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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Adeyinka Tella and Oluchi Precious Ogbonna

The main purpose of this paper is to explore telepresence robots are being used in libraries to facilitate library services and also to explain the future trend in the application…

2271

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to explore telepresence robots are being used in libraries to facilitate library services and also to explain the future trend in the application of robots in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a review of the literature, this paper analyzes various library websites and consults literature relating to the use of telepresence robots in libraries; the current application of robots in libraries has been highlighted along with case studies of libraries currently adopting telepresence robots.

Findings

The uses of telepresence technology in libraries help to enhance library services, reach new users and provide a more inclusive and accessible library experience. Telepresence robots enhance the quality and accessibility of library services, expand library outreach and provide new opportunities for virtual engagement and programming. The application of telepresence robots in libraries can offer many benefits, but there are also several challenges that libraries must address to ensure successful implementation.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how the application of telepresence robots in libraries improves service productivity in libraries and creates a more engaging environment for the user group. The benefits and challenges of using robots in the library and the future trend in the application of telepresence robots in libraries are also discussed.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Aminat Titilola Bayero Abdussalam and Usman Ajisafe Saliu

The purpose of this paper is to present the ways in which online cataloguing is used to provide twenty-first century library and information services to a university community in…

2127

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the ways in which online cataloguing is used to provide twenty-first century library and information services to a university community in a developing country, together with the challenges and prospects of such an application. The paper aims to examine the use of the internet to catalogue and classify library materials in the University of Ilorin Library. It looks at the use of the Library of Congress Catalogue in copy cataloguing. This paper also discusses the use of Koha, a free library integrated software to classify and catalogue library resources in the University of Ilorin Library.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods used are participant observation, interviews with the senior librarians in the library and visits to another library that uses Koha software. Periodical and online articles were also used to gather information to support this study.

Findings

The major problem is incessant power failure and the library is planning to get a heavy and very powerful inverter and generator that can stop the disruption of work resulting from the intermittent power supply. Another setback in using Koha is that the cataloguing is being done online unlike Biblofile which is done offline.

Research limitations/implications

The researchers visited only one university library in the course of the research. This is due to financial constraints.

Practical implications

Information communication technology training must be taken seriously for librarians who want to remain relevant in this age of information technology.

Originality/value

This study about Koha software usage is the first of its kind to be carried out in the University of Ilorin Library and will be useful to other university libraries.

Article
Publication date: 2 August 2013

Janet Ogbenege and Airen Adetimirin

Software has played a crucial role in the management of library operations. Nigerian university libraries are embarking on automation by adopting different library software but…

753

Abstract

Purpose

Software has played a crucial role in the management of library operations. Nigerian university libraries are embarking on automation by adopting different library software but many fail due to the wrong selection of software and improper management of the automation project. The paper aims to examine the selection and use of KOHA software in two private Nigerian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive sampling was used to select 255 respondents made up of two systems librarians, eight heads of library units and 245 faculty. Data were collected through questionnaire, interview and observation.

Findings

KOHA was selected because of integration, ease of use, accessibility, flexibility and feasibility study was carried out. The software was not maximally used in both universities (RU: 49 percent, BU: 64.3 percent).

Originality/value

This paper investigates the factors used for selection of the software, level of use and challenges to its use. It is relevant to university libraries because it emphasises the need to carry out in‐depth feasibility study before the adoption of software to increase the effectiveness of their libraries.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1991

Judith Andrews

The use of critical incident technique to highlight problems ofstudent library use at Manchester Polytechnic Library is described. Thebasic premise of the research was that…

Abstract

The use of critical incident technique to highlight problems of student library use at Manchester Polytechnic Library is described. The basic premise of the research was that students′ self‐sufficiency could not be increased until these problems were more fully understood. Critical incident technique uses broad prompts to allow the subjects to describe a specific incident, thereby providing a clear picture of the actual problem. The resulting interviews revealed a wide spectrum of problems, ranging from the use of the catalogue and difficulties locating books to the reluctance of students to ask for help and a phenomenon identified as library anxiety.

Details

Library Review, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

Georgios Skretas

To provide a general list of factors that affects and determines the full use of library information management systems (LIMS) by library staff.

3073

Abstract

Purpose

To provide a general list of factors that affects and determines the full use of library information management systems (LIMS) by library staff.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors, which were identified mainly during participation in the implementation of automation projects in Greece, are listed and briefly analysed in categories relevant to the system aspect and to the library aspect.

Findings

A balanced coverage of all factors should guide towards a full use of an LIMS. Certainly, in cases where detailed documentation and so on are needed, this approach is not enough, but as a starting‐point it might be useful.

Originality/value

The list of factors could be used as a checklist by anyone wishing to investigate or control the reasons for the full use, or not, of an LIMS in a specific library as well as the existing conditions prior to installing an LIMS.

Details

Program, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1989

M. Hayter and M. Heery

In commerce and industry, senior managers are starting to make extensive personal use of microcomputers. Such tasks as diary maintenance, word processing, electronic messaging…

Abstract

In commerce and industry, senior managers are starting to make extensive personal use of microcomputers. Such tasks as diary maintenance, word processing, electronic messaging, spreadsheet applications and even expert systems are becoming commonplace. Are these developments reflected in the way senior library managers in the UK are using IT? A six‐month British Library funded project, based at Bristol Polytechnic Library, has surveyed the UK academic sector and has examined case studies of particularly interesting applications. This paper presents a summary of the project's findings and discusses what needs to be done to encourage more widespread use of microcomputers by senior library managers.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1998

Anne Morris and Emma Blagg

This paper describes the results of a survey conducted by the eLib project FIDDO (Focused Investigation of Document Delivery Options), of Inter‐Library Loan (ILL) and document…

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a survey conducted by the eLib project FIDDO (Focused Investigation of Document Delivery Options), of Inter‐Library Loan (ILL) and document delivery practices in UK HE libraries. It examines library holdings, access to document delivery services, and the quality and use of such services.

Details

Library Management, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 May 2018

Maryam Pakdaman Naeini, Hadi Sharif Moghaddam, Soraya Ziaei and Amir Ghaebi

As many organizations and institutions in recent years are trying to update their hardware and software platforms toward using mobile technology, libraries and information centers…

2954

Abstract

Purpose

As many organizations and institutions in recent years are trying to update their hardware and software platforms toward using mobile technology, libraries and information centers as trustees and leaders of information management and information science need to be futurists in this area. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the status of using mobile-based services in the world’s top university libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

In this direct observation and quantitative research survey, the authors reviewed the status of using mobile-based services in the libraries of the world’s top universities.

Findings

The results showed that 84 percent of the libraries of the top 50 universities in the world have made their websites mobile-friendly and provide mobile-based services; however, only 30 percent of them have designed mobile library application. The findings of this study revealed that mobile phone services such as “Search catalog,” “Hour of library,” “Contact,” “Ask the librarian” and “News” in more than 50 percent of the libraries with mobile-based services has been used. While some services like “Services for disabled,” “Library card,” “Library Strategic Plan” and “Financial services” are less important to deliver on the mobile platform.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the current research are only limited to this environment. Furthermore limited access to all features of some mobile library applications is another limitation of this work. Also, failure to download some of the university apps from the usual App store due to the nationality of the researchers is other limitations of the study. The authors try to find more details of these apps with connecting to the librarians of this statistic society.

Practical implications

The research results indicated that the majority of libraries in the world’s top universities have moved toward designing and using mobile platform in their websites. This survey suggests that the academic libraries of developing countries in order to follow this trend are supposed to plug in most used services based on experience of academic libraries of top universities.

Originality/value

The research results indicated that the majority of libraries in the world’s top universities have moved toward designing and using mobile platform in their websites. This survey suggests that the Iranian academic libraries affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education are also trying to follow this trend in order to meet the users’ information needs.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Steve Hiller

During the past decade, many university faculty and students have changed the way they find and use information, getting what they need from online sources rather than visiting…

2666

Abstract

During the past decade, many university faculty and students have changed the way they find and use information, getting what they need from online sources rather than visiting the library. This decline in the use of the physical library, combined with substantial investments in electronic information and stagnating university budgets, has led to a reappraisal of the role of the physical library in academic institutions. This contribution reviews the viability of academic branch libraries and examines efforts at the University of Washington to assess the physical library. A series of 20 performance measures was developed in four categories – use, primary user population, library dependency, and facility quality – to evaluate the viability of individual branch libraries and their potential for closure or merger with other libraries.

Details

The Bottom Line, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0888-045X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2010

Kristine Pabērza

This paper aims to present a methodology, early findings, possible applications of results and lessons learned from the research study “Public libraries: value, trust and…

3503

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a methodology, early findings, possible applications of results and lessons learned from the research study “Public libraries: value, trust and satisfaction”, which has been conducted within the public library development project ‘Father's Third Son’ in Latvia.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used (although the findings reported here are largely drawn from the quantitative study) drawing on various theories of information behaviour and use‐oriented information service evaluation.

Findings

The study gives a good picture of user information needs in Latvia, the sources they use to fulfil them and the role of public libraries within this picture, especially in relation to cultural and recreational interests and public support for public libraries in terms of potential funding. The public library influence on people's leisure hours and their support for education are highlighted. The advocacy implications of this work are reviewed.

Research limitations/implications

Although this report is confined to the early stages of the study, the work was conducted on a substantial scale.

Originality/value

The work reported here provides new evidence of library use and appreciation in Latvia. The later results of this study, combined with evidence gathered by other participants in the Global Libraries initiative, will provide a commanding view of the significance of public libraries across a range of countries.

Details

Performance Measurement and Metrics, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-8047

Keywords

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