Search

This column examines the role of research and publication by retired faculty from two perspectives: the varying ability according to discipline and the extrinsic and intrinsic rewards of remaining an active scholar. Faculty that depend heavily on university support and working in teams such as many STEM areas and some Social Science disciplines will find it harder to remain active researchers. Humanities faculty with a tradition of individual authorship and dependence upon library resources will face fewer barriers. Fine Arts faculty fall in the middle depending on their area. Few retired faculty will receive extrinsic financial rewards and will lose the indirect rewards from their universities as active researchers. The main intrinsic reward is maintaining their self-image as scholars with the ability to share their knowledge. Faculty may continue to get satisfaction from monitoring their influence from their citation and readership counts. The column also recognizes that some faculty will make the valid decision to give up research and publication to focus on other personal rewards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines data from a survey conducted at a U.S. public research university, focusing on students' behaviors and attitudes toward the library, both physical and online. The analysis categorizes student users and nonusers based on demographics such as full-time enrollment, first-generation status, college, and grade point average (GPA). Results indicate that first-generation students were most likely to never use the online library. Low GPA respondents visited the physical library most frequently, whereas high GPA students were more inclined to use e-resources. The discussion section includes suggestions for improving services and resources to support student success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study on delinquent acts in three academic libraries in northern Ghana. A survey method was used for the study and a questionnaire was used to collect data. The study population consisted of staff in the Reader Service Sections of the three libraries. The study found that failure to observe library regulations, keeping overdue materials, eating in the library, littering, reserving seats unjustifiably, and hiding of books for the purpose of monopoly are examples of delinquent acts practiced by library users. According to the participants, the main reasons for delinquent acts are inadequate orientation to users, insufficient copies of books, and indiscipline among library users. The respondents further reported that these actions led to a reduction in library resources and low patronage. To curb deviant behaviors in libraries, the study recommends the adoption of pragmatic approaches including massive orientation for users, imbibing positive library culture that fosters respect, bolstering commitment and cooperation among library users and the staff, increasing library budgets as well as finding more creative ways of acquiring more copies of books, such as using Open Educational Resources (OERs), belonging to consortia and building and/or enhancing existing Institutional Repositories (IR). [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]

With the rapid advancement of big data industry, professional education pertaining to big data has garnered substantial global recognition. However, the gap between practical teaching methodologies and real-world application scenarios represents a significant hurdle in fostering skilled big data professionals. To address this challenge, this paper proposes the construction of a comprehensive digital case library tailored for core courses in big data. This library, alongside innovative integration strategies, aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This paper outlines a structured approach to establish a systematic and serialized data resource case library, adopting a dynamic hierarchical design that comprehensively illustrates the entire big data processing workflow while enabling dynamic expansion. The objective is to contribute to the enhancement of big data curricula and practical teaching, ultimately empowering the practical abilities cultivation of big data professionals. Taking the digital case study of "high-risk population cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease" as an example, this paper delves into the curriculum model and implementation strategies that seamlessly integrate case resources with theoretical teachings. Through collaboration with a national data center, we achieve a close alignment between practical teaching and real-world application scenarios. The construction of this case library resource will bolster the theoretical acumen and practical proficiencies of big data professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mojir al-Din Baylaqani (d. 586 AH) is a renowned poet of the 6th century and a prominent figure of the Arranian school in Persian poetry. He is renowned for his deceptively simple yet fluent verses compared to his contemporaries. The only existing edition of his Divan (collected works) was prepared by Mohammad Abadi Bavail as a doctoral dissertation in 1974 under the supervision of Mehdi Mohaghegh, Mazaher Mosaffa, and Ahmad Mahdavi Damghani and was subsequently published in Tabriz in 1979. While this pioneering edition holds historical value, subsequent reviews have revealed its deficiencies. The recent discovery of new manuscript sources that were unavailable to the previous editor presents an opportunity for a revised, more comprehensive edition. This study, undertaken through a critical re-editing of Mojir al-Din's Divan based on over 30 manuscript copies and employing a descriptive-analytical methodology using library resources, aimed to highlight the shortcomings of the existing edition. The significance of poets from Arran Region in the Persian literary canon, coupled with the necessity of a deeper scholarly engagement with Mojir al-Din's poems, underscored the importance of this research. The overall conclusion pointed to the inadequacies of the previous edition and the pressing need for its re-editing. According to the findings, the primary deficiencies of the prior edition included the erroneous attribution of other poets' works to Mojir al-Din, omission of some of his poems, inconsistencies in the transcription of certain poems, misreadings, incorrect selections, and inadequate or inaccurate annotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem, research strategy, and findings: We explored the contributions of local public libraries to community resilience in the face of economic hardships, extreme weather events, and the COVID-19 pandemic using a survey of 415 library directors distributed through state library listservs in 13 Midwestern states, community-level census and presidential elections data, and library-specific data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services annual Public Libraries Survey. We found that public libraries provide invaluable resilience-boosting community services. They help patrons find jobs and access social services, often with one-on-one support. They act as daytime shelters during extreme heat and cold events, which is particularly important for unhoused and underhoused individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they innovated to provide delocalized services and information access, such as installing WiFi hotspots. The provision of these essential resilience-boosting services is largely independent from library resources and community contexts and appear grounded in librarians' ethos. Our research was limited to Midwestern public libraries and thus results are not generalizable to other regions, private, academic, and specialized libraries. We did not explore the possible relationships between local political majorities that could affect local government funding and priorities and local libraries' funding sources, levels, and services. Takeaways for practice: Beyond collections and information access, public libraries provide many services relevant to community and economic development and to disaster response. In addition, local public libraries act as resilience hubs in the face of economic stressors and extreme weather events, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are ready, flexible, adaptable, and willing to support patrons in times of need. Planners seeking to enhance community resilience can work with their local public libraries to build disaster preparedness and response capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This exploratory study illustrated an integrated academic library supply chain (IALSC) model to design the strategic planning management tool of the academic library. The supply chain (SC) model has been widely used in manufacturing industries and has also been applied in many service industries with the same objectives. However, very few studies for academic libraries, particularly the implementation of the integrated SC model, are being executed, although it has been proven that SC management in practice can enhance stakeholder satisfaction, increase revenues and decrease total costs. The academic library also needs to be successful in providing quality products, services and information to fulfil the library users' needs within the library budget. This research aims to develop a verified model of the integrated SC for the academic library. Design/methodology/approach: This research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to achieve its objectives. The proposed conceptual SC model, named as IALSC, for the academic library has been developed using the system thinking method; eventually, it has been validated through the fuzzy Delphi method, an expert judgement technique. Findings: The research findings could contribute to academic library management in planning and formulating a roadmap for the library to increase its quality services for all stakeholders. Originality/value: The conceptual model would have a high potential to be proposed as the strategic decision-making tool for an academic library, i.e. the flow of funds through the operations of the library, the library stakeholders' satisfaction measurement, the decision process currently made by the library management team on the purchase of new library resources, the library resource suppliers, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As medical science is a continuously advancing discipline, use of the medical library by students is very important for updating their knowledge and competence. Objectives: To study the pattern of library usage by undergraduate and postgraduate medical students and to compare library utilization across academic years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduate and post graduate students in a medical college. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Total 250 students (231 undergraduate and 19 post graduate students) participated in the study. 34% of undergraduate and 21% post graduate students were found visiting library daily. Increasing trend was observed in daily visits of the students as academic years progress. Students spent significantly more time during examination days in the library as compared to usual days. The primary reason for visiting the library was to prepare for the examination. 73.20% students reported that recent editions of books and journals were available in library. Most of the students were satisfied about the library services. Conclusion: Students are utilizing library facilities and services to a great extent but still there is a need to sensitize students to use library for activities such as research, reading recent journals, preparation of seminar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disaster management is important for sustainable access of library resources. This article presents a study that has assessed disaster preparedness at the University of Dar es Salaam library in Tanzania. The study employed a case study research design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect and analyze data. The study's findings indicate that a majority of the participants were aware of potential disasters that could adversely affect the library's resources. However, the research suggests that despite this knowledge, most respondents were not familiar with the crucial factors involved in effectively managing such disasters. Additionally, the findings reveal that many participants lack the necessary knowledge and skills to handle these situations. Along with the inadequate disaster management equipment and other challenges like a lack of training on disaster management, the library's resources are at risk if a disaster were to occur. Overall, the study's findings demonstrate that the library is not adequately prepared to handle potential disasters, which could potentially impact its ability to provide services to its users. Therefore, it is crucial for the library to allocate sufficient resources for effective disaster management to ensure the sustainable provision of services to its users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An institution of ancient origin, the Vatican Apostolic Library holds a diverse and complex collection of documents that reflect its rich institutional history, distributed among its various collections and institutional archives. This multifaceted heritage, comprising traditional and digital resources, stands as a valuable testimony to the active role of the Library in the international cultural context. This article aims to provide a general overview of these resources and their potential historical significance, focusing on the last century and presenting some significant episodes in the institution's history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a university's information resource center, the library has always provided services for teachers and students. However, there is a lack of in-depth research on the relationship between the allocation of library resources and the competitiveness of universities in innovation and entrepreneurship (CUIE). Clarifying that relationship could help optimize library resources to enhance CUIE and enrich the empirical research system of library science. Based on clarifying the composition of library resources, correlation and regression analyses were used to verify the effect of library resource allocation on CUIE. The results show that human, academic, and spatial resources of the library can improve CUIE. The quality of human resources is more important than quantity for CUIE. For academic resources, electronic resources play a greater role than paper resources in CUIE, and spatial resources have the least effect. To maximize CUIE, the university library must optimize its resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid pace of change and the high cost invested in information technology, it is important for academic libraries to evaluate the information technology solutions they use in their institutions to determine whether they are meeting the needs of their students, faculty, staff, and other users of their libraries and resources. This study presents the results of an online survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic library members to benchmark the assessment strategies that they used to evaluate their IT activities. This article compares their responses with earlier studies to identify trends and make recommendations for effective assessment practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of covid-19 on library services as perceived by international students and scholars at Kent State University, a medium-sized public research university in the mid-west, in the United States. A second general purpose was to increase awareness of library resources and services among the international student population. The study used a self-reported questionnaire (Qualtrics survey) to find out the use of library services and resources by international students' pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. Using google analytics, the study also compared visits of the library website from pre-pandemic and during the pandemic by the general student population. The author also obtained statistics from various library departments to compare pre-pandemic and pandemic usage. Additionally, informal interviews were conducted by the author to find out librarians' perceptions of how Covid-19 impacted their services and policies. The survey results showed a general lack of awareness of library resources and services among the international student population both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. The usage statistics and reports from the librarians revealed a high impact of the pandemic on Interlibrary Loan (ILL), circulation, acquisitions and instruction services, but a modest/minimal impact on reference services and visits to the library website. Recommendations include increased marketing efforts and outreach to the international student population and by extension to all students especially long-distance students or online-only students. The study also highlights the importance of open access, consortia, and Institutional repositories and the role they play in enhancing equitable access to information. The study encourages libraries to leverage new technologies that would improve services while also advocating for policies that would help bridge the digital divide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plans and activities of academic libraries revolve around a user-centered approach to make noticeable improvements in the use of library resources and services. The purpose of this study was to examine library support strategies for the effective utilization of library support services and resources by distance-learning students. The research was conducted at the University of Education, Winneba, and the University of Cape Coast with distance learning students. A mixed-method approach was used, with 1170 students participating in quantitative research and 12 students and six (6) librarians participating in qualitative research, with Astin’s (1993) Input-Environment-Output Model guiding the study. The findings of the study identified a lack of organized strategies for the use of library resources and services among distance learning students. The study proposed a model to improve the use of library resources and services among distance learning students.

This study analyzed the human resources of public libraries in Pakistan. It was observed that LIS professionals administered most libraries; nevertheless, a sizable number of libraries were managed by personnel with no professional background. There needed to be more staff in public libraries, including LIS, IT, and nonprofessional staff. In the information age and global economy, our libraries fall short of preparing the population for the future, let alone the present. The concerned authorities should enhance the library's workforce; professionals should administer the library to offer better services and IT experts should be hired to solve IT related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education plays an important role in sustainable global development and is essential for the fulfillment of all 17 SDGs. Universities are starting to train the new generations of specialists who will meet the objectives of sustainable rural development. The purpose of this paper was to identify the role of the USAMV CN Library through its resources, on the training of future specialists to respond to sustainability objectives. The methodology used to analyze the library's resources is the Universal Decimal Classification. The library database and the inventory registers with the publications fund were queried. It was found the existence of specialty fund for each faculty. The report no.titles/no.students is higher for Animal Husbandry and Biotechnologies and lower for Veterinary Medicine. The existence of publications dealing with the three pillars of sustainability in all the last 20 years was found. Most of the publications belong to the social pillar. Regarding the loan, it suddenly decreases starting with 2017. Also, it is higher at the beginning of the academic year and during the session. Most loans were made by the students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Most loans fall under the social pillar, followed by the environmental and the economic pillars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Fine Arts: Performing Arts & Music is the property of University of Tehran, College of Fine Arts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Editors-in-chief (EICs) have a significant amount of control over the publications that are accepted in their journals, which may result in ethical predicaments. This study investigates the potential conflict of interest of EICs from various dental journals by quantifying the number of their self-published articles during their years as EIC. Based on representation across many dental disciplines and high impact factors, 67 EICs from 19 dental journals during 1990–2023 were studied. To keep anonymity, each journal was randomly assigned a letter A-S and each editor-in-chief (EIC) was given the same letter as their journal with a random number 1–67. After gathering the years each EIC served, online library resources were searched to enumerate each EIC's lifetime publications and total self-publications during their term, excluding editorials for both counts. Descriptive statistics were performed to evaluate the results. The results indicate that 16 EICs self-published more than the average of 23.27 articles during their term. When considering EIC tenure, a ratio of self-publications per year was calculated, averaging 2.12 publications. Twenty-two EICs authored more articles annually than the average ratio. After calculating the impact factors of each EIC from the years they serviced their journal, a total of 22 impact factors exceeded the established mean of 2.45. Lastly, when comparing the percentage of self-publications from total lifetime publications, 24 of 67 EICs were above the average. Overall, a significantly increased number of self-publications was detected, presenting potential conflicts of interest for EICs. Therefore, it remains essential to develop clear guidelines and international standards regarding the practice of EICs self-publishing in their journals during their service term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author partnered with the Harrison County Library System (HCLS) to create a multilevel program plan for expanding library services to the growing number of homeless people who seek refuge in the library’s facilities. The research for this program plan involved evaluating existing library resources such as collections, programming, and available staff resources; identifying the best practices for providing services to people experiencing homelessness; identifying staff perceptions of working with the homeless; and identifying potential partners for expanded service offerings. The author used document analysis to research data on the library system (IMLS 2021 and reviewed library policy to identify barriers to providing service for the homeless. The author applied qualitative and humanistic research methods involving personal narratives (scenarios) provided through two separate one-on-one interviews with the library director to discuss the library system in general, and one one-on-one interview with six library staff working in the three libraries with the highest use by people experiencing homelessness. This paper discusses the findings from this mixed methods research project and their application to expanding services for chronically homeless patrons who use the HCLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic law libraries are obligated to protect library patron privacy in accordance with professional standards, such as the AALL Ethical Principles, as well as all applicable laws. Because controlled digital lending enables patrons geographically distant from the law library to access library resources, the privacy laws of many jurisdictions can apply. Two laws requiring special consideration are FERPA and the GDPR, and noncompliance with them carries both financial and reputational risk for a law school. Academic law libraries that implement controlled digital lending can mitigate associated privacy risks by incorporating privacy compliance into the design phase of the initiative. The design team should include members with both legal and technical privacy expertise to ensure the program complies with all applicable state, federal, and foreign privacy laws and is designed with privacy in mind, employing data minimization and process automation to reduce operational privacy risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the operational realities faced by the major national libraries in Ukraine during the period of independence and martial law, including shifts in priorities and the development and preservation of digital resources with research and historical-cultural significance at the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine. It also examines the increased involvement in European open science projects and underscores the critical role of European partnerships in safeguarding national and global cultural heritage, particularly against potential loss during wartime conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to examine the conditions of the contracting parties in the contract in jurisprudence and law. The research method is descriptive and analytical using library resources. Investigations showed that among the conditions of contracting parties are maturity, reason, authority, ownership, possession and intention. Islamic jurists have two views about Sabi Memiz transactions. The point of view that considers Sabi Memiz as one of those who are imprisoned and detained, from trading, and they consider the realization of maturity and growth as two necessary conditions to remove Sabi's stone. The point of view that in Sabi Meeez's trade license considers the realization of growth as a basic condition for their possession, regardless of whether puberty has been achieved or not. Another condition of the seller and buyer is intelligence. On the other hand, all jurists agree on the necessity of intention in interactions; however, there is a difference of opinion among the jurists regarding the position of intention and intention. Also, if someone sells someone else's property, i.e. other than these persons, it will be based on the permission of the owner and does not require a new contract. Also, a prudish sale is based on the permission of the original owner, otherwise it is invalid and the silence of the owner is not enough. Article 252 BC states that permission or rejection does not have to be immediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective – The accessibility of non-traditional resources presents ongoing challenges for users and librarians. This study investigates methods for optimizing metadata and the placement of search results to enhance the discoverability of these resources within library systems. Researchers conducted A/B testing to compare two features of Ex Libris Primo: the Resource Recommender and Discovery Import Profiles. The objective was to enhance user access to a broader range of informational assets beyond conventional collections. This study posed the research question: Is inclusion in the results list (Discovery Import Profiles) or are visually appealing advertisement-style cards above results (Resource Recommender) a more effective method for discovery of non-traditional library resources? Methods – Researchers identified four key resource types for testing: librarians, frequently asked questions (FAQs), databases, and research guides. An A/B test was conducted with each resource presented in the Discovery Import Profiles and Resource Recommender formats. Following the A/B test, a combined C test was conducted to validate findings. Results – The ad-style cards achieved higher engagement rates, particularly for databases and FAQs, while research guides performed better when embedded directly in search results. This study highlights the strengths and limitations of each method. Databases and FAQs benefited from the visual prominence of the ad-style cards, while research guides were more discoverable within search results. However, minimal engagement with librarians as a resource type across both methods suggests the need for improved tagging and metadata strategies. Conclusion – Findings underscore the importance of institution-specific research and localized assessments to ensure effective implementation of discovery strategies. This study provides a useful method for libraries aiming to enhance the discoverability of their non-traditional resources, ultimately improving user access and satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the significant role of picture books in early childhood education, highlighting their effectiveness in fostering learning across various subjects. Topics discussed include the importance of mentor text selection, the collaborative process between teachers and librarians, and the continuous review and alignment of library resources with educational goals.

This study investigated green library practices in selected academic libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted an exploratory design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 18 librarians as the participants for the study, and the interview method was adopted for data collection. The findings reveal that all the academic libraries engaged in the fumigation of their environment to preserve library resources, and the level of adoption of information and communications technology resulted in the libraries having a high carbon footprint. The results also show that the academic libraries engaged in resource-sharing for economic sustainability and that they have value for their users in terms of social and cultural support. It is recommended that university management teams provide adequate funding to develop eco-friendly practices in university libraries, and that academic libraries provide solar systems to all their library units to enhance environmentally conscious practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the evolution of data literacy research from 2005 to 2022 by analysing 997 documents identified in Elsevier's Scopus databases. It highlights pivotal moments, such as the inaugural mention of data literacy in 2005, and observes a consistent increase in annual document production, indicating growing interest. Research articles, particularly in computer science/engineering, education and social sciences/humanities, dominate. The interdisciplinary nature of contributions spans social sciences, computer science and humanities, reflecting the universal applicability of data literacy. Keywords cluster around foundational concepts, educational contexts, specialized domains, and emerging trends like digital transformation and health literacy. The study emphasizes the crucial role of libraries in nurturing data literacy skills, serving as information hubs and providers of educational frameworks. The conclusions underscore the significant growth, interdisciplinary engagement and vital role of libraries. Emerging keywords highlight the evolving trends, ethical considerations and privacy concerns. Implications for further studies on interdisciplinarity and emerging issues were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of floods as a result of illegal construction and the influx of people to areas at hazard cause the emergence and creation of catastrophic human and economic crises and as a major challenge in the direction of achieving sustainable development of local communities (including the city of Konarak) which makes it necessary to know the methods of achieving vulnerability reduction patterns, including improving resilience. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identification and evaluation of indicators influencing the resilience of flood-stricken communities (Konarak city). This study is an applied research, which uses descriptive-analytical method to identify and measure dimensions and components resilience of Konarak city. The sample size was estimated using Cochran's formula of 371 households in four neighborhoods of Shomal nirogah gazi, Surak, Nazarabad and Jonoob shahr of Konarak city. To carry out the research, first by using library resources, indicators and factors affecting social, economic, institutional, physical, environmental, sanitary and mental health were identified, and then the field methods and questionnaire were used to collect the required information and data. In order to analyze the data, the coefficient of multiple correlations such as multiple regression analyses and path analysis were used. The results showed that the social dimension has the highest score with 48.70 and the mental health dimension has the lowest score with 39.12, and Konark city is in an unfavorable situation with a total score of 37.26. The highest level of resilience is related to the neighborhoods Shomal nirogah gazi and Surak with 40.95 and 37.81%, respectively, and the lowest level of resilience is for the neighborhoods Nazarabad and Jonoob shahr with 34.22 and 36.05%, respectively. Also, the results of path analysis of resilience show that in relation to the total score of direct and indirect effects, the social dimension with (0.99) had the most impact and the health dimension with (0.17) had the least impact on the resilience of the city of Konarak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Going through the history of prophecy and mission, we find affairs that started with Prophet Abraham (as), but their emergence and continuation mostly in the missions before and after him is not seen due to reasons such as concealment and distortion and sometimes the place and time conditions of some divine prophets. However, a large amount of these affairs were completed with the advent of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) so that they have often been recreated by him, which are as follows: being "The Father" of the community and leaving offspring in the line of the Prophet with the same goals in prophecy and Imamate, performing hajj and scarifying, calling for fitra (nature) and hanīfīya, presenting humility and mercy in a global and prophetic scale, bringing the book, being good example (oswa hasana), and true prophetic dreams. Focusing on the words of the Holy Quran, this research rereads the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showing that his affairs, while being "verifier", were a re-creation of the Prophet Abraham (as), through Muhammad's comprehensive and global character. It aims to reread and present these examples by referring to the verses of the Holy Quran, and to achieve this goal, it has used library resources and chosen an interpretive-analytical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theme libraries have emerged as a new service model to meet the demand from the public for a diverse service with resources that are both inclusive and specialized. The "a library within a library" is currently the main practice model of theme libraries. Influenced by that concept, the recently constructed and opened Suzhou Second Library includes a number of theme libraries, such as "Suzhou Literature Library," "Music Library," and "Design Library." The establishment of these theme libraries within the Suzhou Second Library allows the library to build special community-focused collections that are culturally rich, to collaborate with local cultural organizations to create quality public programs that highlight the collections, and to actively engage the public with special events and exhibits surrounded by multimedia, digital special effects. These programmatic efforts have greatly improved public's awareness of the valuable resources held at the library and thus increased the effectiveness of this new service model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the theft and mutilation of library resources at Walton Whaley Library (WWL) at Valley View University, in Ghana. The study adopted a mixed-method approach; thus, copies of questionnaire and interviews were used to gather data for the study. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed with the help of Nvivo version 11 and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS version 21.0). The study found that most of the users were aware of the security policies in the library. The prominent factors influencing theft and mutilation are a weak security system, the absence of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, inadequate staff, the selfish interests of the perpetrators, and a lack of security personnel at the main entrance. To curb this phenomenon, certain security measures, such as the installation of electronic security devices, security personnel at the main entrance, physical body checks on users entering and exiting the Library, as well as staff surveillance are needed. The study recommended an effective and efficient security system, the vigilance of library staff, the acquisition of multiple books in high demand, availability and accessibility of photocopying services. The study suggested harsh punishment for perpetrators who breach library rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woodstars are a clade of small hummingbirds with poorly known life history. One reason why they are insufficiently characterized is they tend to be little represented in museum collections. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library, an online database of user-uploaded photographs, is a complementary source of phenological information. Here, stimulated by our own field observations, we analyzed up to 200 photos per species from the Macaulay Library to investigate whether adult male Slender-tailed Woodstar (Chaetocercus [Microstilbon] burmeisteri), Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina), Chilean Woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii), Peruvian Sheartail (Thaumastura cora), and Purple-collared Woodstar (Thaumastura [Myrtis] fanny) molt into a drab-throated, nonbreeding plumage distinct from the better known iridescent-throated breeding plumage. We investigated these 5 species because adult males have elongated, dimorphic tails, meaning that we could distinguish adult males from immature males by their tail morphology alone. The photos show that, post-breeding, entire populations of Slender-tailed Woodstar and Peruvian Sheartail males replace their iridescent throat feathers with non-iridescent feathers, then molt back into their breeding plumage a few months later. The holotype of Microstilbon insperatusTodd 1913, type species of the genus Microstilbon, is an adult male of Slender-tailed Woodstar in the nonbreeding plumage that we describe here. Our data also suggest that male Amethyst, Chilean, and Purple-collared woodstars have a second distinct nonbreeding plumage. In these 3 species, photos showing the apparent drab-throated male plumage were rare, suggesting these species might have complex breeding phenology with some individuals molting into the nonbreeding plumage at the same time that others were breeding in iridescent-throated plumage. The rapidly growing number of photographs available in the Macaulay Library makes this resource valuable for documenting phenology, including for rare species such as woodstars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans and human societies have different attitudes about the role and position of money and wealth. Some of them use all their efforts to earn money and wealth. In acquiring money and wealth, some make efforts in the right way and others in the wrong way. Some of the harms of the present age, such as war, are rooted in the wrong way of acquiring wealth and money. One of the thinkers who addressed this issue in some of his works is Immanuel Kant. According to Kant, wealth in individual and social life is strongly influenced by his material foundations. This research compares his view on money and wealth with Allamah Tabatabai's view using descriptive-analytical method and using library resources. The findings of the research indicate the existence of commonalities and differences. Paying attention to money and wealth and staying away from poverty are common concerns of these two thinkers. But the macro view and the small view of these two have fundamental differences with each other. Allamah Tabatabai explains a more comprehensive policy about money and wealth with a religious perspective, which can be a model for the present age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tok Kenali was one of the early Islamic scholars in the Malay Peninsula, particularly in Kelantan. He dedicated his entire life to strengthening Islam in Kelantan, which at that time was under British colonial rule. However, his contributions and prominence were not as widely recognized as figures like Sheikh Daud al-Fatani, Sheikh Ahmad Khatib alMinangkabawi, and others. Therefore, this article aims to explore the various dimensions of Tok Kenali's contributions in advancing Islamic education, da'wah (Islamic preaching), and his role in shaping a strong Islamic society in Kelantan. This qualitative study refers to library resources to conduct an analysis encompassing deductive and historical methods. The study found that through his roles as an educator, administrator, and Islamic preacher, Tok Kenali worked to advance traditional religious educational institutions, such as the pondok system, which became the foundation of Islamic education in Kelantan. His contributions were not only in the field of education but also in developing a society based on Islamic values. Tok Kenali's character and thoughts were key factors in the development of Islam in Kelantan at that time. Additionally, the political and religious situation in Kelantan in the 20th century had a significant influence on Tok Kenali's thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imāmī jurisprudence and Iranian Law hold that an imbecile (safīh) is a fason who lacks the capacity to preserve his/her own wealth and does not utilize the assets in an appropriate manner. As so, the imbecile is legally restricted only in financial matters and in cases where he/she has to compensate for the assets. According to this view, the imbecile is prohibited from appointing a lawyer in financial matters or matters with financial implications, on the grounds that he/she lacks the legal capacity in matters that are not allowed for themselves. This is despite the fact that the imbecile can still receive a lawyer in financial matters or matters with financial implications. This view is not devoid of errors, since the imbecile is still deprived of strong awareness in the matter while receiving a lawyer. On the other hand, considering that "the lawyer must act in the constituent's best interest" as articulated in Article 667, the representation of an imbecile is not problematic. The present study aims at clarifying the validity of this type of representation using the descriptive-analytical method and by citing library resources. It appears that the representation of an imbecile is not valid, because the criterion for this fason's inability to appoint a lawyer also applies to receiving a lawyer. Therefore, the requirements of Article 667 of the Civil Code are not fulfilled and receiving a lawyer is not allowed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Justice is one of the important goals of the constitution and "laws" play a central role in the realization of justice. Based on this, Iran's Guardian Council and Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, as institutions that protect the constitution, play an important role in realizing the main goals and fundamental principles of the constitution, and in the position of adapting normal laws to the constitution, sometimes even beyond their superior norm. By monitoring "being Justly" as a quality feature of laws, they monitor the realization of justice. This article tries to answer the main question with a descriptive-analytical method and by using library resources and examining the practical procedures of the Guardian Council and the Federal Constitutional Court, that basically, the criteria and the way of monitoring the fairness of the Guardian Council of Iran and the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany What are the rules? The result of this research is that both the Guardian Council and the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany have sometimes distanced themselves from their traditional tasks, which is the adaptation of normal laws to the constitution (and Sharia in the case of Iran), in quality supervision, and have expanded their scope of supervision. It seems that this kind of development of the competences of the body guarding the constitution originates from the spirit governing the constitution in realizing the goal of justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many libraries are currently facing challenges in obtaining sufficient financial support to continue and develop their services. Libraries around the world employed new strategies for overcoming this issue by adopting various revenue generation and marketing activities. This study is a systematized review conducted on revenue generation methods used in different types of libraries. To identify the relevant studies, two authors independently searched scholarly databases including Medline, Web of Science, Emerald, Science Direct, ERIC, ProQuest, Scopus, LISTA, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar search engine for published articles from 1995 to 2020. Articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 3461 articles were retrieved from which 56 were included for final analysis. This study identified 10 main categories with 75 sub-categories as different types of revenue generation methods suggested or used by various libraries around the world. Academic and public libraries were mostly reported in the reviewed articles as using different types of revenue generation. The most commonly used methods in libraries for revenue generation were public or governmental financial aid and receiving fees for providing services. The use of social networks, web space, and utilizing e-commerce principles were identified as the newest revenue-generating method, which were being implemented and developed in some public and academic libraries. Budget plays an important role in keeping library resources and services active and up to date. Therefore, discovering new opportunities for marketing and fundraising, as well as showing the value and return on investment of libraries is very important. Adopting and using methods introduced in this paper for revenue generation can help libraries to overcome some of their financial challenges well into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the role of Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB) in organizing, teaching and facilitating information literacy to users in the public library. Specifically the study examined the available facilities and resources available in public libraries that would facilitate the teaching of information literacy; established what users were taught during information literacy courses and identified barriers in implementing information literacy courses in public libraries. It also sought to gather views from the users on the roles of TLSB in organizing, teaching and facilitating information literacy courses in public libraries. The study was carried out in 7 regional libraries working under the administration of the National Central library in Dar es salaam. Data was collected through questionnaires, which were conveniently distributed among 58 library users who were found in the reading areas and other service points in the selected libraries. Face to face semi-structured interviews were carried out among purposely selected 11 librarians who were providing services at different points in the libraries. Results of the study indicated that TLSB was involved in organizing and teaching information literacy courses to users who visited the library either in groups or as individuals. Users were taught how to search for electronic resources, utilizing special collections, borrowing and returning library books and using the library OPAC. Challenges facing TLSB in offering information literacy courses included lack of expert trainers; limited number of facilities such as computers, some users did not want to attend training and lack of motivation among library staff to participate in teaching information literacy courses. The study recommended that TLSB should collaborate with other institutions by facilitating the teaching of information literacy courses to users in various libraries in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Five Fun Ways to Advocate for Your Library in Your Community" by Neil McKay offers creative and engaging suggestions to promote library awareness. From comparing libraries to breweries to utilizing library resources for job applications, the article encourages individuals to showcase the benefits of their local library in unique ways. McKay emphasizes the importance of spreading enthusiasm about libraries and their contributions to communities, suggesting that promoting libraries can be both fun and impactful. The article also references a video by the Whatcom County Library System as a source of inspiration for advocating for libraries. [Extracted from the article]

Library deans are expected to demonstrate their library contributes to student success, especially in a time of scarce resources. This article describes one such effort to link student success to students' use of the library. Student success is, in a large part, the result of student engagement, of which academic and social engagement are two prominent components. For the purposes of empirical research, academic and social engagement are suitable proxies for determining how various university programs and services, including libraries, contribute to student engagement and, thereby to student success. However, in the library and information science literature, very little qualitative research is available about the contribution of library space to student engagement. To fill this gap, a qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews, was conducted at a medium-size public university in Southwest Florida to collect and analyze data on student perceptions of the relationship between their academic and social engagement and the way they used academic library spaces. Study participants agreed that using library spaces contributed to their ability to study independently and to interact with their peers on group projects and assignments, depending on the types of spaces available. This study has implications for academic library administrators who must demonstrate the value of library services and resources, including library space, to university administrators who are focused on student retention and success. By using the interview protocol from this study, library administrators will be able to collect valuable data that may be used to persuade university administrators when requesting funding to renovate existing library spaces, to build new library spaces, or to advocate to retain existing spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library consortia possess unique opportunities to marshal resources of a library collective toward a common goal. The report of the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) task force outlines strategies to reframe what libraries should be doing differently with commercial vendors and lays out a vision where libraries focus on community-owned efforts within a framework for supporting these projects long-term. ICOLC formed a task force for Open Collaboration in Library Consortia as part of a reset of its effort to find tangible recommendations for libraries to change the environment of its infrastructure, software, and content within a library services platform ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]