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1 – 10 of over 4000Ying Kit Cherry Kwan, Mei Wa Chan and Dickson K.W. Chiu
In the 21st century, libraries are experiencing a significant decline in users due to shifting reading habits and the impact of technology, necessitating library transformation…
Abstract
Purpose
In the 21st century, libraries are experiencing a significant decline in users due to shifting reading habits and the impact of technology, necessitating library transformation and a heightened emphasis on library marketing. Special libraries, in particular, rely heavily on patrons for survival, often due to their private ownership and limited resources. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the Taste Library, a special library in Hong Kong, and analyzes its current practices based on an interview with its founder, website content, and social media presence. The 7Ps Marketing Mix model is employed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the library's current market position.
Findings
The Taste Library's existing practices exhibit limitations in attracting young patrons. To address this issue, we propose marketing strategies focused on enhancing social network presence, offering digitized content, and engaging in school outreach.
Practical implications
By concentrating on youth marketing, this study offers valuable insights for special libraries in developing strategic plans for transitioning and maintaining sustainability.
Originality/value
Few studies concentrate on marketing small special libraries, particularly in the East, within today's digitized economy.
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Keywords
This study aims to analyse and understand the current state of research in the field of digital marketing in “library and information science”.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse and understand the current state of research in the field of digital marketing in “library and information science”.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a “bibliometric research design.” A lexical title search was used to obtain the required data set for executing this study, and a comprehensive “indexing and abstracting” database, Web of Science, was used as a data harvesting source. Louvain’s clustering algorithm was used for network metrics.
Findings
The findings revealed that research productivity and impact have grown considerably over time, indicating significant attention towards digital marketing research in library and information science (LIS). Moreover, the results showed that the overall author collaboration patterns were weak, hence creating room for development in the author’s collaboration patterns.
Practical implications
The current study could be very beneficial in providing a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the “digital marketing” research field scholarly output in LIS, which can be used by researchers, practitioners and policymakers to guide their work and make informed decisions.
Originality/value
The originality of this bibliometric study lies in its comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the current state of research in the field of “digital marketing” in LIS. This study provides a unique and in-depth understanding of the key authors, venues and papers in the field, as well as the trends and patterns in the research.
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Julia C. Stumpff and Hannah J. Craven
This paper aims to describe how one medical library implemented a new scheduling system, initiated data analysis and modified its regularly scheduled workshop program because of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe how one medical library implemented a new scheduling system, initiated data analysis and modified its regularly scheduled workshop program because of evidence-based decision-making. Academic libraries that struggle with workshop attendance may use this process as a model.
Design/methodology/approach
Workshop registration data analysis focused on registrants' affiliation, role and location, and how registrants learned of workshops. Workshop attendance data analysis focused on which workshops, days, times of the day and months had the highest attendance. The analysis led to changes in marketing and targeted scheduling of future workshops by the time of day, day of the week and month of the year.
Findings
Data collected for four years, fall 2018 – summer 2022 (12 semesters), shows a steady increase in the number of people attending library workshops. The increase in attendance and ROI experienced after the changes implemented at Ruth Lilly Medical Library (RLML) is significant as libraries often struggle with attendance, marketing and return on investment when offering ongoing educational workshops.
Originality/value
Many libraries offer ongoing workshops with low attendance. This article provides an example of how one library changed software and registration and implemented evidence-based decision-making related to scheduling which may have contributed to an increase in workshop attendance. Other academic libraries might consider adopting similar software and evidence-based decision-making to improve their library workshop service.
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The purpose of this study is to examine research on academic libraries and the social web published from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2023.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine research on academic libraries and the social web published from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
The article search and filtering procedures mirrored those of Choi and Harper (2020) and Carlsson (2015), resulting in a total sample size of 93 articles. These articles underwent examination based on the same eight variables (i.e. journal outlet, research theme, publication year, social web type, method, keyword, study participant type and study country) as employed by Choi and Harper (2020) and Carlsson (2015), with the addition of two new variables (i.e. research purpose and the impact of COVID-19).
Findings
The research article volume has consistently maintained a stable trend. A notable difference from Choi and Harper (2020) and Carlsson (2015) is the rise of “user perspectives” as the second most prevalent theme. Unlike Choi and Harper (2020), the “survey” method is predominant. Many research purposes, excluding “marketing and promotion,” lack attention. Additionally, there’s a dearth of studies on the impact of COVID-19.
Research limitations/implications
The findings from the study not only offer a snapshot of the current research landscape on academic libraries and their engagement with the social web but also offer insights for future scholarly endeavors.
Originality/value
There is a limited effort in exploring the recent literature regarding the role of the social web in academic libraries. This study serves as a valuable guide for contributing to this dynamic research stream and provides various up-to-date implications.
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Daniel Jr Soriano Balbin and Elizabeth Allan Lascano
The study aims to determine the extent of COVID-19’s impact on the libraries and information centers within Benguet. It identified the key differences in the effect of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to determine the extent of COVID-19’s impact on the libraries and information centers within Benguet. It identified the key differences in the effect of the pandemic on each type of library: public, special, school and academic. It recalled and documented the challenges faced by libraries and librarians. It determined which aspects of their library were affected and how they were modified in terms of their policies, personnel, physical space, services, collection, infodemic response and marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used the qualitative descriptive method approach, specifically narrative research design and conducted online focus group discussions in which 14 librarians with managerial or supervisory functions participated. This method was used to explore the topic holistically by using qualitative inquiry. It best suited the purpose of fully understanding the experiences of libraries during the pandemic. The recorded online focus group discussions conducted through Zoom were reviewed and analyzed to identify key themes and responses from the participants. The themes identified from the thematic analysis were further validated with the participants through correspondence, chats or e-mails.
Findings
The findings showed that libraries were faced with challenges brought on by the lack of a written policy for the pandemic response, a lack of information communication and technology skills and resources, strict requirements on physical setup for pandemic compliance, budget cuts or realignments and delayed procurement, misinformation and users’ lack of awareness of the new services offered by the library.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused on the pandemic experiences of libraries and information centers in Baguio-Benguet, which was hailed as a model for local pandemic response, through the lenses of librarians with supervisory roles or functions.
Practical implications
Libraries could reflect on their experiences in this pandemic to plan for future strategies that would be best implemented in situations where face-to-face services are not allowed.
Originality/value
This study presented various best practices from different library institutions that could be emulated in the future. Many of these are still relevant regardless library services are going back to normal.
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This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The status of CRM-based library services in the university libraries of Pakistan was also assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey research design and quantitative research approach were applied. A structured questionnaire was emailed to the heads librarians of all university libraries recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the response rate was 74 percent.
Findings
The analysis showed that a relationship to CRM-based library services was confirmed by the head librarians' age, academic qualification, professional experience, CRM awareness and training. Moreover, several CRM-based library services such as face-to-face interaction, current awareness services, orientation for new users, coordination through e-mail services, special goodwill to regular users, make telephone calls, complaints/suggestions boxes, online services, provision of a conducive learning environment, user education, selective dissemination of information services, users' participation in the collection and service development, ask a librarian services and users' help desk services were currently being practiced by the university libraries.
Originality/value
This study is a valuable resource for developing user-centered library services and culture. Findings are helpful in enhancing CRM applications in libraries and making their users satisfied and loyal. This study makes a significant contribution to the body of literature and knowledge on library CRM.
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Bing Xue, Rui Yao, Zengyu Ye, Cheuk Ting Chan, Dickson K.W. Chiu and Zeyu Zhong
With the rapid development of social media, many organizations have begun to attach importance to social media platforms. This research studies the management and the use of…
Abstract
Purpose
With the rapid development of social media, many organizations have begun to attach importance to social media platforms. This research studies the management and the use of social media in academic music libraries, taking the Center for Chinese Music Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CCMS) as a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted a sentiment analysis of posts on Facebook’s public page to analyze the reaction to the posts with some exploratory analysis, including the communication trend and relevant factors that affect user interaction.
Findings
Our results show that the Facebook channel for the library has a good publicity effect and active interaction, but the number of posts and interactions has a downward trend. Therefore, the library needs to pay more attention to the management of the Facebook channel and take adequate measures to improve the quality of posts to increase interaction.
Originality/value
Few studies have analyzed existing data directly collected from social media by programming based on sentiment analysis and natural language processing technology to explore potential methods to promote music libraries, especially in East Asia, and about traditional music.
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Xin Chen and Yingxi Liu
This study aims to explore the switching behaviour of short video (SV) users and its influencing factors and promote the sustainable development of SV platforms (SVPs) and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the switching behaviour of short video (SV) users and its influencing factors and promote the sustainable development of SV platforms (SVPs) and the marketing strategy formulation of library and information institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews and grounded theory, this study conducts an exploratory study on the user switching phenomenon of an SVP. The authors encoded the interview text at three levels, extracted the factors influencing user switching behaviour on an SVP and constructed the corresponding theoretical model.
Findings
This study identifies the following major internal and external factors influencing user switching behaviour of SVP: platform quality, social environment, individual characteristics and use needs. It also elaborates on the impact of these internal and external factors on user switching behaviour.
Originality/value
This study explored the factors influencing SV user switching behaviour and constructed corresponding theoretical models, enriching research in information technology and social media switching. In practice, this study helped the existing SVPs and library and information institutions establish a corresponding early warning mechanism to prevent the loss of existing users and attract new users.
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Lauren Heather Mandel, Bradley Wade Bishop and Ashley Marie Orehek
The purpose of this paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to evaluate library services and resources to ascertain current…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to evaluate library services and resources to ascertain current trends and establish future directions for this growing research area.
Design/methodology/approach
The study searched full text for geographic information systems in two databases: Library and Information Science Source (LISS) and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), replicating the method used in a prior literature review. The titles and abstracts of the search results were analyzed to gather only the research that used GIS as a tool to measure and analyze library services.
Findings
This study found growth in the last decade for library research using GIS. There remain two ways the tool is primarily used: to analyze service areas and to manage facilities and collections.
Practical implications
The findings are relevant for library and information science researchers and practitioners because they summarize a specific area of research that has grown and changed and that still has potential to be used more widely. Using GIS in practice and research could benefit all library users and nonusers because spatial analysis facilitates more precise and informed delivery of services and resources.
Originality/value
The paper provides future directions for use of GIS in library research and attempts to define subdivisions within this research area to clarify the area for researchers and practitioners.
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Clement Ola Adekoya and Akeem Adedayo Adedimeji
The purpose of this paper is to investigate enhancement of library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate enhancement of library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study was 167 respondents, consisting of 83 professional and 84 para-professional librarians in the libraries of the public higher institutions in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. Total enumeration sampling technique was used for the study. Data were collected using the questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools were used for data analysis.
Findings
It was found that disruptive innovation has influence on library operations, the extent of application of disruptive innovation in library operation is low, the extent of using the by-products of disruptive innovation in the libraries is low and the challenges facing the adoption of disruptive innovations in libraries include: high cost of acquiring technological infrastructure, high cost of training library personnel, high costs of internet, inadequate technical know-how and high costs of system maintenance and upgrades.
Practical implications
Libraries should embrace the influence of disruptive innovations in their operations and service delivery.
Originality/value
This study is novel, as it approaches library performance from the perspective of the disruptive innovation. Very few studies emanate from Africa in this area. Most of the previous narratives around disruptive innovation centred around the Western countries such USA, UK, France, Italy, etc., which maintain a lead in library innovation and development. The current study demonstrated that the performance of libraries in Nigeria is not immune from being boosted by disruptive innovations.
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