most of the …

Motivation, Job Satisfaction And Service Delivery: Mid-Level Staff At Kenneth Dike Library, University Of Ibadan, Nigeria, Christopher O. Ola, Bolarinwa M. Adeyemi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This is a study on motivation and job satisfaction of mid-level staff in Kenneth Dike Library (KDL), University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Survey method was adopted where responses were elicited through a questionnaire administered on the staff. Answers were sought to questions on staff welfare, satisfaction and productivity. The data collected was analyzed through frequencies, percentages and inferences. It is shown that the morale of staff in the target group was doused due to: frustration resulting from lack of involvement in decision making and inadequate tools and materials with which to work; over-centralization of authority; lack of proper incentives by way …

The Use Of Google And Yahoo By Internet Users In Nigeria, Obiora Nwosu, Isaac Anyira

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper investigated the use of Google and Yahoo in retrieving relevant information resources by Nigerian Internet users. It was found that Nigerians prefer the search services of Google to Yahoo. This is because with Google search engine, they are able to retrieve the exact information that they need; they obtain more relevant and adequate information resources than Yahoo; Google is easier to use than Yahoo; and Google retrieves faster than Yahoo. Most Nigerian Internet users have personal access through their mobile devices such as mobile phones, lap tops, palm tops etc. It was therefore recommended that Google should incorporate …

Job Openings For Library Professionals In Pakistan: A Content Analysis, Ghulam Mustafa, Munira Nasreen Ansari

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of the study is to discover the status of the job market for library professionals in Sindh Province, Pakistan, and to examine the job titles used in advertisements. Content analysis was applied to discover the status of the job market. LIS professional vacancies from 2004 to 2008 in four leading newspapers were analysed. There were 282 announcements during that time. Findings of the study reveal a lack of consistency in job titles. Academic librarianship predominated in the LIS job market during those years. Most of the job titles do not address the requirements of the job market. This …

The Availability And Persistence Of Web Citations In Iranian Lis Journals (2006-2010), Amirhosein Mardani, Mahmoud Sangari

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

To discover the current situation and characteristics of Web citations accessibility, the present study examined the accessibility of 4,253 Web citations in six key Iranian LIS journals published from 2006 to 2010. The proportion percentage of Web citations increased from 11% in 2006 to 30% in 2010. The most widely cited top level domains in URLs include the .edu and .org with respectively 37% and 23%. This study provides further evidence that organizations Websites have become increasingly vulnerable to URL decay .The results show that only 3,467 Web citations remain accessible in 2011, of which 71% allowed easy and long-term …

Teaching Information Literacy To Students Of The Long-Tail Market: A Pedagogical Approach, Ashley Paige Ireland

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper presents the perspective that the information-seeking behavior of the “Google Generation” is a product of the market economy in which this generation reached adulthood. This economy is marked vendors who make available everything in a given market, such as iTunes or Amazon.com. Using critical theory and pedagogy, instructors of information literacy are able to stimulate critical thinking, and encourage students to seek the motives for creating information appearing in all types of resources, rather than just those available on the Web.

Staff Training Programmes In Nigerian Public Libraries: The Case Of Enugu State Public Library, Jacintha U. Eze

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper studied the staff training programmes in public libraries in Nigeria with particular reference to Enugu state library. The training needs of the staff of the library, the extent to which they are exposed to training programmes, how they benefit from training, the factors that hinder training and ways through which staff training could be improved were looked into. Structured questionnaire together with interview questions were used to gather data from the 82 workers of the library who formed the respondents. 80 copies of the questionnaire were returned and used for the analysis using frequencies and percentages. Findings showed …

Free And Open Source Software Movement In Lis Profession In Pakistan, Ata Ur Rehman, Khalid Mahmood, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement has brought a series of alternative software solutions for almost all categories of software including Operating Systems, Database Systems, Web Servers, Programming Languages, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Graphics, Games, Networking, and System Administration.

FOSS Movement has got a major share in the market of software from its beginning. Libraries are the early institutions which adopted computer packages for management of information and automation of library procedures. FOSS Movement is very popular in libraries around the world. Libraries have been blessed with Free and Open Source Software including Integrated Library Software, Digital Library Management, …

Information As A Major Criterion For Success In Women's Group Activities In Borno State, Nigeria, Adam Gambo Saleh

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Women's groups constitute an important segment of the labour force in Borno and Nigeria in general. As early as 1930s, women groups such as Aba Market Women, The Amazons, and Matan Arewa had engaged in various activities aimed at improving their lives and contributing towards national development. Government on its part has recognized this fact and involved women groups in various development programs such as Family Economic Advancement Program (FEAP), Better Life Programme for Rural Women (BLRW), and National Program for the Eradication of Poverty (NAPEP); establishment of a ministry for Women Affairs; a host of NGOs; and spends huge …

Challenges Of Public Libraries Patrons In The Use Of Information Services For Attainment Of Health Millennium Development Goals, Abiola Modupeola Omotosho, Olatokunbo Christopher Okiki

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

Nigeria, as a country is still at the implementation stage of attaining the MDGs because of her slow developmental process and political instability, which has been a bane to achieving any set target aimed at improving the lives of her citizenry. The area of health related issues are included, maternal and child mortality has plagued the country through time. Lately, government and stakeholders are discussing development of health policies, establishment of health centres, and setting up information management centres on health for some hospitals in the country. However, Public libraries have been overlooked in this regard. Undermining the role …

Addressing Change In Academic Libraries: A Review Of Classical Organizational Theory And Implications For Academic Libraries, Glenn S. Mcguigan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

While in the literature of Library and information Science (LIS) there is much discussion of organizational approaches to solve the problems and opportunities posed by change, there is surprisingly little reference to the “classical” foundations of organizational theory. While by no means comprehensive, the purpose of this article is to provide an overview of classical organizational theory for academic librarians to inform the discussions of change.

How should academic libraries respond to change? Change impacts academic libraries from many dimensions, causing an intensity of introspection and soul searching never before seen in the field’s history. This self-reflection brings into …

A Review Of Problems And Challenges Of Library Professionals In Developing Countries Including Pakistan, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

“A librarian is a person who looks after the storage and retrieval of information. In a workplace, the librarian is usually a professional who is trained and educated to deal with information in a wide variety of formats and settings” (WordiQ, 2010). Librarian helps users to navigate into the voyage of internet and evaluate information efficiently. Librarian offers a helping hand for users to find out the required piece of information and to use it for personal and professional purposes (BLS, 2011). Due to the advent of Internet, World Wide Web and proliferation of online catalogue, the role of …

Impact Of Ict Skills On The Use Of E-Resources By Information Professionals: A Review Of Related Literature, Ganiyu Oluwaseyi Quadri

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

Today libraries are shifting their role from the custodian of traditional information resources to the provider of service-oriented digital information resources. Widespread use of computers, increased reliance on computer networks, rapid growth of the Internet and explosion in the quality and quantity of information compelled libraries to adopt new means and methods for the storage, retrieval and dissemination of information.

The modernization of libraries and information centers enabled information transfer and access, there by establishes a network of libraries and information centres. This initiative helped in resource development, resource sharing and their utilization at various levels. Information professionals subscribe …

Internet Use By Students Of Faculty Of Science In Two Nigerian Universities, Joseph Kehinde Fasae, Fasa Rachael Aladeniyi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

Internets are loose amalgamation of computer networks interconnected worldwide through several backbone networks (Adomi, 2008). It emerges as the educational tool by being a good source of getting the right information and solution to problems in an academic environment. Core research findings have been traced to the universities and application of these innovations has resulted in tremendous gains to country's economy according to Awoleye, Siyanbola and Oladipo (2008). No wonders, a number of universities in Nigeria are now making emphatics moves to improve on their information and communication policies.

Internet appearance in higher education was used as a tool …

Status Of E-Theses Repositories With Special Reference To India, Shantashree Sengupta

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

In the past, researchers were not able to access all the scholarly literature published across the world due to lack of proper communication technologies. With the advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), this problem is solved to a major extent and the results of the research going throughout the world is made available to the public without any restriction. The researchers adopted Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) in 2002 and with the help of Open Access (OA) made the research literature available to the world wide user community.

The Open Access Movement

In the last few years, the …

Connectivity And Accessibility In Nigerian University Libraries: A Survey Of Access, Usage, And Problems In The University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, E.D. Chigbu, C.L. Dim

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

The Internet is a connection of computers around the world to share data and information. It started life in America in the 1960s. It was later popularized by the United States National Science Foundation (NSFNET), the first nationwide educational network linking universities and academic research establishments. In the 1990s the CERN laboratories of Switzerland and the European laboratory for practical physics jointly developed the most rapidly growing part of the Internet. This is known as World Wide Web (WWW). This allows graphics and even video to be moved across telephone lines, bringing about more possibilities to the Internet.

The …

Web Based Information Sources And Services: A Case Study Of St. Stephen’S College, University Of Delhi, Raj Kumar Bhardwaj, Parmjeet K. Walia

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

The college library plays an important role in the overall development of students. Undergraduate students often visit the library to consult previous question papers and syllabi, to borrow books and other material, and to use other services. With the application of information technology and the advent of Web-based services, contents are now available to students on their desktop. Various consortia provide access to digital contents any time and in any place. Students want to see traditional services transformed into digital information services. College libraries provide information that can help lead students to graduate, post graduate, and research studies (Jefferson …

Workers Training Programmes In Two University Libraries In Nigeria, M. A. Adeniji, G. A. Babalola, Moses A. Adeniji

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

The most valuable resources in Nigeria higher institutions are the human resource; these personnel serve as a major factor in success or failure of various citadels of learning. Human resources in higher institution according to Alani (1993) are the lecturers, librarians, administrators, technical and unskilled personnel. These human resources co-ordinate and process other material resources to produce educational output. The academic staff is directly responsible for teaching and research and they form the bulk of personnel engaged in institutional services, while the administrative, technical and other staff provide a supporting service to the academic staff.

Libraries play an important …

Lis Curriculum Review Using Focus Group Interviews Of Employers, Khalid Mahmood

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

The employers of library and information science graduates are many and varied in nature. Designing an LIS educational program for diversified needs and expectations of the employers is very difficult. Library schools are always expected to get input from the consumers of their product about their changing expectations and needed skill set of the graduates. IFLA guidelines (2000) and ALA standards (2008) for LIS educational programs also acknowledge the employers’ right to know whether a given program is of good standing. They recommend the involvement of employers in planning and evaluation of program goals/objectives and curriculum. They also recommend …

Cataloguing In The Era Of Ict: What Is Happening In Public Libraries Of South-East Nigeria, Jacintha U. Eze

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

The public library, being a local centre for information – making a variety of information and knowledge available to its users, requires a well planned and good method of organizing and keeping the records of its materials. This is the reason why cataloguing and classification in any library should be given the necessary professional touch(s) especially in the era information communication technology (ICT). ICT in the words of Ejedafiru (2010) refers to technology that transmits, stores, creates, displays, shares, or exchanges information by electronic means.

Cataloguing and classification of a book simply put, has to do with sieving out …

Access And Awareness Of Ict Resources And Services In Medical College Libraries In Puducherry, S. Dhanavandan, S. Mohammed Esmail, M. Nagarajan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is widely considered as the most important revolution humankind has experienced since the industrial revolution and the development of movable type printing techniques. A country's development depends on the extent of use, speed of access, and skilled application of ICT systems. Computer and communications technologies have drastically changed the entire human activities including library and information field. Now a days -libraries are deeply engaged to modernize operations & activities to provide fast, integrated, interactive and comprehensive services. In the same direction with IT thrust the concept of digital library has emerged substantially. Various universities …

Promoting Open Access To Research In Academic Libraries, Priti Jain

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

"A commitment to scholarly work carries with it a responsibility to circulate that work as widely as possible: this is the access principle. In the digital age, that responsibility includes exploring new publishing technologies and economic models to improve access to scholarly work. Wide circulation adds value to published work; it is a significant aspect of its claim to be knowledge. The right to know and the right to be known are inextricably mixed. Open Access can benefit both" (Willinsky, 2010). Increasingly, this capacity to close the gap between developed and less developed countries through access to information becomes more …

Alleviating International Students' Culture Shock And Anxiety In American Academic Libraries: Welcome, Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Anyeong Hae Sae Yo, Bienvenidos, Huan Ying, Sanu Da Zuwa, Shalom, Swaagat Hai, David Koenigstein

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

In 2009, more than 3.69 million students attended college outside their native country. (OECD 2011, 318) The largest percentage, 17%, or 623,119 of these students, chose to come to American universities. (Institute of International Education 2010a) The next three most popular destination countries were the United Kingdom with 13%, France with 8%, and Germany, also with 8%. (Bhandari 2009) International students and their families contributed $18.77 billion to the U.S. economy in tuition, fees, and living expenses. The three largest recipients were California with $2.834 billion, New York with $2.296 billion, and Texas with $1.2585 billion. (NAFSA 2011) The …