Modern State of the System of Information Provision of Agriculture in the Republic of Belarus

ABSTRACT

Formed in the former USSR, the system of scientific and technical information on agriculture and adjacent branches ceased to fulfil the tasks that had been set to it. Belarus Agricultural Library (BelAL) started the realization of the project of the existing system reformation. As a result of BelAL efforts nearly 80% of agricultural libraries are automated; Belarusian users got access to the international AGRIS, AGRICOLA, AGROS, CAB Abstracts, CARIS, FAOSTAT and other databases. BelAL users got the opportunity to order any document from any country of the world by international interlibrary loan within the frames of AGLINET. Belarusian information was included into international information systems AGRIS, AGRICOLA, AGROS, CABI and others. BelAL electronic catalogue and reference information presenting data on agricultural management, science, education and non-governmental organizations became accessible via the Internet. In spite of economic crisis, the process of reformation of the scientific and technical system of Belarusian agriculture still continues.     

Promise,Perils, and Planning

Summary

The promising future of new and better information services supported by the use of information technologies is well documented. Many journal articles describe successful experiences with better reference and instructional services, new services to new kinds of students who are engaged in distant independent learning or other non-traditional education, and better communication with library users. However, there are many perils on the way to delivering such improvements with the use of new finding tools, new software, new printing systems, and new telecommunication networks. An administrative overview of the sorts of planning which can smooth the implementation of information technology-based reference and instructional services outlines options for staffing, troubleshooting, fund raising, and budget development. Planning takes time and effort, collaboration and creativity. With appropriate emphasis on planning, the promise of implementing improvements in quality of services through information technologies can and should become a reality.     

Content analysis of selective dissemination of information service (SDI) adoption by academics: The experience at redeemer’s university

ABSTRACT

The increase in information explosion has left information users with the option of adopting the best means to access and make ethical use of the right information. The role information plays in the society cannot be overemphasized. Information is required for individual, institution and societal development. Hence, efforts must be expended to acquire the right information in a world where information is being produced exponentially with almost no control. Accessing the right information is vital for any form of development hence the academic libraries’ role in ensuring an effective delivery of the right information to their users. Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) service is one of the means through which libraries achieve this. The study investigates SDI service adoption and use by academics at Redeemer’s University, Nigeria. Statistics kept in the Reference Unit of the library were used to elicit information used for analysis. Sixty-sis (66) out of a total of 135 academics working in the institution at the time the statistics were taken were used for analysis. The study reveals that majority of the academics who sought SDI service were staff of the college of Management Sciences. The study reveals that majority of the academics sought SDI service for the purpose of research. Comments of users from records kept in the unit shows that users’ information needs were adequately satisfied. Users’ comments also reveal areas of improvement on the service. Recommendations geared towards the improvement of SDI service in the university library were given based on the conclusion drawn.     

Modeling the Users of Information Systems

Summary

Understanding user needs and the ways in which users utilize information systems is important since it can help us in developing and designing more effective and efficient information systems. This paper examines some of the theories that have evolved to explain what kind of mental processes are required for the use of information systems. Research on users of information systems is categorized into two basic groups (system-oriented vs. user-oriented studies), and reviewed. A sample of methodologies used for examining users and their information seeking behavior is then introduced and described. Finally, implications of these theories and methods for librarians and information specialists are discussed.     

The Effect of Web Search Result Display on Users’ Perceptual Experience and Information Seeking Performance

ABSTRACT

Adding multiple sources of information in the display of Web search results may negatively affect users’ perceptual experience and information-seeking behavior. This claim was established by investigating the impact of different Web search compositions on users’ ability to extract specific information. In this article, we assumed that the quantity and order of different compositions (areas) in the Web search results page may contribute to individual’s ability to find information relevant to their search queries. An eye-tracking device was used to observe and compare the perceptual behavior of 14 users in an information-seeking task. The results showed that the use of different compositions in the display of Web results page significantly influenced users’ perceptual experience by reducing their attention to the organic results area. The quantity of these compositions was found to greatly increase the cognitive load of users when attempting to retrieve information from the organic area, which negatively affects their information-seeking performance. Our finding provides a rationale for further studies to consider the impact of quantity and order of Web page compositions on individuals’ perceptual attention and cognitive load in information-seeking task settings.     

Making the Right Assumptions

Summary

Reference librarians often make incorrect assumptions about the library knowledge of their users. These assumptions can impede the reference interview and influence the outcome of the reference transaction. This article examines seven misconceptions about users and discusses how librarians can correct them to better understand their public and improve reference service. The misconceptions discussed involve users: stating their actual information needs, knowing what sources to use, understanding library arrangement and jargon, communicating with librarians, and caring about competency.     

Chat It Up! Extending Reference Services to Assist Off-Campus Students

Abstract

A virtual reference service is likely to attract both on-campus and off-campus students and providing one service for all users can extend the hours of availability to all students. The needs of these two student populations may differ and off-campus users may present some specific challenges to the reference staff. While some libraries do have a specified distance education librarian, it is unlikely at many institutions that there will be reference staff dedicated only to answering questions from off-campus students. Reference services for off-campus students do present special issues about which general reference staff may not be aware. With awareness of these challenges and proper training, an existing virtual reference service can be extended (or improved) to help off-campus students, or a new chat service can be developed with the objective to assist all user groups with equal success.     

Information Literacy Programs

Summary

With the rapid advances in information technology, the proliferation of information resources and formats, and the increasing complexities of access and evaluation, libraries recognize the necessity for a dynamic information literacy program that will address the needs of all categories of users. University faculty constitute one group of users to which the systemic college library increasingly endeavors to extend and market its services and programs, including its information literacy training workshops. A consideration of this library/classroom faculty relationship in the context of the adult education literature, as well as successful models that have been employed in this effort, provide insight on ways in which the library can successfully accomplish its information literacy training objectives among this group.     

Richness vs. Reach

Summary

The ability of reference librarians to bring library services into new electronic arenas has been constrained by the inherent conflict within traditional approaches between the reach (number of users that can be served) and the richness (complexity) of its services. Increased use of information technology has brought with it increases in traffic at the reference desk without increases in staffing. Through the application of information technology used in electronic commerce and available on the Internet, libraries may be able to offer customizable electronic reference services to their users that increase both the richness of these services and the number of persons who benefit from them.     

Reference Assistance to Remote Users

Abstract

This article identifies and discusses the particular information needs of the growing community of remote users of academic libraries. In addressing the practical considerations of providing reference assistance to this group, the authors concentrate on telephone and e-mail reference, the use of video technology and the World Wide Web. The article also discusses the importance of having a dedicated distance education librarian to ensure that the needs of remote library users are given high priority.     

Evaluating Virtual Reference from the Users’ Perspective

Abstract

This article discusses the evaluation of virtual reference services from the user perspective. It is one outcome of a long-term research project, The Library Visit Study, which has been conducted in three phases at the University of Western Ontario for more than a decade. These studies have identified the need for, and essential components of, reference interviews and good reference behaviors. The third phase of this research focuses on the factors that make a difference to the users’ satisfaction with their virtual reference experience and whether these are the same or different from the ones we identified as important in face-to-face reference. An examination of user accounts of virtual reference transactions indicates that the reference interview has almost disappeared. Among the reasons identified for staff failure to conduct reference interviews in the virtual environment are: the nature of written vs. spoken interaction; the librarian's perceived need to respond quickly in this environment; and the rudimentary nature of the forms used in e-mail reference. The article includes a list of behaviors that users identified as either helpful or unhelpful and concludes with some implications of the research for good virtual reference service.     

Multilingual Information Access (MLIA) Tools on Google and WorldCat: Bi/Multilingual University Students’ Experience and Perceptions

Abstract

This article reports on the results of an exploratory user-centered study that examined how technological advancements in natural language processing (NLP) such as the availability of multilingual information access (MLIA) tools impact the information searching behavior of bi/multilingual academic users. Thirty-one bi/multilingual students participated in a controlled lab-based user experiment in which they carried out two assigned tasks each on Google and WorldCat for a total of four tasks, and then completed a post experiment questionnaire. The captures from the experiment showed 86.7% of the participants using multilingual information access tools. Further analyses of the captures also showed that participants were more likely to use MLIA tools when the instructions for the task were stated in their native language. An independent samples t-test revealed that participants spent less time on their searches when they used MLIA tools. The study revealed considerable diversity in the information searching behavior of the participants, even within the same pair of languages, and even for the same user. Diversity was noted for instance, on which tasks MLIA tools were used and in how these tools were used. User-centered designed, personalized multilingual information retrieval (PMLIR) models could hold promise for best representing the information searching behavior of bi/multilingual users.     

An Information Needs Assessment of School Nurses in a Metropolitan County

ABSTRACT

School nurses are an integral though often underserved population within the health care and education professions. To develop an effective outreach program for this group, an academic health sciences library conducted an information needs assessment of public school nurses in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. An online survey collected perceptions regarding information needs and behaviors, and a focus group session further explored the survey results. The assessment revealed that school nurses frequently require specific types of information to perform their responsibilities and face challenges accessing and integrating research into their daily practice. This article presents the implications and results of this assessment.     

Electronic Government Information Dissemination

SUMMARY

The federal government, “the largest single producer, consumer, collector, and disseminator of information in the United States,”¹ has begun to disseminate most of that information electronically. Legislation and more economic production and dissemination of government information have produced changes in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and federal agency dissemination. This chapter examines the dissemination of electronic government information from the Government Printing Office (GPO) through the FDLP and executive branch agencies and discusses the impact that this has on users, libraries, and government information specialists.     

Still Desperately Seeking Citations: Undergraduate Research in the Age of Web-Scale Discovery

ABSTRACT

Web-scale discovery services promise fast, easy searching from a single Google-like box, pleasing users and making library resources more discoverable. Some librarians embrace the concept of giving users what they have come to expect from Google, while others are concerned that this will “dumb down” searching and undermine information literacy. In this article we explore the potential impact of Web-scale discovery tools on information literacy, focusing particularly on undergraduate research skills. We review the existing literature and present findings and experiences from two mid-sized academic libraries that have adopted EBSCO Discovery Service as their library home page portal.     

Low-Effort Information Searching: The Heuristic Information-Seeking Toolkit

ABSTRACT

How do academic library users search for scholarly information? While there are many possible ways, research from several scholarly fields offers a useful perspective; studies from social psychology, economics, and library and information science suggest that users will often favor “low-effort” information-seeking approaches. Though many academic librarians undoubtedly advocate efficient information-seeking strategies, we argue that development of a more systematic and coordinated low-effort approach would be beneficial. Accordingly, this article offers an organized “toolkit” of low-effort information-seeking strategies suitable for self-use by library patrons or inclusion in library instruction programs.     

The Evolution of the Reference Interview

SUMMARY

While the reference interview remains the vehicle whereby librarians are able to understand the information needs of users in order to assist them, the ways in which the reference interview is conducted have changed with time and technology. This chapter provides a brief history of the evolution of the reference interview, from the face-to-face transaction to the current trends of e-mail and chat software mediated reference interviews, and examines application of these current trends in virtual reference services. While the methods of conducting the reference interview have certainly changed, the ultimate goal of meeting the information needs of the user remains constant.