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The aim of this article is to explore the current research landscape of changing information needs and the need for digital access to library materials. Print reference sources—bibliographies in particular—are discussed and possible solutions for increasing their relevance and appeal as a stable reference point are presented. Several digital curated collections created with bibliographic reference materials are highlighted as a way of reintroducing these materials as a reliable and accessible source of information. The article concludes with future directions for the study of the use of print consultative sources and the main takeaways for adjusting reference and research assistance in an academic library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physically challenged students are entitled to all the support necessary to succeed in their academic pursuits. However, the reality in developing countries, particularly Nigeria, is that little attention is often paid to physically challenged students. This study examined the influence of information resources and library services provision on the perceived academic achievement of physically challenged students in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative survey research method. A structured questionnaire was adopted as the instrument for data collection. The study population comprises of 348 physically challenged students from Cheshire Special School Ijokodo, Ibadan, Oyo State. Total enumeration was used due to the manageable size of the population. The findings show that the level of availability of information resources in the library is above average (mean = 2.76) It was also found that library services available to the student is above average (mean = 3.07). Furthermore, hypotheses testing revealed that availability of information resources (β=0.420, t=3.690, p<0.05) and school library services (β=1.008, t=6.297, p<0.05) have a significant have positive influence on the perceived academic achievement by the students. The study, therefore, concluded that the library can serve as a veritable evidence of the importance of school libraries in special education and recommends that other schools also embrace the establishment school libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this inquiry is to investigate the usage pattern of academic hybrid library digital resources by history and international studies postgraduates. Qualitative case study was adopted as the research design of the inquiry. Focus group discussion, observation and interview were employed as data tools. Among the inquiry's outcome, it was disclosed that there were varieties of digital resources in the hybrid library under study. It was also disclosed that the history and international studies postgraduates were aware of the available digital resources. However, it was disclosed that only few participants were utilising the library's e-books and databases due to specific barriers. It was further disclosed that mainstream participants were utilising the resources in their IR. Based on the outcomes obtained, it was recommended among others that the library should organise series of sensitisation for the postgraduates on the need to increase the usage of the digital resources. It was also recommended that the postgraduates should be trained on how to access the digital resources. Finally, it was recommended that complex login procedures to some of the digital resources should be simplified to optimise their usage by the postgraduates and other library users. From previous literature, no inquiry was found that examined the usage pattern of digital resources in an academic hybrid library by history and international studies postgraduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Universities Commission, the supervisory body of all Universities in Nigeria assesses the universities for standards and quality assurance of programmes on regular basis. The paper examined how accreditations are carried out by the National Universities Commission and the accreditation roles of the university libraries were examined. The study also unveiled the challenges of accreditation in University Libraries which include late notification of forthcoming accreditation, financial constraint, out datedness of information resources, and understaff. The study suggested possible ways out of these challenges which include timely notification of date of accreditation, provision of finance to enable the library acquire current information resources and the like. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Research was conducted on Factors Influencing Selection and Acquisition of legal information resources in university Law libraries: A case study of University of Jos Law Library, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Four (4) objectives were formulated to guide the study which are to: Determine how often University of Jos Law Library acquire Legal Materials; Find out the criteria used in Selection of Legal Materials in University of Jos Law Library; Find out the methods used in Acquisition of Legal Materials in University of Jos Law Library and ascertain the challenges faced by Law Library in acquiring Legal Materials. Survey research design was used for this study; the population of the study was 150 registered users and 18 staff of the University of Jos Law Library. Therefore, the total population of the study is 168. Simple random sampling was used by the researcher to select 35 respondents out of 168 that was used as a sample for the study. The questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency count and percentage tables. The study revealed that The University of Jos Law Library acquired legal materials very frequently. It was further revealed that there are some criteria used for selection and acquisition of legal materials in University of Jos Law Library, which includes, authoritativeness of the publishers or producers, significance of the subject matter based on collection assessment, importance/reputation of the author, among others. These were few among other findings. In accordance with the findings, the researcher made some recommendations for the Library management which was about the need for ensuring that audiovisual materials and special collection/government publications that were not acquired, to be acquired for the use of all users and for the University Law Library to have a written collection development policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of information resources and services provided in the Library is paramount to undergraduates' educational activities. However, low use of information resources and services have been presumed among undergraduates hence the study examined the use of information resources and services among undergraduates in Ibadan Library School. The study population consisted of 144 undergraduates in the Ibadan Library School. Total enumeration was used. Questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that undergraduates use the library more during examination periods and hardly use the library outside examination periods. Respondents stated that they use the library information resources and services for assignments 95.1%, learning 92.6%, examination purposes 89.3%, class preparations 86.9% and for self-development, 86.1%. Poor Internet connectivity, small reading space, and epileptic power supply were the major challenges encountered the use of information resources and services, in Ibadan Library School. To further encourage the use of information resources and services among undergraduates, the Library space should be expanded to increase in the accommodating capacity of the library. the Library should employ more qualified hands to run shifts and reduce work overload on the few staff present in the library, also the Library should organise seminars and workshops to enlighten the undergraduates of the benefits of using the library information resources and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the quality assurance in services provided by Arjun Singh Central Library, Periyar Maniammai University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. A well structured 125questionnaires were distributed among the library users to find the qualitative services provided by the university library. The questionnaires were checked and out of 115 filled-in questionnaires returned 108(93.98%) were found fit for analysis and out of which 7(6.08%) were considered unusable. The present study demonstrates and elaborates the various aspects of use of information resources and services, physical facilities available and collection of Central Library, Periyar Maniammai University, Thanjavur. It identifies the levels of use of various services provided, and highlights problems faced by the users and satisfaction level of users with the central library collection. Suggestions have been given to make the service more beneficial for the academic community of the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College libraries are integral part of higher education institutions and they play an important role in raising the standard of education. The study was conducted at Sri JCBM College, Sringeri to assess users’ awareness and utilization of library resources and services. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and personal visits to the said college library. Convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. Seventy structured questionnaires were distributed and 52 duly filled questionnaires were returned back, the response rate is 76.04%. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (16.0) and Excel. The study revealed that the majority (86%) of the users are visiting library daily. The study revealed that majority of the users have awareness on almost all the services provided by the library. The majority of the users always use internet browsing service (50%), Reference service (44.23%) and Book bank facility (40.38%) while they visit the library. The users were satisfied with various resources and services provided by the library. The study suggested to provide a separate digital library with the adequate number of computers with high speed internet connectivity, Wi-Fi, access to more number of e-resources including CDs/DVDs and online journals to the users in the library. The library needs to explore innovative methods by making use of technology in reaching out to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the collection development practices in academic libraries in Tanzania. Specifically, the study examined the collection development practices and factors that influence these practices. The study involved four academic libraries and employed both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. Primary data were collected through informant interviews, observations and questionnaires methods. The study involved 44 library staff who filled in self-administered questionnaires. The study discloses that collection development practices and particularly evaluation and weeding or deselection are rarely conducted at these academic libraries. The findings further reveal that collection development practices in academic libraries in Tanzania are constrained by inadequate funding, lack of skills for hybrid collection management and lack of collection development policy catering for both print- and electronic-based information resources. On the basis of the findings, the study recommends that academic libraries should establish a comprehensive collection development policy and introduce professional development programmes to library staff for efficient management of hybrid collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the influence of two selected indices (availability and accessibility of information resources), influencing information resources utilisation in academic libraries in Rivers State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to give direction to the study. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design. The population of the study was 9,984 registered library users in the two selected libraries - University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University during the 2014/2015 session. A sample of 998 registered library users were selected using proportionate sampling technique. A questionnaire titled Indices Influencing Students Utilization and Accessibility of Information Resources (IISUAIR) was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using independent t-test statistics. The findings from data analysis showed that the influence of the indices investigated were significant determinant of information resources utilisation in academic libraries in Rivers State. Consequently, it was recommended among others that, government should ensure proper allocation of funds for academic libraries as all the indices cannot be attained without the availability of funds and that university libraries and librarians should take up the initiative to proactively improve their resources and services by partnering with agencies and groups whose objectives, aims and functions can help to further improve the availability of information resources in their libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though the library subscribes to numerous valuable health science resources, many e-books are not being used by clinicians, researchers, and students. Because these resources are bundled in various packages that often do not show up in federated searches, making them more discoverable is important. At the same time, the cost of textbooks is increasingly burdensome for students. Using authoritative lists and metrics to evaluate these resources while also seeking faculty input to include the best resources in subject guides may not only benefit the faculty and students but also aid in promoting library resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many libraries have built new high-density storage facilities, fewer academic libraries have repurposed and renovated an existing building for that new end. This article details Kansas State University Libraries' experience renovating an existing structure for high-density storage purposes and the improved collection management options that resulted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Recent developments in the field of scientific information resource provision lead us to the key research question, namely,what is the coverage of freely available information sources when writing doctoral theses, and whether the academic library can assume the leading role as a direct intermediator for information users. Method. Citation analysis of doctoral theses was conducted in the summer of 2015. A total of thirty-nine theses (with 6,998 references) defended at Vilnius University at the end of 2014 was selected (30 per cent of all defended theses). Theses were randomly chosen from different research fields: the humanities, social sciences, biomedical sciences, technological sciences, and physical sciences. Analysis. The research team was tasked with identifying whether certain resources could be found in the eCatalogue of an academic library, its subscribed databases, freely available online (through Google or Google Scholar), or whether the resources from the library's subscribed databases are identical to those which are freely available. The data gathering process included such resource categories as journal papers, printed and electronic books or book chapters, and other documents (legal reports, conference papers, newspaper articles, Websites, theses, etc.). Conclusions. Library collections and subscribed databases could cover up to 80 per cent of all information resources used in doctoral theses. Among the most significant findings to emerge from this study is the fact that on average more than half (57 per cent) of all utilised information resources were freely available or were accessed without library support. We may presume that the library as a direct intermediator for information users is potentially important and irreplaceable only in four out of ten attempts of PhD students to seek information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on using Knowledge Organisation Tools (KOT) for information resources processing in academic libraries, a study of Ahmadu Bello University Library Complex, Zaria. The paper sees KOT as anything use as a device, means, or instrument for processing the understanding, experience, and wisdom of individual(s) to enhance easy access and create value to the knowledge. The study was conducted using descriptive content analysis. It was revealed that professionals and para professionals in academic libraries are involved in using Knowledge Organisation Tools for managing information resources. The paper concludes that, from time to time it may be required to audit and update the Knowledge Management Tools (KMT), information resources and human information seeking strategies in academic libraries to enhance knowledge and meet up with 21st century challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As e-resources become more ubiquitous, and the technologies available to access them more sophisticated, libraries have greater opportunities to reach out to global users. However, this same distance means that some users never even set foot in a physical library. This case study will describe how one large academic library started a business, economics, and marketing library online instruction pilot for global users in an effort to replicate library instruction offered at the home institution. Librarians assessed global library use and research needs; prepared unique lesson plans for each global site; and created digital learning objects using synchronous and asynchronous methods to establish an instruction strategy for Business and Economics courses. The goal was to test instruction practices and develop an online instruction template that would be replicable and sustainable for library instruction in other subject areas in New York University Libraries and other institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of data collected from a simple random sample of 1130 faculty members belonging to 37 Engineering colleges affiliated to JNTU-Anantapur using a questionnaire, reveals that most of the faculty members are using textbooks (97.3%), and Internet (85.7%) for their teaching activity. Further, most of the faculty members are using e-journals (80.1%) and Internet (79.0%) for their research activity. Most of the faculty members are satisfied with latest editions of books available (79.8%) and with the multiple copies available for prescribed textbooks in their libraries (75.02%). Most of them (77.3%) are consulting periodicals for their teaching and research work. Most of them (78.1%) are satisfied with the present collection of periodicals. Nearly half of them (51.3%) are consulting indexing and abstracting periodicals to know the latest literature for their teaching and research needs. Most of them (77.2%) replied that the latest issues of periodicals are available in their libraries concerned. Majority of the faculty members replied that current issues of periodicals (68.8%) and the back volumes of periodicals (60.5%) are not issued for home reading. Most of them (81.8%) replied that their libraries are subscribing to e-journals. Majority of them (53.7%) replied that their libraries are not subscribing to e-books. A few recommendations have been made by the researchers on the basis of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth in academic programs devoted to the development of video games and the increased use of video gaming in education have led some academic libraries to build their own video game collections, as well as provide video game-related services, space, and equipment. This column outlines several examples of academic library video game collections and services, provides information on building and maintaining video game-related collections, and addresses a few of the challenges of providing services for this rapidly evolving industry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study focused on users satisfaction with library services at the Delta State University main Library, Abraka, Delta State. The objective was to find out if users are satisfied with the services, facilities, the library environment, information sources and staff of the library. Using the descriptive survey design the population for the study consisted of all registered library users in the Site II of the Delta State University, Abraka Campus. The study employed the simple random sampling techniques in selecting the sample size for the study, and with a questionnaire data were collected. The findings revealed that the services offered at the Delta State University are inadequate and below average. Most users were satisfied with the availability of information sources in the library but also registered that most of these information sources are not available for loan. The findings also showed that there is a significant relationship between the assessment of library collection by users and their satisfaction with information sources. The library environment is clean and the reading carrels are adequate but, there are no effective lightening and toilet facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article takes a broad view of the evolution of collecting behaviors in a network environment and suggests some future directions based on various simple models. The authors look at the changing dynamics of print collections, at the greater engagement with research and learning behaviors, and at trends in scholarly communication. The goal is to provide context within which libraries can discuss changing patterns of investment across collection categories. The authors argue that the network is reconfiguring not only individual academic libraries but also the whole library system, as reduced transaction costs facilitate the unbundling of functions and their consolidation in network platforms and with other external service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study conducted to analyze patterns of usage of Library Information Technology based resources by graduate students of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Topics discussed include information needs of graduate students, various categories of library-based Information Technology resources in the library, impact of networking on functions and services of academic libraries and usefulness of the resources to their studies and research activities.

Purpose – Increased use and changes in the way e-resources are delivered led some libraries to question the detail of some of the definitions used and particularly to suggest that statistics required by SCONUL did not always match the requirements or practice of the libraries themselves. The purpose of this paper is to explore a set of e-measures. Design/methodology/approach – A pilot project was set up to test a set of e-measures, sufficiently robust to give confidence in their use in a national/international context and in benchmarking individual libraries. A total of 20 SCONUL members made quarterly returns during 2009-10. During the year, categories and definitions were adjusted in the light of comments received. A workshop was held to exchange views and inform the decision on what went into the new return. Findings – It was clear from the start that practice varied, and compromise would be required. Foremost among the changes are: inclusion of e-resources held within databases in the count of titles; count of free titles or titles purchased in previous years; inclusion of database searches; separation of costs of different types of e-resource. Originality/value – The SCONUL statistics are a tool and servant of the members, helping libraries to run more effectively, and at the same time providing valuable evidence on UK academic libraries and their activities to the wider world. The new e-measures questions will provide a reliable picture of the use of e-resources across the sector and be useful to libraries individually or in benchmarking groups in assessing their own usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the effectiveness of the user education programmes offered by the main library of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Attitudes of users towards the user education programmes conducted by the Library and their suggestions for the user centric user education program are discussed. A user survey was conducted for the study and undergraduates of the Faculty of Arts were selected as the target group. Results of the study discovered that the available library user education programs are inadequate to increase the awareness of all available information resources and services offered by the library. Strengths and weaknesses of the existing user education programs were discovered and further improvements are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of Romanian university libraries' collections between 1989 and 2009 is studied through corelating and analyzing the variation of statistical indicators regarding the number of university libraries, the number of volumes detained by them, the circulation of documents and the number of registered users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of information resources in the research papers of the graduate students in Library and Information Science (LIS) at Kuwait University. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology chosen for this paper is the bibliometric method by way of citation count of the references found in the literature review papers of LIS graduate students at Kuwait University by identifying the preferred form of publications, retrieval method, time span, subject distribution, and the most cited journals. Findings – It is shown that the majority of students used journal articles, web pages, and books as the most preferred form of resources. Their preferred method of retrieval was the printed format. Time span of the most used citations is from three to ten years. They mostly used traditional library journals such as Bulletin of MLA, Library Review, The Electronic Library, Library Management, and College and Research Libraries. Research limitations/implications – The quantity and quality of citations were reviewed and approved by the student advisor, and the sample was drawn from a population of 74 papers based on the availability of original papers. Originality/value – The findings in this paper provide important insights for the academic library administration to take appropriate measures to achieve a higher level of awareness and skill by the users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study on the challenges of acquiring information resources in major university libraries in Pakistan. It explores the factors that caused the difficulty of accessing books and other information resources to university libraries in the nation. Moreover, it recommends steps for the government to implement practical and realistic measures to ensure smooth flow and procedure in acquiring books in university libraries.

Purpose - To identify levels of awareness and patterns of usage of electronic books by scholars in the humanities. Design/methodology/approach - A survey of the University of Denver community assessed knowledge about and usage of electronic books. The results for humanists are presented here. Findings - Scholars in the humanities have a higher level of awareness of e-books than their colleagues across campus but use e-books at the same rate. Their patterns of use are different, with humanists using less of the e-book than do other groups. Humanists still prefer printed books to electronic texts at a higher rate than do other groups and care less about added features, such as searchability, than they do about content. Originality/value - Humanists conduct research differently than do most other scholars, using the library catalog and browsing as primary means of finding information, and valuing the book more than other resources. No previous research has assessed whether humanists have similarly unique patterns of usage for electronic books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic Libraries, like all types of libraries, are in transition as they move from books on shelves to bytes on computers. Academic libraries, limited by space and staff to cover their hours of operation, have created 24-hour, digital information commons. The librarian locus on the millennial undergraduate features a virtual library that highlights extensive software suites and modules with computers where students can work collaboratively 24 hours a day. an expanded center for writing instruction, and a center for computer training, technical assistance, and repair. To transition to this type of library can be a challenge for a profession not noted for the embrace of dynamic change initiatives and paradigms. This chapter looks at a number of change-management initiatives and models taken from private industry, looks at how digital resources impact and challenge traditional library workflows, and focuses on new ways these workflows can be altered to accommodate the new electronic information format in the academic library that has rapidly become the norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors propose a bibliometric model for discarding journal volumes at academic libraries, i.e., removal to offsite storage as part of the library's serials collection. The method is based on the volume as the unit of measurement and on user satisfaction with given titles. The discarding age, calculated for each volume, from the year of publication to the year of decision to discard, is dependent on citation half-life, relative productivity, knowledge area, and residual utility (potential consultations). The model makes it possible to predict the approximate size of a collection when a stationary state is reached in which the inflow of journal volumes is equal to the outflow from discarding. The model is also able to determine the rate of growth of the holdings. This information can be used to optimize future use of available space and economic and maintenance resources; thus promoting efficient management of the collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three visions of public library services for children. One vision is that of the child as reader. The second is the child of the Information Age. The third is the child in the community. This paper looks at each one of those visions, drawing upon the author's own experience as child, mother, and librarian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A six-month journal evaluation study was conducted at the two NOAA libraries in Boulder, Colorado, from 28 October 1975 to 28 April 1976 to assist in subscription renewal activities, enhancement of collection relevance, and determination of efficient methodology. Data were collected from a use study, circulation and interlibrary loan statistics, a core list, local availability, questionnaire returns, subscription costs, and librarian and patron input. Results showed that (1) monitoring use for three months pulled 84% of the low-use titles obtained in the six-month study indicating that a three-month study is sufficient; (2) considering the lower 31% of the collection in terms of six-month useage, the same titles were pulled 92% of the time when using raw use versus use density data, indicating that use density data need not be obtained for determination of low value titles; (3) when two or more scientists (about 0.8% of scientists responding to a questionnaire) recommended a title, it appeared as a low-use (two or fewer uses) title 5.5% of the time (13.7% of the time for one or more scientists) thus indicating the significance of scientists' recommendations; (4) a balance index for determination of collection balance was derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]