Preparing Academic Libraries for Service Delivery in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Era

2022 ◽  
pp. 232-249
Author(s):  
Ademola Ferdinand Omosekejimi ◽  
Osaze Patrick Ijiekhuamhen ◽  
Angela Chiwendu Nweke
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Google Search ◽  
Effective Service

This chapter focused on preparing academic libraries for effective service delivery in the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) era. The chapter discussed issues relating to various services rendered by academic libraries to their users and how these services are being rendered (primitively and the use of ICT facilities). The chapter also discussed various developments in 4IR era and the technologies that are associated with 4IR that are useful to libraries. The chapter also discussed how libraries can be prepared to adopt advanced technologies associated with 4IR and how they can be utilized for effective service delivery in libraries. The chapter also discussed types of training needed by academic library staff to be able to function and render effective services to their user in the 4IR. The chapter reviewed relevant literature on the topic of discussion, and the researchers utilized Google search engine to gather scholarly articles from databases that are open access and are relevant to the study, which formed the basis for all the literature that was reviewed in the study.

Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to research, teaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 355-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Lyudmila Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution

PurposeIn this paper, we refer to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2016, where the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) was coined by Klaus Schwab, with the reference that it would be building on “the Third, the digital revolution” and would be “characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres”. While acknowledging that the 4IR will impact on everything, everywhere, including research and libraries, we conceptualize 4IR, and we compare current academic library services/trends in South Africa with 4IR requirements, through the analysis of 26 public university library websites.Design/methodology/approachBesides conceptualization of 4IR, a content analysis of websites of 26 public universities’ libraries in South Africa was achieved followed up with verification of the data by respective libraries through a preliminary research report circulated to them by email. 23 areas were identified as the trends in academic libraries, which included free Wi-Fi in the libraries; 24/7 study areas and access to library resources on and off campus; research commons; makerspace; borrowing ICTs (e.g. laptops); e-resources; e-catalogues; research data services (RDS; RDM, IR); open scholarship; information literacy and reference/bibliographic tools, library as a publisher, among others. Data obtained were captured in Excel and analyzed by the research questions.FindingsThe 4IR concept does not occur often in literature, in relation to academic libraries, but it is implied. The findings show that the libraries are responding well to the revolution through their services, with remarkable innovation and creativity on display. There was a 64% presence of the analyzed trends/services in the libraries, with emerging trends/services such as library as a publisher (4%), robotics/AI (4%), makerspace (8%), RDS (27%), borrowing of ICTs/devices (19%) and user experience (19%) scoring low, while information literacy and digital scholarship (e.g. IR) (88%), e-catalogue and e-resources (92%), group study area (85%) and off campus access (77%) scoring above 75%. The scatter of the trends/services among the university libraries is noted for knowledge sharing of best practice.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to improve accordance with trends, academic libraries have to be better resourced, accessed and used, as well as improve web visibility. The study expects library services to be responsive, resourced and accessible anytime and anywhere, and it provides a conceptual framework and a benchmark for further research and exploration in the country, region and perhaps elsewhere.Practical implicationsThe study can be used for benchmarking current and future academic library services in Africa. The conceptual framework provides an agenda for theoretical discussions and deliberations.Social implicationsThe trends, framework and 4IR representations in the study can inform theory and practice in LIS, particularly in Africa.Originality/valueLinking 4IR to current and future library services provides a tool for academic libraries services benchmarking and development and provides a conceptual framework for theoretical and practical debates and implementation. The study is quite current and appropriate for the ongoing discussions of 4IR implications to academic libraries.

Resource Sharing

2020 ◽  
pp. 70-92
Author(s):  
Adeyinka Tella ◽  
Femi Quardri ◽  
Sunday Segun Bamidele ◽  
Olubukola Oluyemisi Ajiboye
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Global Information ◽  
Effective Dissemination ◽  
Effective Service

The chapter examined resource sharing as vehicle for effective library information dissemination and services in the digital age. In relation to this purpose, studies have shown that the global information explosion, the cut in library budgetary allocations, the rising costs and complexities of information resources, as well as the need to provide the user community with optimal access to needed information make resource sharing initiatives indispensable particularly among academic libraries for effective information dissemination and service delivery in the digital age. However, certain questions remain unanswered in the literature regarding resource sharing. They include: How can libraries engage in effective dissemination of information to the clientele through resource sharing? How can resource sharing result to effective service delivery in academic library? Is there a reflection of resource sharing in Nigeria? What is the nature of resource sharing in this digital age? What does the future hold regarding resource sharing in academic libraries and what are the issues/challenges associated with resource sharing by academic libraries in the digital age? It is expected that this chapter will provide answers to all these pertinent questions.

Social Media as a Driver of Innovative Service Delivery in Academic Libraries

2022 ◽  
pp. 192-200
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Agbo Oche
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Effective Service ◽  
Staff Skills

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.

Resource Sharing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1481-1503
Author(s):  
Adeyinka Tella ◽  
Femi Quardri ◽  
Sunday Segun Bamidele ◽  
Olubukola Oluyemisi Ajiboye
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Global Information ◽  
Effective Dissemination ◽  
Effective Service

The chapter examined resource sharing as vehicle for effective library information dissemination and services in the digital age. In relation to this purpose, studies have shown that the global information explosion, the cut in library budgetary allocations, the rising costs and complexities of information resources, as well as the need to provide the user community with optimal access to needed information make resource sharing initiatives indispensable particularly among academic libraries for effective information dissemination and service delivery in the digital age. However, certain questions remain unanswered in the literature regarding resource sharing. They include: How can libraries engage in effective dissemination of information to the clientele through resource sharing? How can resource sharing result to effective service delivery in academic library? Is there a reflection of resource sharing in Nigeria? What is the nature of resource sharing in this digital age? What does the future hold regarding resource sharing in academic libraries and what are the issues/challenges associated with resource sharing by academic libraries in the digital age? It is expected that this chapter will provide answers to all these pertinent questions.

Transforming Academic Library Services for At-risk Students in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Literature Review

Mousaion ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicki Lawal
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
At Risk Students ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution

This paper examines academic library services to at-risk students in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). It aims to explore theoretical approaches that can direct more targeted support and service models as an intervention for students who are at risk of failure. The paper specifically analyses Nan Lin’s concept of social capital theory with its particular emphasis on social network analysis. The study which directed this paper, employed a conceptual analysis as a methodology by which the literature review was used as a basis for analysing the research questions of the paper. Outcomes from the analysis indicate that Lin’s concept of social capital theory has the potential to provide a method for measuring social capital that can be assessed against information seeking outcomes. Recommendations suggest the importance of the theory as a methodological tool for investigating relationships between individuals and their social contexts, which could also be adopted by academic libraries in higher education to enhance students’ learning outcomes and educational experience in the 4IR.

A conceptual model of Open Access Institutional Repository in Indonesia academic libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 168-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Farida ◽  
Jann Hidajat Tjakraatmadja ◽  
Aries Firman ◽  
Sulistyo Basuki
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Global Access ◽  
Knowledge Content ◽  
Collaboration Process ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to attempt to build a conceptual model of Open Access Institutional Repositories (OAIR) in Indonesia academic libraries, viewed from knowledge management (KM) perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Literature-based conceptual analysis of previous studies related to open access, institutional repositories viewed from KM perpective. Findings – The conceptual model of OAIR emphasizes three variables – people collaboration, process, and technology functions. These variables, with their many elements, are integrated together in order to help the university or Higher Education (HE) institution in capturing its own scholarship produced as a whole. Besides, that integration aims at facilitating knowledge sharing so as to enrich knowledge content and to enhance global access. A process chart of OAIR based on the conceptual model is built to illustrate knowledge content recruitment in Indonesia academic libraries. Research limitations/implications – The conceptual model proposed in this paper is not yet formally tested. It needs more research to understand the Indonesian context of OAIR to build a more accurate model, based on the experiences in developing and implementing OAIR in Indonesia HE institutions. Originality/value – Many academic libraries in Indonesia develop OAIR to increase the visibility of the scholarship of the parent HE institution. It is significant to view the practice of OAIR in academic library from the KM perspective. KM implementation is almost unheard of in Indonesia universities. However, The OAIR phenomenon in Indonesia academic libraries can be viewed as a KM initiative.

Academic librarians as change champions: a framework for managing change

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennine A. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anticipate Change ◽  
Academic Librarianship ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Future Direction

Purpose As is the case of all organizations, the academic library is a body reflecting the contribution of its core employees. As such, the roles performed by academic librarians are crucial to its development and existence. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of academic librarians as change champions in an information age that has been, still is, and is expected to be continuously pervaded by varying and widespread changes in librarianship and scholarship coupled with the ever changing and expanding user needs and expectations. The paper also identifies a framework to perform this role. Design/methodology/approach This paper is informed by opinion and draws on relevant literature to highlight the current climate and what is being perceived as valuable to the future direction of academic libraries in order to bring credence to its trajectory. Findings Academic librarians must readily accept, be responsive to, and anticipate change to maintain and justify their relevance to stakeholders. Yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that not all librarians are prepared to embrace change. Practical implications Academic librarians must understand how their roles influence the decision-making processes of the stakeholders and vice versa. Originality/value The paper advances five principles or 5As to guide the change process in academic libraries: alignment, accountability, agility, accessibility, and assessment. Very briefly, it discusses the relevance of a concept referred to as the competition-collaboration continuum to further academic librarianship. These notions serve to assist academic librarians in determining the appropriate actions to be taken now.

Research Data Management (RDM) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Era

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-37
Author(s):  
Nse Emmanuel Akwang ◽  
Jonathan Ndubuisi Chimah
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Strategic Actions ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Future Information

The emergence of the 4IR has brought new opportunities and possibilities for effective management of research data. Despite the positive impacts and effectiveness of this technological advancement, most academic libraries especially in Africa are not taking advantage of this reality. As a result of this, many libraries in the developing countries are struggling to satisfy the present and future information needs of researchers. Building on the 4IR, sustainable RDM practices in academic libraries become necessary and urgent. The observation led to the decision to address issues related to RDM practices and the 4IR. The authors present the conceptual considerations of RDM, the roles of academic libraries in RDM, and the 4IR technologies as well as strategic actions for academic libraries towards the 4IR. The authors conclude by affirming that the adoption of 4IR will not only connect librarians with machines for “smart” performance, but will expand the scope, visibility, and access to research data, among others.

scholarly journals There Can Be No Single Approach for Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Academic Libraries, but Sensory-Friendly Spaces and Clear Policies May Help

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-149
Author(s):  
Michelle DuBroy
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Public Discussion ◽  
Online Discussion Forum ◽  
Google Search

A Review of: Anderson, A. (2018). Autism and the academic library: A study of online communication. College & Research Libraries, 79(5), 645-658. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.79.5.645 Abstract Objective – To investigate how people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) discuss their experiences in academic libraries in an online community of their peers. Design – Qualitative content analysis. Setting – Online discussion forum. Subjects – An unknown number of registered members of Wrong Planet (wrongplanet.net), who self-identify as having ASD and have posted about academic libraries on the public discussion board since 2004. Methods – Potentially relevant Wrong Planet public discussion board threads posted between 2004 and an undisclosed collection date were retrieved using an advanced Google search with the search strategy “library; librarian; lib; AND college; university; uni; campus” (p. 648). Each thread (total 170) was read in its entirety to determine its relevance to the study, and a total of 98 discussion threads were ultimately included in the analysis. Data were coded inductively and deductively, guided by the research questions and a conceptual framework which views ASD as being (at least partially) socially constructed. Coding was checked for consistency by another researcher. Main results – Wrong Planet members expressed a variety of views regarding the academic library’s physical environment, its resources, and the benefits and challenges of interacting socially within it. Many members discussed using the library as a place to escape noise, distraction, and social interaction, while other members expressed the opposite, finding the library, its resources, and its patrons to be noisy, distracting, and even chaotic. Social interaction in the library was seen both positively and negatively, with members appearing to need clearly defined rules regarding collaboration, noise, and behaviour in the library. Conclusion – While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting students with ASD in academic libraries, the findings suggest it may be beneficial to provide sensory-friendly environments, designate defined spaces for quiet study and for collaboration, clearly state rules regarding noise and behaviour, and provide informal opportunities to socialize. The author also suggests libraries raise awareness of the needs of ASD students among the entire academic community by hosting events and seminars. The author plans to build on these findings by surveying and interviewing relevant stakeholders.

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