AI policies across the globe: Implications and recommendations for libraries

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This article examines the proposed artificial intelligence policies of the USA, UK, European Union, Canada, and China, and their implications for libraries. As artificial intelligence revolutionizes library operations, it presents complex challenges, such as ethical dilemmas, data privacy concerns, and equitable access issues. The article highlights key themes in these policies, including ethics, transparency, the balance between innovation and regulation, and data privacy. It also identifies areas for improvement, such as the need for specific guidelines on mitigating biases in artificial intelligence systems and navigating data privacy issues. The article further provides practical recommendations for libraries to engage with these policies and develop best practices for artificial intelligence use. The study underscores the need for libraries to not only adapt to these policies but also actively engage with them, contributing to the development of more comprehensive and effective artificial intelligence governance.

Digital reading in Vietnamese universities: The situation and influencing factors

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
The development of digital technologies, devices and resources impacts students’ digital reading habits and learning performance. This article aims to explore the situation of digital reading in Vietnamese universities and survey the factors influencing digital reading. Questionnaires were distributed to library staff and bachelor’s degree students at six universities in Vietnam; 906 valid questionnaires were received back from the students and 96 from the librarians. The data was analysed by using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The findings reveal that the universities, academic libraries and lecturers had prepared the necessary conditions to support digital reading (i.e. regulations, processes, programmes, digital resources). Another highlighted result indicates that factors concerning students and lecturers had the most important influence on digital reading based on the responses of the library staff and students. The findings of this study will be useful for administrators, faculty members and library staff in designing appropriate solutions and programmes to support digital reading for undergraduate students.

Public libraries in language assimilation policies: The Swedish Tornedalian example

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This article reports from a project on the role of public libraries in language assimilation policies directed against the Meänkieli-speaking Tornedalian minority in the far north of Sweden during the first half of the 20th century. As libraries in the Torne Valley area, bordering on Finland, were maintained under state control, they became tools in the near eradication of Meänkieli in a complex set of policies that were in effect until 1957, promoting a uniform Swedish language and culture. Building on sociological conflict theory and the analysis of unpublished local documentation, the article brings to light conditions previously unknown about the Swedish public libraries in the northernmost part of the country. The article concludes by reflecting on the role of Swedish libraries today as important tools for the revitalization of Meänkieli, aimed at strengthening the identity and visibility of the Tornedalian minority.

The role of academic libraries in facilitating friendships among students

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This study investigates the role of academic libraries in fostering friendships among students. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data in a cross-sectional research design, which was then analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that although the library may not be the primary location where students make their closest or long-lasting friends, it is still a place where they can develop acquaintances and close friendships because it provides a conducive environment for making friends and easy communication. Library personnel are perceived as friendly individuals, and students often visit the library to use school computers to meet new people and learn more about friendship through library books. However, the quietness of libraries is a significant obstacle to making friends, along with the preference of library users for reading over socializing. The study concludes that students who often make new friends in the library and make long-lasting friends in the library are likely to arrange and participate in informal gatherings with friends in the library. The study recommends that libraries find ways to create social spaces while also maintaining a quiet study environment; organize social events, book clubs and other activities that promote interaction among students; and offer resources on the topic of friendship to help students learn more about this critical aspect of their lives.

A study on the knowledge and perception of artificial intelligence

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This study investigated the knowledge and perception of artificial intelligence among library and information science professionals in Zambia by surveying 245 randomly selected participants. The results show that the library and information science professionals had a favourable and encouraging outlook with regard to artificial intelligence but were also concerned about artificial intelligence replacing librarians’ roles and the barriers to adopting artificial intelligence technologies in Zambian libraries. The article suggests that libraries should consider the study’s findings before implementing artificial intelligence, particularly concerning technology and facilities, librarians’ proficiency in artificial intelligence, and leadership positions in artificial intelligence initiatives. The research can be used as a resource by library boards and associations to develop policies for implementing artificial intelligence in academic libraries, and fills a research vacuum in developing nations like Zambia regarding the knowledge of university and college libraries, and their willingness to use artificial intelligence.

School library censorship: Looking at the perspective of a school librarian association in Indonesia

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
The information needs of students must be met by school libraries as resources for student learning with collections that support academic curricula and are suitable for learning activities. A collection that contains no sensitive or contentious material is one that is appropriate for students. In this study, censorship issues in school library collections are examined from the point of view of the Association of Indonesian School Librarians. The study found four topics connected to the Association’s perspective on censorship issues in school libraries based on staff interviews and thematic analysis: the root reasons for censorship; how censorship is implemented; how to become a competent librarian; and how urgent censorship is. Censorship is seldom reported, thus the Association does not view it as a pressing concern. It places greater emphasis on problems such as information literacy training and developing librarians’ competencies than censoring library collections. Hence, there is no national attention given to this subject.

Abstracts

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 467-499, June 2023.

Identifying trends in information security and privacy concern research

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
Text mining is a research method that can be used to detect research trends and developments in various fields. In this study, an automated textual analysis tool (Voyant Tools) is applied to a vast corpus of academic papers to identify research trends in the fields of information security and privacy concern, focusing on the differences between the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Furthermore, the conceptual proximity between the related terms ‘information security’ and ‘privacy concern’ is investigated by identifying textual trends. We discovered that, while the first decade of information security research was not entirely defined, the second decade focused on privacy-related issues. The focus of privacy concern research was on commerce and marketing in the first decade and on the social dimension in the second decade. This study supports the use of textual analysis of academic literature to identify research trends in various fields, including technological fields.

Factors contributing to slow completion rate among postgraduate students of the Information Studies Programme at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This study was carried out to examine causes of slow completion among postgraduate students of the Information Studies Programme at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. It involved 61 respondents, including 56 postgraduate students involved in a questionnaire survey and 5 lecturers interviewed. Findings revealed that the majority of students took more than the university-stipulated time to complete their studies. Factors responsible include students’ failure to comprehend comments from supervisors, poor relationships between students and supervisors, multiple roles and a poor research environment. Incompetence in research skills and financial constraints were also noted to contribute to slow completion. The study concludes that slow completion among students is not a function of a single factor. Addressing these factors is critical in enhancing the timely completion of studies. Accordingly, this study recommends that the programme should create supportive learning environment for its students such that learning outcomes are improved.

Framework for communicating library training at a South African university

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This article combines social constructivist and transformative paradigms to propose a framework for communicating library training to first-year students. Although performance indicators for literacy are universal, there are explicit attempts to move away from a universal approach to information literacy, as exemplified in the Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. This article addresses the fragmentation of teaching and learning practices in a single case study of University of the Free State libraries. Data were collected using two methods: an integrated literature review; and document analysis. Literature and documentary evidence were found to justify a call for developing an underpinning theory for planning purposes. Furthermore, it was found that synthesized concepts from models, ideas and frameworks can inform new pedagogical approaches. This article proposes the Authority Pedagogy Socialization framework for communicating library training to first-year students and concludes with several recommendations.

The Dutch library system: Past, present and future

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 263-268, June 2023.

Bibliotherapy by medical librarians for the blind females

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of group bibliotherapy on the self-esteem of blind females. Thirty blind females agreed to participate in the study. They were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Data were collected through the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. A medical librarian performed an eight-session bibliotherapy intervention in collaboration with a psychological counsellor for the experimental group. After the intervention, the experimental group’s self-esteem scores were higher than the control group’s (p < 0.05). The mean self-esteem scores in the experimental group after the intervention increased significantly (p < 0.05). The highest percentage increase is related to the family and educational/professional self-esteem subscales. Using bibliotherapy by a team of medical librarians and psychologists to improve the psychological problems of the blind and other people with disabilities is recommended.

The University of the Free State Neville Alexander Library book club and information-seeking behaviour

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
Information literacy skills are crucial for academic and everyday success. Using various pedagogical techniques, librarians reach out to their users and equip them with the skills necessary to utilize the available information effectively. The study aimed to determine the members’ perceptions of their information-seeking behaviour and how much the book club had contributed to improving their information-seeking abilities. The study population consisted of 49 book club members, from whom a survey and focus group interview gathered data. The study reveals that the book club improves information-seeking training initiatives, practices and librarian engagement. This study can be used to advocate for and enhance library book clubs as platforms for enhancing instruction of information-seeking processes. It can also motivate further research into this phenomenon.

Copyright literacy of library and information science professionals in Pakistan

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
Library and information science professionals are considered to have appropriate skills and competencies with regard to copyright and related issues. Using a quantitative survey at the provincial level (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), the copyright literacy of library and information science professionals was investigated in Pakistan. Out of 311 respondents, 279 participated in the survey. The results indicate that library and information science professionals are somewhat familiar with copyright and related issues. The majority of them (94%) mentioned that published materials such as books and articles are under the protection of copyright. Similarly, 73% were aware of local copyright laws; however, they were less familiar with international copyright legislation. Library professionals mentioned that the current library and information science curriculum is not providing adequate knowledge about copyright, therefore, most (94%) expressed the need to include copyright legislation and basic concepts of copyright in the library and information science curriculum at all levels. The findings suggest practical measures to enhance the level of the copyright literacy of Pakistani library and information science professionals.

South African academic libraries as contributors to social justice and ubuntu through community engagement

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
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.

Library and information services’ reflections on emergency remote support and crisis-driven innovations during pandemic conditions

IFLA Journal, Ahead of Print.
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.

Abstracts

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 1, Page 230-260, March 2023.

Accessing special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 357-367, June 2023.
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.

“Libraries model sustainability”: The results of an OCLC survey on library contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals1

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 269-285, June 2023.
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.

Green initiatives towards environmental sustainability: Insights from libraries in Kenya

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 298-314, June 2023.
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.

The legitimacy of Scandinavian libraries, archives and museums as public spheres: Views from the professionals

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 368-374, June 2023.
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.

IFLA’s role in the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 452-466, June 2023.
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.

Online information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-country analysis

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 328-344, June 2023.
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.

Effects of COVID-19 on sub-Saharan African library associations

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 315-327, June 2023.
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.

Students’ perceptions of the user education programmes at a South African university

IFLA Journal, Volume 49, Issue 2, Page 419-431, June 2023.
First-time university students lack the practical and complex skills to harness, evaluate, use and create information to achieve their educational, occupational, social and personal information goals. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of user education programmes at the North-West University, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 320 students across two faculties. The study’s findings reveal that the majority of first-year students had participated in different user education programmes, with 80.7% of the students indicating that they were satisfied with the content and quality of the programmes. Over 90% of the students who participated in the programmes affirmed that they had enhanced their capacity to make effective searches for information and improved their skills in correctly citating and referencing information sources for their assignments. The majority of the students searched for information and resources independently of librarians. This article draws several conclusions and makes recommendations based on the findings.