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1 – 10 of over 89000This paper aims to discuss the viability of web server statistics for library‐generated web pages as measures of public service activity. For years librarians have gathered…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the viability of web server statistics for library‐generated web pages as measures of public service activity. For years librarians have gathered, reported, and analyzed traditional measures such as reference transactions, patron visits, book and reserve item circulation, and interlibrary loan transactions. Since the advent of web‐based databases and services, some traditional usage statistics have declined. Such declines can have political and financial implications for libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The author did a literature review, studied a suggested revision to the NISO Z39.7‐1995 Library Statistics standard that includes counting usage of library‐generated web pages, participated in a task force on web statistics, and analyzed library web site statistics at a university library.
Findings
The recommendations of a task force on reporting web page usage statistics in an academic library are discussed. The reporting of the usage of library‐generated web pages can be a useful indicator of increased patron contacts and provide a more complete picture of public service activities.
Research limitations/implications
This is a new area for library statistics, and its impact on the perceptions of libraries as sources of information in the digital age has yet to be proven.
Originality/value
This paper is useful to libraries which wish to integrate web page usage statistics into their output measures and reporting procedures.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore both accessibility and usability and examine the inhibitors and methods to evaluate site accessibility. Design techniques which improve…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore both accessibility and usability and examine the inhibitors and methods to evaluate site accessibility. Design techniques which improve end‐user access and site interactivity, demonstrated by practical examples, are also studied.
Design/methodology/approach
Assesses various web sites for accessibility and usability.
Findings
Criteria are determined by which to assess accessibility and usability of web sites.
Originality/value
Disability is an important consideration in the development of contemporary web sites. By understanding the needs of all users, not only those with disabilities, organisations may begin the process of advancing both accessibility and usability and integrating these elements into their web development strategies.
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Nora Dethloff and Elizabeth M. German
The purpose of this case study is to raise issues and challenges with the formation and structure of web teams within libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to raise issues and challenges with the formation and structure of web teams within libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review the literature and reflect on their experience with web teams.
Findings
The literature is scarce when it comes to discussions on building web and usability teams. However, using team formation theory can strengthen any sort of web team regardless of the exact nature of its formation and structure.
Practical implications
This paper reviews and reflects on a list of team formation aspects that could be beneficial while building a web team.
Originality/value
This case study fills a gap in the literature about how web and usability teams are formed and how team structure affects the success of the group.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Web Impact Factor of Arab universities.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Web Impact Factor of Arab universities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study included 99 universities representing 20 Arab countries. The advanced search facility of AltaVista was used for data collection. Two rounds of data collection were conducted to retrieve the links as well as the web presence of the included universities.
Findings
Jordanian universities represent 40 per cent of the top ten universities with the revised web impact factor. However, this was not the case in terms of the universities' web presence. Results indicated a strong correlation between external links and web presence.
Research limitations/implications
The variability of search engine results and the unavailability of some university web sites are limitations to the study.
Originality/value
By investigating, for the first time, the Web Impact Factors of Arab universities as well as the relation to other variables such as language, the paper will provide universities with some measure of how they are viewed by the outside world.
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The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding Web 2.0 technologies and their relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library practice.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding Web 2.0 technologies and their relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library practice.
Design/methodology/approach
A broad narrative account of Web 2.0 developments combined with illustrations of how one library in particular reacted to these developments.
Findings
It was found that all libraries need to evolve a Web 2.0 strategy to promote this aspect of their services, but that they will need to devise solutions to specific problems as part of this strategy. These include the range of Web 2.0 platforms that are on offer and the authentication and workload issues associated with this diversity. A single, unified library system‐based approach to Web 2.0 is offered as a viable alternative to using disparate external services.
Research limitations/implications
This paper does not resolve the difference between a multi‐platform Web 2.0 strategy and the single, unified library system‐based approach, although a preference for the systems‐based approach is suggested. The relative strengths and weaknesses of these two approaches is worthy of further research.
Practical implications
At the level of practice, this viewpoint article offers two alternative Web 2.0 strategies which can be applied quite readily in everyday library work.
Originality/value
This paper tries to offer a clear range of options for librarians interested in pursuing Web 2.0 services, facilitating successful service enhancement in the working library.
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The purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential of web components for libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential of web components for libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper introduces a working example web component that reimplements an OCLC WorldCat search widget.
Findings
By exploring the case study, the paper explains the functioning of web components and the potential advantages of web components for library web development.
Originality/value
Increasingly, web components are being used within library web development, but there is scope for much greater use of this technology to the advantage of those libraries involved.
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Emmanouel Garoufallou and Vassiliki Charitopoulou
The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of Web 2.0 tools and their use by Greek library science and information systems (LSIS) students; to study to what extent students…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of Web 2.0 tools and their use by Greek library science and information systems (LSIS) students; to study to what extent students use these tools both in everyday life and in relation to their studies.
Design/methodology/approach
A web‐based questionnaire was distributed to students of the LSIS Department at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece; 240 (25.5 per cent) students of a total population of 958 responded. The paper presents students' knowledge concerning Web 2.0 tools, their use and understanding of such tools, and to draw conclusions regarding the penetration of such tools into their everyday life.
Findings
The research found that although most of the students have heard of the term Web 2.0 and its tools, further knowledge of the subject is limited. This lack of knowledge was apparent in the poor ways that students exploited Web 2.0 features. The questionnaire, which was divided into two sections, examined the knowledge and use of Web 2.0 tools by students, and further explored the use of Web 2.0 tools in the educational process. It is hoped that the results of this study will provide insightful information to the Greek LIS community in order to better understand students' behaviour, with a view to encouraging the incorporation of new elements into the curriculum with regard to Web 2.0.
Practical implications
The research suggests that the knowledge and implementation of Web 2.0 should begin in the LIS schools to prepare future library staff for the new challenges ahead. The Greek LIS research community has so far largely overlooked students' use of Web 2.0
Originality/value
The paper highlights that Web 2.0 is playing a leading role in library science.
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This paper aims to explain the historic development of Web from the first generation to the second generation and now to the upcoming, third generation of the Web. It describes…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain the historic development of Web from the first generation to the second generation and now to the upcoming, third generation of the Web. It describes the importance of Web 3.0 and its other sub-functions to the librarians and their importance in the libraries. The basic purpose of this study is to give librarians an insight about the upcoming technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is designed as an explanatory study using historic and literature search techniques, and is presented in an essay format containing the brief history of web, its current and coming technologies and its advantages and disadvantages.
Findings
The finding and results indicate how the Web was designed into its current form. Findings show that at the next level, the interactions will become three ways. The robotics, artificial intelligence and semantic systems will help human in solving their queries.
Research limitations/implications
The Web is spreading while new applications and technologies are inventing every day. This research may not be containing all the Web 3.0 applications, advantages and drawbacks.
Practical implications
This paper includes the details of the Web applications that are used in Web 3.0. This article not only gives an insight to the Web applications related to the libraries but also indicates the advantages and drawbacks.
Originality/value
This paper points out some very important applications to be used in the libraries in Web 3.0 environment, while a consideration of advantages and drawbacks makes this research more valuable for the librarians.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore key issues involved with opportunities, challenges, and future developing trends of delivering dynamic and distributed web‐based academic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore key issues involved with opportunities, challenges, and future developing trends of delivering dynamic and distributed web‐based academic library information resources, services, and instructions for library users in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the typical web‐based, three‐tier client/server architecture, this paper explores ten key issues how to leverage quality library user services in the digital age: roles of academic libraries; funding support; information resources; information access; information services; instructions and trainings; impacts of cutting‐edge technologies and emerging technologies; web contents management and knowledge base; assessment and evaluation; and Librarians. Also discussed are the next‐generation web‐based client/server library information architecture and services in the foreseeable future.
Findings
With the rapid development of the internet and the world wide web, information exchange and information distribution can be transformed either by disparate formats or by dynamic channels. Knowledge, competence, and skills cannot follow up with the rapid advances of science and technologies. Many library users need assistance to access, locate, convert, synthesize, and evaluate information effectively and efficiently. It is very imperative for libraries and librarians to design, develop, enhance, implement, and deliver high quality user‐centered information services, resources, and instruction at the fingertips of library users.
Originality/value
Target readers who include librarians, instructors, trainers, consultants, managers, IT specialists, executives, and other professionals who are involved with developing and delivering distributed library user services via the internet will find this article of value.
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Knowledge management has recently received considerable attention in the Web‐based business community. This paper discusses the key concepts of human‐computer interaction in…
Abstract
Knowledge management has recently received considerable attention in the Web‐based business community. This paper discusses the key concepts of human‐computer interaction in knowledge development, and identifies new challenges of knowledge management for Web‐based business. Based on theories of knowledge representations and semantic networks, this paper proposes a structure of knowledge maps for knowledge management in the Web‐based business environment. An example of knowledge maps for online auctions is used to illustrate the application of the proposed structure of knowledge maps.
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