Mobile applications and services in academic libraries: a survey of the university libraries of New Delhi

M-Libraries 5 ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Seema Chandhok ◽  
Parveen Babbar
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-375
Author(s):  
Serdar Temiz ◽  
Lakshmi Pradip Salelkar

Purpose While universities are using more digital tools such as learning management systems (canvas, blackboard, etc). or massive open online courses (MOOCS) such as MIT, OpenCourseWare, edX, Coursera, digitalization has also influenced university libraries. Digital services of academic libraries need exploration on how they provide digital services and how they respond to COVID-19. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore and map digital services of academic libraries and their response to COVID-19 in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research approach is used in this study. Through a Web search, data was gathered from all 39 universities in Sweden through two means: visiting university and their respective library websites; examination of other documents provided by the university such as press releases, announcements. Evaluation of the content and digital services and libraries response to COVID-19 is conducted by thematic coding. Findings In response to the ongoing COVID-19 spread, a general trend seen among all is limited working hours, shutting down physical libraries for general public, unmanning operations. All 39 number of universities in Sweden have moved their offerings toward using online tools. The main themes that have been identified from our study are as follows: Availability of Information, Accessibility of resources, Collaboration with other actors, Increased use of existing services, motivation and support to practice social distancing. Research limitations/implications Owing to the limitations of COVID-19 conditions, time and other aspects, there was not any opportunity to visit the university libraries or book time to interview librarians or students, which led to limited level and imperfect research. There are many other activities that university libraries are offering to their employees and using their internal newsletters and email groups to reach their audience; as a result, some of digital services that are offered during COVID-19 might have not been noticed. Practical implications These findings can provide base to other universities on how to react to COVID-19 and bring more discussion. Social implications COVID-19 has big social impact on people. The findings present that libraries can go beyond their responsibilities and provide emotional and psychological support the community towards social distancing such as videos, social online meetings, live video workshops. Originality/value The findings from this study call for a review digital services of academic libraries and their response to COVID-19 in Sweden, so that best reactions and services could be understood.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-33
Author(s):  
Kathia Ibacache

Language-learning apps are becoming prominent tools for self-learners. This article investigates whether librarians and employees of academic libraries have used them and whether the content of these language-learning apps supports foreign language knowledge needed to fulfill library-related tasks. The research is based on a survey sent to librarians and employees of the University Libraries of the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB), two professional library organizations, and randomly selected employees of 74 university libraries around the United States. The results reveal that librarians and employees of academic libraries have used language-learning apps. However, there is an unmet need for language-learning apps that cover broader content including reading comprehension and other foreign language skills suitable for academic library work.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catharine Bomhold

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how academic libraries in the USA have responded to the rapidly evolving mobile environment and to determine if there is a noticeable, comprehensive pattern to instituting mobile services. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher surveyed library mobile services of 73 academic libraries at Carnegie Foundation rated RU/VH institutions. Based on this survey, the paper describes the current state of mobile services at very high research universities. Findings – While most academic libraries at research universities have some sort of mobile presence, what is offered is highly varied and is not predictable. There are still many notable University libraries that have no mobile presence. Practical implications – This study highlights the inconsistent nature of mobile services at research universities and identifies best practices in place at others. Originality/value – This is the first study to employ the Carnegie Foundation ratings of the university in which the library functions.


Author(s):  
Champeswar Mishra ◽  
Surendra Kumar Pal ◽  
Amitabh Kumar Manglam

Innovation is no longer an option but a necessity for an organization to survive during a crisis. Innovations in terms of products, process, technologies, and services, can effectively be used to resolve the crisis of the current educational system to survive and thrive in the 21st century. Academic libraries should re-think and re-invent the existing technologies, services, and facilities to fulfill the demands of users. Management, organization, and dissemination of information can be done quickly and effectively with the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in an innovative way. Technological innovation (TI) can be considered as an innovative solution for the sustenance of libraries during a crisis. This chapter attempts to describe the essence of TI in academic libraries and highlights the perceptions of librarians on TI in the university libraries system in India. Therefore, this chapter will explore individual innovative behavior and its influencing factors on technological innovation in academic libraries in Indian universities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 568-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Nneka Okpala

Purpose This paper aims to give a highlight on the concept of makerspace and its perceived benefits in academic libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The searches encompass current journal articles, books, newspapers, magazines, personal experiences on the concept of makerspace, 3D-printing and technologies in libraries. Practical examples of libraries that already have makerspaces in operation were sourced. Findings Findings of this study create awareness of benefits, challenges and strategies for developing and managing makerspaces in Nigerian academic libraries, using Zenith Library as a hypothetical sample. Research limitations/implications Only the proposal guide has been drafted. There is need for more investigations on the awareness of, and plan to adopt makerspace technologies in Nigerian academic libraries. Practical implications Librarians need to appreciate the makerspace technologies and forge ahead in establishing makerspace in strategic areas of their libraries which should serve as a meeting point for all users in the university community, and for the sharing of innovative ideas. Social implications There is need for a paradigm shift in Nigerian university libraries, hence the shift in librarians’ thinking and approach to find their place in the new maker movement. Originality/value The originality of the paper lies in its justification for establishing makerspace in Nigerian academic libraries alongside the drafted proposal which has been designed to serve as a guide to libraries in Nigeria, as no makerspace has been documented to be existing in any Nigerian library.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-149
Author(s):  
Mohammad Aslam

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the key challenges of academic libraries in times of changing nature of higher education system and how library leaders can manage the challenges when effective leadership is highly required for academic libraries today. As the time is changing, the kinds of challenges that library leaders face have also changed. Author of this study explores the methods and approaches, which are more effective ways of managing challenges in the reshaping environment of academic libraries. At the same time, change has become a permanent part of academic libraries and they need leaders who are able to lead and manage change efficiently, bring theories into practices, find innovative solutions to challenges, creative thinkers, effective communicators, collaborative mindset and self-motivators. Design/methodology/approach The selective publications have been reviewed to find the best ways to leading changes and managing challenges in academic libraries. The approaches and methods in this study are based on personal experiences of author as director of the university libraries and experiences of library leadership worldwide are conversed. Findings Academic libraries are facing similar challenges around the world. The author found that academic library leadership needs innovative skills and competencies, effective communication abilities and a new way of thinking to deal with challenges and create willingness to adapt the changes. Kotter’s leadership manage change model may apply for creating and implementing organizational change in academic libraries. Originality/value Literature on this topic is comparatively limited. Consequently, this manuscript adds value to the publications of library and information sciences and offers the literature in the field of leadership challenges and manage change in the academic libraries. It also provides guidelines to academic library leadership universally, and how can leaders work with change effectively.


2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benzies Y. Boadi

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the current state of financial support of African university libraries, and explore non‐traditional methods of providing funding for them.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes a comparative look at the funding pattern of library and information services in Africa, particularly academic libraries, over the past two decades.FindingsThe paper finds that the national governments, the main financial providers, are usually held liable for the continuing inadequacy of the financial support and are, therefore, seen as having ignored their financial responsibility toward libraries. This financial neglect negatively impacts the quality of services provided by the university libraries and, consequently, the quality of teaching and research programs at the universities served by them.Originality/valueAs a possible way of breaking away from the complete and absolute reliance on government funding which has proved to be unreliable, alternative ways of funding are suggested. These include information consultancy and brokerage services and other income‐generating activities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Nageswara Rao Kondamudi ◽  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Manorama Tripathi

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>The collection development policies of university libraries are driven by the information seeking behaviour and extent of use of resources by students, researchers and teachers. Libraries have introduced e-books in their collections with rising demand of users for them. However, e-books have not gained the perceived acceptance among users. It is essential to understand the gaps in preferences and experiences of users of e-books in academic libraries so that the collections of e-books can be customised to meet the users’ preferences. The purpose of this study is to understand how students, teachers and research scholars access, browse and use e-books in Jawaharlal </span><span>Nehru University, Delhi, India. The study has identified factors that encourage or discourage the use of e-books in </span><span>academic libraries. It highlights preferences for the format (electronic/print) while perusing books as textbooks or reference books for research. </span></p></div></div></div>


Author(s):  
Thi Kim Nguen

Library service organization in Vietnam universities is examined; due to information technology implementation library information centers are being established. Specific functions of the university libraries are revealed; the legislative and regulatory framework is analyzed.


Author(s):  
Champeswar Mishra ◽  
Surendra Kumar Pal ◽  
Amitabh Kumar Manglam

Innovation is no longer an option but a necessity for an organization to survive during a crisis. Innovations in terms of products, process, technologies, and services, can effectively be used to resolve the crisis of the current educational system to survive and thrive in the 21st century. Academic libraries should re-think and re-invent the existing technologies, services, and facilities to fulfill the demands of users. Management, organization, and dissemination of information can be done quickly and effectively with the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in an innovative way. Technological innovation (TI) can be considered as an innovative solution for the sustenance of libraries during a crisis. This chapter attempts to describe the essence of TI in academic libraries and highlights the perceptions of librarians on TI in the university libraries system in India. Therefore, this chapter will explore individual innovative behavior and its influencing factors on technological innovation in academic libraries in Indian universities.


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