Search results

The use of search engines is the most widely acceptable way for information foraging on the net. Their wide use as an information retrieval tool has created the need for their evaluation as a means of improving their performance. This research attempts to record Greek librarians' views on search engines: their performance and characteristics.

A total of 16 librarians were asked to search for a specific topic using eight search engines; four international (google.com, altavista.com, yahoo.com, exalead.com) and four Greek (google.gr (searching only for Greek text), in.gr, robby.gr, find.gr). Eight questionnaires were completed by each participant; one for every search engine. A total of 128 initial searches were performed by the librarians, followed by 86 further searches with changed search terms. The librarians recorded their experiences in retrieving information and evaluated the first 20 results according to the criteria of precision, relevancy of the retrieved records and the way the results were displayed by each search tool.

Analysis of the results leads to conclusions about librarians' familiarity with search engines and their views on the retrieved information. The results indicated that participants were satisfied by the presentation, the visualization, the quality and value of results and they were very satisfied with the search engines' interfaces. Thus, most retrieved items were relevant and so the degree of precision was satisfactory. Users preferred mainly international search engines rather than Greek search engines. It was evident that most librarians were very satisfied with the performance of the search engines and felt that their queries had been answered successfully.

The paper presents one of the few studies regarding international and Greek search engines and their use by librarians. The study gathered data with regard to the views of Greek librarians on the use of search engines and their characteristics. In addition, it recorded the attitude of librarians to both the search process and subsequent information retrieval, using Greek and international search engines. It compared different search engines and studied parameters like quality, precision, presentation and value of the search results. This research could form the basis of further study of librarians' behavior in the use of search engines for satisfying their information needs and comparison of information retrieval systems.

This paper aims to describe marketing methods, techniques and activities used in Greek academic libraries and their staff perceptions regarding the importance of marketing applications. In addition, it identifies factors which hinder the uptake of marketing, and investigates the evaluation methods used.

There are 151 central and departmental academic libraries in Greece, yet there is limited published research concerning their marketing activities. Therefore, it was intended to discover the reasons behind the low/non-use of marketing in Greek academic libraries. A three-section questionnaire was designed as the main research tool and distributed to 151 libraries. Survey results are presented and analysed according to the structure of the questionnaire.

Whilst marketing techniques and methods are used in academic libraries worldwide, the spread of marketing in Greek academic libraries proved to be limited. Basic operational problems were identified as the main barrier to greater uptake. Nevertheless, the majority of Greek academic librarians realize the importance of marketing, but they still have a long way to go in terms of understanding and adopting marketing concepts in their provision of services.

A quantitative survey was employed to determine the current situation, and examine the attitudes and perceptions of librarians in Greek academic libraries. However, the rapidly changing information environment and the increased international interest in academic library marketing have necessitated further research.

The paper presents research on staff perceptions and attitudes, towards marketing activities in Greek academic libraries. However, there is limited published research on the topic. Additionally, it is the first attempt to discover the extent to which marketing is used in Greek libraries' services' provision. The research depicts marketing techniques and methods used in Greek academic libraries and compares its results with international practices.

With the technological innovation dominating higher education, the university libraries, as physical spaces, continue to play a crucial role in connecting students with knowledge. The emergence of the “Learning Commons” serves as a catalyst in the design of library spaces, renewing libraries’ roles and missions and making them popular to Millennials for new reasons. This study aims to record Greek librarians' views on the current situation in Greek academic libraries regarding physical space design, services provided and the existence of the “Learning Commons” model characteristics.

This study was conducted through an online survey structured questionnaire (closed-ended, five-point Likert scale, multiple-choice and statements questions). This study population comprised librarians working in 37 academic institutions and colleges. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The research questions were answered using variables creation and the tests, t-test, ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis. The groups of questions were tested for their reliability using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient.

In total, 186 librarians responded to this study. The responses revealed that participants were willing and ready to accept and support a different approach to academic library physical spaces use, according to the shared learning spaces model. However, this requires changes in the organization's vision, further growth and evolution. Although recently most Greek academic libraries have made significant progress in developing their services to function as information and digital hubs, they do not function as learning collaborative hubs, since the “Learning Commons” model is not reflected in their buildings.

The creation of new academic libraries according to the “common” model is a rapidly evolving issue that affects Greek libraries. This paper highlights the characteristics of libraries that should be adopted in the modern era, the new roles of academic librarians and the importance of an appropriate design of the physical space to achieve optimal learning outcomes. At the same time, this paper is one of the few that illustrates librarians', and not users', perceptions of these changes. This paper is a good research example, and the methodology for measuring this type of context could be used by other future research approaches in other countries.

The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed overview of the role and participation of embedded librarians in the academic e-classroom. More specifically, this paper reflects the perceptions of Greek academic librarians regarding the use of learning management systems (LMSs). Furthermore, it seeks to highlight the most popular software, to list the services provided through LMSs and to determine the level of librarians’ engagement with LMSs. Finally, it investigates the challenges and benefits of their use.

Survey research was used as the methodological design. An adequate questionnaire was created for the collection of quantitative data to study the activities and experiences of academic embedded librarians.

According to the study findings, a considerable percentage of academic librarians use the potential of LMSs, indicating that embedded librarianship is the future for Greek academic libraries. However, it seems that LMSs are not fully exploited even during the pandemic when the libraries remained closed.

This study was exploratory in nature and thus its scope was limited. It was limited to embedded librarianship in academic libraries.

Embedded librarianship comes with many challenges for its practitioners; yet, it also has the potential to connect libraries and librarians directly to the overall institutional aims and enhance their positions in the academy.

The role and participation of embedded librarians in Greek academic institutions is a research area that has not been fully investigated. Therefore, this paper can give insights into this critical issue, especially during a pandemic.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the obligations and responsibilities of librarians, working in Greek academic libraries and to investigate whether there are significant differences among various institutions.

The survey was based on a questionnaire containing 161 duties performed by academic librarians, classified into five main categories which are: general management, collection management, materials organization, user service and system management. The respondents were 31 managers at Greek academic libraries, who were asked to assess their duties according to importance, difficulty and frequency, and whether such tasks were deemed professional, para-professional or non-professional. A two-way ANOVA was applied to determine whether performed duties significantly differed according to institution size and/or type.

The results revealed no significant differences regarding importance of duties while many differences were detected across all main categories regarding difficulty. Differences were also recorded concerning the frequency of duties for some of the subcategories under general and collection management, materials organization and the subcategory cultural events and programs. Finally, professional duties represented 86 percent of total duties, indicating the necessity of professional librarians for the effective management of their responsibilities.

These findings, which are first recorded in Greece and refer to academic librarians’ duties, will be particularly useful for decision makers to reach the right decisions regarding the implementation of human resource practices, taking into account the individuality of the institutions under consideration. Also these outcomes can be viewed as a valuable guide for adapting the indicated decisions under the rapidly introduced technological changes and properly tackling problems stemming from the economic recession.

To investigate the current use of assistive technologies (AT) in Greek libraries, unveil the relationship between AT suppliers and library authorities and achieve a better understanding of companies' and libraries' perspective.

Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool by sending mailed questionnaires to AT enterprises and libraries.

Overall, the study stresses the lack of AT in Greek libraries. It depicts that the current legal and regulatory framework as regards AT is insufficient and concludes that libraries are not interested in such products and services.

Several libraries chose not to participate in this research probably because they were totally unaware and unfamiliar with disability and AT issues and consequently, they did not have anything to state.

This paper is useful for information professionals who seek a greater understanding of the extent to which AT products are used in library authorities of Greece, since there is almost no literature and research relevant to this topic.

Job satisfaction and burnout are two multidimensional constructs, which represent affective work responses. The present study was designed to examine: the multivariate relationship between burnout and job satisfaction, and the degree of their distinctiveness. Self‐reported questionnaires were administered to 135 academic librarians to assess burnout (Maslach burnout inventory) and job satisfaction (employee satisfaction inventory). A two‐factor model with correlated factors was postulated and supported. Structural equation modeling procedures showed that the two constructs although highly correlated (r=−0.75) represent distinct responses to work.

The purpose of this paper is to point out the utilization, integration and exploitation of the internet among libraries in Greece.

A survey consisting of 44 questions was distributed to librarians in Greece to collect the data for the study.

The study reveals that the internet is an essential and rigorous tool for librarians in Greece. It plays an important role for providing quality and quick reference services to users.

Limitations in this study are related to the small sample size, as well as to the number of variables studied.

The findings of the study would provide some interesting insights into measuring user satisfaction after the introduction of the internet and into conducting future studies with comparable results.

This is believed to be a unique paper featuring Greek libraries and internet. The information and communication technologies could have wider implications in all kinds of libraries.

The purpose of the present study is to measure levels of burnout among Greek academic librarians and to assess its relation with certain background characteristics.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered to 136 academic librarians across Greece.

Findings suggested that respondents experienced low levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and moderate levels of personal accomplishment. Of the background characteristics, age, number of years as a librarian and participation in decision‐making were found to be independent of experienced burnout. Direct contact with library users seemed to enhance feelings of personal accomplishment. In addition, employees with short‐term contracts reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion in comparison to their colleagues holding lifetime positions.Research limitations/implications – Future research can focus on different types of libraries where the predominance of different organizational characteristics might have a different impact on individual burnout. Another direction for future research is the study of the specific job conditions that might contribute to burnout.

Provides valuable results concerning burnout among library professionals in Greece.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of Greek librarians regarding information literacy programs and their preparedness for such programs.

The study was targeted at all professional and paraprofessional staff of the academic libraries in Greece and Cyprus. The instrument was a specially designed structured questionnaire which included 20 questions, in sum 67 variables.

Most libraries do not deliver information literacy programs, but some kind of library instruction. Many respondents consider that more money, more librarians and an appropriately equipped space are the best ways to improve information literacy programs. Concerning the information literacy trainers, there are those who emphasize teaching abilities and/or pedagogical experience, and those who emphasize infrastructure and funding.

The paper contributes to the existing knowledge of information literacy skills by revealing certain issues regarding the academic libraries in Greece and Cyprus.