scholarly journals Heuristic Evaluation of University Libraries’ Mobile Websites in Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-218
Author(s):  
Ewa Głowacka ◽  
Tomasz Więcek
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Heuristic Method ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Maximum Score ◽  
Information Availability ◽  
University Websites ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University

Thesis/objective – the issue of evaluation of university mobile services has not been broadly explored, especially in Poland. Such research is worth conducting, as more and more users of library websites – students in particular – use mobile devices while searching required information. Mobile versions of university websites have not become very popular in Poland as of yet. Of the 10 largest university libraries of this kind, only 4 have a mobile version. The paper presents the evaluation of their quality and benchmarking with a view to identifying the best practices. Research method – the quality-heuristic method and benchmarking were used. The research questionnaire covered both the content as well as the functioning of the services. Results and conclusions – The service of the library of the University of Torun turned out to be the best; the remaining ones appeared to be a little less attractive mainly due to their limitations linked with information availability. None of the services, however, received the maximum score. Research results show the elements which still offer room for improvement.

scholarly journals Use of University’s Library Websites in Pakistan: An Evaluation

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ijaz Mairaj
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Public Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
University Websites ◽  
Academic Role ◽  
Education Commission ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University ◽  
Purposive Sample

This study presents findings from a user-based evaluation of the use of Pakistani university's library websites. A questionnaire [printed and electronic] was used to collect the data from 17 universities. A purposive sample of 60 users from each university based on their academic role difference [faculty, researchers, graduates and undergraduates] was drawn. The findings of the study show that use of university library websites in Pakistan was satisfactory. Patrons who frequently used the Internet and library were found as frequent users of the library websites. University websites were found to be vital sources of awareness about the presence of the library websites and computers physically available at the university libraries were the significant places to use the library websites. Regarding users' academic role difference, faculty connected to the library websites from departments/faculties, while researchers and students preferred to use them from university libraries. The library websites were mainly used to find course related materials or search in online public access catalogue (OPAC). However, on the basis of users' academic role difference, faculty used the library websites to search in Higher Education Commission (HEC) Digital Library offering international scholarly literature; researchers accessed them to search in OPAC, while students preferred them to find course-related materials. The study recommends creating dynamic websites in all university libraries of Pakistan with useful content and state-of-the-art services for wider use

Accessibility of Internet Based Electronic Resources: A Content Analysis of Public and Private University Library Websites in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Shamima Yesmin .
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Private University ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
University Library ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the websites of university libraries to ascertain that libraries are effectively utilizing their respective websites to provide easy access to all electronic resources available in the library. The objective was also to a represent a comparative analysis between public and private university library websites regarding the presence of electronic resources with their easy access via the internet. For the purpose of this study, a research instrument in the form of comprehensive checklist of eighteen e-resources was developed to evaluate their accessibility in the websites of public and private university libraries. Twenty university library websites, comprised of ten top-ranked public and ten top-ranked private universities in Bangladesh, were studied for data collection using content analysis method. The findings demonstrate that the presence of e-resources on selected university library websites is still in its early stage, but it has been growing rapidly. The private university library websites are ahead of public university libraries in terms of the integration of web-resources. It is hoped that the findings of this paper will serve to assist the University librarians and other similar institutions in choosing, selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of information resources, and making these available to their websites, which will both satisfy the needs of their library users and fit within their library budget.

scholarly journals Provision of Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairment in University Libraries in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand M Dodamani ◽  
Sukanya M Dodamani
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Library Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Systematic Exploration ◽  
The Status ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University

The use of advanced IT applications has enabled the university libraries to provide innovative library services to their patrons. While the general students are getting all required services from the libraries, the students with visual impairment have continued to face challenges in accessing the library collection. The technology to help overcome these challenges is available today in the form of assistive technology (AT). Unfortunately, a majority of the university libraries in the country do not have this technology in their libraries due to which a huge amount of information stored in the books and journals subscribed by them has become out of reach of the students with visual impairment. The present study was conducted to ascertain the status of AT to support students with visual impairment in university libraries. The study which has covered around 185 universities, provides the first systematic exploration of the status of AT in university libraries in India. The major findings of the study in context of university libraries in India are: 12.97 per cent having Braille Books in their collection; 22.70 per cent have made provision for AT for students with visual impairment; 22.70 per cent have accessible library websites; 21.08 per cent have designated staff members to serve the students with disabilities; 22.70 per cent have ‘written disability policy or ‘documented minutes’ related to the ‘library services for the students with disabilities’.

Marketing information resources and services on the web

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 742-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Anwarul Islam ◽  
Muhammad Jaber Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Current Status ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Library ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Parent Institution ◽  
Marketing Information ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to address and analyse the current status of university library websites in Bangladesh. Particularly, it is focused on all universities accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh. The purpose of this paper is to describe the marketing initiatives taken by university libraries to promote collection and services to their clientele. Design/methodology/approach – For this study, university library websites were examined using a checklist of criteria developed from earlier studies and present websites. A total of 57 university library websites were examined and most of the websites were visited at least two times during the assessment, which started by checking the availability of direct and non-direct links from the home page of the parent institution followed by website assessment against the checklist. The paper also draws upon the authors’ personal experiences and observations. Findings – The study identified that the websites are not fully utilized for marketing library resources and services, and that university libraries are not maximizing their promotional activities. A majority of libraries did not make any effort to provide online literacy courses, live support, copyright documents, online user surveys, networking, and so on. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to Bangladeshi university libraries and generalization to others is to be cautioned, but there are important lessons to be learned. Practical implications – This paper will be helpful to libraries planning to implement a marketing strategic plan to improve outreach to users and enhance the image of the library. Originality/value – The present study is new in Bangladesh and reveals several marketing strategies that may be useful to other academic libraries.

scholarly journals Digital information marketing initiatives

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hauminlun ◽  
Ch. Ibohal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
General Information ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Information Products ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The University

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the digital marketing initiatives taken up by the central universities of northeast India through their library websites to promote the use of their information products and services by their clienteles.Methodology: For the present study, websites of nine central universities of northeast India have been surveyed for evaluation. All features of the websites have been examined. A checklist has been designed for collecting the necessary data. To analyze the results, simple statistical calculations were used.Findings: It is found that the majority of the library websites (66.69%) have a direct link to the parent website, and they provide general information, such as library rules, library team/staff, about library, library staff directory, timing, library notices, news, and events. With regard to language, 77.77% of the websites used both English and Hindi languages. The majority of them also provide information about services such as OPAC, internet access, circulation, membership, current awareness service, reprographic service, anti-plagiarism, library orientation, and newsletter. However, the University Libraries under study are yet to exploit the full potential of the website as the clienteles are lagging behind the effective use of the same. The use of social networking sites by the libraries, as the study shows, is also not much encouraging.Research limitations: The paper is limited to nine central university libraries of northeast India. Researchers in the future can take up other problems associated with private and state-owned universities in this regard.Practical implications: Central universities of northeast India must come forward to improve their library websites featuring other portals and provisions to enhance in marketing their information products and other services in the digital environment to serve the community effectively.

ROLE OF LIBRARIANS IN TEACHING INFORMATION LITERACY IN ZIMBABWEAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinashe Mugwisi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
Information Skills ◽  
The University

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) and the Internet have to a large extent influenced the way information is made available, published and accessed. More information is being produced too frequently and information users now require certain skills to sift through this multitude in order to identify what is appropriate for their purposes. Computer and information skills have become a necessity for all academic programmes. As libraries subscribe to databases and other peer-reviewed content (print and electronic), it is important that users are also made aware of such sources and their importance. The purpose of this study was to examine the teaching of information literacy (IL) in universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the role played by librarians in creating information literate graduates. This was done by examining whether such IL programmes were prioritised, their content and how frequently they were reviewed. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 12 university libraries in Zimbabwe and 21 in South Africa. A total of 25 questionnaires were returned. The findings revealed that IL was being taught in universities library and non-library staff, was compulsory and contributed to the term mark in some institutions. The study also revealed that 44 per cent of the total respondents indicated that the libraries were collaborating with departments and faculty in implementing IL programmes in universities. The study recommends that IL should be an integral part of the university programmes in order to promote the use of databases and to guide students on ethical issues of information use.

scholarly journals Challenges for Change Agents. Best Practices at the University Library of Freie Universität Berlin

ABI-Technik ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-364
Author(s):  
Martin Lee ◽  
Christina Riesenweber
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Large Change ◽  
University Library ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe authors of this article have been managing a large change project at the university library of Freie Universität Berlin since January 2019. At the time of writing this in the summer of 2020, the project is about halfway completed. With this text, we would like to give some insight into our work and the challenges we faced, thereby starting conversations with similar undertakings in the future.

Interdiscursivity and Promotional Discourse: A Corpus-Assisted Genre Analysis of About Us Texts on Chinese University Websites

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-416
Author(s):  
Tao Xiong ◽  
Qiuna Li
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
International Exchange ◽  
Rhetorical Strategies ◽  
University Websites ◽  
Amount Of Information ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
The University ◽  
Promotional Discourse

Abstract The debate on the marketization of discourse in higher education has sparked and sustained interest among researchers in discourse and education studies across a diversity of contexts. While most research in this line has focused on marketized discourses such as advertisements, little attention has been paid to promotional discourse in public institutions such as the About us texts on Chinese university websites. The goal of the present study is twofold: first, to describe the generic features of the university About us texts in China; and second, to analyze how promotional discourse is interdiscursively incorporated in the discourse by referring to the broader socio-political context. Findings have indicated five main moves: giving an overview, stressing historical status, displaying strengths, pledging political and ideological allegiance, and communicating goals and visions. Move 3, displaying strengths, has the greatest amount of information and can be further divided into six sub-moves which presents information on campus facilities, faculty team, talent cultivation, disciplinary fields construction, academic research, and international exchange. The main linguistic and rhetorical strategies used in these moves are analyzed and discussed.

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.

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