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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 aims to identify patterns in user complaints within chat transcripts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers analyzed 3,339 chat transcripts from an academic chat reference consortium between January 2019 to December 2021. Transcripts were hand-coded for pandemic status, semester, user type, presence of a complaint, complaint type and subtype, and complaint resolution. We tested the significance of relationships between variables using Pearson's chi-square test of independence and Fisher's exact test. Over the three-year study period, 17.6% of chats contained at least one complaint, with faculty and graduate students complaining more than expected, and undergraduates complaining less than expected. The most common complaint types concerned e-resources, accounts, and research. There were significant differences in complaints according to user type: students and faculty complained more about e-resources, staff and alumni complained more about accounts, and members of the public complained more about policies. The researchers found a statistically significant increase in complaints during the pandemic, with more complaints about document delivery and borrowing and e-access eligibility than expected, and fewer complaints about library accounts and noise than expected. Most complaints across the study period were resolved, typically via referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ChatGPT and other AI models have raised questions about their potential impact on libraries, and reference services. While libraries have adapted in the face of many other technologies, ChatGPT provides a human-like conversational element and ability to answer direct questions that separates it from tools like Google and Wikipedia. This study examines ChatGPT's ability to provide a "successful" reference transaction using criteria from the RUSA Behavioral Guidelines and from the literature and compares ChatGPT's answers to those provided by library reference services. The results show that librarians generally outperform the AI model, but the data suggests some areas for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a world of advanced technology, traditional reference faces the ever-increasing challenge to maintain its relevance and significance. Statistics show a drastic decline in reference desk transactions in academic libraries nationwide over the last few decades. As academic libraries around the nation are now transforming their services to adjust to the changing needs of today’s library users, how does the Reference department at Francis Marion University compare to its peers in keeping pace with this trend? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital libraries provide research to support and improve patient care and health outcomes. This report reviews and compares the results of a series of 6 studies conducted between 2010 and 2023 by Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital libraries to evaluate the information patrons received from their libraries in response to reference requests. The results found that the libraries' reference responses were relevant and timely and had a positive effect on patient care while saving staff time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features the speakers and subjects that were included in the original panel at American Library Association (ALA) annual conference. These include "Interconnecting Worlds: Weaving Community Narratives, Andean Histories & the Library's Collections," by Giselle M. Avillés, "Whose History: A Culturally Responsive Approach in Public Library Special Collections" by Alex Mada, and "The Midwest Indigenous Cartography Project" by Heather Sloan.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of covid-19 on library services as perceived by international students and scholars at Kent State University, a medium-sized public research university in the mid-west, in the United States. A second general purpose was to increase awareness of library resources and services among the international student population. The study used a self-reported questionnaire (Qualtrics survey) to find out the use of library services and resources by international students' pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. Using google analytics, the study also compared visits of the library website from pre-pandemic and during the pandemic by the general student population. The author also obtained statistics from various library departments to compare pre-pandemic and pandemic usage. Additionally, informal interviews were conducted by the author to find out librarians' perceptions of how Covid-19 impacted their services and policies. The survey results showed a general lack of awareness of library resources and services among the international student population both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. The usage statistics and reports from the librarians revealed a high impact of the pandemic on Interlibrary Loan (ILL), circulation, acquisitions and instruction services, but a modest/minimal impact on reference services and visits to the library website. Recommendations include increased marketing efforts and outreach to the international student population and by extension to all students especially long-distance students or online-only students. The study also highlights the importance of open access, consortia, and Institutional repositories and the role they play in enhancing equitable access to information. The study encourages libraries to leverage new technologies that would improve services while also advocating for policies that would help bridge the digital divide. [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]

This article reviews the existing literature on the use of conversational AI robots based on GPT language models in libraries, focusing on their viability, usefulness and performance in answering reference questions. The main objectives are to synthesize current research, evaluate the performance of GPT models and reflect on librarians' positioning regarding the integration of these technologies into library reference services. The methodology includes the analysis of 11 varied studies, with a search in various databases and a rigorous selection of relevant studies. The results reveal the promising performance of GPT models, but also highlight limitations such as their inability to understand nuances and complex questions. In addition, challenges persist in terms of intellectual property, confidentiality and reliability of responses. The studies include performance evaluations, narrative reviews, a systematic review and a case study on the implementation of a ChatGPT-based chatbot in a university library. These studies offer interesting insights into the potential benefits and challenges of successfully integrating ChatGPT into library services. [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]

Objective. The aim of this paper is to highlight the organization of information and reference services in a special library, the Zagreb City Museum Library, which can also be considered as a personal librarian service due to the individual approach and method of information retrieval during communication with users. Objective. The aim of this paper is to highlight the organization of information and reference services in a special library, the Zagreb City Museum Library, which can also be considered as a personal librarian service due to the individual approach and method of information retrieval during communication with users. Results. The paper gives an insight into the organization of providing information and reference services of the museum library for the needs of the parent institution and the work processes taking place within it. Although the primary targeted users of this library are employees of the Zagreb City Museum, examples of opening up this type of library to external users are presented. An individual approach to the user is nurtured as the basis of the personal librarian service. Since collection, preserving and processing valuable materials is no longer suffi cient for the sustainability of museum libraries, it is emphasized how timely delivery of relevant information to users enhances awareness of the purpose, importance and value of these small special libraries. Originality/Value. According to the author's current knowledge, this paper provides the fi rst overview and evaluation of the personal librarian service in a museum library within domestic framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of this paper is to critically review the content and outcomes of education for library reference work at the Department of Information Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek) and compare them with the competency matrix for library reference described in the publications of the American Library Association. Approach/Methodology/Design. An analysis of the current study program was conducted to identify all courses that off er competencies and skills necessary for work in the information and reference servic. These were then compared with existing guidelines and competencies for library reference work. Results. Department of Information Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek) off ers courses that cover the necessary competencies for library reference work. Limitations. The conclusions are based on a comparison of the Department of Information Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek) study program with publications of the American Library Association. Many educators and practitioners use those publications but they do not necessarily refl ect the Croatian experience of library reference work.....Originality/Value. The paper presents an analysis of the university study program at the Department of Information Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek) in terms of competencies required for library reference work in the reference service, which has not been conducted before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based at De Montfort University, Decolonising DMU is a strategic initiative working to create an anti-racist institution where all can achieve. Growing from DMU's Freedom to Achieve project Decolonising DMU extends anti-racist work across the structure and composition of the institution, moving away from a sole focus on the curriculum. The Library has played a core role within both of these projects working with staff and students to gain better representation in library collections, facilitating library work experience to enhance staff and professional diversity, working with academics to decolonise reading lists, enabling changes in pedagogical practice and to raise awareness of issues and the lived experience of people of colour. This ultimately leads to changes in practice to enable a better sense of belonging and visibility for students of colour which in turn leads to more successful engagement and student retention. The article provides examples of actions, challenges and ways forward, with specific reference to Library and Learning Services. Reflections on the complex and evolving nature of this work are made alongside the implications for the student and staff experience plus service and collection development. This work reinforces the critical importance and impact of the decolonising H E movement on academic libraries and student success. [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 introduction of ChatGPT 3.5 in November 2022 ignited a sensation in the academic community, leaving many astounded by its capabilities. This new release more closely emulates human responses than its predecessors. Among its remarkable capabilities, it can answer questions, catalog items in MARC21, recommend reading lists, and make suggestions on a wide array of topics. To assess ChatGPT’s efficacy in aiding library users, the authors of this paper conducted an experiment comparing ChatGPT’s performance with that of librarians in answering reference questions. Thirty questions were randomly selected from the transaction log of the reference inquiries between June 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023 at the Rider University Libraries. These queries constituted 34% of the total user questions during this two-month period. The authors compared the answers by ChatGPT and those by reference librarians for their accuracy, relevance, and friendliness. The findings indicate that reference librarians markedly outperformed their robotic counterpart. An evident issue arises from ChatGPT’s deficiency in understanding local policies and practices. This consequently hinders its ability to provide satisfactory answers in those areas. OpenAI posits that ChatGPT’s proficiency can be enhanced through targeted fine-tuning using locally specific information. At the moment, ChatGPT remains a great tool for librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health sciences library public services underwent profound changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Circulation, reference services, instruction, interlibrary loan, and programming were all significantly affected. Libraries adapted by moving to virtual services, featuring online workshops, video consultations, and digital information sharing. Reference services moved to virtual consultations for a streamlined experience, and instruction transitioned to interactive video tutorials. Interlibrary loan services saw a decrease in print material lending but an increase in electronic subscriptions. Library programming shifted from in-person to virtual, focusing on wellness activities. This post-pandemic transformation underscores the importance of ongoing adaptation to meet changing user needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to explore the impact of ICT on library technical and reference services in the public sector college libraries of Punjab. The quantitative approach and survey method was used by distributing the questionnaire to all the population of 236 professionals having minimum 16 years of education. 187 valid responses were received with a response rate of 79.23 %. The mean value concerning to the impact of ICT on library technical and reference services was below the average 3 and score of technical services was a little higher than reference services. The age experience and ICT training were found significant positive predictor for better impact of ICT on both library services. A non-significant positive relationship was also detected in the two variables of gender and qualification. The mean value for using ICT among male and higher qualified respondents was a little higher than female and lower degree holders. The electronic devices should be provided in the libraries. The opportunities for ICT training should be increased with special reference to the female professionals. This study is important for authorities making policies and releasing funds for libraries and it would prove a good contribution in the existing literature on the impact of ICT on the services rendering by the college libraries of Punjab, Pakistan. [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]

This study determines librarians' perceptions of Virtual Reference Services (VRS) in university libraries in Pakistan. Based on the census, data was collected from 29 head librarians of Lahore through a questionnaire. The results show that short messaging, instant messaging, and ask a librarian are prominent VRS. Time-saving, 24/7 service, reduced workload, and easy access are significant merits. Increased users' expectations, staff training, and special skills to answer users' queries are the key challenges. Librarians with higher qualifications have a positive opinion and fewer challenges to offering VRS. This service is likely to become necessary in academic libraries in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic drove most users online, chat was establishing itself as a core service for asking library-related questions of many types, from basic directional and reference to research queries of a more sophisticated nature. This investigation seeks to provide insight into how academic libraries are seen not only as a source of library assistance, but also as a means of filling an information gap on a wider subject: the university campus at large. The study's methods involved analyzing chat transcripts from five large four-year public universities during a two-year period (2019–2021), noting the frequency of campus-related chat questions and coding the specific topics of those inquiries. The findings show that library reference services, particularly live virtual chat, are consistently valuable to the campus community and may be especially important to supporting less privileged student populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic profoundly affected the online presence of every institution as in-person interactions abruptly came to a halt. Libraries had to make both significant adjustments and minor tweaks to their websites to accommodate new remote work and scholarship modalities. In some cases, entire web pages, which would typically require weeks of planning, research, and testing before being launched, were hastily published. In this article, the author explores how web committees can make on-the-fly changes that continue to yield positive results beyond the unique circumstances of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. They argue that by encouraging the use of design thinking principles, administrators and web committees can effectively showcase remote library services to students, faculty, and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines through a systematic review, the reference services rendered in academic libraries using artificial intelligence (AI) and by collecting data through environmental scanning. The objective of this systematic literature review is to provide a synthesis of empirical studies exploring the application of artificial intelligence for reference services in academic libraries. Data were collected from Web of Science, Scopus, and LISA databases. Following the rigorous/established selection process, a total of thirty five articles were finally selected, reviewed and analyzed. Thirty five papers were identified, analyzed and summarized on the subject relating to the application of AI and the methods which are most often used. The findings demonstrate that university libraries in Canada and China are leading in the deployment of AI for reference services. The AI techniques used mostly in the scanned university libraries are self-directed learning and natural language processing techniques; while the challenges of using AI for reference services are the problem of quality intelligence, linguistic style, privacy, a threat to intellectual freedom, bias, and cost; inadequate experts, poor network, poor training and lack of innovation, and limited knowledge about the technology. The study indicates university libraries take into account implementing AI for reference services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A library's website is the virtual front door for many of our users. Libraries offer online assistance in several ways, including a variety of options to request help. Live chat and email services are not new, but the recent development of chatbots provides opportunities to rethink and enhance online support. While some chatbots or virtual assistants generate automatic and custom responses to user input, this paper explores the implementation of a rules-based chatbot, where all responses have been input and configured by library staff. Details are provided to describe the process before, during, and after the initial implementation with data and observations from the pilot in mid-2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project sought to better understand why course instructors request librarian involvement to teach information literacy skills. Librarians at two large institutions surveyed 29 instructors and then interviewed 11 about their experiences working with librarians, their motivations for involving librarians in their courses, and their goals for including information literacy instruction. The study found that instructors had many different levels of experience with the library. Motivations for inviting librarians to their classes included creating a support network and sharing librarian expertise with students. The researchers also discuss instructor participation in library instruction sessions, including commentary, where they reinforce points made by the librarian during class, and bookending, where they sandwich librarian involvement between preliminary or concluding remarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2020 and 2021 summer semesters, the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) transitioned to hybrid classes that were primarily distance learning with two-week inperson sections. The library offered both synchronous and asynchronous reference assistance over the summer term. An analysis showed that students favored using the UMBS LibGuide over synchronous virtual reference help via Zoom. Students further preferred face-to-face interactions over virtual formats, and their preference for LibGuide assistance may carry into the post- COVID-19 classroom. This finding suggests that students prioritize convenience and immediacy over personalized assistance in the Zoom platform. Thus, in providing reference assistance to student populations in the field sciences, balancing face-to-face interactions with convenience and immediacy should be a priority. Recommendations based on the success of the 2020 and 2021 field seasons were suggested for reference interactions in future field courses. [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]

Copyright of Journal of Academic Library & Information Science is the property of Anhui University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Hausa dictionary under review is based on the dictionaries both authors have published in the last 40 years ([6]; [7]; [5]), but also on Bargery's monumental publication ([3]) and the BUK monolingual Hausa dictionary ([4]) as well as some other works. Hausa Dictionary for Everyday Use: Hausa - English/ English - Hausa In general, Hausa dictionaries have been and continue to be used almost exclusively by Hausa language scholars and students. The user's guide provides a brief introduction to some of the important grammatical features of the Hausa language and their representation in the dictionary, including information on grammatical gender and plural formation, as well as an overview of the Hausa verbal grade system. [Extracted from the article]

The present study aims to highlight the librarians’ perception pertaining to the implementation of Virtual Reference Service (VRS) in the Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster Institutions (CRIKC). The study is based on a sample drawn from librarians of the CRIKC libraries. To assess and evaluate the librarians’ perception regarding the feasibility of VRS, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed among 19 library professionals of CRIKC libraries. The reason for choosing the questionnaire was to know the status of virtual reference service as well as librarians’ perception regarding the feasibility of VRS in CRIKC libraries. The findings suggest that the major challenge faced by librarians in providing VRS is the need for an additional budget for staffing, followed by an increased staff workload and a lack of staff training facilities. However, despite these challenges, the librarians perceive VRS to be highly effective in promoting the optimum use of the library’s collection and resources, improving staff efficiency, and promoting information literacy. From the users’ perspective, remote access to online assistance and faster access to information were found to be the most effective features of VRS. Additionally, personalized service, 24/7 availability, and the ability to save chat sessions for later use were also perceived as beneficial by most of the librarians. These results highlight the potential benefits of implementing web 2.0-enabled VRS in academic libraries, despite the challenges involved. It is essential to allocate a sufficient budget for staffing and provide staff training facilities to overcome the challenges faced in implementing VRS successfully. Furthermore, by improving user satisfaction and promoting information literacy, VRS can prove to be an effective tool for enhancing library services and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated users’ perceptions of the service quality of the readers’ service section of the University of Ilorin Library. A survey research design was used to conduct its analysis. The target demographic for the study is the 45,885 undergraduate students who attend the University of Ilorin in Ilorin, Nigeria. For the study, a simple random sampling technique was used, and a questionnaire served as the instrument for gathering data. The findings showed that lending and interlibrary loan services, provision of seating and study facilities, reference services, current awareness services, user education and information literacy programs, exhibition, display, and publicity, selective information dissemination, and digital library services are just a few of the ways that the University of Ilorin in Ilorin, Nigeria, provides readers’ services. The university library has greatly improved the number of information services it offers to its users by integrating digital technologies to complement the conventional mode of information distribution. Although the study’s finding was that the service quality of the University of Ilorin library’s readers’ service section is not yet outstanding, it is still somewhat satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details the genealogical services and outreach work undertaken at the Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, Connecticut. The Godfrey Memorial Library was founded in 1947 by A. Fremont Rider, avid genealogist, and retired head librarian at Wesleyan University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to explore the perspectives of students toward the utilization of ChatGPT, its potential benefits and disadvantages over traditional reference librarians. The study employed a descriptive survey research methodology and analyzed the data collected through descriptive and inferential statistics. Out of the 54 students at Adeleke University surveyed, they acknowledged the advantages of ChatGPT such as its convenience, user-friendliness, extensive knowledge base, and accessibility. However, they also pointed out its limitations including the inability to comprehend emotions, limitations in answering complex questions, potential for providing incorrect answers, and risk of outdated information. Despite these drawbacks, the students still expressed their intention to seek reference assistance from ChatGPT, as well as from librarians. The research suggests that library administration should embrace technology to ensure that students have convenient access to reference services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the virtual reference service (VRS) queries made by library users and to determine whether there are any differences in the types of queries made by them. 1,472 email threads of VRS received from users of Global Library, O. P. Jindal Global University, India, during 2022 were collected and analyzed. The study's findings reveal that the most frequently requested VRS queries are related to research articles, followed by database access and off-campus access issues. The authors suggest that libraries should prioritize providing training on accessing the online database and use chat, chatbot, and WhatsApp to provide virtual reference services to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reference services have become a staple in many libraries, but these services reached a new level of importance when in-person reference shut down in response to COVID-19. This descriptive study aims to discover how health sciences librarians utilized virtual reference services in response to the pandemic. A survey was developed and distributed to health sciences librarians. The survey addressed the status of virtual reference services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as any changes that are seen as libraries reopen. Virtual reference shifted heavily to video conferencing during the pandemic both for librarians at home and those remaining onsite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library decision makers rely on data from relevant comparator libraries to inform their choices regarding resource allocation and models for library services. It is valuable to see the decisions that other libraries of similar size and type have made. Unfortunately, libraries serving small and very small institutions are not represented in the literature on reference service models. Libraries serving medium-sized institutions are represented in a few studies, but even so medium libraries will find it challenging to identify focused comparator descriptions. This study presents comparator data for reference service in libraries serving medium, small, and very small institutions in order to address the lack of representation of small and very small libraries in the reference service literature and equip libraries of all of these size categories with more specifically focused comparator groups than are available elsewhere. In order to provide a more comprehensive answer to the question "how are libraries like mine providing reference service?" this study's data is presented in a variety of ways including a composite description of all respondents' data and focused reports of respondents' data grouped in subsets according to institution FTE enrollment, librarian headcount, combined librarian and paraprofessional headcount, and the highest degree offered by the institution served by the library. This variety of presentations allows libraries to collect a more complete description of how reference service is being provided in libraries like theirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a mixed-methods research approach was employed, integrating social network analysis, descriptive analysis, and inferential statistical analysis to examine the health topic subject directories and the interconnections among health topics within the subject directory system of the MedlinePlus portal. One hundred and fifty-nine health topics related to children's health as well as 1457 qualified keywords were collected and analyzed. As a result, 184 new connections (140 bidirectional and 44 unidirectional) were proposed to be added to the original subject directory on MedlinePlus. Five new core topics were identified as influential topics in the subject network. This new optimized structural network was proved to be significantly improved from the original one and the importance of the newly identified core topics were verified. The evaluations also included participants containing both medical professionals (2) and medical students (31). The user evaluation results confirmed that the recommendations suggested by this study are solid and effective. The findings of this research would improve the information searching effectiveness for the portal users and offer insights to public health portal creators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This column reports a simple test of ChatGPT with some library reference prompts and article writing prompts in February 2023, and compares the answers from traditional library chatbots with ChatGPT's. It also tries to call attention to possible lessons the library community may want to learn from previous transformative technology changes such as Google and Web 2.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares health science librarian job postings in the MEDLIB-L listserv from 2018–2019 and 2021–2022 to assess whether there was an increase in remote or hybrid schedule arrangements listed in job advertisements after the pandemic's onset. Results indicated a notable increase in advertising remote/hybrid work arrangements rising from 1.2% of listings in 2018–2019 to 16% of listings in 2021–2022. Data from a 2022 survey of library directors, however, indicated that approximately 70% of respondents expressed confidence in the continuance of remote/hybrid work. Additionally, from a very limited sample size, salaries for remote/hybrid positions did not appear to be less than in-person postings. While current employees at many institutions may benefit from flexible scheduling, this study examines whether job postings, which are often the primary information available to applicants, included information about remote and hybrid work options. [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]

Background: Colorado's age-adjusted fatal opioid overdose rate increased over 400% from 2000 to 2020. Public libraries are increasingly valuable community resources for accessing health-related information. We sought to evaluate the availability and types of opioid use disorder (OUD)-related resources offered through Colorado Public Library branches using secret shoppers to collect data. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 197 Colorado Public Libraries in 2021. Anonymous auditors posed as library patrons asking a brief standardized script about availability of OUD-related resources over the phone. We conducted descriptive analyses of the libraries contacted, the response types of OUD resources provided, and information about naloxone availability. Outcomes were compared between urban/rural and libraries within/outside the Denver Public Library (DPL) system via means comparison tests. Results: Approximately 50% of libraries were classified as urban. Most (81%) of the libraries offered a valid OUD-resource, and over half (51%) provided a referral to a treatment center offering at least one medication for OUD. Over a third (36%) of librarians referenced the statewide naloxone standing order allowing patients to obtain naloxone from a pharmacy without prescription. One in ten libraries provided at least one invalid referral resource. Libraries within the DPL system referenced Colorado's naloxone standing order at higher rates than non-DPL libraries. Conclusions: Public libraries may benefit from the development of a standard for OUD-related resource training/education that can be distributed across the state to create a space for community members to obtain resources related to substance use. [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]