Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A bibliometric analysis of the research output of Sambalpur University’s publication in ISI Web of Science during 2007-11

Rabindra K. Maharana et al. — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:32:25 PDT

The present study is a bibliometric assessment of scientific research output of Sambalpur University during the 2007 to 2011. Which describes the growth, contribution and impact of research carried out by the faculty members, researchers or students of Sambalpur University. It also attempts to analyze the growth and development of research activity of the university as reflected in publications output covered by ISI Web of Science during the period under study. The study attempt to examines the content of papers published, including the annual average growth rate percent, authorship pattern, degree of collaboration, distribution of citations, organizational affiliation of papers. Subramanyam’s formula is used to calculate degree of collaboration (C), Bradford’s law used to determine scattering of literature in the publication pattern of the university.

The relevance and adequacy of the Ashanti regional library, Kumasi, Ghana: an appraisal by users

kwaku Agyen-Gyasi et al. — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:28:41 PDT

Public libraries provide resources and services in a variety of media to meet the needs of users for education, information and personal development. The provision of quality information will always have a positive impact on the patronage of these libraries. This is because the users’ ability to access relevant information and make effective use of them to a large extent determines their willingness to visit the library in question. This paper therefore assesses the relevance and adequacy of public library materials at the Ashanti Regional Library in Kumasi. Data for the study were obtained through the use of structured questionnaire. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) questionnaires were administered between October and December, 2012 using both random and stratified sampling methods. The stratified sampling focused on both the registered users and regular users but who are not registered. The objective was to get their impressions about the resources available at the library. In all a total of 185 were received representing 74% response rate. This was supplemented by secondary sources such as books, journals articles and the Internet. It was observed that majority of the users of the library were students between the ages of 19 and 23 years and pursuing various programmes in the secondary and tertiary institutions in Kumasi who use the library to prepare for their examinations. The users were particularly dissatisfied with the stock of books, seating capacity, information and communication technology (ICT) facilities etc. They were however satisfied with the attitude of staff and the opening hours of the library. The challenges facing the library in its quest to providing adequate and relevant information resources to its users have been highlighted and appropriate recommendations made to ensure quality service delivery.

Self-citations in Annals of Library and Information Studies

Gurjeet Kaur Rattan Ms — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:28:39 PDT

The present study has been carried out on the extent of self-citations in Annals of Library and Information Studies during the period of 2002-2012. The results indicate that 53.72% of the articles contain self-citations. Out of total 5261 citations, the 636 (12.08%) citations are self-citations. Frequency of self-citations per article ranges from one to forty three. Almost 1/5^th authors have cited themselves. Most of the citations appear in the present title of the journal. The most self-citing author is V. L. Kalyane from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

FACTORS INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN NIGERIA

Solomon Uganneya (Ph.D) et al. — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:28:37 PDT

Agricultural Research Libraries have been established as information support system in recognition of the importance of information in agricultural research and development efforts of Nigeria. It is observed that agricultural sector has not been doing well in recent past and this has partly been attributed to the inability of the libraries to provide relevant and timely information services/resources to researchers and other stakeholders in agriculture and production: this paper stresses major issues, that indicate the performance of agricultural research libraries and information services in Nigeria, including: the nature of library professional, poor reward and accountability value, inadequate funding environment etc. A number of recommendations are made as way forward if the agricultural research librarian is to be more relevant and proactive in providing information services/ resources for research and development in agriculture.

Awareness and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue by Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

O. M. Fabunmi Miss et al. — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:24 PDT

This study investigated the awareness and use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) by students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. A questionnaire was distributed to 800 students at various faculties and in different levels of studies in August 2012. Five hundred and twenty copies of the questionnaire was retrieved and used for the study. The study revealed that 68.7 % of the respondents were aware of the OPAC services; students who were aware of the library OPAC and did not use it to access library resources were statistically significant (x²=82.073; df =2; α = 0.001); 23.8% of the respondents used OPAC independently; only 3.2% of the respondents accessed library resources from their hostels, 0.2% access it from homes. Similarly, majority of the respondents lacked information searching skills while lack of awareness, irregular power supply, network failure and inadequacy of computer terminals designated for the use of OPAC were among the problems identified as factors inhibiting the use of library OPAC. Therefore, the study concludes that majority of the students used manual catalogues to access library resources due to lack of awareness, skills to use OPAC and problems encountered during usage. Hence, students have not been making effective and efficient use of the library OPAC. Therefore, we recommend that the Library should create more awareness and effective education for students at various levels to ensure maximum utilization of library resources.

S&T Publications Output of India: A Scientometric Analyses of Publications Output, 1996-2011

B M. Gupta Dr. et al. — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:23 PDT

The study analyses India’s performance in science and technology (S&T), using publications data and different quantitative and qualitative measures. Its focuses on India’s global publication share, growth rate, citation quality, international collaborative publications share, its publication share and distribution in various broad and narrow subjects using 15 years data from the Scopus international multidisciplinary database. The study suggests the need to increase the pace of Indian scientific research and also improve its quality compared with other developed and developing countries. It also suggests the need for India to build up its scientific capacity, competence and knowledge base to help bridging the scientific and technological gap with leading countries.

Measuring Dhaka University Students’ Internet Use Behavior of the Department of Information Science and Library Management

Md. Maidul Islam — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:22 PDT

This research has been conducted of the undergraduate students in the Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. A survey questionnaire was developed and used to collect data on students’ demographics, internet use behavior and purposes of internet use in the Department of Information Science and Library Management. The obtained input data were then evaluated using SPSS and the findings have been interpreted. The results showed that students prefer electronic media to printed media in seeking information and they use the Internet mostly to do homework and prepare for their lessons. The students find the quality of easy access of information more important than its other features and they use search engines most in seeking information. The most frequently used search engine is Google. This study discovers what kinds of differences in these behaviors and characteristics may exist between different class ranks.

Work Values, Achievement Motivation and Technostress as Determinants of Job Burnout among Library Personnel in Automated Federal University Libraries in Nigeria

olalude oluwole francis — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:21 PDT

This descriptive study examined work values, achievement motivation and technostress as determinants of job burnout among the library personnel in federal universities in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and 646 library personnel from 18 automated federal university libraries participated in the study. The sampling technique used was single stage random sampling technique. Five instruments were used for this study namely: work values, achievement motivation, job burnout and technostress scales synchronized into a questionnaire titled (WVAMJOBTS) and structured interview checklist. Each of the research instruments was validated with a reliability coefficient of 0.90, 0.82, 0.82, 0.95 and 0.62 for work values, achievement motivation, job burnout, technostress and structured interview checklist respectively using Cronbach-alpha method. Data collected were analysed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. Research questions were answered and research hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The results of these analyses revealed that the respondents had moderate level of work values and achievement motivation and high level of technostress and job burnout, work values and achievement motivation of the respondents were inversely related to job burnout, whereas technostress was positively related to job burnout. Technostress was found to have the highest relative contribution among the independent variables to the problem of job burnout. Based on the findings, recommendation were made to solve the problem of job burnout among the library personnel in federal universities in Nigeria.

The Impact Of The Market Orientation Concept On Marketing Performance In the Libraries Of Jordanian Universities From The Point Of View Of Managers And Heads Of Departments

Fadel Jamil Klaib — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:20 PDT

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the application of the market orientation concept and its components on marketing performance in state and private university libraries in Jordan from the point of view of their managers and heads of departments. The initial study sample consisted of 170 library managers and heads of departments, of whom 95 (55.9 %) responded to the questionnaire.

The study revealed that both state and private university libraries in Jordan apply the concept of market orientation, although there are differences in the application of the components of market orientation. It also revealed that there are significant differences between the respondents' points of view, which could be attributed to the dependent variables of specialization, educational qualification and years of experience, and due to libraries’ number of employees and duration of establishment. There are no significant differences between the respondents' points of view that could be attributed to the dependent variables of gender and sector (state or private). It also revealed that all market orientation components has a high positive impact on marketing performance.

The study introduces some recommendations related to the findings, such as the need to develop environmental adaptability and competitive orientation, and to pay more attention to finding out the needs of users.

Knowledge-sharing behavior in dairy sector of Pakistan

Syed Rahmatullah Shah et al. — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:19 PDT

This study is about knowledge sharing behavior in dairy sector. Two-hundred middle managers (with professional qualifications) from five industrial units in Pakistan were selected for study. Fifty-seven managers participated in the study (29 percent of the sample). Research model and hypotheses were based on behavioral theories, i.e., TRA, TPB, and TAM. Data were collected through a questionnaire using Likert scale. Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and structural equation model among different variables tested hypotheses of the research modal. The study proved that attitude, intention, and behavior had accepted mutual positive direct effects for knowledge sharing in dairy sector. Conversely, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had non-significant values but weak positive direct effects toward knowledge sharing. Findings of this study are useful for better understanding about behavioral influences for knowledge sharing. Furthermore, it is of practical use for the organizational administration involved in knowledge management initiatives in geographical circumstances of Pakistan.

Access to Digital Libraries for Disadvantaged Users

Silke Higgins — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:33:04 PDT

Digital libraries, designed to serve people and their information needs in the same way as traditional libraries, present distinct advantages over brick and mortar facilities: elimination of physical boundaries, round-the-clock access to information, multiple access points, networking abilities, and extended search functions. As a result, they should be especially well-suited for the disadvantaged. However, minorities, those affected by lower income and education status, persons living in rural areas, the physically disabled, and developing countries as a whole consistently suffer from a lack of accessibility to digital libraries. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and relevance of digital libraries currently in place and discusses what could and should be done to improve accessibility to digital libraries for the disadvantaged.

Use of Electronic Resources by Distance Students in Nigeria: The Case of the National Open University, Lagos and Ibadan Study Centers

Omoike Adenike Damilola — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:15:53 PDT

This study assessed factors affecting use of electronic information resources by distance learning students using the National Open University, Lagos and lbadan Study centers as a case study. Survey method was used for the study. The sampling method adopted for the purpose of this study was the simple random sampling techniques. The sampled respondents were drawn from the total population of 12,500 students at the Lagos and lbadan study centers. However 2% of the population from each study centers was used as the sample size. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to elicit information from the respondents. A total of 250 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved, which is strictly administered to the students. Data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The study revealed the various factors militating against the use of electronic information resources by the distance learning students. The result showed that the extent of use of electronic information resources was very low, coupled with the low level of awareness among the students. The result also showed that majority of the electronic information resources were not also in the centers. Based on these findings, the study outlines different measures that should be put in place by government to address the unavailability of most of the electronic information resources in the two different study centers.

Influence of Job Satisfaction on Turnover Intentions of Library Personnel in Selected Univerisities in South West Nigeria

Solomon Oyetola Olusegun — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:31:47 PDT

Retention and productivity levels of the existing

Retention and productivity levels of the existing workforce are an essential concern in human resource management. Employee turnover is one of the most studied topics in organisational psychology and is of interest to other professionals, including personnel researchers and managers of organisations. Employees became dissatisfied with their job because of poor condition of service and lack of motivational strategies on the part of the employer. It is against this background that this research examines the influence of job satisfaction on turnover intentions of library personnel in some public Universities in South West Nigeria.

Research questions as well as hypotheses were formulated as the means of data collection. Descriptive research design of the ex-post facto type was adopted for the study. The target population comprises of professionals and library officers from public Universities in South West Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was used to cover the study population of two hundred and thirty three (233) respondents working in ten selected public (Federal and State) Universities in South West Nigeria. Demographic information, job satisfaction and Turnover Intentions questionnaire (DIJSTI) scale was used in the study. Job motivation scale developed by John Smith (2004) with reliability coefficient of 0.81, job satisfaction scale with reliability coefficient of 0.95 as well as turnover intentions scale by Viator (2001) with reliability coefficient of 0.86 using cronbach-alpha method were used for data collection. Out of the two hundred and thirty three (233) copies of the questionnaires that were administered, two hundred and twenty six (226) copies or 97% were returned and valid for analysis. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis methods.

The result of the study shows that the linear combination effect of job satisfaction and turnover intentions was significant (F (2,223) = 20.846; R = 0.397; R2 = 0.158; Adj. R2 = 0.150; P < 0.05). Also, there are significant relationships between job satisfaction and turnover intention. The study also reveals that there was no significant difference in the turnover intention of library personnel by their place of work (i.e. Federal andStateUniversities).

The study discusses ways of improving job satisfaction of library personnel in public universities in South West Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that Public Universities should design developmental programmes that would focus on greater motivation of workers so as to reduce their turnover intentions. Job satisfaction policies should be formulated to reduce employee’s turnover intentions.

workforce are an essential concern in human resource management. Employee turnover is one of the most studied topics in organisational psychology and is of interest to other professionals, including personnel researchers and managers of organisations. Employees became dissatisfied with their job because of poor condition of service and lack of motivational strategies on the part of the employer. It is against this background that this research examines the influence of job satisfaction on turnover intentions of library personnel in some public Universities in South West Nigeria.

Research questions as well as hypotheses were formulated as the means of data collection. Descriptive research design of the ex-post facto type was adopted for the study. The target population comprises of professionals and library officers from public Universities in South West Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was used to cover the study population of two hundred and thirty three (233) respondents working in ten selected public (Federal and State) Universities in South West Nigeria. Demographic information, job satisfaction and Turnover Intentions questionnaire (DIJSTI) scale was used in the study. Job motivation scale developed by John Smith (2004) with reliability coefficient of 0.81, job satisfaction scale with reliability coefficient of 0.95 as well as turnover intentions scale by Viator (2001) with reliability coefficient of 0.86 using cronbach-alpha method were used for data collection. Out of the two hundred and thirty three (233) copies of the questionnaires that were administered, two hundred and twenty six (226) copies or 97% were returned and valid for analysis. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis methods.

The result of the study shows that the linear combination effect of job satisfaction and turnover intentions was significant (F (2,223) = 20.846; R = 0.397; R2 = 0.158; Adj. R2 = 0.150; P < 0.05). Also, there are significant relationships between job satisfaction and turnover intention. The study also reveals that there was no significant difference in the turnover intention of library personnel by their place of work (i.e. Federal andStateUniversities).

The study discusses ways of improving job satisfaction of library personnel in public universities in South West Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that Public Universities should design developmental programmes that would focus on greater motivation of workers so as to reduce their turnover intentions. Job satisfaction policies should be formulated to reduce employee’s turnover intentions.

Academic Library Websites in Rajasthan: an analysis of Content

Sarwesh Pareek et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:05:06 PDT

Services are the most growing and the fast changing segment of academic libraries nowadays. Survey of web sites of 52 academic, libraries, i.e. government, deemed self-financed universities and research centres libraries of Rajasthan based on 133-item checklist. The purpose of this paper is to investigate library web sites in Rajasthan, to analyse their content and navigational strengths and weaknesses and to give recommendations for developing better web sites and quality assessment studies.

CITATION STUDY OF RESEARCH RELATED INTERNET USE BY STUDENTS IN NIGERIAN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS: THE MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE UMUDIKE EXAMPLE

ahiaoma ibegwam mrs et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:04:50 PDT

Purpose: This study examines the utilization of internet by Nigerian students for research using Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), post graduate students as case study.

Methodology: The citation analysis method was employed to discover the extent of internet sources use in the Theses and Dissertations (TDs) written and submitted to the MOUAU Library. Results: On the whole, a total number of 327 TDs was studied representing all the submissions from 22 departments of 6 different colleges in MOUAU offering Master and Doctor of Philosophy programmes from the year 2000 to 2010. It was observed that internet use in the TDs studied was poor and insignificant in comparison to other sources of information used by the postgraduate students. This is contrary to the findings in some recent studies where graduate students were reported to have made high use of the internet for TDs research. The researchers consequently recommended urgent education of post graduate students on internet use, essentially inculcating in them how to conduct expert search for academic works, adopt them and cite them in their research writings. It was also recommended that functional internet laboratories should be established in the university libraries to ensure self directed leaning which is hoped will result in life- long learning.

Motivation and Performance of Librarians in Public Universities in Ghana

Richard Bruce Lamptey KNUST et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:04:45 PDT

Motivation is of enormous importance with regard to enhancing performance in any organisation. This paper discusses motivation and performance of librarians in public universities in Ghana. The study examined motivation of librarians, the effect of motivation on performance, the views of librarians on motivation, the level of satisfaction of librarians and the effort the public university managements are making to motivate librarians. Through literature review, the concept of motivation and its effects on performance were discussed. Using a survey method, questionnaire were designed and distributed to seventy-two targeted librarians in six public universities in Ghana, out of this, sixty returned the duly completed questionnaire. The questionnaire sought to identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors which motivate librarians and how it affects their performance. The study revealed that the motivational level of librarians in public universities in Ghana is high and that the motivational level affects majority of librarians positively. The public university managements have made some efforts to motivate librarians but they need to do more to improve the current situation. The study concludes with some recommendations on how to improve motivational systems in place in public university libraries. The discussions in the paper provides some insights into intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate librarians in public universities in Ghana. The paper will therefore be of great value to managers in the public university libraries in Ghana and other developing countries in getting the best out of their staff if adequately motivated.

A Comparison of MLIS Curricula Taught in Pakistani Library and Information Science Schools with Higher Education Commission Curriculum

Muhammad Tufail Khan Mr et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:04:38 PDT

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare Pakistani LIS schools curricula with Higher Education Commission designed curriculum for LIS schools in Pakistan. The paper identified the most common course titles and the most unique course titles taught in Pakistani LIS schools.

Design/methodology/approach – The author requested to the responsible focal persons of the LIS schools in Pakistan through personal phone calls and emails and collects the data through email and personal visits of LIS schools. Findings–The paper finds gaps of LIS schools curricula’s, most common course titles and the most unique titles.

Practical implications–The paper helps in the design of LIS schools curricula according to the market needs. It also enables the higher authorities to know their LIS schools status on the world level. It helps in the LIS schools accreditation at International level.

Originality/value – The study shows level of LIS schools with the help of course titles they offered. It is the first comprehensive study and based on pure research.

Keywords – Curriculum, LIS Schools Curricula, LIS Education in Pakistan, Development of Education, Uniformity of LIS Education

Paper type – Research paper

Faculty Perceptions of the Value of Academic Libraries: A Mixed Method Study

Kelly L. Heider et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:04:18 PDT

This article details the findings of a year-long study at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Libraries which examined IUP faculty members’ perceptions of the value of library resources and services to both their research and teaching. Through a mixed-method study, which included an online survey and follow-up focus groups, the researchers found that faculty were dissatisfied with IUP Libraries’ marketing initiatives but satisfied with its small embedded librarian program. As a result, marketing and growth of the embedded librarian program became the two main focus areas for improvement in the next academic year.

Exploiting the Values of Indigenous Knowledge in Attaining Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The place of the Library

Omawumi O. Makinde Mrs et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:04:11 PDT

Since independence Nigeria has been making concerted efforts towards the attainment of sustainable development under the aegis of various development programs, but little success has been achieved, since development is based only on the utilization of the western systems of knowledge. This paper therefore explores ways of achieving sustainable development by harnessing the untapped benefit embedded in the indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge which we see as the knowledge systems held by traditional communities and is based on their experience and adaptation to a local culture and environment is relevant for development especially in agriculture, medicine, crafts, theatre, natural resources management arts and music. This paper discusses the prospects and challenges for Nigerian libraries in documentation and communication of indigenous knowledge and recommends that libraries should play a key role in indigenous knowledge organisation and preservation as well as promoting access and sharing to enhance sustainable national development.

Searching Mindfully: Are Libraries up to the challenge of competing with Google Books?

Amrita Dhawan PhD — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:04:02 PDT

Traditional research tools used by libraries, such as encyclopedias and catalogs were created in an age of print and information scarcity. They have not kept up with changes in the information world, including an abundance of online information in different formats and the rise of interdisciplinary topics which attempt to solve ‘real world’ messy problems and not traditional theoretical questions. The traditional tools rest on collaboration between OCLC, LOC, private aggregators, librarians and faculty. The search results they deliver offer excessive information with very little guidance on how to systematically sift through them. This makes the research process harder and turns novice researchers towards Google. This paper argues that novice researchers looking for an overview of a research topic are better off starting with Google Books than with an encyclopedia or the catalog. To explore this, the interdisciplinary topic of mindfulness was searched in an encyclopedia, a variety of OPACs, and in Google Books. Google Books returned the most relevant results with the least effort. The searches lead to a host of questions which must be addressed if novice researchers are to use the traditional tools of research created collaboratively by educators, catalogers and librarians. Admonishing students not to use an advertising company such as Google for research is not enough; the traditional purveyors of research have to collaborate to offer a better alternative. The author also makes recommendations towards this objective.