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Scientometrics is a quantitative and statistical approach that analyzes research on certain themes. It originated from information/library science but has been applied in various disciplines, including information science, library science, natural science, technology, engineering, medical sciences, and social sciences and humanities. Numerous scientometric studies have been carried out, but no study has attempted to investigate the overall research status of scientometrics. The objective of this study was to investigate the research status of scientometrics based on 16,225 publications archived in the Web of Science Core Collection between 1992 and 2020. The results show that there has been a marked increase in publications on scientometric studies over the past decades, with "Information Science Library Science" being the predominant discipline publishing scientometric studies, but scientometrics has been widely adopted in a variety of other disciplines (240 of 254 Web of Science categories). It was found that Web of Science, Vosviewer, and Scientometrics are the most utilized database, software, and journal for scientometric studies, respectively. The most productive author (Lutz Bornmann from the Max Planck Society, Germany), organization (University of Granada, Spain), and country (USA) are also identified. In addition, high-impact scientometric studies and the research landscape are analyzed through citation networks and the co-occurrence of keywords method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This non-experimental, structured, cross-sectional research seeks to provide an overview of the teaching of laws and regulations that affect the library profession, taking as an example the library science career at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. The research approach is mixed: quantitative (graduate surveys) and qualitative (interviews with different professionals) methods were combined. It contains a brief review of the laws involved and provides advice for their inclusion in the degree study plans. Most graduate librarians do not have sufficient knowledge of the laws related to their profession. How can a librarian promote free access to information and defend exceptions for libraries without solid rationale for the topic and tools to achieve it? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study arises from the need to innovate in university education through the interdisciplinary work of two professors: one of mathematics and the other of library science with the implementation of a didactic strategy in the course Quantitative Methods I of the Library and Information Sciences career (EBCI) of the University de Costa Rica. The aim of the research is to describe a practical case of pedagogical mediation, from its planning, execution and evaluation, integrating the theory of Design Thinking (DT) and theoretical contributions of Neuroeducation to achieve learning of basic concepts of functions in a mathematics class. Among the results, it was found that for 86% of the students, the strategy used in the lesson motivated during the class, being valued in general with 9.59 points based on 10. In conclusion, this study has allowed the reflection of the didactic strategies that can be developed in a class with the support of Neuroeducation and how it can be nourished from other dimensions such as the DT methodology, without losing sight of what is essential in the educational field: meaningful learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Library of Congress Classification system was designed during the age of colonialism, and as such, poorly represents the information-seeking behavior of present-day users. Students of Judaica are especially hindered by the limited scope of the B class (Philosophy and Religion) of the Library of Congress Classification system, which extensively classifies Christian material, but limits the thematic classification of Judaic subjects. Qualitative data collected on students of Jewish thought via a proposed questionnaire is anticipated to shed light on the specialized information-seeking behavior of Judaic students. The thematic coding and analysis of such data would assist in selecting an appropriate classification system that will complement Judaica scholarship or facilitate the creation of a novel classification system. More inclusively, such an endeavor may contribute to the understanding of specialized efforts in librarianship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite his many contributions to bibliography and librarianship, the importance of the German librarian Julius Petzholdt (1812–91) has rarely been recognized. This article argues that Petzholdt's significance becomes clearer when viewed from a transcultural, and specifically transatlantic, perspective. The first part of the article highlights the part played by Petzholdt's long-lived bibliographical periodical, the Anzeiger für Bibliographie und Bibliothekswissenschaft, in disseminating knowledge of North American libraries and librarianship to a broad scholarly audience in the second half of the nineteenth century. Conversely, the second section of the article illustrates how Arnim Graesel's 1890 and 1902 editions of Petzholdt's seminal work on library economy, the Katechismus der Bibliothekenlehre (1856), serve to illuminate bibliothecal themes from Western Europe that were adopted, adapted, and perpetuated by North American librarians during the same period. Overall, the article emphasizes that Petzholdt and his contributions played a key role in the transatlantic circulation of bibliothecal knowledge during a critical period in the evolution of librarianship as a profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agent-based model (ABM) is a branch of artificial intelligence. Its specialty is to construct a complex macro-system model by describing the perception, decision, learning and action of micro-agents. This method is widely used in many fields from natural science to social science. We discuss ABM by collecting relevant academic papers which apply to the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). This article systematically reviews how ABM is applied to the LIS field and argues that ABM can provide an exploratory tool with quantifiability, repeatability, interpretability, contingency, adaptability and other types of advantages. Finally, it is pointed out that this method is a research tool worthy of careful exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise pollution is a growing problem in urban areas, and it is important to study and evaluate its impact on human health and well-being. This work presents the design of a low-cost IoT model and implementation of two prototypes to collect noise level data in a specific area of the regional center of Chiriquí, at the Technological University of Panama that can be replicated to create a noise monitoring network. The prototypes were designed using Autodesk Fusion 360, and the data were stored in a MySQL database. Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS Pro were used to analyze the data, generate graphs, and display the information on maps. The results of the analysis can be used to develop strategies to reduce noise pollution and improve the quality of life in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A need to manage and preserve indigenous knowledge is widely recognised. This is because it is understood to have the potential to promote sustainable development while also preserving indigenous peoples' rights, interests, and cultural identity. To understand the challenges of preserving and integrating digitized indigenous knowledge into open science platforms, a qualitative study was carried out. The study's theoretical underpinnings were based on the ideas that data must be discoverable, accessible, interoperable, and usable (FAIR) and that indigenous people have the power to control their data and the duty to disclose how it is used to advance and defend their rights and general well-being (CARE). The data were analysed thematically. The results demonstrate that indigenous knowledge is stored in separate databases at institutions in various countries. Additionally, there was no standardization in the organizations that were collecting the metadata. Because of a lack of metadata, the digital divide, and poor digital and indigenous librarian abilities, indigenous knowledge and data were practically inaccessible and unfindable. In the aftermath of the digital revolution and open research, this article brings a new viewpoint to the conversation about maintaining indigenous knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital libraries, as a vast segment of the creative economy, are gaining more and more importance thanks to the new and unique services they provide in meeting educational, research and cultural needs. The subject of this paper is the study and analysis of the economic aspects of the development of digital librarianship. Financial sustainability and the choice of mechanisms for covering costs and pricing services represent the main challenges of creating cost-effective business models in this area. For the long-term economic sustainability of digital libraries, the positive effects of cooperation with other organizations are particularly significant, such as the joint use of various resources as a necessary prerequisite for reducing service prices and total costs. In addition, the paper presents five basic models of digital library business, as well as different models of financing digital libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to identify the different names, positions, and roles of editorial board members (EBMs) of journals in the Information Science and Library Science (ISLS) field of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and to establish a classification of the different roles to improve communication between editors and researchers. Among the 86 journals included in the ISLS field, the first and last names, position, and institutional affiliation of each EBM were extracted from 84 journals that allowed access to committee information. The information was standardized, and the positions were classified by consensus into major groups according to the role they play in the journals. The 84 journals included 4,122 positions held by EBMs, distributed in 201 positions and classified into 11 broad categories. The majority of positions were included in the Editorial Board category (n = 1,516), followed by Editorial Advisory Board (n = 734) and Associate Editor (n = 566). The journals were published by 36 publishers, with Elsevier and Taylor & Francis contributing the most journals (11 each). The journals in which the EBMs had the highest percentage of foreign members were those published in the Netherlands. This study provides a picture of the broad distribution of the roles and terminological titles that EBMs have in Information Science and Library Science journals. Because of this diversity, it is advisable to develop a guide to good editorial practices that includes both a description of the complex range of roles performed by EBMs and a unified nomenclature for these universal positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to assess the open access advantages in getting citations and social media attention for Library and Information Science (LIS) literature indexed in the dimensions database and tracked by Altmetric Explorer. An advanced search in the Altmetric Explorer was carried out to collect the needed data for the study and subjected to parametric and non-parametric tests to achieve the objectives. The results discovered differences in citations and altmetric attention benefits between Open Access (OA) and pay-walled LIS literature. Open access was found to have more citations and altmetrics than Non-Open Access (NOA). Furthermore, green OA outputs were reported to have more citations among the OA categories, while hybrid OA attracted more social media attention. The results of the present study offer insights for authors in deciding where to publish in order to maximise the scientific and social impact of their writings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: There are two approaches for ultrasound (US)-guided vessel cannulation: the short axis (SA) approach and the long axis (LA) approach. However, it remains to be seen which approach is better. Therefore, we performed the present updated systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of US-guided vascular cannulation between the SA and LA techniques. Methods: We performed a comprehensive electronic database search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science for the relevant studies from inception to June 2022. Randomised controlled trials comparing the SA approach and the LA approach for US-guided vascular access were incorporated in this updated meta-analysis. The first-attempt success rate was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were the overall success rate, cannulation time, number of attempts and the incidence of complications. The statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan software (version 5.4; the Nordic Cochrane Centre, the Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate each study's potential risk for bias. Results: In total, 16 studies consisting of 1885 participants were incorporated in this updated meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference was found between the SA and LA vascular access techniques for first-pass success rate (risk ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 0.94–1.22). The overall cannulation success rate, complication rate, average cannulation time and average number of attempts were not significantly different between the SA and LA groups. Conclusion: This updated meta-analysis demonstrated that the SA and LA approaches of US-guided vessel cannulation are similar regarding first-pass success, overall cannulation success rate, total complication rate, cannulation time and the number of attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study introduces Simone Weil's impersonal justice concept and its relevance to libraries' identity and role in societies. The article presents the constituents of impersonal justice and a theoretical justification for the coexistence of neutrality with libraries' commitment to social causes. Design/methodology/approach: Conceptual analysis of 3 Weil's works, 13 scientific articles and 12 libraries' official documents was applied, looking at relevant concepts and findings, contexts of use, arguments and types of authority. Findings: Five constituents of impersonal justice were found: universality, concreteness, unicity, inviolability and inappropriability. Impersonal justice, based on the inviolable value of each individual and the universal expectation of good, allows for a more accurate definition of social justice. Besides, it justifies libraries' commitment to climate change, migrants and Black lives matter, among other causes. Originality/value: In contrast to previous works, this paper focuses on clarifying concepts by applying conceptual analysis to Weil's works, Library and Information Science (LIS) sources in scientific and normative contexts. Additionally, the analysis of arguments and types of authority for justifying claims pro and against neutrality allows the reconstruction of the argumentative discourse beyond the examined sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This piece explores the philosophical origins of sense-making as defined in Brenda Dervin's methodology. Design/methodology/approach: This conceptual paper locates the origins of sense-making's rich ontological, epistemological and etymological heritage to the Classical Greece and the Pre-Socratic period. The Greek origins of sense-making's philosophical undercurrents surface again in Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit before the idea is picked up again in twentieth century philosophy and library science. Findings: This is a conceptual paper and no empirical findings are presented. Originality/value: This paper makes an original contribution to the study of information seeking and to sense making theory and methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of neutrality has long been central to debates on and within librarianship. In the fall of 2021, the online symposium Post-neutrality Librarianship gathered library professionals from research and practice to discuss the concept of post-neutrality and how it manifests regionally, contextually, in societies, and communities. The papers and presentations represented international perspectives on neutrality and post-neutrality in relation to academic, university, and public libraries. From the perspectives of two participating researchers, this paper offers a reflexive summary of the symposium. Although post-neutrality librarianship was the theme of the symposium, a central part of the discussions centered on the questions of neutrality or post-neutrality and whether being neutral is, in fact, possible. Such questions impose a binary reading of neutrality and post-neutrality, which echoes historical debates about library neutrality. This paper problematizes such binary readings of neutrality and post-neutrality. By introducing examples of historical neutrality debates through a discourse analysis framework, the paper seeks to exemplify how the concept of post-neutrality bears with it certain narratives and discourses about neutrality, which co-exist within librarianship today. Acknowledging the interrelation between these concepts allows for reflexive readings and nuanced discussions of librarianship in the era of post-neutrality. The paper, then, summarizes central discussions from the symposium under three dominating themes: the role of libraries, the role of librarians, and the role of LIS education, all relating to how and why LIS professionals, librarians, and researchers should navigate in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an analysis of Fulbright Scholars in library science from Uzbekistan and the United States on the state of development of academic libraries in Uzbekistan, describing problems and prospects. Recently there has been progress in government support; access to scholarly resources has improved' and there are national and international conferences and seminars to support researchers and librarians. As universities and institutes in Uzbekistan move toward expanding research and publication activity into the wider international realm, academic libraries will need to implement new services and provide resources required by this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of librarians in e- learning programs, as a consequence of post-covid adaptations in Nigerian universities. Through a review of the relevant literature and of current practice in existing e-learning programs in Nigerian universities, a discussion is developed around the significant roles librarians can play. The embedded librarianship model was identified as the best practice to adopt in order to secure a place for librarians and libraries in Nigeria in the face of the current change in teaching approaches in the post Covid-19 environment. Furthermore, the paper describes the perceived challenges librarians and libraries may be confronted with in executing the embedded librarianship model with regard to online teaching and learning. The paper advocates that the identified challenges be addressed for the library to play a role in the evolving post-covid adaptations in Nigerian universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women LIS researchers in Pakistan have been publishing their research since 1977. This paper provides a bibliometric analysis of the 43 years (1977–2020) of their research. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the data collected from four data sources, the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, LISA, and LISTA, to include the maximum number of scholarly publications by women Pakistani LIS researchers working in Pakistan or abroad. The study findings highlighted an upward trend in publications since 1977. It appears to have gathered momentum after the year 2003. The University of the Punjab was the top-ranked organization in publishing research by woman LIS researchers, and the Department of Information Management at the University of the Punjab was identified as being the most prolific in this regard. The researchers had published over 40% of their research in national journals and the rest in international journals of good repute. Kanwal Ameen led the list of woman researchers with over 100 research publications to her name. The main areas of research were academic libraries, information literacy, and evolving trends in LIS. This is the first research paper highlighting the different dimensions of Pakistani LIS women researchers since they started publishing in 1977. The findings of the study would help future researchers to understand trends and various bibliometric aspects of publications originating from women LIS researchers in Pakistan. The findings could also help LIS researchers and funding organizations in promoting the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the people behind the Pennsylvannia Hospital Library's (PHL) collection. Topics discussed include brief history of the library, background of William Gunn Malin, who served as the first librarian of the collection, and main responsibilities of Mary McCann as director of the library.

The debate on "predatory" publishing within academic scholarly communication continues. Blacklists (or watchlists) pertaining to "predatory" open access publishing by Jeffrey Beall, anonymous websites that cloned Beall's blacklists, with or without updates, as well as a now-defunct blacklist, Dolos list, contain classification errors. During a Google search in 2021–2022, we found that dozens of academic libraries around the world, primarily in the USA, had continued to promote those blacklists. The list was revisited on 23 February 2023, focusing on libraries in seven Anglophonic countries, noting that 37 libraries were still promoting the Beall-based blacklists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing together critique of theological education (Willie James Jennings) with care ethics (Joan Tronto), this essay unpacks the important role of care and belonging in theological education. Rather than basing belonging on shared identity, homogeneity, tolerance, or loyalty, this essay argues that practices of care are what allow belonging to emerge and be sustained. The essay then identifies theological librarians as exemplars of what Jennings calls "the art of cultivating belonging." While not a full proposal for rejuvenation of theological education, this essay draws connections between critical pedagogy, Jennings' pedagogy of belonging, library science, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that sparks further dialogue about the essentials of theological formation in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migrationskorrespondenzen gehören zwar zum kulturellen Erbe, sie werden aber nur in seltenen Fällen auf institutioneller Ebene archiviert. Sie befinden sich in der Regel in privaten Archiven oder Sammlungen und sind damit für die Forschung nicht oder nur sehr schwer zugänglich. Der Artikel erläutert ausgehend von der „Deutschen Auswandererbriefsammlung" den Quellenwert von Migrationskorrespondenzen und zeigt die Notwendigkeit einer engen Kooperation mit Bibliotheken und Bürgerwissenschaftler:innen auf. Beides ist notwendig, um das äußerst sperrige Quellenmaterial digital zu erschließen und damit die existierenden digitalen Wissensordnungen durch nicht-kanonische Texte zu diversifizieren. Migrant correspondence is an integral part of our cultural heritage, yet it is seldom archived at the institutional level. Typically, these documents are housed in private archives or collections, rendering them inaccessible for research purposes. Using the "German Emigrant Letters Collection" as a case in point, this article elucidates the historical significance of migrant correspondence and underscores the necessity of collaborating closely with digital librarians and citizen scientists. Their expertise is needed to transcribe, digitize, and digitally publish the source material, thereby expanding the existing digital knowledge repository with non-canonical texts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to specify research trends in Library and Information Science (LIS) from 2011 to 2020 and hot papers in this field from July 2020 to July 2021 in the Web of Science (WoS) database. This research was of the type applied, scientometric, and descriptive. The study population was all articles in the field of LIS from 2011 to July 2021. The WoS database was used to collect data. To determine the research trend in the field of LIS, the results were limited to 2011-2020, and to determine the hot papers, this period was limited to July 2020 to July 2021. The data were analyzed using the word co-occurrence technique and social network analysis. UCINET, NetDraw, and VOSviewer software were used to draw scientific maps and identify central subjects and people. "Social media" with 259 and "qualitative" with 53 were the keywords with the highest and lowest frequencies, respectively. Library and emerging technologies (106), citation analysis, scientometrics and webometrics (58), electronic information, information security, and protection (56) were three significant topic clusters in the studied area. The results indicated that the research topics in LIS have changed and evolved in the last ten years despite new and up-to-date topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud computing (CC) has been a buzzword in recent years. The application of cloud computing has been seen in almost all domains. It has also sparked interest in Libraries and the Information field because it provides new solutions to the emerging problem. The study aims to map LIS's global cloud computing literature between 2010 and 2021. Scientometric methods were employed to gauge the global research performance on cloud computing LIS. The analysis also identifies the leading countries, Institutions, authors, sources, funding agencies, authorship pattern, international collaboration, and most used author keywords on CC literature in LIS. The research data were retrieved from the Scopus database. 808 publications were downloaded and analyzed with the help of bibliometric tools such as Biblioshiny, Bibexcel, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel. The study results showed that research on cloud computing in LIS has a mounting trend in publications and citations during the 12-year study period. The highest number of research papers were published in 2020 (n=135), China produced the maximum research in the field with 194 publications, and the top three organizations identified from Taiwan contributed the maximum research. Cloud computing, big data, and Knowledge Management were acknowledged as LIS researchers' most important research area. However, e-learning, library services, systematic reviews, bibliometrics, and blockchain have gained recent research absorption. Two authorship patterns were the most prevalent among the LIS researchers, and the authors from China and the USA preferred to collaborate highest in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details the context and design considerations for an online course accompanying a field-based practicum for a school librarian certification program at a regional university in Texas. These strategies could be helpful to other library science educators designing learning experiences that support fieldwork. We conclude by discussing benefits to designing activities that scaffold fieldwork and prompt metacognitive reflection on learning in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With growing emphasis on data curation practice in both science and industry, there has been a call for information professionals to take on a substantial role in data curation. Library and information science (LIS) education has been responding to this call by offering various training opportunities from Master's education to professional development. The most recent effort to systematically review a data curation curriculum offered by ALA-accredited LIS schools was in 2012, so it is time to revisit the progress and evolution of data curation education. The main goal of this study is to analyze the course content from the syllabi of various programs to understand what is being taught in LIS schools throughout graduate-level education. Further, because the need for data curation is apparent across different disciplines, and thus not only LIS but also other disciplines have been offering data curation courses, this study also analyzed syllabi from other disciplines. A total of 80 syllabi were analyzed in this study: 15 syllabi from 9 ALA-accredited institutions and 65 syllabi from 53 institutions of Carnegie Classification (CC). Our findings suggest a notable growth in LIS education in data curation since 2012, but LIS education still provides less training in technical skills. There was also a distinctive difference in educational approach to teach data curation between LIS (user- and service-oriented) and other disciplines (technical skills-focused), which brought different strengths and weaknesses in curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of virtual reality (VR) in social work (SW) and pre-service teacher education has become a promising tool for skills development for students. A review of existing scholarship was conducted to provide an overview of the current landscape of VR in SW and pre-service teacher education. This analysis focused on the use of VR in fields that involved working with people, particularly people in crisis. After an initial review of 115 articles, 60 were identified as relevant to this study. Our analysis of recent trends in the literature emphasizes the potential of VR for library and information science (LIS) education. This literature review provides a basis for a study that examines how VR training approaches may be implemented to support LIS graduate students to build communication and de-escalation skills and confidence in interacting with patrons in crisis. Therefore, this literature review demonstrates the value of using VR and informs our proposed future project examining the viability and usability of VR training for this skill development using the social VR platform Mozilla Hubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explored how gamification addresses cataloguing and classification education difficulties in Nigeria. It illustrates how library schools may utilize gamification to improve students' teaching and learning experiences using technology. A comprehensive review of the literature was carried out. Literature discoveries were then utilized to build a gamification model suitable for the library school. The findings suggest that library schools should continue to plan through gamification in order to better position themselves for cataloguing and classification delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The use of mobile technologies and learning devices has been increasing in every field of life, and library and information sciences are no exception. This study aims to explore the perceptions of library and information science (LIS) students regarding mobile learning (m-learning) along with their primary purposes, social media applications, advantages, disadvantages, barriers, impact and overall satisfaction with using these devices. Design/methodology/approach: A survey method was used, and data was collected from the students of 12 library schools in Pakistan for a total sample of 250 students. Findings: Their main purposes of usage, their needs, advantages, disadvantages, barriers, impacts and the level of overall satisfaction were also identified. The inferential statistics (t-test and ANOVA) also identified the difference of opinion on the basis of gender, programs, types and number of m-learning devices. Overall, the findings highlight the need for academic libraries to give mobile access (launching mobile applications) to better use library services. To ensure this, libraries must keep an eye on new advances in mobile technology, researchers' needs and related electronic library services and observe how these services are being used. Practical implications: Theoretical and practical implications have been highlighted to understand the perceptions of LIS students about m-learning devices. Originality/value: The mobile library service providers and management need to improve their services by offering services that fit the diverse needs of their users and should know how to attract modern library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the status of library and information science (LIS) education in Pakistan, as well as LIS progress, level of employment and issues, infrastructure and facilities, challenges faced by LIS institutions and future prospects of the profession. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 115 permanent/regular and visiting academic members from different Pakistani institutions/universities participated in the research. A mixed-method was used, and data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings: This study's results showed that assistant, associate and associate professors have been very involved in producing high-quality research articles and producing quality graduates. This study also found that there are several problems with LIS education in Pakistan, such as a lack of qualified teachers, resources and facilities. This study provides all the answers to these problems. They are useful for LIS teachers and students in Pakistan because LIS education has been around for a long time, but there are still some problems that need to be fixed. The results could have an immediate effect on the direction, ability to survive and future of LIS education in Pakistan. Originality/value: Previously, different studies have been conducted on evolution and challenges to the LIS profession, but to the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has been reported based on the professional experiences in other Universities of Pakistan. According to the research, the findings are crucial for LIS professors and students in Pakistan. In addition, the research investigates the challenges faced by LIS teachers in Pakistan. It concludes with suggestions on how to address some of these problems. It is also said that Pakistan must develop universal standards for LIS to close the gap between what users want and what library workers can do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the proportion of women as first authors in major library and information science (LIS) journals over the years 1981–2020. Author name and year data were collected for 10 LIS journals – five that are associated more with library topics and five with information science topics – and analysed using the genderize.io tool. Both general trends over time and comparisons of information science versus library science journals are presented. The findings indicate significant growth in the proportion of women authors among the LIS journals, but primarily concentrated only among the library science journals, with information science journals falling well behind. Representation of women authors (~60%) still lags well below the overall representation of women in librarianship (~80%). These findings suggest that there is still considerable growth needed to decrease the gender gap among authorship in top LIS journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the extent of theoretical transparency in library and information science (LIS) scholarship. Many studies have looked at theorising and the use of theory in LIS. Unlike previous studies this research provides insights into transparency in the use of theoretical frameworks in the LIS field. Transparency is essential because different researchers employ the terms theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework in various ways. The transparent use of theory and the resultant theoretical framework enables other researchers to assess whether the theory is appropriate, consistent, and coherent with the empirical evidence. This systematic search followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting on systematic reviews supported by ADIMA®. A total number of 138 out of 2029 articles from 12 LIS-focused journals were analysed in March 2023. Most of the articles (88.6%) specified the framework they used. There was a high level of transparency in relation to the suitability of the theory to address the research problem. The degree of openness about the aim to utilise a theoretical or conceptual framework was moderate to high. The articles had a low or minimal level of transparency when it came to justifying why a certain theory was chosen for the study. Theory dropping was not apparent in the articles. The results from the articles demonstrate that LIS scholars appreciate that a theoretical framework or conceptual framework must be used in research. To ensure that readers understand the rationale behind the theories chosen for a study, it is necessary to be open about the reasons behind the selection of a particular theory. The explanation of how the theory contributed to explaining the phenomenon of interest is also essential. This article might help scholars get beyond theoretical obstacles related to the transparent use of a theoretical framework and produce theoretically sound research. It also opens discourse on "best practice" in the use of analytical tools forresearchin the advancement of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project sought to better understand why course instructors request librarian involvement to teach information literacy skills. Librarians at two large institutions surveyed 29 instructors and then interviewed 11 about their experiences working with librarians, their motivations for involving librarians in their courses, and their goals for including information literacy instruction. The study found that instructors had many different levels of experience with the library. Motivations for inviting librarians to their classes included creating a support network and sharing librarian expertise with students. The researchers also discuss instructor participation in library instruction sessions, including commentary, where they reinforce points made by the librarian during class, and bookending, where they sandwich librarian involvement between preliminary or concluding remarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explores the tension between pursuing meaningful work in instruction librarianship and the realities of working in a society in which many jobs provide little fulfillment or pleasure, or, as the journalist Sarah Jaffe puts it, "Work won't love you back." Drawing on a recent conference keynote by Anne Helen Petersen, C. Wright Mills's conception of sociological imagination, and an ecological model of teacher agency, I propose that one way librarians can sustain their teaching practices and preserve their well-being is by actively investigating how social structures and relationships influence their teaching roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurial skills are considered one of the most important competencies expected to be possessed by Library and Information Science (LIS) faculty and academic librarians as information professionals. These skills include technical skills, managerial skills, business skills, personal maturity skills, ICT skills and information literacy skills. The context observation and literature review indicated limited research on the entrepreneurial skills of Library and Information Science (LIS) faculty and academic librarians in Nigerian universities. The need to fill this inadvertently created gap initiated this study. The study aimed to assess entrepreneurial skills level as well as identify entrepreneurship issues and prospects of LIS faculty and academic librarians in South-West Nigerian universities with library schools. This paper was anchored on survey research design. The study employed the total enumeration method to cover all LIS faculty and academic librarians in these universities. An adapted structured questionnaire was administered and responses were analyzed quantitatively using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed lackluster technical, business and ICT skills of these information professionals including unacceptable managerial skills. Furthermore, entrepreneurship issues showed government-centered, institutional and personal subjects such as government policies, economic problems, legal registration, funding, excessive workload and lack of entrepreneurial attitude. The study also uncovered dwindling entrepreneurship prospects. The study recommends premeditated efforts by LIS faculty and academic librarians and universities at entrepreneurial development and the advancement of citizen-friendly entrepreneurial policies and a blueprint by the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many academic libraries collect art exhibition catalogues and juvenile books to support the curriculum, but academic library review sources and book vendors have limited coverage of these niche areas. For more than a decade, Wichita State University has used purchase plans from Worldwide Art Books and Junior Library Guild to acquire print books. This paper discusses the assessment of both plans, how experience with this assessment has influenced development of an assessment plan, and reasons other libraries may want to assess their own niche collecting plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Conference on Cataloging Principles (Paris, 1961) led to wide acceptance of Seymour Lubetzky's distinction between books and works, where books denoted particular physical objects and works concerned conceptual abstractions associated with the creative labor of particular authors. Lubetzky's formulation of works is included in many of the world's cataloging frameworks, including the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR). Several conceptual and practical difficulties arise from the widespread adoption of Lubetzkian works in practices associated with knowledge organization. However, FRBR and other knowledge organization frameworks that utilize works as central entities could be made more useable and useful if work, as an organizing principle, were de-emphasized and seen as one among many concepts used for aggregating sets and supersets of objects according to how likely they are to be useful to users of knowledge organization tools like catalogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) Board of Directors approved the Core Competencies for Cataloging and Metadata Professional Librarians, hereafter referred to as the "Core Competencies," in January 2017. The Core Competencies lists the skills required of professionals performing cataloging and metadata work in libraries of all types. In the six years since the document's release, the cataloging and metadata community has adopted new cataloging standards, experimented with new tools, and engaged in conversations and reparative efforts around inclusive metadata. In this paper, we, the authors of the Core Competencies, report the results of our survey research that assessed the current use of the document within the cataloging and metadata community and solicited comments on ways in which the document might be revised. We conclude with recommendations for immediate changes to the document, and for its future use and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The application of structural equation modeling (SEM), a statistical modeling tool for scale construction and development, is becoming increasingly popular in the health sciences librarianship and information science research. This study explores the application of SEM to health science libraries by describing the development and validation of a modified LibQUAL scale within an Iranian health sciences library setting. Methods: A literature search was performed across several information sources to identify candidate items to be included in the primary questionnaire. After translation, linguistic validation, and a pilot study, two cross-sectional studies were performed. SEM modeling framework was used for the assessment of the reliability and validity of the modified LibQUAL scale. The internal consistency of the scale was evaluated by measuring Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used for the evaluation of the construct validity of the scale. Smart-PLS software was used for statistical modeling. Results: Composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each scale ranged between 0.90 and 0.95, indicating adequate internal consistency with the LibQUAL scale. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the three-factor model of the LibQUAL scale. The convergent validity of the scale was supported, as the average variances extracted for all proposed factors were above 0.50. The discriminant validity was also confirmed using Fornel and Larcker and Heterotrait--Monotrait Ratio (HTMT) methods. Conclusion: Evaluation of psychometric properties of the translated and locally modified LibQUAL in the Persian language indicated adequate reliability, factorial validity, and stability of this instrument for Iranian health sciences libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The state of evidence-based transgender healthcare in the United States has been put at risk by the spread of misinformation harmful to transgender people. Health science librarians can alleviate the spread of misinformation by identifying and analyzing its flow through systems that affect access to healthcare. Discussion: The author developed the theory of the Misinformation - Legislation Pipeline by studying the flow of antitransgender misinformation from online echo chambers through a peer-reviewed article and into policy enacted to ban medical treatments for transgender people in the state of Florida. The analysis is precluded with a literature review of currently accepted best practices in transgender healthcare, after which, the author analyzes the key report leveraged by Florida's Department of Health in its ban. A critical analysis of the report is followed by a secondary analysis of the key peer-reviewed article upon which the Florida Medicaid authors relied to make the decision. The paper culminates with a summation of the trajectory of anti-transgender misinformation. Conclusion: Misinformation plays a key role in producing legislation harmful to transgender people. Health science librarians have a role to play in identifying misinformation as it flows through the Misinformation - Legislation Pipeline and enacting key practices to identify, analyze, and oppose the spread of harmful misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library and Information Science (LIS) literature on employee engagement is scarce, with most publications focusing on a related concept of job satisfaction. This article, however, contributes to an understanding of engagement experiences as manifested by public librarians in the context of working with immigrant communities. The study, guided by hermeneutic phenomenology and conducted through qualitative interviews, relies on William Kahn's classical theory of employee engagement and investigates the expression of three components—meaningfulness, safety, and availability—in the work of these individuals. The sample is recruited from library staff serving immigrant populations in large metropolitan libraries in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and New York City, USA. The study concludes that the most important component of engagement in this research population is the meaningfulness of one's work which, in itself, is a composite and complex concept, elucidated in great detail in the study. Meaningfulness is followed by the availability of energies invested in librarians' workplace roles, with safety as the least significant factor. The study observes that librarians' approach to working with immigrants is akin to following a calling, not simply performing work-related duties. It also notes that the phenomenon of vocational awe influences and accounts for librarians' dedicated and committed service to immigrant communities even when the workplace safety net is tentative and uncertain. These findings provide food for thought to public library managers who wish to support and retain their talented, dedicated, and culturally competent staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on collaborating with students at Loyola University New Orleans' Monroe Library to manage electronic resources, using government documents weeding as an example. Topics include the role of work-study students in technical services departments, the responsibilities of the Technical Services department at Loyola University, and the benefits of hiring students to complete projects on time.

The article offers information on the Iraqi Portal of Knowledge, a digital platform providing free resources to researchers on Iraqi affairs and intellectual production. Topics include the project's integration of libraries, archives, and museums, its structured approach to organizing cultural data sources, and its significance in archiving and collecting Iraqi heritage.

Created in 2012 ORCID now enjoys global status as a Persistent Identifier (PID) in the academic community. The international literature has been generally positive towards this new piece of research infrastructure, particularly based on its obvious potential to aid name disambiguation. However, a small number of commentators have highlighted negative issues with ORCID, as well as the way in which they are increasing mandated by publishers, funders, and even employers. This research sought to critically evaluate perceptions of ORCID in the Technological University (TU)/Institute of Technology (IoT) sector in Ireland. This study adopted a mixed methods approach involving an online survey with academics in Ireland's TU/IoT sector and a survey of senior librarians. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to explore the qualitative data collected via open-ended questions. The results indicate that most lecturers have only minimally engaged with ORCID. Thematic analysis of responses from faculty identified six distinct themes. The majority of themes identified were negative towards ORCID, with many lecturers appearing unsure about its purpose, having only registered for ORCID because of external pressure. Faculty were also concerned that ORCID could facilitate external monitoring, as well as them being resistant to the effort involved in keeping an ORCID profile up to date. ORCID was also seen as a potential source of danger, although some lecturers had started to use their ORCID profile to promote their work. Perceptions amongst librarians were very different, with librarians notably more in favour of ORCID. Three themes were identified: name disambiguation, facilitation of linkages with other IT systems, and future potential. The paper offers a critical analysis of ORCID adoption in Ireland based on perceptions amongst two stakeholder groups, academics and librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reveals the workplace learning tendencies of librarians working in state universities in Turkey in terms of gender variable. Workplace learning tendencies of librarians were categorized under three headings: interests and needs for learning, learning styles and obstacles encountered in learning processes. The research was conducted by comparison type relational survey model. In the data collection stage, a 5-point scale questionnaire consisting of 30 statements with proven validity and reliability was used. Through SPSS 22.0 program, central tendency and dispersion measures were applied in the analysis of the data process. The research population consisted of 525 librarians working in state universities in Turkey. From this population, 245 librarians were reached through simple random sampling method. The findings of the study show that compared to male librarians, female librarians think that librarianship requires continuous learning. Furthermore, while female librarians are willing to receive in-service training on professional and technological innovations, male employees tend to maintain these processes in self-directed and heutagogical approaches, and they prefer to receive in-service training in the fields of personal development and actuality. Finally, female employees state that they allocate less time for learning processes in the workplace than male employees due to the workload and obstacles they face in the workplace. The fact that the number of female librarians is higher than that of male librarians did not create any change in the context of gender. Researchers suggest applying workplace learning tendencies questionnaire to different occupational groups for future studies. This study is multidisciplinary research that deals with librarians' workplace learning in the framework of gender differences. It is anticipated that this research will contribute to the literature, since there are few studies in which the librarianship profession is handled by different disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to extend wicked problems analysis within the context of a library's support for virtual reality (VR) and the related extended reality (XR) emerging technologies. The researchers conducted 11 interviews with 13 librarians, embedded IT staff, and/or faculty members who were involved in administering, managing, or planning a virtual reality lab or classroom in a library (or similar unit) in a higher education setting. The qualitative analysis of the interviews identified clusters of challenges, which are categorized as either emergent (but solvable) such as portability and training; complicated (but possible) such as licensing and ethics: and/or wicked (but tameable). The respondents framed their role in supporting the wickedness of VR/XR in three basic ways: library as gateway, library as learning partner, and library as maker. Five taming strategies were suggested from this research to help librarians wrestle with these challenges of advocating for a vision of VR/XR on their respective campuses. This research also hints at a larger role for librarians in the research of technology diffusion and what that might mean to their role in higher education in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This column highlights the work of Georgia school librarian Cicely Lewis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant research has been done on morale within libraries focusing on librarians as teachers, administrators, staff, and faculty members. This review is the second in a series of two with the purpose of providing suggestions on ways to improve morale in librarians and library staff. The first part of this review discusses contributors to low morale in these populations. Searches were conducted between Spring 2020 and 2021 across six databases and by hand (Medline via PubMed, Library and Information Science Collection via ProQuest, Sociological Abstracts via ProQuest, PsycInfo via EBSCO, Library Literature and Information Science Full Text via EBSCO, and ERIC via EBSCO). Broad and narrow searches were performed utilizing keywords and controlled vocabulary terms related to morale and librarians or library staff. Results were reviewed by authors in three stages according to inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined in the article. The initial search resulted in 735 articles for review. After completion of a three-stage review process and hand search, 52 articles remained. The search and hand search update resulted in 13 additional articles for a total of 65 articles for inclusion in the initial review. These articles were then split into two main groups: articles that address contributors to low morale and those that provide suggestions for improving morale. This article will address 28/65 articles retrieved that provided suggestions for improving morale within libraries. There is currently a large body of research on morale related to librarians and library staff; however, it is worth reexamining morale as librarianship and the world around it continues to change. Researchers confirmed that libraries have unique cultures based upon their region, overarching institution, type of library, customer or patron base, and other factors. As such, supervisors must be creative in terms of encouraging their staff and must adapt morale improvement efforts to their individual institution as material resources are not always available as rewards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]