scholarly journals Consultants in Academic Libraries: Challenging, Renewing, and Extending the Dialogue

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Marni R. Harrington ◽  
Ania Dymarz
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Linguistic Analysis ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Discussion Section ◽  
Linguistic Strategies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Planning Processes ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

There is a trend in academic libraries to hire consultants for internal crises, change management projects, strategic planning processes, outcomes assessment, evidence-based decision making, information literacy instruction, and more. Although we hear informally about the use of consultants in academic libraries, the practice has gone unexamined. We employ a historical and linguistic analysis of consultants in academic libraries, using a critical framework for this research. A critical perspective provides a structure to discuss issues that librarians may not have been able to previously fit into library practice dialogue. A chronological history of consulting in libraries acts as our literature review. This review, along with a targeted examination of library and information science resources, is used to guide two lines of linguistic analysis. The first provides a critique of the core tenets used to define and characterize library consultants, namely, the claim that consultants are unbiased professionals who bring “expertise” and “fresh” ideas to libraries. The second analysis investigates the rhetorical strategies used in existing texts: polarizing language, straw man reasoning, and figurative and indirect language. The discussion section unpacks these linguistic strategies, reflects on what is missing from the texts, and considers how knowledge and power are exerted through language, making connections to the broader context of neoliberalism.

scholarly journals The Internationalization of the Academic Library: A Systematic Review of 25 Years of Literature on International Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda B. Click ◽  
Claire Walker Wiley ◽  
Meggan Houlihan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
International Students ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Conference Papers

This study is a systematic review of the library and information science (LIS) literature related to international students and academic libraries. A systematic review involves the methodical collection and analysis of a body of literature and is growing in popularity in the LIS field. Three well-known LIS databases were systematically searched for articles related to the topic, and manual bibliography searches were conducted to find additional publications. Journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers were included or excluded based on established criteria. Findings show that articles published about international students and academic libraries have increased steadily between 1990 and 2014. The majority of authors are affiliated with universities and institutions in the United States, although an increase in represented countries is apparent. Fewer than half of the articles can be considered original research, and surveys are the most popular method for data collection. The LIS field—and international students—would benefit from further exploration of this topic, particularly from original research with practical implications.

Innovations and Use of Assistive Technologies in Libraries of Institutions of Higher Learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 346-365
Author(s):  
Josiline Phiri Chigwada ◽  
Josephine Dinar Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning

Access to information for all is a major component of library and information science in this digital era. Libraries in institutions of higher learning are mandated to provide information to all the patrons regardless of their ability to deal with the issue of inclusivity and social justice. A study on the innovations was conducted specifically for patrons with special needs in academic libraries. Different assistive technological types of equipment were outlined as well as the challenges encountered when using the assistive technology tools and applications. The observation was done at one of the academic libraries, and it was discovered that the library has a disability center that is used by patrons with special needs and manned by a trained librarian. The authors recommend the introduction of such services in all the academic libraries to cater to patrons with special needs.

Attitude of Library and Information Science Professionals Towards Resource Sharing and Networking of Academic Libraries

2021 ◽  
pp. 2019-2034
Author(s):  
Ramadhas G. ◽  
Suman Sankar A. S.
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
The People ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Modern Era

Information explosion is the common phenomenon in the modern era in which no library can stand alone in fulfilling the information needs and requirements of its users. Resource sharing provides the means to maximize the usage of library collection irrespective of its type. Networking of libraries facilitates resource sharing among the participating libraries in an effective manner and it indirectly facilitates marketing of library sources among a group of libraries. Technology alone is not sufficient to bring together the sources. The attitudes of the people involved in the information dissemination are also a decisive factor in determining the success of resource sharing through networking of libraries. This chapter presents the attitude of information professionals for effective resource sharing and networking of academic libraries in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The study revealed that library and information science professionals have a positive attitude towards resource sharing and networking of libraries.

MOOCs Evolution and Perceptions of Library and Information Science Professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 60-78
Author(s):  
Anna Kaushik
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
The Future ◽  
Science Domain ◽  
Main Barrier

This chapter provides the genesis of the massive open online courses (MOOCs) concept and perceptions of library and information science professionals towards the evolution of MOOCs in libraries and the information science domain by using a survey. The results of this study revealed that a majority of library and information science professionals who participated in this survey were working in academic libraries and aware of the MOOCs concept from three years, by scholarly literature. The MOOCs concept was updated and useful in libraries and the information science domain, while a lack of MOOCs related specific to competencies and skills emerged as the main barrier. This survey also showed that the concept of MOOCs will continue to grow in the future. This chapter will be helpful to understand the concept of MOOCs and the insights of library and information science professionals in the MOOCs context.

Core Competencies and Innovation for Library and Information Science Professional in 21st Century Digital-Based Environments

2021 ◽  
pp. 74-90
Author(s):  
Robert Akinade Awoyemi
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Global Environment ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
The Impact

Academic libraries and information technology centres are under serious threat due to the increasing pressure to achieve higher level of performance in a competitive global environment. Most of these challenges are as result of information communication technology (ICT) and digital revolution. This chapter discusses the impact of digital revolution on academic libraries and the need to acquire core competencies and new skills to effectively the 21st century academic libraries and information technology centres. Further, the author examines the sets of skills required by Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals to survive in the digital-based environments.

Attitude of Library and Information Science Professionals Towards Resource Sharing and Networking of Academic Libraries

2020 ◽  
pp. 74-90
Author(s):  
Ramadhas G. ◽  
Suman Sankar A. S.
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
The People ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Modern Era

Information explosion is the common phenomenon in the modern era in which no library can stand alone in fulfilling the information needs and requirements of its users. Resource sharing provides the means to maximize the usage of library collection irrespective of its type. Networking of libraries facilitates resource sharing among the participating libraries in an effective manner and it indirectly facilitates marketing of library sources among a group of libraries. Technology alone is not sufficient to bring together the sources. The attitudes of the people involved in the information dissemination are also a decisive factor in determining the success of resource sharing through networking of libraries. This chapter presents the attitude of information professionals for effective resource sharing and networking of academic libraries in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The study revealed that library and information science professionals have a positive attitude towards resource sharing and networking of libraries.

Exploring academic libraries’ use of Twitter: a content analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1002-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan M. Al-Daihani ◽  
Suha A. AlAwadhi
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patterns Of Communication ◽  
Library Marketing

Purpose – This research aims to analyze academic libraries’ Twitter content and present a categorization framework for the study of their tweets. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted a statistical descriptive analysis in addition to a content analysis of the tweets. Consequently, many categories and subcategories were created to classify the tweets according to different aspects. A total of 17 academic library accounts were examined. Findings – The findings show that academic libraries used Twitter as a multifaceted tool. “News and announcements” received the highest score as the type of information most often posted on Twitter by libraries, followed by “library collections” and “library services”. The subcategories that received the highest scores were “library marketing and news”, “answers and referrals” and “books”. Academic libraries showed a penchant for posting links more often than other content. Other results show different patterns of communication and interaction between libraries and their Twitter followers. Practical implications – The categorization of tweets provides a framework for understanding how academic libraries use Twitter. Originality/value – As little research can be found in the library and information science literature on Twitter content analysis, this research is expected to contribute significantly. It will also support academic libraries and librarians in using Twitter more efficiently and effectively.

scholarly journals The Training of Academic Library Staff on Information Technology within the Libraries of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System

1998 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa E. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
State Colleges ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Training Practice

There is much discussion in the literature of library and information science on the need for training, and it is generally recognized that libraries do not devote as much time and energy to training their staff as they should. However, the surveys of training practice that are common in the private sector seldom are done in the library world. The purpose of this study was to survey academic libraries within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system to find out what the current training practices are within these libraries. Seventeen out of twenty-three libraries responded to a survey that attempted to determine (1) the types of technologies on which staff receive training, (2) the methods being used to train staff on technology, and (3) whether any differences exist in the training that professional and paraprofessional staff receive.

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