scholarly journals Academic library services for students with disabilities (Research project for the Daphne Clark Award 1991/2)

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (62) ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Academic Ability ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Research Project ◽  
The University ◽  
North London

The project began as a challenge. The University of North London has a goal to facilitate access to all potential students with the academic ability to complete their chosen course. The library plays a key role in providing learning support, yet had no policy on providing for students with disabilities. The research project was formulated, and submitted to LIRG for consideration for the Daphne Clark award 1991/92. The main objective was to gain information on which to base a policy and plan of action to provide services for students with disabilities. Students at North London provided a practical base for the project.

scholarly journals Factores que motivan el uso de la biblioteca universitaria

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Segoviano Hernández ◽  
Miguel Ángel Palomo González
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
The Other ◽  
Library Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Research Project ◽  
University Library ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Use Studies ◽  
The University

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a documentary search about factors that motivate the use of university library. Literature about these factors was not found, either not standards or indicators used to measure those factors’ impact. On the other side, evidence was found about the decrease in library attendance, reported by the university libraries themselves; however, no evidence about the causes of this phenomenon was found. In sucha context, this article presents a research project that will be applied in 3 universities at Northeast Mexico, in which a methodology to identify and analyze motivation in students to use the university library is proposed.Keywords: academic library, library use studies, library users, motivation, library services, user satisfactionResumen: En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la revisión documental sobre el tema de los factores que motivan el uso de la biblioteca universitaria. No se encontró literatura sobre estos factores y tampoco se encontraron normas o indicadores de referencia que permitan medir su impacto. Por otro lado, se encontró evidencia de un descenso en la asistencia reportada por las bibliotecas de las instituciones de educación superior, pero no se encontró evidencia de sus causas. Ante este escenario, en el presente artículo se plantea unproyecto de investigación que se aplicará en 3 universidades del noreste de México, en el cual se propone una metodología para identificar y analizar los factores que motivan, a sus estudiantes para utilizar la biblioteca universitaria.Palabras clave: biblioteca universitaria, estudios de uso de biblioteca, usuarios de biblioteca, motivación, servicios bibliotecarios, satisfacción de usuarios.

University of Zululand Library and Inclusive Education: Responding to the Needs of Students with Disabilities

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Eneya ◽  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Bertha Janneke Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Disability Policy ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Education Agenda ◽  
The University

This paper investigates the University of Zululand Library’s response to the university’s inclusive education agenda with respect to the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities. This was a qualitative study within the interpretive paradigm that used Michael Oliver’s social model of disability as an underpinning theory. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from students with disabilities and library staff. In addition, physical inspection of the library building was also conducted. Data analysis was done by thematic analysis. The study reveals that the University of Zululand Library services are not inclusive. Students with disabilities struggle to access library services. They faced such challenges as inaccessibility of library services, unavailability of resources in alternative formats and assistive technologies, and the lack of a disability policy. The study also found that the library faced the following challenges in providing services for students with disabilities: limited funding, a lack of staff awareness and training, the lack of a disability policy and a lack of collaboration. Formulating regulations to enforce the implementation of disability policy and legislation, developing institutional disability policies, and providing assistive technologies are critical in ensuring the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities at the University of Zululand. Unless students with disabilities have equal access to information, the university’s inclusive education agenda will remain a distant dream. Access to academic library services is critical to the full participation of students with disabilities in education. Likewise, inclusive university education can only be realised when students with disabilities have equal access to information. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities, which promote equal access to services and facilities to persons with disabilities. This paper raises awareness for both library staff and university management about the current status of library facilities and services with respect to accessibility for students with disabilities and how to address inclusiveness in library service provision.

Academic library website functions in the context of users’ information needs

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Mierzecka ◽  
Andrius Suminas
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Vilnius University ◽  
Locating Information ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University ◽  
Desk Research

The digital revolution has had a particular impact on the functioning of libraries: it has changed both the means of communicating with the users, and the nature of the service itself. In the case of academic libraries, an online presence is crucial due to the increased rate of Internet usage among their stakeholders, academics and students alike. From their perspective, library websites serve as digital gates to library services and resources. However, an academic library website may fulfil a wide array of functions and their importance can be variously prioritized. The purpose of our research was to find out which functions of academic library websites are viewed as the most important by a selected group of users: the students. To answer this question, we identified the main functions of academic library websites on the basis of desk research and designed a survey conducted among students of the University of Warsaw (Poland) and Vilnius University (Lithuania) ( n=680). The picture of users’ information needs with regard to content of the academic library website revealed by our research allows us to draw conclusions about the functions of the academic library website distinctive from those already mentioned in the subject literature. From the perspective of a user-centric approach we distinguished five functions of the academic library website: (1) supporting the usage of the collection (online and traditional); (2) promotion of culture; (3) gateway for locating information on the Web; (4) education; (5) creation of library’s online image.

scholarly journals Service Quality Assessment at the Learning Resourse Center in Can Tho University, Vietnam

2021 ◽  
pp. 82-92
Author(s):  
Thi Trang Huynh ◽  
Mai Huynh Nguyen ◽  
Bang Duy Vo
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Mekong Delta ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Information Control ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

This paper reports the findings of assessing the quality of services offered at an academic library in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Using the quantitative approach, 31 criteria of updated LibQual model were considered in this research. Data collected in this study include online survey of 386 students from different courses and majors in the university. Research findings indicate that students were satisfied with all library services at a high level. The findings also reveal that there were 4 groups of factors influencing students’ satisfaction. They were Service Affect, Information Control, Library as a Place and Copyright. Of the four influential factors, Service Affect was identified as the strong factor while Information Controll was found to be the minor. Some implications for administrators and librarians are also provided with particular regard to the assessment of the quality of library services.

Delivering equitable distance library services to off-campus users at the University of the Free State in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianda Coetzer ◽  
Patrick Mapulanga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Free State ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Online Library ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived satisfaction of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative approach with open-ended questions that generated some qualitative data. Data has been presented using descriptive statistics in the form of tables, graphs and charts and thematic content analysis for some qualitative data. Findings All learners in this study were adults between 45 and 55 years of age. Of the respondents, 13% lacked online experience, while about 85% had never used online library services and 35% indicated that Google was their primary source of information. The majority of respondents indicated information literacy as a core function of the academic library. High data cost in South Africa came out as one of the major issues affecting distance learners as well as login and password frustrations. The study confirmed computer anxiety, physical discomfort, information overflow and prompt response as some of the perceived challenges and levels of satisfaction respectively of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. Practical implications The study revealed that a distance learning library policy is of the essence because it helps to put in place rules and regulations that guide the delivery of distance library services. Originality/value The offering of online and distance library services is a fairly new concept to the UFS library. This study bridges the gap between theory and practice regarding the perceived satisfaction of distance users on online library services and how to improve the current practice.

Convenience and accessibility of library services to students with disabilities at the University of Limpopo in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justice Phukubje ◽  
Mpho Ngoepe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Disabled Students ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Service Unit ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
The University

Students with disabilities require special convenient access to library services as compared to the general student population. Despite the special needs requirements, there is consensus among researchers that access to library services by students with disabilities is not yet fully available, especially in countries in the global periphery. This study utilised quantitative data collected through questionnaires directed to 92 disabled students registered for the 2013 academic year, an interview with the librarian responsible for the disabled students unit and observation using the IFLA checklist for access to libraries for disabled people to evaluate the convenience and accessibility of library services for students with disabilities at the University of Limpopo in South Africa. Even though the study established that a purpose-built library service unit for students with disabilities that complies with international best practice was in place, students with disabilities were not adequately satisfied with the library services they received as very few library materials had been transcribed into accessible formats. The situation was compounded by the fact that only one librarian was assigned to manage and run the library services for the disabled. The study recommends that the university should hire more librarians to assist students with disabilities in the audio-braille library. It is hoped that the study will stimulate policy makers to include students with disabilities in information access and collection development policies. A further study on the needs and academic progress assessment of students with one group of disabilities is recommended.

scholarly journals Dyslexia in the University. Guidelines for inclusion and teaching of the University of Florence

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Zappaterra
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Medical Engineering ◽  
Learning Disorders ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Special Education Needs ◽  
Education Needs ◽  
University Of Florence ◽  
The University

This paper reports the results of an interdisciplinary project (pedagogical, medical, engineering area) of the Centre for Research on Disability Issues, operating within the University of Florence, which provides support for students with disabilities and with Learning Disorders (LD). The project, which aims at drawing up a protocol for the inclusion and learning support for students with learning difficulties, after a first reconnaissance of user needs that have been reached with the participation of the very same protagonists (thanks to a questionnaire built on purpose and a series of focus groups) is now at the stage of guidelines drafting for inclusion and education, to be used by teachers, students and administrative staff. In the article, after a brief summary of the previous phases of the project, the reader can find the most significant elements of the guidelines for teaching, i.e. the section for teachers, whose aim is to implement a LD-friendly teaching, even at the university level, in compliance with Law 170/2010.Keywordslearning disabilities; inclusive education; special education needs; didactic tools; university

scholarly journals Escape the welcome cliché

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Wise ◽  
Julie Lowe ◽  
Adam Hill ◽  
Laura Barnett ◽  
Charlotte Barton
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Good Learning ◽  
The University

The University of Surrey Library and Learning Support Services (LLSS) recognised an increasing need to transform its welcome, induction and orientation activities for students. Past activities have entailed delivering information to students in ways which may have led to information overload and lack of engagement by students with library services. The LLSS have been exploring innovative ways to welcome students to university, moving away from didactic approaches. This paper presents one such innovation produced among a series of activities during 2017/18, an educational escape room, informed by the work of Walsh (2017). This activity invited students to solve a series of themed puzzles in the escape room, introducing them to library services and information literacy (IL) skills to support their studies. This report provides an account of the challenges and positive outcomes encountered in designing the escape room, with a view to sharing good learning and teaching practice.

scholarly journals Escape the welcome cliché

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Hannah Wise ◽  
Julie Lowe ◽  
Adam Hill ◽  
Laura Barnett ◽  
Charlotte Barton
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Good Learning ◽  
The University

The University of Surrey Library and Learning Support Services (LLSS) recognised an increasing need to transform its welcome, induction and orientation activities for students. Past activities have entailed delivering information to students in ways which may have led to information overload and lack of engagement by students with library services. The LLSS have been exploring innovative ways to welcome students to university, moving away from didactic approaches. This paper presents one such innovation produced among a series of activities during 2017/18, an educational escape room, informed by the work of Walsh (2017). This activity invited students to solve a series of themed puzzles in the escape room, introducing them to library services and information literacy (IL) skills to support their studies. This report provides an account of the challenges and positive outcomes encountered in designing the escape room, with a view to sharing good learning and teaching practice.

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