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This case study investigates how teachers’ and school librarians’ attitudes towards L2 reading in years 1-4, as well as their perceived book access and teacher-library collaboration, influence the use and reading of English children’s literature in two Swedish primary schools. This study is motivated by the importance the English language has in Sweden for higher education, the previous research proving powerful language benefits of extensive L2 reading, as well as the recent proposition to strengthen the school library’s role in Sweden. The data collected through qualitative, semi-structured interviews suggests that the participants’ attitudes affect book access, teacher-library collaboration and finally the pupils’ reading of English children’s literature at school. The results show that a confident and positive attitude towards early L2 reading appears to result in more reading, whereas more hesitant attitudes result in less reading. Despite the positive attitudes towards L2 reading in general, most teachers still displayed ambivalent attitudes toward dedicating ample class time to the reading of English children’s literature in the earliest years, often perceiving such reading as too difficult for their pupils. This ambivalence negatively affects the teacher-library collaboration, the inadequate access to physical books catering for the youngest pupils, as well as these learners’ early exposure to English reading. The results indicate that the interpretative nature of the English syllabus has teachers perceive the urgency of reading English children’s literature differently, consequently resulting in different reading practices. In a macro perspective, an unwelcome consequence for Swedish pupils may be an unequal reading preparation for the increasing English demands ahead.

Universities in the new millennium find themselves in a knowledge-driven economy that is challenging them to produce a qualified and adaptable work force if they are to contribute to societal development. Owing to the structural change in the economy, entrepreneurs require high level scientists, professionals and technicians who not only have the capability to create and support innovations by adapting knowledge to local use but also people with managerial and lifelong learning skills. Such are they who can accelerate changes and make organizations more productive and efficient in the services they render. Consequently, universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are challenged to transform learning so as to produce graduates who have both knowledge and competencies. Such a system will create a balance between university education and the changing labour market. Satisfying these new educational demands are only possible through research and unhindered access to global information resources. Paradoxically, some private university libraries, because of limited funding, find themselves fiscally constrained in the provision of unhindered access to global stores of information particularly at a time of exponential growth both in number and cost of information resources. This had led libraries to re-examine resource sharing as a viable option to meeting the new demands placed on universities. It is for the reasons above that this study examines the practice, problems and prospects of resource-sharing in selected Seventh-day Adventist university libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines scientifically the causes of poor sharing practices that are unique to each library, the situational and environmental factors that can enhance resource sharing. It provides also research-based information that will help to determine the best ways by which each library can have greater access to information resources. There are proposals for resolving the problems, and there are recommendations for dealing with the matter on a more permanent basis. The study advances resource-sharing model called Consortium of Adventist University Libraries in Africa (CAULA) as a resource sharing network for Seventh-day Adventist libraries in Africa. The organizational structure for CAULA are outlined and discussed. The proposed cooperation is not only sustainable but also structured to provide efficiency and greater regional cooperation of SDA libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. / Information Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)

Universities in the new millennium find themselves in a knowledge-driven economy that is challenging them to produce a qualified and adaptable work force if they are to contribute to societal development. Owing to the structural change in the economy, entrepreneurs require high level scientists, professionals and technicians who not only have the capability to create and support innovations by adapting knowledge to local use but also people with managerial and lifelong learning skills. Such are they who can accelerate changes and make organizations more productive and efficient in the services they render. Consequently, universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are challenged to transform learning so as to produce graduates who have both knowledge and competencies. Such a system will create a balance between university education and the changing labour market. Satisfying these new educational demands are only possible through research and unhindered access to global information resources. Paradoxically, some private university libraries, because of limited funding, find themselves fiscally constrained in the provision of unhindered access to global stores of information particularly at a time of exponential growth both in number and cost of information resources. This had led libraries to re-examine resource sharing as a viable option to meeting the new demands placed on universities. It is for the reasons above that this study examines the practice, problems and prospects of resource-sharing in selected Seventh-day Adventist university libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines scientifically the causes of poor sharing practices that are unique to each library, the situational and environmental factors that can enhance resource sharing. It provides also research-based information that will help to determine the best ways by which each library can have greater access to information resources. There are proposals for resolving the problems, and there are recommendations for dealing with the matter on a more permanent basis. The study advances resource-sharing model called Consortium of Adventist University Libraries in Africa (CAULA) as a resource sharing network for Seventh-day Adventist libraries in Africa. The organizational structure for CAULA are outlined and discussed. The proposed cooperation is not only sustainable but also structured to provide efficiency and greater regional cooperation of SDA libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. / Information Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)

L’innovation est un sujet d’intérêt en bibliothéconomie. Aussi, ce mémoire de maîtrise explore l'innovation en bibliothèques universitaires en cherchant à comprendre les perceptions de dirigeants de ces bibliothèques sur un outil innovant et sur son adoption potentielle au sein d’un regroupement : les plateformes de services pour bibliothèques (PSB). Ces plateformes sont décrites comme étant mieux intégrées que le système intégré de gestion de bibliothèque. Elles donnent accès à des données bibliographiques partagées et proposent de nouveaux flux de travail. Elles facilitent aussi la mutualisation des ressources entre plusieurs bibliothèques. Dans cette étude de cas simple, des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées auprès de sept dirigeants du groupe SB9, un réseau de bibliothèques de l’Université du Québec, pour recueillir leurs perceptions sur les PSB, à la suite de l’amorce d’une réflexion en vue d’une adoption partagée. Des résultats ressortent les avantages et les désavantages de ces systèmes pour les bibliothèques universitaires au sein d’un regroupement. Ils permettent aussi d’évaluer la compatibilité de ces systèmes avec leur contexte et la complexité liée à leur adoption. Enfin, ils font ressortir les sources d’influence poussant à l’adoption des PSB. Cette étude met en évidence comment l’adoption potentielle d’une innovation technologique peut agir comme levier pour la transformation organisationnelle, la création de services à valeur ajoutée pour les usagers et de nouvelles collaborations entre bibliothèques. L’impact des PSB va au-delà de leurs fonctionnalités, offrant de nouvelles opportunités aux bibliothèques. Enfin, cette étude offre une perspective nouvelle sur l’innovation dans les bibliothèques universitaires du Québec. / Innovation is a topic of interest in librarianship. Therefore, this master’s thesis aims to explore innovation in academic libraries by examining how library managers perceive an innovative tool, the library services platform (LSP), and its potential adoption by a group of libraries. These platforms are described as being better integrated than integrated library systems. They provide access to shared bibliographic data and allow for new workflows. Moreover, they facilitate resource sharing among several libraries. In this simple case study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven library managers from the SB9 group, a network of libraries affiliated with the Université du Québec with the aim of gathering their perceptions of these innovative tools. At the time of data collection, the group was at the stage of considering the shared adoption of an LSP. Results highlight the advantages and disadvantages of such systems for academic libraries in a consortium context. They also shed light on the compatibility of LSPs in context, as well as the complexity associated with their adoption. Finally, they show the sources of influence driving the adoption of LSPs. This study demonstrates how the potential adoption of a technological innovation can act as a lever for organizational change, for the creation of value-added services for patrons, and for new collaborations between libraries. The impact of LSPs goes beyond their mere functionalities, offering new opportunities for libraries. Finally, this study provides a new perspective on innovation in Quebec academic libraries.