Uncovering diffusion trends in computer science and physics publications

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to trace the knowledge diffusion patterns between the publications of top journals of computer science and physics to uncover the knowledge diffusion trends. Design/methodology/approach The degree of information flow between the disciplines is a measure of entropy and received citations. The entropy gives the uncertainty in the citation distribution of a journal; the more a journal is involved in spreading information or affected by other journals, its entropy increases. The citations from outside category give the degree of inter-disciplinarity index as the percentage of references made to papers of another discipline. In this study, the topic-related diffusion across computer science and physics scholarly communication network is studied to examine how the same research topic is studied and shared across disciplines. Findings For three indicators, Shannon entropy, citations outside category (COC) and research keywords, a global view of information flow at the journal level between both disciplines is obtained. It is observed that computer science mostly cites knowledge published in physics journals as compared to physics journals that cite knowledge within the field. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that traces knowledge diffusion trends between computer science and physics publications at journal level using entropy, COC and research keywords.

How does the team expertise heterogeneity improve entrepreneurial performance?

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between team heterogeneity and team performance in entrepreneurial team and is also of significance in guiding the management practice of an entrepreneurial team. Design/methodology/approach The study is carried out based on an experiment, in which a 2×2 experimental group is devised to collect data concerned with the heterogeneity of entrepreneurial team’s expertise and the attitude toward heterogeneity. Findings The entrepreneurial team’s heterogeneity has a significant effect on entrepreneurial performance; the entrepreneurial team’s heterogeneity influences entrepreneurial performance through team task conflict; attitudes toward heterogeneity play a mediating role in the above process. Originality/value This paper is carried out based on an experiment which can be used to determine the mediating effects of team conflict on the relationship between team expertise heterogeneity and the entrepreneurial performance.

Knowledge management and e-learning in virtual learning community based on social network analysis

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose It is particularly important to study the learner cognition based on information technology and change of learning environment in e-learning. Therefore, based on the combination of knowledge management and e-learning, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the basic rules and existing problems of virtual learning community (VLC). Design/methodology/approach In this study, a set of principles and basic framework of VLC was proposed, which could effectively instruct the construction of knowledge and collective wisdom development of VLC. Meantime, this paper revealed and constructed the theoretical framework and learning model for facilitating the advance of collective intelligence, described the main characteristics of collaborative knowledge building and traced the trajectory of convergence of collective intelligence and verified them through case studies and field studies. Findings The author analyzed the characteristics of VLC assisting knowledge construction and traced the trajectory of convergence of collective intelligence. In this way, the learners not only construct the meaning of knowledge in the process of participation from the edge to the center, but also complete the transformation from a green hand to an old hand. As a result, the learners form a sense of belonging to the community and complete the identity construction as a member of the community in the process of co-constructing the cultural tradition and value orientation of the community. Research limitations/implications The analysis of the framework is made relatively in general terms, and lacks of the concrete, practical analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt the social network analysis method to carry out systematic research on the framework, so as to make the actual operation of the VLC more practical. Practical implications It is significant to adopt the construction of the research system and theoretical framework in building VLC so as to improve the learner’s abilities of knowledge building and make full use of the advantages of the VLC. Originality/value This paper revealed and constructed the theoretical framework and learning model for facilitating the advance of collective intelligence. Besides, it provides a model reference for the follow-up construction of a new collective learning model.

Application of public blockchain to control the immutability of data in online scientific periodicals

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of content immutability and integrity of online scientific periodicals on the sites of small publishers that can be violated not only by the external hack of the publisher’s site but also by publisher’s and author’s misconduct or by submitting different versions of a periodical to different sites. Design/methodology/approach The authors defined a list of requirements that verify online scientific publications immutability and integrity. Then, the authors analyzed existing projects and recently emerged information on security technologies and identified challenges met during the development and testing. The use of the public blockchain network Ethereum as a secure storage location for data was explained. Findings The authors developed the method of checking online scientific periodicals for immutability and presented ecosystem architecture to control immutability and integrity of data. On the example of the online periodical “Istoriya”, it was demonstrated how the immutability of online scientific publication has been verified with the use of the public blockchain over a six-month period. First, operating results were evaluated; challenges hampering the implementation of the suggested ecosystem on Ethereum now were identified; and potential advantages of the suggested approach as compared to similar projects were discovered. Research limitations/implications The considered prototype is not a ready-to-use system, but in future providing higher transparency and the development of general distributed ecosystem small publishers will have new opportunities for development given that the issues of scalability, reliability and operating speed on a public blockchain will be addressed. Introduction of the described ecosystem may even provoke some changes on such conservative market as that of publishing of academic papers. Originality/value This research is one of the first attempts to expand digital object identifier technology with the use of additional verifications based on the data storage and search in the public blockchain. The suggested idea is the example of “blockchainified science” that was brought to implementation in a real online journal. This method has some advantages compared to Crossmark service.

Library capacity for data curation services: a US national survey

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the landscape of data curation services among public and academic libraries in the USA, with a focus on library capacity for providing data curation services. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted an online survey by employing stratified sampling from the American Library Directory. A total of 198 responses were analyzed. Findings The authors’ findings provide insight into the current landscape of libraries’ data curation services. The survey participants evaluated six capacity dimensions for both public and academic libraries – value, financial, administrative, technical infrastructure, human resources and network. The ratings the participants gave to these capacity dimensions were significantly different between academic and public libraries. Practical implications This study suggests several areas in which libraries will benefit from further developing their capacity to successfully run data curation services. Originality/value This is among the first research study to address the concept of capacity in the context of libraries’ data curation services.

Continuing education and professional development of library staff involved with makerspaces

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose This paper reports the results of a survey of library staff members working with a library makerspace or with makerspace-related technologies. The purpose of this paper is to identify who is working with library makerspaces, what methods of training they have used, what training methods they prefer, and what topics they would like to see included in professional development and continuing education. Design/methodology/approach A 17-question survey was posted to two library makerspace-related listservs for two weeks. Findings The survey results found a varied array of job title of individuals working with library makerspaces. It also identified the preferred training methods, as well as the varied topics requested for professional development, showing a large need for a makerspace training in library staff. Originality/value This is the first study conducted about the preferred methods and topics of professional development and continuing education of library staff members working with makerspaces or makerspace-related technologies.

Haptic technology – potential for library services

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The subject of the paper is haptic technology considered as a tool for improving the performance of libraries. The purpose of this paper is to determine the potential of this technology in the design of innovative library services. Specific goals include description of the ideas and features of haptic technology, identification of the main areas of application of haptic technology and outlining the possible uses of haptic technology in library services. Design/methodology/approach The method of analysis and criticism of literature was used. The state of research from the period 2008–2018 on the use of haptic technology in libraries was established based on a systematic search of selected sources, such as resources indexed by Google Scholar, the Worldcat catalogue and the LISTA database. Findings Haptic technology is a topic that should be covered more often in library and information science because it has a great potential to improve library services and make them more attractive. The two most important areas in which haptic technology could be applied in libraries are education and services, especially for disabled users that have special educational and service needs. Although it could be very helpful for disabled users, haptic technology can also be used in various contexts to provide more responsive and intuitive user interfaces for electronic library services. Research limitations/implications The purpose of this paper is not to exhaust the topic but to continue and complement the problems pointed out by P. Fernandez and to initiate further discussion on this topic. Practical implications The results can be widely used in practice as a framework for the implementation of haptic technology in libraries. Social implications The paper can help to facilitate the debate on the role of implementing new technologies in libraries. Originality/value The problem of haptic technology is very rarely addressed in the subject literature in the field of library and information science.

Postnatal self-care experience of Truku women’s traditions and mainstream acculturation and reconstruction in Taiwan

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The preservation and disappearance of indigenous people’s traditional knowledge system, under mainstream social culture immersion and fusion, have presented a dynamic and changing acculturation interactive relationship impacting Truku women’s health concepts. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore how the traditional Gaya knowledge system and mainstream culture confinement care model affect the beliefs and behaviours of postpartum self-care amongst contemporary Truku women. Design/methodology/approach An ethnographic semi-structured method, based on cultural care factors and the Leininger Sunrise Model, was conducted to interview 17 Truku women with childbearning experience in eastern Taiwan. As data were collected, UDIST Vivo 11.0 software was applied for analysis. Findings Amongst the three knowledge system categories, namely, traditional, mainstream and reconstruction, the traditional knowledge system, including Gaya norms, provides the overall cultural value of a Truku family. While taboo is inherited through the experience of the elders, the mainstream knowledge system favours the Han. However, the reconstruction knowledge system highlights the “functional” response strategies based on Truku women’s comfort and conveniences. Originality/value Limited relevant studies have focused on the health and postpartum self-care knowledge of ethnic Truku women in Taiwan. The results are expected to provide clinical medical personnel with a reference and strengthen cultural sensitivity and the ability to implement the cultural congruency care of postpartum indigenous women in Taiwan.

The scientometrics of literature on smart cities

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the research trends in smart cities (SCs) in order to demonstrate the most and the least active fields, researchers, institutions, frontier active centers/authors and funding institutions, as well as drawing the map of the most active countries in this scope. Design/methodology/approach Bibliometric data of 4,696 scientific works were collected from Web of Science, one of the most authentic bibliometric databases, within 1970–2018. The data were analyzed using scientometrics and content analysis methods and visualized by tables, charts and atlases. Findings The results showed an increasing trend in these studies mostly published as conference papers during 48 years. In this period, 0.6 percent of the papers got more than ten citations. Highly cited fields in the area of SCs were orderly smart IT infrastructure, smart government, smart environment, smart mobility, smart energy, smart economy and smart citizen. The geographic atlas of SC studies showed that the frontier countries in SCs were China, Spain and Italy, orderly. China’s main focus was on smart infrastructure while Spain’s focus was smart citizens and smart energy. Italy’s studies were mostly concentrated on smart government, smart mobility and smart environment. In general, it can be concluded that “smart IT infrastructure” was the most noted among the other components of SCs. Originality/value The scientometrics of SC literature has been conducted for the first time.

Bridging identity challenges: why and how one library plugged ORCiD into their enterprise

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation and impact of a locally customized Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCiD) profile wizard. It also provides a broader context for adopting ORCiD as an identity and single sign-on solution. Design/methodology/approach A custom web application was designed by a library team and implemented using a combination of the OAuth protocol and the ORCiD web services API. The tool leveraged a rich, curated set of local publication data, and exposed integration hooks that allowed other enterprise systems to connect ORCiD IDs with an internal employee identifier. Findings Initially the tool saw only modest use. Ultimately its success depended upon integration with other enterprise systems and the requirement of an ORCiD ID for internal funding requests, rather than exclusively on the merits of the tool. Since introduction, it has been used to generate over 1,660 ORCiDs from a population of 4,000 actively publishing researchers. Practical implications Organizations that desire to track publications by many affiliated authors would likely benefit from some sort of integration with ORCiD web services. This is particularly true for organizations that have many publishing researchers and/or track publications spanning many decades. Enterprise integration is crucial to the success of such a project. Originality/value Research inputs and research products are now primarily digital objects. So having a reliable system for associating researchers with their output is a big challenge that, if solved, could increase researcher impact and enhance digital scholarship. ORCiD IDs are a potential glue for many aspects of this problem. The design and implementation of the wizard eased and quickened adoption of ORCiD Ids by local researchers due in part to the ease with which a researcher can push publication information already held by the library to their profile. Subsequent integration of researcher ORCiD IDs with local enterprise systems has enabled real-time propagation of ORCiD IDs across research proposal workflow, publication review and content discovery systems.

An in-app purchase framework for location-based AR games: the case of Pokémon Go

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose Although location-based augmented reality (AR) games are popular in recent years, the motivation of in-app purchases still needs further investigation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of the intention to make a purchase in location-based AR games. Design/methodology/approach This research develops a conceptual model and hypotheses based on the theory of perceived values and satisfaction to investigate the antecedents. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed on popular websites to collect data, and 662 usable responses were collected from the players of Pokémon Go in Taiwan. Findings In total, 22 hypotheses were validated by using partial least squares techniques. Among the antecedents of in-app purchases intention in the model, the perceived value and satisfaction were found to have strong direct effects. The antecedents of the perceived value (flow, design aesthetic, social self-expression and good price) have direct influences on the perceived value of all players. Design aesthetic, reward and the perceived value were found to have a direct impact on all players’ satisfaction. Moreover, the differences between paying users and non-paying users were discussed and verified. Originality/value The model demonstrated relatively good explanatory power for purchase intention in the context of location-based AR game. The proposed model can provide insights to location-based AR game developers to design their games and marketing strategies.

Social media, diffusion of innovations, morale and digital inequality

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore social media usage in an academic library in South Africa and the factors influencing its use. The primary goal of the study was to examine perceptions surrounding the impact of non-adoption of social media on morale, and to explore the consequences of digital inequality. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative method, in-depth interviews were conducted with a small sample comprising six key informants at the University of Limpopo Libraries. Findings The findings suggest that non-adoption of social media has a negative influence on morale, and that it is a very necessary tool required for interaction with students as well as promotion and marketing of the library’s resources. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to one academic library in South Africa situated in a rural area. The research suggests that more academic libraries in rural areas be studied to ascertain if geographical location and finance are barriers to social media adoption. Originality/value This study addresses non-adoption of social media and suggests ways to improve employee morale and retention. The research contributes to current research.

Research of data mining and web technology in university discipline construction decision support system based on MVC model

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose Taking the discipline construction in colleges and universities as the application background, based on the research on data mining technology and decision support system technology, the data generated by university management information system are effectively utilized. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Based on the Beijing Key Discipline Information Platform as the data source, the decision tree algorithm of data mining is studied. On the basis of decision tree C4.5, the Bayesian theory is applied to the post-pruning operation of the decision tree. Findings A decision tree post-pruning algorithm based on the Bayesian theory is studied and put forward in order to simplify the decision tree, which improves the generalization ability of the whole algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is used to build the prediction model of key disciplines. Combined with the decision support system architecture, data warehouse and the data mining algorithm constructed by university discipline, based on J2EE standard enterprise system specification, MVC model is applied. Moreover, a prototype system of decision support system for discipline construction in colleges and universities with browser/server (B/S) structure is completed and implemented. Originality/value A decision tree post-pruning algorithm based on the Bayesian theory is studied and put forward in order to simplify the decision tree, which improves the generalization ability of the whole algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is used to build the prediction model of key disciplines. Combined with the decision support system architecture, data warehouse and the data mining algorithm constructed by university discipline, based on J2EE standard enterprise system specification, MVC model is applied. Moreover, a prototype system of decision support system for discipline construction in colleges and universities with B/S structure is completed and implemented.

Artificial Intelligence powered Internet of Things and smart public service

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted a lot of attention in both industrial and academic fields for recent years. Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed rapidly in recent years as well. AI naturally combines with the Internet of Things in various ways, enabling big data applications, machine learning algorithms, deep learning, knowledge discovery, neural networks and other technologies. The purpose of this paper is to provide state of the art in AI powered IoT and study smart public services in China. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviewed the articles published on AI powered IoT from 2009 to 2018. Case study as a research method has been chosen. Findings The AI powered IoT has been found in the areas of smart cities, healthcare, intelligent manufacturing and so on. First, this study summarizes recent research on AI powered IoT systematically; and second, this study identifies key research topics related to the field and real-world applications. Originality/value This research is of importance and significance to both industrial and academic fields researchers who need to understand the current and future development of intelligence in IoT. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to review the literature on AI powered IoT from 2009 to 2018. This is also the first literature review on AI powered IoT with a case study of smart public service in China.

Social inclusion and social capital of the Shanghai Library as a community place for self-improvement

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 197-218, June 2019.
Purpose Using a Shanghainese context, the purpose of this paper is to understand the effects of the public library in its community, as well as its ability to create social capital. Along with this, this paper aims to look at some socially disadvantaged groups within Shanghai and see the positive benefits that the Shanghai Library (SHL) has in society. Design/methodology/approach Using a total of 410 respondents from Shanghai through a questionnaire, this study investigates how different groups of disadvantaged groups (namely, students, elderly and unemployed) living in Shanghai perceived the social values, and contributions functions of the SHL to the local community, and its capacities to create social capital. Findings Findings of this study indicate that respondents expressed an overall highly positive outlook of the SHL’s value to the community, and they found it to have an important role in their daily lives. Originality/value This study will be useful for understanding the roles of the public library in a Chinese context, as well as the views and perceptions of the public library to disadvantaged user groups in China.

Support while control: the influence of embeddedness on virtual community participation

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 155-167, June 2019.
Purpose Exploring the antecedents of members community participation is extremely important for virtual communities (VCs) research and practice. As an important social characteristic of individuals, social embeddedness has been proved as an important antecedent of many individual behaviors; however, few research has investigated the influence of virtual community members social embeddedness on virtual community members’ participation. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between social embeddedness and community participation in VCs. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducted empirical study to test the hypotheses. Based on existing scales, this research designed the questionnaire and used a web-based survey to collect the data from VCs in China. To avoid the common method bias, this study collected data at two different times. The final sample included 96 virtual community members from seven communities (community size ranging from 10 to 25) of Baidu Tieba, which is the largest Chinese online communication platform. And this paper used regression models to analysis the data. Findings Based on social network theory, this paper found that virtual community members’ social embeddedness in their virtual community has a curvilinear (i.e. inverted U-shaped) effect on their community participation behaviors. And members’ perceived autonomy mediates the curvilinear (i.e. reversed U-shaped) relationship between social network embeddedness and community participation. Furthermore, member instability moderates the curvilinear (i.e. inverted U-shaped) main effect, such that the curvilinear relationship is weakened when member instability is high. Originality/value Departing from previous virtual community studies that examine antecedences of participation in linear logic, this study applied social network theory to create a complex, curvilinear, moderated mediation model. The result reveals a curvilinear (i.e. inverted U-shaped) relationship between virtual community members’ social embeddedness in the virtual community and their community participation. And this study also introduce autonomy as mediator and member instability as moderator. By testing the whole model between community members’ social embeddedness and community participation, this study contributes to deepen the understanding of social embeddedness and virtual community participation.

Factors affecting students’ information literacy self-efficacy

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 183-196, June 2019.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how computer self-efficacy (CSE), perceived information overload (IO) and the digital native perspective predict students’ information literacy (IL) self-efficacy. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted in Israel and comprised 117 students from the Information Science Department at Bar-Ilan University. Researchers used five questionnaires to gather personal details: a demographic questionnaire, the IL self-efficacy questionnaire, the CSE questionnaire, technology usage (TU) questionnaire and the perceived IO questionnaire. Findings The findings confirm that these variables significantly predict students’ IL self-efficacy. Originality/value Instructors and librarians should be familiar with the issue of individual differences, as well with the issue of students’ age. These factors may help them choose the most appropriate way when instructing IL skills to their students.

IoT-based real time intelligent routing for emergent crowd evacuation

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to take advantage of Internet of Things (IoT) for intelligent route programming of crowd emergency evacuation in metro station. It is a novel approach to ensure the crowd safety and reduce the casualties in the emergency context. An evacuation route programming model is constructed to select a suitable evacuation route and support the emergency decision maker of metro station. Design/methodology/approach The IoT technology is employed to collect and screen information, and to construct an expert decision model to support the metro station manager to make decision. As a feasible way to solve the multiple criteria decision-making problem, an improved multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) approach is introduced. Findings The case study indicates that the model provides valuable suggestions for evacuation route programming and offers practical support for the design of an evacuation route guidance system. Moreover, IoT plays an important role in the process of intelligent route programming of crowd emergency evacuation in metro station. A library has similar structure and crowd characteristics of a metro station, thus the intelligent route programming approach can be applied to the library crowd evacuation. Originality/value The highlights of this paper are listed as followings: the accuracy and accessibility of the metro station’s real-time information are improved by integrating IoT technology with the intelligent route programming of crowd emergency evacuation. An improved MABAC approach is introduced to the expert support model. It promotes the applicability and reliability of decision making for emergency evacuation route selection in metro station. It is a novel way to combine the decision-making methods with practice.

Establishing a maker culture beyond the makerspace

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 219-232, June 2019.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of fostering a maker culture in a liberal arts university. It explores the impact of making on student learning and engagement, as well as the role of the library’s maker program. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a case study that presents the tools and activities used in an academic library’s maker program. Structured interviews were conducted with faculty, staff and students to review the program and maker culture influence on campus. Findings Findings highlight the library’s role in supporting maker culture on a liberal arts campus and address ways making contributes to student engagement and learning. Interviewees also recommend strategies to increase awareness and market the library’s maker program to engage a wider community. Originality/value Though there are many articles written about the maker movement and libraries, this study contributes to the growing body of research on makerspaces in higher education, with particular focus on a library at a liberal arts university.

Intellectual structure and evolution patterns of archival information resource research in China

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 233-250, June 2019.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the leading topics and developmental trends of archival information resource research in China by visualizing the intellectual structure and evolution patterns of archival information resource research. Design/methodology/approach This study took China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) as the data source and extracted keywords from relevant articles in archival information resource research as the sample. First, the frequency and co-occurrence of keywords were calculated by using SCI2. Second, this study analyzed the co-word network indicators by using Pajek. Then, topic community detection was conducted by using a VOS viewer, as well as the visualization of intellectual structures. Next, this study developed a graphical mapping of the evolution of research topics over time by using Cortext. Findings The research topics of archival information resources in China were unbalanced but distinct. Researchers focus on the construction and utilization of archival information resource, which consist of five evident research directions. The phenomena of fusion and differentiation coexist in research topic evolution. There were both continuities of traditional research and innovations in emerging research. The archival information resource research tended to be systematized and extended, reflecting the vertical and horizontal extension of the research content. Originality/value Based on a large number of previous studies, this study adopted quantitative methods to reveal the intellectual structure and evolution patterns of archival information resource research in China, providing guidance for researchers and institutions to grasp research status and developmental trends.

“The screen shows movement – movement is interesting!” exploring effects of multimedia stories on preschool children’s story comprehension and enjoyment

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 168-182, June 2019.
Purpose Using multimedia and print storybooks, the purpose of this paper is to compare preschool children’s reading engagement with and without adult support. Design/methodology/approach A within-subject design is used to explore the effects of multimedia stories in supporting preschool children’s story comprehension and reading enjoyment. A total of 24 children aged five to six years old from a local preschool in Taiwan participated in the experiments. Findings A statistical analysis revealed the (non)differences in story comprehension between multimedia and print storybooks, with and without adult support. A content analysis revealed several important themes affecting children’s reading enjoyment. These included multimedia elements (particularly motion and sound effects), haptic perception and the pause function. Research limitations/implications Native Chinese speaking children participated in one-to-one sessions in Taiwan. To ascertain the generalizability of the findings presented in this study, further research is encouraged in other cultural contexts and settings. Practical implications The paper provides insights into how multimedia and interactive features affect and enhance children’s enjoyment. Recommendations are made to assist library professionals to incorporate digital media into children’s programs. Originality/value Children’s reading motivation and engagement are often linked with improved reading attainments. This study elicited a range of perspectives and themes relating to what the children themselves felt influenced their enjoyment when reading print or multimedia storybooks. Findings were analyzed in a theoretical framework of facets of engagement.

How to design innovative information services at the library?

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 138-154, June 2019.
Purpose The subject of the paper is innovative information services. The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential sources of innovation in library information services and point out how they can be used to improve the overall service quality. Design/methodology/approach In the first stage, literature analysis and critique was used to establish the state of research in the field of innovative solutions and select the main sources of innovation in services. Next, a systematic search of the subject literature and network resources was carried out according to the selected criteria to find the examples of innovative commercial services, particularly in the information sector. Findings Libraries, like all customer-oriented service organizations, must innovate and continually evolve to better meet the needs of their audience. It seems that in libraries, the basis of innovation and building a competitive advantage over other institutions may primarily be the thoughtful design of services in the spirit of the assumptions of the experience economy. Innovative ideas based on in-depth knowledge of user needs are less dependent on financial conditions and more on the creativity and enthusiasm of library staff. Research limitations/implications This paper is a conceptual work presenting the issue of innovation from the perspective adopted by the author. The paper does not aim to fulfill the subject but to show some interesting aspects of this issue and help initiate discussions on innovation in libraries from the perspective of phenomena present on the commercial information services market. This approach, which has not yet been adapted in library science, may show some new aspects and lead to new conclusions. This is a literature review type of paper that is not based on empirical research and it has not yet been tested in practice; however, the author believes that it can provide a valuable framework for designing and implementing innovative services in libraries. The presented process is a preliminary proposal that can and should be modified in the future based on further scientific reflection and examples of implementations in libraries. Practical implications The results can be widely used in practice as a framework for designing innovative services in libraries. The paper, based on subject literature, proposes a process of designing innovative information services that can and should be tested in practice. Social implications The paper can help initiate the debate on the need to implement innovative solutions in library services. Originality/value The issue of innovation in library services has not yet been widely discussed in library and information science journals from the perspective proposed by the author. This paper presents a specific approach to library innovation based on the observation of the certain phenomena on the commercial market, which opens the door to new reflections.

Information visualization skills for academic librarians

Library Hi Tech, Ahead of Print.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how scholars in the digital humanities employ information visualization techniques in their research, and how academic librarians should prepare themselves to support this emerging trend. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a content analysis methodology, which further draws techniques from data mining, natural language processing and information visualization to analyze three peer-reviewed journals published within the last five years and ten online university library research guides in this field. Findings To successfully support and effectively contribute to the digital humanities, academic librarians should be knowledgeable in more than just visualization concepts and tools. The content analysis results for the digital humanities journals reflect the importance of recognizing the wide variety of applications and purposes of information visualization in digital humanities research. Practical implications This study provides useful and actionable insights into how academic librarians can prepare for this emerging technology to support future endeavors in the digital humanities. Originality/value Although information visualization has been widely adopted in digital humanities research, it remains unclear how librarians, especially academic librarians who support digital humanities research, should prepare for this emerging technology. This research is the first study to address this research gap through the lens of actual applications of information visualization techniques in digital humanities research, which is compared against university LibGuides for digital humanities research.

Linked open data of bibliometric networks: analytics research for personalized library services

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 1, Page 2-7, March 2019.

Visualising and revitalising traditional Chinese martial arts

Library Hi Tech, Volume 37, Issue 2, Page 273-292, June 2019.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how the emergent 3D interactive media technologies are used as a viable tool for enhancing visitors’ overall experiences at an exhibition entitled, 300 Years of Hakka Kungfu – Digital Vision of Its Legacy and Future (Hakka Kungfu Exhibition) – presented and co-organized by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of Hong Kong, International Guoshu Association and the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey in both online and paper-based formats was used for identifying visitors’ experiences in the interactions with the multimedia technologies. For this research study, a questionnaire, consisting of 26 items, was set out to measure the visitors’ experiences at the Exhibition. Since the Exhibition was about presenting a centuries-old Chinese cultural heritage, Hakka Kungfu via the use multimedia technologies, in the context of establishing a dialogue between the past and present, the researchers included questionnaire items that were devoted to enquire about the level of understanding, knowledge and enjoyment, and visitors’ new knowledge about Hong Kong history and culture was successfully disseminated to the respondents at the end of the questionnaire. Findings A total of 209 completed questionnaires were collected at this Hakka Kungfu Exhibition. The findings reveal that the exhibits did attract people at all ages. This Exhibition gave the visitors a sense of interest and wonder in the object and information presented in the Exhibition. Findings of this study also reveal that this Exhibition has successfully attracted a large number of female visitors, as well as visitors who have never taken any martial arts training. In addition, visitors’ Exhibition experience was found to be memorable, as well as enjoyable. Furthermore, visitors’ experience within the Exhibition suggested that it was entertaining, as well as educational. By creating a long-lasting impact on the minds of these Exhibition visitors about the connections between and relevance of traditional Chinese Kungfu, their collective cultural identity, as well as the contemporary society we live in. The Exhibition exemplified the successful integration of the presentation of Kungfu as a form of cultural heritage with engagement-creating technology, in which technology is unobtrusive but effective. Originality/value Although it is already a global trend for the museums to integrate multimedia technologies into their exhibitions, research on the situation and feedback of multimedia technology used in the museum exhibitions in Hong Kong is scarce as well as scattered. Findings of this study could help identify various factors involved in audience participation, thereby exploring the possibility of building a contact point/space for traditional Chinese Kungfu as an intangible cultural heritage, via the integration of the latest media technologies. In particular, the development of multimedia technologies has become increasingly important to museums, and museum professionals have been exploring how digital and communication technologies can be developed to offer visitors a more interactive, personalized museum experience. In general, despite the growing interest in deploying digital technology as interpretation devices in museums and galleries, there are relatively few studies that examine how visitors, both alone and with others, use new technologies when exploring the museum contents.