Digital Commons Network^™

Practice Makes Perfect? A Retrospective Look At A Community Of Practice, Ramirose Ilene Attebury, Robert Perret, Jeremy Kenyon, Deborah Green

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Communities of practice have been touted in the organizational literature as an effective form of professional development in the workplace. When the University of Idaho Library faculty created one in the fall of 2008, they hoped the group would enhance new librarians’ understanding of publication requirements and research methods. Although the community seemed healthy during its first year, problems arose in subsequent years that led to its decline. Seeking to understand the nature of this decline, the authors conducted a survey and initiated a focus group discussion of former members. Analysis of data led the authors to identify three themes …

Publication Pattern Of Scientists Of Physical Research Laboratory (Prl), Ahmedabad, India, Nishtha Anilkumar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) is an institute of national repute and is being funded by Department of Space (Government of India). However, a bibliometric study measuring its research output has not been carried out yet. The present study is a step in that direction and tries to find the publication pattern of research carried out in the institute. The period covered is 1997 to 2006. The study aims to quantify the publication output of researchers at the institute, to study the productivity of scientists in PRL and to determine whether it conforms to the Lotka’s Law. It tries to discern …

Development Of A Taxonomy For Key Terms In Mathematics Education And Its Use In A Digital Repository, Pedro Gómez, María C. Cañadas Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Although mathematics education is a young discipline, it has developed rapidly over the last 40 years. During this time, the community of mathematics education researchers, teachers’ trainers, and mathematics teachers has produced a large quantity of literature published in books, journals, and conference proceedings and on Internet, among other sources. Yet there is currently no taxonomy of key terms for the systematic classification of the documents in this discipline. In this article, we present the procedure by which we constructed a taxonomy for Funes, a digital repository of documents in mathematics education. We establish the conceptual framework on which the …

Knowledge-Sharing Behavior In Dairy Sector Of Pakistan, Syed Rahmatullah Shah, Khalid Mahmood Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study is about knowledge sharing behavior in dairy sector. Two-hundred middle managers (with professional qualifications) from five industrial units in Pakistan were selected for study. Fifty-seven managers participated in the study (29 percent of the sample). Research model and hypotheses were based on behavioral theories, i.e., TRA, TPB, and TAM. Data were collected through a questionnaire using Likert scale. Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and structural equation model among different variables tested hypotheses of the research modal. The study proved that attitude, intention, and behavior had accepted mutual positive direct effects for knowledge sharing in dairy sector. Conversely, subjective …

Measuring Dhaka University Students’ Internet Use Behavior Of The Department Of Information Science And Library Management, Md. Maidul Islam

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This research has been conducted of the undergraduate students in the Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. A survey questionnaire was developed and used to collect data on students’ demographics, internet use behavior and purposes of internet use in the Department of Information Science and Library Management. The obtained input data were then evaluated using SPSS and the findings have been interpreted. The results showed that students prefer electronic media to printed media in seeking information and they use the Internet mostly to do homework and prepare for their lessons. The students find the quality …

Scientometric Dimension Of Research Productivity Of A Leading Private University In India, Dillip K. Swain, Dr. Bijayalaxmi Rautaray, Dr. Chandrakanta Swain

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examines the research productivity of KIIT University, Odisha, India in regard to 361 papers indexed in Scopus from the year 2000 to till February, 2013. The study attempts to measure authorship pattern, degree of collaboration, Year wise distribution of articles and corresponding citations, domain wise distribution of articles, ranking of authors, ranking of highly cited papers, collaborating countries and such other parameters. The study finds that the major chunk of research is contributed by three joint authors and the trend of collaborative research is rightly at its peak. The study further reveals that authors of this University have …

User Satisfaction Level Of Scee Nust Islamabad Library From Library Services Quality, Naimat Ullah Shah

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of the study is to empirically investigate the relationship between the quality of services provided by the library and the level of user satisfaction from these services. The data was collected with self administered questionnaires from the SCEE NUST (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Science and Technology) library users. The study used regression analysis to analyze the data. Results show a significant positive relationship between library services quality and user satisfaction. The article also provides some practical implications based on the results. Limitations and future research directions are also mentioned.

Pervasiveness And Purposes Of Library Usage By Lis Students At The Islamia University Of Bahawalpur, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study was conducted to assess the frequency and purposes of the library usage by LIS students at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. The researcher examined the usage of main library of IUB by students of 2^nd & 4^th semester of Department of Library and Information Science. Data were collected from 64 respondents through questionnaires. For data analysis, SPSS is used to determine the mean values of the reasons of library use, kind of material, access to the material, satisfaction with the library services, problem faced by the students and behavior of the library staff. The study shows …

Patrolling The Web For Pirated Content, Iram Zehra Mirza, Shahina Islam

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study is an attempt to get the insights on attitudes and behavior of people in the changing media landscape. The study highlights the online piracy of videos, games, movies, slides, mash-ups etc and addresses the impact that piracy is laying upon on the mindsets of users who are indulged in such activity. The study also signifies the reasons behind piracy, the frequency of doing so, modes of accessing, and likelihood of discontinuing the same. The study is one of its kinds which can be used as a means of awareness against the mass infringement cases which can help in …

The Sociology Of Library Crime In Nigerian Academic Libraries, Flora Ifeoma Okogwu, Uchenna M. Nnam

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The spate of library crime in Nigerian academic libraries is presently alarming. This paper, therefore, is designed to dissect the patterns and trends of this crime using sociological tenets and social dynamics. Through the literature review, the major causes, dimensions and implications of library crime were unravelled. Dearth of knowledge-enhancing, sought-after and expensive reading materials, environmental nature (physical and structural arrangements) of libraries, and economic hardship are some of the causes of library crime, which manifests in various forms: theft, pilfering, mutilation, and fraud. This paper revealed that library crimes have deleterious effects on individual users, library staff, academic community …

Ict And Internet Literacy Skills For Accessing To E-Resources Available Under N-List Programme : A Case Study Of College Library Users Of Barak Valley, South Assam, Manoj Kumar Sinha, Sucheta Bhattacharjee, Sudip Bhattacharjee

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present study has been undertaken with a view to know the scenario of N-LIST Programme implementation and status of the ICT and Internet literacy skills amongst the College Library Users who have been mainly drawn from the ten selected college libraries of Barak Valley of South Assam to access E- Resources available under N-LIST Resources. The present work was carried out during January to May 2012. For that purpose, survey method was adopted, which comprises of administration of questionnaire, observation of the participants, and interview of some of the participants for knowing the opinion of the respondents in respect …

Usability Analysis Of Homepage Of Websites Of National Libraries In Asia, Paramjeet K. Walia, Monika Gupta

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper aims to study the usability features of selected national libraries’ websites of Asia with regard to their general features of website, URL, window title, date and time, navigation, content, search and graphic and animation. A usability evaluation checklist was designed on the basis of guidelines given by Neilson and NIC (National Informative Centre) which was grouped into eight major criteria. After evaluating the homepage of selected websites under study it was found that the National Library of Japan is at rank number one among 23 national libraries of Asia and National Library of Maldives at the bottom rank. …

Cataloging And Classification Skills Of Library And Information Science Practitioners In Their Workplaces: A Case Analysis, David A. Cabonero, Russell B. Dolendo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information resources are useless when access is not provided. This fundamental function is within the concept of cataloging. Thus, cataloging is an essential process that provides access to all acquired information resources of the library for it allows people to find information needed for their personal and professional growth and development. It also provides access points to information resources in a way that users will be able to find the need information or resources.

With this, the study determined the cataloging and classification skills of library and information science graduates which is centered on assessing the cataloging and classification skills …

Application Of Marketing Strategies And Mix To Digital Information Services (Dis): Nigerian University Libraries Perspectives, Alice A. Bamigbola

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose: This paper aims at identifying the available digital information products/services (DIS) and marketing strategies employ for these services in Nigerian Universities.

Design/methodology/approach: Case study research approach was explored. The university libraries websites were analysed, email and telephone interviews were conducted with the System Librarians in charge of DIS.

Findings – The DIS in university libraries in Nigeria are on the increase compared with what it was three years ago. The available DIS are CD-ROM, Internet Search, open access institutional repositories (OAIR), E-resources, E-books, E-journals, Online Reference Services, and computer laboratory. The marketing strategies employ for DIS by …

Internet Access And Use Among Undergraduate Students Of Bowen University Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, Aderonke O. Otunla

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined the internet access and use among undergraduate students of Bowen University Iwo, Osun state, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used. The population comprises of 4,800 undergraduate students out of which 300 students were randomly selected from various faculties, 298 questionnaires were correctly filled and analyzed. The result of the findings shows that all respondents access and used the internet. Major access was through their mobile phones with 52.7%, only 6.4 accessed through University Digital centre while none from the library. Respondent used internet daily with 68.9%, 41.6% used internet between 7-9 hours a week and experience …

Open Access Literature Productivity Of Physics: A Doaj Perspective, Aswathy S, Gopikuttan A

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The World Wide Web has introduced new vistas for scholarly publishing which can be accessed online via internet. DOAJ is the most accepted and authoritative list of scholarly, peer-reviewed, fully Open Access journals. This study aims to analyze the contribution of open access literature in the subject physics through DOAJ. Directory of Open Access Journals covers literature contribution of a wide variety of subjects, countries and also different languages. Study analyses Indian contribution to DOAJ, institution-wise categorization, language-wise distribution.

Fundraising In Academic Libraries: A Case Study Of Selected Academic Libraries In Southwest Nigeria, Ronke Anke Olurayi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ABSTRACT

This study examines fundraising in academic libraries as a global problem. This has become imperative since what these libraries receive from the government through their parent institutions is not sufficient to maintain and sustain library services and operations. Academic libraries in Nigeria have resorted to other ways of raising funds for their libraries due to world economic recession and inflation which has hampered them from effectively and efficiently meeting their set objectives. This study therefore investigated fundraising in selected academic libraries in the southwest of Nigeria in order to ascertain their sources of funds, how adequately it is received, …

An Assessment Of Information Needs And Characteristics Of Users Of Oyo State Public Library, Nigeria, Shuaib Agboola Olarongbe, Olusegun Samuel Adepoju Mr., Hawwa Bolanle Akanbi-Ademolake Mrs., Taiye Austin Pedro Mr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information is a resource that is naturally needed in all human endeavors. One can readily infer that information is indispensable in human life, hence a basic human need, which has an over-riding significance to all and sundry. Meanwhile, no country in the world can progress without providing free public library services to the citizens. However, this study is an examination of the information needs and characteristics of users of Oyo State Public Library, Nigeria. It investigates what constitutes the information needs of the library users, what services and resources are available in the library to meet their needs, what are …

Problems Associated With Newspaper Management In A Ghanaian University Library, Afia Densi Asare-Kyire, Edward Mensah Borteye Mr., Victor Teye Mr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper examined the collection, storage, preservation and other management practices of newspapers at the Serials Department of the KNUST Library. The study was based on the subscription statistics from April 2000 to April 2012, a period of thirteen years available at the Department.Observation was also made to augment data gathered from the newspaper statistics and analyzed descriptively. It was revealed by the statistics that newspapers are subscribed, received and collected on a daily basis (i.e. six days a week) thus creating a huge collection. It was further revealed that the newspapers are bound annually which makes it bulky and …

Acknowledgement Patterns In Annals Of Library And Information Studies 1999-2012, Gurjeet Kaur Rattan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present paper analyses the acknowledgements appearing in the research articles and short communications in Annals of Library and Information Studies covering the period 1999-2012. The acknowledgements included in this journal are further analysed in order to find out frequency of their occurrence, types, number of acknowledgements per paper, highly acknowledged individuals, and so on. The results show that slightly more than 20% of communications contain acknowledgements and an average acknowledgement per item is 1.49. The acknowledgements are of composite nature comprising of moral support, technical support, access to facilities, financial support and Peer Interactive Communication type. The most common …

User Education And Information Handling Skills As Determinants Of Information Resources Use Among Undergraduate Students Of The University Of Lagos, Nigeria., Olatokunbo C. Okiki

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study set out to find out the impact of user education and information literacy handling on information resources use among undergraduate students at the University of Lagos as it relate to use of information resources in library. Two hundred and two questionnaires were randomly distributed to library users. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that different responses were given on their mode of skill acquisition ranging from program organized by librarian, trail and error, friends etc.; and the information resources used vary from individual respondents. The majority of the respondents indicated that …

Management As Sine Qua Non To Productivity In Any Organisations, A Study Of Public Libraries In Niger State, Nigeria., Olatokunbo C. Okiki

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examimed effective management as the basic and indispensable condition that must be met for enhanced productivity in any organisations with specific reference to public libraries in Niger State, Nigeria. Survey research design was used for the study . Total enumeration technique was used to cover all the 77 librarians that were found in the five public libraries in Niger State used for the study. The libraries used for the study are those located in: Minna, Kotangora, Bida, Lapai and New Bussa. The data gathered were analysed with simple descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages. Part of the …

Appraising The Quality Of Malaysian Union Catalog, Ahmad Fuzi Md Ajis, Zuraidah Abd Manaf

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study attempted to highlights issues relating to authoritativeness and quality of Malaysian Union Catalog, known as Katalog Induk Kebangsaan (KIK). The development of KIK records involved participation of 101 “participating libraries” in Malaysia. The study adopted document analysis methodology where 500 bibliographic data have been selected from the database. The bibliographic data were analyzed based on its compliance with International Standards like MARC21 and AACR2R. Each data were screened before going through the analysis process. Only qualified data were analyzed in this study. The finding indicates that 90% of the qualified records analyzed in the study are developed according …

Bibliometric Analysis Of Journal Of Knowledge Management Practice, 2008-2012, Nilaranjan Barik, Puspanjali Jena Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ABSTRACT: The present study Bibliometric analysis of Journal of Knowledge Management Practice covers the 180 articles of 21 volumes in 5 years from 2008-2012. The investigators attempted to reveal the year wise distribution of articles, authorship pattern of articles, citation pattern, country wise distribution of articles, average number of citation per articles and length of papers etc. Results showed that, in the year 2011, highest 42(23.3%) articles were published out of 180 articles in 5 years. Single author contribution has predominant with 42.7%. Average numbers of citations per article are 19. In geographical distribution of articles, USA has contributed highest …

Motivational Preferences Of Lis Professionals In University Libraries Of Pakistan, Nosheen Fatima Wairrach

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper analyzes the opinion of LIS professionals about their motivational preferences on work place in Pakistani Universities. Questionnaire survey was used as data gathering instrument. The main objective of study is to explore the preferred motivators of LIS professionals and the relevancy of Herzberg Hygiene-Motivational theory to Pakistani context. The findings reveal that the respondents most preferred motivators are: opportunity to learn new skills and groom, opportunity for career development, having authority and responsibility, sense of fulfillment and communication. The least preferred motivators for LIS professionals are: culture of innovation and creativity, job security, participative management, employee welfare policies …

Change Management In The Information Age: Approaches Of Academic Library Administrators In Pakistani Universities’ Libraries, Sidra Shan, Maqsood A. Shaheen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigates the understanding of senior/head librarians towards change management, what areas they consider most important for change, how they are managing the change in work place in context of information technology, acquisition of new resources, negotiating change among top and bottom level management and skill development, The study involves the supervisor librarians of fifteen public sector university libraries of Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) and Rawalpindi region as a sample and data were gathered by questionnaire, based on quantitative research method.

Practices In Library Staff Development: A Case Study Of Pakistan Academy For Rural Development (Pard) Library, Muhammad Arif Khan, Haroon Idrees Phd, Muhammad Mudassir Khan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study has been conducted to judge and document the initiatives taken for staff development at the library of Pakistan Academy for Rural Development (PARD) to enhance the performance of its employees for effective service delivery. This study also documents the visible change in professional improvement of library staff before and after such initiatives. The paper describes each initiative with explanation and practically applied examples showing its output and results.

This is an observational study where the data was collected through personal interviews, table-talks with employees, and annual Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs)of the subjects. Current and retrospective staff of PARD …

Designing Effective In-Service Training For Librarians In Pakistan, Arif Khan, Muhammad Rafiq

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose – The aim of this study is to examine the perception of Library & Information Science (LIS) community about professional training, training agencies and training methodologies. The study provides an analysis of development/enhancement of library practices and its relation with competencies acquired through professional trainings. It also focuses to describe the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of capacity building measures of professional library training as well as to identify loopholes of such trainings in the Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach – The research design for this study is survey. Data collected through online questionnaire using www.kwiksurvey.com from Pakistani working librarians. Some information …

The Politics Of Special Collections And Museum Exhibits: A Civil War Or The War Of Northern Aggression?, Christopher J. Anderson

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This essay examines the political nature of curating special collections and museum exhibits. Exhibits are designed to draw attention to historical or contemporary issues in order for viewers to reflect on the past and to ask questions in the present. The contents of an exhibit also echo the educational backgrounds, interests, and biases of both curator and curatorial team. As a result exhibits are framed ideologically, sociologically, and even theologically in order to give voice to the voiceless and to champion certain positions from history. This essay investigates the contested nature of exhibits by highlighting their basic and complicated spectrums …

An Assessment Of The Information Dissemination Channels Used By The Zimbabwe Women’S Resource Centre And Network In The Provision Of Hiv/Aids Information To Women., Nancy Nhendodzashe, Collen Nhendo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In light of a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among women in Zimbabwe, this study sought to assess the extent to which the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN) was effective in disseminating HIV/AIDS information to combat the pandemic among women. Literature reviewed that in as much as information was crucial in the fight against HIV/AIDS; there are other strategies that should be employed in combating HIV/AIDS to complement information dissemination activities such as economic empowerment of women and promotion of gender equality. The evaluation research design was used to accomplish the research objectives. The population of the study consisted …