Sustainable relevancy in the changing library job market in Kuwait

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanadi Jumah Buarki ◽  
Mashael Alomar ◽  
Munirah Abdulhadi
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Academic Departments ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Job Titles ◽  
Technology Applications

Purpose The Library and Information Science (LIS) discipline face challenges such as technology applications and information overload in its effort to remain relevant in the challenging job market. This study aims to determine the skills and knowledge needed for LIS professionals in the job market to rethink the current syllabus and offer better future employability. Design/methodology/approach The research used a survey method to collect data concerning personal information, LIS employment opportunities, job titles and skills needed. Content analysis followed to determine librarianship job listings and the need for LIS graduate jobs in Kuwait. Findings The findings suggested difficulties and challenges; they also compiled a comprehensive list of skills needed and recommended courses and institutions hiring LIS graduates. The research improves decision-making in syllabus development and experiences recommended by employers. Practical implications Academic departments can follow this research to develop and update their syllabuses according to the requirements of the job market, thus offering better future job opportunities. Social implications As LIS graduates are provided with better education, the updating of their employability skills will help them socially by recognising their employment status and economically by raising their pay. Originality/value The research is the first in Kuwait to collect LIS job titles and analyse employability needs.

The employment landscape and LIS education in Pakistan: challenges and prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amara Malik ◽  
Kanwal Ameen
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Future Orientation ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Job Titles ◽  
The Future ◽  
Information Landscape

Purpose This study aims to explore the current and future employment opportunities for library and information science (LIS) graduates. It identifies future employers and emerging competitors in the information landscape. The strategies that may be used to respond to and capture the future job market are also presented for LIS schools in the light of the study findings. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative approach coupled with the interview technique was used for collecting insight into the phenomena. Face-to-face and telephonic semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 faculty members (professors, associate professors and assistant professors) from 8 LIS departments. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data to present the participants’ opinions regarding various aspects of the job market in the country. Findings It was found that the job market was still traditional (library) and would continue to be so for the next five to seven years. However, the findings also indicated the emergence of a non-traditional job market in the country. New job titles and functions relevant to the emerging job sector other than libraries in the information environment were noted. Originality/value Findings may have a direct impact on the future orientation, survival and sustainability of LIS programs in the country. The study may inform curriculum revision and updating efforts to make it more relevant and responsive to future needs.

Department-specific collection assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
Xiaocan Wang ◽  
Jie Huang
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Electronic Materials ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Academic Departments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Future Work

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce the pilot project of collection assessment performed by an academic library for the Computer Information Science (CIS) Department specifically and share the experience involved in this assessment. Design/methodology/approach In this descriptive research, the library gathered and analyzed a set of evaluation reports for CIS-related print and electronic materials. This assessment includes analyses of physical items, periodicals, electronic resources, peers’ databases, faculty syllabi, as well as departmental allocation fund. Findings This project shows the importance of collaboration between the library and academic departments on collection evaluation and assessment. It demonstrates that the assessments of a department-specific collection can provide the library with insights into the quality of the collection and help librarians better understand the information requirements of the faculty and students in the department. By analyzing the data collected in the assessment, the library can spend the tight budget on the most needed core materials related to the curriculum and research of the department. This project provides a good example for future routine assessments. Practical implications The procedure, results and future work of this assessment provide other academic libraries with insights into and practical solutions to department-specific collection assessments. Originality/value The study describes a set of collection assessment activities specific to a disciplinary department undertaken by Spiva Library. Few studies have been conducted to study department-specific collection assessments. This type of study can assist a university library to develop a core collection in support of teaching, learning and research for individual academic departments.

Self-management and information services delivery of library and information science professionals in federal universities in Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 454-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ucha Mbofung
Keyword(s):  
Personal Development ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Delivery

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on ongoing research examining the current level of self-management of library and information science (LIS) professionals in federal universities in Nigeria. The long-term objective of the study is to determine the effect of self-management on information services delivery of LIS professionals. Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive survey method was adopted to gather data from the LIS professionals in the selected 24 universities. The questionnaire was administered on 429 professionals (census) and all were received, processed, analysed and the results presented. Findings – The study reveals that majority of respondents have high level of self-management and applied relevant strategies that enabled them identify opportunities and act on them for personal and professional growth. Research limitations/implications – The study was limited to practising professionals in the federal university libraries but has implications for implementing continuing professional development for all professionals in similar institutions across Nigeria. Practical implications – The study places emphasis on professionals, library management and library schools that they cannot downplay the relevance of self-management in the workplace, consequently training should be ongoing. Originality/value – The future of LIS professionals has not been viewed in the light of adopting self-management competence on such a broad scale, and with a view to assessing how this skill can help change the perception of professionals to its relevant contribution to personal development and professional growth.

scholarly journals A Study of Personal Information Management Strategies for Online Faculty

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna R. Kearns ◽  
Barbara A. Frey ◽  
Christinger Tomer ◽  
Susan Alman
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Online Faculty ◽  
Personal Information Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Teaching Online

The literature suggests that personal information management is a serious challenge for many computer users. Online faculty are especially challenged because of the large number of electronic files necessitated by teaching online. Those who have experience in this environment may offer valuable insights regarding information management challenges and practices. Faculty who teach online courses as part of the WISE (Web-based Information Science Education) Consortium responded to a survey that questioned the ways they manage email, computer desktop, Web-based information and learning management systems. The authors concluded that “filter failure” rather than information overload is the key issue in information management. The study concludes with a list of recommendations for faculty to manage their personal information.

Development and validation of core technology competencies for systems librarian

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asif Naveed ◽  
Nadeem Siddique ◽  
Khalid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Technology Competencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Experience ◽  
Technology Competency ◽  
Core Technology

Purpose This study aimed to develop and validate a list of core technology competencies for systems librarian in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Survey method was used to conduct this investigation. A structured questionnaire, consisting of 52 competency statements categorized into six core technology areas, was developed based on an extensive literature review, experts’ scrutiny and pilot testing. The administration of the survey questionnaire was done though online environments such as related listservs and Facebook pages. The received 62 responses were imported into statistical package for social sciences and analyzed by computing means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation and t-test. Findings The results indicated six core technology areas where competencies of systems librarians needed to be developed, namely, basic computing, programming and Web publishing, computer networks, cloud computing, database management systems and information systems. The respondents validated 50 statements with an average mean score more than three. Only two statements received mean scores less than three. The results also indicated higher consistency of these statements as the value of Cronbach’s alpha was 0.973. Research limitations/implications This research attempted to identify and validate core technology competencies needed for systems librarians in Pakistan. It neither attempted to determine the weightage each competency should have if it was to be included in curriculum nor it intended to identify a detailed content for each core technology competency. In Pakistan, System librarians develop their knowledge and skills with the specialized computer subject by studying on their own, attending training workshops and on job experience. It is therefore worth mentioning here that the knowledge of the needed competencies may be limited. Practical implications Library and information science schools need to consider these competencies in developing and designing information curriculum with regard to management of library systems. This set of competencies help academicians in designing need-based curricula and training programs for existing and prospect system librarians in Pakistan. Originality/value This study would be a worthwhile contribution to the literature on competencies of information professionals especially systems librarians as no such study appeared providing pragmatic, evidenced and field-based insights toward proposed research area.

Preparing Information Professionals for Leadership in the New Age: The 1st Asia Pacific Conference on Library and Information Education and Practice

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maitrayee Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Conference Report ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Education ◽  
Technology Applications ◽  
Technological University ◽  
Library And Information Education

PurposeA conference report of the first Asia‐Pacific Conference on Library & Information Education and Practice conference hosted by the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Library and Information Science education was the focus and preparing librarians for the twenty‐first century. The purpose is to educate practicing librarians and information scientists about directions in the profession and how to incorporate this message into the practice of librarianship.FindingsDifferent presentations highlighted new approaches and methods to approach new ways of thinking about service and expectations in the library community.Research limitations/implicationsGaining insight into current trends in library education. As library environments experience great change, with more emphasis on technology, it is imperative to train librarians with new competencies.Practical implicationsCombining library education and practice is key to being relevant to developments in library science education and retaining the science and technology as key components in the training of librarians. Originality/valueOf interest to regional librarians as well as librarians worldwide interested in how this region is preparing the next generation of librarians to practice with new skills, technology applications and to meet expectations.

The bright side of information: ways of mitigating information overload

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 767-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Koltay
Keyword(s):  
Information Overload ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Intensive ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Present Information ◽  
Bright Side

Purpose The complex phenomenon of information overload (IO) is one of the pathologies in our present information environment, thus symbolically it signalizes the existence of a dark side of information. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the approaches on mitigating IO. Hence, it is an attempt to display the bright side. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review, the sources of IO are briefly presented, not forgetting about the role of information technology and the influence of the data-intensive world. The main attention is given to the possible ways of mitigating IO. Findings It is underlined that there are both technological and social approaches towards easing the symptoms of IO. While reducing IO by increasing search task delegation is a far away goal, solutions emerge when information is properly designed and tools of information architecture are applied to enable findability. A wider range of coping strategies is available when we interact with information. The imperative of being critical against information by exercising critical thinking and critical reading yields results if different, discipline-dependent literacies, first of all information literacy and data literacy are acquired and put into operation, slow principles are followed and personal information management (PIM) tools are applied. Originality/value The paper intends to be an add-on to the recent discussions and the evolving body of knowledge about the relationship between IO and information architecture, various literacies and PIM.

Factors affecting students’ information literacy self-efficacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noa Aharony ◽  
Tali Gazit
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Digital Native ◽  
Technology Usage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how computer self-efficacy (CSE), perceived information overload (IO) and the digital native perspective predict students’ information literacy (IL) self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted in Israel and comprised 117 students from the Information Science Department at Bar-Ilan University. Researchers used five questionnaires to gather personal details: a demographic questionnaire, the IL self-efficacy questionnaire, the CSE questionnaire, technology usage (TU) questionnaire and the perceived IO questionnaire.FindingsThe findings confirm that these variables significantly predict students’ IL self-efficacy.Originality/valueInstructors and librarians should be familiar with the issue of individual differences, as well with the issue of students’ age. These factors may help them choose the most appropriate way when instructing IL skills to their students.

Online LIS teaching and learning during COVID-19 in Nigeria: a study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuma Clement Okeji ◽  
Juliet Chinedu Alex-Nmecha
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Electronic Teaching ◽  
Teaching Learning

Purpose The purpose of the study is to investigate the use of social media platforms in teaching/learning in the period of lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a survey method and an online questionnaire was designed using SurveyMonkey for data collection from students in the Department of Library and Information Science (LIS) in some universities in Nigeria. In total, 1,290 students and five lecturers participated in the survey from five universities in Nigeria. To supplement the data from the questionnaire, the five LIS lecturers were engaged in an interview. Findings The study found that Zoom and WhatsApp were used by the lecturers to deliver lectures to their students. Lecturers are always available, the opportunity to store lectures and files for re-use at convenience, allows for collaborative learning, sharing learning materials, freedom in asking lecturer questions and conducive learning at home were mentioned as some of the benefits of receiving an online lecture. Some challenges associated with electronic teaching and learning were also identified. The LIS lecturers interviewed mentioned some benefits and challenges of engaging in electronic teaching during the period of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Practical implications The research offered educators an additional method for teaching and learning in situations where physical contacts are not possible. Because electronic learning platforms are free and can be used at liberty, they require self-discipline and more responsibility from students and lecturers, which might be a challenge. It requires lecturers to generate new skills, be cognitively sensitive and well-sequenced. Social implications Teacher/students relationship can be improved significantly with the use of social media platforms for teaching and learning. Originality/value The study reported the use of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom in the teaching/learning process in the university system in a developing country context.

MOOCs – an opportunity for international collaboration in LIS education

2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 360-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamprasad M. Pujar ◽  
Prahalad G. Tadasad
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Delivery ◽  
The Government

Purpose Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have opened up a gateway for ongoing learning opportunities to students, faculty and researchers. MOOCs are now being offered in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) by a number of universities and institutions. This paper aims to explore how this new model of education can bring opportunities to LIS schools to overcome such constraints as lack of teachers, variable skills levels, paucity of funds and limited infrastructure, all of which can be significant barriers to effective delivery of LIS education. This paper will provide the first perspective from a developing country like India. It will explain the concept of MOOC and discuss its present role in LIS, and will explore its potential for collaboration in furthering teaching and research in this area. Design/methodology/approach A desk-based approach was used to study the philosophy behind MOOCs and its applicability in the field of LIS. However, a survey method was implemented to collect views of LIS professionals in India, to assess their understanding and interest in MOOCs. The scope of this study was limited to explaining how this new form of education can bring opportunities to LIS schools in India. Findings The study reveals great interest among Indian LIS professionals in further study through MOOCs, although the adoption of this learning method in Indian LIS schools is still a rarity. However, policy initiatives recently proposed by the Government of India will make it necessary for LIS schools to start experimenting with this new medium of education. Originality/value Some of the areas of collaboration discussed in this paper may enable LIS teachers and schools to adopt MOOCs to further LIS education and research, especially in developing countries.

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