Encouraging continuous learning for librarians and library staff

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emy Nelson Decker
Keyword(s):  
Staff Training ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
First Century ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Training Professionals ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Traditional Roles

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues surrounding professionals whose legacy skills do not align with the new directions in which the academic library is moving. It also examines the ways in which the disappearance of traditional roles impacts librarians and users alike. Design/methodology/approach This paper considers policies for training professionals for their roles in the twenty-first century academic library sphere and identifies skills they will need for these new roles. Findings This paper provides insights into possible solutions for training librarians and library staff so that they will have necessary skills for their future roles. Originality/value This paper will provide library managers with approaches to staff training and a framework for understanding the specific skills that will be necessary for staff to possess in the twenty-first century academic library.

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.

scholarly journals Unleashing the potential of university entrepreneurship education

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. De Carolis ◽  
Barrie E. Litzky
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
First Century ◽  
Effect Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Entrepreneurship ◽  
Twenty First Century

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the ways in which traditional views of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship have inadvertently limited entrepreneurship education. The authors propose a broader view of what it means to be an entrepreneur and describe a disruptive approach to entrepreneurship education, one that centers around building students’ entrepreneurial mindset. By tapping into students’ “inner entrepreneur” and nurturing their abilities to think and act creatively, embrace failure, effect change and be resilient, the authors are preparing them for the challenges of the twenty-first century labor market. Design/methodology/approach This is a perspective paper about how the traditional views of entrepreneurship education may be limiting its potential to create entrepreneurial college graduates set to take on twenty-first century careers. Findings Teaching the entrepreneurial mindset and process will allow us, as educators, to best prepare our students for the complexities of the current and future workforce. Originality/value By embracing the original meanings of the word “entrepreneur” – an act of reaching out and capturing and undertaking – the authors demystify what it means to be an entrepreneur. When we adopt a broader and more accurate conceptualization of “the entrepreneur,” we can teach our students to be the entrepreneurs of their lives.

Reflections on happiness

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-91
Author(s):  
Woody Caan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Century ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Twenty First Century

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the twenty-first century reach and impact of “happiness” work by one individual (Professor Lord Richard Layard). Design/methodology/approach The author approaches his work as a public health case study, with the caveat that the author knew this “Case” personally, which could influence the author’s assessment. Findings During 2005-2018, Richard Layard stimulated discussion of “happiness” as a field of study. This field now has global relevance to mental health, although its relationship to practice for population health is still debated. Originality/value Layard’s ideas are behind many initiatives, such as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.

Restructuring for relevance: a paradigm shift for academic libraries

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 418-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reggie Raju ◽  
Jill Claassen ◽  
Amina Adam ◽  
Alexander DAngelo ◽  
Sadiq Keraan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
First Century ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Academic Librarianship ◽  
Twenty First Century

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of a flexible and robust academic library structure that meets the demands of an ever changing user community and remains relevant and fit for purpose in a technology-driven age. The new structure makes provision for the delivery of new and innovative services responding to the need for a paradigm shift in twenty-first century academic librarianship. The move away from subject librarianship, which has been the bastion of South African academic librarianship, is significant. Design/methodology/approach This paper used the exploratory method to gain new insights into library structures that have restructured for the twenty-first century. The exploratory study was used to gain new insights into functional librarianship. Despite the short comings of the exploratory method, the method was deemed most appropriate as UCT Libraries was not seeking definitive answers but a process that would provide opportunities to explore possibilities for subsequent processes. Findings The move from subject librarianship to functional librarianship has given the library the opportunity to restructure. The restructured library can now offer new and/or radically expanded services to meet the demands of a twenty-first century academic library. Practical implications The development of new and future roles and responsibilities commensurate with a robust and “future-driven” structure will consolidate the library’s role as a collaborator in the teaching and learning, and research agendas of a higher education institution. Originality/value This paper will be of interest and value to library managers and staff wanting to develop a library structure that responds positively to the redefinition of the professional roles and functions of the library and to strategically position the academic library for the future. It will also be of interest to library and information science academics who may want to re-examine their curricula for the incorporation of new trends.

The instructive power of the fable in New Zealand’s Native School Reader (1886)

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Shef Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
First Century ◽  
Pedagogical Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Historical Approach ◽  
Cultural Implications ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Cultural Tensions ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the cultural implications of James Henry Pope’s selection of fables for his 1886 Native School Reader designed to teach English to Māori students in Native Schools. Design/methodology/approach The essay takes a historical approach. It surveys attitudes towards the fable as a pedagogical tool prior to 1880 and reviews Pope’s choice of 50 from the 300 available fables in the Aesopic canon. Findings The study finds that Pope was well informed and well intentioned, but nonetheless appeared to be unaware of potentially unsettling interpretations of his selected fables. Originality/value While it may be relatively easy for twenty-first-century readers to perceive the cultural tensions of Pope’s work, exploring the historical context helps us to understand both why Pope compiled the text he did, and why he and his books were well regarded by both Pākehā and Māori, despite almost certainly not conveying the values the settlers wished to inculcate in Māori.

scholarly journals Exercising library and information literacies through alternate reality gaming

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-254
Author(s):  
Adam Jerrett ◽  
Theo J.D. Bothma ◽  
Koos de Beer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Literacy Learning ◽  
First Century ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
Alternate Reality Game ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Alternate Reality

Purpose Teaching students/library patrons twenty-first century literacies (such as information and library literacies) is important within a library setting. As such, finding an appropriate manner to teach these skills in a practical manner at tertiary level is important. As vehicles for constructivist learning, games provide a unique opportunity to teach these twenty-first century literacies in an engaging, practical, format. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implementation of an alternate reality game (ARG) to teach these literacies through gameplay. Design/methodology/approach An ARG was designed and developed where the core gameplay tasks taught and exercised twenty-first century literacies. The game, once completed, was then analysed as a case study to determine the effectiveness of the game-based approach to literacy learning. Findings Throughout the play of the game, players spent increasingly more time in the library, often using it as a common meeting point during play. Players reported that they learnt or exercised the skills that each game task focussed on, additionally noting that the game-based context made the process of learning and exercising these skills more enjoyable. Originality/value The findings suggest that the creation of games, whether real world or digital, may be useful in engaging students/patrons with twenty-first century literacies as well as with their local library. The documentation of a successful ARG to teach twenty-first century literacies provides a model for future research to follow when designing engaging library-oriented games.

Macau’s Pataca and identity

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-433
Author(s):  
Paul B. Spooner
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Monetary Authority ◽  
First Century ◽  
Core Component ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bank Of China ◽  
Banking Institutions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – For over a 100 years, Macau’s Pataca has been tied to Macau’s identity, its independent financial existence and its links to the Lusophone world. Its role as a supporter of the Macau identity relies upon the strength and capabilities of its financial institutions, the Macau Monetary Authority and banking institutions that issue its currency (Banco Nacional Ultramarino and Bank of China). The paper aims to discuss the above issue. Design/methodology/approach – The author uses statistics and data from the Macau Monetary Authority. Findings – There are three possible scenarios that could emerge: first, retired in favor of the RMB, the HK dollar; second, maintained with its use expanding as Macau’s revenues and investment funds grow, or third, become a force for stronger economic cohesion and identity among the Lusophone nations. Practical implications – Which of these scenarios will offer Macau the highest possibility of maintaining its international network of relationships and representation, diversifying its economy into new growth markets and playing a unique role in China’s twenty-first century destiny? Originality/value – This paper studies a rarely discussed topic and focuses on a core component of Macau’s existence.

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.

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