scholarly journals Understanding the Information Needs of Large-Scale Digital Library Users

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Zavalina ◽  
Elena V. Vassilieva
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Information Organization ◽  
Search Query ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Advanced Search ◽  
Library Users

This paper reports on the results of a comparative study of user search logs in two large-scale, domain-specific digital libraries functioning in the United States: the National Science Digital Library and Opening History. Results demonstrate varying levels of use of advanced search options and substantial differences in the search query lengths, search query frequencies, and distribution of search categories in queries. The empirical data on how the members of the target communities search can be used in deriving important information for domain-specific digital library developers’ decisions regarding both the details of information organization and support of various search features.

scholarly journals Partnership of Digital Libraries Hathi Trust Digital Library: the New Mode of Cooperation

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90
Author(s):  
Tatiana E. Savitskaya
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Technological Infrastructure ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Digital Collection

There is analysed the activities of digital libraries partnership Hathi Trust Digital Library (HTDL), arose in October 2008 in the United States as a collaborative repository of digital collections of library systems of 13 universities in the U.S. Middle West and digital collections of 11 universities in California (now numbering 124 libraries). In the United States — the leader of IT-technologies — has been accumulated the vast experience in the field of organization of electronic resources, carried out a large-scale reorganization of library industry, the results of which are not sufficiently covered in the domestic library science. For the first time, the Russian library community is invited to learn the specific experience of the formation and operation of the partnership of digital libraries HTDL, based on the principle of institutional cooperation and coordination of management solutions in the conservation and maintenance of electronic collections.The main tasks of the distributed data warehouse belonging to the partnership group of large research libraries are: providing access to the digital collection first of all for collective users, libraries — co-founders; preservation of intellectual heritage through reliable and accessible electronic representation, improvement of open technological infrastructure. The HTML concept is based on the conscious preservation of the specificity of research libraries, when the user is offered a body of special catalogued literature, and the ranking of search results is not influenced by the commercial interests. It is noted that HTDL is built on the basis of an extensive network of interlibrary entities in the United States with extensive cooperation in the field of administration, cataloguing, and storage of printed materials.There are considered the priority achievements of Hathi Trust Digital Library: development of the new models of interlibrary cooperation, efficient distributed management structure, transparent scheme of payment calculation of infrastructure maintenance. The dynamics of the development of this resource from the moment of formation to the present time is analysed.

scholarly journals Information search behavior and utilization of digital library of innovative consumers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Lu Hsu ◽  
Livia Chia-Yen Chang
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Search Behavior ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Information Search Behavior ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Magazine Articles

This study was undertaken to examine digital library usage and to identify innovative users of digital libraries using data collected in four universities in Taiwan. The Domain Specific Innovativeness (DSI) scales were used in the study to segment respondents into various cluster of innovativeness in digital library usage. On average, college students spent 3.5 hours on digital libraries per week. The findings in this study indicated that 8.31% of digital library users could be classified as innovative users. They were frequent users and were familiar with services provided by digital libraries. Innovative users searched and downloaded more materials from digital libraries than respondents in other clusters. In general, journal/magazine articles were the most frequently used services for digital library users, while e-books were used much less often.

scholarly journals Students' Information-Seeking Intention in Academic Digital Libraries

2017 ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Faeizah Salim ◽  
Bavani Saigar ◽  
Pravin Kumar Armoham ◽  
Sarasvathy Gobalakrishnan ◽  
Michelle Yen Pin Jap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Digital Library Services

The purpose of this research is to examine students' information-seeking intention regarding academic digital library services guiding by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Data was collected among students in a public higher learning institution in Federal Territory of Labuan Malaysia. The empirical result of the hierarchical regression had confirmed that students' intention to seek for information in digital library was influenced mainly by their attitude, implying that, in predicting the information-seeking intention in an academic digital library with TPB was much better than TRA. The findings of the research provide broader insights for the academic digital libraries to be more aware of the important factors that influence library users in seeking for information and fulfil their requirement. A new motion can be developed by using the result of this research, which improve the knowledge from previous studies via the assessment from TPB.

Relevance of Web 2.0 for Library Services in Digital Era

2021 ◽  
pp. 660-684
Author(s):  
Jane Igie Aba ◽  
Theresa Osasu Makinde
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Organization ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Rss Feeds ◽  
Effective Service

This chapter is on relevance of Web 2.0 for library services in digital era. Web 2.0 tools play crucial role in effective service delivery of librarians. The study covers awareness, utilization, benefits, and challenges that affect the use of Web 2.0 by librarians for effective service delivery. The concepts generally implied that Web 2.0 can be used by librarians as information acquisition tools to gather information from sources outside libraries (e.g., blogs and wikis), information dissemination tools (such as RSS feeds), information organization tools that facilitate storage and subsequent retrieval of information (social bookmarking and tagging), and information sharing tools that facilitate the bilateral flow of information between libraries and patrons (social networking and media sharing sites). This chapter examines the concept of digital libraries and highlights the major features of a digital library and how it can be used. The potentials of digital library are very crucial as means of access to knowledge and information that will facilitate development.

Digital Libraries

2008 ◽  
pp. 152-161
Author(s):  
Micah Altman
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Design Issues ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Audio Video ◽  
Comprehensive Discussion

Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use by a particular user community. Digital libraries offer direct access to the content of a wide variety of intellectual works, including text, audio, video, and data; and may offer a variety of services supporting search, access, and collaboration. In the last decade digital libraries have rapidly become ubiquitous because they offer convenience, expanded access, and search capabilities not present in traditional libraries. This has greatly altered how library users find and access information, and has put pressure on traditional libraries to take on new roles. However, information professionals have raised compelling concerns regarding the sizeable gaps in the holdings of digital libraries, about the preservation of existing holdings, and about sustainable economic models. This chapter presents an overview of the history, advantages, disadvantages, and design principles relating to digital libraries, and highlights important controversies and trends. For an excellent comprehensive discussion of the use, cost and benefits of digital libraries see Lesk (2005), for further discussion of architectural and design issues see Arms (2000), and see Witten and Bainbridge (2002) for a detailed example of the mechanics of implementing a digital library.

scholarly journals Reference service evaluation at an African academic library: the user perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 552-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Luo ◽  
Viscount B. Buer
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
User Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Reference Service

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a detailed discussion of a large-scale library reference evaluation study conducted at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) in Ghana. The study seeks to evaluate the reference service from the user perspective, focusing on how users use and perceive the service. Design/methodology/approach – Self-administered survey was used as the data collection instrument. One thousand questionnaires were distributed to library users in a three-week period, and the response rate was 63.7 per cent. Findings – The reference service had a high non-use rate of 42.6 per cent, which was primarily attributed to library users’ self-sufficiency and lack of awareness of the service. The top three motivations for library users to use the reference service were class assignments, personal interests and using library facilities. Although their overall altitude was positive, users felt that reference librarians were more successful at exhibiting customer service qualities than performing tasks related to identifying users’ information needs and searching/locating relevant information to fulfill the needs. Practical implications – The knowledge gained from this study will deepen the understanding of how the reference service is utilised and perceived by library users and offer insights on how to enhance the services to optimise the user experience. Originality/value – This study yields an enriched view of reference service provision in the African context. Its findings will help other academic libraries in Africa successfully plan and implement their own reference evaluation efforts and ultimately encourage more evidence-based library practices in the developing world.

SociaLib: a collaborative digital library model platform using Web 2.0

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 622-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarandis Mitropoulos ◽  
George Dimitrios Baltasis ◽  
Michalis Rodios ◽  
Christos Douligeris
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Content Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Digital Library System ◽  
Model Platform ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Real World Situation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the SociaLib system, which is a collaborative digital library system. The system uses Drupal content management system to implement Web 2.0 functionalities and facilitate collaboration and cooperation between its users. It offers a variety of functions, like wikis, forums and it is also accessible from microbrowsers. Design/methodology/approach – The paper starts with a reference to collaboration in Digital Libraries and states related work. Then, it introduces the SociaLib system, including implementation and functionalities. There is also an example of how such a system can be used in a real-world situation. Ideas for future work are also included. Findings – The system was evaluated using a usability questionnaire on a subject of 50 people. The results were promising, showing user acceptance and satisfaction. Originality/value – This paper offer collaborative solutions to Digital Library users, helping them communicate and cooperate with colleagues on their research. The system uses Web 2.0 functions that enable the user to be more productive and also work mobile if he wishes.

Document Versioning in Digital Libraries

2005 ◽  
pp. 201-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Martínez-González
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Basic Functions ◽  
Software Construction

Digital libraries are systems that contain organized collections of objects, serving in their most basic functions as a mirror of the traditional library that contains paper documents. Most of the information contained in the collections of a digital library consists of documents, which can evolve with time. That is, a document can be modified to obtain a new document, and digital library users may want access to any of those versions. This introduces in digital libraries the problem of versioning, a problem that has also been considered in a related community, the hypertext community(hypermedia in its most extensive acception).Some domains in which document evolution is very important are the legislative domain (Arnold-Moore, 2000; Martínez-González, 2001; Vitali, 1999), the management of errata made to scientific articles (Poworotznek, 2003) and software construction (Conradi & Westfechtel, 1998).

Relevance of Web 2.0 for Library Services in Digital Era

2020 ◽  
pp. 382-405
Author(s):  
Jane Igie Aba ◽  
Theresa Osasu Makinde
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Organization ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Rss Feeds ◽  
Effective Service

This chapter is on relevance of Web 2.0 for library services in digital era. Web 2.0 tools play crucial role in effective service delivery of librarians. The study covers awareness, utilization, benefits, and challenges that affect the use of Web 2.0 by librarians for effective service delivery. The concepts generally implied that Web 2.0 can be used by librarians as information acquisition tools to gather information from sources outside libraries (e.g., blogs and wikis), information dissemination tools (such as RSS feeds), information organization tools that facilitate storage and subsequent retrieval of information (social bookmarking and tagging), and information sharing tools that facilitate the bilateral flow of information between libraries and patrons (social networking and media sharing sites). This chapter examines the concept of digital libraries and highlights the major features of a digital library and how it can be used. The potentials of digital library are very crucial as means of access to knowledge and information that will facilitate development.

scholarly journals Predicting Academic Digital Library OPAC Users’ Cross-device Transitions

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-49
Author(s):  
Shaobo Liang ◽  
Dan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Transition Prediction ◽  
User Data ◽  
Digital Library Services

Abstract With more and more users using different devices, such as personal computers, iPads, and smartphones, they can access OPAC (online public access catalog) services and other digital library services in different contexts. This leads to the phenomenon that user’s behavior can be transferred to different devices, which leads to the richness and diversity of user’s behavior data in digital libraries. A large number of user data challenge digital libraries to analyze user’s behavior, such as search preferences and borrowing habits. In this study, we study the user’s cross-device transition behavior when using OPAC. Based on the large-scale OPAC transaction log, the online activities between device transitions in the process of using OPAC are studied. In order to predict the follow-up activities that users may take, and the next device that users may use, we detect features from several perspectives and analyze the feature importance. We find that the activity and time interval on the first device are more important for predicting the user’s next activity and the next device. In addition, features of operating system help to better predict the next device. The next device used is more likely to predict the next activity after the device transition. This study examines the cross-device transition prediction in library OPAC, which can help libraries provide smart services for users when accessing OPAC on different devices.

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