Evaluating the usability of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology library website: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arslan Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Administration ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
Education Commission ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
E Mail

Purpose Library websites serve as gateways to the information resources and services of their libraries. In today’s digital age, the development of websites is inevitable for libraries as a means to provide users with online services at their desktops. This case study reports the findings of a usability study of an academic library website from the user’s perspective. Design/methodology/approach An online survey on the efficacy of the website and statistical reports from Google Analytics were used as tools to assess and track the use of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) Institute of Information Technology’s (CIIT’s) library website resources by national and international users. A sample of 550 users was invited by e-mail to respond to the questionnaire covering various usability features of the website. Findings Findings reveal that users are largely satisfied with the usefulness, convenience, design and quality of CIIT library website. Moreover, the users are mostly making use of the website for accessing research papers through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) digital library, exploring free online open access journals, searching for e-books and examining the library collection via online public access catalog (OPAC). This shows that the library website has a significant role in the pedagogical activities of the CIIT community. Research limitations/implications The results are limited to a case study of CIIT, Islamabad campus library website. Practical implications The findings of this study will help the library administration to overcome existing deficiencies in the CIIT library website. Originality/value The study is a foremost usability evaluation of CIIT, Islamabad campus library website from the user perspective.

Administration and cross-functional teams in libraries

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 219-225
Author(s):  
Joy M. Perrin ◽  
Justin Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Administration ◽  
Functional Teams

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assist library administration in avoiding cross-functional team pitfalls. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports the results of years of cross-fucntiional teams at an academic Library. Reports results of years of cross-functional teams at an academic Library. Findings Through shared trial and errors, readers will be able to avoid pitfalls and formulate questions not previously considered for their pursuit of cross-functional teams. Research limitations/implications While this is a case study, the lessons learned can be applied at any library where cross-functional teams are considered. Originality/value This study provides an account of teams at an academic library spanning a decade. Trials and tribulations are discussed.

Extended and experimenting: library learning commons service strategy and sustainability

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Gunter King
Keyword(s):  
Planning Process ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Engagement ◽  
Learning Commons ◽  
Library Research ◽  
The Commons

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share a compelling example of a library’s willingness to develop and design itself as an open-ended process. Design/methodology/approach – The case study provides a historical review of the library’s founding design, and an overview of the process and approach to redesign. The study contextualizes the library within current academic library research and literature. Findings – This paper explores the research, engagement and planning process behind the library’s exploration of new models and service configurations. The project was an engaged, inclusive, transparent, library-led process. The commons reestablishes the library as the “nerve center” of the campus. Originality/value – The paper offers an update to a 1969 report, and later book by Robert Taylor on the Harold F. Johnson Library at Hampshire College, designed as a prototype of an academic library. This paper will be of value to academic librarians, administrators, and historians.

Innovative management strategies for building and sustaining a digital initiatives department with limited resources

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collaborative Management ◽  
Strong Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Other Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer and explore innovative strategies for building and sustaining digital initiatives at information organizations. Although the examples provided are based on case studies at an academic library, the practices are rooted in project management principles and therefore applicable to all library types, museums, archives and other information organizations. The innovative strategies on staffing and funding will be particularly useful to organizations faced with monetary and staffing shortages and highlights collaborative management practices. Design/methodology/approach Concept of strategic and collaborative management practices led by an experienced project manager cross-trained in management, technical and soft skills enables the successful development and sustainability of digital initiatives. A cross-trained librarian’s management practices of leading the Digital Scholarship Initiatives at a particular university will be examined as a case study and aided with literature supporting the need for digital initiatives leaders to have training beyond the credentials of librarian, curator, archivist or historian in the technologically savvy twenty-first century ecology of information centers. Findings The innovative strategies implemented in the case study yielded increases in the number of hours of digital lab usage, digital projects developed, seminars or workshops presented, attendance of library hosted events, number of programs implemented and awareness on campus, all with limited staff and funding. The variety and level of production and marketing is instrumental to the growth and sustainability of digital initiatives. Practical implications The innovative strategies emphasized in this paper use the concept of borrowed or shared time to start staffing needs and is particularly helpful to organizations that do not have a strong line of dedicated staffing or funding to begin building digital initiatives. Offers small ways to start immediately while setting the stage to plan for big ideas for the future. Originality/value This paper suggests a credentialed information expert, such as a librarian, archivist or curator, that is, also cross-trained in project management and technology is the key to not only successfully leading digital initiatives but is instrumental for its sustainability and the marketing, growth and future of digital initiatives.

Communicating value through strategic engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 154-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Walter
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
First Century ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Campus Engagement ◽  
Library Assessment ◽  
Culture Of Assessment ◽  
The University ◽  
Library Value ◽  
University Setting

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore ways in which “library value” may be communicated in a university setting through more effective engagement with strategic planning and a broader array of campus partners. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a case study of an academic library in which alignment with the university mission and strategic plan and alignment of library assessment efforts with the broader culture of assessment at the university have resulted in positive gains for the library in terms of campus engagement and recognition of library value. Findings This paper provides insights into successful strategies for improved communication of library value to senior leadership, new investment in library facilities, and enhanced opportunities for collaboration across the university on strategic initiatives including student success, innovation in teaching and scholarship, and community engagement. Originality/value This paper provides library leaders with new approaches to engagement with campus partners and senior academic leadership in promoting the library as a strategic resource worthy of investment in the twenty-first century.

Evaluating the usability of the information architecture of academic library websites

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Mariann Silvis ◽  
Theo J.D. Bothma ◽  
Koos J.W. de Beer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
Web Developers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA set of 14 heuristics resulted from an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. A review of IA literature resulted in a framework for dividing academic library websites into six dialogue elements. The resulting heuristics were made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of recommendations based on a review of 20 related studies.FindingsThis study provides heuristics, a framework and workflow guidelines that can be used by the various evaluators of academic library websites, i.e. library staff, web developers and usability experts, to provide recommendations for improving its usability.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of the usability principles is the evaluation of the IA aspects of websites and therefore does not provide insights into accessibility or visual design aspects.Originality/valueThe main problem that is addressed by this study is that there are no clear guidelines on how to apply existing usability principles for the evaluation of the IA of academic library websites.

Hospital discharge planning for Canadians experiencing homelessness

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Buccieri ◽  
Abram Oudshoorn ◽  
Tyler Frederick ◽  
Rebecca Schiff ◽  
Alex Abramovich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Discharge Planning ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Communication Privacy ◽  
E Mail

Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better understand the scope of the issue, and how these patients are discharged from hospital, a national survey of key stakeholders was conducted in 2017. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness distributed an online survey to their network of members through e-mail and social media. A sample of 660 stakeholders completed the mixed-methods survey, including those in health care, non-profit, government, law enforcement and academia. Findings Results indicate that hospitals and homelessness sector agencies often struggle to coordinate care. The result is that these patients are usually discharged to the streets or shelters and not into housing or housing with supports. The health care and homelessness sectors in Canada are currently structured in a way that hinders collaborative transfers of patient care. The three primary and inter-related gaps raised by survey participants were: communication, privacy and systems pressures. Research limitations/implications The findings are limited to those who voluntarily completed the survey and may indicate self-selection bias. Results are limited to professional stakeholders and do not reflect patient views. Practical implications Identifying systems gaps from the perspective of those who work within health care and homelessness sectors is important for supporting system reforms. Originality/value This survey was the first to collect nationwide stakeholder data on homelessness and hospital discharge in Canada. The findings help inform policy recommendations for more effective systems alignment within Canada and internationally.

Staffing with students

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Skulan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Volunteer Work ◽  
University Of Minnesota ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Volunteer Labor ◽  
Student Volunteer ◽  
Student Volunteers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the advantages and disadvantages to primarily utilizing undergraduate student volunteers for a long-term digitization project and to discuss methods to mitigate the disadvantages of student volunteer work. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a case study of the use of student volunteers for the Historical Campus Newspaper Digitization Project at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Findings This paper describes the process of recruiting, training and managing student volunteers for a digitization project. Both advantages and disadvantages to student volunteer work are discussed, including possible steps to mitigate the disadvantages of student volunteers. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to one institution’s experience utilizing student volunteers on one digitization project. Practical implications Librarians and archivists interested in new staffing methods for digitization projects can utilize this paper to better understand the benefits and costs to student volunteer labor before putting volunteer projects into practice. Originality/value This paper presents a unique case study of a digitization project staffed primarily with undergraduate student volunteers in an American academic library and archive.

Commons consent

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 570-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Storey
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Dynamic Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Learning Commons ◽  
Prime Movers

Purpose – Constructing academic library learning spaces involves ad hoc groups of agents often with fuzzy inter-relationships. Librarians and their user communities are initially hailed within these groups as prime-movers in realizing projects. Librarians bring to the table contagious ideas generated from their own profession in the hope of securing appropriate funding and planning pre-requisites. All other agents, be they internal community representatives or external architects, assist them in making sense of each other’s standpoints to co-create dynamic learning spaces in “commons consent”. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Using the community culture in The Chinese University of Hong Kong as existed in 2012 as a case study, this paper examines the reality of this process in terms of a new library for learning, teaching and research. Findings – Can librarians hold sway over the priorities of other individual agents, particularly architects, to gain consent to build their initial concept of the commons which they are vigorously promoting as professionally valid and educationally potent? In the co-creation of a building, individual preferences and organizational power structures in ad hoc groups drawn from the university’s distinct cultural environment fuel compromise and even tension around the librarians’ and architects’ original visions. Research limitations/implications – Many other case studies of library building learning commons projects would be useful to add to these findings in sensemaking, co-creation and community cultures. Practical implications – Assists library managers in their management of large buildings projects. Originality/value – An original case study of a major Asian academic library learning commons project which involves sensemaking, co-creation and community cultures ideas imported from construction science.

Assessing an academic library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in UAE

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoulaye Kaba
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Significant Difference

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to assess and compare the performance of an academic library, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on data collected from the library management system, usage reports of online databases, and monthly reports and archives to evaluate and assess library performance in managerial activities, collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, usage of digital resources, quality control, reference services and information literacy activities. Frequency distributions and non-parametric tests were used in identifying differences and testing hypotheses.FindingsThe study found that library performance before the COVID-19 pandemic outperformed library performance during the pandemic in collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, access and use of digital resources, quality control and information literacy. On the other hand, the library demonstrated higher performance in managerial activities and reference services during the COVID-19 pandemic than that of before the pandemic period. Interestingly, the analysis of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test revealed statistically no significant difference in the library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results supported all the eight hypotheses stated in this study.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study based on data collected from an academic library in the UAE before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings may not be generalized and may differ if more data are analyzed from many academic libraries.Practical implicationsCOVID-19 pandemic is a turning point for library managers to increase the number of digital resources and services, to ensure that library staff are equipped with essential and up-to-date information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge, to ensure that library users are equipped with essential and up-to-date information literacy skills and knowledge. These will enable them to satisfy users' information needs and ensure library operation in disasters and crisis periods.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies conducted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to evaluate library performance before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study could be an important reference in understanding how libraries responded to COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East. The results of the study may contribute to the provision of digital resources and services during the pandemic and disasters in the UAE and the Arab world.

Evaluating PDA using financial analysis for streaming videos: a case study at a US academic library

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Kerry A. Falloon
Keyword(s):  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Streaming Video ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Valuation ◽  
Valuation Methodology ◽  
Streaming Videos ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pre and post success of patron-driven acquisition (PDA) streaming video projects using financial analysis, thus comparing PDA as a collection building tool against other legacy purchasing practices. Design/methodology/approach This is primarily a quantitative study based on deductive data derived; however, it does include qualitative findings. Hence, it is a mixed study. Findings The study approaches this topic from the viewpoint that ongoing evaluations of PDA projects, based on savings and benefits derived, can be practically conducted and are useful for CD decision-making by purchasing agents in academic libraries. Research limitations/implications Caution should be used when generalizing this study due to its specificity of its library’s collection development (CD) needs and methodology. The study is not intended to be original research, but it builds upon other case studies in this area. Practical implications In addition to improving CD strategies, libraries could use this study to develop a financial valuation methodology, which can help guide purchasing practices. Social implications This study has implications to all library stakeholders. Originality/value Few studies have compared and analyzed streaming video PDA programs using financial analysis in a practical manner to aid library acquisitions.

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