scholarly journals Assessing Information Needs of Final Year Diploma Students at Kitale Polytechnic Library, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-49
Author(s):  
Ambrose Nayombe Museve ◽  
Ben Namande
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Library Collection ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Library Staff

This study assessed information needs of final year diploma students and the aspects explored were the adequacy, relevance, access and challenges faced in the use of the information resources. The study was limited to Kitale polytechnic library and the focus was the information that students seek to satisfy their information needs. The theory adopted for this study was the Principle of Least Effort that was developed by George Kengsley and explored in a study of library use of graduate students by Zao Lang. The independent variable was information needs and library user satisfaction was the dependent variable. Access and use of information resources, information literacy level and staff skills and competencies were the intervening variables. A descriptive research design was adopted to describe the level of students’ information needs and use of the library. Qualitative method was used to collect textual data and quantitative method was used to collect numerical data. The target population of 426 library staff members and final year diploma students based on the polytechnic management records was purposively sampled for study. A sample size of 68 participants was selected for study. The main data collection tools were a structured questionnaire and an interview schedule which targeted students and key informants (library staff) respectively. A pilot study was conducted at Eldoret National Polytechnic. This involved four library staff members and four diploma students who were in their final year of study. Validity was sought by use of expert knowledge in the field of information science to ascertain accuracy of the research instruments and the split half method was used to achieve reliability of the instruments and information collected. The researcher used interview to collect data from the library staff and questionnaires were employed to collect data from the sampled students. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed to generate percentages, frequency distribution tables and charts. The results established that majority of students need information for academic purposes while others use it for other information related requirements. The study also revealed that the library collection does not adequately cater for the information needs of students and it was further established that most of the library information resources are rarely relevant to students’ information needs. The study concludes that most polytechnics are not keen on issues related to limited resources, staffing and the quality of information resources and services which negatively affect students in the library. The study recommended that polytechnic policy developers should formulate library policies that are not only academically inclined but also aimed at promoting other information related purposes. The study also recommended that the Institutional management should increase library allocation of resources to ensure improved equipping of a balanced library collection that addresses the diverse information needs of students. The study further recommended that polytechnic library management should enhance its acquisition policy to help acquire information resources from publishers that are more relevant to students’ education and courses of study. The study should be useful to TVET department of the Ministry of Education in their quality assurance programs to formulate policies for polytechnics that maintain high standards of libraries and quality information services for students. The study further recommended that another study should be undertaken to explore more on the use of Wi-Fi in the provision of information services for polytechnic students; an area that deems necessary based on the studies that have been highlighted in this research.

scholarly journals Creation and Use of Online Gateway for School Libraries from Free Web 2.0 Tools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Jude M. Gorospe
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
School Library ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Free Search

The school library is challenged to remain relevant in the 21st century learning environment. With young learners always consulting Google and other free search engines for subject assignment and other information needs and with the underwhelming quality of much web-based information, the school library must find an interesting and effective way to deliver authoritative and relevant information services through online tools. However, effective information services online are most often hosted from subscribed or paid Web 2.0 sites. These online services are capable of interactivity among learners and flexibility for individual schools’ administrative concerns. However, the ability to afford these services is frequently beyond the financial capability of schools from developing countries. The researcher explored the possibility of creating a school library website that serves as a pathfinder to online resources and electronically delivers other library-based school services using free Web 2.0 tools.

scholarly journals Librarian’s Perception on Marketing of Information Resources and Services in Academic Libraries with Special Reference to Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (05) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. V. Ramadevi
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Library Staff

In the present scenario, information and communication technology plays a very important role. Due to the development of technology, internet has brought out some of the opportunities and challenges which provide the effective way of use the library information resources and services. Users can access the required information online irrespective of visiting the place and collecting the information as like ancient days. To improve some of the problems of information and communication technology resulting in underutilization of academic libraries, effort directed to promoting and creating awareness of library services is very important. Library staff can promote the use of the library through other means such as marketing of library services to its users. The role of academic libraries and information centres is to provide necessary information. The objectives of the study were why libraries should market their information resources and services; ways in which libraries market their information resources and services also impacts of marketing information resources and services in the academic Library. The study target population was 120 which comprised of library staff members. The study sample consisted to twenty members of the target group.

Can Interlending and Document Supply Be Undervalued

2021 ◽  
pp. 2155-2172
Author(s):  
Rexwhite Tega Enakrire
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Textual Content ◽  
Technological Platforms

The multifarious task of information services, which academic libraries are saddled with, continues to require the support of interlending and document supply from other libraries, in order to meet users' increasing information needs. The rationale that spurs this drive was the shifting nature of operations from traditional to virtual/technological platforms. This article employed the qualitative research approach grounded on documents/textual content analysis of literature extracted from databases of Scopus, Science Direct, and LISTA. Findings revealed that academic libraries should utilize interlending and document supply to fulfill growing and diverse demands for information. The ability to fulfill information needs requires diverse knowledge and the skills of librarians, information resources, and infrastructure to strengthen interlending and document supply. The study recommends the adaptation of grey literature as part of the collection development, cooperation with library associations and securing funding for academic libraries in Nigeria as the way forward.

Libraries and Innovative Thinking in the Digital Age

2021 ◽  
pp. 605-623
Author(s):  
Abiola Bukola Elaturoti
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Innovative Thinking ◽  
Information Professionals

Librarianship, as is quite obvious, is changing very fast with the high rate of technological infusion in every aspect of the profession. Books and other information resources that are managed by libraries and information professionals are being transformed to electronic platforms. Also, the information users are becoming more technology savvy as well as sophisticated in their information needs and the quest to satisfy these needs. Users are vast in the use of search engines, and it is like they do not need libraries and the services of librarians anymore. All these and many more developments have put great strains on libraries and librarians. This chapter therefore discusses how librarians can provide services for 21st century users through innovative thinking.

Can Interlending and Document Supply Be Undervalued

2020 ◽  
pp. 36-61
Author(s):  
Rexwhite Tega Enakrire
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Textual Content ◽  
Technological Platforms

The multifarious task of information services, which academic libraries are saddled with, continues to require the support of interlending and document supply from other libraries, in order to meet users' increasing information needs. The rationale that spurs this drive was the shifting nature of operations from traditional to virtual/technological platforms. This article employed the qualitative research approach grounded on documents/textual content analysis of literature extracted from databases of Scopus, Science Direct, and LISTA. Findings revealed that academic libraries should utilize interlending and document supply to fulfill growing and diverse demands for information. The ability to fulfill information needs requires diverse knowledge and the skills of librarians, information resources, and infrastructure to strengthen interlending and document supply. The study recommends the adaptation of grey literature as part of the collection development, cooperation with library associations and securing funding for academic libraries in Nigeria as the way forward.

Information Needs and Information Seeking Behavior of Physically Challenged Students and Faculty of the University of Delhi

2013 ◽  
pp. 300-308
Author(s):  
Ramneek Singh ◽  
Amrit Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Physically Challenged ◽  
The University

Information seeking is a fluid and situation dependent activity where a seeker’s actions are influenced by access to information, perceived quality, and trust in the information source. The situation is more intense if the information seeker is a physically disabled person. This demands a call for a regular study and development of information system and management of information services for persons with disability The University of Delhi has more than 1200 students and teachers with disabilities in its various colleges and departments. Very little is known about the techniques employed by them when looking for information, what kinds of source formats they prefer to use and how these sources are used, what barriers they confront, how they feel about the process, and how they can be helped to better exploit the information resources available to them. This chapter investigates and finds the answers to the above questions by using survey methods of research. It also incorporates the use of information and assistive technology for information sought by the physically challenged students and teachers.

The Usage of Government Law Libraries in South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Mashilo Modiba ◽  
Mamotshabo Boloka
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Judicial System ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Legal Information ◽  
The Government ◽  
Law Reports

Government law libraries have an important role to play in the development of the judicial system in South Africa by providing information resources to legal practitioners, so that they can perform their judicial duties effectively. The better the information services provided by government libraries in South Africa, the more likely it is that legal practitioners will use them and produce quality judgments, thus strengthening the judicial system. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the accessibility and relevancy of the services offered by government law libraries in South Africa, and 2) to identify the factors that hinder this contribution to the legal practitioner’s information needs. Law librarians and library clerks were sampled to participate in this study. The findings suggest that government law resources are accessed both physically and electronically. The physical use of government law libraries to access law books, law journals, loose-leafs and law reports was found to be limited, because the printed legal information resources are outdated. However, government law libraries are used extensively to conduct legal research electronically using Sabinet, Juta Online Publications, LexisNexis, Westlaw, HeinOnline and SAFLII. The electronic resources were found to be accurate and up to date. As a result, the government law libraries services are relevant to both judicial officers and legal practitioners.

Libraries and Innovative Thinking in the Digital Age

2020 ◽  
pp. 165-188
Author(s):  
Abiola Bukola Elaturoti
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Innovative Thinking ◽  
Information Professionals

Librarianship, as is quite obvious, is changing very fast with the high rate of technological infusion in every aspect of the profession. Books and other information resources that are managed by libraries and information professionals are being transformed to electronic platforms. Also, the information users are becoming more technology savvy as well as sophisticated in their information needs and the quest to satisfy these needs. Users are vast in the use of search engines, and it is like they do not need libraries and the services of librarians anymore. All these and many more developments have put great strains on libraries and librarians. This chapter therefore discusses how librarians can provide services for 21st century users through innovative thinking.

Distance Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 148-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merilyn Burke ◽  
Bruce Lubotsky Levin ◽  
Ardis Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Other Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Gapen (1993) states that the concept of remote access to the contents and services of libraries and other information resources provides the user technology that brings access to the resources of multiple libraries and information services. With the evolution of a variety of methods involved in distance education, the role of academic libraries has broadened to provide resources and services to these invisible but very tangible students. This chapter begins with a brief review of the history of distance education and the impact of this technology on higher education. The chapter also explores the role of libraries and librarians in providing the variety of services, resources, and technology necessary to support this steadily growing facet of academic institutions. Finally, the chapter will present a case illustration of how one university has incorporated its virtual library as a critical element in its distance learning educational initiatives.

scholarly journals The Information Needs of School-based Speech–Language Pathologist Assistants: A Case Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shea Matthew Betts
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
School Based ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Treatment Procedures

<p><span>Speech–language pathologists (SLPs) are professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating communication disorders. They are sometimes supported by a speech–language pathologist assistant (SLPA), who engages in treatment procedures under the guidance of the supervising SLP. Both the qualifications needed to practice as well as the scope of responsibilities vary for SLPAs depending on jurisdiction. Notably, these assistants can play a central role in the treatment of speech disorders. Research regarding the information needs of SLPAs, however, is limited. This paper seeks to explore the information resources and services available to a particular SLPA community and to examine the obstacles to meeting its information needs. An interview with a practicing school-based SLPA is used to discuss current practices and suggest improvements to information services available to SLPA communities. This interview highlights some of the challenges that may be faced by school-based SLPAs when seeking information, and it provides an opportunity to consider context-specific solutions to these issues.</span></p>

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