The rapid digitalization of health resources highlights the need to understand health information adoption in Indonesia. This study examines trust-related HBM belief pathways and Health Information Access Behavior (HIAB) as both a direct predictor and a moderator. Survey data from 260 respondents across urban, suburban, and rural settings were analyzed using PLS-SEM, with 20 semi-structured interviews used for interpretive context. Perceived benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy significantly increased adoption, and HIAB had a significant positive direct effect. Moderation was limited: only the perceived barriers and HIAB interaction was significant and negative (β = −0.123, p = 0.023), while the other five interactions were not significant. Thus, access behavior does not uniformly strengthen trust-related HBM pathways; its moderating role is specific to perceived barriers.

This study examines the understanding and implementation of social responsibility (SR) practices in Malaysian public academic libraries. Focusing on how these initiatives contribute to community development and empowerment through a social capital perspective, the inquiry was guided by two research questions: (i) How do academic librarians engage in social responsibility activities? (ii) How do academic library social responsibility practices foster community empowerment through the development of community social capital? Qualitative data were collected from 19 library administrator interviews and 19 focus group discussions with professional and non-professional library staff. The findings reveal that community empowerment does not result from isolated programmes but emerges through the interplay of structural networks, shared cognitive understanding, relational trust, and dimensions of social capital that operate synergistically. The study demonstrates that Library Social Responsibility (LSR) functions as a social capital-building process rather than a set of discrete charitable activities. Empirically, it specifies how partnership brokering, participatory needs alignment, and accumulative trust translate LSR into sustainable community capacity. Theoretically, it offers a moderated contribution: an empirically grounded elaboration of existing social capital theory applied to LSR contexts, rather than a new paradigm. Practically, the findings provide actionable insights for library managers and policymakers to design sustained, community-responsive LSR initiatives that position academic libraries as strategic agents of social inclusion and collaborative community development.

The assessment was performed according to 57 indicators across the nine determinants identified in the model, including stakeholder engagement, community competence, content development, technology innovation, feedback systems, regulatory support, institutional cooperation, cultural inclusivity, and industrial partnerships. The population of the study comprised 117 staff working in IR units across 14 public universities in Nigeria. This study's findings reveal that none of the determinants influencing the implementation of Sustainable Institutional Repositories (IRs) have been fully realized. While six determinants have made significant progress, three remain at the initial implementation stage. Stakeholders indicate commendable performance in staff management for IRs, fostering teamwork, and strengthening internal relationships within the repository team. However, there is a noticeable absence of indices reflecting relationships between teams and scholars. Similarly, the findings reveal that universities lack partnerships with international journals/publishers and show minimal engagement with local peer-reviewed journals for depositing publications into repositories. These universities have not yet established affiliations with other repositories or digital libraries for data harvesting, nor have they endorsed any open-access declaration to support repository practices. Nigeria should revive and establish new collaborations for resource sharing, expertise, and data harvesting, as well as create partnerships with local and international journal publishers for deposits into the repositories. Library schools should reform their curricula to reflect the current practice of scholarly communication and repository management. This research is the first to measure the implementation level of Institutional Repositories (IRs) in Nigeria using a novel assessment framework tailored to the African context, offering a comprehensive analysis of 57 indicators across nine determinants of IR sustainability. It highlights progress in internal management while identifying significant gaps in external collaborations. The research provides valuable insights into stakeholder engagement and presents actionable recommendations, including policy development, fostering partnerships, and updating educational curricula to enhance IR sustainability in Nigerian universities.

Online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic compelled many instructors to seek efficient and effective ways to stay connected with their students and improve the learning experience by using a wide range of available technologies. This multiple-case study, in three South-East Asian universities, investigated whether the use of technology in university teaching and learning during that period influenced personalized learning, and if so, how. The study also explored the kinds of institutional support for teachers and learners that led to increased technology-enhanced personalized learning (TEPL). Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzed 23 individual interviews and 3 document analyses (circulars, announcements, etc.), involving six administrators (AD), six faculty developers (FD), and eleven instructors. Purposeful sampling targeted AD involved in policy development and strategic planning, FD responsible for professional development programs, and instructors with high teaching evaluation scores and expertise in online learning across various disciplines. Thematic analysis revealed that technology enhanced flexibility in learning pace, time, and place, increased student choice in learning methods, enabled needs-driven teaching adjustments, and provided more and broader personalized feedback, sometimes facilitated by anonymity. The provision of training and resources, including emotional, physical, and infrastructure support for students, facilitated the growth of TEPL. The significance of this study lies in discussing how online teaching, and institutional support for it, facilitated the growth of TEPL. Universities can explore collaborations to further advance this growth.

Interest in exploring women’s new experiences as they step into motherhood and their information behaviour has increased over the last decade. However, little attention has been given to vulnerable first-time mothers, specifically those with visual impairment. This study aims to provide an insight into the information needs of first-time mothers with visual impairments as they embrace motherhood. A case study design was employed to capture the information experiences of first-time mothers with visual impairment during their first year of motherhood. Three data collection techniques were employed, namely interviews, observations and audio diary, that provided rich and deep insights into the experiences of these mothers. The codes-to-theory model for qualitative inquiry resulted in identifying five main facets of information needs, namely baby care, mother care, family welfare, daily living and disability rights. Wilson’s model of information behavior is used to provide an understanding of how these mothers’ personal factors, role demands and environmental context shape their information needs as they take on the role as mothers. The findings raise implications for strategies to facilitate this vulnerable community’s information provisions, specifically in the context of visually impaired mothers.

PurposeThis study examines the preparedness and responsiveness of Malaysian academic librarians in handling disruptions in library services during a disaster.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative approach involved semi-structured interviews with decision-makers, chief librarians and library managers from five selected public universities.FindingsThematic and qualitative data analysis produced several key themes based on (1) disaster preparedness involving policies, plans, asset protection, risk management, coordination of disaster management and preparative measures; and (2) disaster response involving strategies for information and communication access, community engagement, emergency response teams and procedures, and resource availability.Practical implicationsThe findings are expected to be useful for policymakers in formulating policies and guidelines for library disaster management plans.Social implicationsThe interruptions of academic library services during a disaster may result in the disruption of the information sources and social information networks of students, academics and researchers alike. Effective disaster management is also the library's responsibility to protect collections that belong to society at large.Originality/valueThis is one of the first attempts in disaster management research to focus on the preparedness and responses of academic libraries in Malaysia in the face of disasters. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as a baseline for policymakers to prepare policies, guidelines and manuals for management in the event of a disaster.

Citizen science, the involvement of the public in scientific research, is a growing trend that presents both opportunities and challenges for academic libraries. This study delves into the realm of citizen science engagement within Malaysian academic libraries, offering a qualitative exploration of participation levels and difficulties confronted by academic librarians. Drawing upon in-depth interviews, our research unveils the multifaceted landscape of citizen science involvement in Malaysian academic libraries. Key findings underscore the potential benefits and hurdles academic libraries face in fostering citizen science initiatives. Results offer a comprehensive analysis of the present status and prospective development of citizen science initiatives in academic libraries in Malaysia. The study highlights the importance of addressing prevalent obstacles to optimize the advantages of involving the public in scientific research. It also contributes to the evolving field of library and information science by providing evidence of intricate dynamics and possible opportunities for citizen science within the academic library context.

This systematic literature review was conducted to analyse the existing literature on the internship programme in library and information science (LIS) education. The review was guided by the RAMESES (Realist and Meta-Narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) method. The data source was Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. In addition to the three main phases of the review process, mainly identification, screening, and eligibility, data abstraction and analysis are also reported. Findings reveal that studies on LIS internship have focused on satisfaction, educational benefits, educational setting, programme design and roles of the stakeholders involved in internship programmes. Modernising the LIS Internship programme requires a focus on the design of the programme structure with an emphasis on the learning outcomes relating to career readiness. Collaborative learning, service-learning and personal objectives are found to be beneficial. However, there is also an increasing demand for needs of the stakeholders and not just the student-centred learning. Further works into the assessment of the learning outcomes is recommended by the literature.

Citizen science, the involvement of the public in scientific research, is a growing trend that presents both opportunities and challenges for academic libraries. This study delves into the realm of citizen science engagement within Malaysian academic libraries, offering a qualitative exploration of participation levels and difficulties confronted by academic librarians.Drawing upon in-depth interviews, our research unveils the multifaceted landscape of citizen science involvement in Malaysian academic libraries. Key findings underscore the potential benefits and hurdles academic libraries face in fostering citizen science initiatives. Results offer a comprehensive analysis of the present status and prospective development of citizen science initiatives in academic libraries in Malaysia. The study highlights the importance of addressing prevalent obstacles to optimize the advantages of involving the public in scientific research. It also contributes to the evolving field of library and information science by providing evidence of intricate dynamics and possible opportunities for citizen science within the academic library context.

Institutional Repositories (IRs) recorded a remarkable impact on scholarly communication, knowledge creation, and research sharing. Continuing the impact of IRs within the socio-political, financial, and technological changes requires building an integrated and sustainable eco-system. Sustainable IRs entails implementing deliberate strategies to ensure the practice thrive over time. These strategies involve stakeholders' engagement, adherence to international standards, developing effective policies, establishing collaborative partnerships among others. However, implementing sustainability strategies requires proper identification of sustainability indicators. This paper attempted to explore indicators for sustainable IRs. The paper adopted a descriptive qualitative approach to investigate indicators of IRs sustainability in the Nigerian context. A Semi-structured interview was used as an instrument for data collection supported by group discussion. The analysis of the interview responses revealed forty-four (44) indicators responsible for the implementation of sustainable IRs. The indicators were thematically grouped across nine categories. These indicators were empirically meant to gauge and enhance the sustainability of IRs practice from different perspectives. This paper provides a basis for understanding IRs sustainability. The results shall serve as a guide for the implementation of sustainable IRs within academic institutions. The paper is designed to help IRs managers, library administrators and, other IRs practitioners identify areas that are critical for the implementation of sustainable IRs.

This chapter describes how the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS), at the Universiti Malaya (UM) developed a research excellence train­ing agenda for the successful completion of dissertations and theses by graduate students. In any research methodology course, at master's or doctoral level, a single semester course may not be sufficient to impart research skills, and the DLIS initi­ated a series of workshops involving voluntary participation to not only teach spe­cific research skills, understandings of the conceptual underpinnings of research and disseminating research findings through publications, but also to build grad­uate students' passion for research. This chapter details the series of workshops conducted over a period of two years and the changes in the course content to accommodate the needs of the students, along with the impact of the workshop series as perceived by the graduates. The graduates' voices on the benefits received and the impact of the series of workshops on their research practices set the scene for further initiatives in enhancing effectiveness among future library and infor­mation science practitioners and researchers.

An increasing number of academic libraries are providing techno-savvy spaces, generally regarded as makerspace, that plays a significant role to serve the learning needs of university students. Yet, the underutilization of these makerspaces among learners in Nigerian universities is a growing concern. This study suggests a model using the Self-Determination Theory and the Tinkering Learning Dimensions Framework to investigate the influence of intrinsic motivation and learning dimensions (learning engagement and social scaffolding) on the perceived usefulness of library makerspace among Nigerian university students. Using a quantitative approach, four hypotheses were developed to examine the relationship between the constructs. Data from 323 valid respondents were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that intrinsic motivational factors have no direct statistically significant influence on the perceived usefulness of library makerspace. However, the relationship is mediated by an indirect influence of learning engagement. Social scaffolding and learning engagement were both found to have a direct significant influence on the perceived usefulness of makerspace. This study contributes to understanding the factors that influence the perceived usefulness of makerspace which would then lead to the increased use of this collaborative workspace. Contribution to the literature of the utilization of makerspace is discussed based on the presented framework.

Purpose This study aims to validate a proposed conceptual model for the implementation of sustainable institutional repositories (IRs) in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach shaped the survey research design. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis to evaluate the proposed model. The population of the study comprises 117 librarians, information technology staff and researchers knowledgeable about IR implementation status across 14 public universities in Nigeria. The data was collected using an online survey. The Smart-PLS v3.3 software was used to facilitate the analysis. Findings The findings indicate that the nine identified factors of the IR sustainability model have a significant influence on the implementation of sustainable IRs. This signified that the model has adequately depicted the relationship between the implementation of sustainable IRs and the identified factors. Originality/value This study provides an integrated synthesis of factors that influence the implementation of sustainable IRs. This study also presents the first-ever empirically validated model for sustainable IRs. The findings of this study addressed the challenge of implementing sustainable IRs and institutionalized the idea of IRs’ sustainability assessment.

Institutional repositories are powerful tools to facilitate global access to intellectual output by members of the institution, particularly in assisting them to preserve and maximize access to their research output globally. This exploratory study of the status of institutional repositories implementation in African countries using the global Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR) and Transparent Ranking: All Repositories by Google Scholar, reports on the operational status and the performance of repositories. Factor analysis and cluster analysis are used to analyze the operational level of institutional repositories in African countries. The analysis showed that the typical performance of institutional repositories remains below average. The possibility of global open access to research results through institutional repositories in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Sudan, and Egypt appeared to be relatively more feasible than other African countries. This study concludes that many organizations, institutions, and societies spend great efforts in support of open access implementation in Africa, however, the widespread implementation of institutional repositories is still very slow paced, and the performance of the implemented repositories was below expectation. Suggestions for regaining the intended direction of African institutional repositories are given based on the current status.

Purpose The world is moving toward a new industrial revolution period where digital technology has achieved unprecedented developments. The industrial revolution (IR) is a subcategory of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This paper aims to discuss the 4IR technologies from the perspective of librarians. It investigates the perceptions of librarians about the 4IR. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in the Malaysian academic libraries. A set of eight open-ended questions were designed to investigate the challenges, barriers and business case to encompass the art of thinking skills in information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). The participants were a group of librarians' working in the 4IR with a glimpse of the transformation toward smart libraries. Four librarians' answered the blurred line and fill the gap between life as a librarian and technology as the cutting edge of industry development. Findings The findings of this study on the 4IR as a global business–library industry exposed that the technological advancements and development process of information system (IS) has incorporated the most advanced and innovative technologies which have influenced librarians' perceptions, thinking skill and mindset. This study proposes IS enablers and librarians to take measures to cope with the 4IR. Originality/value This study is unique in the sense that it is the foremost research on 4IR from the perspective of Malaysian librarians'.

Collection management in libraries has evolved alongside the developments of the new technologies effecting libraries. As digital collections are increasingly becoming the preferred resources by remote library users, librarians are faced with the challenge of proving a seamless continuation of efficient accessibility to these digital collections over time. This study aims to explore librarians’ understanding of the sustainability of digital collections, the criteria for its fulfilment, and their perspectives on the accrued benefits of the practice. The study employs a qualitative approach, with purposive sampling of 25 experienced librarians and library ICT personnel from three federal universities in Nigeria. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups discussions were used in the data collection. Result reveals that the academic librarians are insightful about what it means by sustaining digital collections in their respective universities. The themes generated are the provision of access, digitization, preservation, task functions, and services. The criteria to be achieved for the sustainability of digital collections, includes skilled manpower, professional development, defined roles, ICT infrastructure, funding, and maintenance. The movement for sustaining digital collections in academic libraries in Nigeria will benefit the library’s reputation, improve the services offered, aid in the preservation of the collections, promote resource sharing, and reduce time and cost. The study suggests that academic librarians need ongoing training to keep them abreast of the latest technology for crucial understanding in a bid to sustain their digital collections.

Purpose A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to extend library services. This paper aims to introduce the implementation of a prototype mobile library application (app) designed using an in-house open source system, Koha. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a case study using a metamorphosis process to create mobile apps. This case study is tested based on the library services with a set of activities during the system acceptance test (SAT) and also user acceptance test (UAT). An application programming interface (API) used to support two-way communication, including system-to-component and system-to-system connectivity. The design, features and advantages of this mobile app are discussed, illustrated and analyzed. The case study reports the mobile app version development from the Koha Open Source Library Information System. Findings The app was tested using user acceptance test (UAT) and system acceptance test (SAT) by library staffs who found it functional, accessible, appealing and useful. Features such as Online Public Access Catalog search, library collection scanning, patron accounts, patron personal book collection, circulation, librarian chat, QR codes for borrowing books, social media integration and notifications of library activities and events were successfully tested. This process was useful for the creation of a mobile app based on the existing library System-Koha Open Source System. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to a case study of a national university in Malaysia. Practical implications This study has some practical implications for implementing library mobile applications, e.g. it will encourage librarians to implement library applications in libraries. Originality/value This study is useful for mobile developers and libraries that plan to offer mobile library services to their patrons. This paper presents a case study of metamorphosis existing process of library open source System-Koha Open Source System.

Research is the cornerstone of the development of a nation, and its researchers play pivotal roles for social and economic progress of the country. Among those researchers, there are groups of successful scientists with outstanding accomplishment in research; who are experts in their field, productive in delivering quality papers, highly cited by peer researchers and receive prestigious recognition locally and globally. This study aims to identify the motivation that influences top Malaysian scientists to be successful in scholarly publishing. The data presented comes from interviews with nine high ranked Malaysian scientists with an attempt to demonstrate that scientists’ success in scholarly publishing is derived from four motivational needs, namely achievement, affiliation, authority and avidity, represented by quotes or comments. The findings show that high ranked scientists were motivated mainly by inclination towards affiliation and achievement, as compared to authority and avidity. Overall, findings from this study have provided useful information on the characteristics and motivation of high ranked scientists that may be of value as reference indicators for future top scientists in the country.

Digital libraries continue to be an important source for indigenous content and research output in developing countries, especially in the context where traditional distribution mechanisms failed. It is therefore useful for continual research to maintain and enhance our standing on the topic and to improve ways of making digital libraries more usable and sustainable to the user community. It is with this effect that this study on the success factors of digital libraries was conducted, with the objective to identify and validate a set of critical success factors (CSFs) for digital library implementation in developing countries. To address this, a quantitative exploratory research design was employed using a web-based survey questionnaire as the data collection technique. A total of 56 item statements associated with the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework were developed and respondents were asked about their Perceived Importance and Actual Practices of those factors in digital library implementation. Digital libraries in Africa were sampled and an identified 155 digital libraries from this continent were obtained from OpenDOAR, with 111 sample size representative of the respondents. Based on a 70 percent response rate expectation, invitations were sent to respondents representing the digital libraries. After almost six months, there was a 67.7 percent response rate with 105 usable questionnaires obtained. This study revealed eight CSFs for digital library implementation in ranked order - Content, Architecture, People, Process, Standards, Location and Time, Policy and Advocacy. They are the salient factors that would not only assist to attain sustainable digital library development and implementation, but also provide guidance to library practitioners in appropriate decisions for digital library adoption. It may also help libraries to accomplish their digital library mission in the most cost effective way.

An Institutional repository (IR) is a contemporary paradigm of scholarly communication that operates on a open access initiative. IRs have become essential infrastructure for the global research community with the expectation that IRs will address the issues of visibility, and facilitate the rapid dissemination of knowledge in a sustainable manner. However, scholars show concern about these expectations due to some shortcomings in the management of repositories and digitization projects, especially in Africa. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of how personnel involved in institutional repository at their respective institutions are managing the IR, and identify the driving forces behind the management of these IRs. It also attempts to explore the key challenges in the context of IR management, specifically in Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach using a semi-structured interview guide as the main instrument for data collection, supported by content analysis and group discussions. Three research questions were constructed to guide the investigation: (a) How are IRs being managed in Nigeria? (b) What are the driving forces behind the management of IRs in Nigeria? An (c) What are the challenges in the management of IRs in Nigeria? Findings reveal that manager of IRs are heavily dependent on mediated depositing and digitization processes. Increasing visibility and ranking of the institution, need for preservation, and need for organization of intellectual output, were among the key drivers of IR management. While, plagiarism, piracy, absence of guiding policies, and inadequate internet connectivity were among the hinderances faced in the management of IRs. The results are imperatively useful for practitioners, especially those managing or aspiring to manage successful IRs in developing countries, particularly in Africa. The study recommends strategic development and enforcement of policies by the institutions, use of similarity checkers, massive awareness creation and staff training for the success of IR management in Nigeria.