scholarly journals The University Quality Level Benchmarking: Can the Academic Library Users’ Satisfaction Serve as the Anchor of Service Performance Level?

Author(s):  
Che Taib ◽  
Yohanis Rante ◽  
Ari Warokka
2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 485-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara E. Morris ◽  
Lea H. Currie

Purpose The University of Kansas (KU) libraries has faced increased requests for streaming video in the past five years. While we have provided access to many databases of films, feature films remained a problem. To write a collection development policy, the library undertook three investigations to ensure the outcome reflected the needs of the university. Design/methodology/approach Film titles included in Swank 300 and Criterion-on-Demand were checked against the CanIStream. it? website to check for availability through streaming, rental or purchase services. Student library users were surveyed to determine if they had streaming subscriptions and, if so, which ones. KU librarians also examined academic library collection development polices to understand how others have addressed this issue. Findings More than half of the feature films provided by the two vendors are available through subscriptions, renting or purchasing methods. A majority of students subscribe to one or more of these services. Many academic libraries are deciding not to provide streaming feature films. Originality/value There are no previous studies on students’ subscriptions to streaming services linked to availability of feature films offered from commercial vendors to libraries.


2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Gaffney

Several studies have researched the reasons and patterns for academic library users’ interlibrary loan requests for materials already available at their college or university library. This study examines interlibrary loan statistics at the University of Delaware for four academic years to determine whether WorldCat Local impacts requests for locally available material. Data show that WorldCat Local does reduce this type of request, particularly when users are requesting returnable loans of materials such as books or audiovisual items rather than copies of articles.


The problem of delays in returning library books is common to all categories of library users at the University of Zambia. However, little is known about what causes the delay in returning the borrowed books. To address this gap, the authors investigated circulation policies at Zambia’s leading academic library. The objective was to establish the effect of library regulations on the return of library books. Using a survey method, the study targeted 90 full-time students who were randomly selected. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences while qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically. The results revealed that circulation policies have an effect on returning the borrowed books by users. These findings provide a useful contribution to the dearth of literature on this subject and offer valuable information to inform future planning.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Segoviano Hernández ◽  
Miguel Ángel Palomo González

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a documentary search about factors that motivate the use of university library. Literature about these factors was not found, either not standards or indicators used to measure those factors’ impact. On the other side, evidence was found about the decrease in library attendance, reported by the university libraries themselves; however, no evidence about the causes of this phenomenon was found. In sucha context, this article presents a research project that will be applied in 3 universities at Northeast Mexico, in which a methodology to identify and analyze motivation in students to use the university library is proposed.Keywords: academic library, library use studies, library users, motivation, library services, user satisfactionResumen: En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la revisión documental sobre el tema de los factores que motivan el uso de la biblioteca universitaria. No se encontró literatura sobre estos factores y tampoco se encontraron normas o indicadores de referencia que permitan medir su impacto. Por otro lado, se encontró evidencia de un descenso en la asistencia reportada por las bibliotecas de las instituciones de educación superior, pero no se encontró evidencia de sus causas. Ante este escenario, en el presente artículo se plantea unproyecto de investigación que se aplicará en 3 universidades del noreste de México, en el cual se propone una metodología para identificar y analizar los factores que motivan, a sus estudiantes para utilizar la biblioteca universitaria.Palabras clave: biblioteca universitaria, estudios de uso de biblioteca, usuarios de biblioteca, motivación, servicios bibliotecarios, satisfacción de usuarios.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina A. Clement ◽  
Sian Carr ◽  
Lauren Johnson ◽  
Alexa Carter ◽  
Brianne Ramsay Dosch ◽  
...  

Purpose The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Libraries has set aside space and stocked it with treadmill desks, standing desks, cycling desks and balance chairs to encourage physical activity while using library space to promote active learning. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of this innovative space on library users through a study conducted by a research team using observations and short surveys to gather information about usage trends and user perceptions of this “active learning space.” Design/methodology/approach This study used both ethnographish observation and self-selected survey. Researcher observation notes were used to gather usage rates of the space and equipment in the space, and survey responses were coded for themes to identify user perceptions around the space. Findings The findings strongly suggest that users find mental and physical health value in the “active learning space” and many would find value in the expansion and improvement of the space. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study include a shorter observation period compared to the survey collection period and limited demographic collection to shorten the survey instrument. Originality/value However, this study was able to assess how an active learning space in an academic library can influence and have a significant impact on student success.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somaly Kim Wu ◽  
Heather McCullough

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to presents the very recent development of e-journal publishing services at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Charlotte. In 2011, the J. Murrey Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte created a new unit in the library, the Digital Scholarship Lab (DSL), which partners with faculty and graduate students in the use of digital and networked research tools to create, disseminate and store new knowledge. E-journal publishing and hosting are among the suite of services offered by the DSL, and we currently publish three journals (https://journals.uncc.edu/). Design/methodology/approach – This report provides an overview of the context of our library’s decision to begin publishing journals, including a discussion of our university’s becoming more research-intensive, our university system mandating increased efficiencies and sharing research with the state citizens, and the library’s own goals of raising awareness of and supporting open access. Also outlined are the technical and procedural choices made, important activities undertaken to develop, define and publicize the new services, campus response to the service and next steps. Findings – This report provides detailed accounting of how a large academic library implemented an electronic publishing service to support open access scholarship. Important activities such as marketing communication, policies development and technical/procedural activities are defined and results described. The report provides observation and lessons learned for academic libraries in development and support of electronic journals. Originality/value – Library as the publisher is a new concept. This report will be of interest to many libraries who are considering offering publishing services and to libraries that currently offer publishing services.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 154-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Walter

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore ways in which “library value” may be communicated in a university setting through more effective engagement with strategic planning and a broader array of campus partners. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a case study of an academic library in which alignment with the university mission and strategic plan and alignment of library assessment efforts with the broader culture of assessment at the university have resulted in positive gains for the library in terms of campus engagement and recognition of library value. Findings This paper provides insights into successful strategies for improved communication of library value to senior leadership, new investment in library facilities, and enhanced opportunities for collaboration across the university on strategic initiatives including student success, innovation in teaching and scholarship, and community engagement. Originality/value This paper provides library leaders with new approaches to engagement with campus partners and senior academic leadership in promoting the library as a strategic resource worthy of investment in the twenty-first century.


2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Mierzecka ◽  
Andrius Suminas

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 227-239
Author(s):  
Светлана Александровна Корягина

Основные проблемы современного образования нельзя решать без его развития. Ученые и практики обращают внимание на устаревшие формы и технологии управления работой со студентами. В современных условиях решать проблемы образования традиционными системами управления и методами становится все сложнее, поэтому возникает необходимость в адекватном построении методической оснащенности образовательного процесса в учебном заведении, что актуализирует необходимость обеспечения системы образования методическими  разработками, дидактическими материалами, которые отвечают современным требованиям педагогической практики. Организационными формами методической работы вуза являются: научно-методическая и педагогический совет; аттестация преподавателей; предметные кафедры, творческие лаборатории преподавателей; школа молодого преподавателя; психолого-педагогические и методические семинары; методические школы преподавателей-новаторов; подготовка методических пособий, публикаций в периодических и профессиональных изданиях. Большинство вышеупомянутых видов методического обеспечения являются традиционными, но все они дают возможность внедрять инновации. Однако обращается внимание только на формы и методы организации образовательного процесса, а не на психолого-педагогическое сопровождение познавательной деятельности преподавателей и методическое обеспечение управленческой деятельности как источника качества и результативности их профессиональной деятельности. Реалии выдвигают новые требования к методическому обеспечению образовательного процесса в вузt, требуя менять цели, функции и содержание, превращая уровень его качества в научно-методический. Суть и назначение научно методического обеспечения заключается в создании условий для формирования и личностно-профессионального становления преподавателей, развития их педагогических способностей, творческого потенциала. The main problems of modern education cannot be solved without its development. Scientists and practitioners pay attention to outdated forms and technologies of managing work with students. In modern conditions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to solve the problems of education with traditional management systems and methods, therefore, there is a need for an adequate construction of methodological equipment of the educational process in an educational institution, which actualizes the need to provide the education system with methodological developments, didactic materials that meet modern requirements of pedagogical practice. Organizational forms of methodological work of the university are: scientific and methodological and pedagogical council; certification of teachers; subject departments, creative laboratories of teachers; school of a young teacher; psychological, pedagogical and methodological seminars; methodological schools of innovative teachers; preparation of methodological manuals, publications in periodicals and professional publications. Most of the above-mentioned types of methodological support are traditional, but all of them make it possible to introduce innovations. However, attention is drawn only to the forms and methods of organizing the educational process, and not to the psychological and pedagogical support of the cognitive activity of teachers and methodological support of managerial activities as a source of quality and effectiveness of their professional activities. The realities put forward new requirements for the methodological support of the educational process at the university, requiring changing the goals, functions and content, turning its quality level into a scientific and methodological one. The essence and purpose of scientific and methodological support is to create conditions for the formation and personal and professional development of teachers, the development of their pedagogical abilities, creative potential.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-64
Author(s):  
Zainab Mohammed Abdullahi ◽  
Abbas Lamido Gora Adamu ◽  
Abubakar Mohammed

Electronic books (e-books) are vital information resources in every university library as they are utilised by users in search of information for conducting research activities, teaching, learning and assignment. This study investigated the relationship between utilisation of e-books and users’ satisfaction in university libraries in North East Zone, Nigeria. Correlational research method was used. The population of the study comprised of five thousand three hundred and seventy nine (5,379) registered library users spread across the five sampled university libraries under study. Stratified random sampling technique was used in drawing the samples and the sample size for this study was one thousand three hundred and seventy two (1,372) registered library users drawn using Krejcie and Morgan (2006) table. Questionnaire was used as the research instrument. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics to answer the two research questions, while, inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) was used to test the formulated null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study revealed that users’ utilisation of e-books and users’ satisfaction with utilisation of e-books for research, learning, assignment and information in university libraries in North East Nigeria were generally moderate. The study also established that there was significant relationship between utilisation of e-books and users’ satisfaction in university libraries in North East Zone, Nigeria. The study recommended teaching of information literacy for library users, acquisition of adequate and relevant e-books in the university libraries as well as discouraging users from using information obtained from online sources such as Google and other search engines as they are mostly ineffective for their research activities, teaching, learning and assignment.


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