scholarly journals Users with Disabilities, Especially Invisible Disabilities, Provide Insight into How Libraries Can Frame Accessibility Webpages

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-100
Author(s):  
Scott Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Chat ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Invisible Disabilities ◽  
To Come ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Library Websites

A Review of: Brunskill, A. (2020). “Without that detail, I’m not coming”: The perspectives of students with disabilities on accessibility information provided on academic library websites. College & Research Libraries, 81(5), 768–788. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.81.5.768 Abstract Objective – To understand the needs and preferences of users with disabilities for libraries’ accessibility webpages (webpages dedicated to information on disability and accessibility). Design – Semi-structured interviews. Setting – A large public university in the United States of America. Subjects – 12 students who self-identify as having a disability. Methods – Participants were asked about their expectations (if any) and experiences using library accessibility webpages, how they felt they should be organized, and where and how they would expect to find such webpages. Two lists were printed out and provided to the participants. The first, compiled from a previous study, listed common website headings (categories) under which accessibility webpages had been found, and this aided participants in selecting where they would go to find such a webpage. The second listed common types of information found on accessibility webpages. Participants were asked to use the second list to come up with their five highest priority items for accessibility webpages to cover. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for responses to specific queries, but inductive coding was also used. Main Results – In most of the five response clusters of interest to the author (experience/expectation of such a page existing, navigation and language preferences, overall tone and feel for the website, organization for the page, and content for the page), answers were mixed. No consensus emerged with respect to participants’ expectation of an accessibility webpage existing, how they would find the page (including the best website heading), and what content the page should contain. Participants noted that language should be welcoming and inclusive and vetted for sensitivity. The physical layout of the library and information about ambiance and furniture was frequently noted as being an important and overlooked detail to include. Some services, such as shelf pulling and online chat, were highlighted as appealing to those with “invisible” disabilities. Conclusion – The needs and preferences of users with disabilities are varied and sometimes mutually conflicting. Based on the findings, fourteen recommendations are suggested, including providing detailed information about sensory aspects of the library, listing contact information (preferably to a named individual or group), providing useful headings within the page, and evaluating whether language on the website is welcoming.

scholarly journals Variability in adolescent portal privacy features: how the unique privacy needs of the adolescent patient create a complex decision-making process

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1008-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Sharko ◽  
Lauren Wilcox ◽  
Matthew K Hong ◽  
Jessica S Ancker
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Access ◽  
The United States ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Patient Portals ◽  
Medical Organization ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Types Of Information

Abstract Objective Medical privacy policies, which are clear-cut for adults and young children, become ambiguous during adolescence. Yet medical organizations must establish unambiguous rules about patient and parental access to electronic patient portals. We conducted a national interview study to characterize the diversity in adolescent portal policies across a range of institutions and determine the factors influencing decisions about these policies. Methods Within a sampling framework that ensured diversity of geography and medical organization type, we used purposive and snowball sampling to identify key informants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed with inductive thematic analysis, followed by a member check. Results We interviewed informants from 25 medical organizations. Policies established different degrees of adolescent access (from none to partial to complete), access ages (from 10 to 18 years), degrees of parental access, and types of information considered sensitive. Federal and state law did not dominate policy decisions. Other factors in the decision process were: technology capabilities; differing patient population needs; resources; community expectations; balance between information access and privacy; balance between promoting autonomy and promoting family shared decision-making; and tension between teen privacy and parental preferences. Some informants believed that clearer standards would simplify policy-making; others worried that standards could restrict high-quality polices. Conclusions In the absence of universally accepted standards, medical organizations typically undergo an arduous decision-making process to develop teen portal policies, weighing legal, economic, social, clinical, and technological factors. As a result, portal access policies are highly inconsistent across the United States and within individual states.

scholarly journals Academic Library Websites Show Heavy Use of Web 2.0 Applications

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana K. Wakimoto
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Networking Services ◽  
Main Page ◽  
Library Websites

A Review of: Boateng, F., & Liu, Y. Q. (2014). Web 2.0 applications’ usage and trends in top US academic libraries. Library Hi Tech, 32(1), 120-138. doi:10.1108/LHT-07-2013-0093 Abstract Objective – To explore Web 2.0 application use in academic libraries through determining: Web 2.0 applications used, the purpose of using these applications, and how the use of Web 2.0 is changing. Design – Exploratory survey of academic library websites using content analysis of websites, blogs, and social networking service platforms. Setting – Websites of academic libraries in the United States, blog platforms, and social networking services. Subjects – 100 academic libraries. Methods – The researchers based their selection of academic library websites on the US News & World Report’s 2013 list of the top 100 best colleges in the United States. The authors created a checklist to determine which Web 2.0 technologies were used by the academic libraries on their websites and for what purposes. The researchers searched for Web 2.0 applications on the main page and one subpage down from the main page. The researchers also used keyword searches on the library’s website to find Web 2.0 applications and searched blog platforms and social networking sites. Main Results – The authors found that Facebook and Twitter were the most popular Web 2.0 applications and that all of the libraries analyzed used social networking services. Blogs were the second most popular Web 2.0 tool at 99% participation rate, followed closely by RSS (97%) and instant messaging (91%). Libraries used these Web 2.0 tools for information sharing including: outreach, promotion, providing online reference services, subject guides, tutorials, highlighting resources, and posting announcements. Conclusion – The academic libraries analyzed in this study use Web 2.0 applications to a much greater extent than previous research had shown. The researchers expect to see increased use of Web 2.0 applications by academic libraries in the coming years. They suggest that future research focus on Web 2.0 use by historically black colleges in the United States and on collaboration between academic libraries and other academic units when offering Web 2.0 services.

scholarly journals Blind User Experiences of US Academic Libraries can be Improved by More Proactive Reference Service Delivery

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-127
Author(s):  
Alisa Howlett
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Screen Reader ◽  
Blind Users ◽  
User Experiences ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
Reference Service ◽  
Blind User ◽  
Library Websites

A Review of: Mulliken, A. (2017). There is nothing inherently mysterious about assistive technology: A qualitative study about blind user experiences in US academic libraries. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 57(2), 115-126. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.57.2.6528 Abstract Objective – To explore blind users’ experiences with academic libraries. Design – Qualitative questionnaire. Setting – Academic libraries within the United States of America. Subjects – 18 individuals who are legally blind, have experience relying on a screen reader to access the internet, and have used an academic library either online or in person within the previous two years. Methods – An open-ended questionnaire was administered via telephone interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive approach to identify themes using Hill et al.’s (2005) approach. Main Results – The author found seven themes in the interview data: experiences working with reference librarians in person, difficulty with library websites, screen reader use during reference transactions, preferences for independence, using chat, interactions with disability officers, and challenges of working with citation styles.  Conclusion – The study concluded that academic libraries and librarians should be more proactive when approaching reference services for blind users. The author offered suggestions for practice about how to improve blind user experiences of academic libraries.

scholarly journals Development of Deal- and Journal-level Metrics and Methods Assists Librarians to Evaluate Big Deals

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Kathleen Reed
Keyword(s):  
Research University ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Library Users ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Design Case Study ◽  
The Cost

A Review of: Blecic, D.D., Wiberley, Jr., S.E., Fiscella, J.B., Bahnmaier-Blaszczak, S., & Lowery, R. (2013). Deal or no deal?: Evaluating Big Deals and their journals. College & Research Libraries, 74(2), 178-193. Objective – To assess the value of aggregated journal packages (Big Deals) and to select individual journal titles for continued subscription should a deal be cancelled. Design – Case study. Setting – Doctoral research university library in the United States of America. Subjects – Three anonymous Big Deals. Methods – The authors define metrics at two levels (deal and journal) to evaluate Big Deal packages. The metrics rely heavily on the COUNTER JR1 metric Successful Full-Text Article Request (SFTAR). Main Results – The authors found that while 30% of journals provide 80% of SFTARs, the cost of subscribing to these journals individually would not save significant sums of money. Additionally, they speculate that library users would increase the number of interlibrary loan requests to access the 20% of SFTARs that would be inaccessible if a Big Deal was cut, amounting to increased costs. Conclusion – With no sign of publishers moving to change the price and conditions of Big Deals, these arrangements are becoming unsustainable for libraries. As this occurs, librarians require methods of assessing which deals to keep and which to cut, as well as evidence of to which individual journals they should subscribe. The authors of this paper set out one method of conducting these assessments that they have found to be useful at an academic library. They conclude by stating that even with SFTAR data, individuals must keep in mind the necessity of providing equitable access to all of a university community’s user groups.

scholarly journals Eighteen Blind Library Users’ Experiences with Library Websites and Search Tools in U.S. Academic Libraries: A Qualitative Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adina Mulliken
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Online Publication ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Common Theme ◽  
Screen Reader ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
The U.S

Telephone interviews were conducted with 18 blind academic library users around the U.S. about their experiences using their library and its website. The study uses the perspective that blind users’ insights are fundamental. A common theme was that navigating a webpage is time consuming on the first visit. Issues identified include the need for “databases” to be defined on the homepage, accessibly coded search boxes, logical heading structure, and several problems to be resolved on result pages. Variations in needs depending on users’ screen reader expertise were also raised. Suggestions for libraries to address these issues are offered. This is also available as an advanced online publication at the journal College and Research Libraries. Retrieved from https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/16947

scholarly journals ACRL:n informaatiolukutaidon kehykset korkeakoulukirjastoissa Suomessa ja Yhdysvalloissa

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kati Syvälahti ◽  
Janika Asplund
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Universities Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Literacy Framework

This article discusses the international IL framework in the Finnish academic library context. In our online questionnaire conducted in May 2017, we researched how Finnish academic libraries in the universities and universities of applied sciences have received the Information literacy framework launched by The ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) in 2015. In the article, we discuss the current awareness of the frames in Finland and show practical examples of using the frames. The usefulness as well as the pros and cons of the frames are being analyzed. This article compares the current interpretation of the frames in Finland with the recent discussion in the academic libraries in the United States. Moreover, we address the transition from the IL standards to the Information literacy framework, and discuss similarities in the themes discussed in the States and Finland. Our conclusion was that in Finland, the majority of the libraries are aware of the IL frames and some of the libraries have already used the framework in developing information literacy in higher education.

Contemporary academic library users in Kenya: their needs and preferences in access and use of information resources

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tandy M. Ombogo ◽  
Ben W. Namande
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Digital Immigrants ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of generations on information behavior and needs to access and use of library resources and how well academic libraries in Kenya are simultaneously serving both generations. From literature reviewed, a study on the Kenyan scenario on generational behavior and needs was not identified and this study sought to fill that gap. Design/methodology/approach Data collected were done through mixed-methods research using observation, structured interviews and questionnaires. The sample included 143 students and faculty within different generations, and three library staffs at The United States International University-Africa’s Library. Quantitative data were analyzed through SPSS and Excel, while qualitative data were analyzed according to the theme of this study. Likert-scale responses were used to measure information behavior of users’ needs and preferences. Findings Findings showed that the library is serving two distinct generations with different needs: out of a mean score of 5.00 of sample surveyed; digital immigrants need information resources mainly for research at an aggregate 3.93 while digital natives need information resources mainly for examinations at an aggregate 4.01. Both generations need to use technology to access and use information resources at 94% of digital immigrants and an aggregate 81.5% of digital natives surveyed. The library is training both user groups accordingly. This answered the research problem this study sought to assess. Research limitations/implications The generation of users was known only after administering the questionnaires. Consequently, the researcher targeted them using the status of respondents, faculty or student, to maximize sampling for each generation. Undergraduate and master’s students were used to target digital natives, while the faculty was used to target digital immigrants. PhD students were used to target both digital immigrants and digital natives. This study was done only in one location, USIU-Africa’s Library. Originality/value This study assessed how different generations within academic libraries in Kenya could be guided to effectively and efficiently adapt to global changes. This study assessed generational influence on needs and preferences in access and use of information resources, and assessed how academic libraries are concurrently and successfully serving variant user needs in Kenya,

scholarly journals Transformational leadership practice in the world’s leading academic libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 972-999
Author(s):  
Patrick Lo ◽  
Bradley Allard ◽  
Hermina G.B. Anghelescu ◽  
Yawei Xin ◽  
Dickson K.W. Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intellectual Stimulation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Idealized Influence ◽  
The United Kingdom

This article analyzes 12 semi-structured interviews within the framework of transformational leadership, using a set of open-ended questions addressed to 12 directors (six men and six women) of academic libraries in high-ranking universities in four different countries (Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America). It also investigates the interviewees’ approach to managing and leading their library organizations within the context of the opportunities and challenges facing their organizations as well as their parent institutions. The interpretation of the participants’ responses is based on the four ‘I’s, the four dimensions of the concept of transformational leadership: (1) Idealized influence, (2) Inspirational motivation, (3) Intellectual stimulation, and (4) Individualized consideration. The findings indicated that academic library directors who chose to implement transformational leadership noted its significance as a major contributing factor to the enhancement of inner communication and building mutual trust, and respect within the library organization. This, in turn, has fostered a motivated and creative work environment that has ensured personal and collective success and institutional advancement. Transformational leadership contributes to promoting sustained organizational performance based on adaptability to the rapidly changing environment of academic libraries worldwide.

On eBooks in academic libraries: an article based on a presentation at the Library 2.014 Conference

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Ellen Frederick
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Electronic Format ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
New Learning ◽  
To Come

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and discuss some of the commonly held misconceptions about using and managing eBooks in academic research libraries and to outline what skills, abilities and knowledge are required of librarians and other library staff who work with eBooks. eBooks are an important presence in the vast majority of academic libraries. It is reasonable to expect that this presence will increase in the years to come. The value of eBooks to many students, faculty and researchers is undeniable and their availability has created new learning and teaching opportunities which were not possible with print-only library collection. Design/methodology/approach – eBooks bring multiple benefits to the academic environment. Findings – eBooks provide portable information resources for students and researchers doing fieldwork. eBooks have the potential for relieving pressure on space in some libraries. Some eBook platforms offer students new and enhanced ways for interacting with library materials, including accessibility features. Originality/value – The addition of eBooks to academic library collections addresses a growing preference among some patrons for information in electronic format.

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