Innovations and Use of Assistive Technologies in Libraries of Institutions of Higher Learning

Access to information for all is a major component of library and information science in this digital era. Libraries in institutions of higher learning are mandated to provide information to all the patrons regardless of their ability to deal with the issue of inclusivity and social justice. A study on the innovations was conducted specifically for patrons with special needs in academic libraries. Different assistive technological types of equipment were outlined as well as the challenges encountered when using the assistive technology tools and applications. The observation was done at one of the academic libraries, and it was discovered that the library has a disability center that is used by patrons with special needs and manned by a trained librarian. The authors recommend the introduction of such services in all the academic libraries to cater to patrons with special needs.

Assessing Strategies of the International Council on Archives

The research aims to assess strategies and planning of the International Council on Archives/Section on University and Research Institution Archives (ICA/SUV) members on the reopening of their archive's repositories during COVID-19. A qualitative method was used to collect data from ICA/SUV members. The research found that most of the respondents had not yet developed an effective strategy and plan on reopening of archives, limited provision of access to information. There were resources allocated for the archives program. COVID-19 provides opportunities of archives institutions to raise awareness on archive programs.

The Environmental Impact of 5G Technology on Humans and Animals

5G has the potential to become the future communication technology as it has the capability to provide faster download speeds, extremely low latency, and higher capacity. The deployment of 5G will be as a wi-fi that will cover the entire globe. It will serve an elevated number of devices than the previous technology; therefore, the distribution of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) will grow rapidly. Although no direct adverse effect has been reported by the service providers, the real health impact of this advanced technology is still under investigation. It is expected that the mm-wave frequency range (30-300 GHz) is ideal for 5G technology, and the devices, in this operating range, will work at very low power due to which small penetration is supposed to occur, but it will require a high density of small cells. It will increase the chances of human exposure to RF-EMF. In this chapter, a theoretical framework is used to describe the effect of 5G technology on humans and animals and also the rumors related to the adaptation of 5G technology.

Evolving Roles of East West University Library During the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 is a global pandemic disease that was first identified in Wuhan, China. The global reaction to the COVID-19 is varied, but on the whole, the world economy has been seriously deteriorating. COVID-19 has impeded the world's democratic, social-economic, cultural, and religious systems. Globally, educational institutions have been shut down, but their learning activities are being shifted online. Therefore, libraries have been providing diversified resources and services that are important to the needs of users during this pandemic situation. This study aims to comprehensively discuss the ways East West University Library (EWUL), Bangladesh transformed its role during COVID-19 pandemic situation as well as delineate the challenges faced in this quest. This study is basically exploratory in nature. A systematic literature review and document analysis has been conducted, and the author's viewpoints and experiences have also been incorporated in this chapter.

Research Data Management Services in Tertiary Institutions in Zimbabwe

The chapter seeks to analyze how librarians in Zimbabwe are responding to increasing librarian roles in the provision of research data services. The study sought to ascertain librarians' awareness and preparedness to offer research data management services at their institutions and determine support required by librarians to effectively deliver research data services. Participants were invited to respond to the survey, and survey monkey was used to administer the online questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using content analysis, and it was thematically presented. Findings revealed that librarians in Zimbabwe are aware of their role in research data management, but the majority are not prepared to offer research data management services due to a lack of the required skills and resources. Challenges that were noted include lack of research data management policy at institutional levels and information technology issues such as obsolescence and security issues.

Effectiveness of Reference Models for Knowledge Organization Systems

This chapter intends to study reference models for the development of knowledge organization systems (KOS) to evaluate their effectiveness and their modeling capacity through a comparison of requirements. The tools for the development of technological knowledge management systems that will be compared are Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS), Modular Requirements for Records Systems (MoReq), and The Digital Library Reference Model. Through a comparative analysis of these instruments, it is proposed to evaluate and compare their main requirements. The planning of technological systems based on these standards/requirements brings guarantees of a correct use of classifications, thesauri, ontologies, among other types of KOS. They also promote their configuration in technological systems and regarding the business processes in which these technological systems are used.

New Data-Related Roles for Librarians

From applying for competitive grants to showcasing institutional collaboration and research trends, the need for research institutions to demonstrate and increase visibility of research impact is growing. The authors discuss core competencies needed to support bibliometric research and present active and completed impact measurement and visualization (IMV) projects, providing examples from health sciences and academic collaborations. For those considering development of a similar area of expertise within their library, an overview of necessary skillsets, tools, and recommendations for team building and scalability are described. IMV has the potential to be developed in libraries and integrated across research domains. As library roles continue to shift to be more data-centric, it is ever more important for libraries to identify ways to expand information professionals' data skills so that they can be seen as indispensable partners in the data ecosystem.

Libraries and Artificial Intelligence

Libraries are increasingly entering the digital age, and demands on them to offer more digital services are widening, with user expectations of “remote or distant access,” “distant learning,” and the use of other modern internet technologies. To this end, libraries must accelerate their use of technologies like AI, “data mining,” “machine-readable data,” “machine-generated classification,” “semantic ontologies,” and internet accessible catalogs and content because their aim should always be user benefit, user convenience, and user satisfaction. In this chapter, the author examines ways in which technologies and libraries are trying to fulfill their modern role and expectations of the modern user. Additionally, the author will examine how to strengthen data ethics in those particular fields of library use that most endanger the user's intellectual freedom on one side and his right to privacy on the other. One of the essential roles of modern libraries, in their new “informational” identity, will be as “guardians of data ethics and intellectual freedom.”

Prospects and Challenges of Application of Project Management Techniques to Enhance the Delivery of Projects in Libraries and Information Centers

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a project's activities in order to meet its requirements. This chapter advocates for the application of project management techniques as a panacea to enhance project delivery in libraries and information centers. It extrapolates what library and information centers symbolized and also outlines the nature of projects in library and information centers. The principles of PM are also discussed, which is followed by PM skills librarians/information scientists should learn because of the essentiality of those skills to efficient and effective management of projects in libraries and information centers. It chronicles the various PM methodologies and showcases the benefits of PM in LICs before highlighting the factors influencing project failures in LICs. It is concluded that the application of project management techniques to library and information centers would enable library and information centers to be efficient in initiation, planning, execution, implementation, and finally, enhance project delivery.

Influence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the Digital Economy

The economy has taken a new facet in recent times through technologies like Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), ushering radical change in all sectors in developed and developing nations. ICT has transfigured the traditional services and productivity of libraries and other organizations to more sophisticated methods. A powerful catalyst of this change is digital transformation, integrating ICTs into the economy, referred to as the “digital” economy. However, the chapter identified ingredients of the digital economy, and spheres ICT have influenced the digital economy. Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) and Spires and Barlett frameworks were adopted to buttress digital skill sets required for functioning effectively in the digital economy. Additionally, the chapter examines the promising future of ICT and the importance of entrepreneurship. Challenges were identified to affect full ICT implementation by developing countries in the digital economy. The chapter concluded that ICT is a key determinant and contributor to economic development in many nations.