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This paper investigates the potential of the Gamified Metaverse as a platform for promoting library services. The study compares the effectiveness of a traditional library program with a Metaverse- based library program in terms of knowledge acquisition and library anxiety. The research also examines students' perceptions of implementing gamification within the context of the Gamified Metaverse platform. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including pre- and post-test analysis, statistical analysis, and qualitative data collection. The results indicate that both the traditional and Metaverse-based library programs effectively increased the participants' knowledge, with no significant difference between the two approaches. However, the Metaverse-based program was found to be less effective in facilitating interaction with librarians and reducing library anxiety. Additionally, students expressed positive perceptions of implementing gamification in the Gamified Metaverse platform, finding it engaging and motivating. These findings contribute to the understanding of the effect of the Metaverse as a tool for promoting library services and enhancing knowledge acquisition. However, it is not as effective in reducing library anxiety, particularly in terms of interaction with librarians and staff. It should be noted that the platform may have limitations such as high costs and potential side effects of virtual reality, making it more suitable as an additional tool for promoting library services, taking into account its feasibility and potential benefits for specific student populations and larger libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to find out the current scenario of library resources and services viz. collection including infrastructure, staff position, library services available in the private university libraries in the state of Assam, India. Methodology: Physical survey of all the five libraries has been conducted for which a questionnaire was designed. Findings: With the increasing number of library users, there should be adequate number of library staff to maintain all the different collections and services of the library. Private university libraries e-books and e-journals facility is not sufficient to cater the increasing demands of the users. Research Limitations: The study is applied to private university libraries within the geographical barrier within the state of Assam. It is applied only on the basic level library resources and services expected from a library. Practical Implications: It will provide an opportunity to the library authority to fill up the gap in providing their basic library services. The method and technique of the study may be applied to any other libraries where the libraries are managed by library science professional with proper library procedures. Originality/value: The study is itself a unique one as no such study was conducted in the area of private university libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was meant to examine electronic theses and dissertations' development in Nigerian federal university libraries. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The study population comprised forty-eight institutional repository librarians in eighteen Nigerian federal university libraries. The sample consisted of forty three librarians. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed with mean and standard deviation. Findings reveal that the policies available for developing electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) in the libraries require submission of electronic copies of theses and dissertations by students, participation of digital/IR librarians in ETD development and provision of free access to ETDs; the libraries comply with standards of Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting and Search/Retrieval via URL using DSpace for building ETDs and taking advantage of such available ICT facilities as computers, scanners, CD-ROM, LAN, internet connectivity and printer. The libraries achieve ETD through digitisation, mandating submission of electronic versions of TDs by students and creation of IR. However, the process is hindered by technological obsolescence, financial problems, absence of clearly-defined ETD development policy, required ICT facilities and trained staff, copyright, irregular power supply and unstable internet connectivity. This study represents a fresh empirical investigation into electronic theses and dissertations' development in federal university libraries in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library discovery platforms, which provide searchable user interfaces as their front-facing layer, aggregate tremendous amounts of metadata from multiple data streams describing a wide variety of print and electronic resources. Complicating the matter further, resources may differ in availability or delivery time depending not only on their media but also upon the source of the data stream describing them. How should libraries structure end users' options for searching discovery platforms in light of the many options available? This study used a nonexperimental design and quantitative methods to analyze users' revealed preferences for query type in twenty-four academic libraries in a data set containing metadata, sans queries, for over 64 million searches. Libraries studied were all located in California, used the same discovery layer software, and served similar user and faculty constituencies; however, the number of query types and pre-filtering options available differed between institutions. Results show that, when users were presented with the choice between search options, most conducted simple, more broad searches rather than complex and specific searches. When search options were highly constrained by the default choice architecture, but complex searches were possible, few users opted out of the default simple search. Implications for usability of discovery layers and the motivations of librarians in choice architecture are nontrivial and are discussed. The desires of librarians and "power user" faculty must be balanced with the fact that most users are novices and users of all abilities are largely habituated to commercial search products which emphasize post-search results filtering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the extent of academic librarians' teaching, research, communication, and interpersonal skills; key competencies required for the successful implementation of embedded librarianship in Tanzania. A mixed research approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was deployed to guide the collection of data from 166 librarians and 6 directors. Whereas cross-section survey questionnaires were used to collect data from librarians from six university libraries. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from directors. Regarding statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were performed to derive frequencies and percentages from quantitative data collected. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. The findings suggest that librarians' teaching skills and their knowledge of the research cycle are inadequate, while their communication and interpersonal skills are sufficient to allow them to effectively embed their services in their users' (researchers, students, and teaching staff) activities. To effectively adopt embedded librarianship, the authors recommend the allocation of adequate funds to support diverse external and in-house training, the development of harmonized library and information science (LIS) curriculum, and the use of social media to interact with users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses informetrics methods to explore the use of LibGuides to benchmark and select books at the Mafikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) in South Africa. The books selected or recommended by librarians in all public university LibGuides were identified and compared with those of NWU Library and Information Services-Mafikeng Campus. A list of all books that were not available at the Campus but conform to the collection development policy of NWU Library and Information Services was sent to the relevant academic departments for selection. The books that were recommended for purchase by the departments were then ordered. This study reports the results of this exercise. The availability of the books at North-West University, extent of their usage, their users and the publishers are determined. Among the findings is that 60.6% of the titles have been checked out in the last six months or so. The check-out rate was 0.93 times per title. Books published by publishers that have a strong local content performed well in terms of check-out rates. Another finding was that undergraduate students were more likely to borrow the books than the other user groups. The results of this study will add to the growing body of literature on the impact of LibGuides in academic libraries. It will also provide a new perspective of how LibGuides are used as a collection development tool in the developing world. Keywords: LibGuides; collection development; collection management; acquisitions, circulation; research guides, 1. Introduction Collection development is one of the major tasks of academic librarianship (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2001). It involves painstaking processes of analysis and evaluation, benchmarking, [...]

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The study investigated how librarians working in various university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria, adopt and use artificial intelligence. The study raised four research goals as well as four research questions. A descriptive survey method and random sampling techniques with 450 randomly selected librarians from Kwara State Universities, Nigeria, were used for the research. Five research assistants were trained on how to contact respondents and secure their consent before distributing the structured questionnaire designed by the researcher, who assisted in the tool distribution process. The researcher was able to retrieve 410 copies of the 450 questionnaires that were given to the respondents. However, the rate of return was 91%, which is a respectable amount. A self-designed questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the respondents, and a simple percentage was adapted for data analysis. The results showed that there was little adoption of AI in university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. The research also reveals that security scanning devices at the entrances and exits of university libraries are the most prevalent AI systems, while other AI systems such as bots, chatbots, face recognition, touch recognition, RFID technologies, humans, AI classification tools, machine-readable catalogs, and not smart AI features are still missing from the Kwara State University libraries. A self-designed questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the respondents, and a simple percentage ratio was adapted for data analysis. The findings revealed that AI has received minimal attention in university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. According to the study, the most common AIs are security scanning equipment at university library entrances and exits, followed by robotics, chatbots, face recognition, and touch recognition. RFID technologies, humanoids, AI classification tools, machine-readable catalogs, and AI smart features are still lacking in Kwara State's university libraries. The results of this study also indicate that librarians in a university library are aware of the many ways in which artificial intelligence can be applied to provide services. The results of the study indicate that obstacles to adoption include significant disruption caused by artificial intelligence in traditional library services, a lack of skills and a need for training prior to adoption, irregular power supply, and a lack of adequate infrastructure for adoption, among other problems. The study recommended the need to organize training for librarians to enhance their skills in using artificial intelligence to provide services, and the university administration and libraries should commit and provide the necessary support for the adoption of artificial intelligence by providing the necessary infrastructure to ensure its rapid implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to understand the present scenario of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) Library, including service strength, resources, user expectations, etc. The researcher also tried to identify its use of it. User's expectations and identifies the loopholes. A formal questionnaire was formed and distributed to the final-year students who completed graduation last academic year (May. 2022). Recent, relevant articles are also reviewed to strengthen the research. SWOT analysis is also done., IUT Library has been using around twenty-five different country uses, and their needs and expectations vary. Based on the output using the Excel diagram, the researcher found 40.76% of the user comes to the library for reading room use and are more interested in other things. Less priority, highest priority, drawbacks, etc., identified. University library professionals will be encouraged to evaluate their resources and user needs. This paper may help to develop library systems and services that libraries can develop based on the user's needs. After implementing the recommendations, further study may be conducted to know the progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed the nature and level of the use of resources for electronic collection development (ECD) in three Nigerian university libraries. A population of 208, comprising professional librarians and para-professionals was used for the study. Questionnaire, observation checklist and interview schedule were used in collecting data for the study. Data generated were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviations. Different types of resources required for enhancing ECD in Nigerian university libraries such as "Internet", "Online Public Access Catalogue", "Desktop computers", "CD-ROM", etc were identified. Available resources for (ECD) in the three institution libraries were identified. The findings highlighted challenges of (ECD) in Nigerian university libraries. Strategies that will help in stemming the tide of challenges of electronic collection development were suggested. Academic libraries in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and other developing countries will leverage on this study for a robust and efficient electronic collection development practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined Computer Mediated Communication Technologies (CMCT) and Librarian's Interaction with Users for Effective Service Delivery in Delta State University Library. The purpose was to identify the relationship between CMCT and librarian's interaction with users for effective service delivery. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised the total of 56 staff working in the university library (library assistant, library officers and librarians). Census sampling was used to sample the entire population because of its manageable size. Questionnaire served as the primary instrument. Out of 56 copies of questionnaire administered 46 copies valid for analysis. Data collected was analyzed using the descriptive statistics of arithmetic mean (X) and standard deviation (SD). The hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The study found out that there is a strong significant relationship between computer mediated communication technologies like (email, instant messaging, whatsapp) and librarian's interaction with users for effective service delivery, only that the use of podcast has not been fully recognized in Delta state university library as it shows a very weak relationship significant at(r=0214; p<.05). Hence, the study recommends adequate recognition and incorporation of CMC technologies like podcast by librarians and they should come up other CMC applications to achieve more effective interactionsand efficient service delivery in the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: University libraries playing pivotal role in developing and delivering education among university community by providing authentic information resources in terms of books, magazines, academic research journals etc. Collection development policies adopted to select and purchase the library print and electronic resources which worked as a guide for decision making. The purpose of this study is to propose the collection development policy which will help the acquisition librarians in selecting, evaluating and purchasing the materials for academic/universities libraries. Methodology: The trends of collection development practices were identified through the intensive literature review. Then, the university libraries of Lahore were personally visited to understand their collection development policies and practices. Moreover, the acquisition librarians from outside of Lahore were contacted via phone call to understand and discuss the collection development process in their libraries. Findings: The study findings revealed that there is no systematic written policy for assessment, selection, evaluation and deselection of library material at the universities libraries of Pakistan. Even, the acquisition process of books in universities libraries vary from university to university and even province to province. However, the proposed collection development policy revealed that the automatic receiving of books and other library materials via gifts, donations, exchanging library materials, resource sharing, and subscribing memberships of other organizations will be helpful to enhance the library collection and also reduce the cost to purchase the library materials. The proposed steps for collection development will act as a segment of complete collection development policy and may work as a guide line of collection development procedure to the universities libraries. Originality/Value: The study is first attempt to draw holistic approach of collection development at national level and it will also provide guideline to select user centered resources and also beneficial in terms of saving finances by practicing the proposed steps for developing academic libraries collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is on capacity building for sustainable digital information services in 21st century administration of academic libraries in Nigeria. Capacity building is termed as the building or the development of organization's facilities, equipment, provisions, features, amenities, infrastructures and resources (human and physical) to foster growth and expansion. As such, capacity building needs to be introduced in the library which includes the professional building of human resources (professional library staff and other para-professional workers) and material resources. To achieve this goal, education and trainings on administration are given to the library staff for effective, efficient output and productivity. It can therefore be concluded that capacity building in academic libraries is very essential and crucial especially when considering the imperativeness of the services rendered by librarians for the general satisfaction of the intellectual quests of patron. The services must be rendered with ethics, principles and standard in order to maximize the output of the libraries. It can therefore be recommended that library staff should be trained and re-trained on administration for the benefit of delivering a wellrounded service in the library. Also, resources should also be provided for the both junior and senior library staff in academic libraries to sustain the network of policy fulfillment in the organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This study aims to evaluate the library websites of selected state and deemed universities in Delhi, capital city of India to ascertain how effectively libraries are leveraging their respective websites to provide library related information on their websites. Design/Methodology - The study adopted the checklist technique to evaluate the content of library's websites. A comprehensive checklist was designed on the basis of previous studies. It consists of 6 main aspects which are further divided into 66 elements. Findings -The study reveals that library related information such as general library information, about collection, links to e-resources, library services, currency and authority of websites are presented on the university library websites but not to the full extent. Web 2.0 tools are used by least libraries where only 2 libraries have library Facebook page, and only one has a library blog. DTU scored the highest, 45 out of 66 and Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) scored the least 13 out of 66 in overall ranking of websites based on elements presented on their websites. Originality/Value - The study suggested that libraries need to incorporate more information on their websites to promote the use of library resources and services. Libraries need to have a dedicated website and provide all the valuable and relevant information related to the library on their websites. This paper will guide librarians to effectively utilise and improve the quality of library websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a themed print issue of Notes and Records dedicated to a research project surrounding the eighteenth-century Taylor White collection of animal paintings, this article provides context by describing the initial acquisition of the collection, and by situating it within the larger Blacker Wood Natural History Collection held at McGill University Library. Highlights of the Blacker Wood Collection are discussed, along with the collection's founder, Dr Casey Wood. The second part of the article provides a brief examination of the movement, in some academic administrative circles, towards the 'de-professionalization' of librarian work within academic libraries, and offers an outline of the specialized skills that librarians bring to the description, analysis and preservation of special collections. The Taylor White Project is then offered as an example of research collaborations between scholars and librarians; a description of the advantages of embedding a scholar within specific library collections to work with, rather than replace, a librarian is provided. The author suggests this strategy as one potential answer to the question of 'de-professionalization', to move away from divisive discussions towards a more symbiotic relationship between scholars and librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Library Alliance conducted a study to assess library services in support of faculty research. Funded by an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant, and with support from LYRASIS, the study involved two different assessments. The first assessment was of faculty members and their support needs for research. The second assessment was of librarians to understand current capacity and needs related to support libraries provide to faculty. While the HBCU Library Alliance acknowledges that libraries do not have the capacity to address all the challenges to faculty research, the results from this study can serve as a tool to augment the academic infrastructure to support research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This exploratory case study discusses how information literacy elements are presented in first-year composition assignments developed by teaching assistants. The study used content analysis of the instructions accompanying research assignments to understand research projects and their information literacy elements. The analysis found the library largely missing from discussion about research in the directions. Language about how to do research was vague or inconsistent, and guidelines offered flexibility where novice researchers might benefit from more structure. However, the assignments excelled at scaffolding learning. This study will help librarians collaborate with instructors and writing program administrators to ensure appropriate incorporation of information literacy into assignments while also offering ideas for tailoring library instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the study is to review the literature related to the use of emerging technologies by university libraries. The primary objective of the study was to examine the core literature related to emerging technologies used in the university libraries and to find out the changing role of the university librarians in these technologically equipped modern libraries. The study also focuses on the attitude of library professionals towards this modern environment. The findings of the study are based upon four themes, they are: "status of emerging technologies in the university libraries", "attitude of librarians towards the emerging technologies", "technological compatibility among the professionals of the libraries" and "barriers in the implementation of emerging technologies". Nevertheless, if there have been many researches performed at university libraries on emerging technologies, this study is primarily aimed at improving understanding of these expanding technologies by the library and information sciences profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the necessity of developing disaster risk reduction plans and increasing the level of preparedness for disasters for academic libraries in Sri Lanka. It examines some of the different types of disasters; natural, man-made, and hybrid, which can occur in university libraries. Informants were the librarians of all 15 Sri Lankan state universities. The methodology is mixed-method with data gathered through questionnaires and interviews. In this study, the researcher considered the likelihood of occurrence of various types of disaster and their potential impact on university libraries. The results reveal that fire is the most expected disaster. Results highlight the importance of disaster risk reduction plans for university libraries and emphasise that every library should adopt a plan to safeguard its legacy. This study was conducted in 2019, thus infectious diseases were identified as an 'unlikely to occur' disaster category. However, events of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, indicate a need for librarians to also rethink providing continuous library services during disasters such as pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on the role of academic libraries during Covid-19. Topics include challenge to the libraries being the current global trends in online education and significant roles libraries play; and understanding the permanent changes in the outlook and behaviour of library professionals bringing about by the covid outbreak.

The article explores the year 2020 has been a challenging one to people all over the world, effecting every perspective of the human life. Role of academic libraries changed according to the evolving paradigm shift in teaching methodologies as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19. The challenge to the libraries were the current global trends in online education and significant roles libraries can play.

Though many library practices and services were put on hold at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, hiring still took place in some academic libraries. This column details the process of remote onboarding in an academic library that was accustomed to in-person hiring and training, and it provides perspective from both the supervisor and the newly-hired electronic resources librarian in the UNC Greensboro University Libraries Technical Services Department. Authors seek to illustrate the process of developing a structured virtual onboarding program, as well as uncover the social challenges posed by physical distancing in a new working environment, and strive to answer the question, how does one become a part of a department when the department itself cannot meet in person? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic librarians have long highlighted faculty publications inside of the library's walls using faculty publication displays and other methods. In today's environment where scholarly output is important for reputation and rankings, librarians can expand this effort further and help promote scholarship performed at their university to the broader world. External and internal audiences will be discussed and some strategies for promoting faculty research outside of the university will be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examined the use of social media for effective library service delivery in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. The researchers adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised of 71 librarians from twelve university libraries. Three (3) research questions guided this study. Data was collected using online questionnaire. The total enumerative sampling technique was used for this study. The validity of the instrument was determined by checking the face and content validity and the instrument proved valid because the items in the instrument are appropriate in terms of subject contents. Cronbach Alpha technique was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the instrument and an index of 0.87 was obtained. This shows that the internal consistency of the instrument is high and good. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics such as frequency count and simple percentage. The findings revealed that majority of the librarians mostly use Facebook and Whatsapp platforms in providing library services. Regarding the library services that are offered/provided using social media, it was discovered that most of the respondents use the social media platforms to create awareness about library resources and services and also to share library news and events. Majority of the respondents indicated that poor internet connection and lack of constant power supply were the two major challenges to the effective use of social media platforms. Based on the findings, the researchers wish to recommend that the library management should provide opportunities for training and retraining of librarians on social media skills and emerging technologies. The school management should also provide adequate internet facilities and improve on electricity supply so that the library staff can enjoy more access to the internet in order to provide effective and efficient services to their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning from one library setting to another library setting can be a daunting experience. This paper provides case studies from two librarians who transitioned to different library types. One librarian describes her recent transition to academic libraries from a corporate library setting. The other case study describes a librarian's experience from twelve years ago transitioning from a public library to a health sciences library as a consumer health librarian located in a large hospital. The authors describe their experiences, detail similarities and differences in library types, and provide advice for others desiring to transition to another library setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic resource troubleshooting can feel like extinguishing a fire every day in a library. When a real fire comes along as Kansas State University (K-State) experienced at Hale Library, one learns not to take e-resources–and the fact that they are working–for granted. Regardless of the integrated library system and discovery layer, getting databases and online subscriptions back up is especially critical when physical collections are suddenly inaccessible. Returning to a sense of normalcy involves rethinking priorities, staffing, and the nature of the resources in given circumstances. Earlier in the fall of 2017, the acquisitions unit had begun a study of its Jane Hale ticketing system for e-resource issues and problems. Jane Hale is a not a real person, but rather a persona for a shared email account and workflow used in acquisitions and e-resources management troubleshooting. Prior to the fire, the Jane Hale e-resource ticketing system was staffed with the intention of delivering more timely access to e-resources. The work devoted to improving the e-resources ticketing system yielded many benefits following the fire, not the least being improved internal customer service and processes. The community of vendors, librarians, and patrons demonstrated an outpouring of support and kindness. From this experience, we learned the importance of creating good relationships and fostering a sense of community before access is disrupted. Communication, both internal and external, is also very significant. Disaster response for electronic resources became an effective continuity plan, underscoring the importance of deciding what is essential and how to use communication and other skills to meet the needs of the library community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streaming video has increased the size of academic library media holdings, while leaving patrons on their own to find what they need. As a result, media collections are now exponentially larger and richer while simultaneously being less discoverable by students. That's because the way libraries organize this information serves the most information-literate users—while potentially leaving others behind. This session explored the history of library media in an effort to understand the reasons why media tends to be one of the most mysterious parts of academic library collections. It also encourages librarians to assess the accessibility of their own media collections and find creative strategies for making these important resources accessible to all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New and emerging technologies have always been playing the vital role in shaping the different services of libraries. These technologies not only help the users to quick, quality and efficient services but also provide a chance to library and information professionals to think outside the box to make their services effective and responsive. Top trends will be familiar to some readers who will hopefully learn of new equipment to expand their knowledge. Other readers will be made aware of trends that are outside of their experience. This is the nature of trends in our current technological and educational environments. The change is constant, but it affects different libraries at different level. With the arrival of affordable smart mobile phones, libraries all over the world have been trying to utilise them for the betterment of their services. QR code is one of the technologies which can be used with smart phones. In India the use of QR Code and smart phones though started late but in these days emerging as basic element of their day to day life and accelerating technology adoption. In this paper author has discussed and highlighted on QR codes and their use in library. It discusses on how the QR Code technology can enhance the library services with Quick and Quality as prime role. This paper is limited to the library based use and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives a critical overview and assessment of the accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian universities, with particular focus on university libraries. The paper reviews and interrogates the monitoring, regulatory and supervisory roles of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in ensuring quality assurance and standards in Nigerian universities, with a view to making them globally competitive. The paper also discusses the accreditation tools and accreditation grading system employed by the NUC. The importance of the library as nerve-centre in the university system is explored. The centrality of the paper focuses on missing gaps in the accreditation of the library facilities. Such missing gaps include the composition of the accreditation team that excludes librarians; the areas of disagreement between the NUC accreditation team and the librarians; and the consequences of such. In addition, the attitudes of the accreditation team towards the library professional practice are debated, and suggestions are provided that can improve the accreditation of library facilities in Nigerian universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

abstract Zines have begun to gain a place in higher education as pedagogical tools studied or made by students, and many academic libraries maintain zine collections. The library literature reveals little about how nonlibrarian faculty use zines in their classrooms. This paper describes the results of a survey of faculty from a range of academic disciplines and professions who teach with zines and other booklet forms. Survey results reveal the extent to which faculty zine pedagogies include collaboration with librarians and use of library collections. Faculty describe instructional activities and attitudes that many library professionals, including reference and instruction librarians, directors or deans, catalogers, acquisition and special collections librarians, and archivists, may find useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines marketing library and information services in academic libraries. Specific objectives includes; the need for marketing library and information services in university libraries in South West Nigeria; techniques being employed by university libraries in marketing of library and information services; competencies required of librarians in marketing of library and information services; challenges being faced by the librarians in marketing of library and information services and strategies for enhancing marketing of library and information services in South West Nigeria. Relevant literatures were reviewed. Survey research design was adopted. The target population for the study comprises of all librarians in university libraries in South West Nigeria. Six (6) university libraries were selected based on proximity to researchers. There are a total of eighty-seven (87) librarians in the Six (6) selected university libraries; Out of eighty-seven (87) questionnaires distributed, only sixty-four (64) copies were returned. Data collected through the distributed questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. In other words tables, frequency counts, simple percentage and mean were used to analyze the data. The finding shows that; techniques being employed in marketing library and information services are; provision of electronic access to information, staff friendliness to users, exhibitions and display of new arrivals, creating a library web page, organizing user education, and one on one discussion with users. Competencies required of librarians in marketing library and information services as perceived by the respondents are; good communication skills, information technology skills, ability to answer users' query, ability to sell idea/library services, ability to question and evaluate library services as well as interpersonal skills. Major challenges militating against effective marketing of library and information services are; inadequate fund, management lack of marketing policy, lack of facilities to market library services, lack of media access to market academic library services, poor access to information technology, lack of training in marketing, and lack of effective communication between librarians and users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central Michigan University (CMU) provides a unique opportunity to study the impact of the move from face-to-face to online classes on student use of virtual reference services. As enrollments in face-to-face, off-campus classes declined between 2010 and 2016, the number of reference questions asked of the distance librarians declined at a strikingly similar rate, despite the fact that online enrollments increased substantially during this period. This shift in the distance-student population has already had implications for the organizational structure of the CMU Libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid analytics and visualization software such as Tableau provide an opportunity for Access Services staff to utilize quantitative data on a routine basis to support decision-making about services and staffing. Data visualization tools make analyzing, updating, and sharing data analysis easier and faster than ever before. However, fullest utilization of these tools requires consistent, on demand access to data. This article discusses a strategic initiative at NYU Libraries to support data-driven decision-making by establishing a robust data warehouse paired with front-end access for library staff via Tableau Desktop. Specific application of this model to reporting, usage visualization, and workflow analysis in Access Services is discussed. [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]

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Library receives copies of all course syllabi to provide a number of services to faculty and students related to acquisitions, access, collection development, subject liaison, and library instruction. Access services and acquisitions staff, as well as subject liaison librarians, work together using specific workflows to ensure that subject-relevant materials are selected and purchased on an ongoing basis and access needs are met by course reserves or the learning management system. Additionally, the library works closely with the NYUAD Bookstore, which also receives textbook orders, to ensure that students have access to all required and supplementary materials on the first day of classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a collaborative project to create an online one-credit library research course for high school students in a dual credit program. The project included a team of reference and instruction librarians at a midsize public university, the university's concurrent enrollment program, and an online state-sponsored school that provided courses to high school students. Current literature related to the information literacy knowledge gap, outreach to secondary schools, dual credit or concurrent enrollment programs, and for-credit online information literacy courses is reviewed. The process of creating the course will be discussed along with the benefits and challenges of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wikipedia has become a ubiquitous source for information, as well as a global community of people dedicated to the free exchange of knowledge. While its convenience may seem at first glance to be a threat to the traditional role of libraries, an overlap of purpose fosters unique opportunities for working together to advance free access to high-quality information and empower learning. This article will address these opportunities by providing specific examples of ways in which libraries can collaborate with Wikipedia to achieve the common goal of making information more accessible, while increasing their utility beyond their local community. An overview of resources to facilitate this endeavor will be provided, along with example projects aimed at exposing library content, teaching information literacy skills, and engaging communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the role of librarians as stewards of the academic library in helping off-campus communities meet pressing challenges in the 21st century. According to the author, to help break the academe-community barrier librarians should look beyond the confines of the library to transform the place into a more outward-facing institution. Further, he notes that as stewards of place, librarians should view libraries and communities as an organic unity and not as separate entities.

With the continuing development of web resources and Internet search utilities, the role of reference services is changing in the modern library. Traditional ready reference is in decline, but the need for broad-based research support will continue for the foreseeable future. As librarians adapt to the evolving research environment, libraries are experimenting with alternative models of reference services. Far-reaching calls to adopt one model or abandon another, such as the traditional reference desk, are off target given that each library must adapt to its own local situation and determine how best to serve its constituents. [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 idea that academic libraries acquire a great many books that are never used, and that this is because traditional collection development - i.e., professional librarians purchasing books based on subject expertise and local knowledge of student and faculty needs and interests - is ineffective, has been repeated frequently during the last decade. This claim has been used as justification to change collection practices and to bolster ideas about new organizational models for libraries and their work. A closer look at the literature, however, reveals that the data being cited to support this claim has been communicated, for the most part, in an inaccurate and misleading way by its proponents and that a great deal of data exists, in fact, to refute it. This article outlines the genesis and propagation of this idea in the context of the actual findings of libraries' collection use studies to both refute a claim that librarians seem to have been unduly uncritical in accepting and repeating, and also to question why we have done so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigerian literature has focused more on the general concept of e-resources without dedicated attention to e-books. This work takes a critical look at the challenges related to e-books collection and management in Nigerian universities. The study was conducted among six federal universities in Nigeria; one from each geopolitical zone of the federation. A survey research design was utilized to carry out the study with structured interview conducted for system librarians of the six university libraries. While there is proliferation of e-books in the libraries, absence of local titles, budgeting, consortium and awareness of DRM issues remain obvious challenges. Keywords: E-book management, Nigeria, University libraries, Collection Development, DRM., Introduction The evolution of library as a centre for gathering, organization and dissemination of information has taken an interesting dimension ever since the advent of the Sumerians who developed tablets [...]

The aim of this paper is to provide readers with a snapshot of the Lithuanian library sector since the year 2000. The sector functions as a modern, open, user-oriented, and professional system comparable to other library sectors in Europe. The community of Lithuanian librarians is organized in several professional associations that help in developing different aspects of library work: cooperation, supporting and expanding library activity, and coordinating mutual initiatives. The legal foundations for providing access to information, and the institutions providing information and ensuring its preservation in various forms, are set out in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and a set of laws regulating library work. The Lithuanian Ministry of Culture is authorized to regulate state administration of all libraries in Lithuania. The library system consists of the networks of public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries. This paper presents the developments in each of these networks over the past fourteen years. In 2011, a "scientifically" derived strategic plan was developed, which marked a new turn in the management of the state library sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]