Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic libraries in South Africa. This study used Web content analysis focussing on university library websites and LibGuides. Design/methodology/approach The integration of AI in academic libraries is a trend globally. However, there remains a debilitating lack of studies that report the practical applications of AI in academic libraries. Triggered by this gap, this study sought to explore practical applications of AI in academic libraries in South Africa. This study used Web content analysis focussing on university library websites and LibGuides. Key thematic trends were identified such as AI guidelines and policies, AI advocacy, AI literacy training, AI scholarly engagement and AI-powered resources and services, among others. Findings Key thematic trends were identified such as AI guidelines and policies, AI advocacy, AI literacy training, AI scholarly engagement and AI-powered resources and services, among others. While these libraries are shown to embrace AI through their advocacy efforts and participation in intellectual discourse, there is very little evidence of them leveraging advanced AI tools such as robotics and AI chatbots to improve library efficiencies. This study concludes by calling for the development of AI policies, heightened investment in AI infrastructure, closer cooperation and skills development to maximise AI benefits in university libraries. Research limitations/implications The results of this study point to a need for collaborative effort to offer AI literacy to students. This will heighten ethical use of AI for research, teaching and learning. In addition, there needs to be ongoing debates and discussions on the best practices to adopt AI in academic libraries. Given that the field is new, there is a lot that practitioners and scholars can learn from each other and among each other through case studies. If properly embraced, then AI can improve efficiencies in academic libraries’ processes and free staff time so that they can focus on more complex functions that require human intuition and ability. Practical implications These results point to a need for collaborative effort to offer AI literacy to students. This will heighten ethical use of AI for research, teaching and learning. In addition, ongoing debates and discussions on the best practices to adopt AI in academic libraries are required. Given that the field is new, there is a lot that practitioners and scholars can learn from each other and among each other through case studies. If properly embraced, then AI can improve efficiencies in academic libraries’ processes and free staff time so that they can focus on complex tasks that require human intuition and ability. Originality/value Academic library literature in AI is mostly exploratory with very little in the way of practical implementations. This study goes beyond theoretical discussions and provides compelling evidence of how AI is currently integrated in academic libraries in South Africa.
Purpose Digital preservation in university libraries is designed to foster long-term access to and stewardship of knowledge resources. This study aims to examine the sustainability of preservation policies, technologies and strategies. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative methodology was followed in this research by collecting data through questionnaires responded by Pakistani university librarians. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings The results reveal that sustainability measures for digital preservation policies and technologies are being taken at university libraries in Pakistan. Effective strategies have been adopted to create sustainability in the digital preservation of library material. An independent sample t-test showed no significant differences for gender or sector regarding the sustainability levels of policies, technologies or strategies. Those respondents who report low or no engagement in digital preservation activities ranked sustainability measures more favorably than those highly engaged in learning about digital preservation. Originality/value The current research outlines the dire necessity felt for feasible policies and practical strategies, supported by state-of-the-art technologies, to ensure perpetual access to hugely valued digital resources in university libraries in Pakistan.
Purpose The purpose of this study is primarily to get insights from the information professionals regarding the readiness to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in library operations and services. Additionally, this study also identifies the possible obstacles to adopting AI and recommendations to facilitate readiness to adopt AI in libraries. Design/methodology/approach This study is qualitative in nature. To get an in-depth understanding of the perception of the information professionals, this approach has been adopted. The perceptions were collected from 30 information professionals from nine public and private university libraries in Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents by using an interview method. Anonymity of the responses was maintained to get the actual perceptions from the respondents. All the responses were transcribed into written form. A thorough review of the responses was conducted to get initial impressions, recurring themes and noteworthy points. These themes were then categorized under eight themes and analyzed accordingly. Findings This study findings showed a positive intent of information professionals in adopting AI in their respective libraries. This study found that information professionals in Bangladesh are well aware and confident regarding adopting and implementing AI tools and technologies. The findings indicated that the information professionals are also optimistic regarding the university’s technological infrastructure, leadership of the authority and financial support to adopt AI in library services. The participants identified challenges like data privacy and security, ethical concerns, resistance to change, cope up issues, arrangement of training programs, ethical issues and interoperability issues. This study also comes up with specific recommendations to facilitate the adoption of AI in libraries. Practical implications This study can provide a practical lens from which individual universities can also initiate surveys or interviews with information professionals and users of their respective organizations to get an insight into the adoption of AI in libraries. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first attempts in Bangladesh to get an in-depth insight regarding the readiness of the information professionals to adopt AI in libraries.
Purpose This paper aims to explore the types of health information sources among first-time mothers, additionally examine sources of health information that perceived as preferences by first-time mothers and lastly understand factors that influence first-time mothers to seek health information from digital sources. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative to explore the preferences and challenges faced by mothers in accessing maternal health information. Descriptive statistical measures, including mean, variance and frequency, were employed, along with inferential statistics such as analysis of variance, to compare the mean differences and analyzed using the Duncan test. A multiple linear regression model was used to determine the factors influencing health information sources among first-time mothers. Findings Respondents from three hospitals completed 201 questionnaires. Most respondents were from Temeke hospital (38.8%), Amana (36.8%) and Kairuki (24.4%). This study found that healthcare professionals (93.0%), family members (83.1%), internet sources (40.3%) and friends (31.3%) were the most important sources of health information sought by first-time mothers. In addition, a statistically significant relationship was observed between information sources and social economic characteristics. Originality/value Investigating how first-time mothers in Dar es Salaam use digital tools (such as smartphones, social media, apps, websites) to seek health information is timely and innovative. The digital age has transformed how health information is accessed, and examining its impact on maternal health can reveal new patterns of behavior and opportunities for health promotion.
Purpose An open access policy is a set of guidelines for researchers to share their work with everyone. This study aims to analyzes open access policy adapted by the Indian institutions registered in the Registry of Open Access Repositories Mandatory Archiving Policies (ROARMAP). Design/methodology/approach The ROARMAP database has selected for extraction of the open access policy data of registered Indian institutions. The data was extracted on 10 July 2024. Findings The study found that 18 (18) Indian institutions are registered in the ROARMAP. Most institutions have diverse policy approaches such as 38.9 % of institutions have not specified the policy color, the color codes help clarify archiving rules for scholarly output. Green means both early (pre-print) and final (post-print) versions can be archived, blue allows only the final version, yellow permits only the early draft, and white means archiving is not allowed, black is not a standard color used to indicate a archiving policy. More than half institutions are registered as research organizations. This study reveals institutional repository is the most common center for depositing research outputs. The manuscript is the most frequently mandated content type appearing in about 38.9 % of the policies. Most institutions do not impose embargoes and also not impose strict licensing conditions. About 77.8 % organizations do not have clear policies or support mechanisms for Gold Open Access and not provide or prioritize funding for APCs that potentially limiting the adoption of Gold OA. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first one that analyzes the each open access policy aspects of the Indian institutions registered in the ROARMAP.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the risks and issues libraries face when using a next-generation library services platform (LSP) from the perspective of current data protection requirements. By examining the specific legal obligations in the context of LSP, approaches will be considered to achieve compliance and ways of ensuring patrons’ data protection rights. Design/methodology/approach The methods authors applied in this research observe standard legal research methodology, including analysis of legal practice and comparative legal analysis methods to identify key normative elements of library management system (LMS) or LSP compliance with applicable EU data protection requirements. A systematic overview of personal data processing activities usually performed by library services platforms is given with an overview of risks and possible applicable technical or organizational protection measures. Findings To ensure the rights of library patrons, an LSP needs to meet a number of data protection requirements: provide tools and techniques to provide the patron with insight into his personal data, enable the patron to independently edit their own data in the online interface of the LSP, enable the control of unauthorized access, enable the anonymization of data about the patron and his activities for the purpose of creating statistical reports, enable the library to define mandatory and optional data collected about the patron, provide a function for deleting patron data and/or patron records after a certain period of time. There are also obligations for libraries, like contractual obligations with vendors, privacy by design and by default and data protection impact assesment. Practical implications Since libraries as data controllers are required to ensure that personal data collected through these platforms is processed in strict accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles, the research results can be practically applied to adapt the library service platform or to evaluate options when procuring a new platform. Originality/value The research contributes to understanding the implementation of specific technical and organizational measures for the protection of library patrons’ personal data processed within library services platforms, including the exercise of data subjects’ rights and privacy by design and by default.
Purpose This study aims to explore the prevailing model of presenting digital archival materials in a “flat” structure within institutional repositories. It assesses the disadvantages of this approach and discusses an alternative model that integrates the benefits of both current and traditional hierarchical archival presentations. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a purposive sampling method to select a diverse range of academic libraries with varying resources. It conducts a typological survey of these institutions to review their current approaches to archival representation and access. This study includes a literature review and an examination of selected institutional repositories to understand their organizational structures and the technologies they use. Findings This study finds that most digital repositories favor a flat organizational structure, largely due to technological constraints and user interface design choices. This approach often neglects the original hierarchical structure of archival collections, leading to user frustration and difficulties in information retrieval. Some institutions have attempted to integrate finding aids into their digital collections, but full integration remains rare. This study highlights one collection as an effective example of integration. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its qualitative approach and the selection of a small number of institutions for review. Future research could include a larger, more diverse sample and quantitative data on user satisfaction and retrieval success rates. Practical implications The findings suggest that repository administrators should consider integrating hierarchical finding aids into digital collections to improve user navigation and information retrieval. This integration could alleviate user frustration associated with the flat structure and better align digital collections with their original archival organization. Originality/value This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion about digital archival representation by critically assessing the flat structure’s impact on user experience. It provides a unique perspective by combining theoretical insights with practical examples from various institutions, highlighting the benefits of integrating traditional archival structures into digital repositories.
Purpose Despite the availability of web accessibility guidelines, inaccessibility of library websites remains a challenge. This paper aims to explore students with visual disabilities’ experiences in accessing university library websites to access digital information resources. Design/methodology/approach This study followed an exploratory case study design and qualitative research approach. The social model of disability informed the study. Purposive sampling was used to select study sites, while snowball was used to select participants. Data was collected from Kyambogo and Makerere University libraries in Uganda. The authors interviewed 28 students with visual disabilities, and 12 observations and accessibility tests were carried out. The authors thematically analysed the data in Atlas ti v.7.5.7. Findings One of the library websites implemented some accessibility features such as descriptive link text, text labels, and auditory instructions. In both libraries, however, students with visual disabilities are excluded from accessing the websites to access digital information resources and library services. Inaccessibility was caused by navigation difficulties, incompatibility with access tools, and inadequate labelling of links, inadequate awareness of the library website’s existence and access skills. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study exploring the experiences of students with visual disabilities in accessing library websites in Uganda’s university libraries. The findings are valuable to designing inclusive library websites. They also demonstrate the need for university libraries to raise awareness of the availability and benefits of library websites to students with visual disabilities in Uganda and generally, Africa.
Purpose With the arithmetical growth and success of social Q&A (SQA) sites, these have become important platforms for people to seek information that applies to their daily lives. SQA sites, referred to as the wisdom of the crowd, are significant contenders to the reference services offered by libraries. Thus, researchers from industry and academia have also been attracted to explore this emerging platform that can help users harness the benefits of collaborative and social ties at a time. To advance the present knowledge about the perceptions of users about SQA sites, the current study attempted to provide exhaustive insight into these sites by evaluating the motivations and expectations of seekers and respondents. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this goal, an online survey was designed to get first-hand information about users with the help of Google Forms and posted on different social platforms. Convenience sampling was used for recruiting the participants. A total of 702 completed and usable questionnaires were obtained. The data collected was imported to Excel, and then SPSS was used for conducting quantitative and inferential analysis. Findings Results show that SQA users primarily consider it as a platform for providing learning opportunities through the real-life experiences of others. SQA users reflected personalised answers and the opportunity to ask in their own natural language as the biggest asset of these spaces. Respondents’ main driving factors for contribution are a sense of accomplishment and altruism. Findings also revealed that enhancement of self-esteem is the main social capital achieved through answering, besides acquiring validation and admiration. Originality/value The study proposed theoretical implications by adding valuable literature to the existing body of knowledge. It has offered several recommendations and practical solutions for the successful adoption of emerging technology and social Q&A sites so that these can emerge as significant information resources. The study also offers managerial implications to develop productive policies for the successful and sustainable working of these platforms.
Purpose The purpose of the study was to assess the digital preservation skills of university librarians in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Through a quantitative survey, data were collected from the librarians working in the central libraries of higher education institutions in Pakistan. Findings Results highlighted the prevalence of digital preservation skills amongst the responding librarians at a moderate level. Originality/value The empirical data was collected from librarians working in the higher education institutions of Pakistan. The data presented in this paper is a subset of data gathered for the PhD study of the first author.
Purpose This study aims to optimize social media (SM) marketing platforms for water and power development authority (WAPDA) libraries to enhance brand identity and deliver cost-effective information services efficiently. Design/methodology/approach A five-point Likert scale survey was distributed among WAPDA staff to evaluate the efficacy of four P’s of marketing mix: product, price, place and promotion. Through purposive sampling, 344 usable responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including multiple linear regression. Findings The findings highlight the significant impact of SM, particularly Facebook, in enhancing the public image of WAPDA libraries. It suggest that seamless internet connectivity is crucial for the success of these libraries. Moreover, this study emphasizes the potential of SM platforms in extending library services to remote and underserved communities. By strategically using SM, libraries can expand their reach, improve user engagement and provide broader access to valuable resources. This approach fosters greater community involvement and enhances information accessibility. Practical implications This study explores economic benefits of delivering information services through SM in struggling economies. Originality/value This research investigates the impact of SM marketing on WAPDA libraries for the first time in Pakistan, pointing up global energy and water crises. It supports the potential of libraries worldwide to learn from one another. The conclusion emphasizes the need for higher-level discussions to maximize the benefits of SM marketing. Despite growing research on SM tools, few studies have focused on water and energy libraries, especially in South East Asia.
Purpose-The main aim of the study is to assess the digital literacy (DL) skills among female students in two renowned public universities in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach-An online quantitative survey method was conducted at two public universities in Bangladesh. A total of 375 female students responded to the survey. Different descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analysis the collecting data and nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to see the differences in students awareness and proficiency level in DL skills in terms of age, institutions, educational level and academic background. Spearman's rho correlation was measured to see the relationships between students' awareness level and purposes of DL. Finally, an ordinal logistic regression model was also applied to estimate the impact of demographics and DL skills level on the frequency of engaging in DL activities. Findings-The study found that most of the female students have a high level of awareness and good proficiency in DL skills. Maximum students used DL for academic purposes and they were highly aware in social media literacy. Demographic variables had a significant effect on students' awareness and proficiency level of DL skills. The results of ordinal logistic regression model revealed that humanities students had a statistically significant lower chance of engaging in DL than business students. A highly significant positive relationship (rho > 0.7, p < 0.01) was found between student's awareness level and purpose of using DL. Moreover, findings identified lack of e-resources, inadequate training facilities, rapid technological changes, cultural and gender issues etc. as primary challenges faced female students when obtaining DL skills. Originality/value-To the authors' best knowledge, this study is the first attempt to analysis female student's awareness and proficiency level of DL skills in Bangladeshi public higher institutions.
Purpose This study aims to investigate the facilitating conditions and performance expectancy as determinants of electronic device usage among students in private senior secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive correlational design was adopted for the study, which surveyed 310 students from 12 private senior secondary schools in Ibadan North LGA. The study was framed using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Data were collected through a questionnaire adapted from Venkatesh et al. (2003) and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings The study revealed that students use electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions and desktops daily for activities, including learning new concepts, improving vocabulary and online communication. While facilitating conditions showed no significant relationship with device usage, performance expectancy emerged as a strong predictor of electronic device use among the students. Research limitations/implications As students frequently use electronic devices for learning, schools and educators should incorporate technology-driven teaching methods to enhance engagement and academic performance. With daily electronic device usage among students, there is a need for digital literacy programs to ensure that students maximize the educational potential of technology while avoiding distractions and misuse. As performance expectancy is a key motivator for device usage, educational policies and interventions should emphasize the tangible academic benefits of technology to encourage effective use. The lack of a significant relationship between facilitating conditions and device usage suggests that students are independently adopting technology. This implies that while infrastructure and support are valuable, students will use technology regardless of external conditions if they perceive it as beneficial. Originality/value The adoption of electronic devices for learning in Nigerian secondary schools is still in its infancy. This study contributes to understanding the factors influencing device usage by secondary school students. The findings highlight the types, frequency and purposes of electronic device use, offering valuable insights for school management on how to integrate these devices into learning.
Purpose Effective knowledge management in large academic institutions is crucial for fostering innovation and improving educational practices. However, these institutions often face challenges, such as data fragmentation, siloed information systems and the complexity of integrating different data sources from various departments with complex hierarchical structures. To address these problems, the authors proposed a data fabric strategic framework that improves and enhances knowledge management by leveraging ontologies and knowledge graphs. This study aims to investigate the potential of knowledge graphs, ontological knowledge modelling and knowledge representation to improve knowledge management in large academic institutions. It also describes how technology can enhance knowledge accessibility and exchanges and improve decision-making processes based on insights from complex educational systems. Design/methodology/approach This study uses coordination theory as a foundational framework to analyse intricate data systems in preparation for constructing, the Wizard of Oz method to facilitate the systematic organisation and management of information and the execution of an ontology-based data fabric framework and knowledge graphs. The authors propose a data fabric strategic framework aimed at improving knowledge management by leveraging ontologies and knowledge graphs. Findings The final evaluation demonstrates that this approach effectively breaks down data silos, promotes research collaboration and improves decision-making processes in large academic settings, offering solution-oriented data fabric technologies applicable to universities and university federations globally. Practical implications The proposed system provides a more efficient way of managing and connecting fragmented academic resources, improving accessibility for both learners and educators. By interconnecting and streaming knowledge management process, the system can reduce not only operational costs but also expenses on doing scientific research. Originality/value Academic institutions prioritise time efficiency when acquiring vital data for improved scientific results. This emphasis extends beyond data governance to focus on how collective intelligence might improve organisational performance. The academic community has enhanced data utilisation through the implementation of data fabric technologies to improve data accessibility and data line tracking.
Purpose This paper critically evaluates Shodhganga, India’s centralized digital repository for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). It explores the repository’s impact, open access policy and the roles of participating universities and the implementing agency. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a comprehensive analysis of Shodhganga’s features, including advancements in its user interface, participation rates and infrastructure. It reviews the repository’s progress and contributions from various institutions and compares Shodhganga with prominent international ETD repositories. Findings Significant enhancements have been observed in Shodhganga’s user interface and infrastructure. The repository has experienced increased contributions from universities, Centrally Funded Technical Institutes and Institutions of National Importance, with the highest number of theses submitted in 2023. Social science theses constitute a substantial portion of these submissions. Research limitations/implications The research underscores the necessity for improvements in Shodhganga’s software and hardware infrastructure. It offers recommendations to address identified issues and suggests technological advancements to align with modern user needs and sustainable development goals. Originality/value This paper provides unique insights into Shodhganga’s current challenges and offers actionable recommendations for future enhancements. It contributes to the understanding of digital repository management and its impact on academic research accessibility.
Purpose This paper aims to address the pressing challenges in research data management within institutional repositories, focusing on the escalating volume, heterogeneity and multi-source nature of research data. The aim is to enhance the data services provided by institutional repositories and modernise their role in the research ecosystem. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the evolution of data management architectures through literature review, emphasising the advantages of data lakehouses. Using the design science research methodology, the authors develop an end-to-end data lakehouse architecture tailored to the needs of institutional repositories. This design is refined through interviews with data management professionals, institutional repository administrators and researchers. Findings The authors present a comprehensive framework for data lakehouse architecture, comprising five fundamental layers: data collection, data storage, data processing, data management and data services. Each layer articulates the implementation steps, delineates the dependencies between them and identifies potential obstacles with corresponding mitigation strategies. Practical implications The proposed data lakehouse architecture provides a practical and scalable solution for institutional repositories to manage research data. It offers a range of benefits, including enhanced data management capabilities, expanded data services, improved researcher experience and a modernised institutional repository ecosystem. The paper also identifies and addresses potential implementation obstacles and provides valuable guidance for institutions embarking on the adoption of this architecture. The implementation in a university library showcases how the architecture enhances data sharing among researchers and empowers institutional repository administrators with comprehensive oversight and control of the university’s research data landscape. Originality/value This paper enriches the theoretical knowledge and provides a comprehensive research framework and paradigm for scholars in research data management. It details a pioneering application of the data lakehouse architecture in an academic setting, highlighting its practical benefits and adaptability to meet the specific needs of institutional repositories.
Purpose This study aims to examine the digital literacy (DL) competencies among librarians and paraprofessionals of public libraries in Western Visayas, Philippines. It also investigated the digital programs implemented, the factors enabling or deterring these programs, DL practices and the availed and needed continuing DL skills development. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the proposed competence areas and competencies for the Digital Literacy Global Framework. A mixed method was used. A total of 10 librarians and 32 paraprofessionals coming from 16 public libraries in the region were surveyed. A follow-up interview was conducted with the five public libraries’ head librarians and library-in-charge. Findings Results showed that librarians demonstrated relatively higher levels of DL competencies in all seven areas than paraprofessionals. Librarians and paraprofessionals rated the digital content creation competencies the lowest among the seven areas. Financial constraints, slow internet connection, limited library technology spaces, lack of training and seminars, insufficient digital resources, inadequate librarian and staff and multiple library roles were expressed as limiting factors in implementing digital programs in public libraries. Partnership training is the only DL skills development program availed by the librarians and paraprofessionals. They expressed the need to have library automation and digital content creation workshops. Originality/value The study attempts to measure the DL skills of librarians and paraprofessionals of public libraries in Western Visayas, Philippines. Capacity building for librarians and paraprofessionals should focus on the items rated very poor to average.
Purpose This study aims to review the content of academic libraries’ websites with specific reference to the general information, services, information resources, features and functionalities, instructional tools to support teaching, learning and research for the patrons and users, and the visibility or activeness of the navigational tools on the websites. Design/methodology/approach The study focused on six categories of tertiary institutions: public universities, technical universities, chartered private universities, university colleges, colleges of education and nursing and midwifery schools. From each category, the researchers purposively selected five different institutions with library websites. Thus, 30 library websites were reviewed and analyzed for this study. Findings The review disclosed a generally low content and information on the websites in terms of the availability of information resources and collections; the types of services available at the libraries via the websites; the features and functionalities of the websites; the instructional tools to support teaching, learning and research for the patrons and users; and the visibility or activeness of the navigational tools on the websites. Despite this, the public universities displayed more and above average information, services, information resources, instructional tools and navigational tools on their library websites, followed by the technical universities, chartered private universities and university colleges. Conversely, the colleges of education and nursing and midwifery schools were to a large extent unable to provide information relating to electronic resources, instructional tools and navigational tools. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to 30 library websites from all six categories of tertiary institutions in Ghana. From the study, the management of the universities and the libraries must appreciate the significant role of websites in providing information and resources in support of teaching, research and learning at the institutions. In this regard, they need to provide the necessary support and resources for the effective deployment and operationalization of websites. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first of its kind as no study seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the content of academic libraries’ websites with specific reference to the general information, services, information resources, features, functionalities, instructional tools to support teaching, learning and research for the patrons and users, and the visibility or activeness of the navigational tools on the websites.
