{"title":"South African academic libraries as contributors to social justice and ubuntu through community engagement","authors":"S. Bangani, Luyanda Dube","doi":"10.1177/03400352231166751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231166751","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this article is to assess the role of academic libraries as social justice and ubuntu advocates, promoters and contributors within a community engagement framework. This was a qualitative study that utilised interviews with 20 library heads and 8 focus group discussions with librarians from South African university libraries to gather data. The findings reflect that South African academic libraries’ community engagement approaches can be grouped into several themes. These include contributions to quality education, health and wellness, work and employment, food security, addressing the digital divide, environmental concerns, equality and gender equality, the preservation of national heritage and food security. With regard to social justice, there were four themes that emerged from the participants’ narratives: (1) they stated that community engagement is a deliberate social justice action; (2) community engagement was associated with a contribution to the rights to education and information access, among others; (3) they pointed to the social-redress actions of their libraries as contributing to social justice; and (4) they associated community engagement with ubuntu, which they argued is itself a social justice concept. The findings support community engagement activities as a contribution to a socially just society and ubuntu. The results confirm the need for academic libraries (and universities in general) to go beyond their traditional role of teaching, learning and research support, and participate in community engagement not only as an expected social responsibility but also as a contribution to a socially just society and development. Based on the results, this article considers social justice and ubuntu as inherent to, and not an accidental notion of, community engagement.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41825683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Library and information services’ reflections on emergency remote support and crisis-driven innovations during pandemic conditions","authors":"B. van Wyk","doi":"10.1177/03400352231166747","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231166747","url":null,"abstract":"Crisis-driven innovation is needed to manage a scarcity in resources. The recent COVID-19 crisis exacerbated the prevailing digital exclusion in the education sector in particular. Sudden changes in otherwise stable higher education environments necessitated immediate and decisive innovation, particularly where education support services were concerned. This study reports on an academic library and information service’s reflections on emergency strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conceptualised through the lenses of existing digital exclusion frameworks and information poverty frameworks. The findings from the qualitative data gathered via focus group interviews emphasise the importance of emergency remote library and information services. The pandemic conditions and sudden remote service delivery model highlighted the prevailing socio-economic and socio-technical inequalities and exclusions among students. The value of the study lies in the reflections made on the institution-wide crisis-driven innovation strategy implemented, and the realisation that library and information services must offer active academic support. The study offers a library and information services model to prepare for future eventualities.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44069326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Angela R. Davis, Stephanie A. Diaz, R. Hall, M. Zakarija, Irena Urem
{"title":"Comparison of library studies programs in Croatia and the USA","authors":"Angela R. Davis, Stephanie A. Diaz, R. Hall, M. Zakarija, Irena Urem","doi":"10.1177/03400352221103894","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221103894","url":null,"abstract":"This study describes and compares the minimum educational requirements of library and information science programs offered in Croatia and the USA. The article adds to previous research in comparative education and comparative librarianship. The findings show notable differences and similarities between the two countries. The library and information science educational path in Croatia is more structured, requiring a Bachelor’s degree in addition to a Master’s, as well as postgraduate licensure. The USA typically only offers graduate degree programs in the field. Library and information science programs in both countries are generally flexible and highly customizable. Both countries require several foundational courses in librarianship, however, Croatian programs place greater emphasis on technology and collection management curricula. In contrast, library and information science programs in the USA require more managerial coursework and offer students increased flexibility in terms of course choice. This article may assist library school educators in evaluating their programs to address current and future professional needs.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45123384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Saturday U. Omeluzor, P. Gbemi-Ogunleye, Asimiyu A. Alarape, Lateef Alhaji Bello
{"title":"Accessing special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria","authors":"Saturday U. Omeluzor, P. Gbemi-Ogunleye, Asimiyu A. Alarape, Lateef Alhaji Bello","doi":"10.1177/03400352221149755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221149755","url":null,"abstract":"The accessibility of special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic was a matter of concern for libraries and their users due to the specific nature of special collections compared to other information sources in libraries. This study therefore investigated the accessibility of special collections in university libraries in the South South zone of Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of the study included 233 librarians in federal, state and private universities in the zone. The study adopted an online questionnaire and there was a total of 197 respondents. The findings show that special collections were accessible to library users through library websites, institutional repositories, CD-ROMs and flash drives during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study reveals some of the challenges affecting the accessibility of special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria and recommends ways of enhancing the accessibility of special collections during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46371589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Green initiatives towards environmental sustainability: Insights from libraries in Kenya","authors":"Arnold Mwanzu, Emily Bosire-Ogechi, Damaris Odero","doi":"10.1177/03400352221135012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221135012","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental protection is an increasingly pressing issue all over the world. Ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, global climate change and global warming are among the rising environmental concerns. The increasing number of environmentally conscious consumers has resulted in numerous Go Green campaigns and a Go Green movement, along with solutions and calls for consumers, corporations and governments to be more proactive in going green in every aspect. Libraries are no exception. Although it is so important, little is known about the green-library concept in the African context and among Kenyan libraries. Like some other developing countries, Kenya has responded to climate change in various ways because of its adverse impacts. It is important to explore how libraries are planning for a sustainable future. Subsequently, this study aimed to explore the adoption of green-library concepts in Kenya for environmental sustainability with a view to proposing strategies that can be used to guide libraries in going green. The study adopted a qualitative approach. A sample of 12 libraries was purposively drawn from a population of 227 academic, public and special libraries in Kenya. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules complemented by observation and a document review, and analysed using grounded theory. The findings show that libraries in Kenya, under their umbrella organizations, have taken advantage of their knowledge of green concepts through adopting and implementing green practices and coming up with strategies to enhance green libraries and promote environmental sustainability. They have done this mainly through redesigning and renovating to meet ever-changing user demands in line with green-library standards. The study concludes that librarians in Kenyan libraries understand green-building concepts and have adopted different green initiatives, albeit partially to reposition and maintain their position globally. The study proposes three strategies for fully going green: active user involvement in green initiatives; improving performance and growth measuring metrics; and maintaining green-library standards in accordance with the IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) green-library checklist.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48860600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Connaway, B. Doyle, Christopher Cyr, Peggy Gallagher, Joann Cantrell
{"title":"“Libraries model sustainability”: The results of an OCLC survey on library contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals1","authors":"L. Connaway, B. Doyle, Christopher Cyr, Peggy Gallagher, Joann Cantrell","doi":"10.1177/03400352221141467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221141467","url":null,"abstract":"A survey of more than 1700 library staff worldwide identifies how libraries contribute to five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The similarities between academic and public libraries’ adoption, contribution, and use of the Sustainable Development Goals are reported. The results indicate that library staff do substantial work around all five of the selected Sustainable Development Goals. Sometimes the activities are a result of integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into strategic planning, but at other times the activities are a result of programming that library staff undertake as part of their mission. The majority of the respondents have not incorporated the Sustainable Development Goals into their strategic planning. However, the libraries’ support of the Sustainable Development Goals is demonstrated by the activities the library staff are engaged with and the respondents’ comments. The activities identified here can be used to inform library strategic planning and to help library staff maximize their library’s impact on sustainable development.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48834717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The legitimacy of Scandinavian libraries, archives and museums as public spheres: Views from the professionals","authors":"Håkon Larsen, Nanna Kann-Rasmussen, Kerstin Rydbeck","doi":"10.1177/03400352221147549","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221147549","url":null,"abstract":"This article analyses how library, archive and museum professionals legitimize the use of scarce societal resources for maintaining their respective organizations, with a special emphasis on their role as public-sphere infrastructure. Drawing on data from a survey among professionals in libraries, archives and museums in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the authors investigate whether professionals across these institutions have similar expectations of their organizations to serve as public spheres. The analysis is contextualized with references to current library, archive and museum legislation across the three countries. The authors conclude that there are many similarities across the three countries, although national library, archive and museum legislation differs. This is interpreted in light of new public governance being a dominant regime of governance.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47797199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"IFLA’s role in the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty","authors":"F. Otike, Agnes Hajdu Barat","doi":"10.1177/03400352221141465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221141465","url":null,"abstract":"This article critically analyses the significant role of IFLA in the implementation and adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty in member-state libraries. The challenges and hindrances affecting the implementation of the Treaty are also highlighted. The article establishes that, despite signing the Marrakesh Treaty, the implementation of the Treaty by member states has been met with resistance. The article, however, recognises the significant role that IFLA has played in the implementation of the Treaty, including acting as a representative of libraries globally and in its advisory and advocacy roles and outreach services. Finally, the article discusses and offers various suggestions – for example, IFLA should recruit and incorporate more countries in the association; have wide language diversity; develop competency skills and training; and organise frequent conferences and workshops on the Marrakesh Treaty.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42310842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahmood Khosrowjerdi, Cecilia Black Fylking, N. Zeraatkar
{"title":"Online information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-country analysis","authors":"Mahmood Khosrowjerdi, Cecilia Black Fylking, N. Zeraatkar","doi":"10.1177/03400352221141466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221141466","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to investigate the coronavirus-related web-searching patterns of people from the 10 most affected nations in September 2020. The authors extracted all searches for the sample nations, consisting of the two words ‘COVID-19’ and ‘coronavirus’ and their variations, from Google Trends for the complete year of 2020. The results showed a discrepancy due to the priority of the language used during searches for coronavirus-related information. The time span of the attention level of citizens towards coronavirus-related information was relatively short (about one month). This supports the assumption of the activation model of information exposure that information which generates a negative affect is not welcomed by users. The findings have practical implications for governments and health authorities in, for example, launching information services for citizens in the early months of a pandemic and them remaining as the preferred source of information for citizens.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45964167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of COVID-19 on sub-Saharan African library associations","authors":"C. Asare, S. Aggrey","doi":"10.1177/03400352221130777","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352221130777","url":null,"abstract":"Professional associations serve as a backbone for their members in Africa and globally. They promote the welfare of their members and have standards and principles that guide their activities. This is a quantitative study of 10 national library associations in sub-Saharan Africa. The study looks at some of the activities of the national library associations and how they were impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19. The findings show that the majority of the associations had to postpone their annual conferences and continuous professional education programmes. The study recommends that national library associations from sub-Saharan Africa take advantage of technological platforms to reach out to their members in the organization of conferences and training programmes. Also, national library associations should have a policy that can drive their activities in the future in the event of the occurrence of another pandemic.","PeriodicalId":45334,"journal":{"name":"IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49252636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}