Assessing Academic Library Services to Distance Learners: A Literature Review of Perspectives from Librarians,Students, and Faculty

Many academic libraries are expanding services to online and distance students to keep pace with enrollment trends in higher education, prompting additional research to evaluate the use and effectiveness of library reference and instruction services to distance users. This literature review explores this research from the perspectives of academic librarians, distance students, and faculty teaching online and distance courses, and finds both commonalities and contradictions among these viewpoints.     

Pakistani University Library Web Sites: Features,Contents, and Maintenance Issues

ABSTRACT

This study explores the current status and features of Pakistan's academic library Web sites. A checklist describing features and content was prepared based on a review of the literature related to academic libraries’ Web sites. Then, all 85 library Web sites of Pakistani universities and degree-awarding institutions recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan were surveyed and analyzed using the checklist. Interviews with library professionals were conducted to learn more about the problems and issues with building and maintaining library Web sites. Results indicate that Pakistani academic library Web sites have effective features such as contrasting color schemes, easily readable text, minimal use of horizontal scrolling, and English-language text. Staff information, OPACs, and navigation features are also widely found on the Web sites. Features found less frequently include the use of Web 2.0 technologies, Web site aid tools, information about library buildings, and general library information. By offering information about the status of Pakistani academic library Web sites, the study can serve as a foundation for discussion between libraries and other parts of the university, as well as a benchmark for evaluating the progress of academic library Web sites in Pakistan     

The Evolution of GIS Services within North American Academic Libraries: Documenting Change through the Decades (1995–2016)

This review was conducted to identify articles written about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services offered in the United States (US) and Canadian university and college libraries. In the early 1990's, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) GIS Literacy Project, in partnership with Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), helped enable ARL member libraries to create GIS services within their libraries. By the mid to late 1990's, librarians from academic institutions began to write articles that discussed how their library developed GIS services and the components involved with operating a GIS service. Writing about GIS services in academic libraries continued on into the 2000's and 2010's. This review of the literature will document the areas of staffing, service, technology, and data provision for GIS service units from three decades (1990's, 2000's, and 2010's).     

美国图书馆移动服务发展现状——纽约州图书馆的调查

通过对美国纽约州公共图书馆和高校图书馆的调研,印证移动时代图书馆的传统服务模式正向移动化服务转移：①90%以上受访图书馆已可为移动设备提供服务;②一半以上图书馆网站优化后支持移动设备的服务项目可达6项甚至更多;③图书馆支持移动设备访问的主要范畴是目录访问和数字化内容,通过社交网络服务应用平台允许第三方应用程序接入已成为绝大多数图书馆提供移动服务的主流;④提供移动设备服务已列入图书馆规章或计划中。希望此次调研结果能给图书馆、网络技术部门以及信息系统专家和相关人士就图书馆移动服务的应用提供启示和参考。     

Promoting and Teaching Information Literacy on the Internet: Surveying the Web Sites of 264 Academic Libraries in North America

A survey was conducted between July and November 2012 to determine how academic libraries in the United States and Canada marketed and delivered information literacy on the Web. A random sample of 264 institutions was taken from Peterson's Four-Year Colleges 2012, and the authors checked each Web site of the academic libraries of the institutions in the sample for instruction-related activities. Only 65 percent of the libraries in the sample advertised library instruction as a service on the Web, while 64 percent of the libraries boasted research guides and tutorials. Sixteen percent of the libraries provided direct links to ACRL's Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, and 24 percent made an effort to explain and define the term “information literacy” to their users. The authors hope the findings can help determine how academic libraries are currently using the Internet to increase information literacy on the Web and set a new platform for better strategies for advocating information literacy.     

Student Employment as a High-Impact Practice in Academic Libraries: A Systematic Review

This study is a systematic literature review of student employment in academic libraries. The review aimed to identify the extent to which academic libraries treat student employment as a High-Impact Practice. Focusing on articles, books, and ACRL conference proceedings published from 1997 to 2017, 216 publications were reviewed. Utilizing the work of George Kuh as a framework, publications were coded so as to identify the characteristics of highly effective educational practices demonstrated in each publication's student employment program. Findings show that student employment programs consistently align with High-Impact Practices in regards to faculty and peer interaction, time, and effort; we also found gaps in the student employment literature regarding professional development and training, mentoring, diversity, and the transferability of work experiences to other contexts. Further research is needed to articulate the impact student employment has on student success.     

Use of Web 2.0 tools in academic libraries: A reconnaissance of the international landscape

The purpose of this paper is to provide a reconnaissance of major academic libraries located in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and U.S.A. that have embraced Web 2.0 tools for enhancing library services. The research is based on a survey of websites of 277 university libraries. The checkpoints used for this evaluative study were given by Nguyen (2008) for evaluating various Web 2.0 tools. Additional checkpoints were arrived at after visiting and browsing the various sites. The findings of the study acknowledge the strength of Web 2.0 tools in improving library services for users. Really Simple Syndication (RSS), Instant Messaging (IM) and blogs are popular in academic libraries. The paper concludes by offering best practices for implementing Web 2.0 tools in academic libraries.     

Services for Graduate Students: A Review of Academic Library Web Sites

A library's Web site is well recognized as the gateway to the library for the vast majority of users. Choosing the most user-friendly Web architecture to reflect the many services libraries offer is a complex process, and librarians are still experimenting to find what works best for their users. As part of a redesign of the Oregon State University Libraries’ Web site, entry points for specific user groups were created. One of these user groups was graduate students. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways other academic libraries design their Web sites for particular user groups, specifically graduate students, in order to determine how the Oregon State University Libraries Web site compared to peer institutions. This study analyzed 112 Association of Research Libraries’ Web sites and 26 Oregon academic libraries’ Web sites to determine the availability of resources and services specifically promoted to graduate students. Since graduate students may view the library Web site through the lens of new student, researcher, or instructor, Web sites were also examined to see if sites were created with any or all of these roles in mind. Nearly a quarter of Association of Research Libraries' Web sites that were examined contained a link on the homepage for graduate students, and another 20 percent provided graduate-student information at a lower level in their site hierarchy. A majority of sites had events, subject guides, or course guides for graduate students. Information for graduate students was typically framed in the context of graduate students as researchers. Ideas and examples are given for ways to improve Web site design to better serve this user group. In order to provide improved services to these students, future studies will explore what graduate students need from academic libraries and the ways these students conduct themselves in their various roles of researchers, instructors, and new students.     

Ethnographic methods in academic libraries: A review

Research in academic libraries has recently seen an increase in the use of ethnographic-based methods to collect data. Primarily used to learn about library users and their interaction with spaces and resources, the methods are proving particularly useful to academic libraries. The data ethnographic methods retrieve is rich, context specific, and often difficult to collect via other methods. This review provides an overview of research demonstrating how ethnography can be applied to learn about a variety of issues in academic libraries, ranging from space use to a way of teaching new students about library resources and facilities.     

美国顶级大学图书馆应用Web 2.0的现状调查与分析

通过网络调研Web 2.0在美国顶级大学图书馆网站的使用情况。结果显示：最受欢迎的Web 2.0技术是SNS,使用率达到100%;其次为Blog,RSS和IM,分别占90%以上;Vodcasts（占47%）,Podcasts（占46%）和Social bookmarking（占39%）也较受欢迎;Wiki的使用率较低,仅占1/3。认为Web 2.0在这些图书馆的使用情况和技术结构模式在一定程度上反映美国大学图书馆服务数字化、互动化、个性化的发展趋势,同时也映射出世界图书馆服务人性化、互动化的变化。研究结果可为专业图书馆信息研究管理者、Web 2.0部署人员以及图书馆用户等相关人士提供参考意见和建议。     

An analysis of secondary school libraries in Israel

This paper explores the use and application of Facebook among Malaysian academic libraries in order to provide academic libraries with ideas for best practices in using social networking sites to better profile themselves and communicate effectively with their users. The research questions guiding this study were: (a) What are the extent and nature of institutional Facebook use by Malaysian academic libraries? (b) What information do Malaysian academic libraries deliver through Facebook page? This study employs content analysis to examine current uses of the library Facebook page. A checkpoint was developed to analyze the libraries’ usage and application of Facebook page. A total of 14 academic libraries in Malaysia are using Facebook page as part of their services to users. However only three libraries are fully utilizing their Facebook page, and they have been identified as “Skaters” based on the 8-S Framework of Category Development for Facebook user. Most libraries are using their Facebook page for marketing and creating awareness of library services to their users.     

Retention Matters: Academic Libraries Leading the Way

Academic libraries have always strived to be purposively involved in the university's mission attainment efforts. Today, the increase of retention levels is paramount, and, in many cases, it is at the center of higher education institution's strategic plans. For Andrews University, for example, the goal is to reach 80% in the next five years. In the United States, student retention efforts become even more critical due, in part, to declining enrollment numbers set off by soaring higher education costs. Academic librarians are aware of the library's role in the university's overall efforts to increase persistence rates and curtail attrition. Through a literature review, this article highlights how academic libraries are participating in this process. This study focuses on how academic libraries can be leaders in their Institutions by adopting a user-centered philosophy and services that will promote life-long learning, enhance students’ academic experience, and promote engagement, leading to retention.     

我国医学情报研究机构发展及合作现状调查分析

通过调查我国国家及省级医学情报研究机构的发展及合作情况发现,以增挂牌子的虚体整合模式以及与当地高校医学图书馆合作,将是我国医学情报研究机构的发展方向;查新咨询、期刊编辑、网络系统及网站建设工作、文献信息服务、情报研究服务、文献检索教学与用户培训、卫生政策管理与研究、卫生信息统计工作是当前各医学情报研究机构的主要业务,近来出现的电子政务科室为政府机构（卫生厅）、医学情报研究机构和医学图书馆的区域性合作提供了新的视角。     

Web2.0环境下用户参与图书馆信息组织的可行性分析——基于用户接受的实证研究

Web2.0环境下越来越多的用户参与到图书馆信息组织过程中,为了了解用户参与图书馆信息组织的意识和意愿,对武汉大学在校师生进行问卷调查。调查显示,用户对Web2.0相关技术较熟悉并经常使用,具备参与图书馆信息组织的能力;用户普遍认同参与图书馆信息组织会对自己有帮助,有着较高的参与意愿;不少用户缺乏参与意识,对参与方式不够了解。图书馆可通过加强对用户参与图书馆信息组织方式的宣传、重视用户培训、采取适当的激励措施等方法,促使用户积极参与图书馆信息组织。     

A study of Web 2.0 applications in library websites

Web 2.0 represents an emerging suite of applications that hold immense potential in enriching communication, enabling collaboration and fostering innovation. However, little work has been done hitherto to research Web 2.0 applications in library websites. This paper addresses the following three research questions: (a) To what extent are Web 2.0 applications prevalent in libraries?; (b) In what ways have Web 2.0 applications been used in libraries?; and (c) Does the presence of Web 2.0 applications enhance the quality of library websites? Divided equally between public and academic, 120 libraries' websites from North America, Europe and Asia were sampled and analyzed using a three-step content analysis method. The findings suggest that the order of popularity of Web 2.0 applications implemented in libraries is: blogs, RSS, instant messaging, social networking services, wikis, and social tagging applications. Also, libraries have recognized how different Web 2.0 applications can be used complementarily to increase the level of user engagement. Finally, the presence of Web 2.0 applications was found to be associated with the overall quality, and in particular, service quality of library websites. This paper concludes by highlighting implications for both librarians and scholars interested to delve deeper into the implementation of Web 2.0 applications.     

基于Web2.0的图书馆服务现状调查与分析——以华中地区高校图书馆为例

通过对华中地区七所高校图书馆的调查研究,分析了目前Web2.0的技术和服务在高校图书馆中的应用现状。包括高校图书馆2.0应用情况,用户对图书馆2.0服务的使用和需求情况,并对改进图书馆2.0的服务提出了意见和建议。     

美国公立大学图书馆本科生服务调研分析及启示--以美国8所大学图书馆本科生服务为例

大学图书馆是高校学习、教学和研究的信息资源保障中心。其使命是为用户提供学术、教育、文化和技术支持,在促进学生成功方面起着重要作用。美国公立大学图书馆普遍将本科生培养服务作为战略规划的重要组成部分,为本科生提供创新服务。本文采用网络调研和文献研究法,以美国8所公立大学图书馆为研究对象,从教与学支持服务、研究支持服务、空间与技术支持服务等方面,分析和归纳了这些大学图书馆在本科生服务实践方面的经验和特点,以期为我国高校图书馆开展本科生服务提供参考。     

International trends in health science librarianship part 17: a comparison of health science libraries with academic and research libraries

Over the last 4 years this Regular Feature has looked at trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. Although there are still a few more regions to be covered in this series, this issue explores general trends in academic and research libraries with a view to discovering whether the trends identified for health science libraries are similar. Are health science libraries unique? Or do their experiences mirror those found in the wider world of academic and research libraries? JM     

Library Automation at The University for Development Studies: Challenges and Prospects

The automation of a library that basically aims at improving the management of the library's resources and increasing access to these same resources by users has caught on so well in the western world that virtually all academic libraries in that part of the world have automated most of their services. In Africa, however, several challenges are making it difficult for academic libraries to do the same, thus depriving them of the numerous touted benefits a library stands to gain from automating its services. The University for Development Studies (UDS) Library in Northern Ghana embarked on an automation project on one of its campuses that has thus far resulted in the full automation of the cataloguing and circulation operations. This article recounts the experiences of the Library in its bid to automate some of its services. The procedures that were followed, as well as the highlights of the automation, are recounted here. Lessons learned and challenges encountered are presented as an example for other academic libraries in Ghana, Africa, and other developing countries that have plans to automate.     

Evaluating Usage and Impact of Networked Electronic Resources through Point-of-Use Surveys: A MINES for Libraries™ Study

This article presents a literature review of methods for evaluating serials, or networked electronic resources, usage, and focuses on point-of-use intercept Web surveys. In the context of the MINES for Libraries protocol administered by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and derived from the indirect cost study methodologies developed by Franklin and Plum, the article discusses a variety of point-of-use Web survey implementation methodologies used in libraries. It discusses sampling plan options and articulates issues related to the mandatory and optional versions of the point-of-use Web survey protocols with an emphasis on nonresponse bias. The article provides a set of methods that libraries can use to continue to evaluate their networked electronic services in innovative ways to better serve the research, teaching, and learning needs of their users.