This paper describes the introduction and integration of the organization of electronic resources into the library and information science curriculum. The description is based…
Abstract
This paper describes the introduction and integration of the organization of electronic resources into the library and information science curriculum. The description is based upon the experience of the School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill although it is representative of practices at other schools. It identifies courses throughout the curriculum which have the organization of electronic resources as a major focus, those with some coverage, and courses with a peripheral relationship to the topic. It also identifies other means by which the topic can be included in a student’s program.
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Alenka Šauperl and Jerry D. Saye
Library online public access catalogues (OPACs) are considered to be unattractive in comparison with popular internet sites. In 2000, the authors presented some suggestions on how…
Abstract
Purpose
Library online public access catalogues (OPACs) are considered to be unattractive in comparison with popular internet sites. In 2000, the authors presented some suggestions on how library catalogues should change. Have librarians actually made their OPACs more user‐friendly by adopting techniques and technologies already present in other information resources? This paper aims to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The characteristics of four OPACs, one online bookstore and two internet search engines are analyzed. The paper reviews some of the changes and directions suggested by researchers and adds some of authors own. All this is in the hope that library catalogues will survive “Google attack.”
Findings
Changes are identified in the information services studied over a seven‐year period. Least development is found in library catalogues. Suggestions are made for library catalogues of the future.
Research limitations/implications
A library catalogue, a web search engine and an internet bookstore cannot be compared directly because of differences in scope. But features from each could be fruitfully used in others.
Practical implications
OPACs must be both attractive and useful. They should be at least as easy to use as their competitors. With the results of research as well as the knowledge librarians have many years, the profession should be able to develop better OPACs than we have today and regain lost ground in the “competition” for those with information needs.
Originality/value
A comparison of OPAC features in 2000 and 2007, even if subjective, can provide a panoramic view of the development of the field.
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Examines literature surrounding several issues concerninginterlibrary lending (ILL). Reviews the value given to statisticalanalysis in ILL. Discusses the importance of acquiring…
Abstract
Examines literature surrounding several issues concerning interlibrary lending (ILL). Reviews the value given to statistical analysis in ILL. Discusses the importance of acquiring documents speedily and reliably. Looks at the increasing demand for old and precious materials through ILL and whether special privileges given to researchers are justified. Finally, outlines the role of ILL for school libraries.
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Leadership is basically about influence and ability to cultivate followership. This chapter examined the nature of indigenous socio-political leadership in Africa using Zimbabwe…
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Leadership is basically about influence and ability to cultivate followership. This chapter examined the nature of indigenous socio-political leadership in Africa using Zimbabwe, Sudan and Nigeria as caselets and compared this with the post-colonial or modern-day leadership realities. A survey was conducted among senior executives at Lagos Business School, Nigeria, with a sample size of 200 persons, to find out their perception of the African indigenous leadership system. An overwhelming 90% believe that culture plays a big role in shaping African leadership style. However, two-thirds of the respondents agreed that Africa lacks proper institutional structures to support good leadership, thus encouraging corruption (97% of the respondents) and non-accountability among the leaders. Also, only 5% thought cultural orientation was the reason why the African followers do not hold their leaders accountable. In other words, it is not in the African culture not to hold leaders accountable for their actions. So, what went wrong? We attempted a deeper look at the effect of colonial rule and the attendant militarisation of the African continent. Our conclusion is that the colonisation of the continent by Europe brought significant distortion to the traditional African indigenous leadership institutions and the psyche of the African leader and the followers alike. Post-colonial Africa has witnessed 133 recorded coups d’etat between 1952 and 2016. This chapter is recommended to all those who seek a deeper understanding of the nature of the African indigenous leadership practices and the factors that have shaped these over the years.