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Purpose – This study aims to examine the scholarly impact of funded and non-funded research published in ten core library and information science (LIS) journals published in 2016. Design/methodology/approach – In total, ten high-impact LIS journals were selected using Google Scholar metrics. The source title of each selected journal was searched in the Scopus database to retrieve the articles published in 2016. The detailed information of all the retrieved articles for every journal was exported in a CSV Excel file, and after collecting all the journal articles’ information, all CSV Excel files were merged into a single MS Excel file for data analysis. Findings – The study analyzed 1,064 publications and found that 14% of them were funded research articles. Funded articles received higher average citation counts (24.56) compared to non-funded articles (20.49). Funded open-access articles had a higher scholarly impact than funded closed-access articles. The research area with the most funded articles was “Bibliometrics,” which also received the highest number of citations (1,676) with an average citation count of 24.64. The National Natural Science Foundation of China funded the most papers (30), while the USA funded the highest number of research publications (36) in the field of LIS. Practical implications – This study highlights the importance of securing funding, open access publishing, discipline-specific differences, diverse funding sources and aiming for higher citations. Researchers, practitioners and policymakers can use these findings to enhance research impact in LIS. Originality/value – This study explores the impact of funding on research LIS and provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between funding and research impact.

Purpose – The present study aims to examine the use of open access (OA) scholarly communication in India and investigate the factors affecting the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication among researchers. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a survey method. Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) of Web of Science database was selected as a source for identifying potential researchers and researchers’ contact details. A web-based questionnaire was designed using Google Forms, and a link to the questionnaire was sent by email to 4,237 researchers belonging to Science and Technology. Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) is the primary basis for formulating the present study’s conceptual model. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) was applied for identifying the factors that influence the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication. Findings – The study found that researchers have limited knowledge of differentOA concepts, initiatives and resources, resulting in a deficient level of participation in OA publishing. The HMR analysis authenticates that attitude, facilitating conditions, Internet usage self-efficacy, article processing charge (APC) and researchers’ working experience significantly influence the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication. Based on the findings, the study proposed a validated model to investigate the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication in different institutions, research disciplines and developing countries with similar conditions. Practical implications – The findings have several practical and policy implications for improving OA publishing in India, formulating OA policies and providing directions for further research. Originality/value – This is the first study focusing on adopting and using OA scholarly communication in India. Findings may be helpful in planning and implementing OA initiatives. The influencing factors and the relative importance identified in the present study offered empirical evidence to demonstrate the researchers’ attitudes and perceptions for adopting and using OA scholarly communication.

This paper discusses the theoretical aspects of Bradford’s law, its implications in different subject areas, various implementation forms, and its relevance in the published Information Science literature. The study attempts to apply Bradford’s law and Leimkuhler model on Information Science literature to a total of 213 source items listed in the Scopus database during the study period of 2001 to 2020. A ranking table of journals and articles has been prepared to contain the cumulative count. In the first phase, the verbal formulation or the laws’ algebraic form is employed in the journal distribution pattern that depicts a very high percentage of error in the actual observation that does not comply with Bradford’s distribution. The Leimkuhler model’s application follows this after finding the Bradford multiplier (k) value, thereby estimating the number of journals in the core and the successive two zones (r0, r1, r2). A minor percentage error of 0.0092357% has been observed, followed by the graphical depiction of the data, i.e., “Bradford’s Bibliograph.” “Scientometrics” (39), “Bulletin of the Medical Library Association” (33), “Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science”(26 ) were found as the most preferred journals with the highest frequency.

This paper identifies the access to the study material available and the services offered to the users with disabilities at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) library and the availability of assistive technologies. Questionnaire methods used for collecting the data and found that nearly enough facilities are available on the library campus and within the main library building. The circulation and reference desks are challenging to reach because they were located at a high altitude. The JNU library supports disabled researchers and students with specialized services and assistive technologies. Braille, large print, audio, and electronic books are among the options accessible for the study materials. With bookshare.org, the library provides relevant collections in multiple formats such as daisy mp3, and e-text to visually challenged users.

The study analyses Open Access (OA) uptake by the Indian academic and research institutions concerning their research productivity. Publication data of 36 universities have been retrieved from the 2020 record of CWTS Leiden Ranking database. Findings of the study show that around 23 per cent of all publications of these universities are openly accessible, and their median OA publications proportion is much lower than the median measure of universities worldwide (43 %). ‘Green OA’ reserved the first place with 17 per cent of occurrence, and Biomedical and Health Sciences have achieved the highest median (34.37 %). The study concludes with a vision towards increasing the global collaboration of the academic institutions regarding OA following the account of the Indian achievements.

The purpose of this study was to assess the convenience and accessibility of library services to users with disabilities at Aligarh Muslim University in India. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods through questionnaires, interviews and remarks applying the IFLA checklist to investigate the scenario. The study established that AMU has a purpose- built library to accommodate users with disabilities; however, additional funds were not allocated for developing library facilities, assistive technologies and collections in the accessible formats that lead to the delivery of inadequate services to users with disabilities. Despite the availability of some specialized services, the study found that users with disabilities face numerous obstacles when using library services due to unavailability of library materials in convenient formats, lack of assistance from the trained library staff and lack of adequate training to users. The paper concludes with the recommendations to implementing guidelines of IFLA and UNESCO regarding access to library services for users with disabilities.

This paper aims to examine the availability of Open Access (OA) research literature in the field of digital library. In order to analyse the availability of OA research literature in the field of digital library, a search was conducted on Web of Science’s Core collection database on June 11, 2019. In response to a topic search TS = “Digital Library” using the advanced search option, 849 articles were retrieved. Of the 849 articles examined, the details of 26 articles were not found in the Google Scholar. Therefore, 823 articles were selected for further analyses. After examining the Websites of OA articles, they were classified into three categories: gold OA, green OA, and both gold and green OA. Furthermore, all the green OA articles were systematically organised into six groups for the examination of the self-archiving venues used by the researchers for self-archiving. Out of 823 articles analysed, OA versions were found for 64.76 per cent of articles. This study found that 26.68 per cent of OA articles were available through gold OA and 60.39 per cent articles were available through green OA, while 36.53 per cent articles were accessible via both OA journals and self-archiving (gold & green OA). Although researchers used various OA platforms for self-archiving of their research work, publishers’ Websites were found as the most preferred choice for self-archiving of research work by the authors in the field of digital library. Computer Science discipline has the highest share of OA copies available through self-archiving. However, it is important to point out that more than 78 per cent of self-archived articles were found as the final publisher’s PDF versions of the article which publishers never allow for self-archiving.

The purpose of this study is to understand the attitude of library professionals to share knowledge and identify barriers that hinder knowledge sharing among them in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Quantitative research method was used for the study. Using stratified random sampling technique, 100 library professionals working in Maulana Azad Library and other departmental libraries of AMU were selected as a sample population. For the collection of data, a questionnaire was designed and administered to the library professionals up to the level of Semi-Professional Assistants. Out of 100 distributed questionnaires, 60 duly filled questionnaires were returned back and retained for analysis. Most of the findings of the study supported the literature reviewed and shows that library professionals have positive attitudes towards knowledge sharing, and they share knowledge for finding solution to the job-related problem and improvement in the job performance. Library professionals mostly use information technology–based tools such as e-mail, mobile/telephone, social media (Facebook), blogs and others for sharing of knowledge with colleagues. They acknowledged the importance of intrinsic motivation in knowledge sharing rather extrinsic motivation. Lack of communication, lack of time and training, political and cultural reasons are perceived as the major barriers to knowledge sharing in libraries by library professionals.

Purpose– This paper aims to present an exploration of the potential utilisation of different information and communication technologies (ICT) in Indian academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach– A survey method was used for the collection of data. A structured questionnaire, containing close-ended questions, was sent by postal mail to 30 librarians of the Central University Libraries in India, of which 15 questionnaires were returned. Findings– Academic libraries in India have mostly been involved in applying traditional ICT-based solutions for the management of various library functions and services, particularly for organising and retrieving information. Use of modern ICT-based tools of knowledge creation and sharing such as web discovery tools, blogs, wikis, Real Simple Syndication feeds, social networking and social bookmarking seems uncommon in academic libraries. Lack of trained staff in ICT, low level of ICT skills among library users, unawareness of potential benefits of ICT and inadequate ICT infrastructure were found as the major barriers of ICT applications in academic libraries. Practical implications– Academic libraries in India are still in the early stage of understanding the importance of modern ICTs. Librarians should renovate existing library environment and develop knowledge and skills among their staff in the fields of computer programming, website or portal development, hardware maintenance and metadata or e-resource management for providing quality information services to their users. Originality/value– Because no empirical study on the use ICT-based knowledge management (KM) tools in academic libraries in India has been carried out before, this study closes this gap and provides guidelines for practising librarians, policy makers, management and the University Grants Commission of India to promote the use of ICTs in libraries, and to design courses of information communication technology and related skills.

This study aims to identify, collect and critically review the research literature on the concepts of Knowledge Management (KM) among Library & Information Science (LIS) professionals. The present study is based on the review of published work in the field of KM and librarianship. It has been observed that the knowledge which is embedded in people (their skill and expertise) as well as knowledge of working processes of libraries (explicit knowledge) recognized as the important sources of knowledge within libraries. Skills of LIS professionals in librarianship and information management can be very beneficial to KM, but these are not sufficient and there is a need to acquire additional competencies in the fields of communication, human resource management, change management, project management. Based on the extensive review of literature, this study provides a theoretical foundation for further research to investigate the problems and prospects of implementing KM in libraries.

Supplemental material, sj-doc-1-lis-10.1177_09610006221111199 for Librarians self-efficacy in ICT-based library operations and services: A survey of librarians working in libraries of Aligarh Muslim University Library System by Mohammad Nazim, Shamim Aktar Munshi and Mohammad Ashar in Journal of Librarianship and Information Science