Perception of task-technology fit of digital library among undergraduates in selected universities in Nigeria

Digital library has the capabilities of storing various electronic information resources which can conveniently be accessed by remote end-users via computer networks and the Internet. In recent times, Universities in Nigeria have embarked on integration of technologies in their operations for improvement, especially with respect to digitisation of academic information resources. However, with the huge investment committed to establishment of digital libraries in Nigerian Universities, less research has been done on their acceptance and usage from the users' perspective, more especially with respect to the fit of digital library with students' tasks. This study, therefore, investigated task-technology fit of digital libraries in three Nigerian Universities and identified factors influencing use of digital library by the students. Survey design guided the study and a questionnaire was used to collect data from 402 students. The study found a high usage of digital library among the students. A moderate positive correlation and significant relationship was found between the independent variables (task characteristics, technology characteristics, attitude, computer self-efficacy and task-technology fit) and use of digital library. The study validates the TTF model which posits that for an information system to be utilised, it must be a good fit for the tasks it supports.     

E-Mail Reference Evaluation

Abstract

E-mail reference has been utilized as a reference tool in academic libraries since the early 1980s. Today it is one of the most common media for providing digital reference service. An important aspect of providing any service is evaluating users' satisfaction levels with that service. Users of the Ask-A-Librarian e-mail reference service at a large academic library over a ten-month period voluntarily completed a seven item web-based questionnaire. The results indicated that the majority of respondents were satisfied with Ask-A-Librarian overall. This paper discusses how the library used the survey results to improve the existing service, and to implement a new one-chat reference. Reference service providers should not only ask users for feedback on existing services, but also should include them in the planning and design phase of new services. In doing so, they demonstrate their commitment to providing adequate and appropriate services to their patron community, and ultimately can save their institutions time and expense.     

Improving Research and Learning in Higher Education in Portugal: Digital Resources,E-Books,and a Discovery System as Enabling Factors for Students

ABSTRACT

This article describes a library's implementation of digital resources for research, teaching, and learning at a higher education institution in Portugal. A school specializing in education and teacher education established strategic performance areas related to digital resources for the fulfillment of its mission, which included some functions of the academic library. The library implemented a discovery system, and the school invested in a wider range of resources, including e-books, both acquired and institutionally published. The library's training programs were also revised to promote the new system and electronic resources. This case study describes how an academic library in Portugal responded to institutional needs, illustrating how libraries everywhere must connect to the larger vision and demonstrate value through technologies, integrating digital and print resources to provide access built around users' needs.     

Development and validation of a measuring instrument for digital library maturity

Development of a digital library demands extensive financial, human, and technological investments. Appropriate models and measurement tools are required to achieve the goals of these libraries to assess them. This research was conducted with the aim of developing and validating a tool to measure the maturity of a digital library based on the “digital library maturity model” (DLMM). Two sources including literature and experts' opinion were used to determine the criteria for each code. Expert opinion and confirmatory factor analysis were used to confirm the content and construct validity of the developed tool, respectively. The reliability of the designed tool was examined by the Cronbach's alpha test. Finally, the designed tool validity and reliability were confirmed. Managers of digital libraries can use this tool to understand the maturity level of their digital libraries and plan to improve the library or to attain advanced levels of maturity.     

从信息检索系统评估到知识服务平台评估

[目的/意义]随着知识服务平台的发展，如何通过评估改善知识服务平台的功能和设计以更好地服务于用户成为重要的问题。本文旨在探讨知识服务平台的评估要素和评估标准，为知识服务平台的评估实践提供理论指导。[方法/过程]从信息检索系统评估出发，回顾和梳理信息检索系统评估、数字图书馆评估的相关研究和理论模型、数字图书馆的评估要素和标准。[结果/结论]基于总结和归纳以往信息服务类系统的评估要素，结合知识服务平台的特征，阐述知识服务平台评估的要素和评估标准。     

Encouraging Better Graphic Design in Libraries: a Creative Commons Crowdsourcing Approach

A dearth of published literature about graphic design in libraries reveals that little attention has been focused on librarians' visual communication abilities and the impact of print and Web publications on users' interaction with library services and collections. This case study examines one approach to improving the quality of graphic design in libraries. Through a combination of social media and accessible cloud-based storage, Librarian Design Share, a crowdsourced archive of library-related visual materials, highlights exemplars of visual communication in libraries and makes designs freely available for adaptation under a creative commons license.     

CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software and End-User Efficacy

ABSTRACT

Digital libraries and collections are a growing facet of today's traditional library. Digital library technologies have become increasingly more sophisticated in the effort to provide more and better access to the collections they contain. The evaluation of the usability of these technologies has not kept pace with technological developments, however, and the end-user has in some cases been left behind. This research study evaluates the usability of digital collections created using the CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management System, a software system used by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Specifically, this study addresses the following questions: Does CONTENTdm meet users' needs? Is the interface sufficiently intuitive for them to use it? Is the experience of exploring digital collections using CONTENTdm satisfying to users? Employing usability testing techniques with actual-end users, this study attempts to assess the efficacy of the CONTENTdm public interface as well as user attitudes toward it. Ten participants from three user groups—faculty, library science graduate students, and the general public—performed eleven tasks designed to test the key functions of CONTENTdm-created collections and then answered a series of questions about their experiences. Key findings from this study indicate that while the included digital collections are useful and desirable to end-users, the interface generated by CONTENTdm can be confusing even for those who have considerable experience using the Internet. Results from this study may be used to improve this software system and add to the literature surrounding the usability of digital libraries in general.     

Understanding Ultimate Use Data and Its Implication for Digital Library Management: A Case Study

Information professionals and librarians have been studying, discussing, and developing digital libraries for more than two decades, but understanding ultimate use of images from digital libraries remains a mystery for many of them. Most articles written on digital library use focus on users’ search retrieval needs and behavior. Few mention how digital library patrons use the images they request. Like many digital libraries, archives, and special collections, the University of Houston Digital Library makes high resolution images available to its patrons. Image delivery is achieved by an automated system, titled the Digital Cart Service. An unexpected benefit of the Digital Cart Service is the reporting mechanism that produces data that includes intended use information. This article discusses the analysis of this data to determine why images were used, what products were created from the images, and what implications this has on digital library management. The authors believe that answering these questions creates an environment in which digital library innovators can better promote and design digital libraries, and describe and select the content in them.     

基于焦点团体的数字图书馆评价典型案例分析

焦点团体作为一种定性资料搜集方法,被广泛用于图书馆学研究的各个方面,尤其是数字图书馆的评价工作中。文章选取了几个使用焦点团体的数字图书馆评价的典型案例,对其在地域分布、评价目标、团队成员、设计类型、应用范围和使用阶段等若干方面进行比较分析。最后结合研究案例及实际工作,提出数字图书馆评价在使用焦点团体时应注意的问题。     

我国智慧图书馆建设面临的五大问题

随着信息化的高速发展,用户对资源需求的无限性和资源获取的便捷性要求提高,传统图书馆和数字图书馆已很难满足用户日益多样的需求,图书馆正在探索由数字图书馆向智慧图书馆的过渡和转型,图书馆的资源管理、业务流程、服务模式等都将发生变化。目前,我国智慧图书馆建设正处于研究探索阶段,缺乏成熟的理论指导,也缺乏不同图书馆系统内和不同区域图书馆间的统筹规划。本文试图探讨以下五个问题:智慧图书馆的概念之惑,智慧图书馆的名分之实,智慧图书馆的建设之困,智慧图书馆的合作之需,智慧图书馆的理论之贫。建议从理论层面深入研究智慧图书馆建设的相关问题,包括建设标准、建设模式、合作路径等,用成熟的图书馆学理论指导智慧图书馆建设的实践。     

Metadata and Quality in Digital Repositories and Libraries from 1995 to 2015: A Literature Analysis and Classification

The purpose of this article is to study a broad set of journal papers related to metadata and quality in digital repositories and libraries, and to provide a quantitative analysis of the relevant research. It also aims at identifying open issues and future directions for research. A detailed search was carried out in relevant journals of information science, computer science, and library science; mainly, that allowed us to identify an extensive corpora of relevant work. The identified papers were classified based on an existing framework and a statistical analysis was carried out on the main classifications used within the framework. The analysis of the 702 papers identified, led to a series of statements for the field examined, focusing on the type of research carried out, the research methods deployed, and the research claims made. In addition, the papers were classified based on their target audiences, disciplines, as well as institutional and geographical origins. The article identifies areas in the literature that have not been addressed, as well as areas for future research. It also provides a clear image of the areas already researched, analyzing scientific literature that covers 20 years of repository/library deployment. This article makes an original contribution for researchers, practitioners, and managers of digital repositories and libraries alike as it provides a set of specific recommendations for the metadata and quality in digital repositories and libraries research agenda, along with a thorough analysis and classification of the research carried out so far.     

Improving Library Resource Discovery: Exploring the Possibilities of VuFind and Web-Scale Discovery

Like many libraries, the Bridge Consortium (the shared library of Carleton College and St. Olaf College) had outgrown the existing catalog and needed to find an improved search interface for collections. Seeking something that would work with the existing Innovative Interfaces Inc.'s Millennium integrated library system, researchers explored everything from catalog enhancements provided by Innovative Interfaces to a completely separate, Web-scale discovery tool. For the past year, they worked to implement VuFind as a catalog overlay, continually customizing and enhancing it based on user feedback. At the same time, they continued to research a broader solution and recommended a discovery tool to their consortium leadership group that they believe will redefine student research at their colleges and give new shape and direction to their consortium. By thinking of discovery as more than a product and staggering their implementation, they were better able to meet their consortium's needs. This article details their evaluation process and provides reflection on the decisions made. Many libraries are considering Web-scale discovery products. As part of the process, they confront questions about open source tools, Web site redesigns, incorporating user feedback, and consortial needs. The researchers hope to contribute to these libraries' processes by outlining their process and considerations, and what they learned along the way to arrive at their current solution.     

From Facebook to Instagram: Exploring user engagement in an academic library

It is trendy for university libraries to offer services on social media (SM) platforms. As many millennials prefer to use apps of photo-snapping, libraries unavoidably start to use Instagram to connect with users. This study examines the effectiveness of the use of Facebook and Instagram in The University of Hong Kong Libraries (HKUL), by a mixed-method approach to analyze the posts on the two SM sites of HKUL and user feedback collected from interviews on campus. The content analysis surprisingly revealed that both Facebook and Instagram received very low user engagement, and the most frequently posted contents were library operational news and library events. The interviewees opined that they welcomed HKUL's use of Facebook and Instagram, but they urged HKUL to change its uninteresting style on the SM sites and make better use of the SM features to attract users' attention. This study provides insights for librarians for their effective management and adoption of SM, especially for content design and management.     

Building the digital library at BT labs

This paper describes how the library at BT Labs is working on building a digital library of technical information for its users. The paper will explain how the library changed its direction from providing conventional library services centered around a large library collection toward becoming a networked library reaching out to its users' desktops. In particular, the paper will focus on the process by which electronic journals were added to the collection and how they have been integrated into the digital library.     

Technology and customer expectation in academic libraries: A special reference to technical/management libraries in Karnataka

Technology has transformed the way people live. Current day information seekers are empowered with multiple choices of information sources and libraries no longer remain the primary centre for information seekers. With diminishing time and geographical barriers the world has become a global village and information seekers are stressed with time constraints. It is the duty of library and information professionals to address these tech-savvy library users' needs and align their services to satisfy them.

Recently, the author of this paper conducted a research study on the “Impact of technology on quality of services in technical and management libraries in Karnataka” sponsored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, New Delhi. The study was approved in 2005 and the final report was submitted to the government in 2007. This paper carries some of the results of this research study conducted by the author in Karnataka state in Southern India.     

基于元数据管理的数字资源保障评估研究

[目的/意义]数字资源粗放式的管理模式已经无法与高校图书馆精细化的信息服务需求相匹配，构建文献元数据仓储下的数字资源全新管理系统，完善基于元数据的数字资源采购协议及监管流程，并以此为基础建立多维度文献保障评估体系，将为高校图书馆信息服务质量的提升提供重要参考。[方法/过程]利用文献调研法和实例分析，探讨高校图书馆在数字资源管理和文献保障评估中的发展策略。[结果/结论]全新形式的细粒化数字资源管理为高校图书馆多维度文献保障评估提供基础，高校图书馆只有具备系统化、规范化的数字资源管理与评估体系，才可以顺应数字信息化的时代发展趋势，真正利用大数据分析助力高校教学和科研的发展建设。     

数字图书馆系统架构研究评述

软件系统架构设计处于软件系统开发的早期,是系统开发的重要组成部分。是否有一个稳定的软件架构,对软件的质量和成本影响很大,也是系统开发成败的重要因素与前提。文章对2004年至2010年以来国内外数字图书馆系统架构研究相关文献进行了梳理总结,从业务维度、要素维度对当前的研究进行了分类分析,对数字图书馆系统架构的研究特征、研究趋势与存在问题进行了总结评述,期望能够对理清数字图书馆系统建设的思路、指导数字图书馆系统建设的进一步实践提供有益的参考。     

The White-Board: Serials Tabula Rasa

This article considers the status of the helpdesk in the current context of management within libraries of the global economic downturn. It considers the centrality of the helpdesk to the e-resources and e-serials service offering of libraries and the factors that may affect a decrease or increase for its continued support. An overview is provided of the most recent research and developments in understanding user behavior as they relate to the virtual helpdesk together with lessons learned from the overlapping fields of e-reference, access queries and IT-related help. This leads to a discussion of the appropriateness of established means of communication for resolving helpdesk queries and how they mesh with the emerging user-demand for next generation/Web2 technologies when interacting with library services of all kinds. Questions are raised around the informing of helpdesk services by users' expectations for a more active and “collaborative” engagement with their experience of library use. Finally, a survey is made of current issues in back-office support for and improvement of helpdesk services, including their staffing.     

Behavioral Intention to Adopt Digital Library by the Undergraduates

The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors that affect undergraduates' behavioral intention to use digital library among the private universities in Malaysia. The target respondents are undergraduates from Malaysian private universities. Questionnaires were distributed among 500 undergraduates through either online or face-to-face method. Reliability test, normality test, Pearson Correlation Coefficient analysis, and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) were carried out for data analysis. Performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, habit, and information quality had a positive and significant association with behavioral intention to adopt a digital library except for effort expectancy. This research successfully reinforced that the inspiration to ameliorate Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT 2) by synthesis of Information Systems Success Model (ISSM). This proposed framework with a combination of ISSM and UTAUT 2 has enhanced the fitness of UTAUT 2. Universities that have yet to implement digital library can comprehend undergraduates' needs better by considering all the significant factors to develop a digital library. The universities with the digital library may also notice the important features of the existing digital library that should be maintained and upgraded constantly so that they can fulfil undergraduates' requirements.     

Library Space Assessment: User Learning Behaviors in the Library

As an essential department at a higher education institution and an informal learning space, little is known about how academic libraries contribute to student learning on campus. The Olin Library sought to learn the role of library space in our users' learning. We surveyed users about their learning behaviors in a specific space prior to a scheduled renovation and then in the same space after. We wanted to determine how the renovation changed users' perceptions of their learning behaviors in that space.