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Academic libraries are meant to acquire, provide and disseminate information resources to satisfy their patron's information needs. A potent means in which librarians in academic libraries can optimize for their work and services as well as maintain their relevance is through social media. The purpose of this paper is to expose library and information personnel in academic libraries to the effective utilization of social media as an effective tool for re-defining and transforming academic library services in the 21st century. The specific objectives are to identify the types of social media used for effective library service provision in academic libraries, to identify the roles of social media in libraries, to identify the skills needed by librarians to effectively sustain library services through social media, to identify the major challenges associated with social media as a tool for service delivery and to develop strategies for effective adoption and utilization of social media as a tool for library service delivery. The methodology adopted is content analysis. The study was done by related literature review in which related articles on social media in academic libraries were analyzed. Hence, the study reviewed and analyzed the content of 21 articles in which topical issues based on this paper were addressed. The study revealed that social media are powerful tools that can enhance and promote library services. To be able to stay relevant in the socially networked environment and meet the growing needs of its patrons in the 21st century, it has become imperative for academic libraries to explore and adopt social media, which has become a library technology that has the capacity to expand the frontiers of library service delivery as well as to reach the hitherto unreached categories of patrons. The study recommended that academic libraries personnel should efficiently explore and adopt various social media platforms that are suitable for their community so as to grow the visibility and social media presence of their libraries and as well, reach out to every member of their community. Furthermore, adequate budgetary provision for the purchase and maintenance of technologies and facilities to effectively drive the social media implementation for service delivery is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates that a library instruction observation instrument can effectively foster critical self-reflection among academic library faculty and staff on their teaching practices. The paper outlines the instrument's design, which gathers low inference observations on instructors' use of questioning as a pedagogical strategy based on recommendations from the LIS and education literature. To test and refine the instrument's design, the instructors' utilised the instrument to collect data from classes taught by five participating instructors, who, during postobservation interviews, engaged in thoughtful reflections on their class planning, student participation, and teaching philosophy. They also provided valuable critiques of the usefulness of the instrument. Through analysing the observee reflections and the data from the observation instrument, this study aims to provide academic libraries with a method to incorporate an observation instrument in a peer observation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic librarian hiring processes are designed to allow hiring institutions to learn about candidates through a multiple-round process, but often these processes are not designed with the candidates in mind. This paper uses a qualitative approach to interpret and understand how the attitudes of search committee members shape on-campus interview practices, with a particular focus on how interview practices create barriers to inclusivity. Library employees who recently served on academic librarian hiring committees were recruited to respond to a questionnaire, and a text analysis of responses to open-ended questions was performed to identify themes in academic librarian hiring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Educational institutions are the place where the significance of social consciousness and activeness can be made evident to society. Institutional libraries have an indisputable role to do this wellness. The paper tries to highlight and focus on some successful design and implementation of various services for the extension at the Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies Libraries. The study examines the challenges and opportunities of a library within the capacity of a B-school institution. In addition, the study also discusses the role of academic libraries and librarians in using their resources for the betterment of society. The aim of the study is to put light on the practical aspect with the case study of how to correlate the involvement of the library staff and its resources for the socially relevant academic extension programmes. The main focus of the paper is to enrich the role of socially responsible librarianship within the ability of a business school Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two factors identified as contributing to the lack of communication between researchers and practitioners, terminology and relevance, are the focus of this paper. A questionnaire distributed to senior staff in academic libraries asked participants to assess abstracts from articles in top ranked LIS journals. Results indicated a relatively high level of understanding of the articles, indicating that terminology was not a problem, and two thirds of the articles were rated as relevant to the profession. This result suggests that there is less of a gap in understanding between researchers and professionals than has been perceived. Involvement of practitioners in joint projects may be more feasible than was previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic librarians have recognized the need for and the benefits of instructional outreach to high schools, but faced with budgetary challenges, increasing workloads, and other pressures, librarians sometimes struggle to determine if and how they can work with high schools. This paper will seek to provide practical direction in considering these questions. Using the library high school outreach program at Kent State University Informed Transitions as a sample case, this paper will share observations, discuss practical considerations, and offer recommendations that will serve to guide academic librarians in determining what role they can play in providing instructional outreach to local high schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information literacy has been a subject of interest for academic librarians for nearly thirty years, however special librarians have written comparatively little on the topic of information literacy in the workplace. It is an important issue as it provides an opportunity for special librarians to enhance their role in their organisation. This paper discusses the need for training in information literacy in the workplace and highlights the latest research and studies being undertaken in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) now forms a part of various activities in the academic world. AI will also affect how research libraries perform and carry out their services and how the various kinds of data they hold in their repositories will be used in the future. For the moment, the landscape is complex and unclear, and library personnel and leaders are uncertain about where they should lay the path ahead. This extensive literature review provides an overview of how research libraries understand, react to, and work with AI. This paper examines the roles conceived for libraries and librarians, their users, and AI. Finally, design thinking is presented as an approach to solving emerging issues with AI and opening up opportunities for this technology at a more strategic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the information infrastructure, facilities and services in Nigeria's Agriculture University Libraries., Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Federal, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia, and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, are the respondents. The main objective of the study is to assess the information resources, services and facilities at Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria in order to analyze the types of available information resources, services and facilities, and the constraints associated with on the provision of information resources services and facilities to library users. Although questionnaires were provided to university librarians, the researcher was in charge of monitoring the activities of library users. The researcher took the entire respondent population of university librarians, in Agriculture University Libraries sampled were retrieved and analyzed, representing 100 %. The process of observation was also used to fill in the holes that the questionnaire did not fill in. Key findings show that in the Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria, the existing agricultural information tools and facilities available, accessible and used are inadequate. In the Agriculture University Libraries, infrastructural facilities and internet services existed, but were not well established. There was no access to adequate information resources for users because of the insufficient number of library employees. The study recommended the enhancement of existing information tools, services and user information needs facilities, offline database subscriptions such as AGORA, HINARI, AJOL, JSTORE and EGranary to access agricultural information. To resolve these limitations, library management should look beyond the annual budget and reliance on TETFund, on consultancy services, printing, binding, publishing, donations from philanthropists into the future field of revenue streams and financing the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Access to learning resources is not always affordable or equitable for students in higher education, and high-cost resources, which are commonly prescribed in course reading lists, create barriers for learning. Incorporating open access textbooks in reading lists responds to these issues. Academic librarians' expertise in curating, organizing, and disseminating knowledge coupled with a long-held passion for open access means that they are well positioned to drive partnerships with academic colleagues that prioritize the use and creation of open educational resources resulting in resources that are accessible, high quality, flexible, and appropriate to support learning in all modes (online, blended, face-to-face). Description of program/service: At La Trobe University Library, a commitment to openness provided a starting point for rethinking the role of the library as a publisher of open educational resources. The La Trobe eBureau is an Australian academic library publishing initiative designed to produce high-quality, peer-reviewed open textbooks by La Trobe University authors for La Trobe University courses. Situating the library as an open textbook publisher in partnership with academics improves the affordability of course resources, the student online learning experience, and the visibility of academic outputs and, importantly, has impact and value across higher education institutions. Next steps: This article shares reflections and challenges from the perspective of eBureau authors and library staff. The Library will continue to build on the success of eBureau collaborations and look more broadly to enact the future role of academic libraries in sustainable open textbook publishing within La Trobe University and across the higher education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: the prime purpose of this research study is to investigate the application of social media in the marketing of library sources and Services in the university libraries of Pakistan. Research Design/Methodology/approach: Data were gathered using a survey method and a quantitative research methodology. The Pakistani university librarians were the source of the data, which was gathered both offline and online. With the aid of SPSS and other analysis software, 100 valid responses in all have been examined. Findings: the Research findings revealed that university librarians of Pakistan are well aware of the very application of social media in the marketing of library sources and services. The result shows that majority of the university libraries are using social media for the marketing of library sources and services. However, the librarians have identified that Facebook is a more suitable tool for the marketing of library sources and services. The research result has confirmed that university librarians are well aware of the needed skills and knowledge how to implement social networking sites to market the library sources and services. The results also described that university librarians use some of the tools/methods to analyze the marketing feasibility at the country level Practical Implications: This research helps library and information workers at the international and national levels understand how social networks might be used to provide library resources. Limitation: the present Research is purely consisted to the university librarian four provinces and twin cities of Pakistan. Originality/value: This research demonstrates the value of social networking sites platforms for the marketing of library resources and services and makes a contribution to the fields of library and information science and information management. Flexible marketing platform should be created by the university libraries using social networks sites in order to promote their resources and services. The higher authority should support this effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the rewards and recognition of librarian's job performance in some selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. Two research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 112 librarians in some selected university libraries in South-South Nigeria. A total of 112 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 101 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved using descriptive statistics mean and percentage mean score of 2.5 and above and percentage score of 50% were considered as acceptable. The study revealed that rewards and recognition enjoyed by librarians in the past five years are: verbal praise, bonuses/monetary value, formal recognition as against written praise and informal recognition. Also, the study further shows how rewards and recognition influence librarians job performance positively. The study recommends that: Harding working librarians should be rewarded and recognized for their efforts; Library management should always motivate their staff to work hard to earn those rewards and recognition; Equity and fairness should be the guide when rewarding and recognizing librarians and also nepotism should be ruled out when rewarding and recognizing hardworking librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined Wikipedia edit-a-thon programme in a University Library in Nigeria. It adopted the descriptive design. Unstructured questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. A total of 25 people participated in the study. These are the University Librarian and two female deputy University Librarians, four library staff that serve as facilitators and eighteen participants of the edit-a-thon project. Interview was conducted with the University Librarian and her two deputies while the rest responded to an unstructured questionnaire. Data gathered were analysed using frequency counts and narrative. Findings show that the library engages in edit-a-thon for a few reasons amongst which are to contribute to open knowledge and help bridge the gender gap in Wikipedia editing which is dominated by men amongst others. Discoursing and winning the library managements' consent to host edit-a-thon, is an important activity to ensure a successful edit-a-thon. Both the library, participants and facilitators have benefited from the programme. Despite the gains of participating in Wikipedia edit-a-thon, there are challenges of time constraint and infrastructure on the part of the library, lack of institutional support, problem of attracting new participants (editor) and retaining older ones as facilitators and lack of published information on Nigerian Women to support entries on Wikipedia. The implication of the study is that participating in Wikipedia edit-a-thon is an encouraging initiative for the library, an experience which every academic library in Nigeria should endeavour to have to contribute to open knowledge. Unveiling the achievements and contributions of notable women in Africa is a step towards building role models for the upcoming generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempt to find out the use of social media in delivery of reference services by librarians in Federal University of Technology Library, Owerri. The study was guided with three (3) research questions. However survey research design was used for the study with questionnaire as the instrument for data collection, with the target librarians that uses social media in delivery reference services in FUTO Library. Findings from the study indicated the types social media medium employed in their services and discovered a high degree of use. The impact in the Library is without challenges, which ranges from insufficient content in the resources, lack of competent staff, epileptic power supply and many more; but the study further recommended that the Librarians' should be more skilled for research enablement in the library for better social media library services in the 21st century library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries should explore the marketing strategies to be used to promote their services among users, to entice new users and retain existing users. The objectives of this study were to find out the marketing techniques used in Sri Lankan university libraries and identify the challenges that university librarians face when marketing their services. The study involved 130 academic staff members of the libraries in 15 state universities established under the purview of the University Grants Commission in Sri Lanka. The total population was considered as the sample and the data were collected through self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software package considering the mean and standard deviation. There were 105 valid questionnaires among returns, and the response rate was 80.8%. As per the results, library websites, user orientation seminars, notice boards, and e-mail notifications were most frequently used to promote library services. Mobile applications, blogs and podcasts were rarely used to promote library services in Sri Lankan universities. The mean ratings of perceived challenges in the marketing of library services by university librarians in Sri Lanka were considered. Lack of networking among librarians (3.54) was identified as a significant challenge faced by Sri Lankan university librarians when marketing their services. Other significant challenges were unawareness of library user requirements, insufficient funds for marketing, increased cost of marketing and lack of skills in marketing library services. This concludes that Sri Lankan university librarians market their library services using an array of techniques and come across various challenges while adopting marketing techniques to their services. To overcome these challenges libraries should consider appointing a marketing librarian for each university library and establish a collaboration between them, develop a unique marketing strategy for each library, and allocation of funds for marketing library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study investigated continuing professional development of librarians and basic skills mostly needed in 10 academic libraries in Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: The investigation employed descriptive survey design. The population for the study comprised of 70 Academic librarians. The questionnaire was the instrument that was employed in data collection. However, 63 questionnaires were returned and used as the sample size. Analysis was done using mean statistics. Results: The study revealed that the mostly needed skills are effective communication skills, technical skills, computer literacy and information seeking skills, while the mostly used methods in the professional development of librarians are conferences, seminars, workshops and short courses. The challenges include poor attitude of library staff to continuing professional development initiatives (waiting to be sent) amongst others. Conclusion: Improvement of attitude of library staff and Library Management, collaboration between Nigerian Library Association and Nigerian Library Registration Council were adduced as solutions to the problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines information resources in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria; the respondents are University Librarians in Federal University Agriculture Makurdi, Michael Okpara University Agriculture Abia, and Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, sampled by the researcher. The main objective of the study is to identify the information resources, in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria with view to examine the types of information resources available, in Agriculture University Libraries under study. Questionnaires were administered to University Librarians. The researcher has been taken the entire population of University Librarians that is three (3) of them. The questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed from the different Agriculture University Libraries sampled representing (100%), Major findings testify that the current agricultural information resources available are insufficient in agriculture University libraries in Nigeria, current information resources particularly e-journals, ebooks, information resources related to agricultural information such as databases, e-journals, e-books were the information needs identified are not much available. The study recommended, the improvement of the existing information resources, for the user's information needs, subscriptions of offline databases such as, AGORA, HINARI, AJOL, JSTORE and E-Granary to access agricultural information offline with millions of information resources on text books journals available and continue to be added in each seconds. These findings suggest the need to formalize and strengthen linkages between users and library staff, to improve access to agricultural information, and to formulate policy and regulatory frameworks that are gender responsive. There is a need for policies that facilitate interlibrary loan between agriculture University libraries and research institute libraries, collaboration and information sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the current condition of the college libraries. The study also aimed to explore the role of college libraries in the teaching and learning process of the college. The study also focused on exploring the current professional challenges of the college librarians, as well as to explore current problems of the college libraries. A questionnaire survey among the college librarians was conducted to collect the data. The findings reveal that in majority colleges no separate building for the library was available. The physical facilities in the libraries were not satisfactory. There was a shortage of information resources in the libraries. The status of the ICT resources was also not encouraging. Majority libraries did not receive regular library funds. There was lack of Paraprofessional staff in the libraries. In majority colleges the library committees were not existed. The role of the libraries in the teaching and learning process of the college was to some extent satisfactory. Lack of adequate service structure; lack of training opportunities; lack of pursuing higher qualification opportunities; lack of encouragement from the administration to participate in the professional development activities; librarians performing duties far away from their home stations; and difficulties in their transfer were some major professional challenges for the librarians. Similarly, lack of ICT resources; lack of Paraprofessional staff; lack of information resources; lack of funds; lack of tools, (i.e. DDC set, AACR II/RDA, Sears List of Subject Heading); lack of adequate write-off policy; and book theft were major problems, that faced college libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information has becoming the most valuable asset in the emerging world. Hence, information has become one of the major driving forces that lead a country towards sustainable development. While the libraries and other information centers are closed around the world, it could be adversely affected on the economy and general livelihood of the society. Thus, continuing the information services uninterruptedly is a matter of significance. However, the continuum of library services during lock-down situations and post-pandemic scenarios should be practice with proper care and understanding, especially during the post-pandemic conditions when re-commencing work in an academic library after the lock-down situation. Prevailing COVID -19 pandemic has provided an eye-opening lesson for academic librarians to re-think the way they perform and in what ways they can prepare for the post-pandemic reopening of the library. With the knowledge of the COVID -19 pandemic and related pathological nature of the virus, the present approach attempts to formulate an input while reopening the academic libraries of Sri Lanka. The concept also is applicable while planning to provide library services in similar post-lockdown scenarios. Practical safety precautions were suggested after conducting a thorough literature search in relevant and reputed journal databases, magazines and official websites. It can be recommended that the library should formulate a dedicated body, with the leadership of one senior member of the library staff for the overall monitoring and assessment of the pandemic-safety in the reopening time. Awareness of the libraries' stakeholders via different mediums, develop policies for disinfection, meetings, and other official tasks can be suggested. Following a country-specific existing-strategy that developed for the libraries of Sri Lanka is highly recommended. As a summary, the academic library should formulate an integrated pandemic prevention protocol to serve the library patrons with a delightful post-pandemic reopening experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the influence of gender on job satisfaction among university library professionals in Sri Lanka. Survey design was adopted for the study. The general objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of gender differences on the level of job satisfaction among the professional staff of the university libraries in Sri Lanka. Five parameters were considered. They were work, co-workers, compensation, promotion and supervision. The population of the study consisted of 125 library professionals of 15 universities under the University Grants Commission in Sri Lanka. All members of the population were given the opportunity to participate in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument. The response rate was 64%. Cronbach's alpha values of all variables are above 0.6 (work: 0.764, co-workers: 0.864, compensation: 0.661, promotion: 0.614 and supervision: 0.963). The instrument used to measure each variable in the current study is reliable and all the items are positively correlated to one another. The mean of job satisfaction of all aspects: work; co-workers; compensation; promotion and supervision is higher in Females (0.9200, 0.8021, 0.6521, 0.6667, 0.7243) than males (0.7277, 0.6406, 0.5250, 0.3854, -0.0052). The results indicated that there is a significant difference of job satisfaction between male and female university library professionals only in the "supervision" parameter. The overall job satisfaction of both male and female (3.77) university library professionals is equal. However, equal treatment to both genders will help to achieve higher satisfaction levels. The findings of the study will be helpful for librarians and administrators to develop a motivated and productive workforce for organizational success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a vital tool for maintaining the skills and expertise of staff, especially with regard to the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). There is little information available about the involvement of librarians in South Africa with CPD: this study focused on academic librarians at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library, seeking their attitudes towards CPD and its provision. It employed a qualitative approach in its research design. Questionnaires were utilised to collect information from twenty-five academic librarians. Follow-up interviews were conducted with five respondents. The overall study indicated that, although the respondents were aware of the importance of CPD and the impact of ICT on library resources and services, not all of them kept abreast of CPD activities within their field. The respondents believed that the institutions and the professional body, the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), should work together to encourage and promote CPD activities. By encouraging CPD activities within the Library and Information Science (LIS) sector, the quality of librarianship and service delivery within the LIS would improve. Half of the respondents agreed about the importance of CPD becoming compulsory within the LIS profession and 55% of respondents considered that LIASA had a potentially important role to play in promoting CPD. However, in separate interviews, several respondents expressed doubt about the capacity of LIASA to fulfil this role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of self-concept, work-family conflict, job satisfaction and job stress on job performance of library personnel in federal colleges of education in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design of a correlational type. Total enumeration method was used to cover all the 195 library personnel. A questionnaire tagged Self-concept, Work-family conflict, Job satisfaction, Job stress and Job performance of Library personnel Scale (SWJJJLS) was used as instrument to collect data. Five research questions and two hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance were postulated for the study. Multiple regression and correlational analyses were used in analyzing the data collected. The findings revealed that the joint effect of independent variables (self-concept, work-family conflict, job satisfaction and job stress) on job performance of library personnel was significant (F (4,168) = 2.920; R = .255, R² = .065, Adj. R² = 0.403; P < .05). The relative effect of self-concept, work-family conflict, job satisfaction and job stress on job performance of library personnel was found to be significant (self-concept β = .253, P <.05; work-family conflict β = -.194, P <.05; job satisfaction β = .222, P <.05; and job stress β = .080, P <.05). It is therefore suggested that government as well as library managers should give much consideration to the psychological domains of library personnel in federal colleges of education in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study broadly examines factors impacting work-life experiences of library faculty of color within the framework of tenure policies and processes. An online survey was sent out to academic librarians of color to gauge perceptions of tenure and promotion policies and processes, professional activities and productivity, organizational climate and culture, and job satisfaction and retention. Results of the survey showed mixed findings regarding the impact of race on the tenure and promotion process. Findings can be used to inform future discussions of recruitment and retention for academic librarians of color and to improve the overall tenure experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic librarians are increasingly expected to advocate for scholarly communications reforms such as open access to scholarly publications, yet librarians do not always practice what they preach. Previous research examined librarian attitudes toward open access, whereas this article presents results of a study of open access publishing and self-archiving behaviors of academic librarians. Following an analysis of open access to library and information science literature in 2008, several strategies to encourage academic librarians to continue to embrace open access behaviors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study aimed at examining archetypal librarians by comparing the periods of pre-Alexandrian Mesopotamian information institutions, the Great Library of Alexandria, and the American academic library in the 21st century. It states that the Mesopotamian librarians were master organizers albeit lacking in the creation of new knowledge, the Alexandrians were scholarly librarians, while modern librarians consider theoretical scholarship as an ancillary element.

This article presents an overview of a research project that was designed as a way to understand the role of Australian academic librarians in internationalising library, university, and higher education practice. In an attempt to discover what it is that librarians actually do, a survey of university librarians was undertaken to find how they develop international experience and perspective, and what it is that they describe as effective institutional practice. The article discusses the findings of the survey and some of the strategies and programs that engage librarians in the internationalisation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to review and analyse historical research related to changes brought on by globalisation in Australian academic libraries. Using relevant literature, this study examines the role of academic librarians in internationalising their own experiences and perspectives for the purpose of improving library, instructional and service activities. In some cases, this has in turn led to increase participation by librarians in institutional leadership such as planning and implementing international education in their own institutions, as well as increased participation organisations and partnership. This article is part one of a larger study; part two will examine results from a survey of current practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]