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A research project was undertaken by a university library system to develop a sustainable user experience strategy. A task force was convened to conduct a pilot project with members from both libraries in the system to assess staffing responsibilities, guidelines, processes, and data-gathering procedures. The team tested an electronic resources list common to both libraries. In describing the methods employed by the task force in their research, this article outlines the benefits and drawbacks of staffing configurations to initiate user experience practices in an academic library setting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper introduces the WeChat mobile library service programme at Shanghai University Library and identifies problems and resolutions by reviewing the development process and experience and user feedback. A case study was conducted, and user feedback from a web survey was analysed to identify the programme's problems. Accordingly, recommendations and resolutions were developed. The author discovers that a WeChat account is crucial as an interaction platform between libraries and patrons, particularly on mobile devices. Patrons prefer to receive library services via WeChat rather than other channels. Their favourite features include online public access catalogue (OPAC), my library, and study facility availability. Libraries should conduct regular assessments to understand patrons' feedback or requests and make timely adjustments accordingly. The web survey and its data are novel in this area and provide a credible example to optimize WeChat library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile Internet applications and service innovations are changing people's way of life. At the same time, they are also changing the way that people communicate and access information. People who visited libraries to find specific information in the past are now able to find the same information online. As the spectrum of human need grows, the opportunities for librarians to meet these needs are also growing. Libraries will need to be designed to accommodate the changing needs of their users. Mobile library services can meet users' information needs in a fast-paced society. In this investigation we identified 39 university libraries supported by the Ministry of Education's “Project 985” and evaluated their status as mobile library service providers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The E-rate program has provided tremendous benefits to libraries, allowing many libraries and library systems to acquire technological equipment and services that would otherwise be too expensive, increasing the availability of public Internet access through libraries. This article analyzes the data related to the E-rate program and the discounts that it has provided to libraries and library systems between 2000 and 2004. By examining the E-rate data in a longitudinal manner, this article explores the trends in the application for and the provision of E-rate discounts to libraries and library consortia at national and state levels. The data suggest that, despite a number of controversies over the years, the program has provided a significant level of support for libraries and library consortia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to assess tire service quality of public libraries of Lahore by evaluating the disparities between the users' expectation and currently received services. The survey method based on questionnaire was used. Four of the largest libraries in Lahore, in terms of services, collection and other facilities, were the population of the study. A sample of four hundred library users was selected with one hundred library users for each library based on convenience sampling. A modified LibQUAL+ tool was adopted to collect the data. The findings revealed that users have very high expectations regarding the accessibility of library's electronic resources from home or office, library website, printed material, availability of electronic information resource, modem equipment, tools that allow the users to find the material themselves, and provision of the information in an easy manner. The findings are helpful for public libraries' authorities to redcsign/upgradc the quality of library services, policies and procedures according to users' expectations and requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the users' point of view two aspects are essential for the quality of library online services. On the one hand, relevant content must be available. On the other hand, it should be simple and intuitive to find and to access this content. Therefore, the topics usability and usefulness are of great importance for libraries. This article describes how these two aspects can be evaluated and how libraries can use BibEval and PECI for assessments of their own services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the initiatives of the academic libraries in promoting open access as well as the challenges and obstacles associated to it among the developing countries. It notes the struggle of academic libraries in their involvement to scholarly publishing to gather scholars through open access. It points out that the reality of open access' objective is far when library users only read the publications and research works by academics and scholars published in open access journals and archives.

The article discusses measures librarians can take to ensure patron privacy is maintained through Internet browser settings and programs. The author states that as of 2010, 85.7 percent of public libraries provided wireless internet access, meaning that more users could potentially be victims of Internet crimes. Three major categories are discussed as areas in which increased security can be provided. First, the security features of internet browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple's Safari are covered. The author then discusses choosing the best browser settings, such as navigation history, protecting passwords, and limiting administrative access. Browser extensions, such as script monitoring, advertisement removers, and child safety feedback, are also included.

There is an extensive literature on the application of networked services in the libraries, but only a few publications deal with the effects of the network on libraries, their functions and perspectives. It seems that the mere fact that libraries have become players on the network - either as providers or as consumers - has caused substantial changes. It is the purpose of this article is to analyse some of the consequences and to articulate their implications. The authors consider it critical to understand the nature of changes, since this is indispensable for planning the future of the library as an organisation. The article has the express intent to initiate a discussion about the consequences of the network on libraries - about the threats, risks, and opportunities alike. It appears evident that libraries have to reorganise and reposition themselves in order to play a constructive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texas A&M University Libraries has been hard at work putting the power of course reserves in the hands of its users. Reserves services have traditionally been restrictive, granting only faculty the authority to place items on reserve or allowing students access to items only after they have been checked out. From faculty adding streaming content to their e-reserves to students having hands-on access to their course reserves, this article tells the story of how an academic library system is allowing its patrons to 'do-it-themselves.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the role of cell phones and cell phone systems in automation of services of the library of Delta State University in Abraka, Nigeria. Limits on Internet access in Nigeria which limit the Internet's role in library automation and services are noted. The use of cell phones as a means of communication between the library and its users is considered, particularly the use of text messages to conduct use studies for the library. A survey of student library users finds that while all felt cell phone system use would be of benefit to them and the library, most complained of problems in the telecommunication infrastructure of the library.

The article presents a research study about the increasing library services at Ohio State University (OSU). The main purpose of this study is to identify patterns within the record of canceled interlibrary requests that could point out some reasons why OSU Libraries' patrons still request interlibrary services for documents that are already available for them. The study will utilize the patterns among OSU groups of users, items requested, and the citations used and patterns of navigating searches navigations of searching links for the desired items.

A survey of 4,032 youth in grades 5 through 12 was conducted to determine the impact youth's use of the Internet was having on their use of the public library. Results indicated that 100% of the youth had access to the Internet from one or more locations, and that although one quarter of the youth accessed the Internet at the public library, the public library was the least frequently used source of Internet access. For youth without Internet access at home, the public library was also the least used alternate source of access. Approximately 69% of the youth reported that they had visited a public library during the school year. Having Internet access at home did not affect whether or not youth visited the library however, Internet access at home appears to have affected the frequency with which youth visit the library. Youth without Internet access at home visited the library more frequently, whereas youth with Internet access at home visited the library less frequently. Use of the Internet also appeared to have diminished youth's need to use the public library as a source of personal information however, use of the Internet appeared not to have affected their use of the public library for school work or for recreation. Among youth, use of both the Internet and the public library appear to be complementary activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the success of Internet access via search technology, such ease of access is still not available in Web archives, as a greater amount of relevant contextual information is essential in accessing Web archives. The degree of relevance of the contextual information has to be customized to suit research on culture and heritage study over time. Information scientists have long been struggling to find a system that can help them organize Web archives so that users can have access to complete and coherent collections. Lessons can be learned from archivists who have an established tradition of linking materials to its origin and ownership or what is termed provenance. In this paper, we demonstrate how Web Annotation for Web Intelligence, more than just an intuitive way of expressing one's thoughts on the materials under study, is in fact an appropriate tool for cataloguing Web archives in order to ensure a high quality of access for users. Informed by the theory of Records Continuum, a demonstration of access to archived Web materials will be presented. We then recommend an effective way of allowing the continual organization of Web archives based on several design principles for a Web annotation system. This system would preserve the evidence and context of the cataloguing process. Such a tool would also help facilitate collaboration among information professionals in organizing complex Web archives. Implementing the recommended Web annotation system will help ensure better-quality archives with more evidence and contextual information preserved within the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of Web Crawler activities based upon Web access logs from the Web site of an academic library. It further compares crawler behavior with that of regular human visitors. The results provide practical insights and foster a culture of evidence-based practice for better managing network-based resources and maintaining a reliable IT infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: St Martin's College pre-registration health students spend up to half their course on periods of placement, during which times they need to be able to access learning resources. The project aimed to replicate the Health and Education Northumbria Students Access to Learning resources (HENSAL) project. Objective: To look at patterns of use and access to learning resources for health students on placement. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to students who had recently returned from a placement. Five Practice Placement Facilitators were interviewed to gain their views. Results: There was a 60% return rate ( n = 268) for the questionnaire. Most students thought access to learning resources was important yet these were not always available and varied according to placement type. Students still made regular use of the College library while they were on placement but had some difficulties. Students used electronic resources, tending to access them from home. Conclusions: The results indicated that there were issues which needed to be addressed by the College's Faculty of Health and Social Care, Library and IT services, the local NHS Trust libraries and the local Strategic Health Authority to improve access to and use of learning resources. The findings proved to be very similar to those of the HENSAL project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the great challenges for the National Library of Australia is to enable individuals, whatever their institutional affiliation, and wherever they are, to access copies of material from the collections. Copies direct was developed to enable online ordering and payment for copies of material, regardless of format, and has already increased use of the collections. This is consistent with the Commonwealth GovernmentOnline strategy, based on developing more and better services online to overcome barriers of distance and access and to meet more effectively the real needs of individuals, organisations and enterprises. Through online access Australians are better able to obtain services from agencies, in this case access to their national documentary heritage. This paper describes the development of the service, its technical infrastructure, issues considered in its development and includes a report on an evaluation undertaken in 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observation and immersion in the user community are critical factors in designing and implementing informatics solutions; such practices ensure relevant interventions and promote user acceptance. Libraries can adapt these strategies to developing instruction and outreach. While needs assessment is typically a core facet of library instruction, sustained, iterative assessment underlying the development of user-centered instruction is key to integrating resource use into the workflow. This paper describes the Eskind Biomedical Library's (EBL's) recent work with the Tennessee public health community to articulate a training model centered around developing power information users (PIUs). PIUs are community-based individuals with an advanced understanding of information seeking and resource use and are committed to championing information integration. As model development was informed by observation of PIU workflow and information needs, it also allowed for informal testing of the applicability of assessment via domain immersion in library outreach. Though the number of PIUs involved in the project was small, evaluation indicated that the model was useful for promoting information use in PIU workgroups and that the concept of domain immersion was relevant to library-related projects. Moreover, EBL continues to employ principles of domain understanding inherent in the PIU model to develop further interventions for the public health community and library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides an introductory overview to the subject of metadata, which considers why metadata issues are central to discussions about the evolution of library services-particularly digital library services-and why the cataloging community is, and should be, front and center in those discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

First generation scholarly research on the Web lacked a firm system of authority control. Second generation Web research is beginning to model subject access with library science principles of bibliographic control and cataloguing. Harnessing the Web and organising the intellectual content with standards and controlled vocabulary provides precise search and retrieval capability, increasing relevance and efficient use of technology. Dublin Core metadata standards permit a full evaluation and cataloguing of Web resources appropriate to highly specific research needs and discovery. Current research points to a type of structure based on a system of faceted classification. This system allows the semantic and syntactic relationships to be defined. Controlled vocabulary, such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings, can be assigned, not in a hierarchical structure, but rather as descriptive facets of relating concepts. Web design features such as this are adding value to discovery and filtering out data that lack authority. The system design allows for scalability and extensibility, two technical features that are integral to future development of the digital library and resource discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the public access policy of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). She talks about the effort of a range of open-access organizations to support Open Access Week each year. She also discusses the use of Creative Commons Attribution license (CC-BY) by the journal since the publication of its first paper to support the principles of full open access throughout its history.

The article discusses the significance of Public Access Computers (PAC) in libraries in the U.S. Patrons rely on PAC for popular services like Web browsing, word processing and electronic mail. However, PACs require regular maintenance and many PACs in use are nearing their end-of-life. At Coastal Resource Sharing Network (CRSN), they have begun implementing thin client technology. Of the 120 PACs in their consortium, 47 are thin clients, serving patrons in five libraries. The switch to thin clients has helped reduce the maintenance workload associated with PACs and has provided patrons with a consistent, always up-to-date- user experience.

The article discusses several lectures that focused on library user behavior and on services for library users. The lectures were held at the 100th German librarians' retreat that took place in Berlin, Germany in June 2011. The main lecture, given by the librarian Lynn Connaway, focused on providing library users with certain tools and services, eliminating barriers preventing library users from accessing certain services, and encouraging library users to learn how to use the internet resources.

The article focuses on the effectiveness of Software as a Service (SaaS) in libraries. Topics discussed include use of SaaS for library management, reduced startup cost and access of SaaS in mobile devices, need for internet connection for the software, reduced performance of SaaS, ability of vendor to add or remove features of the software.