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

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.

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.

Information seeking behaviours of engineering students: Case of Near East University

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 82-91
Author(s):  
Kezban Alpan ◽  
Mehmet Ceyhun Avci
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Near East ◽  
The Internet ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
University Library ◽  
Internet Resources ◽  
The University ◽  
Google Search

This study examines the information seeking behaviours of university students and explores students’ preferences between the university library and the Google search engine with their reasons. The research questionnaire was applied to 250 Near East University, Faculty of Engineering students. According to the results of the study; even students have enough knowledge to use the university library, they prefer to use Google and Internet resources for various purposes because they think that this is the fastest and easiest way to reach information. Even students obtain information via the Internet; they give importance to indicate the source in their assignments and projects. Findings also showed that there are some significant differences between departments’ information seeking behaviours. Keywords: Information seeking behaviours, Internet, Google, engineering education, university libraries.

scholarly journals Thoughts on the Digital Reading Service of University Libraries in the “Internet+” Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aihua Hou
Keyword(s):  
Personal Growth ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Reading ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Service Strategy ◽  
Main Route ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
The Times ◽  
The University

Reading is the main route to impart scientific and cultural knowledge. It is not only related to personal growth, but also closely related to the construction of our society and the prosperity of the nation. University libraries must take on this important responsibility and strengthen the promotion of reading. In the "Internet+" era, university libraries need to focus on how to keep up with the development of the times and provide better digital reading services for teachers and students. The author studies and analyzes the main characteristics of digital reading in university libraries, and proposes the service strategy of digital reading for university libraries in the "Internet+" era, hoping to help with the university libraries playing their roles.

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’.

scholarly journals The mobile future of university libraries and an analysis of the Turkish case

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 120-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulcin Kubat
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Library Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Library ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to search for any evidence for university libraries that are accessible by mobile technology in Turkey as relevant models of the future; having regard to the fact that smartphones will very soon become the standard means by which the internet is accessed, and the rates of connection from mobile devices will supersede those which are computer-based. Design/methodology/approach In the study, both domestic and foreign literature surveys were undertaken to determine which mobile library services are offered in university libraries. Thirty random central libraries of both private and state universities were selected from across the seven regions of Turkey. To gather data, a 26-question electronic survey was generated and e-mailed to the library managers. The questions were based on findings regarding the mobile library services provided by university libraries around the world. Findings By examining the survey results, it was determined that Turkish university libraries utilise a comparable level of mobile technology and demonstrate a similar level of care with regard to the services they offer. There are mobile sites (separate sites or mobile sites as applications), mobile library catalogues, short messaging services, chat rooms, consultations via instant messaging tools, mobile device-lending services, and augmented reality and QR code applications. Research limitations/implications In Turkey, the structures of university libraries operate under variable conditions because of the lack of established standards. This causes negative results for the delivery of library services. For this reason, university library standards should be set practicable as soonas reasonable, considering the social/economic and cultural structure of the country. Practical implications Owing to the transformative effect technology and the internet have had on services information and communication technologies, infrastructure has been added as a sixth element to the five traditional library items, namely, building budget personnel collection and users. Globalisation through the web has resulted in the individualisation of services and the slogan content is king has been changed to the customer experience is king. Fundamental library services are being adapted to allow mobile technology access, and this approach best reflects the new slogan. Therefore, the university library of the future may well be the one entirely based on mobile technology. Social implications Mobile devices lead to new forms of engagement with student learning; so academic libraries are expected to be strong partners in the teaching and learning processes of their institution. Originality/value The hypothesis of this study is that a university library accessible by mobile technology will be the model of the future, and its purpose is to search for any evidence for which the university libraries in Turkey are prepared to meet this challenge. This study is also meaningful because there have not been any study of Turkish university libraries in terms of mobile library services to users. This paper is the first time that a comprehensive study has been made of current mobile technology-based services, and is also the first comparison of the applications in Turkish university libraries. Additionally, paper synthesises developments and provides suggestions for the future.

The impact of higher education commission of pakistan’s funding on the collection development budgets of university libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghalib Khan ◽  
Rubina Bhatti
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Commission ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to investigate the annual financial management of university libraries in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, and its relationship with Higher Education Commission (HEC) grants to examine libraries’ share. Design/methodology/approach Using survey methods, this study explores the annual budget allocation of well-established university libraries in the province of KPK in the past five years and its relationship with HEC grants to determine libraries’ shares. The survey followed a qualitative design based on an interview technique of data collection. The scope of this study covers all those public sector universities which are chartered by the Government of KPK, recognized by HEC, and eligible for HEC grants on annual basis. Based on this formulation, 15 public sector universities were selected for the survey. Findings The data analysis of the present study revealed that no specific norms are followed by the university administrations in allocating funds for libraries out of HEC annual grants. University libraries in the province either do not have funding polices or are administered by the concerned establishments where Library and Information Science professionals have no role in the financial management of libraries. The study also found that university administrations in KPK either do not provide sufficient share to libraries out of HEC grants or specify an inadequate share which is in violation of the clear instructions of HEC ordinance 2002, Section 10(h). Originality/value This study is the first of its kind in Pakistan as it provides an insight into how much budget is allocated for collection development in the university libraries, compares it with HEC grants to calculate libraries’ share in percentage and suggests to the HEC to encourage university administration to allocate sufficient budget for libraries to improve collection development, service provision, acquisition, selection and patronage.

Use of library catalogue at Jamia Hamdard and Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi: a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-53
Author(s):  
Rajinder Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Library Catalogue ◽  
The University

The present study describes the comparison on use of online public access catalogue at Jamia Hamdard and Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi. In this study survey method was adopted to collect the data from the users. The data revealed that the maximum number of 36.6% users visited the library biweekly, 33.0% users spent their time more than one hour in the library for using library facilities in a day, 43.1% users searched their required information s the help of OPAC system, 38.5% users learnt the use of OPAC with the help of library staff, 36.0% users most of times obtained their searched documents on the shelves after searching of OPAC, 33.8% users faced problems of less awareness of OPAC system and 36.0% users were satisfied with the present OPAC searching facility in both the university libraries of Jamia Hamdard and Jamia Milia Islamia.

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.

Evaluating the usability of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology library website: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arslan Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Administration ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
Education Commission ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
E Mail

Purpose Library websites serve as gateways to the information resources and services of their libraries. In today’s digital age, the development of websites is inevitable for libraries as a means to provide users with online services at their desktops. This case study reports the findings of a usability study of an academic library website from the user’s perspective. Design/methodology/approach An online survey on the efficacy of the website and statistical reports from Google Analytics were used as tools to assess and track the use of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) Institute of Information Technology’s (CIIT’s) library website resources by national and international users. A sample of 550 users was invited by e-mail to respond to the questionnaire covering various usability features of the website. Findings Findings reveal that users are largely satisfied with the usefulness, convenience, design and quality of CIIT library website. Moreover, the users are mostly making use of the website for accessing research papers through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) digital library, exploring free online open access journals, searching for e-books and examining the library collection via online public access catalog (OPAC). This shows that the library website has a significant role in the pedagogical activities of the CIIT community. Research limitations/implications The results are limited to a case study of CIIT, Islamabad campus library website. Practical implications The findings of this study will help the library administration to overcome existing deficiencies in the CIIT library website. Originality/value The study is a foremost usability evaluation of CIIT, Islamabad campus library website from the user perspective.

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