Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
Metadata and retrieval functions play a vital role in aiding researchers in the discovery and reuse of open data. However, the diversity of metadata elements and retrieval functions poses a challenge to data searchers’ limited attentional resources. This study aims to examine the allocation of attention to metadata elements and retrieval functions and its implications for perceived value and intentions to discover and reuse open data by drawing upon the attentional drift-diffusion model, flow theory, and perceived value literature. An experiment with 48 participants was conducted to explore the proposed relationships. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the data. The results suggest that researchers’ attention to high-value functions amplifies the perceived value and motivates data discovery intention. Attention to high-value metadata elements motivates data discovery and reuse intention. In contrast, attention to low-value metadata elements hampers the perceived value and inhibits data discovery and reuse intention. These findings put forward a new lens for exploring the attention mechanisms underlying perceived value, data discovery and reuse intention and highlight the important role of the value of metadata and retrieval functions in attention mechanisms. Additionally, this paper identifies the positive effect of perceived ease of use on users’ intentions to find, evaluate, and access open data. Perceived usefulness positively affects users’ intentions to evaluate open data. However, in contrast to perceived intentions to reuse open data assessed by self-reported measures, perceived value is not a salient motivator of open data reuse intention measured by behavioral indicators. These findings reveal the distinct effects of perceived value on perceived intention and intentional action in data reuse. With these insights, this study develops practical strategies to optimize the design of metadata and retrieval functions in data retrieval systems.
Self-archiving of Scholarly Publications for improved access to local content in Tanzania: A study of Open Access Institutional Repositories in Universities in Tanzania
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
This study sought to investigate how the self-archiving of scholarly publications in Open Access Institutional Repositories can be strengthened for improved access to local content. Specifically, the study sought to investigate factors that influence self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs, examine the implementation of OAIRs policies on self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs and determine challenges that hinder self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs. The population of the study consisted of 2894 faculty members and 413 sample size, obtained through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews with eight key informants. Key findings indicated that there are factors that influenced self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs among faculty members such motivating factors, availability of technical support, supervisors/peers/colleagues and supporting services. Moreover, the study found challenges that hindered self-archiving as low level of awareness and inadequate advocacy for a self-archiving, lack of personal benefit such as rewards and promotions, fear of the plagiarism, lack of enough facilities like ICT and internet connectivity. The study also found that there was a need to implement OAIR policies in self-archiving of scholarly publications in the OAIRs. In order to strengthen self-archiving, the study recommends providing support services, technical supports, encouraging supervisors/peers/colleagues, creating awareness, providing personal benefits, provide education and give more time, effort and implement OAIR policies to enhance the process of self-archiving scholarly publications in OAIRs. The findings of this study shall contribute new knowledge to the existing research outputs that have been conducted in this field.
This study sought to investigate how the self-archiving of scholarly publications in Open Access Institutional Repositories can be strengthened for improved access to local content. Specifically, the study sought to investigate factors that influence self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs, examine the implementation of OAIRs policies on self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs and determine challenges that hinder self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs. The population of the study consisted of 2894 faculty members and 413 sample size, obtained through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews with eight key informants. Key findings indicated that there are factors that influenced self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs among faculty members such motivating factors, availability of technical support, supervisors/peers/colleagues and supporting services. Moreover, the study found challenges that hindered self-archiving as low level of awareness and inadequate advocacy for a self-archiving, lack of personal benefit such as rewards and promotions, fear of the plagiarism, lack of enough facilities like ICT and internet connectivity. The study also found that there was a need to implement OAIR policies in self-archiving of scholarly publications in the OAIRs. In order to strengthen self-archiving, the study recommends providing support services, technical supports, encouraging supervisors/peers/colleagues, creating awareness, providing personal benefits, provide education and give more time, effort and implement OAIR policies to enhance the process of self-archiving scholarly publications in OAIRs. The findings of this study shall contribute new knowledge to the existing research outputs that have been conducted in this field.
Self-archiving of Scholarly Publications for improved access to local content in Tanzania: A study of Open Access Institutional Repositories in Universities in Tanzania
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
This study sought to investigate how the self-archiving of scholarly publications in Open Access Institutional Repositories can be strengthened for improved access to local content. Specifically, the study sought to investigate factors that influence self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs, examine the implementation of OAIRs policies on self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs and determine challenges that hinder self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs. The population of the study consisted of 2894 faculty members and 413 sample size, obtained through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews with eight key informants. Key findings indicated that there are factors that influenced self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs among faculty members such motivating factors, availability of technical support, supervisors/peers/colleagues and supporting services. Moreover, the study found challenges that hindered self-archiving as low level of awareness and inadequate advocacy for a self-archiving, lack of personal benefit such as rewards and promotions, fear of the plagiarism, lack of enough facilities like ICT and internet connectivity. The study also found that there was a need to implement OAIR policies in self-archiving of scholarly publications in the OAIRs. In order to strengthen self-archiving, the study recommends providing support services, technical supports, encouraging supervisors/peers/colleagues, creating awareness, providing personal benefits, provide education and give more time, effort and implement OAIR policies to enhance the process of self-archiving scholarly publications in OAIRs. The findings of this study shall contribute new knowledge to the existing research outputs that have been conducted in this field.
This study sought to investigate how the self-archiving of scholarly publications in Open Access Institutional Repositories can be strengthened for improved access to local content. Specifically, the study sought to investigate factors that influence self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs, examine the implementation of OAIRs policies on self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs and determine challenges that hinder self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs. The population of the study consisted of 2894 faculty members and 413 sample size, obtained through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews with eight key informants. Key findings indicated that there are factors that influenced self-archiving of scholarly publications in OAIRs among faculty members such motivating factors, availability of technical support, supervisors/peers/colleagues and supporting services. Moreover, the study found challenges that hindered self-archiving as low level of awareness and inadequate advocacy for a self-archiving, lack of personal benefit such as rewards and promotions, fear of the plagiarism, lack of enough facilities like ICT and internet connectivity. The study also found that there was a need to implement OAIR policies in self-archiving of scholarly publications in the OAIRs. In order to strengthen self-archiving, the study recommends providing support services, technical supports, encouraging supervisors/peers/colleagues, creating awareness, providing personal benefits, provide education and give more time, effort and implement OAIR policies to enhance the process of self-archiving scholarly publications in OAIRs. The findings of this study shall contribute new knowledge to the existing research outputs that have been conducted in this field.
Quality management: A model for optimizing information provision in Romanian special research libraries
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
A study regarding the relevance of special libraries and the quality of access to information in Romania was conducted. The general objective was to develop a contribution regarding the quality management in libraries using the grounded theory method. The model obtained for optimizing the quality of access to information implies the existence of material resources, but also innovations, the involvement of human resources through creativity and promotion, leading to increased academic visibility, increased satisfaction of long-term active users, attraction of new users both in the physical space and in the digital environment and, finally, increased relevance of the library in question within the tutelary research institute. The value of the study lies in the series of solutions for optimizing the access to scientific information in research libraries in the digital age, and the correlations between the results obtained based on the grounded theory and the three generic models of library quality management, LibQual+, Balanced Scorecard, and ISO 9001, by adapting them to the context of the special research libraries in Romania.
A study regarding the relevance of special libraries and the quality of access to information in Romania was conducted. The general objective was to develop a contribution regarding the quality management in libraries using the grounded theory method. The model obtained for optimizing the quality of access to information implies the existence of material resources, but also innovations, the involvement of human resources through creativity and promotion, leading to increased academic visibility, increased satisfaction of long-term active users, attraction of new users both in the physical space and in the digital environment and, finally, increased relevance of the library in question within the tutelary research institute. The value of the study lies in the series of solutions for optimizing the access to scientific information in research libraries in the digital age, and the correlations between the results obtained based on the grounded theory and the three generic models of library quality management, LibQual+, Balanced Scorecard, and ISO 9001, by adapting them to the context of the special research libraries in Romania.
Quality management: A model for optimizing information provision in Romanian special research libraries
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
A study regarding the relevance of special libraries and the quality of access to information in Romania was conducted. The general objective was to develop a contribution regarding the quality management in libraries using the grounded theory method. The model obtained for optimizing the quality of access to information implies the existence of material resources, but also innovations, the involvement of human resources through creativity and promotion, leading to increased academic visibility, increased satisfaction of long-term active users, attraction of new users both in the physical space and in the digital environment and, finally, increased relevance of the library in question within the tutelary research institute. The value of the study lies in the series of solutions for optimizing the access to scientific information in research libraries in the digital age, and the correlations between the results obtained based on the grounded theory and the three generic models of library quality management, LibQual+, Balanced Scorecard, and ISO 9001, by adapting them to the context of the special research libraries in Romania.
A study regarding the relevance of special libraries and the quality of access to information in Romania was conducted. The general objective was to develop a contribution regarding the quality management in libraries using the grounded theory method. The model obtained for optimizing the quality of access to information implies the existence of material resources, but also innovations, the involvement of human resources through creativity and promotion, leading to increased academic visibility, increased satisfaction of long-term active users, attraction of new users both in the physical space and in the digital environment and, finally, increased relevance of the library in question within the tutelary research institute. The value of the study lies in the series of solutions for optimizing the access to scientific information in research libraries in the digital age, and the correlations between the results obtained based on the grounded theory and the three generic models of library quality management, LibQual+, Balanced Scorecard, and ISO 9001, by adapting them to the context of the special research libraries in Romania.
Symbiosis or friction: Understanding participant motivations for information sharing and institutional goals in participatory archive initiatives
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
There is no participatory archive without an individual participant’s willingness to share their archival records and relevant background information about their records. Yet, information sharing as it comes to archives is not centered or adequately explored in work on participatory archive initiatives—leaving questions about participant motivations and how these motivations line up with the archive’s goals. Through a combination of primary source data analysis and ethnographic field data collection and analysis, this study aims to close that knowledge gap. The ties between archival institutions and archival record creators in participatory archives are investigated in order to understand what motivations for information sharing participants bring to participatory archives and how these correspond to the goals of archival institutions which engage with participatory initiatives. Findings show that key actors in participatory archives, the participants who contribute their stories and records to the archive, are largely driven by self-fulfillment when contributing to the archives. Meanwhile, goals from institutional archives include both inclusive community-building and collection-building. While participant motivations and institutional goals can lead to moments of friction between archives and participants, they can also be symbiotic foundations of participatory archive initiatives.
There is no participatory archive without an individual participant’s willingness to share their archival records and relevant background information about their records. Yet, information sharing as it comes to archives is not centered or adequately explored in work on participatory archive initiatives—leaving questions about participant motivations and how these motivations line up with the archive’s goals. Through a combination of primary source data analysis and ethnographic field data collection and analysis, this study aims to close that knowledge gap. The ties between archival institutions and archival record creators in participatory archives are investigated in order to understand what motivations for information sharing participants bring to participatory archives and how these correspond to the goals of archival institutions which engage with participatory initiatives. Findings show that key actors in participatory archives, the participants who contribute their stories and records to the archive, are largely driven by self-fulfillment when contributing to the archives. Meanwhile, goals from institutional archives include both inclusive community-building and collection-building. While participant motivations and institutional goals can lead to moments of friction between archives and participants, they can also be symbiotic foundations of participatory archive initiatives.
Symbiosis or friction: Understanding participant motivations for information sharing and institutional goals in participatory archive initiatives
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
There is no participatory archive without an individual participant’s willingness to share their archival records and relevant background information about their records. Yet, information sharing as it comes to archives is not centered or adequately explored in work on participatory archive initiatives—leaving questions about participant motivations and how these motivations line up with the archive’s goals. Through a combination of primary source data analysis and ethnographic field data collection and analysis, this study aims to close that knowledge gap. The ties between archival institutions and archival record creators in participatory archives are investigated in order to understand what motivations for information sharing participants bring to participatory archives and how these correspond to the goals of archival institutions which engage with participatory initiatives. Findings show that key actors in participatory archives, the participants who contribute their stories and records to the archive, are largely driven by self-fulfillment when contributing to the archives. Meanwhile, goals from institutional archives include both inclusive community-building and collection-building. While participant motivations and institutional goals can lead to moments of friction between archives and participants, they can also be symbiotic foundations of participatory archive initiatives.
There is no participatory archive without an individual participant’s willingness to share their archival records and relevant background information about their records. Yet, information sharing as it comes to archives is not centered or adequately explored in work on participatory archive initiatives—leaving questions about participant motivations and how these motivations line up with the archive’s goals. Through a combination of primary source data analysis and ethnographic field data collection and analysis, this study aims to close that knowledge gap. The ties between archival institutions and archival record creators in participatory archives are investigated in order to understand what motivations for information sharing participants bring to participatory archives and how these correspond to the goals of archival institutions which engage with participatory initiatives. Findings show that key actors in participatory archives, the participants who contribute their stories and records to the archive, are largely driven by self-fulfillment when contributing to the archives. Meanwhile, goals from institutional archives include both inclusive community-building and collection-building. While participant motivations and institutional goals can lead to moments of friction between archives and participants, they can also be symbiotic foundations of participatory archive initiatives.
Social network sites for book readers: The example of 1000Kitap, a Turkish social network
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
1000Kitap is Turkey’s largest social network for book readers. This network is a social network that mediates readers to realize reading as a social activity with other readers. The first purpose of this research is to reveal how the readers who use this social network start using the network and what they aim by using the network. The second aim is to reveal whether this network has brought about a change in their reading habits and preferences according to the readers who use this network. Finally this research aims to reveal the positive/negative aspects of this network based on the users experiences. For this purpose, phenomenological design was used in this study. The participants are 54 users who are actively using the 1000Kitap. The results indicate that introducing such social networks to the readers and teaching them how to use these social networks correctly can be beneficial in terms of enabling them to reach the right books and motivating them to read. However, the results also indicate that such social reader networks may serve different purposes and lead to negative results if they are not used in accordance with their purpose or in case of excessive use.
1000Kitap is Turkey’s largest social network for book readers. This network is a social network that mediates readers to realize reading as a social activity with other readers. The first purpose of this research is to reveal how the readers who use this social network start using the network and what they aim by using the network. The second aim is to reveal whether this network has brought about a change in their reading habits and preferences according to the readers who use this network. Finally this research aims to reveal the positive/negative aspects of this network based on the users experiences. For this purpose, phenomenological design was used in this study. The participants are 54 users who are actively using the 1000Kitap. The results indicate that introducing such social networks to the readers and teaching them how to use these social networks correctly can be beneficial in terms of enabling them to reach the right books and motivating them to read. However, the results also indicate that such social reader networks may serve different purposes and lead to negative results if they are not used in accordance with their purpose or in case of excessive use.
Library based walking groups in Scotland: Exploring benefits, challenges and opportunities
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
Public libraries support a range of health and wellbeing activities, however little research has been done into the provision of library adult walking groups. This paper reports on a unique study exploring how widely adult walking groups are provided through Scottish public libraries, as well as library staff perceptions of the benefits, challenges and opportunities of these services. A rich qualitative research approach was used, involving Freedom of Information requests to the 32 Scottish local authority regions, an online questionnaire with 106 complete responses, and 8 follow-up interviews with Scottish public library staff, with and without walking group experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from collected data. Results show that adult walking groups are not widely provided through Scottish public libraries. However, respondents identified benefits for user groups, including but not limited to: improvements to participants’ health and social wellbeing; and increased engagement with library services. A range of opportunities for public libraries were highlighted, including staff interest, partnership working and a current focus on health and wellbeing. Challenges encompass resource restrictions, variations in partnership working and lack of effective networking. This original study provides valuable insights into the provision of public library walking groups in Scotland. It suggests that many factors can potentially influence the success of this library health and wellbeing service, with a range of different possible approaches. Results indicate that successful provision of a public library walking group may require close partnership working; adequate networking and information-sharing between public library staff; as well as sufficient resources; and staff interest. This exploratory study provides transferable insights and a basis for future research.
Public libraries support a range of health and wellbeing activities, however little research has been done into the provision of library adult walking groups. This paper reports on a unique study exploring how widely adult walking groups are provided through Scottish public libraries, as well as library staff perceptions of the benefits, challenges and opportunities of these services. A rich qualitative research approach was used, involving Freedom of Information requests to the 32 Scottish local authority regions, an online questionnaire with 106 complete responses, and 8 follow-up interviews with Scottish public library staff, with and without walking group experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from collected data. Results show that adult walking groups are not widely provided through Scottish public libraries. However, respondents identified benefits for user groups, including but not limited to: improvements to participants’ health and social wellbeing; and increased engagement with library services. A range of opportunities for public libraries were highlighted, including staff interest, partnership working and a current focus on health and wellbeing. Challenges encompass resource restrictions, variations in partnership working and lack of effective networking. This original study provides valuable insights into the provision of public library walking groups in Scotland. It suggests that many factors can potentially influence the success of this library health and wellbeing service, with a range of different possible approaches. Results indicate that successful provision of a public library walking group may require close partnership working; adequate networking and information-sharing between public library staff; as well as sufficient resources; and staff interest. This exploratory study provides transferable insights and a basis for future research.
Library based walking groups in Scotland: Exploring benefits, challenges and opportunities
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
Public libraries support a range of health and wellbeing activities, however little research has been done into the provision of library adult walking groups. This paper reports on a unique study exploring how widely adult walking groups are provided through Scottish public libraries, as well as library staff perceptions of the benefits, challenges and opportunities of these services. A rich qualitative research approach was used, involving Freedom of Information requests to the 32 Scottish local authority regions, an online questionnaire with 106 complete responses, and 8 follow-up interviews with Scottish public library staff, with and without walking group experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from collected data. Results show that adult walking groups are not widely provided through Scottish public libraries. However, respondents identified benefits for user groups, including but not limited to: improvements to participants’ health and social wellbeing; and increased engagement with library services. A range of opportunities for public libraries were highlighted, including staff interest, partnership working and a current focus on health and wellbeing. Challenges encompass resource restrictions, variations in partnership working and lack of effective networking. This original study provides valuable insights into the provision of public library walking groups in Scotland. It suggests that many factors can potentially influence the success of this library health and wellbeing service, with a range of different possible approaches. Results indicate that successful provision of a public library walking group may require close partnership working; adequate networking and information-sharing between public library staff; as well as sufficient resources; and staff interest. This exploratory study provides transferable insights and a basis for future research.
Public libraries support a range of health and wellbeing activities, however little research has been done into the provision of library adult walking groups. This paper reports on a unique study exploring how widely adult walking groups are provided through Scottish public libraries, as well as library staff perceptions of the benefits, challenges and opportunities of these services. A rich qualitative research approach was used, involving Freedom of Information requests to the 32 Scottish local authority regions, an online questionnaire with 106 complete responses, and 8 follow-up interviews with Scottish public library staff, with and without walking group experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from collected data. Results show that adult walking groups are not widely provided through Scottish public libraries. However, respondents identified benefits for user groups, including but not limited to: improvements to participants’ health and social wellbeing; and increased engagement with library services. A range of opportunities for public libraries were highlighted, including staff interest, partnership working and a current focus on health and wellbeing. Challenges encompass resource restrictions, variations in partnership working and lack of effective networking. This original study provides valuable insights into the provision of public library walking groups in Scotland. It suggests that many factors can potentially influence the success of this library health and wellbeing service, with a range of different possible approaches. Results indicate that successful provision of a public library walking group may require close partnership working; adequate networking and information-sharing between public library staff; as well as sufficient resources; and staff interest. This exploratory study provides transferable insights and a basis for future research.