Promoting Information Services Among the Non-Users of Academic Libraries

Author(s):  
Saravanan Parameswaran Pillai

Academic libraries have for centuries played critically important roles in supporting the education system. A statistically significant correlation between library use and academic productivity has been found. Recently, libraries have not been used at the optimum level. To design library services, user studies are being conducted by many researchers. However, non-users, who have legal rights, are left-out from these studies. This chapter defines the users and non-users, and the reasons for non-use, and suggests methods to promote the library services among the non-users.

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Greene ◽  
Michael Groenendyk

Purpose The growing popularity of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies, and increased research into their educational uses, has seen them appearing in a significant number of academic libraries. Little is known, however, about how many libraries have actually adopted these technologies or how they have structured library services around them. The purpose of this paper is to answer these questions. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed the websites of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries to gather information about the availability of VR and AR equipment as well as information about how access is provided. Recorded details about these services included information about staffing, dedicated space, software, what type of technology was offered and whether or not the technology was lent out or only made available for in-library use. Findings Results of the research project showed that a significant number of ARL-member libraries do offer access to VR technology. AR technology was much less widespread. The most common technologies offered were the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The technology was most typically offered for in-library use only. There were few details about staff or what software was offered to be used with the technology. Originality/value While there is growing research around how VR and AR is being used in education, little research has been undertaken into how libraries are adopting these technologies. This paper summarizes the research that has been done so far and also takes the next step of providing a larger picture of how widespread the adoption of VR and AR technologies has been within academic libraries, as well as how access to these technologies is being provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 461-477
Author(s):  
Khalil Ismayilov ◽  
Nadir Ismayilov ◽  
Vafa Mammadova

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to comparatively study the library and information services provided by three academic libraries – Baku State University Scientific Library, ADA University Library and Information Services and Khazar University Library and Information Center – located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Various types of library services are examined in terms of funding, acquisition and technical equipment support issues. Also, different subordination conditions (public/private) of the universities help to better understand the current position of academic libraries in different entities. Design/methodology/approach Most part of the conveyed information was obtained through review of related literature, libraries’ annual reports and personal communication with the directors of the academic libraries, to look for similarities and differences in provided library and information services. The results of the study are comparatively described through multiple tables and charts. Findings For improving services it is necessary to develop paid forms of library and information services, maintain various training possibilities for library staff in modern librarianship areas, increase the variety and number of public and outreach activities. Research limitations/implications As the findings of the paper suggest new forms of library services and activities, it is necessary to continue the topic in further studies to develop practical methods and applications for local library conditions. Originality/value The paper can be accepted as the first comparative study of the library information services in academic libraries of Azerbaijan, which gives general overview and analysis of separate service ranges and types. The researchers interested in Azerbaijani librarianship may find it practical.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaia Sievert ◽  
Amber Fick ◽  
Becky Adamski ◽  
Ashley Merrill ◽  
Danika LeMay

Staff from the Access and Information Services (AIS) department at the University of Minnesota Libraries developed several readers’ advisory services to promote student engagement. One project was a Book Matchmaking service, for which users completed a web form and were given reading suggestions owned by the libraries. A brief survey was distributed to users of the service during the fall of 2016 to assess impact. The resulting data made a strong argument for further readers’ advisory activities in academic libraries, as libraries and users benefit equally. Participating in the service encouraged positive engagement with the library and encouraged leisure reading.


2022 ◽  
pp. 192-200
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Agbo Oche

As technology continues to impact the delivery of library and information services, traditional academic library systems have continued to experience changes. Social media are changing and becoming more sophisticated, and librarians need to adopt them for innovative services to their users. Library staff skills and library services have to shift from book-eccentric to user-eccentric. As the academic library continues to redefine its role in the digital environment, it needs to leverage its strengths and create responsive and convenient services. The chapter discusses how social media can be adopted and utilized for delivering innovative services and the various innovative ways social media can be utilized in effective service delivery, the challenges associated with social media and innovative service delivery, and the strategies to enhance the use of social media for innovative service delivery in academic libraries. The chapter serves as guide to students and practitioners on the various ways to use social media for effective service delivery in academic libraries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Murray ◽  
Ashley Ireland ◽  
Jana Hackathorn

This study examined the predictive relationship between library use by individual students and their retention status in university settings. The methodology builds on a small number of previous studies to examine library use at the individual level to determine if use of specific library services is predictive of retention for freshmen and sophomores. Binary logistic regression yielded results that indicate a strong positive predictive relationship between library use of any kind with both freshmen and sophomore retention. These results suggest that academic libraries add value to institutional retention efforts.


Author(s):  
Christian Mubofu ◽  
Henry Mambo ◽  
Athuman Samzugi

Abstract This study investigated the factors hindering information resources preservation and the extent to which information services are affected in academic libraries. The population consisted of 170 library staff who were conveniently selected from the seven academic libraries under study. The researchers prepared a well-structured questionnaire for data collection and the responses were subjected into SPSS version 20 and content analysis. Findings revealed that lack of awareness, inappropriate building, and lack of preservation plan and being unsure on how to get started, being unsure on how to protect digital information resources and inadequate funding are the factors hindering effective preservation in academic libraries in Tanzania. The study also revealed that lack of information resources preservation affects library services to a great extent. The study concludes that damage of information resources affected information services. The study recommends that academic libraries management in collaboration with other stakeholders should establish a preservation consortium that will oversee the preservation issues in academic libraries country wide that may reduce the extent to which the barriers of information resources preservation affects the information services in the country. Through this consortium experts in the field of preservation will share skills on how they could tackle the preservation challenges together.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
C. T. Kantharaja

Cloud computing technology has signicant role in academic libraries. Most of the library services are available on cloud platform and library software vendors developed their Library Management Software on cloud platform. It is the right time for library professionals to upgrade their technical skills to provide good services to the library stakeholders. This study shows the library services and facilities available on cloud. It is the right time to migrate to cloud


Author(s):  
Charlene Tan

This article challenges the dominant notion of the ‘high-performing education system’ and offers an alternative interpretation from a Daoist perspective. The paper highlights two salient characteristics of such a system: its ability to outperform other education systems in international large-scale assessments; and its status as a positive or negative ‘reference society’. It is contended that external standards are applied and imposed on educational systems across the globe, judging a system to be high- or low- performing, and consequently worthy of emulation or deserving of criticism. Three cardinal Daoist principles that are drawn from the Zhuangzi are expounded: a rejection of an external and oppressive dao (way); the emptying of one’s heart-mind; and an ethics of difference. A major implication is a celebration of a plurality of high performers and reference societies, each unique in its own dao but converging on mutual learning and appreciation.


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