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An academic library is a spiritual home to support users in their pursuit of lifelong learning. This study approaches the issues from the visually impaired students’ (VIPs) perspective towards librarians’ support. This study was conducted by using the qualitative approach. Data was collected through interviews and focus group discussions. For trustworthiness of data, member checking and audit from experts are also used. The participants of the study remarked that the librarians’ friendly behaviour provided them a sense of being accepted, valued, cared for, respected, and welcomed which fostered the creation of their sense of belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library anxiety is manifested in the form of negative feelings, fear, stress, distress, confusion and has debilitating effects on students’ academic performance, which makes it a serious phenomenon for investigation. This study explores library anxiety amongst Sudanese university students and identifies factors that contribute to this phenomenon. The factors were identified using the diary approach collected from 51 third year undergraduate students who were taking the research method course at the Sudan University of Science and Technology for the first time. The analysis of diary entries revealed eight library constructs named Sudanese Library Anxiety Construct (SULAC). The constructs comprises Negative perceptions towards academic library environment, Negative perceptions towards library staff, Affective barriers, Negative perceptions towards peers, Negative perceptions towards library services, Negative perceptions towards library collections, Negative perceptions towards library regulations, and Cognitive barriers. Details of factors underlying each construct are described. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents a framework for a Collaborative Resource Development (CoreDev) digital library for Malaysian historical resources based on the development of local historical digital content by collaborating partners. The environment would provide the platform for the educational community to participate in e-publishing of resources that can be shared by others. The desired outcomes would be an enriched local content of historical resources on the Internet and ICT-literate teachers and students. The prototype uses a biographical portal as the test bed, incorporating five main modules: (a) off site creation, indexing, searching and retrieval of historical resources; (b) a database that supports multi-format digital resources; (c) simple and complex searches; (d) varied resource display; and (e) basic security features for participating partners. CoreDev is ideal for introducing the use of ICT as a research tool. Teachers can also use it extensively to teach Internet searching skills and make the most of its flexibility to reinforce basic ICT skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]