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Introduction: The paper presents one segment of the first comprehensive national study investigating information behaviour of Slovenian researchers in all research disciplines in relation to selected demographic variables. Research questions addressed various types of information behaviour, format preferences, use of different types of sources, organization of work, collaboration, publishing, and impact of information and communication technologies. Method: An online survey was used, containing content and demographic questions. It was based on a random sample of the central registry of all active researchers in Slovenia in all scientific disciplines and all age groups. Analysis: Descriptive and bivariate analysis were employed. Results: The most noticeable demographic elements of influence are age and discipline, and in a few cases also sex. In certain areas, the information behaviour of researchers under study conforms with general trends, for example in power-browsing, squirreling, skimming, etc. Information technology has a strong impact on research work and collaboration. A fairly large segment of researchers often work alone; this is particularly characteristic of researchers in the humanities. In Slovenia, these researchers also show a strong digital preference and do not differ much from researchers in other disciplines, probably because of the nationwide integrated system of research evaluation and centralized subscription to information resources. Low use of open access documents and weak foreign collaboration in some disciplines are also evidenced. Conclusions: Despite some expected outcomes, certain previously unknown and noteworthy patterns have been identified which are characteristic of Slovenian researchers. This information constitutes a useful foundation for further research in this area.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an empirical study of information behaviour of young Slovenian researchers. Design/methodology/approach: Built on some well-known models of scholarly information behaviour the study complements a previously conducted study of the same population, which focused on the aspects of user friendliness. This second study is an attempt to shape a more detailed picture of the investigated user group. Presented are types of scholarly information behaviour, enriched by some complementary issues regarding their behaviour as digital users. Findings: The respondents were found to express many of the features of both digital scholars and other users of digital technology. Direct searching and power browsing are most often expressed searching behaviours; also common are probing and accessing. Collecting behaviour is mostly expressed through "squirrelling", and sometimes gathering. Satisfaction with the system and with search results is very influential, but sometimes not decisive, for the user to stay with the system, since attention to the content of the results is also very strong. Practical implications: The rationale for the study was that understanding users' information behaviour is crucial in the design of their information tools. Originality/value: Scholarly information behaviour has been extensively studied in Western countries, however, studies of this nature are not so common in Slovenian scholarly literature. As such, this study is one of the first to tackle this issue. (Contains 14 tables.)

Objective. The study provides a report on the perceptions of the Slovenian library practitioners of the competencies needed for their work today and those that will be needed in the future. Two groups of competencies were considered: generic and pro- fessional, the latter in four groups: library management and library operations, library materials and information resources, work with users, organization of knowledge and information. Approach/Methodology/Design. An online survey was used. To cover practitioners in all types and sizes of libraries, random sampling of libraries was used and snow- ball sampling from there on (N = 132). We discuss the general overview of the results through descriptive statistics, and the differences in the perception of competency im- portance between the current and the future situation, using paired samples T-test. Results. The results have shown that competencies, in all groups, were rated high, for both today and future work, no criticism was detected over the choice of the competencies, only certain suggestions, the practitioners believe that nearly all competencies will gain importance in the future, and none will become less important. The highest valued area is work with users, followed by the areas of work with library materials and resources, and library management, while organization of knowledge and information was, surprisingly, rated the lowest. Practical implications. The results will be used in the formation of at least a draft competency model or models and to inform further work on the reformed study programme at the Department of LIS & BS at the University of Ljubljana. Originality/value. This study offers the first comprehensive insight into the opinions and perceptions of the practitioners in all types of libraries in Slovenia of the competencies needed for their work today and those that will be needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The paper presents some findings of the Erasmus+ project IPEDU, which aims to include intellectual property education, more specifically industrial property, in the curriculum of technical universities, through training the teaching, support staff and librarians. We present selected results of the first two project stages for Slovenia, which is one of the project partners. Methods. Initial stages of the project assess the current level of inclusion of industrial property topics into higher education curricula and labour market needs. Samples include Slovenian technical sciences faculties, and employers of technical profiles with needs for industrial property knowledge. Online surveys are used for data collection. Results. General, not positive, alignment was found in terms of expected competencies: Companies do not place high priorities on industrial property competencies of their non-law employees. Furthermore, many higher education institutions do not include these topics in their teaching. Industrial property teaching is needed, but not done, which implies the need for educatorsemployers dialogue. A relatively traditional image of libraries emerges, as they are usually not involved in teaching. This provides an excellent opportunity for libraries to evolve and become more proactive. Conclusions. Our findings offer a valuable contribution to the planning of a systematic and holistic intellectual property curriculum for technical studies within the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper draws attention to the modern strategies in promoting reading literacy and reading culture in the professional environment, with emphasis podcasts in the Slovenian public libraries as strategy. We investigated the usefulness of this strategy promoting a particular professional event aiming the potential impact on certain elements such as motivation, belonging and meaning. The analytical research of the results herein shows the attitude of professionals towards podcasts and is the first of it's kind in Slovenia. Data were obtained using the survey method and is part of a larger study aiming to determine the impact of the professional events on the competencies. General findings establish the connection between knowing or following podcasts and the impact on individual elements of professional competences. The results showed a positive attitude of professionals leading in encouragement of reading literacy and reading culture. Comparative results show a positive trend in connection between listening to podcasts and professional competence. Those professionals who received information about podcasts, i.e. were exposed through promotion to a professional event, also listened to, and this marked their professional selfperception. Limitations are related to the size of the research, which is based on one case study. Regardless, a sizeable sample is included, which can serve as starter for a larger research to determine the impact on competencies. This enquiry in connection with competencies of professionals is not common, nor are surveys that focus on the attitude to modern strategies. Individual's attitude is highlighted when introducing modern strategies reading literacy and reading culture promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The article presents the current state of library services, which are specially adapted for deaf and hard-of-hearing users in central regional libraries and their units throughout Slovenia. Methodology/approach: We used survey and interview, with convenience sampling. In 2014, a short pilot survey was conducted among Slovenian public libraries on their offer of services and materials for deaf and hard of hearing users. In 2020, we updated and expanded the data with an interview with librarians, who are responsible for the deaf and hard of hearing users in seven central regional libraries (Celje, Novo mesto, Kranj Ravne na Koroškem, Koper, Ljubljana and Maribor); the data on Murska Sobota library came from literature provided to us by the director of this library, as they did not want to participate in the research. For a broader picture of the topic of this user group, we also conducted an interview with an expert in adapting materials for the deaf and hard of hearing people, who is employed at the Association of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Societies of Slovenia. The survey included 55 members of associations of the deaf and hard of hearing people throughout Slovenia. Results: The results show that deaf and hard-of-hearing people are not well acquainted with the services currently available in Slovenian public libraries, but they use libraries frequently. Only a few library services are adapted for these users. Librarians emphasized that there is very little material on the book market that would suit deaf and hard-of-hearing users, but it is encouraging that libraries still order all available materials. It is very important that library management, librarians and other employees are well acquainted with various forms of disability of users who visit the library, so they can prepare appropriate materials and services for them and help them. Research limitations: The sample does not represent all deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Slovenia, as this number is very difficult to determine. Also, not all central regional libraries in Slovenia agreed to participate in the research. Practical implications: The results are useful for all Slovenian public libraries that want to get even closer to deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Libraries that do not yet carry out activities for this user group can take the results as ideas and design similar services based on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between scientific disciplines (SDs) in Slovenia in research data literacy (RDL) and research data management (RDM) to form recommendations regarding how to move things forward on the institutional and national level.Design/methodology/approach Purposive sample of active researchers was used from widest possible range of SD. Data were collected from April 21 to August 7, 2017, using 24-question online survey (5 demographic, 19 content questions (single/multiple choice and Likert scale type). Bivariate (ANOVA) and multivariate methods (clustering) were used.Findings The authors identified three perception-related and four behavior-related connections; this gave three clusters per area. First, perceptions – skeptical group, mainly social (SocS) and natural sciences (NatS): no clear RDM and ethical issues standpoints, do not agree that every university needs a data management plan (DMP). Careful group, again including mainly SocS and NatS: RDM is problematic and linked to ethical dilemmas, positive toward institutional DMPs. Convinced group, mainly from humanities (HUM), NatS, engineering (ENG) and medicine and health sciences (MedHeS): no problems regarding RDM, agrees this is an ethical question, is positive toward institutional DMP's. Second, behaviors – sparse group, mainly from MedHeS, NatS and HUM, some agricultural scientists (AgS), and some SocS and ENG: do not tag data sets with metadata, do not use file-naming conventions/standards. Frequent group – many ENG, SocS, moderate numbers of NatS, very few AgS and only a few MedHeS and HUM: often use file-naming conventions/standards, version-control systems, have experience with public-domain data, are reluctant to use metadata with their RD. Slender group, mainly from AgS and NatS, moderate numbers of ENG, SocS and HUM, but no MedHeS: often use public-domain data, other three activities are rare.Research limitations/implications Research could be expanded to a wider population, include other stakeholders and use qualitative methods.Practical implications Results are useful for international comparisons but also give foundations and recommendations on institutional and national RDM and RDL policies, implementations, and how to bring academic libraries into the picture. Identified differences suggest that different educational, awareness-raising and participatory approaches are needed for each group.Originality/value The findings offer valuable insight into RDM and RDL of Slovenian scientists, which have not yet been investigated in Slovenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The paper presents one segment of the first comprehensive national study investigating information behaviour of Slovenian researchers in all research disciplines in relation to selected demographic variables. Research questions addressed various types of information behaviour, format preferences, use of different types of sources, organization of work, collaboration, publishing, and impact of information and communication technologies. Method. An online survey was used, containing content and demographic questions. It was based on a random sample of the central registry of all active researchers in Slovenia in all scientific disciplines and all age groups. Analysis. Descriptive and bivariate analysis were employed. Results. The most noticeable demographic elements of influence are age and discipline, and in a few cases also sex. In certain areas, the information behaviour of researchers under study conforms with general trends, for example in power-browsing, squirreling, skimming, etc. Information technology has a strong impact on research work and collaboration. A fairly large segment of researchers often work alone; this is particularly characteristic of researchers in the humanities. In Slovenia, these researchers also show a strong digital preference and do not differ much from researchers in other disciplines, probably because of the nationwide integrated system of research evaluation and centralized subscription to information resources. Low use of open access documents and weak foreign collaboration in some disciplines are also evidenced. Conclusions. Despite some expected outcomes, certain previously unknown and noteworthy patterns have been identified which are characteristic of Slovenian researchers. This information constitutes a useful foundation for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the first national survey of public library services to three user groups in the context of children and young adults: hospital patients, prisoners, and persons with developmental disorders. The study was two-part: first the data on potential users and their characteristics was gathered. This was used to prepare the main survey of the existing public library services in Slovenia, undertaken in 2012 and 2013. The results show that of the three user groups in question, two (hospital patients and prisoners) are more localised, being the focus of individual public libraries working in the area where hospitals or prisons are located, while persons with developmental disorders are spread throughout the country and as such relevant to a larger number of libraries. The first two groups also have more potential for development, because Slovenian public libraries offer much richer services for users with developmental disorders. Nevertheless, positive trends were observed in most areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an empirical study of information behaviour of young Slovenian researchers. Design/methodology/approach – Built on some well-known models of scholarly information behaviour the study complements a previously conducted study of the same population, which focused on the aspects of user friendliness. This second study is an attempt to shape a more detailed picture of the investigated user group. Presented are types of scholarly information behaviour, enriched by some complementary issues regarding their behaviour as digital users. Findings – The respondents were found to express many of the features of both digital scholars and other users of digital technology. Direct searching and power browsing are most often expressed searching behaviours; also common are probing and accessing. Collecting behaviour is mostly expressed through "squirrelling", and sometimes gathering. Satisfaction with the system and with search results is very influential, but sometimes not decisive, for the user to stay with the system, since attention to the content of the results is also very strong. Practical implications – The rationale for the study was that understanding users' information behaviour is crucial in the design of their information tools. Originality/value – Scholarly information behaviour has been extensively studied in Western countries, however, studies of this nature are not so common in Slovenian scholarly literature. As such, this study is one of the first to tackle this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevance of the new Bologna study programme at the Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies at University of Ljubljana is demonstrated from different aspects. The example of IS&R themes and topics which are recognized as one of LIS core areas is used to show the differences from the previous study programme in terms of content, together with coverage of Web 2.0 related themes. In regard to teaching and learning methods it is shown how e-learning is used to support the educational process. At the end a few insights into employability of future graduates are added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents one part of a wider study, performed at the Department of LIS&BS at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. The study investigated the perceptions of user friendliness of information retrieval systems' (IRS) interfaces and the role of individual characteristics of users in these perceptions. A user study with 61 postgraduate students of the University of Ljubljana was performed. Three interfaces were studied: Science Direct, Proquest Direct and Ebsco Host. Questionnaires and observation were used for data collection. The users' perceptions of importance of auxiliary functions, interface preference and perceptions of user friendliness of certain interface elements were investigated. Also, the connections between these perceptions and the users' individual characteristics were identified. Three sets of individual characteristics were included: approaches to studying, thinking styles and hemisphere leanings. In connection with the dimensions of individual characteristics very different user perceptions were expressed. Some dimensions of individual characteristics were also found to be connected to the users' academic areas. It is shown that the participants from different academic areas have different requirements and perceptions of user friendliness. The results of the study are relevant for the design of the user interfaces of disciplinary IRS. They also have implications for other areas, e.g. user education and training, acquisition and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This paper shows how the set of Information Seeking and Retrieval (information seeking and retrieval) topics (for devising a curriculum) relates to the curriculum of two modules taught at two different institutions: Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia and School of Information and Library Studies at University College Dublin, Ireland. Method. The information seeking and retrieval framework is compared to the structure and contents of both courses. Analysis. This is a descriptive paper and no statistical methods were used. Results. Although differing in the time of their existence and in amount of student effort, some parallels to the information seeking and retrieval scheme can be drawn in both modules. Both modules place heavy emphasis on basic concepts in Human Information Behaviour and Information Seeking areas, while topics predominantly those belonging to the Information Retrieval area are omitted in both modules. Conclusions. These findings have implications for curriculum development. It is possible to claim that the list of information seeking and retrieval topics is fairly robust and that it provides a useful reference tool for educators concerned with curriculum development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — A comparison of methods for evaluating the performance of library services in three European countries — Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom — is given, with emphasis on developing trends and novel methods. Design/methodology/approach — The published and unpublished literature is analysed and evaluated, to bring out themes and comparisons. Findings — Common themes are identified, and suggestions made as to how the competences of the library profession can be improved, and practitioners supported, in embedding performance evaluation into a more evidence-based practice. Originality/value — This is the only paper to date making explicit international comparisons of evaluation of library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The country reports were presented in one of the working groups at the 11th BOBCATSSS 2003 symposium in Torun. The reports show how European Union programmes influenced the development of national information policies. Experiences from three countries were compared: Lithuania, Slovenia and the already full EU member United Kingdom. The first part of the presentation explains what national information policies really mean for these countries, then followed an account of the EU programmes in which they participated. Finally the authors assess the impact of these programmes on the development of the national information policy, in order to reveal the differences in impact between the three countries and predict likely future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]