Technology and informatics in Australian health libraries

Australia is no different to any other country in that information technology (IT) and the speed of its advancement has a huge impact on health care and therefore on health libraries. Australian health librarians are valuable members of health care teams and strive to integrate services and resources across hospitals. This article looks at the role Australian health libraries play in the broader health information landscape and the importance of information governance and health informatics as a tenet of the work undertaken by libraries. Of particular focus in this is the Health Libraries Australia/Telstra Health Digital Health Innovation Award, offered annually, to help focus on particular technological challenges. Three cases studies are explored demonstrating impact on the systematic review process, inter-library loan system automation and a room booking service. Also discussed are the ongoing professional development opportunities, which help upskill the Australian health library workforce. Australian health libraries also face many challenges with piecemeal IT systems across the nation, resulting in lost opportunities. Also, many Australian health services do not have a qualified librarian on staff, which undermines information governance. However, resiliency shines through with strong professional health library networks working to challenge the status quo in an effort to improve the application of health informatics.     

Exploring the Application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Acquisition of Information Resources in Three Academic Libraries in North-West Nigeria: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) incursion has brought a lot of changes to libraries activities. ICTs are used to manage libraries more efficiently and in meeting customers’ demands more appropriately at the right time. Despite the contribution of ICTs to library and information work, many libraries are yet to adopt these technologies especially in the acquisitions of library materials. This study was carried out in three selected university libraries in North West Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of performance expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; establish the influence of effort expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; find out the extent of social influence and facilitating conditions on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition and lastly to proffer recommendations. This study adopted a positivistic approach and used a questionnaire administered to 224 librarians to collect data in the three selected libraries. The study is guided by the Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh. Findings from the study reveals that academic librarians are supportive on the use of ICT in their work; ICTs are significantly important, trainings were organized mainly for librarians on general use of ICT not only on acquisition, but also on the general issues related to library activities; librarians also have the knowledge necessary to use ICT for acquisition in their libraries. The study recommends among others that the parent universities should increase the funding of their libraries with adequate supervision, so that such funds are well utilized for ICTs application; university libraries should continually sponsor their academic staff on modern computerized ways of using ICTs to source for materials and the acquisition of information resources in academic libraries should be given all the seriousness it deserves by enacting legislation to allocate a reasonable percentage of the university’s budget to it.     

Technological trends in Swedish medical libraries

Medical libraries in Sweden are digitised to a large extent, technically advanced and developing rapidly. This paper investigates technological trends among Swedish medical libraries in the near and distant future and their application within different areas of library activities. The authors also present a roadmap to increase technological developments within medical libraries in Sweden. Current technological trends include digital collaboration tools, mobile technologies and visualisation. Artificial intelligence, big data and smart technologies are upcoming trends. Technologies are applied within all areas of library activities, but preconditions for academic and hospital libraries differ. To remain a relevant provider of information services, libraries must be able to monitor, test and adopt new technologies.     

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     

论复合环境下信息资源共建共享的实现

复合图书馆是现实图书馆的主要形态，本文分析了复合环境下信息资源共建共享的有利条件与主要模式，并就加强与深化复合图书馆信息资源共建共享的相关举措进行了探讨。     

The impact of body image on Fitbit use: a comparison across genders

This article is the first in the feature to explore personal tracking devices – in this case the Fitbit – and the relationship between their use and people's self‐perceptions and behaviour. Amber Edwards conducted the research for her MA dissertation at the University of Sheffield, graduating with an MA in Librarianship in January 2017. Her study shows that body image plays a large role in Fitbit use and that this is slightly more evident in females than males, although the differences are subtle. She argues that the results have implications for information professionals involved in teaching health information literacy. Amber began working in the library at Bishop Grosseteste University in June 2016, while completing her dissertation. A. M.     

论高校图书馆藏书发展政策

阐述藏书发展政策的涵义,在分析我国高校图书馆藏书发展政策研究状况的基础上,提出了藏书发展政策在高校图书馆的现实意义及如何制定高校图书馆藏书发展政策。     

抓住区域发展契机 构建区域科技情报服务体系

分析区域发展给科技情报业带来的契机,提出构建区域情报服务体系的倡议。并从体系的定义、内容、体系结构分析以及体系内科技情报机构的主要任务和作用等方面详细介绍如何构建区域科技情报服务体系。结合区域科技情报需求的特点和发展趋势,从传统科技情报服务的改造和新兴科技情报服务的开展两方面介绍如何实现科技情报服务的创新,从而进一步完善区域科技情报服务体系的建设。     

Developing a generic tool to routinely measure the impact of health libraries

Background

Health libraries contribute to many activities of a health care organisation. Impact assessment needs to capture that range of contributions.

Objectives

To develop and pilot a generic impact questionnaire that: (1) could be used routinely across all English NHS libraries; (2) built on previous impact surveys; and (3) was reliable and robust.

Methods

This collaborative project involved: (1) literature search; (2) analysis of current best practice and baseline survey of use of current tools and requirements; (3) drafting and piloting the questionnaire; and (4) analysis of the results, revision and plans for roll out.

Findings

The framework selected was the International Standard Methods And Procedures For Assessing The Impact Of Libraries (ISO 16439). The baseline survey (n = 136 library managers) showed that existing tools were not used, and impact assessment was variable. The generic questionnaire developed used a Critical Incident Technique. Analysis of the findings (n = 214 health staff and students), plus comparisons with previous impact studies indicated that the questionnaire should capture the impact for all types of health libraries.

Conclusions

The collaborative project successfully piloted a generic impact questionnaire that, subject to further validation, should apply to many types of health library and information services.     

International trends in health science libraria‐ nship: Part 7 Taking stock

This article reviews the six papers published so far in this series on global trends in health science librarianship. Starting with a retrospective review of trends in the twentieth‐century, the series has covered 6 different regions, with contributions from 21 countries. As this is the half‐way point in the survey, it seems a useful point at which to reflect on what has emerged so far. The method of content analysis is used to identify key trends. The top five trends are explored. JM     

我国高校图书馆数字资源研究综述

文章在文献调研的基础上,概述我国高校图书馆数字资源研究的主要成果,从数字资源的建设现状及发展对策、数字资源的利用、数字资源的联盟采购及共建共享等六个方面进行了简要的述评和总结,对今后我国高校图书馆数字资源研究发展提出若干建议。     

The use of information and communication technologies in public libraries in South Africa as tools for bridging the digital divide: the case of the Kempton Park public library

ABSTRACT

The information and knowledge society has resulted in the exponential growth of information and communication technologies (ICTs), thus creating a gap between those who use ICTs and those who do not; hence the emergence of the term “digital divide” in the 1990s. One of the milestones of South Africa’s National Development Plan, a policy that charts the country’s development up until 2030, is to ensure that high-speed broadband internet is universally available at competitive prices. Notwithstanding the importance of ICTs in public libraries, the provision of such is still taking place on a limited scale in South Africa. This article investigates the use of ICTs in public libraries in South Africa as a tool in bridging the digital divide. It also examines the inequalities in access and use and suggests ways in which ICTs may be used to reduce the digital divide. A qualitative research methodology was adopted. In order for public libraries to function as an important tool in bridging the digital divide, there is a need to standardize the provision of public library services with regard to the digital divide.     

Tanzanian health libraries in the 21st century: initiatives and challenges

This article is part of a series in this regular feature, which looks at new directions in health science libraries. It highlights the initiatives health science librarians in Tanzania are implementing to ensure that their service meets users’ needs. To succeed, libraries must take steps to ensure that staff have access to education, training and professional development. Partnerships and collaborations are also vital to make the best use of scarce resources and to identify sources of funding. This article highlights the various challenges facing the library service and the opportunity for librarians to be recognised for the new roles they are taking on. J.M.     

我国农业院校图书馆网站信息资源建设现状分析

通过对我国农业院校图书馆网站的信息资源建设情况进行调查分析,找出其共性和特点及存在的问题,并对如何建好网站信息资源提出有关建议.     

试论高校图书馆网络信息资源的开发和利用

结合我国高校图书馆的发展现状以及现代社会对信息资源的需求，阐述高校图书馆开发和利用网络信息资源的可行性和必然性，并提出解决问题的相应对策。