Abstract: Statistics have proven that LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer) people constitute a relevant part of every community in the United States. This situation is also reflected at American universities. Although most administrators try to be inclusive in the services designed and offered by the university and respective organizations and associations on campus, it has been revealed in former studies that information providers off and on campus are often not able to meet the special information needs of the LGBTQ community. The research proved the general assumption that LGBTQ students can still be considered a consumer group chronically underserved by university libraries. Using a focus group and individual interviews with lesbian, gay, and bisexual undergraduate college students at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (UNCG), this research revealed several information gaps and barriers to information for LGBTQ students. Moreover, it became obvious that the information needs and the information seeking behavior of the interviewed LGBTQ college students are often ambivalent. On the one hand, there is a need for more accessibility and promotion of services, but, on the other hand, a strong desire for privacy and confidentiality exists, especially for younger students. The anxiety of possible disclosure and general library anxiety can turn into barriers to information for LGBTQ individuals. Although, phenomena like homophobia and heterosexism were not obvious at the UNCG campus, the enhancement of heterosexual privileges is still an issue for LGBTQ individuals, as they consider a lot of information as still being centered on the needs of the heterosexual majority. Basing on the research, the paper gives recommendations how information services for the LGBTQ community at UNCG could be improved using specialized displays, pathfinders, subject guides, specialized workshops, or interactive online tutorials. The paper also includes the description of a specific information product that was designed and developed for the LGBTQ community at UNCG based on the findings of the research.

Abstract: This paper reviews the benefits and challenges associated with ethnographic research in libraries and information settings, and provides both historical and recent examples of its application. Ethnographic research, designed to facilitate understanding the whole of different communities and groups, has long been a means of observing and documenting behaviors, customs, and cultures within social sciences such as anthropology and sociology. Information systems, information organizations and libraries happen to be environments where this type of observational and participatory research can go a long way in problem solving. Understanding users, the way they work, and the various challenges they face when trying to locate, retrieve and use information are all ways to improve service to the public, and each may be investigated through the use of ethnographic methods. This type of qualitative approach does not exclude the integration of quantitative analysis and is, in fact, strengthened by its addition.

Abstract: Is the full potential of public libraries and community centres, in combating poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities, acknowledged in South Africa and can a heightened awareness of their role as social institutions make a difference in this regard? In addressing these questions, the researcher defines social exclusion and identifies its characteristics. Poverty is also defined and its statistics are provided for South Africa. Sachs' (2005) concept of the role of 'public understanding' in poverty reduction strategies is considered in conjunction with the role of libraries in combating social exclusion. The research approach comprises a survey of the literature on attempts to address social exclusion. The results of a survey are presented, and identify specific, achievable, local instances of social exclusion initiatives from South Africa. The research is qualitative and uses a simple form of thematic analysis. The initiatives identified support the view that efforts at broad social inclusion are found in South African public libraries and community centres. While small scale in its reach, the work of public libraries and community centres is being directed at areas where the need is very great in terms of addressing poverty. In depth studies of the communities are needed to evaluate the projects and their level of success. Collaborative approaches, together with adequate funding from government are likely to succeed in fostering social inclusion in the longer term and libraries have the potential to be key role players. Ideas and practice about the development of such endeavours should be shared.

Abstract: Abstract This study examines the level of competitive intelligence practices undertaken by Malaysian publiclisted companies, and the relationship between competitive intelligence and firm performance. Data was collected from 123 companies across various industry categories. The study finds that competitive intelligence has been practiced at an early stage and in a moderate level among Malaysian companies. The top three intelligence sectors rated by the sampled companies are customers, competitors and the economy. Competitive intelligence is mostly used in making strategic decisions regarding capacity expansion, new product development, and strategic alliance. Competitive intelligence practice relates positively to firm performance. Companies with a formal versus informal competitive intelligence unit achieve higher firm performance as measured by organizational growth and profitability. The article includes implications and recommendations for future studies.

Abstract: This article focuses on the benefits of combining collaborative teaching and information literacy as a partnership between librarians and faculty members. It discusses how student learning is enhanced as a result of librarian and faculty member collaboration through the use of a three-stage pedagogical technique we call Dynamic Purposeful Learning (DPL). Through DPL, students learn information literacy, research skills, and other post-secondary critical skills. In order for students to benefit from a librarian and faculty collaborative approach, DPL is applied to a multi-stage sociological research methods assignment that includes students engaging in participant observation field research. The outcome of DLP is that students are assisted throughout all stages of the research process based on a partnership between the librarian and faculty member.

Abstract: The article describes an interpretive case study of a group of six dual use school community libraries in one remote region of South Africa. Its focus is rather more on the libraries as school libraries than public libraries. The recent government sponsored LIS Transformation Charter has placed a spotlight on the backlogs in school and public library provision. The case study, conducted in April 2009, investigates if dual or joint use libraries might help fill gaps and, if so, under what conditions. The article describes background, research questions, methodology, site and some of the findings. The study highlights the relationships among role-players, the realities of dual use functioning and the complex issue of librarian identity. The study concludes that, although many of the international criteria for dual use libraries are not met, the six libraries do provide a crucial service for their schools and other schools in the surrounding areas. And they offer a tantalising picture of the possibilities of dual use for rural information services. The article suggests that with more dynamic leadership these possibilities could be fulfilled.

Abstract: Information needs assessment is critical in developing and running relevant information services. This article explores the information needs and information-seeking patterns of the people living in communities surrounding telecentres. The research was based in four rural districts in Tanzania which have telecentres. These were Sengerema, Magu, Karagwe and Ngara districts. The research was done utilising the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) to determine how people or communities seek information concerning problem-solving, decision-making or question-answering situations. CIT was also used to determine the extent to which ICTs were used in seeking information. It was found that business and agricultural related information were the main information needs of the people in the communities involved in this study, however this information was rarely provided by the telecentres. The study further found out that face-to-face communication and the radio were the major sources of information that the respondents used. This study recommends that management of the telecentres should regularly assess user information needs in order for telecentres to have an impact on rural communities.

Abstract: Ned Herrmann and Ann Herrmann-Nehdi of Herrmann International was sponsoring the HBDI research projects at the University of Pretoria

Abstract: The public library system of Singapore has taken an interest in developing programs for the elderly, an increasing component of the nation’s aging population. One of these programs involves the establishment of reading clubs. This article reports on a qualitative study of one of these clubs, the Seniors’ (Chinese) Reading Club. Club members were asked to describe their reading behaviour, how they learned about the club, why they decided to join, what they felt they gained from the club, and why more elderly people did not participate. Three themes emerge from the responses: an instrumental view of reading or, in other words, a notion that reading is done for utilitarian purposes rather than intrinsic enjoyment; gender issues, in so far as club membership appears to have created a public space for elderly women, but not men; and social exclusion in that word of mouth is the main way that people learn about the club, and that its members appeared to be from a specific socio-economic group.

Abstract: Abstract Today's life is not insulated from different kinds of “change.” Change is also experienced in organizations as a somehow daily process. Academic libraries are organizations which need to be active in confrontation with “change” because of their essential role in education and research. These libraries could be more successful in meeting users' information needs, if they manage change in a planned manner. In this regard, Iranian academic libraries are not exceptional. They are faced with pressures from their internal and external environments, which make it essential for them to respond and implement necessary changes. In order to assist these libraries in overcoming challenges stemming from change and improving the change management capacity in libraries, this article aims to select an appropriate change management model for Iranian academic libraries. After reviewing the literature, finding and selecting basic change models including Kotter's Change Model, Penfold's Information Services Framework for Managing Change, and Curzon's Cycle of Change, a research questionnaire was designed and answered by a group of experts using the consensus method. The results were analyzed by Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) techniques including Technique for Order- Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Simple Additive Weighting Method (SAWM). Penfold's Information Services Framework for Managing Change received the highest scores from the application of both techniques. It is concluded that Penfold's Information Services Framework for Managing Change could be applied as an appropriate change model in the context of Iranian academic libraries.

Abstract: Digital reference service (DRS) has its origin in the early 1980s and as subsequently become a ubiquitous feature of the twenty-first century library. With approximately 50% of academic libraries in the United States of America providing digital reference service, this case study examined the service offered at the Syracuse University. The paper seeks to present the findings of an exploratory research that was undertaken during the period October to December 2009. The objectives of the study were to identify the various models of DRS, determine the issues that librarians need to consider when offering DRS and to analyze the students' perceptions of the service at Syracuse University. An online survey was administered to the students at the School of Information to determine their perception of the service provided by the Bird Library and its implications for libraries in Jamaica. A total of 53 respondents participated. The results showed that DRS augments the traditional reference service and that students believe that DRS enhances their learning. The results have implications for those libraries in Jamaica considering implementing such an initiative.

Abstract: Abstrac t This study presents partial results from an ongoing doctoral research project. It explores the current status of familiarity and experience with Open Access (OA) among medical researchers in Iran. As a developing country, Iran has been involved in the OA movement via publishing several OA journals, but there are few research studies that indicate the perspectives of Iranian medical researchers with regards to OA. Data has been collected by using questionnaires, and the respondents are 367 clinical and basic science academic staff of medical schools at public medical universities. The results of this survey indicate that in nearly all 13 categories of terms, initiatives, and services of OA, more than half of the respondents are unfamiliar. Only half of the researchers have publishing experience with OA journals. The respondents familiar with OA have more publishing practice than those who are unfamiliar with it. This research is among the earliest studies investigating OA in Iran.

Abstract: Today’s online experience has literally added a new dimension to our information seeking activities, presenting users with a vast array of options. A considerable amount of information has migrated from the print world and is now available electronically. Thus, a lot of people immediately associate the World Wide Web (WWW) with information and its related activities. This association partly prompted this study of the Web-based information-seeking behaviour of students and staff at the University of Zululand (rural based) and the Durban University of Technology (urban based). The selected institutions were assumed to be at different levels of development because of the country’s history and the institutions’ locations. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed in a survey. The main research instrument was a questionnaire, supported by limited interviews. The results show that the Web is a platform that people in academia have come to rely on, although only a few of its many channels are used significantly. A number of challenges were identified, chief among them being connectivity problems. Bandwidth was particularly problematic and made worse by the two institutions’ large student populations. Relevant infrastructure (computer laboratories, computers, etc.) seemed available, although inadequate. The study recommends comprehensive training programs that address the skills’ deficiencies noted. It is also necessary to institute mechanisms that improve both physical and intellectual access to Web resources.

Abstract: Equality of access for all has been a core value of librarianship from Dewey (Wiegand 1996) through Ranganathan (1931) to Gorman (2000) and has been put into practice by librarians by making their libraries as inclusive as possible in their communities. This article is a re-examination of this ethos in the context of a contemporary global society beset by myriad inequalities that uses China as a case study. Regional and urban-rural economic data is presented and compared with regional library funding, collection size, new collections, and floor space data in order to examine the extent of inequality and its impact on service provision. Recent governmental policy responses are then outlined and commented on in relation to equality of access, and the responses of the library profession within China are investigated and their effectiveness evaluated. The article then concludes that while equality of access is firmly enshrined in the manifestos and statutes of library services worldwide, true implementation of it requires much more than a simple call to include everyone in a community. This paper argues that the profession needs to be more proactive in promoting true equal access within such an unequal social context.

Abstract: This research investigates the historical developments and trends in school library use in Japan's elementary schools. Japan has a centralized curriculum administration. Thus, the curriculum for a given subject activity takes its reference hierarchically ― first national, then local before finally, school-based curriculum standards. These curriculum standards are designed to ensure the equity of education. This study reviews Japan's national curriculum standards (The Course of Study) as an important tool for gaining a general understanding of how school libraries have been defined and utilized in the Japanese situation. The National Curriculum Standards has been reformed eight times since 1947, and eight reforms are analyzed in this study. The specifications for school libraries have evolved progressively in the National Curriculum Standards. The content and frequency of the specifications has changed corresponding to the 20-year-cycle changes to curriculum. Recent reforms especially highlight school library usage. The role of the school library has expanded historically since it was initially taken as a basic facility of school in the first national curriculum. Since then, it has been additionally identified as an instructional resource centre, reading centre, and learning centre for information literacy. Japan has, at some level, managed to achieve the physical elements of the library as a reading centre: facility, equipment, collection, etc. However, other elements, especially staffing and the administration system, remain to be realized and integrated into the curriculum. The school library is deeply imbedded in contemporary education, but further progress is required to support changing education.

Abstract: This paper addresses the changes in the role of librarians as information intermediaries due to the introduction of new forms of digital content brought about by modern information and communication technologies. The main focus is on the way in which these changes have affected the moral responsibilities of librarians. Six content trends are identified in support of this claim. These are: the growth in volume; amount of noise; sharing of content and information participation; personal space; collaboration and naive use. The ethical challenges of these six trends are discussed. Because of the unpredictability and uncontrollability of contemporary digital content, a case is made that the traditional model of retrospective responsibility, according to which responsibility is assigned based on causality, should be supplemented with a positive prospective model of responsibility according to which librarians also need to look 'forward' anticipating possible harmful impacts of modern ICTs. It is also argued, based on the open and interactive nature of new forms of content, that there should be a form of shared and distributed responsibility, which should include not only librarians, but also Internet service providers, library users, and software designers.

Abstract: At present there is no general state-level information literacy strategy in Latvia to meet the needs of the society. Because of this problem, the main objectives of this case study are as follows: 1) to characterize the indicators of information literacy skills in the society of Latvia; 2) to examine the system of information literacy education in Latvia; 3) to observe the best international practice in information literacy education and to indicate the directions of national development. This case study includes recommendations for further development of a national information literacy education system. The research supports the elaboration of a state-level strategy in information literacy, coordinating all institutions involved.

Abstract: In this paper we report the results of an offline survey of the information needs of members of the Israeli public about public and governmental services and entitlements. This survey was conducted as part of a research project on public use of online information: usage analysis of the Israeli Citizens Advice Bureau (SHIL) on the Web. The questionnaire was distributed in public places to a random selection of 437 Israeli citizens aged 18 and above, in the second half of 2008. Research assistants handed out the questionnaires and the participants filled in the surveys on the spot. If necessary the assistants provided help in the process. The questionnaire included questions on the information needs and major sources of information for fulfilling these needs. The respondents were mainly concerned about health, transportation and education related issues, but work relations were also of primary concern. The preferred sources of information were family and friends, followed by the Internet. There was very low awareness to the Israeli Citizen Advice Bureau – SHIL, that maintains physical offices throughout the country, telephone hotlines and an extensive Web site, and its aim is to provide citizen-related information. An interesting question that can be addressed in future research is the fact that while the SHIL service is relatively unpopular in Israel, respective Citizen Advice Bureaux (CABx) have much higher visibility and popularity in other countries. What are the dimensions of similarity and difference in the service and the populations served that might account for this difference?

Abstract: Dance is an ephemeral art in that it is primarily a visual and auditory medium that occurs in real-time within a performance. However, there is a wealth of extant primary sources in both print and non-print formats that are steadily being collected, stored and preserved in archives dedicated to the discipline of dance around the world in an attempt to provide some permanence to that ephemerality. There has been a growing movement over the past few decades to document materials belonging to this discipline, chiefly in the modern dance and ballet arenas; these movements sprang up not only to preserve the historical and organizational aspects for both posterity and the educational benefit of others inside and outside of the discipline, but also to capture the art form's essence and spirit. An examination of several dance archives and special collections in Great Britain, Australia, and America, as well as dance repository-related articles demonstrates how these small but thriving collections are capturing the essence of dance through typical archival activities such as acquisitions, processing, preservation, and providing access while dealing with the same logistical and budgetary limitations that archives of more general size and scope face. Information gleaned from this paper may be of use to researchers interested in the organizational, acquisition, collection development and preservation activities of such archives, as well as a general modern history of ballet and modern dance archives.

Abstract: This paper analyses the level of development of the information portals of the ten Indian educational Institutes with the largest traffic. The sample of ten institutional portals with the largest traffic was selected according to the figures provided by Alexa Web Information Company and the Webometrics organisation. The information portals of the Institutes were analysed to determine their level of development according to a set of quality indicators. The twenty-one indicators were divided into five main sections: general features, information features, navigation, search system and other features. The analysis was carried out from February to April 2010. The level of development of the information portals was not homogeneous. Of the portals studied, four showed a medium-high level of development; four showed a medium-low level of development; and two showed a low level of development. The indicators may also be useful for analysing the situation in other countries.

Abstract: There are a number of different ways in which it may be verified that a user at a computer attached to the internet may be certified as being entitled to use an electronic resource (usually one that has to be paid for) held on a server elsewhere on the internet. Authentication by Internet Protocol is appropriate when the user is in a fixed environment but to enable a user to have wider access other mechanisms are needed, the most universally applicable being authentication relying on the information provided by an access management federation using Shibboleth. Shibboleth is a standard-based, open source software package for web single sign-on across or within organizational boundaries. It allows sites to make informed authorization decisions for individual access of protected online resources in a privacy-preserving manner. The requirements for the security of the solution particularly regarding the intellectual property rights of the owners of the data are discussed. Various possible solutions are outlined based on those in use in the UK Federation, the US InCommon system, the Swiss SWITCHaai, and the Australian Access Federation. The framework and development leading to the implementation of the Taiwan Access Management Federation (TAMF) primarily follow the SWITCHaai and to a lesser extent the other three Federations. The history, management structure, software used and the organization participants in the four federations that TAMF follows are discussed. The progress of TMAF is described as well. It is hoped that this could serve as a model for federations around the world.

Abstract: This article provides a systematic analysis of the challenges of managing agricultural indigenous knowledge (IK), and accessing external knowledge in the rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect primary data from 181 smallscale farmers in the six districts of Tanzania. The findings indicated that farmers faced various challenges in managing their IK, and accessing external knowledge, which ranged from personal and social barriers, to factors in the external environment such as infrastructure, policy, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and weak linkages between research, extension services and farmers. Farmers also faced challenges when using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to manage their knowledge, such as personal, socio-cultural, infrastructural, technical, and economic factors. It is thus important for the government to improve access to extension services, review the IPR system, enhance rural electrification, telecommunications and roads infrastructure. Further, the knowledge providers (i.e. agricultural extension officers, researchers, educators, libraries, non governmental organisations, civil society, and other agricultural actors) should nurture a knowledge sharing culture. Farmers need to be assisted and trained to document their knowledge, map communities’ IK bearers and innovators, use multiple formats (print and ICTs) with traditional communication channels (for instance, folklore and apprenticeships) specific to a local context to disseminate knowledge. Participatory approaches should be employed in knowledge production and dissemination in order to include farmers’ needs and expressing knowledge in the resulting technologies, practices and new knowledge. In this way linkages between indigenous and external knowledge would be enhanced for improved farming activities in the local communities.

Abstract: In the recent years, audiovisual heritage has been increasingly recognized as a vital resource for political, historical and social research. In several countries audiovisual material, i.e. film, video and audio, have gained full recognition as part of their cultural heritage. The article is based on a MLIS thesis at the University of Iceland that researched the historical development and present situation of ten Icelandic audiovisual archives and collections preserving unique audiovisual material. Case study and qualitative research methods were used. A literature review was supplemented by original data collected by conducting interviews with the staff of ten audiovisual collections. The article gives an overview of these collections and their present situation in terms of preservation, digitization, collection size, storage conditions, cataloguing and staff. An attempt is made to seek an understanding of the extent to which the authorities have recognized audiovisual documents as part of Icelandic cultural heritage. Icelandic cultural policies have evolved in a text-orientated environment, the roots of which lie in a literary tradition of more than 700 years, most prominently represented by the Icelandic Sagas. As a result, the Icelandic audiovisual heritage has received limited attention from the authorities. Iceland has no national audiovisual archive. The Archive of the National Broadcasting Service RUV could well be considered one because of the range and size of its collection, but it lacks the necessary official acknowledgement and legal status. The collections studied appeared to be in a relatively good condition, but insufficient awareness of the needs of audiovisual preservation threatens to leave the collections outside the mainstream of digitization of cultural heritage.