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In 2020, Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) at the University of Calgary used Qualtrics XM to design and pilot a point-of-use survey to collect user feedback on the usability of our implementation of Primo, Ex Libris's web-scale discovery service. Over a two-week period, users were presented with the pop-up survey while searching and asked to provide feedback. This article summarizes how we designed and implemented this point-of-use survey and the lessons learned from this project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chatbots are "computer agents that can interact with the user" in a way that feels like human-to-human conversation.1 While the use of chatbots for reference service in academic libraries is a topic of interest for both library professionals and researchers, little is known about how they are used in library reference service, especially in academic libraries in Canada. This article aims to fill this gap by conducting a web-based survey of 106 academic library websites in Canada and analyzing the prevalence and characteristics of chatbot and live chat services offered by these libraries. The authors found that only two libraries were using chatbots for reference service. For live chat services, the authors found that 78 libraries provided this service. The article discusses possible reasons for the low adoption of chatbots in academic libraries, such as accessibility, privacy, cost, and professional identity issues. The article also provides a case study of the authors' institution, the University of Calgary, which integrated a chatbot service in 2021. The article concludes with suggestions for future research on chatbot use in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined key findings relevant to library practitioners' experiences with virtual reference services, or VRS. It did this by examining skills, training experiences, perspectives, and challenges encountered during VRS implementation. Data was gathered through interviews with a group of library practitioners employed by academic libraries in the province of Isabela, Philippines, using a qualitative research methodology. The participants' training experiences and skill sets are restricted to limited virtual reference service training events as well as fundamental technical and communication abilities. The results of the study showed that participants had a positive opinion of virtual reference services' utility since they serve as a platform for communication that bridges the digital divide caused by physical distance. To help librarians adopt virtual reference services and maximize their anticipated benefits, specialized trainings are recommended. In order to meet the necessary operational needs for the effective delivery of virtual reference services, institutional support through sufficient funding is sought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this project was to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spatiotemporal distribution of the library's online patrons, so that we could assess if the scheduled library reference hours are meeting the needs of the academic community. We collected each online reference patron's location information via their IP address, as well as the timestamp of each online reference instance. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns were analyzed and compared before and after in-person instruction was suspended due to COVID-19 distance protocols and a closing of the campus in the 2020 spring semester. The results show that the geographic origins of reference questions redistributed after COVID-19 protocols were initially implemented and the university community underwent a temporary geographical redistribution. Reference question origins tended to move away from campus to other areas of the state, other states, and internationally. This population redistribution suggested that the library could adjust the online reference schedule to provide better access and service to patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance and urgency of IPLE (intellectual property literacy education) are increasingly prominent. This paper aims to build an IPLE mode to provide support for the talent cultivation in university libraries facing opportunities and challenges in the service transformation period. The IPLE mode and content of the Regional Patent Information Centers (PIZ Regional Centers) in German universities and university libraries are studied through network research, literature research, and comparative analysis. Based on the practical experience, educational characteristics and advantages, this paper constructs an IPLE mode of university library that includes six modules. Building the IPLE mode of university libraries can provide reference for university libraries in the work of IPLE, and gradually form an IPLE system that meets the needs of users' training, conforms to the university's talent training objectives, and improves the development plan of the university libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose--Explore the impact of AI and ChatGPT on library information services; Design/methodology/approach--A sample of twenty-two reference questions are fed to ChatGPT and the answers are evaluated for quality and accuracy; Findings--ChatGPT are excellent in information retrieval in some areas, but it is not comparable to a reference librarian in others; Research limitations/implications--The findings may not be conclusive due to small sample size; Practical implications--Understand AI and ChatGPT and their behavior; Social implications--The knowledge from the study can assist librarians to adjust their services to better serve users; Originality/value--No research has been done in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning has rapidly become a standard technology across all industries and businesses for gaining insight and predicting the future. In recent years, the library community has begun looking at ways to improve library services by applying AI and machine learning techniques to library data. Chat reference in libraries generates a large amount of data in the form of transcripts. This study uses machine learning and natural language processing methods to analyze one academic library's chat transcripts over a period of eight years. The built machine learning model tries to classify chat questions into a category of reference or nonreference questions. The purpose is to predict the category of future questions by the model with the hope that incoming questions can be channeled to appropriate library departments or staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic libraries are experiencing significant changes and making efforts to deliver their service in the digital environment. Libraries are transforming from being places for reading to extensions of the classroom and learning spaces. Due to the globalized digital environment and intense competition, libraries are trying to improve their service quality through various evaluations. As reference service is crucial to users, this study explores user satisfaction towards the reference service through WhatsApp, a social media instant messenger, at a major university in Hong Kong and discusses the correlation between the satisfaction rating and three variables. Suggestions and recommendations are raised for future improvements. The study also sheds light on the usage of reference services through instant messaging in other academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The University of North Florida (UNF) transitioned to Canvas as its Learning Management System (LMS) in summer 2017. This implementation brought on opportunities that allowed for a more userfriendly learning environment for students. Working with students in courses which were in-person, hybrid, or online, brought about the need for the library to have a place in the Canvas LMS. Students needed to remember how to access and locate library resources and services outside of Canvas. During this time, the Thomas G. Carpenter Library's online presence was enhanced, yet still not visible in Canvas. It became apparent that the library needed to be integrated into Canvas courses. This would enable students to easily transition between their coursework and finding resources and services to support their studies. In addition, librarians who worked with students, looked for ways for students to easily find library resources and services online. After much discussion, it became clear to the Online Learning Librarian (OLL) and the Director of Technical Services and Library Systems (Library Director) that the library needed to explore ways to integrate more with Canvas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of a pilot project that tested the application of algorithmic topic modeling to chat reference conversations. The outcomes for this project included determining if this method could be used to identify the most common chat topics in a semester and whether these topics could inform library services beyond chat reference training. After reviewing the literature, four topic modeling algorithms were successfully implemented using Python code: (1) LDA, (2) phrase-LDA, (3) DMM, and (4) NMF. Analysis of the top ten topics from each algorithm indicated that LDA, phrase- LDA, and NMF show the most promise for future analysis on larger sets of data (from three or more semesters) and for examining different facets of the data (fall versus spring semester, different time of day, just the patron side of the conversation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates information communication technology competence and reference service provision in Federal Universities in North-Central, Nigeria. Reference librarians now provide users with databases that give access to millions of journal articles as well as access to the internet which has holdings of libraries and a limitless variety of formal and informal sources of information. The study has one objective, a research question and one hypothesis. The study adopted total enumeration using a descriptive survey design. The population of the study is three hundred and sixty library personnel comprising professionals and para-professionals. Three hundred and six questionnaires were returned and used for this study. The findings of the study gave insight into how the library personnel in the North-Central federal universities view information and communication technology and their competence in providing reference service to users. The study shows that the library personnel have high-level skills in search engines such as Yahoo and Google, and basic computing such as word-processing and storing and copying data into primary storage devices among others in the eight federal universities in North Central Nigeria. The result revealed a significant influence of ICT skills on reference service provision by library personnel in North-Central Nigeria. The study recommended among others that the governing council and senate of the eight federal universities should urgently consider providing, encouraging and upgrading the application of computer technologies in reference services in university libraries to boost the libraries and to also frequently and adequately provide training and development programme for library staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study dwells on the assessment of interpersonal communication skills for the provision of reference services in academic libraries in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study covered eight tertiary institutions in the State. Five research questions in line with the objective of the study were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consists of all professional and para-professional librarians in tertiary Institutions in Kogi State. However, a simple random sampling technique was used in selecting fifteen (15) library personnel each from the eight (8) tertiary institutions in Kogi state to make a total of 120 respondents for the study. The questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and data collected from the field was analyzed using descriptive statistics of simple percentage, frequency count, and mean, which was further presented in pie chat and histogram. The result of the findings revealed that academic library personnel in Kogi State possess interpersonal communication skills to a great extent and these skills are quite effective in reference and information service delivery. The study recommended that academic libraries in Kogi State should be proactive in enhancing various reference services so as to be more committed to assisting the users in satisfying their needs. Furthermore, reference librarians and other library personnel should strive to possess various forms of verbal, and non-verbal interpersonal communication skills in order to be able to serve their users with the right information, at the right time and to enhance high patronage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the present situation regarding services provided to mobile users in US urban libraries, the authors surveyed 138 Urban Libraries Council members utilizing a combination of mobile visits, content analysis, and librarian interviews. The results show that nearly 95% of these libraries have at least one mobile website, mobile catalog, or mobile app. The libraries actively applied new approaches to meet each local community's remote-access needs via new technologies, including app download links, mobile reference services, scan ISBN, location navigation, and mobile printing. Mobile services that libraries provide today are timely, convenient, and universally applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the daily work of all citizens, especially in our libraries, since, after the Social, Preventive, and Mandatory Isolation (ASPO), in a short time, they were forced to adapt their activities so that they could be carried out remotely. In the case described, although a great impact on the operation of the library was expected, according to the statistics after one year, it was noted that, although the transactions had decreased, the usual activities had developed normally and its quality had not diminished thanks to the technological advantage of the institution in general and of the library's reference service in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of libraries utilizing smart computers and software to provide different services is unprecedentedly increasing worldwide. Librarians and informants have also attempted to use AI technologies such as expert systems, chatbots, and other smart services to improve and upgrade the quality and quantity of services. Therefore, the present study focused on identifying and introducing the capabilities and applications of expert systems and chatbots for library services. This study has been conducted in a systematic review method with a seven-step process by Wright et al. These steps in the systematic method are: determining the research question and then the protocol or contract for performing the task, searching for texts, extracting data, evaluating quality, analyzing data and presenting the results, and finally, interpreting the results. Then keywords in this field were searched in international (i.e., Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and domestic (i.e., Magiran, Scientific Information Database/SID, and CIVILICA) databases regardless of the time interval. Finally, 34 articles were selected. The review of 34 related studies revealed that expert systems are used as technical, general, and managerial services in libraries. However, due to the nature of chatbots that are used for smart conversations and communications as human interactions, various studies have so far identified and introduced the applications of these chatbots only in the general services section of libraries while in reference services and interviews in particular. Eventually, librarians are expected to become familiar with the capabilities and applications of expert systems and chatbots, as well as participating in the design and application phase of expert systems for libraries. It is further suggested that further studies investigate the role and application of chatbots in the technical and managerial services of libraries to provide a basis for designing these intelligent systems for all library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing complexity of the information ecosystem means that research consultations are increasingly important to meeting library users' needs. Yet librarians struggle to balance escalating demands on their time. How can we embrace this expanded role and maintain accessibility to users while balancing competing demands on our time? One tool that allows us to better navigate this balance is Google Appointment Calendar, part of Google Apps for Education. It makes it easier than ever for students to book a consultation with a librarian, while at the same time allowing the librarian to better control their schedule. Our experience suggests that both students and librarians felt it was a useful, efficient system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional reference service in academic libraries is gradually integrating digital modes of communication culminating in digital reference services (digital reference services). This study seeks to explore the extent to which digital reference services support user needs in academic libraries in Ghana. Specifically, the study was concerned with users’ awareness, preference and motivation for using digital reference services in three selected Academic Libraries in Ghana. Making use of a mixed-method research design, a total of 413 digital reference services users, 3 heads of university libraries, 3 heads of Information Technology (IT) and 7 digital reference services Librarians, from across three Academic Libraries, were selected to participate in the study. The results indicated that despite the utility of both, there was a preference for traditional reference in the three Academic Libraries. However, the use of digital reference services surged during quizzes, mid-semester examinations, interim assessments and end-of-semester examinations. With respect to the popularity of the various digital reference services platforms, users preferred email over other digital platforms. The results also indicated that the respondents used digital reference services when they were off-campus, while mobile phones were the most common digital tool for accessing digital reference services. Ultimately, digital reference services were found to considerably improve the use of library services. Implications of the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference services are personal assistance given to library users in their search for information and these services are most likely patronized by those who are aware of them, hence, this study investigated the awareness and patronage of library reference services among undergraduate students in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey design and a multistage sampling technique was used to select 370 undergraduate for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection and was administered to 370 respondents out of which, 317 copies were found useful for the study. The research questions were answered using simple frequency, percentage and mean statistics. Findings of the study revealed that although the undergraduates were generally aware of the reference services, they were unaware of SDI, digital reference and reprographic services. Also, apart from user education and CAS, the patronage of other reference services in this study was low. Inadequate reference sources and poor human relation of library staff were the main challenges of reference services patronage. It was therefore, recommended that funds set aside for the acquisition of reference sources should be utilized, and management should invest on ICTs and human resources. While staff with the right mindset for service provision should be identified and deployed to the reference section to attract more patronage for reference services in particular and the library in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the reference section in any library cannot be overemphasised because it reflects the functionality of the library. Global trends in technology have opened doors of opportunity for the reference section to serve its users better through the use of online assistive technologies, expert systems, and other artificial intelligence techniques. To this end, this study focused on the challenges and prospects of reference services in Federal Academic Libraries in the Southwest of Nigeria. Using the descriptive survey design, questionnaire was administered through google forms for data collection on Reference section staff from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State and University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. The result revealed that face-to-face consultation was the most used medium for reference service delivery while chatbots and web referencing are not used in these libraries; an indication that libraries in Nigeria are far behind in harnessing abounding opportunities for improved reference services. The study recommended that libraries should look toward adopting innovative technologies to enhance the provision of reference services in their libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic performance played an essential role in producing high-quality graduates who are to become high-quality human resource required for national, economic and social development. Electronic information resources use by students and quality reference service delivery can influence academic performance among students. It is on this premise that study investigates electronic information resources use, quality reference service delivery on academic performance of students in colleges of education in Lagos State, Nigeria. The survey design of descriptive type was adopted. Mixed methods of systematic and total enumeration sampling technique were used. A total of 309 final year students was used for the study. The questionnaire was used for data collection. Collected data were analysed using percentages, mean and standard and multiple regression. Female respondents (53.8%) within the age bracket of 22-24 years dominated the study. The level of quality of reference services delivered in the libraries were moderate (x̅=61.28) and significant relationship was found to have existed between academic performance and electronic information resources use (r=.227; p<.05) and quality reference service delivery (r=.451; p<.05). A significant joint contribution (R=491; F=46.761; p<.05) was found to have existed between electronic information resources use, quality reference service delivery and academic performance and a significant relative contribution of electronic information resources use (ß =.194; p<.05) and quality reference service delivery (ß =.436; p<.05) towards students' academic performance respectively. Students' academic performance is predisposed to the provision, availability and accessibility of electronic information resources and effective reference service delivery in the schools' libraries. Now that the world has gone digital, academic libraries need to invest more in the training and provision of more e-resources to meet the information of all users. They should as a matter of policy enforce library orientation to its users for effective utilization of library resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the reference service in university libraries specialized in health has certain singularities due to the characteristics of the scientific field of the field of Health Sciences, the interface between teaching practices and scientific research, as well as the general profile and demands for information /reliable evidence by academics, professors/researchers and practitioners. Objective: to present and discuss the singularities of the reference service in university libraries specialized in health, as well as the challenges/potentialities of librarianship in this context. Method: The study, of theoretical character, carried out exploratory research with bibliographic research in national and international literature in the area of Librarianship/Information Science. Results: The results obtained indicate that the singularities of the work process in university libraries are determined not only by the idiosyncrasies of health personnel, but, above all, by the fact that human health (physical and mental) is the object of study and practice of area. Conclusion: It is concluded that despite the challenges related to library training in Brazil and the development of desirable and/or required skills/skills for health care, these elements do not constitute an insurmountable obstacle to professional practice with excellence. However, the librarian needs to recognize that such variables are intervening in their professional practice and that the search for improvement/specialization is a pressing demand [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the scope and adaptive nature of reference services provided by academic health sciences librarians over a one-year period (between March 2020 and March 2021) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In March 2021, academic health sciences librarians in the United States were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey about their experiences providing reference services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online survey was developed, pretested, and distributed to various listservs. Results: A total of 205 academic health sciences librarians and other information professionals with health sciences liaison responsibilities in the US (N=205) responded to the online survey. The scope of reference services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic included email-based reference services (97%), virtual reference (89%), telephone (80%), text-based (33%), and in-person (31%). The most common types of COVID-related reference questions included COVID-19 treatments (53%), safety precautions (46%), vaccines (41%), and prevalence (38%). Additionally, the identification of challenging reference questions and examples of misinformation were provided by respondents. Conclusions: The results of the survey characterize the evolving nature and scope of academic health sciences reference work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Librarians reported an increase in reference questions during the pandemic and are answering them in creative ways despite barriers (e.g., limited time and reduction in resources). There is an opportunity for librarians to continue to address COVID-related misinformation. Overall, these findings provide useful insight for library practitioners and administrators planning reference services during public health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This preliminary study examined how personal librarian programs are implemented within medical and academic health sciences libraries. Increasing awareness of these programs and how they are implemented could create a larger and more accessible knowledge base for establishing best practices that similar libraries can look to when creating their own programs. Methods: To characterize existing programs, a twenty-two-item survey was sent to MEDLIB-L, AAHSL-ALL, ARCL-HSIG, and PSS-Lists email listservs in October 2018 to reach a broad audience of medical and academic health sciences librarians. Survey responses were analyzed using Qualtrics and Excel. Results: Of the 2,882 potential email recipients, 49 survey sessions were recorded, and a total of 38 survey sessions were completed (1.3% response rate). Of the 38 completed responses, representatives of 12 libraries (31.5%) reported that a personal librarian program had been implemented at their institution. For implementation, eight libraries involved 1--5 librarians, and four involved 6--10. Librarians were assigned 50--100 (n=6), 101--150 (n=1), or 151 or more (n=1) students each. The identified programs served medical students (n=11), nursing students (n=7), health professions students (n=7), dental students (n=2), and students in other fields (n=4). Services provided and communication methods were also identified. Conclusions: The personal librarian programs identified by the survey were uniquely structured to best meet the needs of their users, though similarities in implementation existed across institutions. Medical and academic health sciences libraries can look to these libraries as practical examples when starting their own personal library programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempt to find out the use of social media in delivery of reference services by librarians in Federal University of Technology Library, Owerri. The study was guided with three (3) research questions. However survey research design was used for the study with questionnaire as the instrument for data collection, with the target librarians that uses social media in delivery reference services in FUTO Library. Findings from the study indicated the types social media medium employed in their services and discovered a high degree of use. The impact in the Library is without challenges, which ranges from insufficient content in the resources, lack of competent staff, epileptic power supply and many more; but the study further recommended that the Librarians' should be more skilled for research enablement in the library for better social media library services in the 21st century library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fake facts and fictitious entries are common in reference works. While these irregularities exist for a variety of reasons, some are explicitly added as copyright traps to catch infringers. Because they are often perceived to be truth, they challenge the binary of fact and fiction. This Comment explores legal treatment of these fictitious entries, highlighting that these entries should be treated differently based on the degree to which they are false. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reference services (VRS) is increasingly being implemented and used to muster increase real time interaction between library users and the libraries. While the implementation and the use of the VRS in academic libraries is growing rapidly in today’s world, particularly in the developed countries, in the developing countries, the development has recorded a medium of success. This study presents an extensive synthesis of literature on VRS from different electronic databases, including EbscoHost, Elsevier, Emerald, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Science Direct and Taylor & Francis Online. Consequently, four commonly used VRS communication technologies that can help ease the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in meeting library user’s information needs are presented. The paper also look at the plethora of challenges of VRS implementation and use in developing countries and makes recommendations for a way forward. As a contribution to this area of research, the study argues that there may be a space for the extension of social media tools such as Facebook Express Wi-Fi, Facebook Free Basic Model and Twitter in the academic libraries VRS. This is unarguably because of its immense occupation of the real time information space in COVID-19 pandemic era, whose second wave return explicitly spells out that its end is far from sight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study intends to investigate the private university libraries of Assam and their different kinds of library services and reference services, web 2.0 features and its different adopted methodology for the advancement of library services and how these library services are being provided and what are the technical or non-technical measures adopted by the library professional to perceived job performance. It also intends to carry out additional library facilities like an online learning support system and enabling future generations to utilize acquired knowledge from the study libraries. Methodology: For this study, both qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection have been used. A structured questionnaire was prepared for librarians and the library user’s and sent to the head of the libraries to finds out the status and performance of references services and a questionnaire for each particular library user was also distributed among the categories of library user’s to carry out relevant information regarding user’s demand and perceptions. A personal interview with the librarians of the study libraries and the library users were also conducted for proper measurement. Findings: The study findings show that the adoption of different categories of reference services to facilitate the category of users and online learning support system by the study libraries where basic library services performed by 100% (13 numbers) ADBU, ADTU, MSSV, RGU, and 92% (12 numbers) AKU and 54% (7 numbers) KAV and RGU acquired highest 73% (16 numbers) for reference services and ADTU acquired highest 47% (7 numbers) for web-based reference services. It also highlighted the online learning support system where RGU acquired the highest 69% (11 numbers) Originality: It is an original work of my study which I have created independently that is free from any sort of plagiarism. It has not been published before in its current or a substantially similar form, nor is the work currently being considered for publication by any other journal/conference proceedings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a literature survey on how reference collections have changed to accommodate patrons' webbased information-seeking behaviors, one notes a marked "us vs. them" mentality--a fear that the Internet might render reference irrelevant. These anxieties are oft-noted in articles urging libraries to embrace digital and online reference sources. Why all the ambivalence? Citing existing research and literature, this essay explores myths about the supposed superiority of physical reference collections and how patrons actually use them, potential challenges associated with electronic reference collections, and how providing vital e-reference collections benefits the library as well as its patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the current state of mobile services among academic libraries of the country's top 100 universities, and what are the best practices for librarians implementing mobile services at the university level? Through in--‐depth website visits and survey questionnaires, the authors studied each of the top 100 universities' libraries' experiences with mobile services. Results showed that all of these libraries offered at least one mobile service, and the majority offered multiple services. The most common mobile services offered were mobile sites, text messaging services, e--‐books, and mobile access to databases and the catalog. In addition, chat/IM services, social media accounts and apps were very popular. Survey responses also indicated a trend towards responsive design for websites so that patrons can access the library's full site on any mobile device. Respondents recommend that libraries considering offering mobile services begin as soon as possible as patron demand for these services is expected to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern cities across the globe are surrounded by countless written language that includes warnings, public signs, billboards, commercial advertisements, and more which are publicly displayed. These writings are called linguistic landscapes. This study analyzes the pragmatic features of commercial signs in Dipolog City Boulevard, which utilizes the descriptivequalitative research. In addition, the study explores what linguistic devices are used in the creation of signs. Data are collected at Dipolog City Boulevard. Permission from the city mayor as well as the shop owners is sought prior to the conduct of the study. All signs of every single store in the boulevard are photographed. Furthermore, a rigorous library and internet research is done for the analysis and interpretation of the data. Analysis of the data revealed that linguistic strategies are found in the commercial signs of Dipolog City Boulevard to attract costumers or tourists to visit a shop. These strategies are described in terms of lexical blends, initialisms, homonyms, personifications, trasliterations, speech acts, politeness strategies, genderbiased styles, alliterations, consonance, assonance, jargon, and proper names. Moreover, pragmatic features which include politeness strategy, indirect speech act, extended speech act, bonding, sophistication, qoutation, personification, metaphor and humor are found in commercial signs in Dipolog City Boulevard. This study concludes that the commercial signs in Dipolog City Boulevard contained linguistic strategies and pragmatic features which are aimed to attract local costumers and tourists. Thus, this study recommends that a monograph on linguistic landscapes to create tourist space can be developed to serve as reference to novice business enthusiasts on the kind of enterprises that they will be having. English teachers may also utilize these commercial signs as authentic source of teaching and learning linguistic strategies and pragmatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survey assessed the use of reference services and sources by undergraduate students in Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE). The total population of this study was 627 registered undergraduates' students in the 2020/2021 academic session. The total enumeration sampling technique was used for the study, which implies studying the entire population. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire which was distributed to the respondents face to face with the aid of two research assistant. 627 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the respondents and the researchers were able to retrieve only 497 which were dully filled and received and found usable for the study. There was a 79% return rate. The data collected for this study was analyzed using simple percentage and frequency counts. The findings revealed that the respondents are majorly aware of the assistance they receive from the reference librarian than other forms of reference services. As per regards reference sources the respondents indicated they are strongly aware of dictionaries, encyclopedia, handbooks/manuals, yearbooks, and atlases. The respondents indicated they were unaware of directories, online reference tools and Almanacs. On the frequency of the use of reference services, the respondents indicated they use instruction on the use of library, assistance in identifying library materials, orientation services, and user education weekly, while current awareness services was used bi-monthly, referral services was used monthly and selective dissemination of information was used occasionally. On the frequency of the use of reference sources, the respondents indicated they use dictionaries on a daily basis, handbooks and encyclopedias weekly. The findings revealed that the respondents were very satisfied with the instructions they receive on the use of library, assistance in identifying library materials needed to answer a question, user education, library orientation, among others. As regards satisfaction with reference sources, the findings revealed that the respondents are very satisfied with dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks and handbooks/manuals. The respondents also indicated they were satisfied with Atlases while a little fraction of the respondents indicated they were dissatisfied with directories, online reference tools, Almanacs and Gazetteers. It was recommended from the study that librarians should do more in the marketing of the Ask A Librarian Service to increase usage of the service by users, librarians should do more marketing to promote the use of directories, online reference tools and Almanacs in their university library and reference services and sources should be rendered in a separate section to make it easy for users to know where to go whenever they have an information need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the history of and the future plans for the National Library of Medicine (NLM) as of April 2021, including the importance of history in its efforts to maintain an international leadership position in biomedical and health information. Topics include the recommendations of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the NLM and the achievements of the NLM's History of Medicine Division.

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Objective: Reproducibility of systemic reviews (SRs) can be hindered by the presence of citation bias. Citation bias may occur when authors of SRs conduct hand-searches of included study reference lists to identify additional studies. Such a practice may lead to exaggerated SR summary effects. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of hand-searching reference lists in otolaryngology SRs. Methods: The authors searched for systematic reviews published in eight clinical otolaryngology journals using the Cochrane Library and PubMed, with the date parameter of January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2017. Two independent authors worked separately to extract data from each SR for the following elements: whether reference lists were hand-searched, other kinds of supplemental searching, PRISMA adherence, and funding source. Following extraction, the investigators met to review discrepancies and achieve consensus. Results: A total of 539 systemic reviews, 502 from clinical journals and 37 from the Cochrane library, were identified. Of those SRs, 72.4% (390/539) hand-searched reference lists, including 97.3% (36/37) of Cochrane reviews. For 228 (58.5%) of the SRs that hand-searched reference lists, no other supplemental search (e.g., search of trial registries) was conducted. Conclusions: These findings indicate that hand-searching reference lists is a common practice in otolaryngology SRs. Moreover, a majority of studies at risk of citation bias did not attempt to mitigate the bias by conducting additional supplemental searches. The implication is that summary effects in otolaryngology systematic reviews may be biased toward statistically significant findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the pandemic, the University of Toronto provided predominantly in-person experiences. The closure of physical libraries and shift to remote learning required library staff and users to adapt to new modes of supporting teaching, learning, and research. The authors conducted a survey about reference service delivery, staffing models, and resources and tools, which asked respondents to describe reference services at their libraries before and during the pandemic. The survey objectives were to capture the state of reference services at the University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) and to compare data about reference practices during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, with the goal of identifying challenges and opportunities for the future of reference services at UTL. Seventy percent of libraries surveyed used reference desks for reference services pre-pandemic, and during the pandemic, 75% of libraries used virtual reference appointments by video conferencing. The survey results show that reference service staffing and service hours in most surveyed libraries were reduced during the pandemic. Many respondents reported that while they offered fewer reference service hours during the pandemic, they continued to provide assistance outside of scheduled hours. Online tools and platforms that were already familiar to librarians remained popular during the pandemic, allowing service providers to adapt quickly to the virtual environment and ensure seamless service continuity. While the rapid transition in services at the University of Toronto was not without its challenges, it has also offered many new opportunities for re-envisioning reference services at UTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined undergraduate students' satisfaction with reference services in National Open University of Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The population of the study was twelve thousand, five and forty-seven (12,547) undergraduates that registered for the second semester 2017/2018 session drawn from four Study Centres libraries. Sample sizes of 590 students were selected. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Out of the 590 questionnaires distributed, a total of 511 questionnaires (representing 86.6% return rate) were filled and returned. The study revealed that reference services were provided in the National Open University of Nigeria. These services include current awareness service, face to face interaction, and provision of electronic databases among others. The study also revealed that the respondents were satisfied to a high extent with the reference services provided in the library. Similarly, majority of the respondents were satisfied with the reference librarians in their libraries; they indicated that the reference librarians are competent in their work, always available to attend to users' needs, communicates effectively and work with users to help them create keywords and use of databases. Furthermore, the test of hypotheses revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean ratings of both gender and age of the respondents with respect to their extent of satisfactions with the available reference services in National Open University of Nigeria. The study concluded that despite the positive response of the students, the National Open University of Nigeria and other academic libraries in Nigeria should provide more and better reference facilities and introduce novel services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An agent in pursuit of a task may work with a reference library containing documents associated with additional data that provide location-specific explanations about the content. Faced with a new document, an agent has to decide whether to include the new document in its reference library. Basing the decision on words, topics, or entities has shown not to lead to a balanced performance for varying documents. In this paper, we present an approach for automatically enriching new documents with data associated to documents in a reference library. Additionally, we analyze these data to classify new documents into categories to help an agent in deciding whether to include the new document in its reference library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]