Best apps for reference and information services

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 2-11 ◽  

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the apps currently available that can assist library personnel in reference and information services. Design/methodology/approach – Initially, 101 apps were identified as possible options for reference and information services. Through various evaluation methods, the list was reduced to 25 apps. Apps were excluded due to cost, function, reviews, currency and usability. Other apps were merely excluded due to time and length concerns of the publication. Findings – Overall, the apps included could be utilized by library staff in reference and information service, though not all are ideal in all library settings due to the requirement of subscriptions and user audiences. Originality/value – While there have been in recent years quite a few articles and books published on apps for librarians, there is very little published on how exactly librarians can use apps to answer reference questions and assist patrons. This article does not attempt to answer the greater question of app application in reference services, but does attempt to identify and evaluate apps that could be used in those instances. With more research and tablet and app training, librarians can begin to more effectively utilize apps at the service desk.

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Robinson

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the case for studies of information behaviour in the use of immersive documents. Immersive documents, where unreality is perceived as reality, arise from a combination of rapidly developing technologies and applications: pervasive and networked information, multi-sensory interaction and the creation of participatory texts. Design/methodology/approach – A critical and selective analysis of relevant literature is presented. Findings – Immersive documents are likely to have a significant effect on library/information service provision, as it is to expected that novel information behaviours will emerge as these documents become widely used. Studies of immersive information behaviour and practices will be valuable in planning for how library/information services can best provide access to such documents, and may also guide the development of such documents. They may also contribute to the development of information behaviour research generally, and to better interaction between research and practice. Research limitations/implications – As such documents are not yet in wide use, the conclusions are necessarily speculative. Originality/value – This is the first paper to discuss information behaviour in respect of immersive documents.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Vincze

Purpose This paper aims to explore integrating chatbot applications into libraries to improve reference services. Design/methodology/approach This paper explores the benefits of using chatbots as virtual reference librarians. Emma the Mentor Public Library’s Catbot is used as a case study. Findings Chatbots cannot replicate the complexity of human interaction (both knowledge and emotional), but these can provide a cost-effective way to answer the majority of routine reference questions and direct users to the appropriate service. Originality/value Readers will increase their awareness of how chatbots can streamline the work of the reference department by answering the majority of routine reference questions and freeing library staff to focus on more demanding research and tasks uniquely suited to humans.


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 423-429
Author(s):  
Patrick Bazin

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to intoduce the Guichet du Savoir, an online information service proposed by the Lyon Municipal Library.Design/methodology/approachA description of its originality is provided, which is based on three principles: any kind of question is accepted, any question and its answer are immediately published and later archived in a knowledge database easily accessible online; the entire library staff cooperates in providing the answers.FindingsThe Guichet du Savoir is therefore a means of exchange with the public, a dynamic encyclopaedia, as well as a means for managing and emphasizing librarian skills. Since its opening, in March 2004, this service has published more than 13,000 answers and represents one of the main driving forces for the library's modernization.Originality/valueOf value to librarians who will see how the Guichet du Savoir comes within the scope of a self‐asserting strategy for the library itself, which is no longer perceived as a book sanctuary only, but also as an intermediating force for the circulation and the sharing of knowledge in the information society.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 375-388
Author(s):  
Salome W. Mathangani ◽  
Japheth Otike

Purpose Copyright law supposedly brings a balance between copyright owners and information users as a way of creating a harmonious relationship. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Kenya’s Copyright Act and the provision of information services in public university libraries in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach The study was informed by both the organization theory and the social systems theory which, respectively, provided a base for discussion on the library and its basic functions, and an interdisciplinary approach that accommodate library services and law. Data were collected from a sample of 77 librarians from public universities libraries, and analyzed using the qualitative method. Findings The study established that librarians were reasonably aware of the copyright Act. However, they were apprehensive and uncertain about copyright effect on the library. Evidence from the study showed that librarians needed to extend their knowledge and understanding of the copyright law for the effective provision of information services. The paper concludes that there is scope for librarians, using their wealth of knowledge and expertise, to make relevant and useful suggestions on copyright. Such contribution would assist in bringing harmony in the use of copyrighted materials. Originality/value These findings are original and will be useful in giving general direction on copyright. The study highlights the important issue of universities as parent institutions providing needed leadership in the copyright area.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omorodion Okuonghae

Purpose The increasing importance of digital content creation in relation to content marketing and promotion of library and information services in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has attracted global attention. Thus, the purpose of this study is to theoretically examine librarians’ role in the creation of digital content in the 4IR. Design/methodology/approach This study used the review method to theoretically examine the nexus between digital content creation and librarians’ role in the 4IR. Findings This study showed that librarians are well positioned to become professional digital content creation, as they already possess the basic skills needed to create effective content for high user engagement. Originality/value This study seeks to pioneer a new area of focus by linking librarians’ skills to digital content creation skills and making a case for librarians as the perfect digital content creator.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Mariann Silvis ◽  
Theo J.D. Bothma ◽  
Koos J.W. de Beer

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.


Author(s):  
Tatiana V. Maystrovich

    The article presents substantiation of the theoretical provisions underlying the National Standard GOST R 7.0.104—2019 “SIBID. Library and information services of the scientific library. Types, forms and modes of provision”. The author proves the expediency of applying cluster approach, allowed to consider the library and information service in terms of its content (type), form and modes of provision to users. The article demonstrates possibility of applying Standard not only to scientific libraries, but also to the libraries of other types. Definition of library and information service in the standard makes it possible to understand it as a specific result of library services and information activities of the library. The standard determines five types of services: library, bibliographic, information, bibliometric, consulting. Some of them are common to all types of libraries, but bibliometric services are specific feature of scientific libraries. Each type of services is implemented in one form or another, under which the standard refers to the method of providing library and information services in the framework of the existing scientific library organization of library and information services.Forms of library services: loan of a document for temporary use; transfer of its contents by copying; providing the possibility to familiarize with documents. Bibliographic services are implemented in the form of message containing reference or bibliographic advice on request, bibliographic list of publications and bibliographic products. Scientific libraries compose thematic or subject field indexes, lists of publications of individuals and collectives, lists with references to the works of specified persons and collectives. Bibliographic services include improving bibliographic literacy, training of users to create a bibliographic record, the formation of bibliographic apparatus of scientific and educational works. The recognized forms of information services are providing users with information products and full-text information, selected and systematized in accordance with the certain criteria. The prerogative of mainly academic and university libraries are bibliometric services, while the forms of their provision are quite diverse and depend on the degree of proximity of the scientific library directly to the research process and distribution of work in the structure of the research Institute. The standard establishes the following bibliometric services: providing user with formalized performance indicators of scientific work, creation of analytical product based on bibliometric and scientometric studies, checking of scientific works for incorrect borrowing. Consulting services are available in most libraries, but in scientific libraries there is added scientific advice on the design of scientific papers, normative, regulatory and administrative documents, presentation of results of individual research activities. The module includes not only the forms of services, but also the parameters specifying their provision: frequency, reason for rendering, targeting, economic characteristics, service location. Another contour of the module is the mode of providing and receiving services, which does not affect its essence, but may adjust its demand. Modes are characterized by the degree of independence of the user, synchronization of the order, execution and receipt of services, frequency of service, means and channel of communication. The article focuses on the service approach to library and information services. The intermediate version of the standard included the section “Service options” (on the ways to improve the comfort of obtaining library and information services by the user, based on his individual preferences), removed in the final version due to insufficient elaboration of the problem. In conclusion, the author notes that National Standard allows bring the service of scientists to their real needs and requests. As a perspective, the paper calls the development of Standard defining the mandatory range of services for libraries of each type and kind, as well as criteria for their qualitative assessment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 866-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Horton

Purpose This paper reports the results of a survey of library staff members working with a library makerspace or with makerspace-related technologies. The purpose of this paper is to identify who is working with library makerspaces, what methods of training they have used, what training methods they prefer, and what topics they would like to see included in professional development and continuing education. Design/methodology/approach A 17-question survey was posted to two library makerspace-related listservs for two weeks. Findings The survey results found a varied array of job title of individuals working with library makerspaces. It also identified the preferred training methods, as well as the varied topics requested for professional development, showing a large need for a makerspace training in library staff. Originality/value This is the first study conducted about the preferred methods and topics of professional development and continuing education of library staff members working with makerspaces or makerspace-related technologies.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Valadi-khorram ◽  
Mohammad Reza Amiri ◽  
Mohammad Karim Saberi

PurposeConsidering the important role of public libraries in providing health information service as well as user feedback in improving the quality of health information services, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of health information service in public libraries of Hamadan, Iran, on the basis of the modified LibQUAL modelDesign/methodology/approachThis practical research was conducted in an analytic-survey method. The statistical population consists of all members of public libraries of Hamadan over 18 years old (12,237 people), and the sample size is calculated to be 373 people. The stratified sampling method was used, and within each class, a convenience sampling method was used. The modified LibQUAL questionnaire was used to gather data. For checking normality of data distribution, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and for analyzing date, descriptive statistics and also Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests were applied using SPSS 25.FindingsThe users' minimum level of public libraries in all three dimensions is an average level. The users' desired level of “information control” is higher than other dimensions. The users' perceived level in dimensions of “human resources” and “information control” is high level, while users' perceived level in “educational service” is an “average” level. There is a superiority gap between desired and perceived level in all dimensions, but the adequacy gap was seen only in the dimension of “educational service.”Research limitations/implicationsIn this study, the quality of health information services provided in public libraries is evaluated by the LibQUAL model.Practical implicationsThe results of this research can help managers and librarians of public libraries in measuring the quality of health information services and improving the quality of services provided by libraries. Besides, they can take a more accurate planning and pathologic approach, to eliminate the gap between minimum and desired expectations of users and libraries’ real services.Originality/valueIn this study, the quality of health information services provided in public libraries is evaluated by LibQUAL tool.


2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Obiora Omekwu ◽  
Uwem Eteng

PurposeTo map out routes along which the library and information profession can chart its future development.Design/methodology/approachA literature‐based opinion piece which looks at “roadmaps to change” in library and information work from the historical, knowledge economy and information technology perspectives.FindingsChange is inevitable for organizational survival and the maintenance of professional relevance.Practical implicationsLibrarians and information professionals are by training positioned to continue to make a difference in information handling and management both now and in the future. The paper recommends the forms of repositioning that are vital for them if they are to continue to be relevant in information service delivery.Originality/valueNew and emerging roles for the profession are highlighted from various authors and authorities in the field.


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