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Despite ongoing efforts to improve database accessibility, aggregated database vendors concede that they do not have complete control over document accessibility. Instead, they point to the responsibility of journal publishers to deliver articles in an accessible format. This may increase the likelihood that users with disabilities will encounter articles that are not compatible with a screen reader. To better understand the extent of the problem, a document accessibility audit was conducted of randomly selected articles from EBSCO's Library & Information Source database. Full-text articles from 12 library science journals were evaluated against two measures of screen reader compatibility: HTML format (the optimal format for screen readers) and PDF accessibility conformance. Findings showed inconsistencies in HTML format availability for articles in the selected journals. Additionally, the entire sample of PDF articles failed to meet the minimum standard of PDF Universal Accessibility of containing a tagged structure. However, all PDF articles passed accessibility permissions tests, so could be made accessible retroactively by a third party. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Social networking sites are appropriate tools for sharing and exposing scientific works to increase citations. The objectives of the present study are to investigate the activity of Iranian scholars in the medical sciences in ResearchGate and to explore the effect of each of the four ResearchGate metrics on the RG score. Moreover, the citation metrics of the faculty members in Scopus and the relationship between these metrics and the RG score were explored. Methods: The study population included all SBMU faculty members who have profiles in ResearchGate (N=950). The data were collected through ResearchGate and Scopus in January 2021. The Spearman correlation coefficient was applied to examine the relationship between ResearchGate metrics and Scopus indicators as well as to determine the effect of each ResearchGate metric on the RG score. Results: The findings revealed that the publication sharing metric had the highest correlation (0.918) with the RG score and had the greatest impact on it (p-value <0.001), while the question asking metric showed the lowest correlation (0.11). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the RG score and Scopus citation metrics (p-value <0.05). Furthermore, all four RG metrics had a positive and significant relationship with Scopus indicators (p-value <0.05), in which the number of shared publications had the highest correlation compared to other RG metrics. Conclusion: Researchers' participation in the ResearchGate social network is effective in increasing citation indicators. Therefore, more activity in the ResearchGate social network may have favorable results in improving universities' ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In traditional historical research, interpreting historical documents subjectively and manually causes problems such as one-sided understanding, selective analysis, and one-way knowledge connection. In this study, we aim to use machine learning to automatically analyze and explore historical documents from a text analysis and visualization perspective. This technology solves the problem of large-scale historical data analysis that is difficult for humans to read and intuitively understand. In this study, we use the historical documents of the Qing Dynasty Hetu Dangse, preserved in the Archives of Liaoning Province, as data analysis samples. China's Hetu Dangse is the largest Qing Dynasty thematic archive with Manchu and Chinese characters in the world. Through word frequency analysis, correlation analysis, co-word clustering, word2vec model, and SVM (Support Vector Machines) algorithms, we visualize historical documents, reveal the relationships between functions of the government departments in the Shengjing area of the Qing Dynasty, achieve the automatic classification of historical archives, improve the efficient use of historical materials as well as build connections between historical knowledge. Through this, archivists can be guided practically in historical materials' management and compilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enabling and supporting discoverability of research outputs and datasets are key functions of university and academic health center institutional repositories. Yet adoption rates among potential repository users are hampered by a number of factors, prominent among which are difficulties with basic usability. In their efforts to implement a local instance of InvenioRDM, a turnkey next generation repository, team members at Northwestern University's Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center supplemented agile development principles and methods and a user experience design-centered approach with observations of users' microinteractions (interactions with each part of the software's interface that requires human intervention). Microinteractions were observed through user testing sessions conducted in Fall 2019. The result has been a more user-informed development effort incorporating the experiences and viewpoints of a multidisciplinary team of researchers spanning multiple departments of a highly ranked research university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library database vendors often revamp simpler interfaces of their database platforms with script-enriched interfaces to make them more attractive. Sadly, these enhancements often overlook users who rely on assistive technology, leaving electronic content difficult for this user base despite the potential of electronic materials to be easier for them to access and read than print materials. Even when providers are somewhat aware of this user group's needs there are questions about the effect of their efforts to date and whether accessibility documentation from them can be relied upon. This study examines selected vendors' VPAT reports (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) through a manual assessment of their database platforms to determine their overall accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With higher education increasingly being online or having online components, it is important to ensure that online materials are accessible for persons with print and other disabilities. Library-related research has focused on the need for academic libraries to have accessible websites, in part to reach patrons who are participating in distance-education programs. A key component of a library's website, however, is the materials it avails to patrons through vendor platforms outside the direct control of the library, making it more involved to address accessibility concerns. Librarians must communicate the need for accessible digital files to vendors so they will prioritize it. In much the same way as contracted workers constructing a physical space for a federal or federally funded agency must follow ADA standards for accessibility, so software vendors should be required to design virtual spaces to be accessible. A main objective of this study was to determine a method of increasing the visibility of vendor accessibility documentation for the benefit of our users. It is important that we, as service providers for the public good, act as a bridge between vendors and the patrons we serve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to COVID-19, a purchasing freeze was implemented, and budget cuts mandated by Eastern Washington University. This necessitated a review of all the library’s continuing resources with a short turnaround time for decision-making due to subscription renewal deadlines. Considering quantitative and qualitative factors, a collaborative effort from internal stakeholders ensued. A tiered collection assessment decision making approach was designed and implemented. Cancellations ensued, and 25 percent of the collections budget was cut. This project involved a systematic review of databases, individual journal subscriptions, and print standing orders. A project of this scale could not have been as efficient and effective without the cooperative effort between those in collection services, public services, faculty, and administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study had a two-fold purpose. One is to discover through the implementation of usability testing which mode of tutorial was more effective: screencasts containing audio/video directions (dynamic) or text-and-image tutorials (static). The other is to determine if online point-of-need tutorials were effective in helping undergraduate students use library resources. To this end, the authors conducted two rounds of usability tests consisting of three groups each, in which participants were asked to complete a database-searching task after viewing a text-and-image tutorial, audio/video tutorial, or no tutorial. The authors found that web usability testing was a useful tutorial-testing tool while discovering that participants learned most effectively from text-and-image tutorials because both rounds of participants completed tasks more accurately and more quickly than those who received audio/video instruction or no instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the current state of mobile services among academic libraries of the country's top 100 universities, and what are the best practices for librarians implementing mobile services at the university level? Through in--‐depth website visits and survey questionnaires, the authors studied each of the top 100 universities' libraries' experiences with mobile services. Results showed that all of these libraries offered at least one mobile service, and the majority offered multiple services. The most common mobile services offered were mobile sites, text messaging services, e--‐books, and mobile access to databases and the catalog. In addition, chat/IM services, social media accounts and apps were very popular. Survey responses also indicated a trend towards responsive design for websites so that patrons can access the library's full site on any mobile device. Respondents recommend that libraries considering offering mobile services begin as soon as possible as patron demand for these services is expected to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) technology has implications for the ways that the field of library and information science (LIS) serves users and organizes information. Through content analysis, the author examined how AR is conceptualized within a sample of LIS literature from the Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA) database and Google Blogs postings. The author also examined whether Radical Change Theory (RCT) and the digital--‐age principles of interactivity, connectivity, and access are present in the discussion of this technology. The analysis of data led to the identification of 14 categories comprising 132 total codes across sources within the data set. The analysis indicates that the conceptualization of AR, while inconsistent, suggests expectations that the technology will enhance the user experience. This can lead to future examinations of user behavior, response, and observation of technologies like AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently "Big Data" is an emerging field that presents several Information Technology challenges regarding the capture, storage search, structure, and visualization of this data. The real challenge for organizations is to find ways to extract value from it and provide better services to their clients. The data generated in academic and other institutions is vast and complex. Libraries face new challenges as they seek to determine their role in the handling of Big Data within their organization and use it to develop services. Thus, in most organizations, libraries will not have the knowledge to build new services unaided. Furthermore, libraries have always been information handlers and technology adopters; therefore, Big Data technologies will certainly affect their context. The purpose of this paper is to explore all these issues through a systematic literature review, unveiling the theories that underpin the paper's argument. It attempts to answer several research questions, such as how librarians are involved in the Big Data era? And what are the future research developments of Big Data within the library context? The study considered only papers published between 2012 and 2018 in English and presents the collected literature by grouping them according to the type of library each paper refers to. Thus, it identifies new and evolving roles in the context of all types of libraries. In addition, the study presents several interesting tables, which aim to help librarians locate relevant articles that will inform their practice and guide service development for users of large and complex datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systems librarians at an academic medical library created a management data dashboard. Charts were designed using best practices for data visualization and dashboard layout, and include metrics on gatecount, website visits, instant message reference chats, circulation, and interlibrary loan volume and turnaround time. Several charts draw on EZproxy log data that has been analyzed and linked to other databases to reveal use by different academic departments and user roles (such as faculty or student). Most charts are bar charts and include a linear regression trend line. The implementation uses Perl scripts to retrieve data from eight different sources and add it to a MySQL data warehouse, from which PHP/JavaScript webpages use Google Chart Tools to create the dashboard charts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Index Blending is the process of database development whereby various components are merged and refined to create a single encompassing source of information. Once a research need is determined for a given area of study, existing resources are examined for value and possible contribution to the end product. Index Blending focuses on the quality of bibliographic records as the primary factor with the addition of full text to enhance the end user's research experience as an added convenience. Key examples of the process of Index Blending involve the fields of communication and mass media, hospitality and tourism, as well as computers and applied sciences. When academia, vendors, subject experts, lexicographers, and other contributors are brought together through the various factors associated with Index Blending, relevant discipline-specific research may be greatly enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses structural, systems, and other types of bias that arise in matching new records to large databases. The focus is databases for bibliographic utilities, but other related database concerns will be discussed. Problems of satisfying a "match" with sufficient flexibility and rigor in an environment of imperfect data are presented, and sources of unintentional variance are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the problems associated with search and digital-rights management in the emerging age of interconnectivity. A Context Driven Topologies (CDT) is proposed to create global context of geography, knowledge domains, and Internet addresses using centralized spatial databases, geometry and maps. CDT is based on mathematics, images and words. It aims to link permanently the highest quality of events, artifacts, ideas, and documents the quickest paths to the most relevant information for specific data, users, and tasks. A model demonstration project using CDT to organize, search, and place information in new contexts is also introduced.

The article discusses the effects of the use of unicodes in the MARC 21 records. Specifically, it tries to highlight the accommodation of the greatly expanded character repertoire that includes not only additional non-Roman scripts but many more Latin script characters. MARC 21 is flexible with respect to the structure of records containing multi-script data to accommodate different needs worldwide. MARC 21 has specified two record models designated as A and B. Model A is a record in the preferred script which can be augmented with specially designated fields holding other scripts and Model B is a record which can have data in any script in regular fields. Model A is largely used for the MARC 21 bibliographic records with Latin as the preferred script. Model B can be seen by libraries with devices capable of displaying Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It is necessary for a Model A record encoded in Unicode with Latin to be the preferred script that the definition of the Latin script data content of regular fields should be controlled by the Script Names property of Unicode. Creating consistent records for MARC 21 interchange necessities the data content in Model A records with Latin as the preferred script should be controlled.

This study attempts to investigate the Pinyin retrieval of Chinese language materials within online catalog databases. The Peking University Library (PKUL) database is studied in comparison with those of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN). It is found that both titlekeyword and known-title searches at PKUL yield better results because of its fundamental difference in retrieving bibliographic records in Pinyin. It adopts a nonsegmented string match in retrieval. In so doing, it greatly raises the precision rate without negatively affecting the recall rate, and bypasses the controversy over, and potential human errors in, word division in cataloging and retrieving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the processes and issues involved in building database-backed Web applications. Characteristics of a database-backed application; Necessity of designing the HTML forms to be used in implementing each interaction within the application; factors to be considered in selecting a machine and operating system to the run the database.

Describes the creation the Business and Economics Locator for Journals at Rutgers (Bel jour), a Web-accessible database of journals. Use of Microsoft Access and Cold Fusion; Integration of electronic journal holdings into online catalogs in libraries; Discussion on the development of the database and interface.

Tests the impact of Boolean browsing on retrieval effectiveness with users of standard bibliographic data who had different levels of cognitive abilities. Work on different tasks; Information systems; Correlation between cognitive abilities scores; Recall and vocabulary learning.

Examines the impact of and constraints to the use of CD-ROM databases in Nigerian academic libraries. Constraint posed by the high cost of the databases; Increase in the use of journal collections; Types of abstracts preferred.

Describes a low-cost library database solution developed by staff members at the North Dakota State University Libraries. Creation of a search-engine consisting of a microcomputer running UNIX to serve relational database; CGI forms' offer of flexible interface designs; Implementation of the technology to distribute two local databases via the Web.

Presents two pilot studies which investigated the Internet as a source of academic research information. Academic users' perception of search engines and subject-oriented databases as sources of topical information; Information seeking behavior of academic users; Implications for information professionals.

Presents a database-drive Web site solution for libraries. Inadequacies of hypertext markup document language; Difficulties in implementing the common gateway interface; Recommended software for library Web sites; Planning and implementation of the sites.

Describes a prototype online search system that will provide Internet and dial-up access to an array of databases related to environmental and demographic change. Digital library that will link databases in different locations; Projects to broaden the scope of the United States Global Change Research Program; Assisted Search for Knowledge project.

According to Merriam Webster's Concise Encyclopedia, dance is a 'form of expression that uses bodily movements that are rhythmic, patterned (or sometimes improvised), and usually accompanied by music. One of [...]

The article discusses a case study of a briefly relevant theatrical material. Topics include previous attempts to catalog theatrical ephemera systematically, thhttp://www.google.com.ph/webhp?hl=en-PHe basic system of performing arts ephemera organization, the challenges with sorting, cataloging each of the materials due to lack of descriptions and other problems. Also mentioned are Harvard Theatre Collection, the TEmpleted Database (TED), and Harvard's Visual Information Access database (VIA).

The article discusses the results of a study on how games can help improve the quality of the sources that students cite in their papers. Topics covered include how the researchers aimed to determine the effectiveness of the BiblioBouts information literacy game in improving the quality of sources that undergraduate students cite in their papers and how the results indicate that the players put scholarly sources into play and cited them in their in-game bibliographies.

The article explores crowdsourcing and historical data recovery. The lack of historical data on weather variations is highlighted. Transcribing ship logbooks has been expensive and time-consuming, says the article. The role played by social media concepts in transforming hundreds of thousands of logbook pages into database formats within a matter of months is noted. The need to involve the public in the process of data recovery is stressed.

A library Web portal has the potential of changing how libraries are used and how librarians will do their work. These portals have the potential of bringing about real change […]

It is important to note that customers may not know to request a matchmaking intervention, and as librarians, we need to be bold enough to offer it to them. This can be achieved simply and without library jargon. Customers requesting a popular title may face an extensive wait list as more and more customers take advantage of the library's offerings. After placing their request and before they walk away, asking if they are looking for a movie for tonight/the weekend/a special occasion can get the ball rolling. Until a database similar to Novelist for providing recommendations for movies or music is created, or tools such as an algorithm that generates suggestions based on either customer or librarian input, or a recommendation engine is made available to libraries, any librarian can learn the skills needed to smoothly navigate the materials matchmaking request using skills based in readers' advisory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how to use freely available resources such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Database to develop an outreach program to help customers. It states that knowing one's customers better allows to iteratively refine one's approach and continue to provide important outreach programming. It notes that librarians can offer targeted programs for busy entrepreneurs. Details regarding the outreach programs for business and paralegals are included.

The article considers the sheer volume and multiplicity of information published by national governments, intergovernmental and the full range of international organizations on the web as a challenge to librarians who are working to connect content and users. It estimates that 80 percent of web sites are providing databases in addition to audio clips and video clips. It mentions that information users have no possibility to contextualize, contribute or respond to information as they are browsing a bibliographic tool or benefit from insights of other users of that tool.

Interdisciplinary research offers increasing information challenges for researchers and scholars as well as for librarians. Quaternary research is an example of a highly interdisciplinary area incorporating research ranging from geochemistry and microbiology to planetary science. This study compares retrieval performance of eleven online indexes that can be used for Quaternary research, and discusses three others. Recall, precision, and overlap and uniqueness were analyzed using search results (12,896 records) from the eleven databases for the publication year 2000. A broad search strategy was used in order to recover most of the relevant information from the databases for the whole discipline for one publication year in order to avoid problems encountered when using sampling and example searches. Implications for interdisciplinary research in general are discussed, and federated searching is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]