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Article
Publication date: 30 July 2019

Khalfan Zahran Al Hijji and Mohammad Khamis Al-Busaidi

This study aims to explore the roles and skills of Omani academic cataloguing librarians in facilitating access to various kinds of traditional and digital information resources…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the roles and skills of Omani academic cataloguing librarians in facilitating access to various kinds of traditional and digital information resources and challenges confronting them in fulfilling that task.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this research were gathered from 37 academic libraries in the country through a questionnaire sent to their cataloguing librarians. Google Docs format was used for cumulating and presenting quantitative data, whilst content analysis was utilized for gathering the qualitative data in specific themes according to the research questions.

Findings

The obvious findings are that Omani academic cataloguers still perform the traditional cataloguing functions, including copy and original cataloguing, and maintain authority files. Moreover, more than half of the respondents have the skills required for working in groups and are familiar with cataloguing tools such as RDA rules and BIBFRAME. However, cataloguers lack familiarity with computer languages (XML, PMH, OAI, RDF) and metadata.

Practical implications

The research concludes with suggestions to libraries for improving librarians’ skills and performance through such as provision of proficient training and establishment of a collaborative body.

Originality/value

This research addresses an area of interest to most librarians. However, few researchers in the authors’ region have focused on this topic. The study, therefore, aims to contribute to filling this gap through assessing whether cataloguers in Oman have the skills and roles required for organizing various information resources in the digital era.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. 68 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2012

Khalfan Zahran Al Hijji and Andrew M. Cox

The purpose of this paper is to investigate measurement methods that are in use in various aspects of academic libraries in Oman.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate measurement methods that are in use in various aspects of academic libraries in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework of the research was built to explore various steps of conceptualizing, collecting, analyzing data, and reporting results. Data gathered through in‐depth interviews with participants represented different management levels. The analysis process utilized content analysis to shape the relationship between categories that were subjected to formulate knowledge.

Findings

Results show that all libraries have used one method or more in evaluating the progress of their services, and the performance of their staff members. These include: surveys; reports; KPIs; statistics; and interviews, in addition to appraisal forms which are used for staff evaluation. Alongside internal evaluation by librarians, an external evaluation by OAC and other international bodies took place in some libraries.

Research limitations/implications

The research was challenged by great differences in history, size, and infrastructure between the institutions, which had affected the selection of the research population. Moreover, reports and statistics which existed in some libraries could not provide the necessary data, which forced the researcher to depend on the data gathered from respondents in building the research knowledge.

Originality/value

This study aims to fill part of the gap which exists in measurement processes of information services, as it is the first study shedding light on evaluation methods in academic libraries in Oman.

Details

Performance Measurement and Metrics, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-8047

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 23 November 2012

Steve Thornton

118

Abstract

Details

Performance Measurement and Metrics, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-8047

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