Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Blogs And Social Networks In Libraries: Complementary Or Antagonistic Tools?, Juliana Mazzocchi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Blogs are among the first Web 2.0 tools that libraries have used to communicate with their users. In recent years, however, they seem to have lost their role in favour of other tools such as social networks, especially Facebook. This article analyses the downward trend that library blogs (especially academic library blogs) are experiencing in relation to the explosion of social networks. The relationship between blogs and social networks as library's communication tools is also analysed.

Use Of Servqual In The Evaluation Of Service Quality Of Academic Libraries In Developing Countries, Brendan E. Asogwa, Boniface U. Asadu, Jonas U. Ezema, Cyprian I. Ugwu, Ferdinand C. Ugwuanyi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose – This paper assesses the quality of services to users in academic libraries in developing countries using ServQUAL model. The purpose was to expose the service areas where the desires of library users’ are not met, ascertain the causes, and suggest corrective measures.

Approach – Both primary and secondary sources were explored for data collection. Questionnaire and the websites were used, and the 3,832 library users sampled from four developing countries was the research population of this article. Data was analyzed and discussed using descriptive statistics, and other illustrations.

Findings – The paper revealed that in developing countries: all …

Teaching The Digital Divide: Connecting Students To Community, Knowledge, And Service Learning., Rebecca M. Marrall

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article addresses the purpose, the organization, and results of an experimental credit-bearing upper division service-learning course at a Master’s granting university, entitled LIBR 397: The Digital Divide. In addition to reviewing collegiate efforts on teaching the Digital Divide within the United States, this article also provides an overview of the challenges and successes associated with teaching such a course. In conclusion, the unique nature of the LIBR 397 course prompted students to see firsthand the complexities inherent in the Digital Divide phenomenon within the United States. Incorporation of service learning projects into a college course takes additional effort, primarily …

The Use Of Electronic Journal Articles By Academics At Mzuzu University, Malawi., Lizzie Malemia

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The use of information technology for scholarly publication is now commonplace all over the world. Academic communities in Africa are part of this transformation. The purpose of this study was to investigate academics’ use of scholarly electronic journal articles at Mzuzu University and assess the factors influencing their behaviour. Data collection instruments used for the study were the use of a questionnaire to the academics, interview with Deans of Faculties and follow up e-survey to some academics at Mzuzu University. The findings revealed that most academics had general knowledge of the electronic journals and this did not vary with education. …

Patron-Driven Acquisition And Monopolistic Use: Are Patrons At Academic Libraries Using Library Funds To Effectively Build Private Collections?, David C. Tyler, Joyce C. Melvin, Marylou Epp, Anita M. Kreps

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The library literature on collection development has recently seen a spate of publications and presentations on patron-driven acquisitions (PDA). The bulk of this literature has addressed the implementation and touted the successes of PDA at academic libraries, yet a counter literature has been developing, much of it addressing the potential failings of library patrons as selectors. There has been little focus, however, on patrons’ potentially problematic behaviors as post-purchase users of PDA materials. This study aimed to discover whether library patrons might in effect be monopolizing print books purchased via PDA via circulation renewals. The study found that there was …