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Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Rajesh Kumar Mog and Mithu Anjali Gayan

The purpose of this study is to understand the role and impact of gender on reading habits. It is an attempt to explore the probable reason why or why not gender differences take…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the role and impact of gender on reading habits. It is an attempt to explore the probable reason why or why not gender differences take place concerning reading time, reading purpose, reading resources and digital devices among undergraduate students in the digital environment.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, the researcher used a survey-based approach. To accomplish the study’s goals, a meticulously designed questionnaire has been disseminated among undergraduate students in selected colleges located in the western district of Tripura, a northeastern state in India.

Findings

The study found that female respondents have a slightly higher level of liking for reading than males. For both genders, the major purpose of reading is to enhance their knowledge unvaryingly. Furthermore, it has been observed that female respondents read electronic and print reading material more frequently compared to their male counterparts. Female respondents read fiction more frequently than males in print form. Both genders have more ease in reading print resources than digital resources. Among all digital devices, respondents are most competent at using mobile devices and prefer them for digital reading.

Research limitations/implications

As part of the pilot study, investigators surveyed a limited sample population, where the participation of students was further lower because of the unavailability of students.

Originality/value

The gender-based level of competency with digital devices is studied as a variable among the adult population to measure its correlation with reading habits.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2023

Christina Zacharia Hawatmeh, Oraib Mousa Alshmaseen and Ghada Enad Alfayez

The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons behind the persistent preference for printed content among Arabic-speaking library patrons in Jordan. Specifically, this…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons behind the persistent preference for printed content among Arabic-speaking library patrons in Jordan. Specifically, this study highlights the availability of reading materials in print, electronic and audible formats in Arabic as an intervening factor shaping reading behavior. More broadly, it aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how language preference can impact reading format preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s research design revolves around understanding reading format preferences among registered members of Jordan’s largest and oldest private library. This approach involved the examination of secondary library user survey data collected from N = 313 of its patrons in 2022. To gain a greater understanding of the preference for printed materials, this study conducted semistructured interviews over the phone with n = 31 participants of the library’s survey.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate a strong preference for print books among Arabic-speaking library patrons in Jordan. However, the availability of content in electronic and audible formats in Arabic, their preferred reading language, emerged as a potentially significant factor in the persistent preference for printed reading materials.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the specific role that the availability of content in Arabic, and possibly languages other than English, may play in shaping reading format preferences. By shedding light on this aspect of reading behavior, this research offers valuable information for libraries and publishers seeking to cater to the needs and preferences of Arabic readers.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2023

Cimei Dai and Dickson K.W. Chiu

This research explored how COVID-19 affects Shenzhen high school students' reading behavior and preference and their parents' attitudes toward reading during the lockdown.

Abstract

Purpose

This research explored how COVID-19 affects Shenzhen high school students' reading behavior and preference and their parents' attitudes toward reading during the lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopted a qualitative approach to conduct one-on-one semi-structured interviews with parents of a boarding high school in Shenzhen, China. Thirteen parents were recruited through a purposeful sampling method, and NVivo12 software was used to analyze the results with a theme-based approach guided by the 5E instructional model.

Findings

The results revealed the effectiveness and problems of high school students' use of electronic resources and discovered changes in the reading behavior of high school students and their parents' attitudes during COVID-19.

Originality/value

There are few studies specifically on the reading behavior of boarding students from a parental view, especially in Asia. This research can fill the gaps in related research during COVID-19.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2024

Theo J.D. Bothma and Ina Fourie

Needs for information literacy, disparities in society, bridging digital divides, richness of information sources in electronic (e-)environments and the value of dictionaries have…

Abstract

Purpose

Needs for information literacy, disparities in society, bridging digital divides, richness of information sources in electronic (e-)environments and the value of dictionaries have often been propagated. To improve information sources and information literacy training, information behaviour must be understood (i.e. all information activities). This paper conceptualises new opportunities for information sources (e.g. electronic dictionaries) to all society sectors, dictionary literacy and research lenses such as lexicography to supplement information literacy and behaviour research.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review of information literacy and behaviour, lexicography and dictionary literature grounds the conceptualisation of dictionary literacy, its alignment with information literacy, information activities and information behaviour and lexicography as additional research lens.

Findings

Research lenses must acknowledge dictionary use in e-environments, information activities and skills, meanings of information and dictionary literacy, the value of e-dictionaries, alignment with information behaviour research that guides the development of information sources and interdisciplinary research from, e.g. lexicography – thus contextualisation.

Research limitations/implications

Research implications – information behaviour and information literacy research can be enriched by lexicography as research lens. Further conceptualisation could align information behaviour, information literacy and dictionary literacy.

Practical implications

Dictionary training, aligned with information literacy training, can be informed by this paper.

Social implications

The value of dictionary literacy for all sectors of societies can be improved.

Originality/value

Large bodies of literature on information behaviour and lexicography individually do not cover combined insights from both.

Details

Library Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal, José Alberto Molina and Almudena Sevilla

This chapter analyzes detailed 24-hour diary data from the United States to provide evidence on the relationship between workers' effort and well-being while at work. In doing so…

Abstract

This chapter analyzes detailed 24-hour diary data from the United States to provide evidence on the relationship between workers' effort and well-being while at work. In doing so, we first measure workers' effort in terms of the amount of on-the-job leisure, number of on-the-job leisure episodes, and the time working until consuming on-the-job leisure. Second, we link these three measures of worker effort to data on instantaneous well-being while at work. We find that the less time devoted to on-the-job leisure and the number of on-the-job leisure episodes, and the more time workers spend working until on-the-job-leisure, the higher the levels of stress during their work tasks. In analyzing workers' effort and stress during market work activities, we contribute to the scant literature on the determinants of worker happiness while at work, positing the consumption and the frequency of on-the-job leisure as affective factors.

Details

Time Use in Economics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-604-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2023

Murtaza Ashiq, Shafiq Ur Rehman, Ammara Yousaf and Muhammad Safdar

The use of mobile technologies and learning devices has been increasing in every field of life, and library and information sciences are no exception. This study aims to explore…

Abstract

Purpose

The use of mobile technologies and learning devices has been increasing in every field of life, and library and information sciences are no exception. This study aims to explore the perceptions of library and information science (LIS) students regarding mobile learning (m-learning) along with their primary purposes, social media applications, advantages, disadvantages, barriers, impact and overall satisfaction with using these devices.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used, and data was collected from the students of 12 library schools in Pakistan for a total sample of 250 students.

Findings

Their main purposes of usage, their needs, advantages, disadvantages, barriers, impacts and the level of overall satisfaction were also identified. The inferential statistics (t-test and ANOVA) also identified the difference of opinion on the basis of gender, programs, types and number of m-learning devices. Overall, the findings highlight the need for academic libraries to give mobile access (launching mobile applications) to better use library services. To ensure this, libraries must keep an eye on new advances in mobile technology, researchers’ needs and related electronic library services and observe how these services are being used.

Practical implications

Theoretical and practical implications have been highlighted to understand the perceptions of LIS students about m-learning devices.

Originality/value

The mobile library service providers and management need to improve their services by offering services that fit the diverse needs of their users and should know how to attract modern library users.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 December 2023

Lan Thi Nguyen

The development of digital technology and digital resources have influenced one’s reading habits. This paper aimed to study undergraduate students' reading in digital sphere at…

Abstract

Purpose

The development of digital technology and digital resources have influenced one’s reading habits. This paper aimed to study undergraduate students' reading in digital sphere at universities in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A focus group study with 31 undergraduate students of six groups at six public universities was conducted to get their perspectives on reading preference, strategies, effectiveness and psychological factors influencing reading ability.

Findings

The results confirmed that bachelor students' reading preference for document formats depended on their reading purposes. They used different reading strategies for digital and traditional reading, for instance, keyword searching, taking note, skimming, scanning, need-based reading, selective reading, comparison, evaluation and criticism. Students had faster reading speed for digital texts; however, they had better concentration and memorization in printed documents. When students have motivation, good attitudes and emotion, they could be motivated to read more.

Originality/value

These findings were useful in enhancing the understanding of digital reading competence and help stakeholders find out solutions to improve reading capacity of Vietnamese students in digital space.

Details

Library Management, vol. 45 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2023

Oghenere Salubi and Uyanda Majavu

This paper delves into the pivotal role of public libraries in supporting and promoting literacy, with a particular focus on their relevance in financially and infrastructurally…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper delves into the pivotal role of public libraries in supporting and promoting literacy, with a particular focus on their relevance in financially and infrastructurally low-resourced territories (FILTs). Literacy, being a fundamental skill, empowers individuals, enriches education and contributes to social and economic development. Nonetheless, numerous FILTs encounter substantial obstacles in granting access to quality education and fostering literacy skills among their people. As an opinion piece rooted in empirical literature, this paper serves as an introductory exploration, acknowledging that it only skims the surface of raising awareness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper expands upon the existing body of literature concerning public libraries and the imperative for literacy programs. It purposefully addresses a range of issues that may appear contradictory in FILTs, primarily due to economic constraints. However, from the authors’ perspective, these issues actually highlight the vast potential for intervention and progress.

Findings

Numerous evident strategies can be identified to attain the goal of an enlightened and educated nation, fostering empowered individuals. One such approach involves prioritizing the promotion and support of literacy programs in public libraries. Nonetheless, there is a pressing need for heightened awareness regarding the significance of adopting a holistic perspective when addressing various interconnected issues. This includes the long-term advantages associated with an educated and literate society, particularly in FILTs.

Originality/value

The literature within the field of library and information science offers scarce publications regarding literacy support programs in libraries, despite the fact that fostering informed and literate citizens is a prominent goal in the mission and vision plans of numerous FILTs. This paper presents an exploratory perspective, aiming to raise awareness about the significance of considering diverse approaches to support and promote literacy in public libraries within FILTs. It also proposes the development of a framework as a means to facilitate this endeavor. While the context of the paper is framed for FILTs, aspects of the framework may also be useful and applicable in other well-resourced regions and libraries.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2023

Sivankutty V.S. and Jinu Sudhakaran

Covid-19 pandemic created a series of challenges for all professions, and libraries and library professionals were not spared. This study aims to attempt to analyze how qualified…

Abstract

Purpose

Covid-19 pandemic created a series of challenges for all professions, and libraries and library professionals were not spared. This study aims to attempt to analyze how qualified library professionals in India responded to the pandemic period and seeks their opinion on their preference for the job sector, activities and the challenges they faced during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a quantitative survey method using simple random sampling technique. A structured Google forms questionnaire was used to collect the data. In total, 169 qualified professionals, working in different LIS areas, and a few nonworking professionals participated in the survey. The data were collected and analyzed using MS Excel, and statistical tests were done.

Findings

The major challenges include lack of proper equipment and official digital records, comfortable work environment, poor internet connection and over work load. Majority wish to work in the government rather than the private sector. The participants believe that Covid has affected employment opportunities. Despite the challenges, library professionals are satisfied with the profession and were actively engaged in the learning process.

Research limitations/implications

The challenges faced by the LIS profession during the post Covid era should be examined by professional bodies and organizations and should ensure extensive human resources development in different LIS sectors and stress the need to implement better services to society with a better digital experience.

Originality/value

The study explores how qualified library professionals from India have coped with the Covid pandemic and seeks to identify challenges in post-Covid LIS employment. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind concerning work reflections of library professionals in India since the pandemic.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 22 January 2024

Ahmet Elnur, Çağdaş Aydın and Ceren Aydın

The importance and value of the leisure phenomenon are becoming more prominent daily as it becomes a determining indicator of both qualities of life and social welfare. The…

Abstract

The importance and value of the leisure phenomenon are becoming more prominent daily as it becomes a determining indicator of both qualities of life and social welfare. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused severe disruptions in the lifestyles of individuals, has also made it inevitable to face the emergence of sociocultural conditions in which traditional daily life routines have disappeared and the reorganisation of the leisure space. In line with the conditions mentioned earlier, the characteristics of the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ have started to come together in the daily lives and leisure spaces of individuals in constant conflict. Under these conditions, individuals who spent their leisure time travelling from one place to another before the pandemic had to choose different leisure options. Therefore, the leisure space, which is an integral part of the social life of today's individual, has evolved into an unthinkable position independently of the COVID-19 pandemic effects. From this point of view, this study aims to examine the transformation of the leisure space due to the COVID-19 pandemic within the framework of previous studies on this subject and to discuss it in the context of sustainability. For this purpose, firstly, a general framework is drawn on the historical development of the leisure concept, and then its relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic is evaluated. In the last part of the study, the new forms of leisure that have emerged due to the process, as mentioned earlier, are discussed over the critical issues in ensuring the sustainability of leisure practices.

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