Search results

This study aims to derive factors in the context of library corporate social responsibility. Interest in implementing corporate social responsibility has also increased over time because of its association with core issues of fundamental value, especially in societal, environmental and ethical practices. Therefore, corporate social responsibility can help libraries accomplish their missions and goals.

The study used data from 80 studies from the literature between 2010 and 2020 analysed and reviewed to identify the components of library corporate social responsibility. To establish library corporate social responsibility factors, thematic and weighting analyses were adopted and implemented.

The study established that library corporate social responsibility comprises four main themes: community, workplace and employees, environment, and stakeholders, which include the nine best predicted factors that play a significant role in library corporate social responsibility.

The results of this study provide implications for librarians and academics about libraries' social responsibility and its themes and factors.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to derive the factors of library corporate social responsibility. Hence, the importance of identifying library corporate social responsibility factors and component will help libraries implement the best practices of the modern concept of corporate social responsibility.

COVID-19 forced libraries and other institutions to either close their doors to users or change their services routines. At this time, the libraries should extend their efforts to meet the increasing demands of information services in terms of quantity and quality of information services. This study aims to explore the role and responsibilities of academic libraries during times of crisis from the staff perception in academic libraries in Jordan.

A questionnaire was disseminated to 359 library staff who were working at the 10 public universities in Jordan; 295 questionnaires were suitable to analyze, with a response rate of 82.2%.

The results indicated the importance of increasing academic libraries – specifically academic libraries in Jordan – awareness about the vast and important role of libraries to support research and the public community by providing authentic information sources about the pandemic to increase public awareness about the pandemic, besides contributing to disseminating research related to the pandemic as well as producing related research. Libraries needed to adjust their collection and information services during the crisis as they looked for ways to support the users they serve. The results affirmed that access to information remains the social responsibility of librarians.

The findings will provide insights for other academic libraries on how to react in a crisis and maintain its role as a reliable information source.

During the health pandemic, people needed support in terms of getting easy access to authentic and reliable information. Libraries hold a social responsibility to the local community, such as awareness campaigns, posting videos on health practices and hygiene on it websites and social media.

This paper provides insights and practical solutions for academic libraries in response to global health pandemics. It will help academic libraries handle and cope with the challenges of providing distance library services over digital channels.

This paper opens the debate on the contribution that libraries can, and might, make to their environment.

Analyses libraries' explicit commitment to environmental issues in their public statements. Suggests that they may be lagging behind major businesses. Challenges for libraries in relation to environmental management are discussed both in relation to strategic and policy issues, and in relation to the issues posed by digitization of information resources.

This paper finds that libraries' commitment to environmental issues is significant but implicit rather than explicit and there is scope for more coordinated debate, policy‐making and actions in this arena, especially in the face of some of the challenges that digitization poses.

The information contained in this article will be of interest to those involved in library management and specifically those committed to environmental issues.

The purpose of this paper is to offer a theoretical framework for applying Web 2.0 technologies and design principles to the development of participatory cultures within libraries. A participatory culture is one that focusses on facilitating interaction and the creation of content by users rather than the consumption of content created or compiled by experts.

This study is a literature-based theoretical analysis that explores the role of libraries as agents of cultural hegemony and techniques for developing socially responsible library praxis. It combines insights from a variety of discourses including Western Marxist theories of hegemony, critical theories of library and information science, professional literature regarding “Library 2.0” service models, and media studies theories of participatory culture.

Libraries do not just organize knowledge; they construct it. Furthermore, these constructions tend to reinforce dominant discourses while marginalizing others. By adopting participatory technologies and design principles, libraries can support greater diversity of expression and create spaces for marginalized discourses.

This paper offers suggestions for applying principles of participatory culture to the design of library services such as collection development, cataloging and classification, reference, instruction, and institutional repositories.

This paper provides a conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating the significance of Web 2.0 for library and information science by applying theoretical perspectives from other disciplines.

This study aims to focus on a qualitative and quantitative assessment of how homeless people in the USA use libraries. Libraries, especially in urban areas, have a complicated relationship with homeless patrons. It is easy to assume that homeless populations use libraries as a safe place to avoid the elements or to sleep. This paper considers the other ways that people without permanent housing are using libraries, how they perceive libraries, and what their specific information needs might be.

The primary method of data collection involved surveys conducted with over 100 homeless individuals in central Michigan in 2009, supplemented with information about area library policies that specifically affect this population.

Many homeless people in central Michigan use libraries frequently. They most often read for entertainment and use the internet. Survey respondents tended to be appreciative of library services. Local social service agencies are a primary source of information for homeless people in this area.

The challenges of identifying homeless people led to a respondent pool which seemed to be very high‐functioning. Homeless people who are mentally ill or struggling with serious substance abuse may not have been as prevalent at the venues which were used to survey respondents.

Most articles regarding homelessness in the library literature focus on how librarians can handle these “problem patrons.” However, little substantive information is known about how homeless people themselves view libraries. This paper provides insight into the needs of homeless people and how US libraries might best serve them. It also references international studies on the homeless and libraries.

Sets down a powerful and passionate argument about social exclusion and ways to combat class, race and discrimination in a paper prepared for a conference presentation to the Library Association Public Libraries Group. Suggests that if librarians have not experienced exclusion or worked with excluded people then the next best action is to read. Gives examples of relevant titles.

This chapter traces the history of diversity and inclusion efforts at the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland as an example of an institution that has made diversity and inclusion central to its activities.

By exploring the successes and failures of a program that identifies itself as activist in terms of diversity and inclusion, this chapter offers a portrait of the evolution of cutting edge diversity and inclusion efforts in the field.

Widespread changes to the diversity and inclusiveness of library and information science education, professions, and institutions depend on all parts of the field committing to these issues, sharing ideas and best practices, and becoming activists for equity.

Libraries of all types have often been called on to take on challenges ranging from information literacy and developing a reading culture to promoting social justice. In recent literature they have been challenged to contribute to the development of informed and educated nations – a big issue in developing countries. Sometimes even to empower people. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness for this call as important for developing as well as developed nations and the numerous issues, role players and lenses they need to bear in mind. As an opinion piece it can merely scratch the surface of raising awareness.

This contribution builds on the literature of library and information science, education and politics to present an exploratory viewpoint and a nascent model to support further work. It intentionally touches on a diversity of issues that may seem at odds with each other, but that in the opinion reflect the enormous scope to address and diversity of individual, institutional and global input and lenses that can make a difference.

Many obvious approaches to achieve the object of an informed and educated nation with empowered individuals can be noted such as focusing on information literacy, digital literacy and information fluency. However more awareness is required of the need to take a holistic view of issues to focus on such as tolerance and ethics, and the information behaviour and information practices of people in various contexts, and how changes in the awareness of needs to address and the need to seek information and support from diverse sources, can contribute. A first step would be to note the diversity that might contribute towards a holistic view of a global problem to which libraries can contribute.

There are limited publications on the topic in the library and information science literature although “developing an informed and educated nation” features in the mission and vision plans of some countries, and empowerment is sometimes specifically noted in publications on user education and information literacy. This paper offers an exploratory viewpoint to raise awareness to consider various approaches and threads to the topic and to not think only in terms of education and information literacy, but to recognise the full role libraries and librarians can play – also in reaching out to other role players such as users, governments and grant providers.

The following classified, annotated list of titles is intended to provide reference librarians with a current checklist of new reference books, and is designed to supplement the RSR review column, “Recent Reference Books,” by Frances Neel Cheney. “Reference Books in Print” includes all additional books received prior to the inclusion deadline established for this issue. Appearance in this column does not preclude a later review in RSR. Publishers are urged to send a copy of all new reference books directly to RSR as soon as published, for immediate listing in “Reference Books in Print.” Reference books with imprints older than two years will not be included (with the exception of current reprints or older books newly acquired for distribution by another publisher). The column shall also occasionally include library science or other library related publications of other than a reference character.