scholarly journals Evidence based research activities, interests and opportunities exist for practitioners in all library sectors in the British Isles

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
British Isles ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

A review of: McNicol, Sarah. “Is Research an Untapped Resource in the Library and Information Profession?” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 36.3 (September 2004):119-26. Objective – To scope the range, nature and challenges of present, planned and future research by practitioners within libraries in the British Isles. Design – A series of survey questionnaires sent by mail. Setting – Public, academic, health, special and school libraries of the British Isles. Subjects – A total of 2384 questionnaires were sent out and 334 responses were received. 62 academic libraries, 83 health libraries, 78 public libraries, 63 school libraries and 48 special libraries participated in the study. Methods – This study was undertaken in 2003 by a research team at the University of Central England. Survey questionnaires were sent by mail to library directors in all public library authorities, academic libraries, health libraries and special libraries in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In addition, questionnaires were sent to the librarians in all state and independent schools within a sample of nine local education authorities. Each participant was asked to identify past and future research issues of interest and the barriers to research practice within their library. Research was defined to include work on both externally funded and in-house projects and examples of the types of activities that this might include were provided. Main results – Half the respondents reported that they had been involved in some form of research in the past two years, with the lowest level of involvement from school libraries and the highest in public libraries. Generally, only the library directly involved in conducting the research made use of the findings and a gap in the dissemination of results was identified across sectors. User surveys were the most common form of research undertaken across libraries and slightly fewer respondents intended to carry out research in the coming twelve months than had in the past (the area most commonly mentioned was user surveys). Information and communications technology (ICT) was an area of planned future research in all libraries, as were user needs and user behaviour. The most frequently cited barriers to research activity across all sectors were lack of time and financial resources. Staff skills and the lack of focus on practical problems to solve were indicated as a barrier in health, public and academic libraries. Libraries reported a range of common uses for the research findings including: informing strategic and service planning; providing benchmarking data and measuring the effectiveness of services; identification of marketing and public relations opportunities; discovery of staff training needs; and use of the results to demonstrate the value of libraries to funding bodies. Conclusion – This study provides insight into practitioner-focused areas of research interest and possible areas for future investigation. As the author reports in her conclusion, the survey results cannot be considered representative of the wider population. Since research interests often overlap, a sector wide or cross-sectoral research approach should be considered to allow library staff to identify and resolve common problems. Wide dissemination of research results within the practitioner community would be of benefit to all. Greater communication between practitioner and information science communities is also encouraged, as these communities’ work is mutually beneficial.

What Is the Role of the Library?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Subscription Libraries

What do we mean when we say “libraries”? Obviously, there are many different kinds of libraries with a variety of missions: Public libraries, corporate libraries, hospital libraries, subscription libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries all exist to do subtly but significantly different things. Since this...

scholarly journals The Forest, The Trees, The Bark, The Pith: An Intensive Look at the Circulation Rates of Primary Texts in Ten Major Literature Areas at the University of Oregon Libraries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff D. Staiger
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Circulation Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Intellectual Community ◽  
The Past ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
The University

This poster looks at the circulation rate for literary primary texts, which constitute a unique area of collecting in academic libraries: while they do not in most cases meet immediate research needs, it is assumed that libraries ought to acquire them, for reasons including future research needs, preservation of the cultural record, and the ability of members of the intellectual community to stay current, those these remain primarily tacit. The circulation trends of contemporary literary works in ten areas of literature (English, American, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Latin American, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian) over the past twenty years at the University of Oregon Knight Library are presented and the circulation turnover rate (CTR), for each of these subject areas are presented. Sample graphs allow for the comparison of circulation rates and numbers of books across time, and serve as examples of the utility of such visualizations of the numbers. The key question raised by the study is what makes a good CTR for a particular region of the collection? The poster concludes by summarizing the considerations that bear on the interpretation of the CTR as an index of how the collection is “working.”

scholarly journals Academic Libraries and Librarians in the Disruptive Era

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-44
Author(s):  
Toong Tjiek Liauw
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Individual Learning ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
The Past ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Disruptive Innovations

The past few decades have introduced us to the Digital Natives, a generation born in the 1980s, who have been familiar with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the myriads of ICT products since the day they were born. The last decade has also made us familiar with numerous disruptive innovations and technologies that have now been so pervasive in our daily lives and have ‘threatened’ many established practices on how we conduct our lives and businesses, such as ride-sharing (Uber, Grab, etc.), accommodation-sharing (AirBnb), and the blockchain technology that has been applied in more and more aspects of life, with Bitcoin as one of its applications in the crypto currency sector.   Those changes and disruptions have not spared the higher education (HE) sector. Nowadays HE institutions need to take into account the characteristics of the Digital Natives, and various disruptive innovations and technologies if they want to remain relevant and stay ahead of the competition in the sector. All aspects of HE – including academic libraries, are not immune to these changes and disruptions. In the past, academic libraries have tended to play their roles as the storehouse of information and the provider of space for individual learning. The advent of the Digital Natives and disruptive technologies have led some in the HE sector to argue that academic libraries would soon lose their relevance since nowadays information can be accessed digitally from anywhere and at any time. People who believe this line of thinking have given some examples. One of them is the demise of Blockbuster (movie rental) stores in the United States (US) with the emergence of online video/movie streaming services. However, many forget that libraries, including academic libraries, also have their social functions besides their traditional roles as an information storehouse and individual learning space. Due to their social functions, libraries have even been viewed as one of the most democratic spaces that societies have. This is especially true in the case of public libraries, but also – to some extent – true for academic libraries, where they also perform their functions as community hubs.

scholarly journals One-Dimensional SnO2Nanostructures: Synthesis and Applications

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Pan ◽  
Hao Shen ◽  
Sanjay Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Rational Design ◽  
Visible Region ◽  
Lithium Ion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Semiconducting Materials ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Design And Synthesis ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Semiconducting Nanostructures

Nanoscale semiconducting materials such as quantum dots (0-dimensional) and one-dimensional (1D) structures, like nanowires, nanobelts, and nanotubes, have gained tremendous attention within the past decade. Among the variety of 1D nanostructures, tin oxide (SnO2) semiconducting nanostructures are particularly interesting because of their promising applications in optoelectronic and electronic devices due to both good conductivity and transparence in the visible region. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent research activities that focus on the rational synthesis and unique applications of 1D SnO2nanostructures and their optical and electrical properties. We begin with the rational design and synthesis of 1D SnO2nanostructures, such as nanotubes, nanowires, nanobelts, and some heterogeneous nanostructures, and then highlight a range of applications (e.g., gas sensor, lithium-ion batteries, and nanophotonics) associated with them. Finally, the review is concluded with some perspectives with respect to future research on 1D SnO2nanostructures.

Connecting

2019 ◽  
pp. 181-218
Author(s):  
Renee Hobbs ◽  
Liz Deslauriers ◽  
Pam Steager
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Media Literacy ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Oral Histories ◽  
Great Literature ◽  
The Past ◽  
Local Organizations ◽  
The Family

Librarians in school, public, and academic contexts have been more outward-facing in their outreach efforts over the past 15 years. Public libraries have connected with school and academic libraries, and more libraries increasingly connect with local organizations and individuals to provide programming. Public film screenings enable public and academic libraries to meet the needs of all people in the community—including those who can’t, don’t, or don’t like to read. Film and media literacy in libraries helps to create communities where ongoing sustained dialogue helps us talk and listen to each other. As we model respectful ways of talking about movies and media, we know that these vital civic competencies can transfer to the home, the family, the workplace, and the community. In some communities, locally created oral histories on video bring people together to share stories, and this form of digital media has cross-generational value for both current and future residents. Libraries can also be an avenue for independent filmmakers to distribute their films. Screening the entries of film contests like the 90-Second Newbery and 60-Second Shakespeare can serve to attract patrons to the library and readers to great literature. Outreach librarianship may also be a matter of marketing and adaptation for survival.

Researching public libraries and the social web, 2006-2012

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 632-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Web ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to sketch out the general tendencies, gaps and opportunities within the body of research studying the social web as a new facet of public librarianship in order to delineate the findings so far and suggest directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach – Literature searches were conducted through the Library, Information Science and Technology Abstract database, The ISI Web of Science database and the Directory of Open Access Journals. A selection process in two steps resulted in 44 articles that were subjected to a two-stage analysis and coding process: a coding analysis based on the stated aims or research questions of each article and analysis of the articles as clusters around a shared theme. Findings – The articles, exhibiting a richness and diversity in research directions, are dispersed in a wide range of journals and the topics addressed cover a variety of segments within Library and Information Science. Despite this diversity, research exploring the consequences of the social web for public libraries in situ and considerations of research on the broader political economic conditions of the public library institution in late modernity is largely lacking. Furthermore, the status of librarianship and the professional expertise of librarians, in light of the social web, need to be further addressed. Originality/value – The rising interest and investment of library professionals into the practices, principles and technologies of the social web calls for further studies into the consequences of this ongoing development for public library services. This paper gives a preliminary overview of the research done 2006-2012 and identifies gaps in the literature that may serve as a point of departure for future research.

Culture of assessment in academic libraries in Kuwait: investigating the current situation and future prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 655-667
Author(s):  
Bibi M. Alajmi ◽  
Madiha Kaisar
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Assessment ◽  
Culture Of Assessment ◽  
Library Staff

PurposeUsing the Association of Research Libraries' SPEC KIT 303 library assessment framework, this study examines and evaluates academic libraries' efforts toward establishing a culture of assessment.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative questionnaire is employed to collect data. The sample comprises 70 library staff working in eight academic libraries in public and private universities in Kuwait.FindingsThe findings document a readiness to create a culture of assessment in Kuwaiti academic libraries, though this was greater in private universities. Resources to develop this culture, such as assessment and analysis methods and the requisite skills and knowledge, are available, but commitment from academic leaders and plans for a shift toward culture of assessment were not evident. Overall, participating academic library staff acknowledged the value of developing a culture of assessment, but this seems not to be an institutional priorityPractical implicationsThe methodology and findings address gaps in library and information science education and library management on creating a culture of assessment and suggest future research avenues.Originality/valueLibrary assessment is a core function of libraries, but guaranteeing the continuity and consistency of related activities requires an organizational culture that facilitates and supports such assessment. While many articles have focused on the requisites for building a culture of assessment in higher education, few, if any, have assessed academic libraries in the cultural context of the Middle East.

scholarly journals Service Robots: A Systematic Literature Review

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 2658
Author(s):  
In Lee
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Service Robots ◽  
Service Robot ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Personal Services

A service robot performs various professional services and domestic/personal services useful for organizations and humans in many application domains. Currently, the service robot industry is growing rapidly along with the technological advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In light of the great interest and potential of service robots, this study conducts a systematic review of the past and current research in service robots. This study examines the development activities for service robots across applications and industries and categorizes the service robots into four types The categorization provides us with insights into the unique research activities and practices in each category of service robots. Then, this study analyzes the technological foundation that applies to all four categories of service robots. Finally, this study discusses opportunities and challenges that are understudied but potentially important for the future research of service robots.

A Study on the Actuating Performance of Unimorph Piezoelectric Actuators with a Center Load

2006 ◽  
Vol 326-328 ◽  
pp. 1411-1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoc Trung Nguyen ◽  
Kwang Joon Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Vibration Control ◽  
Piezoelectric Actuators ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Artificial Muscles ◽  
Experimental Setup ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Biomimetic Robots ◽  
Piezoelectric Unimorph

Research on piezoelectric unimorph actuators has been intensively increased during the past decade due to the wide applications of this actuator type in aerospace, vibration control, biomimetic robots, artificial muscles… Most analyses focused on the design performance with load-free actuating condition. Loading performance has not been considered adequately yet though in real application the actuators always work under certain carrying load. This paper introduces the measuring system, the experimental setup and presents the observed loading performance of the actuators with center load. Two typical kinds of piezoelectric unimorph actuator, LIPCA-C3 and THUNDER, are investigated. The numerical analyses are also conducted to illustrate the loading behavior of these devices. Some remarks and suggestions for future research activities are drawn.

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.

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