Library Review

Ferdows, Jannatul; Ahmed, S.M. Zabed

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-11-2014-0132

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to empirically investigate the information skills of undergraduate students at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach– A questionnaire-based survey was administered to obtain data about undergraduates’ information skills. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information, computer and Internet experiences, and a set of ten questions relating to information skills. A total of 199 undergraduate students responded to the survey. Findings– The results indicate that undergraduates’ information skills were poor. Only a few of them were successful in answering some of the questions correctly. There are significant differences in information skills among respondents in terms of gender, age, possession of personal computers and computer and Internet experience. The main reasons for these differences and the general failure in answering the task questions correctly are mostly attributed to the absence of information literacy instruction within the university, lack of online information resources and inadequate information and communication technology facilities. Practical implications– The findings of this study will help universities in Bangladesh and other developing countries to develop appropriate information literacy instruction at undergraduate level. Originality/value– This is the first time an effort has been made to assess task-based information skills of undergraduate students in Bangladesh. The findings of this study will help universities in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the developing world to introduce information literacy instruction at undergraduate level.

Eze, Jacintha Ukamaka

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-06-2014-0064

Purpose– The purposes of this paper were to find out the problematic factors in providing library and information services to Nigeria prisoners and the strategies for solving them, thereby enhancing adequate provision of the required services to these prisoners. Design/methodology/approach– Seven main prisons were used for the study with a population of about 6,430 prisoners and 21 prison library/welfare workers. The sample size was 1,322 prisoners and the whole 21 workers. Questionnaires and focus group discussion (FGD) were the main instruments used for data collection. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using frequencies and mean scores while data from FGD were analyzed descriptively. Findings– Major findings showed that problems like funding, censorship of reading materials, restrictions due to prison policy and staffing hinder to a high extent the provision of library and information services for these prisoners. Also, improved funding of the prisons and prison libraries, services and resource sharing with other libraries, NGOs and other information providers were all seen as strategies to enhance adequate library and information services provision to the prisoners. Originality/value– Library and information services are needed by everybody in today’s society. Prisoners, although incarcerated, will find useful a variety of library and information services provided to them. This paper delved into the problems of providing library and information services to Nigeria prisoners. The results of the study, if adhered to by the Nigerian prison authorities, will help a great deal in making the prisoners better citizens after release.

Posigha, Bassil Ebiwolate; Godfrey, Vera Zacheaus; Seimode, Felicia Doubra

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-07-2014-0084

Purpose– This study aims to examine the present trend of academic libraries consortia and the likely ways to improve on the development of consortia in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach– The study adopted the descriptive survey method. It covers four selected academic libraries in the north and eastern parts of Nigeria. A questionnaire entitled “Library Consortia in Nigerian Universities Questionnaire (LCNUQ)” was designed to collect data for the study. Findings– The study revealed that academic libraries in Nigeria have not fully embraced library consortia, as only two out of the four academic libraries surveyed have functioning library consortia. The paper shows that none of the libraries surveyed have collection development policies on e-resources, as well as union catalogues and interlibrary networking. It also reveals some likely ways of improving library consortia to include: jointly budgeting, increased funding and collective and compulsory development of interlibrary networking and union catalogues among university libraries within the country. Practical implications– The study will encourage librarians and library management in developing countries to embrace and facilitate the development of library consortia. Originality/value– The paper reveals the present trend of library consortia in Nigeria. Therefore, the findings may be of help to librarians, university administrators and government to build and improve on the development of library consortia in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Ullah, Ahsan

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-04-2014-0044

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of collaboration among seminar libraries and central library of universities and to recommend certain measures to strengthen this collaboration. Central libraries of leading universities in Pakistan possess more resources and manpower than seminar libraries. The task of planning about the important matters like access to e-resources, selecting infrastructure and automation mechanics lies with central libraries. Growth of information and communication technology (ICT) and information explosion has created opportunities for the libraries within a university for creating a cordial and beneficial relationship between central library and seminar libraries. Design/methodology/approach– Mixed-method design was used for exploring the collaboration and nature of relationship among central libraries and seminar libraries within the university. Data were collected from library executives chairing their sections at their workplaces in central libraries of leading universities during the author’s visits to these libraries for MPhil study for collecting data about organisational structures of central libraries. A questionnaire was constructed to elicit information about the relationship between the central library and the seminar libraries that was supplemented with the telephonic interviews from library professionals and faculty about the nature of this relationship. Findings– The data analysis of the present study revealed that the relationship between the central library and the seminar libraries is of a diverse nature. Private sector universities have developed integrative relationships, while some public sector ones have interactive relations and some have independent libraries with limited relationship. All library professionals interviewed have rejected the idea of independent seminar libraries and majority of them proposed integrated relationship between the central library and the seminar libraries. Practical implications– This study suggests that the relationship between the central library and the departmental library should be developed by considering the depleting resources and by developing ICT. According to library professionals, the relationship between the central and departmental libraries should be of either interactive or integrated nature. University administration and library administration should come forward for building a beneficial relationship among libraries within the university. This study will lead to broader collaborations among libraries of different universities in Pakistan. Originality/value– No study has ever been undertaken in Pakistan to explore the relationship between the central library and the seminar libraries of universities. This study will be a milestone for building collaborative relationships among different libraries within universities.

Thomas, Bennett

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-05-2015-0047

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to show how a new academic library works. Design/methodology/approach– The author used statistical data and anecdotal evidence. Findings– The findings were that digital library materials have dramatically changed how libraries operate. Originality/value– The library featured in this story is the University of Calgary’s main library which is called the Taylor Family Digital Library, which is meant to be a library with digital technology as its main focus.

Awre, Chris; Baxter, Jim; Clifford, Brian; Colclough, Janette; Cox, Andrew; Dods, Nick; Drummond, Paul; Fox, Yvonne; Gill, Martin; Gregory, Kerry; Gurney, Anita; Harland, Juliet; Khokhar, Masud; Lowe, Dawn; O'Beirne, Ronan; Proudfoot, Rachel; Schwamm, Hardy; Smith, Andrew; Verbaan, Eddy; Waller, Liz; Williamson, Laurian; Wolf, Martin; Zawadzki, Matthew

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-04-2015-0043

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the usefulness of the concept to thinking about Research Data Management (RDM). The concept of “wicked problems” seeks to differentiate very complex, intractable challenges from tamer issues where approaches to problem solving are well-understood. Design/methodology/approach– The paper is based on and co-authored by a collaboration of practitioners from libraries, information technology and research administration, with facilitators from the Sheffield Information School. Participants worked together in two-day-long workshops to understand the wicked problem concept and advice on leadership in wicked problem contexts. Findings– Participants concurred that RDM had many features of a wicked problem and most of Grint’s advice on leadership for wicked problems also resonated. Some elements of the issue were simple; participants were optimistic about improving the situation over time. Participants were resistant to the more negative or fatalistic connotations of the phrase “wicked problem”. Viewing RDM as a wicked problem is an interesting way of looking at it as a challenge for support professionals. Practical implications– The notion of a wicked problem is a generative concept that can be usefully added to professional vocabulary. Originality/value– The paper captures an in-depth response from practitioners to the notion of wicked problems as a lens for examining RDM.

Dali, Keren

2015 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/LR-03-2015-0032

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to analyze a number of issues related to both education for and the practice of reading and readers’ advisory in library and information science (LIS). Written from the standpoint of an LIS educator, the paper is addressed to LIS professors, future and current LIS students, and public services librarians working in all types of libraries, including academic and special, because the practice of reading is no longer limited to school and public libraries. Librarians’ expertise can also benefit a larger community outside of the library walls, which would take outreach and embeddedness to an entirely new level. Design/methodology/approach– The paper analyzes the situation in LIS education and reading practices based on a vast array of published sources and the author’s personal experience as an LIS educator. Findings– The following problematic points are raised: modeling reading work and education for reading after information services and information science education, respectively; outdated pedagogical approaches; insufficient user orientation and excessive focus on materials; limiting reading activities to one to two types of libraries; insufficient community outreach; and, in general, the prevalence of responsive rather than proactive practices. Originality/value– The paper proposes some solutions for the identified problems, the implementation of which depends on the collective effort and the collective will. However, it does not offer a particularly optimistic or upbeat view on the possibility of swift and sweeping changes.