SociaLib: a collaborative digital library model platform using Web 2.0

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 622-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarandis Mitropoulos ◽  
George Dimitrios Baltasis ◽  
Michalis Rodios ◽  
Christos Douligeris
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Content Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Digital Library System ◽  
Model Platform ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Real World Situation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the SociaLib system, which is a collaborative digital library system. The system uses Drupal content management system to implement Web 2.0 functionalities and facilitate collaboration and cooperation between its users. It offers a variety of functions, like wikis, forums and it is also accessible from microbrowsers. Design/methodology/approach – The paper starts with a reference to collaboration in Digital Libraries and states related work. Then, it introduces the SociaLib system, including implementation and functionalities. There is also an example of how such a system can be used in a real-world situation. Ideas for future work are also included. Findings – The system was evaluated using a usability questionnaire on a subject of 50 people. The results were promising, showing user acceptance and satisfaction. Originality/value – This paper offer collaborative solutions to Digital Library users, helping them communicate and cooperate with colleagues on their research. The system uses Web 2.0 functions that enable the user to be more productive and also work mobile if he wishes.

Toward the e-loyalty of digital library users: investigating the role of e-service quality and e-trust in digital economy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Khalid Anser ◽  
Mosab I. Tabash ◽  
Abdelmohsen A. Nassani ◽  
Abdullah Mohammed Aldakhil ◽  
Zahid Yousaf
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Library Users

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the role of e-service quality and e-trust for achieving e-loyalty among digital library users in the digital economy. The current study examined the mediation effect of e-trust in the connection between e-service quality and e-loyalty.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional design was applied for the purpose of data collection and empirical findings of the study. Survey method was used for the purpose of data collection from 783 online digital libraries users.FindingsResults reveal that e-service quality positively predicts e-trust in digital economy. Moreover, in digital economy e-trust predicts the e-loyalty. The findings also reveal that e-trust mediates the relationship between e-service quality and e-loyalty links.Originality/valueThe finding of study suggested that individual level e-trust have a strong effect on e-loyalty in digital economy. Individual level aspects in term of e-service quality have a direct effect on e-trust to improve their e-loyalty. The finding indicated that digital libraries users in future will be more loyal toward e-service quality providers. The results are useful for the management of digital libraries and academia for future. This is the first study that includes e-service quality, e-trust and e-loyalty in the context of digital economy.

Evaluating Polish digital libraries from the perspective of non-academic users

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 714-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Górny ◽  
John Catlow ◽  
Jolanta Mazurek
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Polish Society ◽  
Set Up ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate the role played by digital libraries in Polish society, particularly in relation to users who are not in education or professionally engaged in academic work. Design/methodology/approach – Results are presented from a survey of non-academic users, identified as one of the key groups of digital library users in an exploratory survey in 2008-2009. The targeted survey was carried out by sending e-mails to persons who had supplied their addresses in the first survey or had set up accounts with the Digital Library of Wielkopolska. Analysis was also made of e-mail correspondence between digital library users and librarians, and data from digital library server logs, during 2008-2013. Findings – The research provided three interesting results. The first is that the creation of digital libraries in Poland has caused a significant number of people to pursue an interest in genealogical or local historical research. The second result is that the evaluations of digital libraries made by non-academics do not differ significantly from those made by students and academics. The third is the fact that at present, approximately 50 per cent of digital library users in the non-academic category are over 50 years of age. Originality/value – This is the first comprehensive study on the use of digital libraries in Poland by non-academic users. It shows what role digital libraries play, and to what extent, in the stimulation of cultural activity in Polish society.

Building digital collections in a public university library in Ghana: priority-setting and user needs assessment

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesba Yaa Anima Adzobu
Keyword(s):  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Communities ◽  
Library User

Purpose – Although user needs assessment is an intrinsic element of service quality delivery in digital libraries (DLs), not much has been written on this topic in the context of African universities. This is understandable as academic digital libraries in Africa are rather nascent. Even so, the most frequently-used needs assessment methods do not directly involve the users. This study aims to assess priority setting by academic library administrators and the needs of patrons of digital collections of a public university library in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of official university documents and interviews with digital library patrons at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana were carried out between September, 2011 and January, 2012. Five research questions were asked: what are the current conditions of the UCC digital library project, the user communities and their needs, what are the priorities set by the university administrators and library leaders at the UCC and the state of technological readiness in place and what are needed by the UCCDL. Also, what is the extent of collaboration by interested parties in the UCCDL? Findings – Three general digital library user communities were identified, that is, UCCDL staff- this community was composed of experts in both digital library systems and content, characterized as heavy users of the existing systems, as knowledgeable about articulated (formalized) user needs, and able to devote short (usually less than two hours) amounts of time to individual's needs. Next, are scholars and other visitors to the UCCDL – this community was characterized as having high levels of domain expertise and knowledge of library systems. They are also able to devote large but specific amounts of time (days or weeks) to their individual information needs. Visitors/Prospective users- this community was characterized as having varied levels of domain expertise and low levels of library systems knowledge. They are able to devote only short periods of time to their information needs or explorations. These user communities are influenced by diverse preferences, experiences, and knowledge structures. Practical implications – Academic libraries are increasingly advocating local user studies as a way to provide the digital library services that are relevant to the culture and user population of the academic institution. Replicating digital library user studies at the local level can provide information for improving existing services or developing new ones. Originality/value – In African public universities, there is little earlier research on digital library user needs assessments or DL priority-setting by academic library administrators.

A study on next‐generation digital library using context‐awareness technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Context Awareness ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Context Aware ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Climate Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Services

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the concepts of context, context‐awareness, and context‐awareness technology needed for applying context‐awareness technology to the next‐generation of digital libraries, and proposed context‐aware services that can be applied to any situation by illustrating some library contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigated both theoretical research and case analysis studies before suggesting a service model for context‐awareness‐based libraries by examining the context, context‐awareness, and context‐awareness technology in depth.FindingsThis paper derived possible library services which could be provided if context‐awareness services are implemented by examining and analyzing case studies and systems constructed in other fields. A library‐applied context‐aware system could recognize users entering the library and provide optimal services tailored to each situation for both new and existing users. In addition, the context‐awareness‐based library could provide context‐awareness‐based reference services, context‐awareness‐based loan services, and cater to other user needs in the stacks, research space, and a variety of other information spaces. The context‐awareness‐based library could also recognize users in need of emergency assistance by detecting the user's behavior, movement path, and temperature, etc. Comfort or climate‐control services could provide the user with control of the temperature, humidity, illumination and other environmental elements to fit the circumstances of users, books, and instruments through context‐aware technology.Practical implicationsNext‐generation digital libraries apply new concepts such as semantic retrieval, real‐time web, cloud computing, mobile web, linked data, and context‐awareness. Context‐awareness‐based libraries can provide applied context‐awareness access service, reactive space according to the user's access, applied context‐awareness lobbies, applied context‐awareness reference services, and applied context‐awareness safety services, context‐awareness‐based comfort services and so on.Originality/valueReal instances of libraries applying context‐aware technology are few, according to the investigative results of this study. The study finds that the next‐generation digital library using context‐awareness technology can provide the best possible service for the convenience of its users.

scholarly journals Students' Information-Seeking Intention in Academic Digital Libraries

2017 ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Faeizah Salim ◽  
Bavani Saigar ◽  
Pravin Kumar Armoham ◽  
Sarasvathy Gobalakrishnan ◽  
Michelle Yen Pin Jap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Digital Library Services

The purpose of this research is to examine students' information-seeking intention regarding academic digital library services guiding by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Data was collected among students in a public higher learning institution in Federal Territory of Labuan Malaysia. The empirical result of the hierarchical regression had confirmed that students' intention to seek for information in digital library was influenced mainly by their attitude, implying that, in predicting the information-seeking intention in an academic digital library with TPB was much better than TRA. The findings of the research provide broader insights for the academic digital libraries to be more aware of the important factors that influence library users in seeking for information and fulfil their requirement. A new motion can be developed by using the result of this research, which improve the knowledge from previous studies via the assessment from TPB.

Relevance of Web 2.0 for Library Services in Digital Era

2021 ◽  
pp. 660-684
Author(s):  
Jane Igie Aba ◽  
Theresa Osasu Makinde
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Organization ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Rss Feeds ◽  
Effective Service

This chapter is on relevance of Web 2.0 for library services in digital era. Web 2.0 tools play crucial role in effective service delivery of librarians. The study covers awareness, utilization, benefits, and challenges that affect the use of Web 2.0 by librarians for effective service delivery. The concepts generally implied that Web 2.0 can be used by librarians as information acquisition tools to gather information from sources outside libraries (e.g., blogs and wikis), information dissemination tools (such as RSS feeds), information organization tools that facilitate storage and subsequent retrieval of information (social bookmarking and tagging), and information sharing tools that facilitate the bilateral flow of information between libraries and patrons (social networking and media sharing sites). This chapter examines the concept of digital libraries and highlights the major features of a digital library and how it can be used. The potentials of digital library are very crucial as means of access to knowledge and information that will facilitate development.

Digital Libraries

2008 ◽  
pp. 152-161
Author(s):  
Micah Altman
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Design Issues ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Audio Video ◽  
Comprehensive Discussion

Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use by a particular user community. Digital libraries offer direct access to the content of a wide variety of intellectual works, including text, audio, video, and data; and may offer a variety of services supporting search, access, and collaboration. In the last decade digital libraries have rapidly become ubiquitous because they offer convenience, expanded access, and search capabilities not present in traditional libraries. This has greatly altered how library users find and access information, and has put pressure on traditional libraries to take on new roles. However, information professionals have raised compelling concerns regarding the sizeable gaps in the holdings of digital libraries, about the preservation of existing holdings, and about sustainable economic models. This chapter presents an overview of the history, advantages, disadvantages, and design principles relating to digital libraries, and highlights important controversies and trends. For an excellent comprehensive discussion of the use, cost and benefits of digital libraries see Lesk (2005), for further discussion of architectural and design issues see Arms (2000), and see Witten and Bainbridge (2002) for a detailed example of the mechanics of implementing a digital library.

Conceptions of digital libraries: an African perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-247
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Owusu-Ansah
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Global Digital Divide ◽  
Library Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to explore African conceptions of digital libraries from the perspective of the historical literature. This paper argues that the concept of digital libraries is a western creation and that there was a need for developing societies to develop their own conceptions to guide their own digital library development agenda. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review. The paper makes use of publicly-available literature on the theme of digital libraries from both the Western and African perspectives. The search terms used were “digital libraries”, “Africa digital libraries”, “electronic libraries”, “information communication technologies/libraries” and “institutional repositories”. A total of 89 publications were examined for this purpose. Findings The analysis revealed that most of the initial digital library initiatives in Africa emanated from the west with African countries benefiting from international initiatives to expand access to information resources to bridge the global digital divide. However, due to a number of contextual challenges such as lack of sustainable funding and inadequate capacity and strategy, the development of digital libraries was hampered. Thus, even though digital libraries enjoy considerable goodwill, there remain negative conceptions of digital libraries in Africa. Practical implications Information institutions in African countries must evolve a unified conception of digital libraries as this would largely drive the direction of digital library development towards achieving the developmental goals of the continent. Originality/value The study applies the attributes of innovation to explain contextual factors shaping African conceptions of digital libraries.

Evaluation of the accessibility of archival cartographic documents in digital libraries

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1062-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Kuzma ◽  
Albina Moscicka
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Goals ◽  
Metadata Record ◽  
Archival Documents ◽  
Access To Data ◽  
The University ◽  
The Way

Purpose This paper aims to present the authors’ attempts to evaluate the access to archival maps available in digital libraries. Its aim was to pinpoint the factors determining the effectiveness of access to old maps and to evaluate which Polish libraries provide resources in such a way as to give the users the best chance of finding the materials necessary for their research. Design/methodology/approach The presented research focussed on archival documents from academic libraries accessible from the Polish Digital Libraries Federation and available from Europeana Collections. The evaluation criteria were established along with features that determine the level of difficulty of access to data describing archival documents. The research took into account the way of recording the data about archival documents in metadata. The authors have also analysed the quantity of available resources and the consistency of metadata record. Findings The results of the research have demonstrated that one-third of the analysed libraries deserve a positive evaluation. The digital library of the Warsaw University and the Jagiellonian Digital Library received the best scores in terms of the description of archival documents. Considering the number of resources, the Jagiellonian Digital Library and the Digital Library of the University of Wrocław are positively distinguished. Originality/value The method of evaluating the access to archival maps has been developed. The criteria and features necessary for this evaluation and the way of their interpretation have also been defined. The future goals leading to the improvement of the access to the archival maps have been also presented.

scholarly journals Cognitive styles within an exploratory search system for digital libraries

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 970-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Goodale ◽  
Paul David Clough ◽  
Samuel Fernando ◽  
Nigel Ford ◽  
Mark Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cognitive Style ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Search System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Attitudes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of cognitive style on navigating a large digital library of cultural heritage information; specifically, the paper focus on the wholist/analytic dimension as experienced in the field of educational informatics. The hypothesis is that wholist and analytic users have characteristically different approaches when they explore, search and interact with digital libraries, which may have implications for system design. Design/methodology/approach – A detailed interactive IR evaluation of a large cultural heritage digital library was undertaken, along with the Riding CSA test. Participants carried out a range of information tasks, and the authors analysed their task performance, interactions and attitudes. Findings – The hypothesis on the differences in performance and behaviour between wholist and analytic users is supported. However, the authors also find that user attitudes towards the system are opposite to expectations and that users give positive feedback for functionality that supports activities in which they are cognitively weaker. Research limitations/implications – There is scope for testing results in a larger scale study, and/or with different systems. In particular, the findings on user attitudes warrant further investigation. Practical implications – Findings on user attitudes suggest that systems which support areas of weakness in users’ cognitive abilities are valued, indicating an opportunity to offer diverse functionality to support different cognitive weaknesses. Originality/value – A model is proposed suggesting a converse relationship between behaviour and attitudes; to support individual users displaying search/navigation behaviour mapped onto the strengths of their cognitive style, but placing greater value on interface features that support aspects in which they are weaker.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document