Home Away from Home: Extending Library Services for International Students in China's Universities

In response to the rapid growth of international students in China's universities, it is important for university libraries to extend their existing services, which were mainly designed for native Chinese students. This paper reports on a research study aimed at extending library services for international students by identifying and understanding their requirements. An exploratory case study research design was adopted. Specifically, the Wuhan University Library was selected as the case study, at which 23 international students were approached and interviewed using semi-structured questions. The analysis of interview data pointed to 14 library service requirements in four main themes: feeling welcomed, convenient accessibility, comfortable learning environment and diverse learning resources. On this basis, five practical strategies were formulated. This study focused on China's university libraries, however, the research findings provide useful implications and insights that can be shared across international borders.     

What leadership qualities are necessary for productive librarianship? Explore coaxial traits of academic librarians in the twin cities of Pakistan

Academic libraries are experiencing significant changes, and leadership plays an essential role in successfully implementing those changes. The study analyzed the leadership practices in academic libraries in Pakistan's twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). Another important purpose of the study was to shed light on the adopted practices in decision-making and motivating staff. The qualitative research approach was used to achieve the objectives. A structured interview method was employed to collect data from twenty chief librarians or directors of university libraries in Rawalpindi and Islamabad (twin cities). A purposive sampling technique was used. Open-ended questions were used to collect the data by considering the research objectives. The consent was taken from the selected LIS professionals as prior permission for the interview. NVivo was used to analyze the data, which was then presented using thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that most university library leaders were practising and following the participatory leadership style, also known as democratic leadership.The study will create awareness among academic professionals about the adopted leadership styles and practices and the benefits that can be obtained by implementing them. It will also attract the attention of associated bodies towards this dilemma and result in a positive initiative to build leadership skills in LIS professionals. To our knowledge, no prior study has been conducted to analyze the leadership practices in academic libraries in the Twin Cities, Pakistan. This study will fill that niche.     

A university library management model for students’ learning support

Abstract

This research was aimed at developing a university library management model that would support students’ learning. The research was conducted in three phases: 1) an investigation into the requirements of a university library service of instructors; 2) an investigation into the attitudes of librarians, libraries’ administrators, and university’s administrators toward the roles of library and policy concepts relating to university library management that promote students’ learning; and 3) the development of a university library management model for students’ learning support. A mixed research method was applied comprising qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected using in-depth interviews and questionnaires. The findings have led to a proposal of a university library management model that supports student learning, which is comprised of five components: 1) management policy and system; 2) learning resources; 3) learning support services; 4) learning environments; and 5) the competency and roles of information professionals. It can be stated that studies into Thai university library implementation, strategic plans, and self-assessment reports under the quality assurance system showed that even though libraries have updated resources and services following changing situations in policies, technologies, and users’ needs, there is no clear indicator that Thai university libraries have any strategy for acquiring roles to support students’ learning with practical outcomes. Through reliable research work, this study into a model for university library management would result in a means of developing university libraries that truly supports university student learning based on information from instructors, library administrators, and librarians.     

Institutional commitment to community engagement in South African academic libraries

The paper sought to examine institutional commitment to community engagement (CE) in South African public university libraries. The research approach adopted was qualitative using three methods, interviews with Library Heads (LHs), focus groups discussions with Librarians and content analysis of the libraries' strategic plans. Data were collected, analysed and interpreted thematically using ATLAS.ti and according to the objectives of the study. Findings revealed that most libraries in South Africa reflect CE in their strategic objectives. However, having CE in the strategies objectives does not often translate to its funding and assessment by the universities. This points to a dissonance between policy and implementation. The study recommends that South African academic libraries should strive to utilise more quantitative and qualitative methods to assess their CE initiatives. Similar to other main functions of universities, such as teaching, learning and research; government should consider introducing a competitive funding model for the CE mandate to stimulate practical, academic and research interest in this niche.     

“双一流”建设背景下高校图书馆功能与定位的再思考

[目的/意义] 随着"双一流"建设总体方案和实施办法的出台，各高校先后发布建设方案，高校图书馆作为支持大学教学、科研和学习的主力机构，其功能和定位对"双一流"建设起到重要的战略保障作用。[方法/过程] 运用文献分析法、网络调研法和科学计量软件，对我国高校图书馆"双一流"建设研究和实践现状进行分析，基于国内42所一流大学建设方案中对图书馆提出的战略要求以及U.S.NEWS排名前十的世界一流大学图书馆的使命规划，阐述高校图书馆对"双一流"建设的支撑作用，诠释我国高校图书馆"双一流"建设的总体目标，重新思考其功能与定位，明确在新背景下高校图书馆实现建设目标及任务的有效途径。[结果/结论] 高校图书馆需要在传承传统的基础上不断守正和创新，依托信息资源保障中心、学科知识支持中心、文化传承交流中心和互动共享学习中心，构建体现其核心竞争力的全媒介信息资源保障共享体系、全流程支持教学和科研的新型服务体系、全方位构建图书馆与外部关系的文化合作体系以及有机融合的个人研究和协作学习智慧创新体系，实现大学图书馆的服务功能，彰显服务价值。     

我国高校图书馆智库型服务体系研究

[目的/意义] 研究高校图书馆如何开展智库型服务,对于发挥资源和人才优势,提升高校图书馆的服务水平和地位具有重要的意义。[方法/过程] 通过文献调研和案例分析,在对我国高校图书馆开展智库型服务现状进行总结和分析的基础上,针对存在的不足,分析高校管理层、高校科研团队、当地政府部门以及企业等的智库型服务需求,构建高校图书馆智库型服务体系。[结果/结论] 结合一些图书馆的实践探索和经验,就相应的服务策略展开探讨,并从避免"学术化"、服务队伍建设、服务品牌影响力提升等方面对高校图书馆开展智库型服务提出建议。     

从学术论文看我国师范大学图书馆科研产出力

利用中国知网学术期刊网络出版总库对我国39所师范大学图书馆2000~2009年间的学术论文进行统计分析,通过与师范大学的纵向比较和师范大学图书馆之间的横向比较来进一步分析我国师范大学图书馆科研产出力的现状,并对其科研发展提出建议。     

我国数字图书馆学领域著者队伍研究

以我国2005—2009年五年间CNKI《中国期刊全文数据库》和《中国引文数据库》收录的数字图书馆学领域的文献为研究对象,利用文献计量与统计学的有关方法,从著者的发文数、引文数及合作情况等角度,对近五年来国内数字图书馆学领域的著者队伍进行了分析,以期了解和掌握我国数字图书馆研究现状,为进一步的研究和发展提供参考。     

高校图书馆与移动网络媒体融合发展研究

网络信息时代,移动网络媒体已成为人们交流互动的重要载体,对高校图书馆传统服务产生重大冲击,高校图书馆融合移动网络媒体实现转型发展已是大势所趋。本文从移动网络媒体在高校图书馆中的应用入手,分析移动网络媒体的广泛应用对高校图书馆信息资源提供方式、知识组织加工方式、管理与服务方式的冲击与影响,针对当前互联网时代的发展要求,研究高校图书馆融合移动网络媒体实现转型发展的应对策略,为高校图书馆融合移动网络媒体更好地开展服务提供思路。     

A social media strategy for academic libraries

This study was carried out to analyse strategies regarding the use of social media for academic library services in Ghana. The research design was quantitative and adopted the survey approach. Questionnaires served as the main data collection instrument. The study population comprised of one hundred and ten library staff from public and private universities in Ghana. As indicated by the study results, the library staff agreed that there was a need for a well-formulated social media strategy to help academic libraries identify the most appropriate social media tools, establish contact with targeted audience, and increase engagement rates to enable an effective and efficient distribution of its resources and services. The results also indicated that the academic libraries, however, seem to neglect these strategies which could drive patrons' use of such platforms. Recommendations therefore suggest the need to implement social media plans and policies, user engagement, social media update, and dedicated staff with the requisite skills in the use of social media platforms for library services delivery.     

高校图书馆多媒体资源管理机制研究

[目的/意义] 多媒体资源是信息时代高校图书馆重点建设的数字资源之一，针对多媒体资源管理机制的研究对高校图书馆多媒体资源高效全面的管理具有重要意义。[方法/过程] 利用文献调研法、网络调研法、实例分析法，调研国内外高校图书馆以及商业平台的多媒体资源管理现状，通过对比分析发现，当前国内高校图书馆对多媒体资源的管理一直处于初级阶段，存在被严重忽视、资源建设单一匮乏、组织管理不规范、服务功能不完善等诸多问题。[结果/结论] 在调研各类多媒体资源平台的基础上提出以数据管理为基础、以组织管理为统筹、以功能管理为体现、以安全管理为保障的四位一体化管理机制，构建系统化管理架构，同时指出高校图书馆多媒体资源管理中的关键问题，为高校图书馆多媒体资源管理提供重要参考和创新思路。     

Real World Objects: Conceptual Framework and University Library Consortium Study

Expanding libraries' repertoire of relevant materials is one of the most important areas of concern for librarians. Incorporation of objects into library collections is an ongoing practice for which librarians remain under-equipped. Having a common language to discuss less conventional library materials across specialization areas helps libraries provide patrons with access to valuable informational objects. In order to provide access and preservation for objects, libraries need a conceptual framework, which is developed here. An observational case study was conducted to inform the reader of the current landscape of objects in libraries by sampling the websites and catalogs of a university consortium utilizing definitions established in the framework. The qualitative data from this study will be presented in a table after the framework is explored. This paper has implications for informational objects in every academic subject area, as well as for ongoing services in makerspaces and media centers.     

New Zealand University libraries effectivenss project: Dimensions and concepts of organizational effectiveness

The two stages of the New Zealand University Libraries Effectiveness Study explore Cameron's models of organizational effectiveness. In the second stage (reported here) the objective was to identify dimensions of effectiveness in New Zealand university libraries, and to examine parallels with dimensions of effectiveness revealed in a similar study of New Zealand public libraries. All library staff in all New Zealand university libraries were asked to rate their library's performance against 99 indicators of effectiveness. They rated performance highest in areas where library staff performance was under question, lowest where resource inputs and organizational support affected library performance. Factor analysis was used to derive 13 dimensions of performance. Six of the dimensions closely paralleled dimensions revealed in the New Zealand Pubic Libraries Effectiveness Study. The 13 dimensions were seen to reflect four models of organizational effectiveness, and to provide parallels with some U.S. studies.     

Knowledge and skills for the digital era academic library

Technology has altered the traditional academic library beyond recognition. These dramatic changes have impacted significantly on the knowledge and skills requirements for LIS professionals practising in this environment. While there have been studies in other parts of the world which have investigated the knowledge and skills requirements for the digital era academic library environment, to date no comprehensive study has ‘drilled’ down into this area in the South African context. This paper reports on a preliminary study which is part of a wider study aimed at developing a comprehensive skills statement which would provide an objective framework against which professional LIS practitioners in the modern academic library environment in South Africa may both measure their existing competencies and also identify the need for further skills acquisition. The research question guiding this preliminary investigation was: What key knowledge and skills are required for LIS professionals to effectively and efficiently practise in a digital era academic library in South Africa? The triangulated findings (using content analysis of job advertisements and semi-structured interviews) from this preliminary investigation are used to ascertain an initial picture of key knowledge and skills sets required for LIS professionals in this environment. These preliminary findings also proved useful in teasing out some of the parameters for the wider study targeting the development of a comprehensive skills statement for higher education libraries in South Africa. The study reported here has relevance for the academic library context in other parts of the world as well.     

面向一流高校建设的图书馆科研数据管理服务研究——以整合DLC-SH为视角

[目的/意义] 一流高校图书馆科研数据管理服务建设既是开放科学交流与合作的现实需要和科研数据共享与利用的客观要求,同时也是适配一流高等教育体系建设的必然趋势。[方法/过程] 选取国内外较有代表性的一流高校图书馆为样本,针对其科研数据管理服务建设的核心支撑要素、主要循环流程与内容、关键主体及其权责等方面展开调研,从整合数据生命周期与利益相关者的视角（DLC-SH）深入探究其服务建设的经验与问题。[结果/结论] 基于DLC-SH视角提出一种由宏观顶层设计与政策规划、中观服务路径设想与前瞻、微观服务体系构建与实现等相互联系的方面把控我国未来面向一流高校建设的图书馆科研数据管理服务革新框架,为后续的研究与实践提供借鉴与参考。     

基于DEA方法的高校图书馆网站效率评价研究——基于6所部属师范高校的实证分析

基于当前国内外高校图书馆网站评价多为定性评价研究,缺乏从定量角度对高校图书馆网站运行效率进行评价并实证分析的情况,将数据包络分析（DEA）应用于图书馆网站效率的评价中,利用DEA相关模型进行对比分析,从定量角度对高校图书馆网站进行效率评价。最后,以6所部属师范高校图书馆为例,进行实证研究,并针对西南大学图书馆网站存在的问题进行分析,找出西南大学图书馆网站建设不足之处,提出改进意见。     

国内外优秀大学图书馆正职馆长资质条件比较及趋势研究

馆长任职资质能够从侧面反映出大学图书馆馆长的遴选标准。选取各大学排行榜中排名靠前的大学,调研其图书馆现任正职馆长的资质条件,并对比国内外的相关情况,以期为我国其他大学遴选图书馆馆长提供参考。结果显示,我国优秀大学图书馆馆长的选拔呈现出平等化、去职业化、高学历化以及注重交流的趋势。     

Chinese academic librarianship in transition

Abstract

This study examines reasons for the shortage of qualified academic librarians in China and recommends ways to position Chinese academic libraries to move into the modern era.

Interviews were conducted with 20 academic librarians in China and 20 in the United States, in one library in each country, to collect data for a comparative study. This paper compares Chinese and US academic librarianship in terms of reasons for entering this profession, academic education in library and information science, and requirements for knowledge and information skills.

Chinese librarianship faces great challenges in the recruitment and education of librarians and with the library system itself. It is time for the government, university officials, libraries and society as a whole to learn to promote librarianship and build a powerful librarian workforce, to meet the needs of China's social and economic development.     

我国图书馆联盟馆际互借服务质量控制研究-以CASHL为例

馆际互借与文献传递服务已成为图书馆联盟实现资源共享的最普遍形式。然而,由于联盟内成员馆在管理水平、服务条件、服务能力和人员素质等方面往往存在巨大差异,如何保证各馆能始终按照联盟组织者的要求,为用户提供标准化、高质量的服务,已经成为图书馆联盟在开展联合服务时所面临的最大挑战之一。该文以中国高校人文社会科学文献中心(CASHL)为案例,通过深入考察CASHL在组织北京大学、清华大学等全国17所重点高校图书馆开展联合服务时所采取的质量控制与提升措施,分析了图书馆联盟在开展馆际互借和文献传递服务时的关键问题,并尝试提出解决之道,以期为其他共建共享组织提供参考借鉴。     

高校图书馆罚款制度的法理分析

文章对高校图书馆“罚款制度”是否合法的问题进行法理分析,指明了高校图书馆与读者的法律关系及各自的权利义务,论证了高校图书馆“罚款制度”的合法性和合理性。通过分析,以法学理论为依据,根据图书馆管理工作的实践,建议将目前通行于各高校的图书馆罚款制度进行相应的修正。