J. Akeroyd and A. Foster
A short survey of the use of online information retrieval is presented and shows that 70% of academic libraries were users. The main justifications for implementation were felt to…
Abstract
A short survey of the use of online information retrieval is presented and shows that 70% of academic libraries were users. The main justifications for implementation were felt to be cost‐effectiveness and greater retrieval capability. Most services were directed at academic and research staff and few at undergraduates. At this stage only a small number of trained searchers exist in each institution. The pros and cons of charging for services are evaluated and linked to the results of American surveys.
Sirje Virkus, Getaneh Agegn Alemu, Tsigereda Asfaw Demissie, Besim Jakup Kokollari, Liliana M. Melgar Estrada and Deepak Yadav
This paper aims to explore the literature on integration of digital libraries and virtual learning environments (VLEs).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the literature on integration of digital libraries and virtual learning environments (VLEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Searches were carried out on Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA), from 2000 to 2008 using the terms “digital libraries” and “virtual learning environments”. In addition, references of relevant articles found in LISA were used to identify additional sources. In total, this literature review analyses 23 articles.
Findings
Digital libraries and VLEs have been designed, developed and maintained rather separately. Integration is essential to provide seamless access to content and services to the academic community. The integration process is confronted with many challenges where technical, human and administrative challenges are central concerns. The integration would promote a collaborative approach to learning, re‐usability of resources, cross‐searching and time saving for academics, librarians and students. In addition, librarians have to rethink their profession and role in the digital age as well as provide the integration with conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
Research limitations/implications
LISA was used but other databases, including educational databases, such as ERIC, were not consulted for sources. The language of the documents was limited to English only.
Originality/value
This paper can help the academic and library community to understand the challenges, issues and implications of integration of digital libraries and VLEs. This literature review is also built upon previous literature reviews, and is one of the few of its kind in the topic.
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The paper provides a review of CD‐ROM networking technology. It includes a resume of currently available systems and discusses their functions and relative merits. Operational…
Abstract
The paper provides a review of CD‐ROM networking technology. It includes a resume of currently available systems and discusses their functions and relative merits. Operational experience of systems installed in libraries, mainly in North America, is also covered, including such issues as usage levels, user education and wide area networking. Finally, some thoughts on future developments and problems are indicated.
This paper reviews the concept of on demand publishing (ODP) including the underlying technology and associated techniques. It looks at the potential benefits of ODP and analyses…
Abstract
This paper reviews the concept of on demand publishing (ODP) including the underlying technology and associated techniques. It looks at the potential benefits of ODP and analyses some current applications, particularly the use in higher education to support courses. Copyright issues are addressed briefly and a number of current projects noted. Finally some thoughts on the potential future of ODP are presented. There is a selective bibliography.
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An overview of CD‐ROM and its development is presented to provide an introduction to this emerging medium. The technology itself is described including WORMs, and software…
Abstract
An overview of CD‐ROM and its development is presented to provide an introduction to this emerging medium. The technology itself is described including WORMs, and software approaches are summarised. Applications, including CD‐ROM as an information and bibliographic resource, are noted. Future developments described involve networking, novel publications and multimedia discs.
Kechinyere C. Iheduru-Anderson and Monika M. Wahi
This chapter proposes a global agenda to eliminate racism in nursing by targeting reform at nursing education administration internationally. First, the history of racism in…
Abstract
This chapter proposes a global agenda to eliminate racism in nursing by targeting reform at nursing education administration internationally. First, the history of racism in nursing is reviewed, along with two models – the diversity model and the cultural competence model – that were applied unsuccessfully to counteract racism in nursing. Second, a description of how racism is entrenched in nursing leadership globally is presented. Third, the recalcitrant structures that serve to maintain institutionalized racism (IR) in the international nursing education system are carefully examined. Specifically, the components and constructs involved in IR in nursing education are delineated, and the way in which these negatively impact both ethnic minority (EM) students and faculty are explained. Based on this, a global agenda to eliminate racism in nursing education internationally is proposed. Eliminating racism in higher education in nursing is a mandatory social responsibility if global healthcare is ever to be equitable. Five actionable recommendations are made to eliminate racism in higher education are summarized as follows: (1) components of nursing programs which are designed to eliminate racism in nursing education should be governed at the country level, (2) to design and implement a system of surveillance of the global nursing community to enable standardized measurement to ensure nursing education programs in all countries are meeting anti-racism benchmark targets, (3) nursing education programs should be established worldwide to provide individual pipeline and mentorship programs to ensure the career success of EM nursing students and faculty, (4) nursing education programs should be conducted to reduce barriers to EM participation in these individual support programs, and (5) nursing education programs are required to teach their nursing faculty skills in developing anti-racist curricula that seeks to eliminate implicit bias.
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The information aspects of information technology are considered with particular reference to polytechnic libraries. The automation of library housekeeping is examined…
Abstract
The information aspects of information technology are considered with particular reference to polytechnic libraries. The automation of library housekeeping is examined retrospectively and its relevance to users criticised. The library catalogue is assessed in particular and suggestions made for its future development. Online information services and similar primary online services are discussed and the present position examined. The slow development of online services is criticised. These developments are placed in the context of the library and polytechnic network and conclusions drawn as to likely futures for the academic library. Finally, the role of the academic librarian is discussed and deprofessionalization argued.
With the rapid development of computer technology, new and sophisticated facilities become available every few months. The skill of planning expansion or development lies in…
Abstract
With the rapid development of computer technology, new and sophisticated facilities become available every few months. The skill of planning expansion or development lies in choosing the innovations that can be far reaching and support future new technology. Akeroyd (1991), Van Brakel (1991, 1993) and many others have reviewed CDROM networking technology. The expansion presented in this paper describes conversion to a 10baseT network incorporating both mainframe terminals and PCs on the LAN (local area network). It will be seen that the chosen route is cost‐effective and advantageous to academic staff and students. It is also a lot more convenient as far as library staff are concerned.
With the rise of alternate discovery services, such as Google Scholar, in conjunction with the increase in open access content, researchers have the option to bypass academic…
Abstract
With the rise of alternate discovery services, such as Google Scholar, in conjunction with the increase in open access content, researchers have the option to bypass academic libraries when they search for and retrieve scholarly information. This state of affairs implies that academic libraries exist in competition with these alternate services and with the patrons who use them, and as a result, may be disintermediated from the scholarly information seeking and retrieval process. Drawing from decision and game theory, bounded rationality, information seeking theory, citation theory, and social computing theory, this study investigates how academic librarians are responding as competitors to changing scholarly information seeking and collecting practices. Bibliographic data was collected in 2010 from a systematic random sample of references on CiteULike.org and analyzed with three years of bibliometric data collected from Google Scholar. Findings suggest that although scholars may choose to bypass libraries when they seek scholarly information, academic libraries continue to provide a majority of scholarly documentation needs through open access and institutional repositories. Overall, the results indicate that academic librarians are playing the scholarly communication game competitively.
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Three different interfaces for online public access catalogues were evaluated using transaction logging as a methodology. In two cases exercises were set and run against each…
Abstract
Three different interfaces for online public access catalogues were evaluated using transaction logging as a methodology. In two cases exercises were set and run against each interface so that results could be critically evaluated to indicate areas of weakness. In all cases a random transaction log was derived and this was used to diagnose system problems and identify patterns of behaviour. Results showed that searches were often difficult to categorise, users employing different approaches to the same end. Users also were prepared to undertake sustained searching until something was retrieved; however they then frequently stopped. Search input problems are also identified and possible areas for further research suggested.