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1 – 10 of over 32000The purpose of this paper is to indicate the place of assessment of the impact of libraries in the overall quality evaluation of these institutions. In the paper, an attempt has…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to indicate the place of assessment of the impact of libraries in the overall quality evaluation of these institutions. In the paper, an attempt has been made to separate the concepts of the impact and values of library services and, according to the designated scope, the most important areas of research, methods and indicators for the assessment of the impact of academic libraries were characterized. The focus was on the most important areas, i.e. on the impact of libraries on didactics and academic research, information literacy and on its assessment in the cultural and environmental aspect.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature-based overview of actual insights on tasks and areas, methods, indicators research on the impact of academic is provided.
Findings
The author has determined that the analysis of the impact of academic libraries can mainly concern the following areas: information (influence on didactics, research and information competence of users), cultural and environmental. That is why it is worth analyzing the most important methods and indicators of research on the impact of academic libraries in these areas. The best way to research the quality of libraries, and especially to determine its impact on users and the environment, is to use a mixed methodology – a whole set of quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques. Triangulation can involve the use of both qualitative and quantitative data or the use of multiple methods to develop one type of data.
Research limitations/implications
However, these methods were used to study the impact of academic libraries, whose results do not determine the financial value.
Practical implications
The paper shows the methods of research on the quality of the functioning of academic libraries with a special emphasis on the study of their impact on users and the social environment.
Social implications
The paper shows the methodology of determining the social role of academic libraries.
Originality/value
The paper intends to add to the body of knowledge about the research methodology for the impact of academic libraries.
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Keywords
Fiona Salisbury and Jennifer Peasley
The purpose of this paper is to provide an Australian perspective of impact and value by examining how the broader international and national perspectives play out in practice in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an Australian perspective of impact and value by examining how the broader international and national perspectives play out in practice in the Australian context and where adaption for local requirements is necessary.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper will explore the assessment of impact and value in academic libraries and the tools available to translate today’s inputs into future impact and value. It will focus on a range of methods and procedures, including international and national standards, frameworks and benchmarks.
Findings
The La Trobe University Library is presented as a case study to examine the challenges of leveraging tools to assess impact and communicate the value of the library across the university community.
Originality/value
Assessing the impact and demonstrating the value of the academic library in a digital environment is a constant challenge. While usage and service data are plentiful, traditional metrics no longer sufficiently demonstrate the academic library’s contribution to university learning, teaching and research outcomes.
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Anna Marie Johnson, Amber Willenborg, Christopher Heckman, Joshua Whitacre, Latisha Reynolds, Elizabeth Alison Sterner, Lindsay Harmon, Syann Lunsford and Sarah Drerup
This paper aims to present recently published resources on information literacy and library instruction through an extensive annotated bibliography of publications covering all…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present recently published resources on information literacy and library instruction through an extensive annotated bibliography of publications covering all library types.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2017 in over 200 journals, magazines, books and other sources.
Findings
The paper provides a brief description for all 590 sources.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of libraries in higher education institutes located in Azerbaijan, mainly in the capital city of Baku. Various university…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of libraries in higher education institutes located in Azerbaijan, mainly in the capital city of Baku. Various university libraries have been examined in terms of information services, physical environments and technical equipment support issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires were completed by students and staff at several universities in Azerbaijan to examine how libraries affect people's academic achievement. The results of this study were comparatively described using multiple tables and graphs.
Findings
University library usage is positively associated with academic achievement. Studies have shown that students who use libraries are more likely to succeed academically, as measured by their responses. The role of libraries in academic achievement is not limited to traditional academic tasks such as research and writing.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this study suggest that there is a positive relationship between library usage and academic achievement in some universities in Azerbaijan, and it is necessary to continue the topic in further studies in a wide range to develop relationships between academic library services and success in higher education, either personal or student.
Originality/value
This study is the first to examine the significance of academic libraries in higher education in Azerbaijan, providing a general overview and analysis of the separate correlations among these variables. Researchers interested in Azerbaijani education and libraries may find this to be practical.
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Muhammad Rafi, Zheng JianMing and Khurshid Ahmad
Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand intellectual growth, research productivity, planning and identification of user information needs. Evaluating the effectiveness of user database resource utilization and research, the purpose of this study is to assist management in developing an excellent academic policy.
Design/methodology/approach
This study establishes a quantitative method to analyze the productivity of academic research using digital databases. The secondary data extracted from the databases of 52 universities provided by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the literature published on the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science. The statistical technique simple linear regression was used to analyze the data for understanding the impact of independent variables the “digital databases” on the dependent variable “research productivity”.
Findings
The result of the coefficient of multiple determination, R-squared, R2 0.679, indicated 67 per cent impact of the predictor on the outcome variable. However, the standardized coefficient Beta 0.824 revealed 82 per cent impact of the individual predictor on the outcome variable. Overall, the result of linear regression showed a significant effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Besides, the result of correlation and the strength of association between the database resources and the academic publication was significant (p < 0.005).
Practical implications
This research work is a supportive tool for managing gaps and promoting the development of necessary measures to develop strategies and solutions to create a better academic environment. The ultimate use of standard database resources can foster higher academic research to develop innovative ideas and improve researchers’ cognitive abilities.
Originality/value
From Pakistan’s point of view, this study is the first one that gives insight into the intellectual growth of young researchers in higher education. The study provides first-hand information on the use of database resources and their significant impact on the productivity of academic research.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature to determine how academic librarians are measuring their libraries' institutional level impact on student success as…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature to determine how academic librarians are measuring their libraries' institutional level impact on student success as measured by grade point average, a metric commonly used in American education. This paper highlights a range of methods, outcomes and challenges in an initial scoping study.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology centered on a literature review of measuring the impact of academic libraries on student success as quantified by grade point average (GPA) from 2010 to present. Searches in ProQuest, EBSCO and Google Scholar were used to identify the relevant literature. Keywords searched in databases included various combinations of academic impact, student success, learning outcomes, library and higher education.
Findings
The analysis of 15 papers shows that academic librarians have demonstrated a small, nonnegligible positive correlation of library usage on GPA. The results of studies have highlighted that correlation does not prove the cause. Concerns and limitations of studies included using the GPA as a measurement of student success, differences between GPAs in subject areas, timeframes used, sample size collected, student privacy and the meanings of the results.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to articles published in English measuring student success as quantified by GPA and focuses heavily on American sources.
Originality/value
The research can guide librarians through known challenges and highlight successful designs and study methods used by other academic librarians to measure the impact of the library on student success.
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Judith Broady‐Preston and Alison Lobo
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role and relevance of external standards in demonstrating the value and impact of academic library services to their stakeholders.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role and relevance of external standards in demonstrating the value and impact of academic library services to their stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
Two UK standards, Charter Mark and Customer Service Excellence, are evaluated via an exploratory case study, employing multiple data collection techniques. Methods and results of phases 1‐2 of a three phase research project are outlined.
Findings
Despite some limitations, standards may assist the manager in demonstrating the value, impact and quality of academic libraries in a recessional environment. Active engagement and partnership with customers is imperative if academic libraries are to be viewed as vital to their parent organisations and thus survive.
Originality/value
This paper provides a systematic evaluation of the role of external accreditation standards in measuring academic library service value and impact.
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Melissa A. Hubbard and Amber T. Loos
The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which academic libraries participate in and assess initiatives to increase or maintain student enrollment levels at…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which academic libraries participate in and assess initiatives to increase or maintain student enrollment levels at colleges and universities in the US.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey of academic library directors in the US was conducted. The 31 question survey was distributed via email to 321 librarians in the sample population. The survey response rate was 42.7 percent. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 and qualitative data were coded according to recruitment or retention strategy.
Findings
Regardless of institution type or size, libraries in the sample population were just as likely to participate in recruitment and retention initiatives. However, some libraries stood out as particularly active in recruitment and retention initiatives. Indicators of active library participation were identified.
Research limitations/implications
The response rate for the survey did not generate a statistically significant sample size, given the population. However, the data generated here contribute significantly to the relatively scant literature on academic library participation in retention and recruitment activities. The findings also suggest the need for the profession to focus on creating assessment tools to measure library impact on recruitment and retention.
Originality/value
No other studies have surveyed the academic library field to document the extent to which they participate in and assess recruitment and retention initiatives.
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This paper aims to examine the principles that underpin library assessment, methods used for impact and performance evaluation and how academic libraries should use the findings…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the principles that underpin library assessment, methods used for impact and performance evaluation and how academic libraries should use the findings, and it discusses how value frameworks help.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a literature review covering aspects of value (value propositions, value co-creation), value frameworks (including the 2015 ACRL framework, Holbrook typology with worked example), data analytics and collaborative projects including LibQUAL+ initiatives and the use of balanced scorecard principles (including a values scorecard).
Findings
The use of data analytics in library assessment requires collaboration among library services to develop reliable data sets. Scorecards help ongoing impact and performance evaluation. Queries that arise may require a framework, or logic model, to formulate suitable questions and assemble evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to answer new questions about the value of library services. The perceived value framework of Holbrook’s typology, the values scorecard and the ACRL framework all support the deeper level of inquiry required.
Research limitations/implications
Includes examples of possible application of frameworks.
Practical implications
A value framework might help data analytic approaches in combining qualitative and quantitative data.
Social implications
Impact assessment may require assessing how value is co-created with library users in use of e-resources and open data.
Originality/value
The study contrasts the varying approaches to impact evaluation and library assessment in academic libraries, and it examines more in-depth value frameworks.
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In the modern “student focused” university setting, quality assurance and continual service improvement have become more and more important in the delivery of academic library…
Abstract
Purpose
In the modern “student focused” university setting, quality assurance and continual service improvement have become more and more important in the delivery of academic library services. Working in partnership with their students, academic libraries can enable meaningful engagement, through qualitative methods which allow individual students to contribute to performance measurement activities and service development. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how qualitative methods can be used to engage students in the performance measurement activities of academic libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a review of relevant literature, discussion around the main themes and some case study examples, this paper illustrates how effective student engagement through qualitative methods can contribute to the quality assurance, performance measurement and ultimate service improvement of academic libraries.
Findings
The paper focuses specifically on focus group and reflective methods and also details some elements of user experience (UX) which brings together different qualitative techniques available for academic libraries. The paper concludes with a feature case study which discusses how meaningful student engagement was achieved through a large-scale UX project at the University of the Arts, London.
Originality/value
The paper brings together many different discussions around qualitative methods in performance measurement and is original in its discussions around such activity as student engagement initiatives.
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