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Article
Publication date: 11 October 2011

Paramjeet K. Walia and Esmat Momeni

This paper aims to determine the adequacy of the public library system with respect to the total population as well as the viable population of different regions of Tehran city…

1701

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the adequacy of the public library system with respect to the total population as well as the viable population of different regions of Tehran city, the capital of Iran, especially pertaining to book collections in accordance with the IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted through a questionnaire distributed to librarians of the public libraries under study. The other resources of data used for this study are annual reports and official records of the libraries at the provincial and national level.

Findings

The findings reveal the ratio of book collections with respect to the viable population of different regions of Tehran. Only one of 22 regions has a book collection as per IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how public libraries in Tehran are providing access to information resources and whether the book collections of the libraries are adequate as per international standards. It also suggests certain improvements for the existing system.

Details

Collection Building, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0160-4953

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2014

Paramjeet Kaur Walia and Nitu Sinha

The purpose of this study was to attempt to answer some plausible questions like what do teenagers prefer to read at leisure, how do they read and why do they read? With the rapid…

1770

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to attempt to answer some plausible questions like what do teenagers prefer to read at leisure, how do they read and why do they read? With the rapid changes in information technology, there is tremendous change in means of communication. Today, much more information is available from electronic and digital media as compared to traditional books. A paradigm shift in information delivery from just information to infotainment has also affected the preferences of the information seekers. Teenagers are a demographic group under transition and they are not untouched by these rapid changes in technology and their impact on their reading preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, a survey among 223 school-going (public/convent and government-/aided) teenagers aged between 12 and 18 years was done using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Findings

The findings revealed a decline in sports and outdoor recreational activities during leisure, and only 20.6 per cent teenagers preferred reading during leisure. However, self-perception as an avid reader was expressed by majority (53.8 per cent). Fictions were liked by > 75 per cent teenagers; however, non-fictions were also liked by majority (61.8 per cent). The reading preferences of the children were found to be affected by their age, their gender and the type of schools they attended. A significant inverse relationship of television watching and movie-going was observed with reading time.

Research limitations/implications

The biggest limitation was inability to directly interact with the students and inability to gather data from more schools.

Practical implications

By knowing the current reading trends, leisure time habits and exposure to different means of information technology, the choice of medium for knowledge dispersal could be done. The study would help in providing a basis for a strategic change in the ratio of conventional books and other information media in the library.

Social implications

By identifying the media exposure time and popularity, proper steps may be taken in order to enrich the particular media and to ensure that quality of information available on the media can be directed for social benefit in large.

Originality/value

The impact of demographic and environmental variables on reading habits of teenagers has not been evaluated in this part of the world, especially in view of the paradigm shift in information technology and the growing influence of electronic media and social networking. An understanding of this mutual relationship would help in modifying the reading behaviour of the teenagers.

Details

Library Review, vol. 63 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2016

Manpreet Kaur and Paramjeet Kaur Walia

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the current practices related to e-resource collection development in management libraries of India with special reference to the…

2617

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the current practices related to e-resource collection development in management libraries of India with special reference to the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi with some constructive suggestions for improvement in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

A well-structured questionnaire was administered to the librarians of the nine management libraries under study.

Findings

The management libraries are actively involved in building e-resource collection. The budget allocation for purchase of e-resources has increased progressively over the years in majority of the libraries. The factors that, to a great extent, affect selection of e-resources include quality, subject coverage, license agreements and vendor support. The study found that libraries associated with management institutions such as ABS, DMS-IITD, FMS, BIMECH and FSM need to add more management-related databases.

Research limitations/implications

The paper restricts the study exclusively to e-resources as the type of material and the librarians of nine major management institutions of NCR of Delhi as the respondents in its scope of discussion.

Practical implications

The study is of great importance to information professionals of similar management institutions in India. The recommendations made could also help solve some of the challenges that are being faced.

Originality/value

Very little is known about the electronic resource collection development practices followed in management institutes’ libraries of India owing to lack of significant research undertaken on the topic. This study is, therefore, significant because its findings fill up the existing knowledge gap in this area.

Details

Collection Building, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0160-4953

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2015

Prabhjeet Kaur and Paramjeet Kaur Walia

The purpose of this paper is to find out about the collection development and management in the public libraries governed by the government or its agencies in Delhi and compare…

1813

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out about the collection development and management in the public libraries governed by the government or its agencies in Delhi and compare them with the international standards for public libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, Delhi has three chains of public libraries namely Delhi Public Library (DPL), like Hardayal Municipal Public Library (HMPL) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) public libraries. The librarian/heads of selected branches were approached with a structured questionnaire aimed at collecting information on the collection development and managements in these libraries and selected branches. The data were then analysed and interpreted.

Findings

It was found that with the advent of ICT and its impact on the society, it is evident that the public libraries are not making the desired effort to reach out to the public and make it more appealing to the users. The main problem with the library remains to be the lack of membership. A few initiatives have been taken, but still there were not many digital services being provided by these public libraries in the present day digital environment.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to the public libraries within the physical region of Delhi only.

Practical implications

The evaluation sheds light on the existing scenario of public libraries in Delhi and may contribute in their future development.

Social implications

With the acceptance of the international standards as suggested in the study, the public libraries in Delhi would be better able to provide information resources and services to the masses. The better learned masses make the society more advanced. An information rich society would thus lead to an overall growth and development of the state.

Originality/value

There have been many studies in the past on DPL but none have intended to cover other public libraries chains like HMPL and NDMC public libraries which are governed by the government or its agencies and are established with aim of imparting information to the population of Delhi. Also, a similar the comparison with international standards was never done earlier.

Details

Library Management, vol. 36 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Imran Khan

This paper aims to perform a scientometric analysis of DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology (DJLIT) to find out the quality, popularity and impact of the…

892

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to perform a scientometric analysis of DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology (DJLIT) to find out the quality, popularity and impact of the international journal published by DESIDOC.

Design/methodology/approach

Scientometric analysis of five volumes (from Volume No. 30 to 34) from the year 2010 to 2014 of DJLIT covering 30 issues containing 307 contributions was performed. All the bibliographic details were noted and recorded in tabular form for the purpose of in-depth analysis. Based on the analysis of the recorded data, findings have been presented.

Findings

The study shows a trend of gradual growth in contributions published during the period of study, with an average number of 61 contributions per volume of the journal. Maximum number of contributions/research papers (70) were found to be published in the year 2012, whereas the minimum (50) in the year 2010. The study reveals that DJLIT gives maximum importance to the original research papers for the purpose of publishing, which attained top position of publications with a total of 277 (90.23 per cent). A maximum number of contributions during the period of study are from joint authors, with a total of 188 (61.24 per cent). Maximum number of contributions are from India, with a total of 273 (88.93 per cent). New Delhi, Maharashtra and Karnataka were found to be the biggest domestic contributors during the period of study, with 68 (24.91 per cent), 39 (14.29 per cent) and 30 (10.99 per cent) contributions, respectively. It appears that the coverage of DJLIT, even being an international journal in the field of library and information science (LIS), is not very broad and its scope is broadly confined to India only. Majority of the authors preferred journals as their major source of information, providing the highest number of citations totaling 2,447 (51.89 per cent), while websites attained the second position with 1,015 (21.52 per cent) citations, followed by books with 613 (13 per cent) citations. The study further reveals that maximum number of citations totaling 1,109 (23.52 per cent) out of 4,716 were received in the year 2013, while least citations totaling 700 (14.84 per cent) were recorded in the year 2010. One of the most important quality of DJLIT is that it has great concern for emerging and new tools, techniques and technologies in the LIS profession and their impact and application in the field. The journal regularly publishes special issues in every volume on such themes that have great impact on the LIS profession, and it has published 16 special issues on various important themes during the period of study. DJLIT, having free online access through the internet, is the highly preferred journal for communication, knowledge acquisition and reference by the LIS professionals. The journal has great potential of attaining new heights of popularity and impact all over the world in the LIS profession. It is suggested that the journal should try to get high-quality papers from foreign authors too, which may be useful in enhancing its global impact and reputation.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is confined to the data collected from 30 issues of the five volumes of the DJLIT from the year 2010 to 2014, while the journal is continuously being published since the year 1981. Hence, the results may vary if the studies of different blocks of the years of publication of the journal are performed. The present study may not be fully representative in all the results, but it gives a trend regarding publication of the DJLIT.

Originality/value

Scientometric analysis of journals has been attempted in very few numbers. Hence, the present study will be a source of idea to other researchers.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 33 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

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