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In this reflective piece, the author, a Latino librarian with 25 years of experience in academic libraries, explores the challenges and opportunities surrounding diversity and inclusion within the profession. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, the author highlights the persistent underrepresentation of Latinx librarians in academic settings and the growing importance of addressing this disparity, particularly in response to the demographic shifts in the United States. The establishment of the REFORMA Academic Librarians Advancing Service (ALAS) committee emerges as a pivotal initiative aimed at empowering Latinx librarians and better serving Latinx student populations. Drawing inspiration from mentors and predecessors, the author emphasizes the need for proactive measures from library deans and directors to support initiatives like ALAS, promote cultural competency, and foster diversity within their institutions. By fostering inclusivity, representation, cultural competency, and equitable access to knowledge, the profession can evolve to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This submission is a reappraisal of emotional labor as it has been framed in LIS. The article gathered and characterized very recent LIS publications on emotional labor. Those publications imply expectations for administrative interventions: an emotional labor movement for librarians so to speak. Moreover, that shift has generated some distance from the meaning of emotional labor in research, more strongly linking the concept to expectations of self-care, whole-self-at-work, and compensation issues which don't have obvious operational applications when made specific to libraries. The management interventions would quickly become intrusive and/or erode privacy and liberties. What follows is a contextual statement that helps explain the sociology driving at least a part of these shifts, and a series of speculations that shed light on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several special collections libraries develop programs, marketing programs, and webpages to improve public access to collections. However, public perceptions of special collections libraries are poorly understood and library professionals instead depend on anecdotes or own experiences to identify barriers to access. University College London (UCL) Special Collections used an online survey to reach communities outside the university to understand what they think UCL Special Collections is and what interventions might encourage them to visit. Through their survey, it is easier to understand misconceptions about special collections and how it may discourage someone from learning more. Specific marketing and programming interventions applicable to special collections libraries are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study library guides, as published on Springshare's LibGuides platform, new approaches are needed to expand the scope of the research, ensure comprehensiveness of data collection, and reduce bias for content analysis. Computational methods can be utilized to conduct a nuanced and thorough evaluation that critically assesses the resources promoted in library guides. Web-based library guides are curated by librarians to provide easy access to high-quality information and resources in a variety of formats to support the research needs of their users. Recent scholarship considers library guides as valuable resources and as de facto publications, highlighting the need for critical study. In this article, the authors present a novel model for comprehensively gathering data about a specific genre of books from individual LibGuide pages and applying computational methods to explore the resultant data. Beginning with a pre-selected list of 159 books, we programmatically queried the titles using the LibGuides Community search engine. After cleaning and filtering the resultant data, we compiled a list of 20,484 book references (of which 6,212 are unique) on 1,529 LibGuide pages. By testing against inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure relevancy, we identified a total of 281 titles relevant to our topic. To gain insights for future study, citation analysis metrics are presented to reveal patterns of frequency, co-occurrence, and bibliographic coupling of books promoted in LibGuides. This proof-of-concept could be adopted for a variety of applications, including assessment of collections, public services, critical librarianship, and other complex questions to enable a richer and more thorough understanding of the information landscape of LibGuides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes librarian research on information visualization as well as general trends in the broader field, highlighting the most recent trends, important journals, and which subject disciplines are most involved with information visualization. By comparing librarian research to the broader field, the paper identifies opportunities for libraries to improve their information visualization support services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Technology in libraries has played an essential role in serving today's communities. This study provides an overview of the integrated library systems/software (ILSs) used in libraries in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It aims to highlight the strengths and possibilities of ILSs and briefly explain their advantages and disadvantages along with the cost of implementation. The data was gathered from questionnaires sent via an online survey and from direct interviews with certain academic libraries over the period of 2019 to 2020. Fifty-three of 67 libraries that fulfilled the study have implemented an ILS. To deeply understand the application, a direct interview with some libraries was conducted to learn the advantages and disadvantages. The result of the study showed that the most used ILSs are SLiMS and INLISlite and other programs like Apollo, Athenium Light, Simpus, Spektra, Jibas, KOHA, and Openlibrary. The budget spent is an average of300 USD. While the ILSs have helped these libraries improve services, IT expertise and adequate resources are needed, especially when the systems present problems. An easy-to-use system that costs less will potentially be used in this area of research. This study will be particularly helpful for any library in Indonesia. These findings may also be generalized to libraries in other countries facing economic and technological similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of a survey of library and information professionals in positions of leadership regarding the skills and knowledge expected of MLS program graduates seeking employment in their organizations. The survey demonstrates that, as libraries and other information agencies continue to expand their role as a vital resource within a community, academic institution, or business, it is critical for prospective library employees to develop a balanced array of competencies that combines soft skills, such as adaptability, leadership potential and team orientation, as well as hard technical skills that have traditionally been important for daily library operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed-methods study examines how principals perceive the role of school librarians, identifies the factors that shape these perceptions, and uses qualitative and quantitative data to explain the findings. Cognitive and affective factors relating to the principal's formative and professional experiences with a school librarian constitute the internal factors. Student population, school, and districts in which the principal works are the external factors. Participants are Massachusetts principals in public or charter K-12 schools. The study finds that perceptions are shaped by professional experiences with librarians and external factors, such as budgets and district initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we provide a brief overview of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs). We then propose eight critical questions that libraries should ask when exploring this technology and its implications for their communities. We argue that libraries have a unique role in facilitating informed and responsible use of GenAI, as well as safeguarding and promoting the values of access, privacy, and intellectual freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study follows up with librarians with chronic conditions who completed a survey about their work lives in early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants shared their experiences with health management, remote working, and the return to workplace during and after the pandemic. Results show that remote work generally made managing a chronic condition easier. 44% did not feel safe returning to the physical workplace, however, 57% felt at least somewhat supported by their employer. 71% believed that their employers had modified their views about remote work, an important accommodation request of many with chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Librarians are on the front lines of today's partisan and civic conflicts, fueled by fragmentation in ways different groups of citizens know the world, the shattering of common agreement about what it means to be an American, and loss of human connections across different epistemic communities. In this article, I argue that concepts of public work and its expression in "citizen professionalism" and the idea of nonviolent civic politics developed through decades of educational public work in the black freedom movement are profound resources for library professionals to use in addressing such conflicts. The article describes the little-known movement of Jeanes Teachers, who organized black communities to build thousands of Rosenwald libraries and schools and created interracial alliances in the American South. They had deep belief in the potential of everyone, black and white. Their pedagogical, political, and relational skills and constructive nonviolent philosophy have many lessons for librarians today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted Watkins and Marsick learning organization model to determine the learning organization's attributes that selected university libraries in Uganda had implemented to promote CPD activities and dissemination of the acquired knowledge. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods design. Six library directors and 76 librarians from six university libraries in Uganda participated in the study. 51-67% of participants indicated that their libraries encouraged teams, provided ICTs, supported their learning requests, encouraged external collaboration, allowed staff time off for training, provided mentoring and coaching, encouraged discussions among staff, recognized and appreciated teams, had procedures for sharing CPD knowledge and skills, acknowledged and appreciated CPD participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study describes the value and impact of the ten-year Fudan-Appalachian Library Exchange Program ((FALEP)). Beginning in 2008, seven librarians from Fudan University and five librarians from Appalachian State University had the opportunity to explore library operations and service provision; learn from colleagues; investigate solutions to common problems; engage in scholarship together; and experience another culture. Librarians found that the exchange experience had a huge impact on their professional and personal lives as they learned to live in a different culture and work in another library system. The exchange program equipped participating librarians with global perspectives, intercultural skills, opportunities for cross-cultural scholarship, and new ideas that were then incorporated into their service provision and work with domestic and international students in their home libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how the William G. Squires Library conducted a usability study on their LibGuides to identify student design preferences. The results of the study support previous research concerning best practices for LibGuide creation. This paper offers insight into how librarian-centric design hinders student success and provides suggestions for how to best develop a student-centric template design that offers consistency and increased user proficiency across all guides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of utility and technical quality, open-source software solutions have become a common option for many libraries. As barriers to adoption have been reduced and systems such as FOLIO appear poised to change the landscape of LIS technology, it is worth examining how the use of open source can support the normative core values of librarianship and to outline a strategy for critical engagement with the technology that is beneficial to patrons and libraries. Such a strategy will require further codification, institutionalization, and investigation of open source at many levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will describe the steps taken to create a statewide mentorship program for interested and motivated library staff. The authors will share a pilot project in Colorado that was founded with a commitment to increasing diversity in library leadership, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion by empowering library workers, library administrators, and information professionals to connect with each other and share professional knowledge and experience for career growth. Included will be group formation and logistics, how work was created and operationalized, evaluation results from participants, program sustainability, and lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Galapagos Islands (Galapagos Province, Ecuador) are an archipelago located in the eastern Pacific, about 560 miles west from the Ecuadorian coast. Known for their unique biodiversity and for the visit of Charles Darwin in 1835 aboard the HMS Beagle , the islands are currently a highly protected area and, at the same time, witness to strong tourist pressure. The local population is about 25,000 stable inhabitants, all of them subject to severe regulations. In such a territory—full of debates and contradictions related, above all, to conservation policies—libraries and spaces for building knowledge, recovering memories, and debating informed decisions have been practically nonexistent. This article chronicles the implementation of the first mobile library program in the archipelago, emphasizing the natural and social contexts and the author's personal impressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study explored how five public librarians in the United States experience and understand their library work with children and families experiencing homelessness. The participants described their deep commitment to providing services for families in homeless situations but also shared that they experience conflicting emotions about this work and feel unsupported by the profession and their individual libraries and coworkers. Even with their dedication and commitment, many of the participants expressed self-censoring judgments about their peers, the families they work with, and shelter staff members. This study situates the participants' experiences within a context of ambivalence around homelessness in library services and cultural narratives that render the homelessness of children and families invisible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a first-hand account of a self-identified problem employee. She focuses on her role as a new manager in a large public library. She identifies problem behaviors and the negative attitudes behind them. She lists a number of causes for becoming a problem employee. She looks at the failures of her supervisor and the library system, including the lack of communication, clear direction, and concrete feedback. She examines the shortcomings of her library school management course in preparing her to lead. She identifies self-doubt as another culprit. She confesses that she did not see herself as management material and lacked role models. She acknowledges that her early academic success made her resistant to seek help or to modify her work behaviors. She explains how her role as a problem employee was allowed to persist for several years. Finally, the author shows how she changed from being a problem employee to a productive member of the library staff. She offers both personal and generic suggestions for solving the problem of having problem employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in multiple shifts in the roles of youth services librarians and museum educators. Although changes in job duties, processes, and day-to-day practices were inevitable, this article suggests that these professionals viewed their service as continuous with prepandemic roles. Based on interviews with 20 professionals, the article analyzes two constructs that emerged as professionals described their pandemic roles: guiding principles and collaboration. Not only did these discursive constructs provide a sense of continuity, they also served to advocate for the role of libraries and museums. These findings indicate the importance of reflecting and drawing on guiding principles and collaborations to make decisions about services during times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative secondary analysis reanalyzes data from a Q methodology study with 66 participants from a variety of library types in Slovenia, South Africa, and the United States. In the original Q methodology study, many participants ranked the statement "librarian as agent of change" as an important conceptualization of reference and information service (RIS). To elucidate and expand this finding, the qualitative data surrounding "librarian as agent of change" were analyzed thematically to understand how participants viewed, or did not view, RIS as making change. Results show that for librarians who perceive themselves as agents of change, making change is an obligation that librarians are particularly suited to do. In addition, change can be viewed on different levels—individual, organizational, and societal. Results show that the pervasiveness of neutrality in RIS prevents some librarians from taking on a role supporting social change and advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ownership of MARC bibliographic data has been an issue between OCLC and other companies in the marketplace. Two lawsuits are discussed between OCLC and Clarivate and SkyRiver. The "WorldCat Rights and Responsibilities for the OCLC Cooperative" provides a basis for many library contracts and how OCLC lays claim to bibliographic data. The "ICOLC Statement on the Metadata Rights of Libraries" is used as a general framework for discussing issues surrounding who owns MARC records and how they can be used or re-used. Most librarians are interested in free and open use of MARC records whether or not they may have passed through the OCLC system at some point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health literacy skills are needed to source, evaluate, and comprehend health information and services in order to make appropriate and informed health decisions. Given that an individual's health outcomes are positively influenced by their level of health literacy, schools are increasingly committed to fostering health literacy in their students. Young people may face many health literacy challenges exacerbated by the global pandemic and the burgeoning array of questionable health information disseminated through social media. As information and digital literacy experts, school library professionals can draw upon their existing skillset and further extend their skills in order to play a key role in developing students' health literacy, supporting their capacity to reject health misinformation and be discerning consumers of health information from a wide range of sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This bibliography details women's history articles that have appeared in the Indiana Magazine of History during its 120 years of publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an analysis of seven articles published within the International Perspectives and Initiatives regular feature series on the impact of technology on the provision of health information. The articles provide a road map of how technology is facilitating new and enhanced services for library users in seven countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, England, Germany, Sweden and the United States. Although there are differences in how countries are implementing technological solutions, only one describes problems in leveraging technology to improve library services. Authors from the remaining six countries describe how they ensure that the 21st century library consults with its user groups and find way of using the latest applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional qualifications and work of a health librarian may not, at first glance, seem like they readily lend themselves to the wider work of an organisation. Too often librarians are seen as experts in a small specialist field. However, as librarians, we know that at our core is extensive digital experience and knowledge as well as a core set of transferrable skills that can be adapted to meet the ever‐changing needs of the organisation. This article describes how the library evidence team became part of a wider board project to develop a governance system for Apps. It also describes how the skills of librarians can be developed to work in this area and raise the profile of the team within the board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With the aid of libraries, the research paper aims to assist businesses in swiftly and accurately acquiring knowledge and insights from scholarly literature to guide their inventive and decision-making processes. The foundation for achieving the goal is Connected Papers technology. Design/methodology/approach: The author's professional expertise in performing literature reviews using connected papers technology as well as using other ways, and corresponding with entrepreneurs and librarians impacted the article's research methodology. Findings: The use of Connected Papers technology in the library context for helping entrepreneurs is discussed. Libraries and entrepreneurs could benefit from using Connected Papers technology to quickly compile pertinent data from scholarly literature to solve business challenges. According to the paper, adopting this technology can speed up information gathering and drastically reduce the time needed for business owners to search through bibliographic data-bases. Using this technology can help entrepreneurs at various phases of their entrepreneurial journeys and give libraries a productive way to assist business owners with their information needs. Originality/value: This paper's novelty comes from its examination of the usage of connectedpapers.com technology to compile data from scholarly literature to assist entrepreneurs in solving their business problems. The useful piece of advice this paper offers entrepreneurs and librarians is what makes it valuable. By using connectedpapers.com technology, businesses may be able to get critical information from scholarly literature to foster a series of experimentation quickly and effectively. Also, librarians can help their patrons with systematic re-views and other research services by using this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All libraries, especially public libraries, must continue to play a leading role in closing the digital divide. Through this article, the authors present a brief history of libraries and the digital divide, how libraries address the digital divide through digital equity, ways the U.S. government has addressed the digital divide, insights shared from serving on the New Jersey Broadband Access Commission, strategies that public libraries can implement to bring about digital inclusion, the need for libraries to address the technology needs of youth, the importance of public-private partnerships and examples of initiatives and the resources created that address digital equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism brought into focus health disparities and disproportionate impacts of disease on communities of color. Health equity has subsequently emerged as a priority. Recognizing that the future of health care will be informed by advanced information technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and algorithmic applications, the authors argue that to advance towards states of improved health equity, health information professionals need to engage in and encourage the conduct of research at the intersections of health equity, health disparities, and computational biomedical knowledge (CBK) applications. Recommendations are provided with a means to engage in this mobilization effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Libraries provide access to databases with auto-cite features embedded into the services; however, the accuracy of these auto-cite buttons is not very high in humanities and social sciences databases. Case Presentation: This case compares two biomedical databases, Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed, to see if either is reliable enough to confidently recommend to students for use when writing papers. A total of 60 citations were assessed, 30 citations from each citation generator, based on the top 30 articles in PubMed from 2010 to 2020. Conclusions: Error rates were higher in Ovid MEDLINE than PubMed but neither database platform provided error-free references. The auto-cite tools were not reliable. Zero of the 60 citations examined were 100% correct. Librarians should continue to advise students not to rely solely upon citation generators in these biomedical databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After receiving troubling data about graduating students’ abilities to cite their work, the librarians at Cal Poly Pomona sought to respond to these findings by creating a suite of online video tutorials to aid student learning. These tutorials included brief assessment quizzes to aid in gauging student understanding. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020 greatly accelerated the process of tutorial creation and implementation, as they became a key tool for instructional outreach during pandemic lockdowns. This article will discuss the process of planning, implementation and piloting of these citation tutorials during the early months of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, academic libraries saw a shift toward remote learning leading to increased dependency on electronic resources. This article explores the implications of the pandemic on electronic resource management, focusing on modifications in budget allocation, licensing, accessibility, and staffing. Drawing from a data set of 120 survey responses in 2023 in the United States, this article illustrates the challenges academic libraries faced and changes made during the pandemic. These findings reiterate the essential role of electronic resources and emphasize the need for academic libraries to continually adapt their management strategies to meet user needs in the post-pandemic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUSHI is a widely used protocol in academic libraries. This article discusses maintaining SUSHI vendor accounts in Alma, troubleshooting irregularities, and finding technical support. This article also includes sample analyses for the ACRL survey 60B Digital/Electronic Circulation or Usage and 63 E-serials Usage using COUNTER 5 reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of ChatGPT 3.5 in November 2022 ignited a sensation in the academic community, leaving many astounded by its capabilities. This new release more closely emulates human responses than its predecessors. Among its remarkable capabilities, it can answer questions, catalog items in MARC21, recommend reading lists, and make suggestions on a wide array of topics. To assess ChatGPT’s efficacy in aiding library users, the authors of this paper conducted an experiment comparing ChatGPT’s performance with that of librarians in answering reference questions. Thirty questions were randomly selected from the transaction log of the reference inquiries between June 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023 at the Rider University Libraries. These queries constituted 34% of the total user questions during this two-month period. The authors compared the answers by ChatGPT and those by reference librarians for their accuracy, relevance, and friendliness. The findings indicate that reference librarians markedly outperformed their robotic counterpart. An evident issue arises from ChatGPT’s deficiency in understanding local policies and practices. This consequently hinders its ability to provide satisfactory answers in those areas. OpenAI posits that ChatGPT’s proficiency can be enhanced through targeted fine-tuning using locally specific information. At the moment, ChatGPT remains a great tool for librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the state of the post-pandemic academic library job market in the Southeastern region of the United States. This analysis of academic librarian job advertisements collected from 2022 and 2023 reveals that while some new jobs have emerged there is a continued demand for traditional roles, prior work experience and the ALA-accredited master's degree. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are prominent in job advertisements despite some regional political opposition. Remote work options are limited, signaling a nuanced approach to work modality post-pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to check the online information retrieval self-efficacy among library professionals in predicting the satisfaction of patrons within universities' libraries. Design/methodology/approach: The study was grounded on Bandura four sources of self-efficacy, encompassing mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion and physiological states. To accomplish this, a meticulously designed questionnaire was administered to collect data from library professionals employed in universities libraries recognized by the Higher Education Commission in Punjab and capital city of Pakistan (Islamabad). Following by the validation of assumptions, researchers conducted a multiple linear regression test to predict the outcomes of the dependent variable by using the independents variables. Additionally, a comparative evaluation was carried out among all the independent variables to determine their respective contributions to satisfaction of library patrons. Findings: The results emphasized the distinct and substantial significance of three variables, physiological states, social feedback and mastery experience in predicting the satisfaction of library patrons. Nevertheless, vicarious experience did not demonstrate a significant influence on the satisfaction of library patrons. Furthermore, influence of physiological states on the improvement of library patrons' satisfaction was relatively higher compared to other three self-efficacy sources. In conclusion, research established the essential role of online information retrieval self-efficacy in enhancing the satisfaction of library patrons. Practical implications: The findings of the study can form a solid basis for devising academic programs to train the library professionals for effective utilization of various information systems and databases. These programs play an important role in improving the self-efficacy of library professionals, ultimately refining their skills in online information retrieval. Originality/value: In essence, this study provides insights into the factors which are pivotal in effective information searching process, ultimately leading to increase the satisfaction level of library patrons which has not been previously researched in Pakistan as well as the world context. Moreover, the study significance lies in contribute to academic discourse, its potential to transform and promote the library services and as well as empower library professionals in delivering the satisfying and efficient experience for library patrons in the current digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the potential impact and passenger perceptions of integrating multimedia books within airline services, aiming to elucidate the evolving landscape of in-flight entertainment and reading experiences. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research methodology was used, using a structured questionnaire distributed to presenters at the International Federation of Library Associations. Findings: Analysis revealed varying passenger interest in multimedia books, with approximately 57.7% displaying engagement, while 40.4% demonstrated limited interest or none. However, a notable majority (60.6%) preferred multimedia books over traditional print books during flights. Furthermore, 90.4% perceived a positive impact of multimedia books on flight reading experiences, leading to increased satisfaction (81.7%) and a high likelihood of recommending airlines offering such content (91.3%). Research limitations/implications: The study's limitations include a specific focus on International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) presenters, potentially limiting broader generalisations. Further research might explore the preferences of a wider demographic range and incorporate qualitative aspects to deepen understanding. Airlines could leverage multimedia books to enhance passenger satisfaction, attract diverse audiences and foster cultural inclusivity within in-flight entertainment. Originality/value: This study contributes insights into the evolving landscape of in-flight entertainment, emphasising the significant potential and positive impact of integrating multimedia books within airline services. It underscores the importance of catering to diverse passenger preferences and enhancing overall satisfaction during air travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine Big Data and the management of libraries in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its implications for policymakers in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative methodology was used, involving the administration of open-ended questionnaires to librarians from six selected federal universities located in Southwest Nigeria. Findings: The findings of this research highlight that a significant proportion of librarians are well-acquainted with the relevance of big data and its potential to positively revolutionize library services. Librarians generally express favorable opinions concerning the relevance of big data, acknowledging its capacity to enhance decision-making, optimize services and deliver personalized user experiences. Research limitations/implications: This study exclusively focuses on the Nigerian context, overlooking insights from other African countries. As a result, it may not be possible to generalize the study's findings to the broader African library community. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is unique because the paper reported that librarians generally express favorable opinions concerning the relevance of big data, acknowledging its capacity to enhance decision-making, optimize services and deliver personalized user experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the extent of virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) adoption in university libraries in Indonesia and identify librarians' views of library readiness. The assessment centers on two crucial dimensions: library readiness, gauged by commitment and efficacy, and librarian readiness, appraised through cognitive and affective aspects. Design/methodology/approach: The research features a survey-based quantitative method. A sample of 259 librarians from university libraries, all members of the Indonesian Higher Education Library Forum, responded to the online survey. Findings: Indonesian university libraries, especially in Central Java, express strong interest in VR/AR despite low current adoption. Librarians believe in their commitment and efficacy for adoption, with improvements needed in budget procurement and human resources. Librarians are optimistic about innovating academic activities with VR/AR, despite concerns about collaboration, data governance and human resource insecurity. The research underscores the simultaneous influence of librarians' and libraries' readiness on VR/AR adoption, emphasizing their interconnectedness and mutual support within library management. Practical implications: There are practical implications for library institutions in Indonesia in terms of understanding the attendant opportunities and challenges when preparing organizational ecosystems. These findings provide a broad overview of VR/AR adoption in university libraries in Indonesia and contribute to understanding the specific needs and interests of universities in Indonesia considering adopting VR/AR. In addition to preparing adequate infrastructure, libraries should ensure the availability of adequate human resources. Originality/value: In the Indonesian context, this study, to the best of the authors' knowledge, makes the first attempt to examine the librarian's view as part of library management to face the dilemmas that may arise during the adoption of VR/AR despite university libraries' commitment and efficacy to enable this technology. This research also identifies librarians' cognitive and affective readiness as individual characteristics and resources able to influence adequate adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the accuracy of indexing for "Appalachian Region"[Mesh]. Researchers performed a search in PubMed for articles published in 2019 using "Appalachian Region"[Mesh] or "Appalachia" or "Appalachian" in the title or abstract. Only 17.88% of the articles retrieved by the search were about Appalachia according to the ARC definition. Most articles retrieved appeared because they were indexed with state terms that were included as part of the mesh term. Database indexing and searching transparency is of growing importance as indexers rely increasingly on automated systems to catalog information and publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a financial literacy event hosted by the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library, introducing a new business librarian and promoting financial literacy within the AUC community during Money Smart Week. Topics include the event's organization, activities such as workshops and resource browsing, and positive feedback emphasizing the importance of financial education.

Survey research was conducted to determine the influence of research skills on librarian's research productivity in public universities in North-West Nigeria. The population comprised 373 librarians working in 18 public universities in the zone. Stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 193 from the population. Data was collected with a structured, validated questionnaire. The instrument was pretested among librarians at Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, North-East zone. Cronbach's alpha reliability was 0.809 for research productivity and 0.908 for research skills. A response rate of 93% was achieved and the data was analysed with Spearman correlation regression. Findings revealed that research productivity (mean 1.81) was low while research skills (mean of 3.06) was high. There was no significant influence of research skills on research productivity. Possibly, other factors than research skills influence the research productivity of librarians in public universities in North-West Nigeria, hence the study recommended the management of universities should motivate librarians towards improving research productivity by recognising and granting [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of adoption of artificial intelligence(AI) to support library services delivery in university libraries in Africa. Qualitative research method was adopted to collect data. A preliminary survey of 102 university libraries in English speaking countries in Africa was conducted to identify the university libraries that have adopted AI in their libraries. Content analysis was used to analyse the responses. The study found that the only few university libraries in Africa have adopted AI technologies such as Chatbot, ChatGPT, LibKey from ThirdIron, robots, RFID technology and Grammarly. These AI technologies are used to render different library services like answering of directional and ready reference questions posed by library users, serving as a knowledge base for cataloguing information of library materials, self-check-out machine for books, used as a marketing tool for the library, tool for statistics evaluation and recommendations, assisting in the charging and discharging of library materials, etc. Lack of funds to acquire the AI tools, training of librarians, and lack of full knowledge of AI were the most mentioned challenges associated with adoption of AI in the libraries. The study recommended a formulation of policy to guide the adoption of new technologies such as AI, and training and re-training of librarians through workshops equip librarians with skills needed to effectively use the AI technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the pandemic, in an effort to improve employee wellness, the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (EHSL) launched a series of virtual wellness challenges. Participation counts toward a university-wide wellness initiative that provides a discount on the employee health care plan. Following several successful movement, mindfulness and nutrition challenges, the Wellness Committee developed a challenge centered on creative projects and community building for a change of pace. Participants engaged in creative pursuits, periodically reflected on their progress and regularly attended Craft Club meetings to connect with colleagues and friends while working on their projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Librarians support researchers by promoting open science and open data practices. This article explores five freely available tools that support and facilitate open science practices. Open Science Framework provides a platform for project management, data sharing, and data storage. OpenRefine cleans and formats data. DMPTool has templates for data management and sharing plans that comply with funder mandates. The NIH Common Data Elements is a repository for standardized data elements, and finally, the NLM Scrubber is a tool for de-identifying clinical text data. Information professionals can add these tools to their repertoire and share them with researchers at their institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examined the relationship between access to or use of health information resources by health sciences librarians (HSLs) and non-HSLs. We wanted to know if, compared to non-HSLs, increased access to and use of health information by HSLs was associated with more frequent performance of wellness behaviors. : A survey containing questions about access to health information resources, the use of health information resources, the frequency of the performance of wellness behaviors and barriers and facilitators to performing these behaviors was sent via e-mail to members of over 60 library organizations. A total of 1913 librarians responded to the survey. We found no difference between the HSLs and the non-HSLs by age or sex but HSLs were more likely to have master's degrees or higher, work more hours, and to work in institutions that provide access to vaccines and/or wellness programs. HSLs have greater access to and use quality health information resources more often than do non-HSLs. Compared to non-HSLs, HSLs exercise more and eat more fruits and vegetables. Non-HSLs, however, are more likely to engage in regular spiritual activities. Barriers to performing wellness behaviors included lack of time, lack of motivation, fatigue, and chronic pain whereas facilitators included positive social support for wellness behaviors. Our data show that access to health information and frequency of use is correlated with the performance of wellness behaviors. While access to health information can work to nudge people to engage in healthy habits, information by itself is not enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1949 and again in 1951, staff from the privately endowed Newberry Library in Chicago travelled to the UK and Continental Europe on lengthy buying trips that were designed to take advantage of depressed post-war book markets. They hoped thereby to bypass middlemen in the book trade (most of them New York dealers) and to establish long-term relationships with European booksellers that would allow them to build research collections on a large scale. The Newberry shoppers were relatively early in this opportunistic sort of buying, but their project reflects the kind of aggressive acquisitions American libraries would undertake across the next two decades. Along the way, institutional buying transformed the antiquarian trade from an elite, largely bibliophile concern into a massive supply chain for modern historical research. This essay explores the rich sources for the Newberry's acquisitions in these years by way of exemplifying the broader phenomenon, that Americans were driving an unprecedented boom in the antiquarian book trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]