Unveiling the veiled: Wikipedia collaborating with academic libraries in Africa in creating visibility for African women through Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scholastica Chizoma Ukwoma ◽  
Ngozi Eunice Osadebe ◽  
Victoria Nwamaka Okafor ◽  
Chinwe Nwogo Ezeani
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
African Women ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
Library Resources

Purpose This study aims to show that digital literacy can serve as a tool for effecting social change and highlights the achievements of an academic library in digital content creation using the Wikipedia platform. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted qualitative research method, Interview and document analysis were used for data gathering. Data gathered were analysed using content (conceptual) analysis. Findings Findings showed that the library has created or edited digital content for various categories of women, such as women in academia, industry and politics. These entries have received more than eight million views over a period of two years, which shows that the entries are being utilised. However, the editing exercise had been confronted with challenges such as accessing reliable citations in terms of the notability and verifiability policy of Wikipedia amongst others. Practical implications Currently, people rely more on online resources for their research, leaving physical library resources unused. Even, more students start their research online using Wikipedia. Thus, libraries could create visibility for their physical material using regularly visited sites like Wikipedia and its sister projects such as Wikidata; otherwise, these physical materials will remain invisible to the people that needed them. Originality/value Contributing to Wikipedia by creating a new entry or editing an existing one can help students to deepen their knowledge about a subject; Wikipedia editing may serve as an avenue for improving information literacy skills. Drawing from the theory of cyberfeminism as used in the study, information and communications technology has the potential to empower women and transform gender relations.

Academic library for excellence today: a report from the panel discussion

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
Dinesh K. Siddaiah
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Sixth International

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present my panel discussion report on Academic Library for excellence today, a sub-theme of the Sixth International Library and Information Summit on Dynamics of Library for Excellence in Electronic Revolution (I-LIPS – 2017), IISER Mohali, India. In this report, two sets of academic and research support services have been highlighted, which can be developed more extensively and offer to academic library users. Design/methodology/approach Excerpts from the panel discussion on the academic library for excellence today. Findings Academic and research support can bring excellence in libraries today. Originality/value Today more and more focus is required on developing academic, research and digital literacy skills of our library users.

scholarly journals The role of libraries in teaching doctoral students to become information-literate researchers

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 158-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Ince ◽  
Christopher Hoadley ◽  
Paul A. Kirschner
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Literacy Practices ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Types Of Information

PurposeThis paper aims to review current literature pertaining to information literacy and digital literacy skills and practices within the research workflow for doctoral students and makes recommendations for how libraries (and others) can foster skill-sets for graduate student research workflows for the twenty-first century scholarly researcher.Design/methodology/approachA review of existing information literacy practices for doctoral students was conducted, and four key areas of knowledge were identified and discussed.FindingsThe findings validate the need for graduate students to have training in information literacy, information management, knowledge management and scholarly communication. It recommends empirical studies to be conducted to inform future practices for doctoral students.Practical implicationsThis paper offers four areas of training to be considered by librarians and faculty advisers to better prepare scholars for their future.Originality/valueThis paper presents a distinctive synthesis of the types of information literacy and digital literacy skills needed by graduate students.

Creating Global Classrooms Using Universal Design for Learning

2017 ◽  
pp. 703-725
Author(s):  
Victoria Brown
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Classroom Technology ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Culturally Diverse Students ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Global World

Media and digital content has become an integral part of our lives. Digital content has expanded the opportunities for accessing information for individuals with special needs and classrooms with culturally diverse students. Because the digital content is taught through multiple modes, it provides access to information previously available only through print formats. By incorporating universal design into the classroom, the students are using media and digital literacy skills, preparing them for the global world in which they live. In this chapter, a description of universal design will be provided, how to use the digital and media content to create a classroom that honors diversity, and how to use universal design for teaching different languages. The concepts of universal design and the global classroom are pulled together through project or problem-based learning. Finally, a glimpse into the future classroom technology is provided.

Creating Global Classrooms Using Universal Design for Learning

2016 ◽  
pp. 186-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Brown
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Classroom Technology ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Culturally Diverse Students ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Global World

Media and digital content has become an integral part of our lives. Digital content has expanded the opportunities for accessing information for individuals with special needs and classrooms with culturally diverse students. Because the digital content is taught through multiple modes, it provides access to information previously available only through print formats. By incorporating universal design into the classroom, the students are using media and digital literacy skills, preparing them for the global world in which they live. In this chapter, a description of universal design will be provided, how to use the digital and media content to create a classroom that honors diversity, and how to use universal design for teaching different languages. The concepts of universal design and the global classroom are pulled together through project or problem-based learning. Finally, a glimpse into the future classroom technology is provided.

Marketing academic library information services using social media

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 228-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suha AlAwadhi ◽  
Sultan M. Al-Daihani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the use of social media in the marketing of academic library resources and services in Kuwait and identifies the factors related to the use of social media applications in marketing academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative data-collection approach using a paper and online questionnaire has been employed to elicit the opinions of librarians working in academic libraries in Kuwait in both private and public institutions. In total, 89 valid questionnaires have been analyzed using descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (factor analysis, correlations, experimental analysis and regression).FindingsThe study shows that the academic librarians have a positive perception toward the use of social media. The identified factors relating to the use of social media for marketing library information resources and services are the usefulness of social media tools in raising awareness and in providing needs analysis and satisfaction assessments. However, management support for the use of social media for library marketing is poor.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into the factors related to the use of modern social media platforms to promote information resources and services at academic libraries to provide outreach services to current and potential users.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the field of information studies as it highlights the importance of using social media platforms in marketing academic library information resources and services. Library administrators could use the results to develop social media marketing plans to effectively promote their library resources.

A subject specialist-centric model for library resources management in academic libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 281-294
Author(s):  
Mingyue Chen ◽  
Joyline Makani ◽  
Michael Bliemel
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Value Assessment ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Canadian Research ◽  
Subject Specialist

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze factors affecting decision-making on libraries’ electronic resources management under the situation of tight budgets in Canadian research universities. Design/methodology/approach Interview was adopted to investigate library resources management leaders’ opinions from English-speaking university members of the Group of Canadian Research University Libraries. Findings A comprehensive model is developed for library resources’ management. Subject specialists are the key of the model integrating marketing roles and evaluation roles. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are the small sample size of interview candidates, which may have application limitations on other types of libraries and universities in different areas. Practical implications This study generates a comprehensive model based on past research, contributing to future library decision-making practices. Originality/value It develops a subject specialist-centric model of library resources’ value assessment and brings the element of culture into future studies of academic library.

Conceptualizing the integration of digital humanities in instructional services

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Pun
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Visual Literacy ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Instructional Services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize how digital humanities (DH) projects can be integrated into instructional services programs in libraries. The paper draws on three digital projects from the New York Public Library (NYPL) and explores how librarians can creatively utilize these resources to teach new digital literacy skills such as data analysis and data management. For patrons, they can learn about the content of these crowd-sourcing projects as well. By integrating DH projects into library instruction, the possibilities and opportunities to expand and explore new research and teaching areas are timely and relevant. Design/methodology/approach – The approach of this paper is to explore NYPL’s three digital projects and underscore how they can be integrated into instructional services: “What’s On the Menu,” “Direct Me NYC” and “Map Warper” all offer strengths and limitations but they serve as paradigms to explore how digital resources can serve multipurpose use: they are databases, digital repositories and digital libraries but they can also serve as instructional service tools. Findings – The paper conceptualizes how three DH projects can serve as teaching opportunities for instructional services, particularly teaching digital literacy skills. By exploring the content of each digital project, the paper suggests that users can develop traditional information literacy skills but also digital literacy skills. In addition, as crowdsourcing projects, the Library also benefits from this engagement since users are adding transcriptions or rectified maps to the Library’s site. Patrons develop visual literacy skills as well. The paper addresses how librarians can meet the needs of the scholarly community through these new digital resources. While the paper only addresses the possibilities of these integrations, these ideas can be considered and implemented in any library. Practical implications – The paper addresses positive outcomes with these digital resources to be used for library instructional services. Based on these projects, the paper recommends that DH projects can be integrated into such instructions to introduce new content and digital skills if appropriate. Although, there are limitations with these digital resources, it is possible to maximize their usage if they are used in a different and creative way. It is possible for DH projects to be more than just digital projects but to act as a tool of digital literacy instruction. Librarians must play a creative role to address this gap. However, another limitation is that librarians themselves are “new” to these resources and may find it challenging to understand the importance of DH projects in scholarly research. Originality/value – This paper introduces DH projects produced in a public research library and explores how librarians can use these digital projects to teach patrons on how to analyze data, maps and other content to develop digital literacy skills. The paper conceptualizes the significant roles that these DH projects and librarians can play as critical mediators to introducing and fostering digital literacy in the twenty-first century. The paper can serve as an interest to academic and public libraries with large research collections and digital projects. By offering new innovative ideas of integrating DH into instructional services, the paper addresses how DH projects teaching tools can support specific digital skills such as visual literacy and data analysis.

An investigation of the digital literacy skills and knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university libraries in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 311-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuma Clement Okeji ◽  
Eriye Chris Tralagba ◽  
Ifeyinwa Calista Obi
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Security Software ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Filtering Routers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the digital literacy skills possessed by librarians working in university libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was developed using SurveyMonkey to collect data from 111 librarians working in both public and private universities in Nigeria. Findings The study revealed the digital literacy skills that the librarians rated as very high and high, and those that they rated as moderate and low. The study also revealed the knowledge and competencies that they rated to be highly competent and competent, as well as also those that they rated to be neutral and not good. The librarians rated their knowledge of network and system security; ability to apply security software firewalls, filtering routers and ability to protect access to digital content by providing password or IP base access as neutral and not good. Overall, the study revealed that almost half of the librarians rated their level of digital literacy skills possessed to be moderate. Only few librarians rated their digital literacy skills to be excellent. Practical implications The findings will be helpful to librarians, information professionals, libraries and library schools. The results will inform librarians on the skills and digital competencies that are essential for developing and managing digital resources and protecting digital contents. Originality/value Findings will be helpful to explore the skills and competencies needed by information professionals and to act as a guideline for competency development and curriculum update in library schools in developing countries.

An assessment of academic library services: international and domestic students perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 631-653
Author(s):  
Sanaz Soltani ◽  
Shahrokh Nikou
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Domestic Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

PurposeInformation literacy is defined as discrete abilities that a person requires to have in order to find, assess, use and share information. As information literacy skills play a prominent role in the students' academic achievement, students and in particular international students coming to continue their postgraduate studies in other countries may face problems in finding and using library services. The purpose of this paper is to explore and investigate the information literacy skills, challenges and needs of international and domestic students at the Finnish universities.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey (82 respondents) and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 international and 10 domestic students.FindingsAcademic library services are used but in different ways. The findings indicate that international students have a relatively low level of information literacy skills compared to domestic students and faces various challenges, especially in the beginning of their studies.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was exploratory, and data were collected from limited number of Finnish universities and may not be representative of the underlying population.Practical implicationsAcademic libraries should provide effective courses on research methods and library services to the international students while keeping in mind the international students language and cultural barriers.Originality/valueThis is one of the first attempts in information literacy research that focusses on international and domestic students' information literacy skills at the higher education environment. As such, the results provided in this paper can help librarians and decision-makers at the higher education environments to plan better and become more efficient in delivering information services meeting students' information needs and expectations.

Relationship between personality traits and digital literacy skills: a study of university librarians

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-206
Author(s):  
Shamshad Ahmed ◽  
Tariq Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Library Professionals

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between personality traits and digital literacy skills among university librarians of Punjab, Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Five research hypotheses were established to achieve the study objectives. Two instruments; namely, “big five inventory (BFI)” scale of personality traits and a structured questionnaire of digital literacy skills (library literacy, computer literacy, tool literacy, information retrieval literacy and research support literacy) were used to collect the data. Pearson correlation test and correlation research design were used to examine the relationship between digital literacy skills and personality traits of university librarians. Findings The findings of the study revealed significant relationships between personality traits and all digital literacy skills. The study concluded that librarians having the extraversion trait are more inclined toward digital literacy skills and they can perform well in the libraries as compared to professionals with other traits. Research limitations/implications This study measures the digital literacy skills among the librarians of “higher education commission” recognized universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The study conclusions and findings are limited in scope to only the librarians of these universities. Such topic has no previous research. Practical implications This study has practical implication for university libraries, library associations, librarians and library professionals. The results of the study are also useful for librarians to acquire digital literacy skills, which are necessary in the current digital environment to manage the libraries. Social implications Library professionals can get digital literacy skills to face the challenges of digital age. Originality/value Some researchers examined the relationship of personality traits with the social networking sites, internet addiction, knowledge sharing behavior, information seeking behavior and academic performance. This study in particular identified the relationship of personality traits with the digital literacy skills, which are essential for managing the libraries. It helps libraries to find suitable library professionals and also help managers in assigning the duties based on these personality traits and digital literacy skills.

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