Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. Ron Blazek, Florida State University, School of Information Studies. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Mar. 11, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Poster presentation from the Living the Future 8 Conference, April 23-24, 2012, University of Arizona Libraries, Tucson, AZ. / Since 2000 the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW) has provided financial support, training, and leadership development to over 150 master of library and information science (MLIS) students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups. Recent iterations of this Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) and ARL-member funded program have focused on recruitment of students with academic backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This poster will highlight program successes with respect to outputs, long-term impact on the LIS profession, and the perceived effect on career tracks of program participants.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1990. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [136]-148).

Na realização desta pesquisa estudou-se as habilidades de pesquisa jurídica no contexto da competência informacional jurídica cujo objetivo foi o de identificar e analisar, no contexto da competência informacional jurídica, as habilidades de pesquisa jurídica dos operadores do direito, especificamente analisar a percepção desse profissionais no que se refere a sua pratica cotidiana de acesso e uso da informação para sanar as necessidades informacionais decorrentes de fazre jurídico destes. O espaço de investigação foi a Procuradoria Regional do Trabalho 5ª Região (PRT5), sendo o universo constituído por Membros do MPT na Bahia (Procuradores do Trabalho e Procuradores Regionais do Trabalho) e por Analistas Processuais em exercício na PRT5. Desse quantitativo foi delineada a amostra composta por 24 participantes da referida Procuradoria. A metodologia adotada foi a pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, combinando as abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas. O instrumento da coleta de dados foi um questionário semi-estruturado, com questões objetivas e abertas, aplicado por e-mail, utilizando o software EnqueteFacil.com. Os dados foram organizados por categorias temáticas embasadas nos cinco padrões de competência informacional da ACRL, complementados pelos Padrões LSIL e pelos princípios de competência em pesquisa da AALL. Os resultados apontaram que quanto à categoria habilidades de pesquisa e fontes de informação os operadores jurídicos investigados são plenamente capazes de compreender e explorar as fontes necessárias para seu fazer jurídico, mas, conhecem poucos os recursos que propiciem melhores resultados no seu percurso investigativo; na categoria acesso e busca da informação, dentre as fontes utilizadas pelos investigados, a internet é a de maior preferência, que a biblioteca e as oriundas de recomendações de professores de direito e do bibliotecário inspirem um grau de confiança relevante, mas mostram pouca familiaridade quanto ao uso dos comandos tipo operadores booleanos, truncagem etc.; na categoria avaliação crítica da informação e suas fontes, o conhecimento preexistente sobre a temática investigada favorece o processo de seleção das informações por eles recuperadas, mas apesar de compreender bem a informação recuperada, não é habitual o uso de resumos e palavras-chave como recurso para selecionar e avaliar a informação. Sabem avaliar as fontes de informação jurídica com segurança, mas inexplicavelmente não utilizam artigos científicos; na categoria utilização da informação com propósitos específicos ficou constatada uma razoável produção de conhecimento, especialmente por aqueles que detêm o titulo de mestre. Consideram a iniciação científica importante; na categoria uso ético e legal da informação os operadores jurídicos têm plena consciência do que é plagio, mas carecem de práticas de citação; na categoria os operadores do direito e a competência informacional, a atitude dos os respondentes é de bom nível de confortabilidade nas habilidades para acessar, utilizar e avaliar informações a partir de uma variedade de fontes, para diversos fins, como um aprendizado para toda a vida. Os resultados mostraram que esses profissionais são detentores da maioria das habilidades relacionadas à competência informacional. Conclui-se, portanto, que os objetivos da pesquisa foram atingidos.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the relationship between the socially constructed genders is manifested in American library science. To visualize gender, bibliometric analyses of peer reviewed articles published in three core journals of library science between 1980 and 2000 inclusive, are performed. The three journals are: College & Research Libraries, Journal of Academic Librarianship and Library Quarterly.Questions:1. Does gender affect the publishing process regarding the distribution of female and male authors?2. Does gender influence female and male authors' choice of references?3. Does gender affect the share of citations received by works of women and men respectively?4. Does gender influence collaboration regarding the distribution of co-authoring female and male authors?The bibliometric analyses indicate differences between the shares of female and male authors, as well asdifferences in the attention women and men give to and receive from other female and male authors respectively. It is assumed that there exists a gender contract (an implicit agreement of how men and women are expected to behave towards each other) which is renegotiated during the period of time of this study, seemingly to the benefit of female authors as they are given a larger space in publishing. But concerning citations there is a delay in regard to male authors' tendency to cite works by women. This might indicate that the importance of gender has not diminished but become more subtle and complex. The conclusion is that gender indeed influences publishing, referencing, citation and collaboration processes of library science.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the benefit of information literacy instruction in two student groups at Kristianstad University, in relation to development of critical information literacy and within the boundaries of the educational goals. This study takes on a critical information literacy perspective that combines critical pedagogy and standards for information literacy in higher education. Two methods have been used for data collection: interviews and questionnaires. According to the results of the study the information literacy instruction provided by the Kristianstad University Library is important and useful for the students in their academic studies. It also becomes clear that the information literacy differs between the two groups as a consequence of the varying information literacy instruction received by the two groups. Based on these results recommendations are made on how the information literacy instruction can be elaborated upon to secure development of a higher degree of critical consciousness in students and to ascertain equal conditions for different student groups. The findings of this study are not only valuable for those immediately affected, it can also be useful for others involved in higher education. Further research within this area is important for the development of critical information literacy and information litracy instruction in higher education.

This article, written by Glenn Drexhage, Communications Officer – UBC Library/Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, appeared in the BCLA Browser: Linking the Library Landscape online newsletter (vol.1, no.3 2009). BCLA Browser website: http://bclabrowser.ca.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / The study examines job satisfaction among research librarians in selected research libraries situated in the Western Cape region. Many studies worldwide have been done on job satisfaction in various subject fields including librarianship. The theoretical framework for this study refers however only on the Job Characteristics Model (JCM) (1976) of Hackman and Oldham. The reason why this model was chosen was because this model was the most appropriate model given the nature of the study, even though there are other models available. A brief overview of the other theoretical models namely; Maslow's (1943) hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's (1954) two factor theory of motivation are discussed as a starting point of this research study. Research librarians work under stressful conditions given the need to produce successful end results.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of information technology (IT) and strategies which academic and research libraries in Tanzania can adopt in order to facilitate the sustainability of information technology which has been acquired through external donor assistance. The motivation for undertaking the study emanated from the researcher's long working experience of twelve years in a university library. Through this experience it has been observed that many of the donor-funded or supported information projects like the introduction of information technology in libraries, thrive well and offer good information services when donor support is still available. However, once the donor project or donor support comes to an end very few of these have been able to continue delivering the intended information services and products. What this implies, is that very little is known by both donors and recipient libraries alike about factors or strategies which can affect the future sustainability of such donor-funded information projects in libraries. The study assumed that if information technology is effectively sustained it would reduce the vulnerable dependence of libraries on donor funding and support, and in turn facilitate effective local planning and development of the technology and related information services which responded to the needs of the library clientele. Eighteen libraries possessing and using some form of information technology were studied. The survey research method comprised the questionnaire; interview schedule and observation through visits as data and information gathering instruments was used in the investigation. Its selection was determined by the under-researched nature of the problem. Data and information generated by the instruments was content analyzed and formally presented by the use of descriptive statistics. The major findings of the study revealed that despite donor support to libraries, the status of information technology reflected early stages of its introduction in almost all the libraries. No all-round IT infrastructural development existed. Shortages or non-availability of various IT equipment and accessories resulted in differences in the quantity of the technology possessed by each of the libraries studied. Consequently, effective use of the technology was hampered by the scarcity or inadequate availability of the equipment and accessories as well as limited IT skills, knowledge and competence among library staff. While all the libraries indicated that they had great needs for IT training, the levels at which it was required differed from one institution to another. As a result, not many of the IT-related information needs were currently being satisfied. The findings also reflected positive concurrence on the feasibility of IT sustainability by the libraries. Most of the libraries agreed that despite being under-resourced, the sustainability of information technology based upon own library resources could be feasible provided all or most of the proposed sustainability strategies were effectively and concurrently implemented by the libraries. Proposed sustainability strategies have been presented in the study. These could be conceived within three broad categories namely, strategies related to: the need for adequate resource-generation, formulation of IT policy informed by effective IT planning and management practices, and the enhancement of the role and value of information and related services as vital elements for its adequate support. All these strategies affect library parent organization managements, library managements and professionals as well as donors of the technology. The study concludes that libraries need to become more involved in charting out the required direction of IT development which would ensure the availability of adequate and appropriate technology in response to user needs and its effective sustainability. This would involve improvement of the status of IT; formulation and actual implementation of IT policies and planning; the need for continuous assessment of user needs, and effecting continuous IT education and training in libraries. The recommendations and areas for further research put forward by the study were based on the implications reflected by the study findings. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998

(in English) This thesis deals with the issue of information support of science and research development in Italy through information systems and library networks. The introductory chapter deals with several questions concerning the Italian academic environment and its relation to research and coordination of information. The second chapter introduces the current situation of Italian libraries, the library structures, legislation elements and mainly focuses on the institutions managing the libraries. The third chapter is devoted to science and research in Italy. The thesis also describes the current situation comparing it to other European countries. The emphasis is on major research institutions, support organizations and ministries. Followed by the explanation of funding and assessment of research institutions. The fourth chapter deals with the support of research in the area of Tuscany. The three largest universities of this region are analyzed - University of Florence, Pisa and Siena. After a description of these institutions, the thesis looks closely at their library networks, research activities and support. The conclusion summarizes the information obtained and answers the questions formulated in the introduction of this thesis.