Search

AbstractCredo Reference is a subscription based online reference center published by Infobase. Access to content depends on subscriptions purchased. Additional databases and backfiles are available to add to the standard packages. Credo is integrated with an institution’s discovery system and library catalog to provide accessible results. Credo’s easy to use interface and diverse formats make this an ideal reference and research one stop for beginners and novices alike. This review will assess Credo’s content (both public and subscription based), the site’s layout and navigation, and using its basic and advanced search functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Towards an informed democracy: a history of the Queensland Parliamentary Library" traces the establishment and evolution of the Queensland Parliamentary Library since its inception in 1860. Initially catering to a privileged leisure class, the library has transformed over time to meet the needs of Members of Parliament by providing authoritative and unbiased information. The article highlights key figures like Denis O’Donovan, who significantly expanded the collection and introduced innovative cataloging methods. Subsequent librarians like Desmond Ryan and SG Gunthorpe focused on modernizing services and adapting to technological advancements, culminating in the development of an automated retrieval system in 1976. The library's dual role in preserving heritage collections and supporting an informed democracy is emphasized, underscoring its historical significance and ongoing relevance. [Extracted from the article]

Following decades of critiques of subject heading terminology, recent years have seen several experimental approaches to updating subject headings in library catalogs. Most of these projects have raised significant questions about scalability, however, as they are both time and labor-intensive. This paper presents a collaborative project between Emory Libraries and Backstage Library Works to add Homosaurus terms to the Emory Libraries catalog through an automated process. Though the experiment produced useful results, it ultimately failed to substantively alter most bibliographic descriptions. The results of this project underscore the need for caution and human oversight of automated processes, as well as more substantive support for cataloging initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive cataloging has gained more attention within the discipline of library and information science (LIS) within recent years. While the term coined for this concept is newer, the underlying ideas are not new and have been part of the professional and scholarly conversation within cataloging for decades. To trace these ideas, the authors conducted a literature review of scholarship on cataloging, diversity, and vocabulary written in the 1990s to discuss the evolution of inclusive cataloging. The review of the literature from this decade shows the intellectual progression of this topic and how it lays the groundwork for current scholarship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While libraries have always had a mission of collecting materials to serve their users, in the last few decades this mission has been more explicitly focused on the diverse identities represented within the collection. As purchasing has shifted toward more automated models, such as e-book packages and demand-driven acquisitions, there is a need to supplement these strategies with deliberate selection of works that will bring the collection closer to being inclusive. This article describes a joint project of Temple University Libraries’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and Metadata and Digitization Services (MADS) department. The intent of this project was to make both the OPAC and the collection more useful, welcoming, and inclusive. The project has two main components: purchasing winners and finalists of awards representing diverse populations and then enhancing records to ensure that these works are cataloged in a way that accurately highlights those identities. Winners of selected awards are labeled as a distinct collection in the catalog. In the first year of the project, the collection included 290 titles, of which 45 percent were already part of the main library’s circulating print collection. Temple University Libraries has marketed the collection using signage and social media posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perceived usefulness and satisfaction levels of undergraduate students with respect to university library portal services, specifically within selected universities in South-West Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive survey research design was used to investigate the perceived usefulness and satisfaction levels among undergraduate students regarding university library portal services. Data were collected through surveys administered to 658 undergraduate respondents across multiple universities in South-West Nigeria. Findings: The findings indicate that undergraduate students' top reasons for using the portal were for tasks such as locating research materials, accessing databases, requesting bibliographies and checking the library catalog. Library computers and school information and communication technology center computers were identified as the most preferred access point, followed by computer labs and campus Wi-Fi networks. Undergraduates rated the portals as highly useful, particularly for saving time locating resources, checking material status and patronizing the library. High satisfaction was reported for services such as attending workshops, events and receiving research support through the portals workshops. Moderate satisfaction levels existed for accessing policies/hours, the institutional repository and renewals of books online. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.785, p < 0.05) was found between perceived usefulness and satisfaction. Originality/value: This study contributes to the understanding of undergraduate students' perceptions regarding the utility and satisfaction of university library portal services in the context of South-West Nigeria. It underscores the importance of aligning portal services with students' academic and research needs to enhance overall satisfaction levels. In addition, it provides insights into areas where improvements can be made to further enhance the effectiveness and satisfaction derived from these services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEastgate Systems Inc. published influential works of electronic literature through the 1990s and 2000s, many of which are only compatible with obsolete computing environments. This research has identified over 1,000 copies of Eastgate titles in hundreds of libraries, archives, and special collections around the world, but issues with media obsolescence and the poor representation of these titles in library catalogs inhibit the ongoing preservation and circulation of this literary corpus. Representative of collections of legacy media more generally, Eastgate titles held in libraries suggest new collaborative approaches for both preserving and providing access to historic software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many libraries and archives have recently released statements about harmful material in their collections and the descriptions of these collections. However, these types of statements are not required for any professional accreditation or membership, nor are there specific guidelines to follow. This study collected and analyzed statements from members of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) and CARL (Canadian Association of Research Libraries), measuring their prevalence and identifying common elements. The findings and discussion can be used as a resource by those hoping to create or amend a statement, and for the larger library community to take stock on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In order to estimate the value of semi-automated subject indexing in operative library catalogues, the study aimed to investigate five different automated implementations of an open source software package on a large set of Swedish union catalogue metadata records, with Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) as the target classification system. It also aimed to contribute to the body of research on aboutness and related challenges in automated subject indexing and evaluation. Design/methodology/approach: On a sample of over 230,000 records with close to 12,000 distinct DDC classes, an open source tool Annif, developed by the National Library of Finland, was applied in the following implementations: lexical algorithm, support vector classifier, fastText, Omikuji Bonsai and an ensemble approach combing the former four. A qualitative study involving two senior catalogue librarians and three students of library and information studies was also conducted to investigate the value and inter-rater agreement of automatically assigned classes, on a sample of 60 records. Findings: The best results were achieved using the ensemble approach that achieved 66.82% accuracy on the three-digit DDC classification task. The qualitative study confirmed earlier studies reporting low inter-rater agreement but also pointed to the potential value of automatically assigned classes as additional access points in information retrieval. Originality/value: The paper presents an extensive study of automated classification in an operative library catalogue, accompanied by a qualitative study of automated classes. It demonstrates the value of applying semi-automated indexing in operative information retrieval systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details the Anglo-American library cataloging tradition. Cataloging is a knowledge organization process through which resources are represented in the context of a catalog. Emerging from the work of individual libraries in the United Kingdom and United States in the mid-nineteenth century, modern Anglo-American cataloging practices have undergone continuing development over the course of almost two centuries, largely through a succession of widely implemented descriptive standards. They have come to represent a distinct, coherent tradition that has grown in influence beyond English-speaking settings to exert a global impact on contemporary knowledge organization. While standardization and internationalization have both played a part in establishing the influence of the Anglo-American cataloging tradition, other trends have carried significant impact as well, including technological development and increasing cooperation among libraries. This article explores the meaning, development, and implications of Anglo-American library cataloging through an examination of its historical, practical, and theoretical foundations, along with a consideration of current and emerging developments related to this tradition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is burgeoning interest in decolonizing the library catalog to recognize and remove longstanding bias. This article takes a step back and examines how theories about human classification from antiquity informed 18th and 19th century ideas of race and ethnicity and how these ideas became embedded in Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). It explores the evolution of DDC with respect to these subjects across four editions and over the course of 130 years, reflecting on DDC’s presentation of changing dominant societal views. Finally, the article acknowledges the role librarians play in tending to the values of knowledge organization and our need to continually evaluate the impact of our work on the production, organization, and distribution of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arts for Linguistic & Literary Studies is the property of Thamar University 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.)

Professor Kořenský was a prominent personality of Czech linguistics, whose extensive research work covered many areas, including grammar, semantics, discourse analysis, communication process, morphology and others. His work significantly influenced the development of linguistics as a discipline in the Czech Republic. The Library of Professor Kořenský, dedicated to his legacy, is an expression of respect to his personality and scientific work, but it is also a source of inspiration and knowledge for future generations of linguists. It consists of two complementary parts: a physical library and an online library. The physical library is located at the Department of General Linguistics of Palacký University in Olomouc and is open to the public. It provides access to the collection of publications by Professor Kořenský and other related publications. The online library contains a catalogue of publications available in the physical library, contact information, a selection of Professor Kořenský's articles and other information and links to resources about his life and scientific contributions. The library was founded in 2023 through the collective efforts of students and academics, with the fundamental mission to preserve Professor Kořenský's work and make it accessible to current and future generations of linguists. It is a valuable resource for students, academics and anyone interested in linguistics. The library provides access to a comprehensive collection of materials documenting Professor Kořenský's scholarly work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the origin of the epigraph in Gertrude Stein's novel "Three Lives," which is attributed to French poet Jules Laforgue. Some scholars have questioned the authenticity of the quotation, but recent discoveries have confirmed that it is indeed Laforgue's. The article suggests that Stein may have encountered the quotation in a 1905 edition of a literary magazine. It also discusses the connection between Stein and Laforgue, highlighting their influence on the Parisian cultural scene of the early 20th century. The article emphasizes the importance of digital resources in uncovering hidden connections and correcting assumptions in literary studies, as well as the need to explore a variety of publications for a more nuanced understanding of literary history. [Extracted from the article]

Following Mary Wollstonecraft's death in 1798, her grieving husband William Godwin made public many of the details of Wollstonecraft's highly unconventional life. The ensuing backlash seemed to ensure that Wollstonecraft's major works ceased to be reprinted for a period of roughly forty years. This article contributes to efforts to revise narratives of Wollstonecraft's early nineteenth century reception by asking how and where readers, in the absence of new editions, might have accessed the books themselves. A survey of 41 circulating and subscription library catalogues dated between 1799 and 1842 reveals that, despite scholarly assumptions otherwise, Wollstonecraft's works remained widely available. Even when books left the library, they did not necessarily disappear, as a copy of Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Woman that moved from a circulating library into a private collection attests. Placing the information in these catalogues in conversation with what can be gleaned from this copy of the work, this article argues that the durability of the hand-press book complicates the narrative of Wollstonecraft's posthumous reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dating from 1770 until 1960, the surviving borrowing records of the Royal High School of Edinburgh provide a unique insight into children's reading habits at a time when evidence of such reading experiences is scant. When analysed alongside library catalogues, acquisition records, and evidence of the school curriculum, these reveal the way in which a school library was used by children throughout its history. Homing in on a particular point in the library's history and taking as its focal point the sizeable bequest of books by the merchant and former pupil George Grindlay in 1801, this article argues that the unedited inclusion of books from a home library influenced, and coincided with, a decisive shift in the use of the school library towards more recreational, practical, and individualised reading experiences at a time when the school curriculum was also broadening and modernising to meet changing educational expectations in an increasingly industrialised and cosmopolitan society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses the donors' register of the Zurich Bürgerbibliothek ('citizens' library') to explore how the collection of the city's first public library developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The donors' register records over 3,000 gifts from some 900 local and foreign benefactors between 1629, the year of the library's founding, and 1769. Unlike a standard library or auction catalogue, the donors' register allows us to observe engagement with the Bürgerbibliothek over time and reveals that, while a remarkable influx of patrons in the first decade of the library's existence secured its position in the cultural and intellectual fabric of Zurich society, international interest in the institution dropped significantly by the end of the seventeenth century. Nevertheless, the Bürgerbibliothek's consistent growth across the period attests to the popularity of the library and its accessible collection at a local level as well as its benefactors' belief in the reciprocal value of patronising this new type of civic institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Social Research / Turkiye Sosyal Arastirmalar Dergisi is the property of Turkish Journal of Social Research 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.)

The Hebrew Manuscripts Catalogue of the National Library of Israel holds a wealth of information about Jewish history, literature, and culture. However, its complex structure and limited accessibility have resulted in underutilized data. This study aims to harness new digital approaches to unlock the potential of this valuable resource. Specifically, we focus on 275 Yemenite Jewish manuscripts related to 'sciences' to explore complex relationships within the data. We began by consolidating metadata from the Hebrew Manuscripts Catalogue, often found scattered within the 'notes' field of the records. We supplemented this data with information from linked open data (LOD) entities as well as previous research. This comprehensive approach reveals details about copyists, authors, and owners, even identifying lesser-known figures. Our methodology involved using Nodegoat for data management and visualization. This platform allowed us to create a comprehensive data model for manuscript provenance and explore relationships between objects, transactions, persons, and organizations, along with geographical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an endless amount of material waiting to be cataloged, cataloging departments in libraries with Special or Distinctive Collections often focus on clearing away backlogs as a primary goal. These departments aren't typically considered public-facing, but consider "public access" a defining value. What if we shifted the way we view the work of these departments and more directly used criteria from public services to reevaluate and advocate for the work they do? From a management and leadership perspective, this article will focus on the work that cataloging departments do beyond creating a catalog record and suggests changes to the ways that we characterize that work. For example, moving away from a purely statistical view of work completed in a specific timeframe, to prioritizing DEI collections, supporting reference requests and instruction, and working with communities to provide human-centered approach to analysis and description. With a change in emphasis, we can develop a more holistic, human-centered approach to cataloging work and find frameworks for advocating for cataloging as impactful to public services as those departments we traditionally consider to make up the core of public services work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reviews the history of collection development of the vinyl collection at Huntingdon College. With interviews from current and former faculty and staff, the author shows how donations of vinyl al- bums helped propel the extensive quantity of albums. The author discusses how the collection circulated throughout the 1970s to the 1990s, when CDs arrived on the scene. The quick transition to digital streaming along with short staffing has caused these vinyl albums to sit, neglected in a classroom, un- used for decades. The vinyl collection also does not have enough cataloging data for easy discoverability and circulation. The author collaborated with the main library and the music department to curate the collection, keeping rare and local items while removing the remainder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation Sanger sequencing of taxonomic marker genes (e.g. 16S/18S/ITS/ rpoB / cpn60) represents the leading method for identifying a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, and fungi. However, the manual processing of sequence data and limitations associated with conventional BLAST searches impede the efficient generation of strain libraries essential for cataloging microbial diversity and discovering novel species. Results isolateR addresses these challenges by implementing a standardized and scalable three-step pipeline that includes: (1) automated batch processing of Sanger sequence files, (2) taxonomic classification via global alignment to type strain databases in accordance with the latest international nomenclature standards, and (3) straightforward creation of strain libraries and handling of clonal isolates, with the ability to set customizable sequence dereplication thresholds and combine data from multiple sequencing runs into a single library. The tool's user-friendly design also features interactive HTML outputs that simplify data exploration and analysis. Additionally, in silico benchmarking done on two comprehensive human gut genome catalogues (IMGG and Hadza hunter-gather populations) showcase the proficiency of isolateR in uncovering and cataloging the nuanced spectrum of microbial diversity, advocating for a more targeted and granular exploration within individual hosts to achieve the highest strain-level resolution possible when generating culture collections. Availability and implementation isolateR is available at: https://github.com/bdaisley/isolateR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of the CERN library in supporting open science, open data, and open access initiatives. The CERN library has implemented various policies and programs to promote open access and facilitate access to research outputs. They have developed repositories and services such as Zenodo and INSPIRE-HEP to store and retrieve scholarly literature. The library has also adapted to the digital age by providing access to electronic journals and online resources. Challenges in managing and preserving digital content have been addressed through the use of institutional repositories. The CERN library has also supported interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers. The development of the web has influenced academic communication within the particle physics community, and the CERN library has responded by importing metadata from ArXiv and differentiating functions between INSPIRE and CERN Document Server. The library has been involved in collaborative projects and partnerships to promote innovation and best practices in scholarly communication. They employ strategies to promote research integrity and responsible conduct of research. Looking ahead, the library faces challenges in developing measures of research impact and establishing assessment policies, but also sees opportunities in transitioning to a new paradigm of open access and expanding open access initiatives to include books. [Extracted from the article]

The increasing adoption of real-world studies in healthcare for decision making and planning has further necessitated the need for a specific quality assessment tool for evidence synthesis. This study aimed to develop a quality assessment tool for systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) involving real-world studies (QATSM-RWS) using a formal consensus method. Based on scoping review, the authors identified a list of items for possible inclusion in the quality assessment tool. A Delphi survey was formulated based on the identified items. A total of 89 experts, purposively recruited, with research experience in real-world data were invited to participate in the first round of Delphi survey. The participants who responded in the first Delphi round were invited to participate (n = 15) in the phrasing of the items. Strong level of agreement was found on the proposed list of items after the first round of Delphi. A rate of agreement ≥ 0.70 was used to define which items to keep in the tool. A list of 14 items emerged as suitable for QATSM-RWS. The items were structured under five domains: introduction, methods, results, discussions, and others. All participants agreed with the proposed phrasing of the items. This is the first study that has developed a specific tool that can be used to appraise the quality of SR and MA involving real-world studies. QATSM-RWS may be used by policymakers, clinicians, and practitioners when evaluating and generating real-world evidence. This tool is now undergoing validation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Navigating online bookstores and library catalogues for leisure reading can be challenging, especially when people want to engage in a more exploratory and serendipitous search. This study investigated how users navigate and select novels in an online bookstore environment, focusing on the impact of individual user interface elements and information architecture on their experience. Employing a combination of screen recordings with eye-tracking and concurrent think-aloud, the study examined user interactions to understand their navigation patterns, emotional responses, and perceptions related to various interface elements and functionalities. We created path visualizations through qualitative analysis representing participants' actions and pages visited during search sessions. Additionally, search behavior was examined using eye-tracking data from the results list page. Users' emotions and perceptions expressed during concurrent thinkaloud were then mapped to specific elements and features of the tested online bookstore. Preliminary findings indicate that negative emotions experienced during the search and selection process were predominantly linked to insufficient metadata and resulting usability issues, which impacted user experience and evoked feelings of distrust and frustration. This was especially pronounced when participants compared their experiences with those on similar platforms. The study highlights the critical role of high-quality, consistent book metadata in meeting user expectations. Effective metadata not only facilitates easier navigation and selection of novels, but also increases the likelihood of users revisiting the online bookstore. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of digital browsing behaviors in selecting leisure reading and offers insights for designing more useful user interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using survey data collected in 2023, this study explores issues around comics collections in academic libraries. In addition to gaining an understanding of the origins of several major academic library collections and current resource support for these collections and associated services, the study looks at the extent to which institutions are implementing measures for the long-term sustainability and preservation of these collections. The researchers found that the historic indifference to comics in an academic setting has resulted in the creation of hodgepodge collections with inconsistent approaches to collection development, staffing, outreach, and long-term growth. Considering the increased acceptance of comics in such settings, Flota, Thacker, and Larsen suggest that it is past time for institutions to be more intentional in planning and sustaining comics collections and services in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The education and training of catalogers has been well documented in library literature. However, this literature has tended to focus on the general cataloger and not special collections or rare books catalogers. This article summarizes the results of a survey of current special collections and rare books catalogers on when they decided to enter this library specialization, what skills they needed to succeed, where they obtained those skills, and their opinions on formal versus informal training. The results have implications for those wishing to become a special collections and/or rare books cataloger, those who are already in the profession and being asked to take on special collections or rare books cataloging duties, and finally those who educate and train future specialist catalogers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the manuscript Stowe 57, which contains a compilation of different texts attributed to Geoffrey of Ufford. It includes a wide range of subjects such as grammar, history, and medicine. The author argues that Stowe 57 was not a random collection, but a deliberate project by Geoffrey of Ufford to create a comprehensive repository of knowledge. The manuscript is believed to have educational purposes, as it includes instructional material on various subjects. However, more research is needed to fully comprehend the manuscript's context and purpose. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an overview of Ibn Arabi's Fihrist, a catalog of his works, and delves into its structure and thematic considerations. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding this text as it forms the foundation for comprehending Ibn Arabi's work. They highlight the thematic connections among the book titles and their association with Quranic verses and Hadith. The article also explores the use of abjad methodology in the Fihrist and its significance in understanding Ibn Arabi's contemplation of the mysteries of Reality. Overall, the text offers insights into the structure and meaning of Ibn Arabi's work. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the role of libraries in rural communities in the United States, emphasizing their services and impact on families with toddlers. Topics include libraries as providers of books, internet access, and programs promoting literacy and family engagement. It explores the historical growth of libraries in the US, their role in disadvantaged communities, and their participation in national literacy initiatives like Every Child Ready to Read.

This article focuses on the figures concerning experiences of and beliefs in possible contacts with the dead amongst Icelandic people that have come to light from three national surveys that were undertaken in 1974, 2006–2007, and 2023, focusing in particular on the most recent figures. It starts by reviewing the earliest evidence of such beliefs in Iceland (expressed in both Old Icelandic literature and Icelandic folk legends), which evidently laid down the foundations for modern-day beliefs. After listing the main findings of the surveys and noting the changes in belief that appear to have taken place over the last 50 years, the article offers some brief conclusions relating to what seems to have caused not only some obvious gender and age differences in belief and experience, but also differences in figures between urban and rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Belgeler is the property of Turkish Historical Society 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.)

An introduction to articles published in this issue is presented including a community of practice model at the State University of New York for system-wide accessibility, Temple University Libraries' efforts to make collections more inclusive and analysis of the evolution of diversity and inclusion language in cataloging since the 1990s.

Copyright of Medicina Pro Praxi is the property of SOLEN sro 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.)

The MOBIUS library consortium has been the leading academic library consortium in Missouri for over two decades. Building on earlier collaborative work, seed funding from the state created the consortium in 1998 and MOBIUS became a reality. MOBIUS not only runs a shared integrated library system for most of the academic libraries in Missouri but also implemented a union catalog tying libraries together for resource sharing. Over time MOBIUS has expanded membership out-of-state into Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas and Texas and as of 2022 MOBIUS has 80 library members with 232 branches. MOBIUS has also been active in licensing of e-resources for libraries, supporting member libraries in their use of open educational resources (OER), training and education, and running open-source software. The MOBIUS Open Source Services (MOSS) program is a service for members hosting software such as ArchivesSpace, Omeka-S, SubjectsPlus, and Evergreen (an open-source ILS). MOBIUS actively works with other consortia around the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an automated solar flare detection software tool to automatically process solar observed images, detect and track solar flares, and finally compile an event catalog. It can identify and track flares that happen simultaneously or temporally close together. The method to identify a flare is based on the local intensity changes in macropixels. The basic characteristics, such as the time and location information of a flare, are determined with a triple-threshold scheme, with the first threshold (global threshold) to determine the occurrence (location) of the flare and the second and third thresholds (local thresholds) to determine the real start and end times of the flare. We have applied this tool to one month of continuous solar ultraviolet (UV) images obtained by the Solar Disk Imager (SDI) onboard the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), which show active phenomena such as flares, filaments or prominences, and solar jets. Our automated tool efficiently detected a total number of 226 solar events. After a visual inspection, we found that only one event was misidentified (unrelated to an active event). We compared the detected events with the GOES X-ray flare list and found that our tool can detect 81% of GOES M-class and above flares (29 out of 36), from which we conclude that the intensity increase in SDI UV images can be considered as a good indicator of a solar flare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes how RDA 3R was incorporated into a two-semester cataloguing course syllabus for first-year students and investigates students’ perceptions and feelings about the courses taught. The information gathered will guide the further development and improvement of the course to fully meet the needs of students and the requirements of the market, especially with the emergence of new resource description standards. Following the course teacher’s approval, the researchers distributed questionnaires during class hours. This method ensured that all students participated. The questionnaire was completely anonymous. It included two demographic questions and the CEQ 23 instrument with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Besides that, a self-assessment questionnaire was employed to better understand their confidence in the knowledge gained. Quantitative analysis was carried out on the data related to 63 individual students. The quantitative analysis employed the statistical package SPSS. The findings revealed that students are reasonably confident in their new skills but prefer more practice over theory. Finally, they mentioned that they would like more precise goals and an extension of the courses to three semesters, as the workload is quite heavy. Overall, students feel relatively confident about the knowledge gained and believe they can catalogue in a library setting. The CEQ 23 instrument can be used in various knowledge organisation courses. It can provide a better understanding, with the ultimate goal of changing the curriculum or repurposing information organisation courses, allowing any Library and Information Science (LIS) school to judge the future of studies and their direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of the sales catalog of books and manuscripts belonging to Pedro de Angelis -published in 1853-, this work investigates the irradiation of his bibliographical interests and their relationship with the emergence of philology as a discipline in Latin America. On the one hand, it will be explained how all of De Angelis's work is based on the perspective of Viquian philology. On the other hand, it will be considered how the work of Alcide d'Orbigny, which is also in the catalog of his library for sale, became a reference for certain protophilologists of the Río de la Plata, who in turn acquired the manuscripts and prints of said catalogue. [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]

Objective. To conduct scientometric studies on PhD ("Doctor of Philosophy") theses (i.e., doctoral theses), researchers should be able to access the theses. We aimed to explore how to obtain a list and full text of the defended PhD theses from medical schools in Croatia over 30 years (from the beginning of 1992 to the end of 2021). Methods. We tried to obtain information from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, the National and University Library in Zagreb (NSK), universities, medical schools and online repositories. Results. We could not find a single list (source) of all PhD theses. Based on 4 different sources (website of the University of Zagreb and Medical School in Rijeka; school administrator from Split; library catalog from Osijek), we gathered information that from the beginning of 1992 to the end of 2021, there were 2955 PhD theses defended at medical schools in Croatia - 357 in Osijek, 550 in Rijeka, 337 in Split and 1711 in Zagreb. In May 2022, the online Croatian Digital Dissertations Repository contained 631 (22%) of full-text theses in Portable Document Format (PDF). University of Zagreb School of Medicine has its own repository that holds the full text of 834 (49%) of their PhD theses. One of the three PhD programs of the University of Split School of Medicine, namely Translational Research in Biomedicine (TRIBE), published full texts of all PhD theses defended at that program on its website. NSK held 2650 (90%) of the theses in a printed version. Conclusion. It was extremely challenging to access the list and full texts of doctoral theses defended in Croatia. Making PhD theses publicly available would ensure transparency and enable analyses that should improve scientific policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What can textual combinations, format, and size tell us about the worldviews of the donors, scribes, and readers of medieval Chinese Buddhist manuscripts? How can material sources inform us about the ways adherents both perceived and actively shaped their traditions? This essay offers answers to these questions through analysis of several manuscripts of the Scripture on the Cause and Effects of Wholesome and Unwholesome Acts (Shan'e yinguo jing T no . 2881), discovered in the Dunhuang Library Cave . The text was likely composed in Chinese, and it first appears in Buddhist catalogs in the year 695 ce . Extant manuscripts of Cause and Effects appear in both scroll and booklet formats and number at least fifty-two in total, a significant number that attests to the popularity of the text . This essay analyzes the textual content and literary techniques, relating both to physical aspects of the manuscripts . It examines the textual and the material together through the mediating concept of practice--in this case, medieval Chinese reading practices . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the challenges faced by emerging scholars in the field of Jesuit history and the importance of conducting personal archival research. The authors share their research project on anti-Jesuitism in nineteenth-century Polish literature and its European context. They highlight the significance of the Jesuits in Poland-Lithuania and the various sources of anti-Jesuit sentiment in the region. The authors provide a summary of their research trips to different archives and libraries in Cracow, Paris, Vilnius, Rome, and Prague, emphasizing the valuable materials they discovered and their impact on their analysis. They discuss the importance of hands-on research, the value of in-house catalogs, and the relationships they formed with local archivists. The findings of their research will be publicly available in 2025 as part of the Mirabilia collection project. [Extracted from the article]

As part of a multi-faceted research project examining user engagement with various types of descriptive metadata to improve metadata services, Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services unit investigated user search behavior in library catalog (MARC) records, Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids, and most recently in digital collection metadata. The authors used web log analysis to determine how users interacted with CONTENTdm, categories of search terms used, and where search terms were found in a record. Key findings included that navigation through CONTENTdm using clickable queries (links) is a prominent user search pattern, dates are an important faceting tool and date ranges as a clickable link are heavily used, users demonstrated a more engaged research pattern when searching with geographic terms, and subject and transcription metadata fields match user search terms at a significant rate and are likely to be high drivers of search results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the growing interest among historians in studying the League of Nations and its archives in Geneva. The author highlights the significant amount of scholarship that has emerged from these archives, covering a wide range of topics such as sovereignty, trade, race, gender, colonialism, and more. The article also emphasizes the role of the United States in the League, despite not being a formal member, and how American individuals and organizations were deeply involved in shaping international governance during the interwar period. The author argues that the League served as a laboratory for the development of international governance approaches, which were later transplanted into the core institutions of the postwar liberal international order. [Extracted from the article]

The document titled "Katherine Birkwood and Eve Lacey" is a comprehensive collection of academic articles and books related to library and information history. It covers a wide range of topics, including the circulation of books and ideas between different countries, the role of libraries in various historical contexts, and the development of library infrastructure. These resources provide valuable insights into the history and development of libraries and can be useful for researchers interested in these topics. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to obtain accurate information about the student satisfaction level with academic library services in State Christian Religious Higher Education institutions and to evaluate the performance of each attribute service. A quantitative approach involving descriptive statistical methods was used. For data collection, a questionnaire comprising 16 statements, validated by five experts, was employed and the data were gathered from 382 students across three participating State Christian Religious Higher Education institutions. The data analysis employed descriptive statistical methods and involved the use of the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) formula and the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method. The results showed that the percentage of overall student satisfaction level for academic library services was 66.24%, indicating students were largely content with these services. However, there was room for improvement in the performance of these services. This study identified certain service attributes such as internet accessibility, library collection, library catalog system, timeliness of library opening and closing, library staff readiness, and the speed of library staff in handling requests, which were found to provide low satisfaction levels to students. A comprehensive performance evaluation for each academic library service attribute resulted in a mapping visualized through the four quadrants of the Cartesian diagram. The management of the State Christian Religious Higher Education must develop various facilities for library operational support and also staff competencies to improve the academic library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]