Building and enhancing library services: Patrons’ awareness of, and engagement with social media in academic libraries in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110367
Author(s):  
Monica Mensah ◽  
Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Library Staff

This study sought to examine academic libraries’ patrons’ level of awareness of, and engagement with social media in the use of academic libraries services in Ghana. The study employed the cross-sectional survey whereby quantitative data were collected from a total of 417 respondents, who consisted of students and library staff from public, private and technical universities in Ghana. Findings indicated that the academic libraries have adopted and used a number of social media applications, with Facebook and instant messaging as the most popular and frequently used platforms, for the provision and access to library services and resources as well as for contacting the academic libraries. However, the level of awareness, extent of use, as well as the level of engagement with the platforms was low as social media tools adopted by the libraries were not prevalent among the library patrons. Recommendations and conclusions based on the research findings are offered in the paper. This study uses a cross-sectional survey, with the data being collected at a specific point in time. However, due to rapid technological change and trends, future research studies could consider longitudinal studies to investigate the adoption and use of social media in academic libraries across time and environment. The analysis of social media use for academic library services from both the library staff and library patrons’ perspectives will inform decisions on how to improve the use of such platforms for effective and efficient library services delivery and access.

Social media engagement in developing countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Sani Magoi ◽  
MK Yanti Idaya Aspura ◽  
A Abrizah
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Social Media Engagement ◽  
Professional Self

The progressiveness of social media in academic libraries is the gear to achieve the libraries’ objectives, particularly in term of facilities and services. In addition, academic librarians have been using social media as a key medium for marketing, communication, and collaboration. However, social media use in academic libraries, especially in developing countries, is not without controversy. Studies indicate that social networking by academic librarians is ineffective use of librarians’ time and effort. The usefulness of and the hindrances in social media engagement for academic libraries in developing countries have yet to be established. For this reason, this review aims to identify the boons and the banes of social media engagement for academic libraries in developing countries in two continents, Asia and Africa. A structured literature review was conducted using methods promulgated by the Center for Reviews and Disseminations but adapted to the particular needs of this review. Various online databases were used for the review. The keywords/phrases used for the search were: social media, web 2.0, social media engagement, academic libraries, and developing countries; and after a profound scrutiny, 50 articles were found useful for the review. The result shows that there is a continued increase of published literature on social media in academic libraries in the developing countries. A substantial amount of literature emphasises the benefits of social media usefulness in academic libraries under five major themes – marketing and promotion of library services; professional/self-development;, social interaction; media sharing; and communication. A few articles express the distress in implementing social media in academic library services. The usefulness of and the hindrances in social media engagement reported in the literature should inform practicing librarians contemplating implementation of social media and guide formal social media application in library services. More so, this study will shape Library and Information Science (LIS) researchers to scope out areas of needs for future research.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Shared Leadership within Academic Libraries Suggest Room for Improvement

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Genevieve C. Gore
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Shared Leadership ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Third ◽  
Level Of Agreement

Objective – To survey middle managers’ beliefs regarding their participation in shared leadership and their libraries’ practices of shared leadership. Design – Cross-sectional survey. Setting – Twenty-two academic libraries within four-year public master’s level institutions in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Subjects – A total of 115 middle managers were invited to participate; 77 completed the survey for a response rate of 66.9%. Methods – Selected middle managers were contacted by email a total of five times and were invited to complete a Web-based survey composed of three sections. The first section contained 10 statements for rating shared leadership within their own institutions, which they were asked to rate on an eight-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly agree) to 7 (strongly disagree), with 8 as an option for no opinion. The second section used the same scale to rate their levels of agreement with conceptual definitions of shared leadership from Jackson’s Framework. Jackson’s Framework consists of four components for ascertaining levels of shared leadership from both managerial and staff perspectives: accountability, equity, partnership and ownership. The third section invited subjects to provide their own definition of shared leadership. A three-part pretest served to validate the survey instrument. Mean scores were calculated for each statement. Main Results – In the first section, there was the highest overall level of agreement (1.52) with the statement “I am accountable for the decisions within the scope of my responsibility” followed by “I share information with the senior library administration” (1.71). There was the lowest overall level of agreement (3.65) with the statement that “Ideas presented at all levels of staff in the library are equally considered.” In the second section, respondents’ mean scores for Jackson’s definitions of four concepts of shared leadership were 2.62 for ownership, 2.68 for both partnership and equity, and 2.77 for accountability. In the third section, respondents most often linked their definitions of shared leadership with communication, learning and collaboration. Conclusion – Examining middle managers’ perceptions of shared leadership may help us understand organizational trends and capacity for leadership within libraries. Future research could examine shared leadership at levels below middle management as well as the relationship between accountability and shared leadership throughout the organization.

scholarly journals Identifying At-Risk Youth

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-29
Author(s):  
Femke Geusens ◽  
Cabral A. Bigman-Galimore ◽  
Kathleen Beullens
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background & purpose. Research indicates a positive relationship between sharing alcohol references on social media and drinking behavior. The current study extends that line of research by assessing the interaction of risk-related personality traits with alcohol-related social media use, to examine if social media can be used to identify individuals at risk for heavy drinking behavior. Methods & results. The results of a cross-sectional survey among a sample of 638 emerging adults (age 18-25) find that the positive association between sharing alcohol references on social media and drinking intention was strongest for individuals with low levels of sensation seeking and sensitivity to peer pressure, and high levels of self-control, and non-significant for those on the other end of these personality traits. Conclusions. These findings indicate that the relationship between sharing alcohol references and drinking intentions is not uniform for all individuals, and that risk-related individual differences should be considered in future research and interventions.

scholarly journals Online paediatric chronic pain management: assessing the needs of UK adolescents and parents, using a cross-sectional survey

2020 ◽  
pp. 204946372094034
Author(s):  
Anna Hurley-Wallace ◽  
Daniel E Schoth ◽  
Suzanne Lilley ◽  
Glyn Williams ◽  
Christina Liossi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Interdisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chronic Pain Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Background: Adolescent chronic pain is prevalent, and interdisciplinary treatment is recommended. Although it is well known that technology is a key part of adolescents’ daily lives, there have not been any online, interdisciplinary interventions developed for adolescents with chronic pain in a UK healthcare context. Little is known about how adolescents currently use online resources to manage chronic pain, or what guidance they seek. Methods: Ninety-five participants from the community answered this mixed-methods, online survey (adolescent n = 54, parent n = 41), which assessed the needs of UK-based adolescents for a new online chronic pain management resource. Results: Findings indicated that, at the time of the survey, adolescents frequently used social media platforms, such as Instagram, for chronic pain management. Desired techniques for a new interdisciplinary resource for adolescents included ‘advice on explaining chronic pain to others’ (86.7% of adolescents) and sleep hygiene (82.2% of adolescents), though access to a range of pain management techniques was desired. Qualitative results indicated endorsement of a new programme by adolescents and parents. Conclusions: Adolescents and parents had a positive outlook towards the development of a UK-specific online resource to help manage chronic pain. Such an intervention should aim to be made accessible via the National Health Service. Adolescent use of social media platforms to seek support for chronic pain requires further exploration in future research.

scholarly journals Dewey Decimal Classification Trending Downward in U.S. Academic Libraries, but Unlikely to Disappear Completely

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-158
Author(s):  
Jordan Patterson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Decimal Classification ◽  
The U.S

A Review of: Lund, B., & Agbaji, D. (2018). Use of Dewey Decimal Classification by academic libraries in the United States. Cataloging and Classification Quarterly, 56(7), 653-661. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639374.2018.1517851 Abstract Objective – To determine the current use of Dewey Decimal Classification in academic libraries in the United States of America (U.S.). Design – Cross-sectional survey using a systematic sampling method. Setting – Online academic library catalogues in the U.S. Subjects – 3,973 academic library catalogues. Methods – The researchers identified 3,973 academic libraries affiliated with degree-granting post-secondary institutions in the U.S. The researchers searched each library’s online catalogue for 10 terms from a predetermined list. From the results of each search, the researchers selected at least five titles, noted the classification scheme used to classify each title, and coded the library as using Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Library of Congress Classification (LCC), both DDC and LCC, or other classification schemes. Based on the results of their data collection, the researchers calculated totals. The totals of this current study’s data collection were compared to statistics on DDC usage from two previous reports, one published in 1975 and one in 1996. The researchers performed statistical analyses to determine if there were any discernible trends from the earliest reported statistics through to the current study. Main Results – Collections classified using DDC were present in 717 libraries (18.9%). Adjusting for the increase in the number of academic libraries in the U.S. between 1975 and 2017, DDC usage in academic libraries has declined by 56% in that time frame. The number of libraries with only DDC in evidence is unreported. Conclusion – The previous four decades have seen a significant decrease in the use of DDC in U.S. academic libraries in favour of LCC; however, the rate at which DDC has disappeared from academic libraries has slowed dramatically since the 1960s. There is no clear indication that DDC will disappear from academic libraries completely.

How Do Adolescents Get Their E-Cigarettes and Other Electronic Vaping Devices?

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica K. Pepper ◽  
Ellen M. Coats ◽  
James M. Nonnemaker ◽  
Brett R. Loomis
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Social Experience ◽  
Completion Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Over Time

Purpose: More adolescents “vape” (use e-cigarettes and similar devices) than smoke, but little is known about how underage users obtain vaping devices. This knowledge could inform efforts to prevent youth access. Design: Original cross-sectional survey with social media recruitment. Settings: Online. Participants: A total of 1729 adolescents (2809 qualified on screener; completion rate 61.6%) aged 15 to 17 years who vaped in the past 30 days. Measures: Adolescents’ vaping attitudes, ownership of vaping devices, how they obtain devices, and frequency of borrowing others’ devices. Analysis: Logistic regression. Results: Most adolescents (78.2%) owned a vaping device. The most common sources were purchasing from a store or online (31.1%), buying from another person (16.3%), or giving someone money to purchase for them (15.0%). The majority (72.8%) had used someone else’s vaping device in the past 30 days. Adolescents who vaped more often, did not own a vaping device, vaped in social situations, and had previously been refused purchase were more likely to frequently borrow others’ devices. Conclusions: Despite high rates of ownership, many adolescents borrowed devices, suggesting that borrowing is part of users’ social experience, not just a means of acquisition. Although better enforcement of age restrictions could lessen purchasing, future research is needed to understand why adolescents borrow and how their acquisition sources shift over time. That information could be harnessed for targeted, borrowing-related antivaping campaigns.

scholarly journals Librarian’s Perception on Marketing of Information Resources and Services in Academic Libraries with Special Reference to Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (05) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. V. Ramadevi
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Library Staff

In the present scenario, information and communication technology plays a very important role. Due to the development of technology, internet has brought out some of the opportunities and challenges which provide the effective way of use the library information resources and services. Users can access the required information online irrespective of visiting the place and collecting the information as like ancient days. To improve some of the problems of information and communication technology resulting in underutilization of academic libraries, effort directed to promoting and creating awareness of library services is very important. Library staff can promote the use of the library through other means such as marketing of library services to its users. The role of academic libraries and information centres is to provide necessary information. The objectives of the study were why libraries should market their information resources and services; ways in which libraries market their information resources and services also impacts of marketing information resources and services in the academic Library. The study target population was 120 which comprised of library staff members. The study sample consisted to twenty members of the target group.

scholarly journals Privacy Management Among Social Media Natives: An Exploratory Study of Facebook and Snapchat

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 205630511985514
Author(s):  
Erin E. Hollenbaugh
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Privacy Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Communication Privacy Management ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Communication Privacy Management Theory

Guided by communication privacy management theory, this study tested network size, network diversity, privacy concerns, and privacy management practices in and between Facebook and Snapchat for social media natives. A cross-sectional survey of 273 college students (predominately Caucasian, female, 18- to 20 years old) showed that audiences were larger and more diverse in Facebook than Snapchat. Snapchat users with larger friend lists and lower privacy concerns reported more shared boundary ownership, whereas those with more diverse networks reportedly used more open friending practices to expand their connections. Higher privacy concerns were related to more restrictive privacy management practices in both mediums, and participants were overall more open on Snapchat than on Facebook. Theoretical and practical implications were presented in efforts to inform future research.

Professional development in private university libraries in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 488-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Emefa Dzandza ◽  
Harry Akussah
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Private University ◽  
Library Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Budgetary Allocation

Purpose There has been a significant change in the provision of library services due to the application of technology to every aspect of library services. This has posed a major challenge to library staff as they need to be abreast with current technologies and their application to library services. One means by which a librarian can overcome this challenge is through professional development (PD) programs. The purpose of this paper is to determine PD opportunities in private university libraries in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of 61 staff and interviews with 20 heads of libraries was conducted to collect data from 25 private universities in Ghana. Findings The study revealed that not all library staff in the private universities were allowed to attend PD programs. None of the private universities studied had a policy on PD and only three institutions made budgetary allocation to PD programs. Majority of the private universities did not have in-house PD programs and there were no means of knowledge sharing in most of the libraries studied. Originality/value In this paper, the researchers identified the major challenges encountered by library staff in private universities in Ghana and propose that librarians should see PD as a part of their own responsibility while, libraries should have a PD policy and make budgetary allocation toward PD.

Social Media as a Driver of Innovative Service Delivery in Academic Libraries

2022 ◽  
pp. 192-200
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Agbo Oche
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Effective Service ◽  
Staff Skills

As technology continues to impact the delivery of library and information services, traditional academic library systems have continued to experience changes. Social media are changing and becoming more sophisticated, and librarians need to adopt them for innovative services to their users. Library staff skills and library services have to shift from book-eccentric to user-eccentric. As the academic library continues to redefine its role in the digital environment, it needs to leverage its strengths and create responsive and convenient services. The chapter discusses how social media can be adopted and utilized for delivering innovative services and the various innovative ways social media can be utilized in effective service delivery, the challenges associated with social media and innovative service delivery, and the strategies to enhance the use of social media for innovative service delivery in academic libraries. The chapter serves as guide to students and practitioners on the various ways to use social media for effective service delivery in academic libraries.

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