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Differences between LIS and non-LIS undergraduates’ conceptions of smart libraries: a drawing analysis approach

Yun-Fang Tu (Department of Library and Information Science, Research and Development Center for Physical Education, Health and Information Technology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan)
Gwo-Jen Hwang (Department of Educational Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan and Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan)
Shu-Yen Chen (Department of Library and Information Science, Research and Development Center for Physical Education, Health, and Information Technology, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan)
Chiulin Lai (National Taipei University of Education, Taipei, Taiwan)
Chuan-Miao Chen (Digital Content Management Division, HyWeb Technology Co., LTD, Taipei, Taiwan)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 25 October 2021

Issue publication date: 29 November 2021

705

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to compare similarities and differences in library and information science (LIS) and non-LIS undergraduates’ conceptions and perceptions of smart libraries via drawing analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a total of 156 undergraduate students described their perceptions of smart libraries as drawings and textual descriptions. A modified coding scheme with 8 categories and 51 subcategories was used to analyse the undergraduate students’ drawings.

Findings

Most of the undergraduate students’ conceptions of smart libraries still involve self-checkout and learning/reading, focusing on information appliances, technical services, activities and objects. The differences are that the LIS undergraduates’ drawings showed smart libraries with robots, interactive book borrowing with technology tools, intelligent services, location-aware services or mobile applications, whereas non-LIS undergraduates presented smart libraries as readers (learners), other activities and no smart technology services. LIS undergraduates focused on providing patron services with technologies. Non-LIS undergraduates were more likely to draw a complex space with immediate access to books or digital resources, quiet reading and the freedom to engage in library activities.

Originality/value

The results provide a baseline for future research on the topic and provide preliminary evidence of using the methods to discern LIS and non-LIS undergraduates’ conceptions of smart libraries.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study is supported in part by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan under contract numbers MOST-109–2511-H-011–002-MY3 and MOST-108–2511-H-011–005-MY3.

Citation

Tu, Y.-F., Hwang, G.-J., Chen, S.-Y., Lai, C. and Chen, C.-M. (2021), "Differences between LIS and non-LIS undergraduates’ conceptions of smart libraries: a drawing analysis approach", The Electronic Library, Vol. 39 No. 6, pp. 801-823. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2021-0129

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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