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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to show how quality information materials are maintained in Kenyan museum libraries by examining collection development policy, skills and processes used by librarians in acquisition. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 137 respondents, which included 130 registered library users and seven members of staff, completed the questionnaires. This included the principal librarian, for whom an interview schedule was used to collect the required data. A pilot study to ensure data validity and reliability was carried out at the Kenya Medical Research Institute Library. Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the research data. Findings: The findings, which were presented both textually and graphically, show that the National Museum of Kenya library lacks a collection development policy to guide the acquisition process, as well as a diverse set of information resources that are both comprehensive and current to meet the current user information needs. Furthermore, the key impediment to the acquisition of information materials was revealed to be financial constraints, and there was a positive effort to involve library users in the acquisition process. Research limitations/implications: The study focus on library users and library staff at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) library in Nairobi, it may not be, therefore, representative of the acquisition processes at all Kenyan museum libraries. Although NMK has other branches across the country, they were not included in this study. Practical implications: This paper purposes to provide the Kenyan museum library with important information about maintaining quality information materials from the perspectives of librarians and library users. Despite efforts to improve information materials, the management faces financial challenges. Social implications: The study unveils underlying picture in selection and acquisition practices which will inform on meeting library users information needs. Originality/value: The paper is of value as a case study of Kenya Museums Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the awareness and perception of the relevance of blockchain technology in the management of libraries and archives in the fourth industrial revolution in a developing country, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: Ten system librarians selected from five different libraries and ten archivists selected from five different archives in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria represent the sample for the study. The study adopted a purely qualitative approach where data was collected through an open-ended questionnaire mailed to the participants to guide against physical contact and maintained social distancing to observe COVID-19 protocol. Findings: The results reveal that both the librarians and archivists are aware of blockchain technology, its adoption and use in libraries and archives. There is a positive perception about blockchain technology believing that it can assist libraries and archives in storing information in a distributed settings through gathering, preserving and sharing authoritative information, and supports archivists in creating a unique verifiable record that can be accessed by anyone in archives. Implementation, maintenance cost and difficulty in sustainability are identified as the challenges of blockchain adoption. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to one geopolitical zone of Nigeria which necessitates the need for further research on the similar subject matter in other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Practical implications: The findings of the study have identified the need for librarians and archivists to increase their awareness and develop a positive perception toward blockchain technologies. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to research the relevance of blockchain technology in Nigerian libraries and archives. This paper reported the benefits libraries and archives could derive from the adoption of blockchain, and how such can improve effective services delivery to the satisfaction of the users of archives and libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to assess users' satisfaction from the re-structured library resources and services due to technological innovations in the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi library. It also identifies and suggests potential improvement areas. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts a survey research method to collect data from the end-users of the library. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. In total, 100 copies of questionnaires were distributed to the students, and out of the filled received questionnaires, 92 were found dully completed and useable. Collected data were analyzed by using percentage and chi-square test for testing of hypothesis. Findings: This study shows that users' usage and preference for e-resources and e-services are increasing as there is a general trend to overlook traditional print resources where e-resources are available in the first place. The study recommends that a radical rethinking is required to strengthen the electronic collection and improve the library services. Practical implications: The paper has a direct practical implication. It suggests that as technology continues to evolve, it is likely that academic institutes find themselves identifying appropriate areas to redesign library activities and services regularly. This paper reveals the practice of re-engineering in academic library services and knowing students' specific preferences of resources and services to enhance library usage. Originality/value: The study is based on the self-designed structured questionnaire. Primary data has been collected from the IIT Delhi library users, thus providing original information and informative inputs to the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Drawing on the survey of Spanish-speaking immigrant and migrant readers in Canada and the US, this study pursues three goals: (1) examine the image of the library held by these readers and trace the change of this image after the international migration; (2) use the study findings to revise and update the currently existing typologies of the image of the library; and (3) understand ethical and effective research practices in the studies of immigrant/migrant communities whereby researchers are external to communities in question. Design/methodology/approach: The data about immigrant/migrant readers were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire that was available both in print and electronically, both in Spanish and English. The data analysis was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology, as explicated in the article. Theoretical examination of the image of the library relied on the earlier typology developed by V. Stelmakh. Findings: The study elucidates perceptions of libraries and librarians in both North America and countries of origin held by Spanish-speaking immigrant/migrant readers, and highlights changes that occur in the image of the library as readers move across geographic borders. Building on the empirical data, the article develops a new typology of the image of the library. It also offers insight into ethical and effective ways of engaging with immigrant communities that should be upheld by researchers from outside the communities in question. Originality/value: It is the first known study that systematically traces the changes in the image of the library which occur alongside geographic and sociocultural migrations. It is also the first known study that focuses specifically on readers rather than library users in general. The new typology consists of four different elements – the cultural image; the functional image; the humanistic image; and the ideological image of the library – and is accompanied by detailed definitions of each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore the influence of books, libraries and reading on the experience of time within the prison environment. Design/methodology/approach: Using semi-structured interviews with Australian adult prisoners, and a phenomenological data analysis method, the researcher has been able to identify lived experiences that explain how books, libraries and reading influence the experience of time, within a prison environment. Findings: Prisoners' experience of time differs from the experience of time outside prison. Unlike readers and library users outside prison, prisoners are motivated to use books, libraries and reading to pass time. They are using books, libraries and reading to assist in their struggle to manage the negative effects of excessive quantities of unstructured time. Research limitations/implications: Research regarding the motivation to read and use libraries in the general population does not identify the desire to pass time as a factor. In contrast, the current study identifies readers and library users in prisons are strongly motivated to read and visit libraries as a means of passing time. This study adds a new understanding of the motivation to read and visit libraries within prison environments and provides insight into the beneficial influence of prison libraries on prisoner wellbeing. Originality/value: This research contributes valuable new knowledge regarding the experience of time in prison, and the influence of books, libraries and reading on this experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the possibility for the galleries, libraries, archives and museums sector to employ playful, immersive discovery interfaces for their collections and raise awareness of some of the considerations that go into the decision to use such technology and the creation of the interfaces. Design/methodology/approach: This is a case study approach using the methodology of research through design. The paper introduces two examples of immersive interfaces to archival data created by the authors, using these as a springboard for discussing the different kinds of embodied experiences that users have with different kinds of immersion, for example, the exploration of the archive on a flat screen, a data "cave" or arena, or virtual reality. Findings: The role of such interfaces in communicating with the audience of an archive is considered, for example, in allowing users to detect structure in data, particularly in understanding the role of geographic or other spatial elements in a collection, and in shifting the locus of knowledge production from individual to community. It is argued that these different experiences draw on different metaphors in terms of users' prior experience with more well-known technologies, for example, "a performance" vs "a tool" vs "a background to a conversation". Originality/value: The two example interfaces discussed here are original creations by the authors of this paper. They are the first uses of mixed reality for interfacing with the archives in question. One is the first mixed reality interface to an audio archive. The discussion has implications for the future of interfaces to galleries, archives, libraries and museums more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the National Library of Singapore in the life of Singaporeans. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses historical research. McMillan and Chavis’ theory of sense of community is adopted as the analytical framework to delineate the role of the National Library of Singapore. Findings – The paper finds that the National Library of Singapore plays an important role in fostering a sense of community among Singaporeans. The transformation of the library to a truly public institution in 1950s effectively enlarged its boundaries. Upon joining the community of the library, local Singaporeans underwent a bidirectional process of influencing and being influenced. The library made strenuous efforts to meet the needs of Singaporeans in myriad ways, resulting in reinforcement of the sense of community among Singaporeans. A shared emotional connection in the community was engendered as a result of the frequent contact and high-quality interaction. Originality/value – While being influenced by various social and cultural frameworks under which it operates, the library actively takes part in and influences the society. The study of the library in the life of the users via the lens of sense of community provides a perspective to further understand the potential and power of libraries and how libraries can positively contribute to the society at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the way that Scottish public library authorities are implementing filtering software as a public access internet management tool. The aim of the study is to determine the extent to which filtering systems are used as a public access internet management tool and to examine the nature of this implementation. This constitutes an analysis of the actual policies and procedures in place within each library authority to manage public access to the internet. Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilizes a literature review and an analysis of data supplied by the public library services. The data required was gathered through Freedom of Information requests sent to all Scottish public library authorities. Findings – A total of 31 of the 32 public library services operating within the 32 Scottish local authorities utilized some form of filtering software to control internet access. The main justifications cited for this were to prevent access to illegal or inappropriate materials; however it was found that in the majority of cases the decision to implement the software was not made by the management of the library but external IT staff. This raises major issues related to the historical role of the librarian as selector of content for their community. Research limitations/implications – The paper presents results from a subset of local authorities in the UK, thus cannot claim to be anything more than indicative of the geographic sample. Practical implications – The findings can help inform the rationale utilized by public library services in implementing filtering policies. Originality/value – This paper is the only paper to directly address the issue of internet filtering in all public libraries in Scotland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to elucidate the value of opening up digital collections for end-user development of mash-ups and to evaluate the suitability of libraries' infrastructure for this purpose. Design/methodology/approach – The author surveyed ARL members' digital collection platforms to assess the terms of use statements and options for programmatic access. Findings – The findings show that 17 per cent of the institutions surveyed offer some means for mashing up digital collections, and that, while more than half the collections surveyed have some form of terms of use or rights statements, they were not written to support this type of use case. Research limitations/implications – Results of the research suggest that a mashable digital collection service is feasible for most libraries. Originality/value – This paper will be of interest to librarians who are considering providing application programming interface (API) access to their digital collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to emphasize some of the qualitative results from the data collection throughout the second year of the Biblionet Program in Romania. Design/methodology/approach – Concentrated here are the conclusions drawn from reports of the County Coordinators, online questionnaires, quantitative and qualitative research reports, and information from colleagues in the Biblionet team. Findings – The results and findings have been grouped under the four key objectives of the Biblionet Programme: the citizens' information needs are better fulfilled with the help of public libraries; librarians provide better services to communities; for the National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries in Romania (ANBPR) to improve its capacity to provide services to members; and public authorities to increase their support for library development. Originality/value – A wide range of improvement examples are provided that can be easily transferred to other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine the inter-war history of the Raffles Library in Singapore with the aim of understanding what the management of the library believed its role should be as well as the role others in that society considered that it should fulfill. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on historical research using archival sources. Findings – To a great extent the management of the library narrowly construed the institution's mission in terms of appealing to that class of persons likely to become paying members – that is, the European elite and its high-level local collaborators. Financial constraints, relations between the library and museum as well as prevalent negative attitudes regarding class and race in colonial society are likely reasons for the lack of sustained attention to non-European populations. Originality/value – The library history of much of Asia remains relatively unexplored, especially from a viewpoint that stresses the importance of social context to library structure and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – While the great recession may have concluded more than a year ago, the lingering effects of state and local budget contraction and austerity are having a highly negative impact on libraries and librarians. The future for publicly funded libraries as institutions that promote learning, literacy, knowledge creation and entertainment is increasingly doubtful as publicly funded libraries across the country are seeing unprecedented levels of budget cuts. While the immediate cause of such reduced funding seems rooted in budgetary pressures, the reality is that library financial support is traditionally premised upon a publicly held assumption of goodwill for libraries and the societal benefits they represent. In order for libraries to survive the economic downturn and austerity measures put in place by government budgets, they need to rethink the role, purpose and benefits of library marketing in favor of a more sophisticated approach that conveys the unique value of their library and its offering to their specific user population. This paper aims to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach – Informed by the author's extensive experience in marketing information services, the paper discusses the current trends in library marketing, especially those aimed at conveying the value of libraries, and ties them to relevant scholarship in the areas of services marketing and value creation. Findings – Assumed goodwill is inadequate to the task of competing for financial support in a post-recessionary environment where expenditure of public funds is highly scrutinized. In order to survive long term, libraries of all kinds must take on a more sophisticated view of library marketing that focuses on value creation. Eliminating the old model of presumptive value in favor of one that utilizes the marketing process in order to communicate the competitive viability of libraries as place and content providers to their users in the form of targeted benefits that convey value, is critical. Simply put, if libraries hope to receive continued support in today's challenging fiscal climate they must elevate marketing to a critical operational function while focusing that marketing effort upon communicating the library's benefits and value to the users it serves. Practical implications – As a librarian, adjunct professor of marketing and former sales and marketing manager for a large information company, the author relies on his years of experience to convey a more purposeful sense of library marketing that is directed at communicating a library's unique value or worth to its users based upon an understanding of their needs, the benefits to them specifically as well as the competing options available to them in terms of information acquisition. Originality/value – The paper shares specific ideas regarding the purpose, role and benefits of library marketing that are connected to improving perceptions of the worth of libraries and the perception of value to a specific community as a means of engendering future support for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review the LibGuides website that hosts library user guides. Design/methodology/approach - This paper outlines the features and benefits of the LibGuides site, describes how it can be used as a web portal and peruses its hosted content. Findings - LibGuides is a good place to see how different libraries are incorporating Web 2.0 approaches into their library guides. Originality/value - The familiar library guide still can have a strong impact in the Web 2.0 environment and enhance a library's online presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the various web metrics tools that are available, and to indicate how these might be used in libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The paper describes ways in which web metrics can be used to inform strategic decision making in libraries. Findings - A framework of possible web metrics is provided that can be adapted for use as appropriate in libraries. Originality/value - The paper offers assistance to any web site manager in planning new developments, given limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the emerging concept of local contextualization in digital repositories. Design/methodology/approach — The paper describes the concepts and issues related to local contextualization of digital repositories. Findings — The paper finds that initial efforts in developing digital repositories focused mainly on digitizing library collections. Emerging trends indicate that expectations of patrons have changed and are increasingly tied to the collection and maintenance of materials that are not directly owned by the library. As repositories continue to evolve, libraries will need to be more proactive in contextualizing their digital repositories to the local environment. Unlike the current "one size fits all" model of digital repositories, contextualization emphasized thoughtful planning and implementation of services that are relevant to the local environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This JISC funded UK National E-Books Observatory study is a benchmarking survey of e-book usage and perceptions in more than 120 participating universities. The paper aims to present the results that investigated: use of e-books in general (methods of obtaining e-books, reasons for using, viewing/reading behaviour in connection with e.books); use of e-books provided by the library; use of JISC collection texts (use and awareness); use of the library and print material in general. Design/methodology/approach - The study is based on an online survey which was conducted between 18 January and 1 March 2008, over which period 22,437 full or partial responses were received. Findings - The study shows that e-book penetration is very strong (61.8 per cent of all students are already using them in connection with their scholarly work, as teachers or students), so the e-book revolution has already happened but clearly it has some way to go. Originality/value - The paper presents the results of the biggest survey of its kind ever conducted, which represents a huge advance in one's knowledge of e-book use on a national scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show how the library management of the Raffles Library and Museum (the former name of the National Library of Singapore) positioned the library in relation to the wider colonial society of which it was a part. More widely, the aim is to explore the role of libraries within a colonial setting. Design/methodology/approach - The paper takes the form of historical research using archival materials. Findings - The paper finds that the Raffles Library and Museum responded to the needs of two kinds of users: the potentially wayward colonist in need of "wholesome" recreation and the scientist/scholar involved in making Singapore a regional centre for the production of colonial knowledge. Originality/value - While knowledge-producing institutions such as botanical gardens, zoological parks, museums of natural and human history, as well as anthropological and geographical societies now feature prominently in discussions of British colonialism, the colonial library has been overlooked. This paper represents a start at bringing the colonial library into focus as an institutional node designed to sustain colonial endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to develop a mathematical model that can be used to forecast the number of individuals who enter the library as well as the number of patrons that seek assistance at the reference desk of the library. An accurate estimate of demand at the reference desk is valuable for effective staffing decisions. Design/methodology/approach - An exponential smoothing model (Winter's model) was developed for forecasting. Data were gathered at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for an entire year. Using these data, an exponential smoothing model was formulated for forecasting the number of patrons seeking assistance. Since the data showed no trend but the presence of two seasonality factors, one for the week-of-the-semester effect and one for the day-of-the-week effect, the Winter's method appeared to be best suited. The Winter's method develops a formula from the data and allows the formula to be continuously fine-tuned as new observations come in day after day. Findings - The modified Winter's exponential smoothing model proved to be a good predictor of the number of patrons seeking assistance. In spite of large natural random variability present in the data, the actual values seem to follow the forecasts very closely. Originality/value - It is vital to be able to forecast the number of clients at the reference desk that seek assistance per day. The modified exponential smoothing model is a valuable tool for such forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show that libraries are facing challenging environments in which services and content must be delivered into the users' workflows and "lifeflows". Design/methodology/approach - An understanding of linguistic codes and language games, and similar concepts, will help librarians to appreciate the enormous challenge of becoming an accepted member of each user community. Findings - In order to assess performance in this changing environment, much greater emphasis will need to be placed on qualitative methods, including ethnographic approaches, externally-moderated, reflective self-evaluation and narrative-based practice. Originality/value - Libraries themselves are changing, and most of all are being challenged to reinvent themselves within the workflows and lifeflows of their users. If this challenge is to be met then innovative yet robust methods need to be developed to assess performance in this new milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — Aims to focus on the issue of value in libraries. Design/methodology/approach — Draws from research conducted to set up a conservative transportable cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methodology that could be applied to public libraries. The paper discusses the CBA-survey participant comments draws out the value themes that interviewees talked about as they answered various questions. Findings — There is a huge tendency in North America to talk about libraries as if they are secular churches and to impute spiritual values to them. This paper suggests that while library users may hold such feelings, that is not the first line of reasons for why they use their library. Originality/value — Shows how library communications needs to be framed in the practical as well as the ethereal, the practical along with the ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a high-level investigation of the physical-conceptual continuum occupied by both digital and physical libraries. Design/methodology/approach - A framework is provided for thinking about the notions of place and library. The issue of materials and the ideas they represent is considered. Places for people are considered, including issues of people's sense of place in physical and digital spaces. The issue of physical and digital spaces as places for work, collaboration, and community-building is considered. Findings - As more digital libraries are built, and as more physical libraries offer electronic access to parts of their collection, two trends are likely to result: the role of the library as a storage space for materials will become decreasingly important; and the role of the library as a space for users, for individual and collaborative work, and as a space for social activity, will become increasingly important. Research limitations/implications - Digital libraries are unable to fulfill some of the functions of the physical library as physical spaces, but are able to offer functions beyond what the physical library can offer as cognitive spaces. Practical implications - Areas of likely future development for digital libraries are suggested, as vehicles for enhancing cognitive space by augmenting representations of ideas in materials. Originality/value - This paper argues that in many ways digital libraries really are places in the conceptual sense, and will continue to broaden and enrich the roles that libraries play in people's lives and in the larger social milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to develop a multiple regression model that can be used to predict the number of patrons that seek assistance at the reference desk of the library. This will facilitate the scheduling of the reference desk librarians. Design/methodology/approach - A multiple regression model is developed, where the dependent variable in the regression model is the number of patrons that seek assistance at the reference desk of the library and the predictor variables (independent variables) are the door count and the semester under study. Data were gathered at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for an entire year. Using these data, a multiple regression model was formulated and tested for significance. Then, the model was used for forecasting the required staff at the reference desk for a period for which data was available. Findings - The regression model, with the addition of daily variations, proved to be a good predictor of the number of patrons seeking assistance. Hence, the staffing need was estimated. Overall, the regression model with the added daily index proved to be a very good predictor. Originality/value - It is crucial to be able to predict the number of clients at the reference desk that seek assistance per day. With the use of a sample of data, it was possible to predict the number of clients seeking assistance at the reference desk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - There is an active effort by major libraries in Taiwan to offer integrated searching as part of their information services. The purpose of this paper is to report a low-cost and high-flexibility system, <?LIPS-DOI>, which can carry out integrated searching with respect to resource management. Design/methodology/approach - The paper first reviews the related techniques and then designs an integrated search system based on the concept of resources management. The reported system, <?LIPS-DOI>, is composed of three modules: enumeration module, description module, and resolution module. The various digital contents are first imported into <?LIPS-DOI> and thereafter the system is put into operation. Findings - A low-cost and high-flexibility system for integrated searching can be implemented and put into operation. In addition to digital objects, physical objects could also be managed and searched in the proposed <?LIPS-DOI> system. This system will redirect users to the original system in which these physical objects reside. Research limitations/implications - Due to the nature of management, registered users have to manage their own objects using the features provided by <?LIPS-DOI>. Originality/value - Such a system will empower library end users to find materials of mixed formats residing in disparate locations from a single interface. It was also designed with an eye toward integration with its DOI counterpart in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to provide a business plan for libraries to offer profitable passport services to patrons. Design/methodology/approach - Gives an overview of demographic, financial, and management profiles of California libraries that offer passport services. Presents a plan for introducing passport service in two California libraries. Findings - Current political and demographic environments for the two libraries make the introduction of passport services a potentially lucrative opportunity. Research limitations/implications - Little to no correlation was found between patron demographics of libraries currently offering passport services and the amount of revenue the services produce. Practical implications - Passport services may provide libraries a simple but effective way to supplement their budgets. Originality/value - Suggests an innovative way for libraries to increase relevance to patrons through services as well as create a stable funding source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper sets out to provide an overview of the current state of library services to the poor, and to suggest how it can be improved. Design/methodology/approach - Uses examples to illustrate the gulf between how public libraries often and the services to poor patrons, and the obstacles faced and services required for poor patrons to use the library. Findings - While many libraries think they are adequately serving their poorer constituents, often this is not the case. While one removes barriers to the traditional services one provides, determining the services they want or need is often neglected. Originality/value - Uses examples of how libraries can better serve poor patrons, and offers sound advice on establishing reasonable limits in developing such services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The literature on collection development largely discusses all kinds of managerial and practical issues. There appears to be a noteworthy gap in LIS literature regarding the philosophical and conceptual underpinning of the subject. The paper aims to attempt to explore the developments in the theoretical foundations of collection management practices in libraries. Design/methodology/approach - An extensive review of the available literature was made to synthesise the study. It illustrates the impacts of the developments in civilization, from ancient times to modern, on the collection management services of libraries. Findings - It was found that the philosophy underlying collection management work has expanded through the ages due to various factors. Originality/value - The paper provides an overview of social and technological changes on the philosophy of managing collections through the ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The conception, planning and implementation of digital libraries, in any area of knowledge, demand innumerable studies in order to verify and guarantee their adequacy to the users' necessities. Such studies find methodological, conceptual and theoretical support in some areas of knowledge, such as human-computer-interaction (HCI) (usability studies, in particular) and information science (IS) (especially studies about users' necessities and behavior in information search and use). This research, therefore, intends to integrate concepts and techniques from these two areas, that is, to analyze the usability of the InfoHab digital library, having as theoretical base the constructivist model of user study proposed by Carol Kuhlthau and the criteria of usability established by Jacob Nielsen. Design/methodology/approach - In order to do so, a qualitative study with six users with different levels of academic formation and experience in the use of recovery systems was developed. Data were collected through personal interviews, prototype of the library, direct observation, image and sound records. The variables of this study included the following criteria: learnability, efficiency and effectiveness of the digital library, management of errors, memorability and the user's satisfaction from the perspective of cognitive and affective aspects and the actions taken by the users during the information search process. Findings - The aspects identified in the collected data are discussed and the results are evidence of the possible synergy between the HCI and IS fields. Originality/value - The authors expect to contribute conceptually for a discussion about a model of usability study that can be more inclusive and incorporate the aspects pointed by the constructivist model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To identify a possible method of generating funds from an academic library's registered users. Design/methodology/approach - Focusing on the Delta State University Library, a study was conducted to determine whether the recent introduction of a library registration fee adversely affected the use of the library, and whether it would be a source of additional revenue for the library. Findings - Library use did not decrease on the imposition of the library registration fee. While all students do not register to use the library - or pay the fee - the registration mechanism helps staff generate money to pay for additional services, and helps to maintain usage of the library to its capacity to serve users. Originality/value - This study shows that the implementation of library registration fees did not cause user registration to diminish. In fact, it has continued to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To identify which library service Design/methodology/approach - Surveying experts in Pakistani libraries, a questionnaire was administered to determine both the types of library services that could generate and the viability of charging for library services. Findings - Out of 32 identified information services, 12 were identified as excellent candidates for the fee-based model. Another 16 were identified as having a better than 50 percent chance of success. Originality/value - Identifies a minimum of 28 library services that may generate funds for Pakistani libraries if they are changed to a fee-based model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper proposes addressing the need for a dialogue among three different institutional forces - publishers, vendors, and libraries - at play in the world of book publishing. Design/methodology/approach - The paper stems from a panel presentation at the 24th Annual Charleston Conference: Issues in Books and Serials, November 2004. The panelists openly discuss the different practices and needs of their respective organizations. Findings - Despite an inherent conflict between maximizing savings and value and maximizing profit, all three players can make practical compromises in order to ensure the ongoing viability of monograph publishing. Originality/value - The article presents a fresh look at how three typically competitive players can work together for the common good of providing books for library patrons, and, will be of value to individuals working in libraries, publishing houses, or vendors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Explores the question: "How am I, as a baby-boomer collection development specialist, to prepare myself to collect the library resources over the next few decades?" This question was posed partially because the author is one of those "aging" librarians one reads about in the literature. Design/methodology/approach - A collection manager explores resource formats that may be in demand to meet changing user expectations. Findings - Many of these expectations are driven by technology and the advent and popularity of computer games. Librarians will need to look first at the functions users seek and then help them to match the format(s) that best meet these needs. Collection managers will have to identify a variety of resources, offer access across disciplinary lines and provide access, as much as possible, on a 24/7 basis. Originality/value - All of the formats discussed, and more, will be part of future libraries' collections. Not all formats or functions will be required by all of our users. However, there cannot be any doubt that function, rather than format, will dictate the look and feel of future library collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To show that many of the old ways in which people think about libraries are not based on fact, but rather on fiction. Many ideas that library managers hold to be truths are, in fact, baseless assumptions about library operations. Design/methodology/approach - Uses six examples of how library management often applies old approaches to the detriment of the library's future. After describing these examples, the truth about them is revealed as each one is examined and their fallacies are laid out. Findings - There are many assumptions that play in managing a library. Some of these are not based on fact and, as such, need to be discarded. Originality/value - Challenges managers to seek out the facts rather than base library policy on assumed truths. Even paradigms that may have once been true are not necessarily valid in today's library environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1960s saw the birth of what is now called "scientometrics". One of the queries tha arose then related to citations of previous literature. Was recent literature cited proportionately more than older literature? Studies by Price, along with that reprinted here, seemed to indicate that the answer was "yes". This "immediacy effect", as it was labelled, could be measured in quantitative terms, but how to do so required some thought. For example, what was the best form of index for representing immediacy, and what errors were involved in estimating the effect? Discussions of the usage of past literature could have practical implications for libraries. One question, therefore, was what implications, if any, citation studies had for the provision of journals to library users. On the scientometrics side, there were such questions as why an immediacy effect occurred and to what extent it could be discerned in different subject areas. This article surveys attempts to examine questions like these over the period from the 1960s to the present day, updating an article published in Journal of Documentation in 1967. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss how text messaging offers a variety of ways to stay vital and visible to younger patrons with whom libraries most need to establish a relationship to ensure their future. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses narrowcasting, one-to-one communication and reference queries, all methods of text messaging Findings - Even with the inherent drawbacks of message length and the incurring of charges by library users, there seems to be a place for text messaging services within the library framework. Because of the portability, popularity and pervasiveness of cell phones among our users, particularly our younger ones, this service is a way for us to stay current. Originality/value - The paper provides an original viewpoint on how text messaging could be used in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines that breakthroughs in news relating to dinosaurs will affect library collections much like ripples in a pond. Specifically, news releases on dinosaur discoveries in China. The news from China emphasized once more that the science of paleontology is not set in stone--it is merely written there. The first discovery, and arguably the more important of the two for librarians, is that a fossil of an early ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex shows the existence of protofeathers--precursors to the feathers on modern birds. The new species, named Dilong paradoxus, marks the first time feather-like structures have been directly observed on a tyrannosaurid, and supports earlier predictions by several paleontologists. The second discovery is that of a sleeping dinosaur. From what is described as one of the most complete skeletons discovered, this dinosaur died a peaceful death while curled up with its head tucked under the forearm, similar to how modern birds sleep. These two discoveries are important because they expand our understanding of dinosaur behavior and appearance.

The article presents the author's views on Google Inc.'s right to digitize and disseminate copyrighted text. The author states that Google should digitize entire books for superior access and indexing. Michael Keller, Stanford University' head librarian, states that when a university digitized its card catalog, use of the collection jumped 50 percent.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the issues with libraries' current approach to utilizing metadata and metadata records from a user perspective, and to suggest future directions in utilizing metadata records in a search context. Design/methodology/approach – Experiential commentary. Findings – Metadata records need to be reborn as surrogate tools that can be used to provide better search results. Originality/value – This paper opinionates on the traditions that libraries bring to providing search and retrieval tools, and how those traditions need to evolve in order for libraries to continue to provide useful search services in the digital context. It should be of interest to digital library developers, librarians, and information scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's view about providing for library services to library users. He stated that major changes like what the Library of Congress has done affects many of the catalogers since creating for series authority records would be time consuming and problematic especially when it comes to older materials. He would rather encourage that every library would evaluate its process, considered the costs and benefits and has to decide that its effort was worth the expense in order to serve its users. He has also observed that librarians do not bind to strict standards, creating authority records, controlled vocabularies and classification schemes.

The article focuses on the ever-increasing demands of library users. In this ever-changing environment, some of the things one can be certain of are the need for more staff, space, and money for libraries. Libraries are ever striving to do more and more while, at best, maintaining current levels of staff and resources. The two most important goals are to increase library funding, or make the use of current resources more efficient. Jerry Nichols' contribution in this issue draws attention to a situation in New York State where revenue, collected to support local libraries for years, was left unrealized. Similarly, Andrew Itedjere's article brings to light what can happen when a Nigerian university doesn't support its library--monetarily or intellectually. While a system has been implemented requiring library users to pay a registration fee, the deemphasized importance of library collections for research has imposed a barrier to the library to realize fully needed funds to support service, collections, and technology. Khalid Mahmood and his colleagues suggest another approach in their article, which is charging library visitors for services rendered.