A Study on the Periodical Change of Informal Learning Spaces in Chinese University Libraries

Purpose – This paper aims to explore at Loughborough University (UK) how informal learning spaces (ILS) are used by students in the Library and elsewhere on campus. Focus includes learning activities undertaken by students, reasons why the ILS is chosen, suggestions on how they can be improved and how technologies are used. Comparison will be drawn between how students use Library ILS and other ILS. Design/methodology/approach – Case study based at Loughborough University and its Library. Semi-structured interviews were held with 265 students in various ILS spaces across campus. Findings – Similarities and differences are present in the way students use Library ILS compared with other ILS campus spaces. These include impact of campus geography and individual academic levels of students. Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study and the results can only relate to Loughborough University. There may be some lessons and themes that are relevant to other universities. The number of interviewees is relatively small. Practical implications – Highlights the need for cooperation between various university stakeholders to strategically and operationally manage different ILS on campus. Originality/value – This is one of the very few studies that investigate together the range of ILS including the Library in a comparative approach.

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Informal learning spaces in university libraries

Exploring Informal Learning Space in the University ◽

10.4324/9781315581651-9 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 121-133

Author(s):

Alan L. Steele ◽

Margaret P.J. Haines ◽

Valerie A. Critchley

Keyword(s):

Informal Learning ◽

University Libraries ◽

Learning Spaces

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Strategic development of university library space

New Library World ◽

10.1108/nlw-05-2014-0062 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 115 (5/6) ◽

pp. 237-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Graham Matthews ◽

Graham Walton

Keyword(s):

Informal Learning ◽

Physical Space ◽

Single Site ◽

University Libraries ◽

Learning Spaces ◽

Strategic Development ◽

Content Type ◽

University Library ◽

Strategic Direction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore issues, approaches and challenges in providing strategic direction to university libraries on developing their physical space in what is increasingly a digital age. A key aspect of the work is to explore how university libraries and their senior staff can widen libraries’ role to inform the strategic direction of formal and informal learning spaces across the institution. Design/methodology/approach – Research and perspectives from across the world provide the context for the study. A single site case study based at Loughborough University in the UK is explored to demonstrate how strategy for university library space is developed. The case study also provides an example of how a university library has extended its influence on other informal learning spaces. Findings – University library physical space has an important role in learning, teaching and research, despite the increase in digital information provision. For effective strategy, information and evidence needs to be collected from a wide range of sources. The experience and skills that university libraries have developed in managing learning spaces can be transferred to learning spaces elsewhere in the university. Research limitations/implications – This is a single site case study. Practical implications – The case study provides approaches and ideas that can be applied by university libraries in the strategic development of learning spaces. Originality/value – The paper provides an innovative and informed insight into how university libraries can influence learning and teaching spaces across university campus/site. Further research would be valuable to identify practice more widely. Surveying, from a library perspective, university and university estate, management strategies for content relating to libraries and formal and informal spaces across the institution and what is going on/being planned in this area would further progress the debate.

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Intellectual property information services and the impacts on academic libraries’ transformation from the perspective of Chinese university libraries

IFLA Journal ◽

10.1177/03400352211025552 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 034003522110255

Author(s):

Wei Yang ◽

Tianlin Liu

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Property ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Information Service ◽

Information Services ◽

University Libraries ◽

Chinese University ◽

The Usa ◽

The Uk ◽

Library Transformation ◽

Information Providers

Approximately 100 Intellectual Property Information Services Centres have been established in Chinese university libraries, more than 80% of them since 2017. The context of this boom in Intellectual Property Information Services Centres is the rapidly increasing number of patent applications in China, as well as an unacceptably low transfer ratio. Do Intellectual Property Information Services Centres represent a promising direction for university library transformation? This is the central issue addressed in this article. The characteristics of the Chinese evolutionary path and driving forces are discussed, and distinctive intellectual property information service practices are studied and summarized. Comparisons are made with the USA, the UK, Europe and India. With Intellectual Property Information Services Centres, university libraries can evolve from information providers to innovation catalysts, and establish closer connections between universities, communities and industries. The impacts of Intellectual Property Information Services Centres on university librarianship are multifaceted. The trends and challenges of intellectual property information services are also discussed in the article.

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EMERGENCE OF INFORMAL LEARNING SPACE IN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS: A COMPARATIVE SCENARIO IN THE CONTEXT OF KHULNA CITY

10.31705/faru.2021.24 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Z. Sourav ◽

◽

D. Afroz ◽

Keyword(s):

Learning Environment ◽

Informal Learning ◽

Formal Education ◽

Outdoor Environment ◽

Formal Learning ◽

University Campus ◽

Learning Spaces ◽

Learning Space ◽

Informal Learning Environment

Ancient education system was developed from a semi-outdoor environment. While developing the learning spaces it developed into indoor environment to ensure controlled environment, focus, discipline and compactness. These properties lead to formal education and formal learning space which replaced the informal learning environment. Formal learning space usually drive students towards a single expertise or knowledge. The limitations and boredom of formal education often causes depression and annoy towards education that result in limited learning and one-sided education. This research indicates the role of “informal learning environment” which helps university students to achieve multi-disciplinary knowledge through a simple, contextual and informal way. To establish the emergence, we tried to do a quantitative analysis among the students studying different universities in Khulna city. We have tried to understand the perspective of the students whether they feel the importance of informal learning or not in their daily life. While working on this paper, we have experienced unique scenario for each university but by any means Khulna University and Khulna University of Engineering & Technology serves their student the environment where students can meet and share knowledge with their natural flow of gossiping with food or drinks while Northern University of Business & technology and North-Western University have shown different scenario.

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