scholarly journals Barriers and solutions to assessing digital library reuse: preliminary findings

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genya Morgan O’Gara ◽  
Liz Woolcott ◽  
Elizabeth Joan Kelly ◽  
Caroline Muglia ◽  
Ayla Stein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Library Community ◽  
Research Organizations ◽  
Digital Assets

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the initial top-level findings of a year-long comprehensive needs assessment, conducted with the digital library community, to reveal reuse assessment practices and requirements for digital assets held by cultural heritage and research organizations. The type of assessment examined is in contrast to traditional library analytics, and does not focus on access statistics, but rather on how users utilize and transform unique materials from digital collections. Design/methodology/approach This paper takes a variety of investigative approaches to explore the current landscape, and future needs, of digital library reuse assessment. This includes the development and analysis of pre- and post-study surveys, in-person and virtual focus group sessions, a literature review, and the incorporation of community and advisory board feedback. Findings The digital library community is searching for ways to better understand how materials are reused and repurposed. This paper shares the initial quantitative and qualitative analysis and results of a community needs assessment conducted in 2017 and 2018 that illuminates the current and hoped for landscape of digital library reuse assessment, its strengths, weaknesses and community applications. Originality/value In so far as the authors are aware, this is the first paper to examine with a broad lens the reuse assessment needs of the digital library community. The preliminary analysis and initial findings have not been previously published.

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.

scholarly journals Exhibiting library collections online: Omeka in context

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 75-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet L. Hardesty
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Indiana University ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – This case study describes Indiana University Libraries' use of Omeka for online exhibits of digital collections. Design/methodology/approach – Omeka is placed in the context of other online exhibit tools being used by galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM). Findings – Omeka provides many benefits for different types of digital library collection exhibits and different levels of technical expertise but is currently limited in the ability to manage multiple exhibits of separate digital collections. Originality/value – Describing Omeka in the context of other online exhibit tools shows the need for this kind of evaluation to improve these tools for the GLAM community.

The trained and untrained users’ mental models compatibility with the icons of search modules in Iranian digital library applications

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaz Rahrovani ◽  
Mahdieh Mirzabeigi ◽  
Javad Abbaspour
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
User Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Study Results

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trained and untrained users’ mental models compatibility with search module icons in three Iranian digital library applications, namely, Nika, Azarakhsh, and Simorgh. Design/methodology/approach The population of this survey consisted of two groups including trained and untrained users. The trained user group consisted of 174 samples, all of which were included in the study due to scarcity of the samples. The untrained user group consisted of 8,210 samples, from which 267 cases were selected through stratified sampling. Findings Results showed that the trained users’ mental models were more compatible with the search module icons than those of the untrained users. The comparison of three software applications showed that the mental models of trained and untrained users had the highest compatibility with the search icons of Azarakhsh and the lowest compatibility with those of Nika. Concerning the untrained users’ status in terms of their fields of study, results showed that users majoring technical and engineering field and those in agriculture had, respectively, the highest and lowest mental models compatibility with the icons embedded in the user interface of the studied applications. Originality/value Since the mental models may be incomplete or inaccurate, the study of the trained and untrained users’ mental models compatibility with the search module icons of user interface embedded in various library applications may help in assessing the software’ status and the designers’ level of success in conveying the content. This also may assist information literacy specialists to estimate the required amount of training for trained and untrained users.

scholarly journals The digitally preserved old-aged art, culture and artists

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-122
Author(s):  
Showkat Ahmad Wani ◽  
Asifa Ali ◽  
Shabir Ahmad Ganaie
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Historical Figures ◽  
Arts And Culture

Purpose This paper aims to explore the Google Arts and Culture platform in terms of parameters used for categorizing the digital collections by it; the total number of items and their types; top contributing artists; top ten historical events and figures; and the top ten countries having maximum artworks. Design/methodology/approach An online method was used to collect the relevant data for achieving the objectives of the study. Data were harvested from the official website of Google Arts and Culture (https://artsandculture.google.com/) during the period of 15 May to 31 May 2018, and the same was tabulated in MS Excel for analysis and interpretation. Findings The findings revealed that Google Arts and Culture includes a total of 6,272 artists, 228 media and 121 art movements. Moreover, there are a total of 641 historical movements; 6,250 historical figures; 9,692 places; 3,226 museum views; 1,702 zoom views; 39,607 featured videos; and 5,528 featured stories; 122 items organized by color and 954 organized by time. Originality/value The present study is first of its kind that focuses on exploration of diverse arts and cultural heritages of different countries and by diverse artists made visible by Google Arts and Culture initiative. It will significantly reinforce the art and cultural heritage lovers to acquire the knowledge pertinent to various types of arts and cultures that prevailed in antiquity across the globe and also make aware the conservators about how to use digital technologies for efficient preservation and visibility of unique artworks, artists and the places whom they belong.

RDA: New Cataloging Rules, Coming Soon to a Library near You!

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Renee Moore
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Great Benefit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work In Progress ◽  
Library Community ◽  
History Of ◽  
Resource Description ◽  
Communications Standards

PurposeArticle provides an overview (as of September 2006) of the genesis, history, and processes involved in creating the new cataloging rules, a work‐in‐progress, under the working title, RDA: Resource Description and Access. Also discusses structure and content, as well as possible uses outside of the library community.Design/methodology/approachDescribes the history of the new rules and how they are currently organized, as well as where to go to keep informed of the new rules.FindingsRDA will likely be adopted by libraries; because of its flexibility, there is a possibility that other non‐library and non‐MARC information communities will also be able to make use of this tool.Originality/valueArticle is of great benefit to librarians who want an overview of RDA in a nutshell. Provokes thought on flexibility of the new rules, using them for other communications standards than MARC and for other metadata schemas.

The issues and challenges facing a digital library with a special focus on the Taylor Family Digital Library at the University of Calgary

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 335-355
Author(s):  
Bennett Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Of Calgary ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how a new academic library works. Design/methodology/approach – The author used statistical data and anecdotal evidence. Findings – The findings were that digital library materials have dramatically changed how libraries operate. Originality/value – The library featured in this story is the University of Calgary’s main library which is called the Taylor Family Digital Library, which is meant to be a library with digital technology as its main focus.

scholarly journals Maintaining digital collections with declining resources, fewer staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Wendy Walker ◽  
Teressa Keenan
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The Face ◽  
Continue Work ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
New Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe methods for restructuring workflows and efficiently using staff members and volunteers to continue work on multiple, simultaneous digital collections as budgets and resources decline. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes one library’s varied approaches to several digital collections supported by literature or volunteers in libraries. Findings In the face of continually declining resources and new, time-sensitive priorities and compliance responsibilities, librarians can continue to maintain digital collections by modifying workflows, using the services of volunteers and communicating strategically. Practical implications This paper is relevant to librarians, archivists and others who are looking for ways to justify and capitalize on the use of unconventional personnel in digital collections programs. Originality/value This paper presents a case of the successful use of volunteers to accomplish digital collections-related tasks in an academic library and provides a communication-based strategy for addressing some of the challenges related to volunteers in academic libraries.

American Libraries and the US Federal Government: an overview of partnerships for enhanced resource access

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Bethany Latham
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Government Information ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Us Federal Government ◽  
Partnership Program

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the US Government Publishing Office’s (GPO) partnership program: what it is, how the GPO defines partnership, the types of institutions that are participating and the resources these institutions are making available through partnership. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the available literature and information from the US GPO on its partnership program, examines the institutions contributing to the program and what those contributions entail, surveys the resources made available through these partnerships and examines how this affects access to government information. Findings – Partnership with the US GPO provides benefits to libraries, museums, government agencies and other entities, increasing discoverability and enhancing access to digital collections of government information and other resources. Originality/value – This paper examines the parameters of the US GPO’s partnership program, why libraries and other institutions might wish to partner with the GPO and the effect these partnerships have had on enhancing access to government information resources, an area that has not been extensively covered in library literature.

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.

Being “in” assessment: the ontological layer(ing) of assessment practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Giles ◽  
Kerry Earl
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Educational Assessment ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Assessment Practice ◽  
Phenomenological Inquiry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Purpose – Current discourses on educational assessment focus on the priority of learning. While this intent is invariably played out in classroom practice, a consideration of the ontological nature of assessment practice opens understandings which show the experiential nature of “being in assessment”. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Using interpretive and hermeneutic analyses within a phenomenological inquiry, experiential accounts of the nature of assessment are worked for their emergent and ontological themes. Findings – These stories show the ontological nature of assessment as a matter of being in assessment in an embodied and holistic way. Originality/value – Importantly, the nature of a teacher's way-of-being matters to assessment practices. Implications exist for teacher educators and teacher education programmes in relation to the priority of experiential stories for understanding assessment practice, the need for re-balancing a concern for professional knowledge and practice with a students’ way of being in assessment, and the pedagogical implications of evoking sensitivities in assessment.

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