scholarly journals Field Experiences Provide Value for Library Students, but More Research Is Needed into Their Administration

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Ann Medaille
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Professional Skills ◽  
Reference Service ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The University ◽  
Postal Mail

Objective – To evaluate an eight-week practicum requirement for library and information science students. Design – Survey questionnaire. Setting – The University of the Punjab and participating libraries in Pakistan. Subjects – A total of 118 graduates of the library and information science program at the University of the Punjab who had completed an eight-week-long practicum experience in a public, academic, or special library between 2002 and 2006. Methods – Snowball sampling was used to select the subjects. Surveys were delivered and collected through personal visits, email, and postal mail, and the authors asked follow-up questions of some subjects whose surveys were collected in person. The survey contained questions about several topics, such as the type of professional tasks (e.g., acquisition, circulation, reference service, etc.) that students did during the practicum, professional skills developed, practicum length, comfort in sharing problems with supervisors, and the evaluation process. The authors used statistical analysis software (SPSS, version 12) to analyze the survey results. Main Results – The majority of subjects reported that they had received the opportunity to train in several sections and functions of the library, and they felt that the practicum was important in improving their professional skills. Most reported being comfortable sharing problems with their supervisors and were satisfied with the evaluation process. The survey also included open-ended questions about problems and suggestions, but only 28% of the subjects responded with comments. Conclusion – The authors concluded that the library practicum plays an important role in the professional development of future library professionals, and that the length of the practicum should be extended from its current eight-week requirement.

Delivery of library and information science curriculum

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 482-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priti Jain
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
Collaborative Activities ◽  
The University

Purpose Advancement in Information and communication technologies (ICTs) has revolutionised Library and Information Science (LIS) education and libraries. Both theory and practice have been transformed completely. LIS education programmes have become highly competitive and must be market-driven and technology-oriented. At the same time, academic libraries have been transformed and have become dynamic. Fostering a close collaboration between LIS educators and practitioners can multiply their strength and abilities by sharing educational resources and theoretical and practical knowledge. This paper aims to present the findings of a study carried out to investigate the current status of collaboration among LIS educators and library practitioners at the University of Botswana. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires from both LIS educators at the Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS) and practicing librarians working at the University of Botswana Library (UBL). To follow-up some of the issues, an interview was carried out with a subject librarian and a focus group discussion method was used to discuss some of the challenges from the findings. Findings The major collaborative activities from the DLIS staff were identified as the following: creating awareness of library resources and promoting library usage among students, facilitating library material selection and inviting librarians as guest lecturers to teach in the classroom. The main collaborative activities from practicing librarians were found to be the following: delivering information literacy instruction, providing professional/practical experience to students and information sharing with the DLIS teaching staff. The major challenges were identified as the following: different cultures of educators and librarians, lack of need to collaborate and lack of formal policy at the department and the university level. Research limitations/implications The UBL has 51 library staff members. All the librarians were not included in this research study, only senior librarians and library management were involved in the study. No theoretical framework was used to carry out the study. The questionnaire was designed based on the general literature in the field of professional collaboration among faculty and educators in the information profession. The follow-up interview and focus group discussion were conducted to address the collaborative activities and challenges that were acknowledged by at least 50 per cent of the participants. Issues with less than 50 per cent responses were considered insignificant to follow-up. Follow-up interview was conducted only with one subject librarian. As all subject librarians have the same job profile and undertake the similar activities, it was assumed that one subject librarian can represent others. Originality/value This research paper contributes to the body of literature. It may be useful for other LIS schools and libraries that work in similar environments, and it also opens up avenues for further research on this topical issue.

scholarly journals Interdisciplinary librarians: self-reported non-LIS scholarship and creative work

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 547-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Thomas ◽  
Anne E. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Creative Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promotion And Tenure ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The University ◽  
Perceptions Of Administrators

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to interpret and discuss survey results of a study of academic librarians’ scholarship and creative work outside of library and information science in order to reveal some librarians’ motivations to perform such work as well as their perceptions of administrators’ attitudes toward it. Design/methodology/approach – The authors published a link to a qualitative survey instrument on COLLIB-L and ULS-L, the e-mail lists for the college libraries section and the university libraries section of American Library Association, asking that only academic librarians engaged in scholarship and creative work outside of library and information science participate. This paper is an exploratory analysis of the survey results. Findings – Librarians reported that they produce such work for many reasons, including personal satisfaction, dynamic and successful liaison work, and ongoing commitment to scholarship and creative work. Academic librarians who produce non-LIS work do so with varying levels of support, and the recognition of such work is inconsistent among institutions. Originality/value – The authors are the first to query American academic librarians specifically about their scholarship or creative work outside of library and information science. Managers and administrators will glean much about academic librarians’ attitudes toward such work and how it adds value to the library operation and institution. Findings could affect criteria for reappointment, promotion, and tenure.

Awareness on Social Media among the LIS Professionals in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka: A Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-66
Author(s):  
Shilpa Uplaonkar ◽  
Kalikadevi G. Badiger
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Online Collaboration ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Agricultural Sciences ◽  
User Centric ◽  
The University

The present paper focuses on the explore of social media such as Face book, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc. to work as an effective tool for imparting information or knowledge and prove helpful in making awareness among Library and Information Science (LIS) Professionals of University Libraries of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad as most important aspect of social mediaas its emphasis on online collaboration and sharing because it has social networking, user centric characteristics. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire that was circulated among the LIS Professionals of University Libraries of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad randomly. Present article reports the survey of social media, in making awareness among LIS Professionals. Analysis will help the LIS professionals in deriving the benefits of Social media.

Extent of Job Enlargement in University Libraries in Kerala: An Investigative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
A. Naseer ◽  
B. Mini Devi
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
State University ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The University

Rapid changes in information and communication technology require application of managerial techniques, human resource management and integration of several technologies in library and information Centers. The present research aims at studying the extent of job enlargement in selected eight state university libraries in Kerala. Data of the study was gathered from a total of 266 qualified and permanent library and information science professionals. Analysis of data was done using SPSS and Micro Soft excel. The important finding of the research is that there is no significant level of job enlargement among library and information science professionals. It also finds that job enlargement situation of libraries in the universities in Kerala is low and different. The study reveals that there is significant variation in the level of job enlargement among the university libraries in Kerala. The highest level of job enlargement is found in Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady followed by Kannur University.

A Framework for Developing Open Distance E-Learning Curriculum for Library and Information Science (LIS) Programme in Eswatini

2020 ◽  
pp. 244-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vusi W. Tsabedze
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Complex Situation ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The University

The dependency by foreign countries institutions such as South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia for library and information science (LIS) training and development of staff members, to acquire higher education, has become expensive and complex for Eswatini government to handle. The expensive nature and complex situation of sending employees out of the country for training has paralysed most of the organisation due to their absence from operations in the office. This study therefore seeks to investigate, developing open distance e-learning curriculum for LIS programme in Eswatini. The University of Eswatini (UNESWA), which is one among other institution of higher learning in the country, does not offer any programme in LIS. Considering this situation in Eswatini, this chapter proposes a framework for developing the ODeL curriculum for LIS. Such a programme could be offered through the UNESWA to accommodate students within and outside the country. Thus, ensuring Eswatini becomes a player in LIS space within the African continent.

Embedding Indigenous Knowledge in Library and Information Science Education in Anglophone Eastern and Southern Africa

2017 ◽  
pp. 92-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa ◽  
The University

There is need to re-examine the inclusion or exclusion of indigenous knowledge (IK) in the university curriculum in sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Western scientific knowledge on which the university curriculum in SSA is mainly based has proved to be inadequate in addressing developmental challenges. Using the curriculum of library and information science (LIS) departments in Anglophone east and southern Africa (AESA) as a case study, this chapter focuses on factors that influence the inclusion of IK in higher education in SSA. IK is recognised for its potential contribution to development by organisations such as the World Bank and African Union. Its inclusive ethos and accommodation of multiple realities also accounts for its popularity. In spite of that, IK has not established a stronghold in LIS curriculum in AESA. This study investigates the factors that influence its integration into the curriculum and makes recommendations based on the findings.

Library and information science research in Pakistan: A bibliometric analysis, 1957–2018

2020 ◽  
pp. 096100062092193
Author(s):  
Nadeem Siddique ◽  
Shafiq Ur Rehman ◽  
Muhammad Ajmal Khan ◽  
Asif Altaf
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Publishing Research ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Library Research ◽  
The University

This article reviews 62 years (1957–2018) of research in library and information science in Pakistan. A comprehensive bibliometric study was conducted using the four leading databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Library and Information Science Abstracts, and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts). The researchers found a positive upward trend. Library research is on the rise in Pakistan. The Department of Information Management at the University of the Punjab is the major contributor to the library and information science literature. Forty percent of the total publications were published in two Pakistani journals. Older and well-established institutions like the University of the Punjab and the University of Karachi have taken the lead in publishing research. The Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces require more focus and funding.

Embedding Indigenous Knowledge in Library and Information Science Education in Anglophone Eastern and Southern Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 255-278
Author(s):  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa ◽  
The University

There is need to re-examine the inclusion or exclusion of indigenous knowledge (IK) in the university curriculum in sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Western scientific knowledge on which the university curriculum in SSA is mainly based has proved to be inadequate in addressing developmental challenges. Using the curriculum of library and information science (LIS) departments in Anglophone east and southern Africa (AESA) as a case study, this chapter focuses on factors that influence the inclusion of IK in higher education in SSA. IK is recognised for its potential contribution to development by organisations such as the World Bank and African Union. Its inclusive ethos and accommodation of multiple realities also accounts for its popularity. In spite of that, IK has not established a stronghold in LIS curriculum in AESA. This study investigates the factors that influence its integration into the curriculum and makes recommendations based on the findings.

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