bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The widely shared definition of e‐Government
Authors: Hu Guangwei , Pan Wenwen , Lu Mingxin , Wang Jie
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide details of a study on the widely shared definition of e‐government and to help scholars – especially young scholars – to understand the scope and meaning of the field.

Design/methodology/approach

From 1998‐2007, a ten‐year time‐span, 632 articles from the three world‐leading academic databases, including Wiley InterScience, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and SCI Expanded, were retrieved and 324 were analyzed using CATA software (Concordance 3.20), to identify the vocabulary that was used frequently by e‐government scholars. Then the distinct vocabulary was used to construct the widely shared definition of e‐government.

Findings

In those 324 articles, 57 words generated from the text analysis formed the basis for imputing a widely shared definition of the field of e‐government. The definition was conceptualized by six elements.

Research limitations/implications

Two limitations of the pool of articles selected may be noted. First, articles were drawn from three leading academic databases in an effort to distinguish e‐government from other fields; but such an approach omitted any consideration of how e‐government definitions varied from different academic fields. Second, because the pool of articles was drawn only from these three, journals excluded by these databases were thus omitted.

Originality/value

The study is unique in that it discusses the definition of e‐government by an exploratory approach. The universal shared definition extracted could serve as either a screen or a magnet for future research. And the methodology could be applied to several academic fields, including administration and management, library and information science, e‐records management, computer science, etc.
Application of information technologies in academic libraries
Authors: Mohsenzadeh Faranak , Isfandyari‐Moghaddam Alireza
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The main purpose of this investigation is to define the status of the application of information technology in academic libraries located in Kerman, the center and largest city of Kerman Province, Iran, and to understand the problems and difficulties in using information technology in these libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey has covered 17 libraries belonging to Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman Medical University and Islamic Azad University. Two kinds of questionnaires were distributed to libraries – one for librarians and the other for library staff. The findings of the survey have been analyzed using SPSS software.

Findings

Results show that the level of application of information technology in Kerman academic libraries is acceptable but they should improve their status to match with ever increasing demand for better librarian services at universities; the most important problem and serious difficulty is the lack of educated librarians, which needs a suitable investment and planning; and, although about 70 percent of librarians in Kerman academic libraries have participated in related training courses, the most serious difficulty in using information technology is still the lack of educated librarians.

Practical implications

Based on the research findings, several suggestions for improvements can be made, for example: recruitment of multi‐skilled librarians familiar with information technologies related to the mechanism of work in academic libraries; planning and designing ongoing courses of information technology and related skills; promotion and introduction of various academic library services through compiling and publishing manuals and guides; equipping academic libraries with more information technology facilities; having a special budget for development of information technology infrastructure; overcoming telecommunication barriers and shortcomings to better use of information technology; and mechanization of all academic library departments to provide information services more optimally and speedily.

Originality/value

The research studies the rate of using information technologies in Iran as a developing country. Hopefully, uncovering and understanding some unknowns based on such investigations can help to address the digital divide within universities and countries governing them.
Document supply services enhance access to information resources in Uganda
Authors: Musoke Maria G.N.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the development of document supply services in Uganda, and Makerere University in particular, and the role they have played in increasing access to and use of information resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents DSS at different levels and in different formats. Two major levels are discussed: The first is from international sources through collaborations/partnerships with Makerere University to benefit the Makerere University community; while the second type is within Uganda – from Makerere University to benefit other universities, rural institutions and practitioners/extension workers.

Findings

Improved document delivery service has played an important role in resource sharing, which has led to increased access and usage of information resources in Uganda

Originality/value

The paper is of value to librarians and other practising information professionals as well as library school students who may need to develop document supply services to under‐resourced areas and particularly remote regions.
WorldCat Local implementation: the impact on interlibrary loan
Authors: Deardorff Thomas , Nance Heidi
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of WorldCat Local implementation on interlibrary loan and to suggest some strategies for successful implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The experience of the University of Washington Libraries is described in detail with additional data from other early adopters of WorldCat Local.

Findings

The implementation of WorldCat Local caused a significant increase in the number of interlibrary loan requests, and a change in the type of requests and the demographics of requesters.

Originality/value

The University of Washington Libraries was the first library system to adopt WorldCat Local and now has two years' worth of interlibrary loan data to evaluate. This is the first analysis of those data.
Document supply of grey literature and open access: an update
Authors: Schöpfel Joachim , Prost Hélène
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the impact of the open archive initiative on the document supply of grey literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on a comparative survey of five major scientific and technical information centres: The British Library (UK), CISTI (Canada), INIST‐CNRS (France), KISTI (South Korea), and TIB Hannover (Germany).

Findings

All major document suppliers are quite deeply involved in the open archive movement, and this involvement has an obvious impact on the policy of acquisition, archiving and supply of grey literature (dissertations, reports, conferences etc.).

Originality/value

The paper is a follow‐up study of the survey published in 2006.
Borrow Direct: a decade of a sustained quality book‐lending service
Authors: Nitecki Danuta A. , Jones Carol , Barnett Jeffrey
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the development and operation of an unmediated book‐lending service between seven academic libraries in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is descriptive and analytical.

Findings

It was found that, after a decade of operations, Borrow Direct continues to be a successful service.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights that may be of value to other groups exploring ways to lower costs, improve service quality, and respond to continuing demand for books not available locally.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 69
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and websites.

Findings

The ups and downs of document supply activity are noted this quarter. Clearly there is still great potential in the lending of returnables and for excellent services backed up by good marketing. The scholarly communication system comes under intense scrutiny in the literature. Technological change is perceived to be accelerating but the hybrid library will always be present. Open access continues to develop rapidly but its direction and potential continue to divide the profession. Increasing concerns continue to be expressed about the monopolistic implications of Google and there are some stout counter‐arguments. All now depends on the legal judgment to be made in the Autumn.

Originality/value

The paper is a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.
The British Library newspaper collections and future strategy
Authors: Fleming Patrick , King Edmund
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the history and current plans for the newspaper collections of the British Library.

Design/methodology/approach

The Library will create more access to its older collections, via mass digitisation of texts. The Library is seeking to work with UK newspaper publishers to secure the ingest of “born digital” newspapers, to present issues of recent newspapers to users in library reading rooms. Digitised newspapers will be taken into the Library's digital library storage system being developed for all types of digital materials that the Library is acquiring in growing quantities. There are plans to move the existing collections from Colindale to a new storage facility at its Boston Spa site, to ensure controlled environmental conditions for the original printed newspapers.

Findings

It was found that the British Library is investing in the future in order to improve access to a vital part of its collections.

Originality/value

This is one of the few published articles on how a national library deals with the massive task of providing access to newspapers.
Do investors perceive the going‐concern opinion as useful for pricing stocks?
Authors: O'Reilly Dennis M.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an experiment to examine whether investors view the going‐concern opinion as providing information that is useful in valuing companies' stocks. Prior research on this issue using archival data has produced mixed results.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment is conducted with financial analysts in which the auditor's opinion and the opinion of industry specialists (proxy for market expectations) are manipulated. Participants estimated the stock price of a fictional company both before and after the issuance of an auditor's opinion.

Findings

The results strongly support the hypothesis that investors perceive the going‐concern opinion as relevant for valuing a company's common stock. Furthermore, the participants viewed the going‐concern opinion as relevant even when the report confirmed prior market expectations.

Practical implications

Using a controlled setting, the paper finds that investors believe that the auditor's going‐concern opinion contains useful information. This suggests that auditors' judgment regarding client viability is valued by investors. Auditing standards that require an assessment of client viability should remain in place.

Originality/value

This is the first study that uses an experimental approach to examine whether investors view the auditor's going‐concern opinion as relevant to pricing stocks. The use of an experiment is intended to overcome methodological limitations inherent in studies that use archival data.
Assessing the perceptions of the quality of reported earnings in Egypt
Authors: Kamel Hany , Elbanna Said
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess respondents' perceptions of the quality of reported earnings in Egypt. To this end, three main issues are investigated: first, the potential incentives for engagement in earnings manipulation; second, the techniques most frequently used in manipulating earnings; and finally, the actions required to improve the quality of accounting information, including the reported earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 16 semi‐structured interviews are conducted in order to uncover any undisclosed issues and to supplement the results provided by a questionnaire survey distributed among three groups of respondents, namely, accounting academics, external auditors, and financial managers.

Findings

The results indicate that the main incentives for manipulating earnings in Egypt are to enhance the chances of obtaining a bank loan; to sustain last year's profit performance; to report profits and to avoid reporting losses; and to achieve high‐share valuation. The results also demonstrate that making inadequate provisions; capitalising rather than expensing expenditures; and overestimating the inventory value are the most frequently used techniques in earnings manipulation.

Practical implications

The results could be of assistance to Egyptian external auditors and regulators in their attempt to limit the incidence of earnings manipulation.

Originality/value

With a few exceptions, most of the literature on earnings management has been based on the US data. Therefore, research undertaken in a country such as Egypt, where the environment in many respects is different, may reveal a different perception of the quality of reported earnings and help determine how preparers in Egypt can further improve the quality of reported earnings.
National culture effects on groups evaluating internal control
Authors: Sim Marc
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to report the results of a cross‐national cultural experiment on auditors' belief revision when evaluating internal control.

Design/methodology/approach

Hogarth and Einhorn's belief‐adjustment model (BAM) and Hofstede's national culture are employed. Two experimental conditions, created by crossing two levels of audit information: initial (un)favourable (UNFAV‐MODFAV) FAV‐MODFAV information, each followed by additional moderately favourable audit evidence and two levels of national culture dimensions of individualism (Australian auditors) and collectivism (Taiwanese auditors).

Findings

Consistent with BAM, the results of the experiment confirm that the evaluation task of internal control is an additive process. Collectivist culture auditors are found to revise their beliefs significantly upwards when encountering UNFAV‐MODFAV compared with FAV‐MODFAV, but not for individualist culture auditors. Collectivist culture auditors also revise their beliefs significantly upwards when they encounter UNFAV‐MODFAV compared with individualist culture auditors who do not revise their beliefs significantly upwards. However, neither collectivist nor individualist culture auditors revise their beliefs significantly upwards when encountering FAV‐MODFAV. Here, the multivariate regression shows that collectivist (individualist) culture auditors are (are not) concerned with “painting a good picture” to keep the client happy.

Practical implications

With globalisation, the national culture effect makes an important contribution to the disclosure of financial reporting. The findings of the research show that, in evaluating the internal control of an audit client, collectivist culture auditors revise their beliefs more favourably when encountering additional audit evidence which is relatively favourable (UNFAV‐MODFAV) compared with individualist culture auditors. In practice, the implications on auditors' reporting of the internal control (for example, Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act 2002) regulator need to take into consideration that the national culture of auditors is an important input in assessing control risk. In bridging the gap between research and practice, an urgent need has to be addressed, as it may impair the effectiveness of the audit. The collective culture auditor's concern to keep the client happy may be construed as not being independent.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to employ the BAM and Hofstede's national culture to test auditors of different national cultures in their belief revisions when evaluating the client's internal control.
Factors associated with the adoption of risk‐based internal auditing
Authors: Castanheira Nuno , Lima Rodrigues Lúcia , Craig Russell
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse company‐specific factors associated with adoption of risk‐based auditing. It seeks to explore the role of internal auditing in enterprise risk management (ERM).

Design/methodology/approach

Findings are drawn from a questionnaire survey, sent in 2006, to all 96 chief internal auditors who were members of the Institute of Portuguese Internal Auditors.

Findings

In planning an annual schedule of audits, the adoption of a risk‐based approach is statistically significant in international firms (p≤0.05) and companies listed on the Portuguese stock market (p≤0.10). There is a strong (but not significant) association between risk‐based annual audit planning and entities which are private, in the finance sector, and large. In planning each audit engagement, adoption of a risk‐based approach is correlated positively with entity size. Internal auditing is more proactive in the implementation of ERM in smaller organisations, and is more important in the finance industry and the private sector.

Practical implications

A better understanding emerges of factors associated with the adoption of risk‐based auditing, together with an enhanced appreciation of the role of internal auditing in ERM.

Originality/value

The paper reveals the specific characteristics of companies that are associated with the adoption of risk‐based approaches in the internal audit process. It is the first paper published about risk‐based internal auditing in Portugal.
Is the all‐electronic route a sensible option for the modern school library?
Authors: Shenton Andrew K.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

There is increasing debate concerning the need for libraries within British schools. Many city academies are opening without them and existing schools are considering discarding their collections of paper non‐fiction materials. This paper aims to present a balanced view of the arguments for and against such courses of action.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the issues through the use of a wide range of sources, including books, journal papers, newspaper articles, blog entries and contributions to a recent radio programme.

Findings

Ostensibly, there are sound reasons for schools shifting information provision towards electronic materials. Paper collections may be seldom consulted and their upkeep is costly, whilst effective use of the web demands that youngsters apply increased critical skills. Nevertheless, traditional libraries serve as an effective model for the organisation of information and offer a training ground for the information skills development. Youngsters can undoubtedly benefit from a hybrid information world. Offering an electronic‐only environment may lead to highly formulaic information‐seeking behaviour and many of the web's weaknesses render it a questionable tool for effective learning. A wholly electronic approach across schools is unlikely to be realised in the near future.

Originality/value

While the question of whether a traditional library should remain a prerequisite in schools inspires much comment, papers systematically putting the cases “for” and “against” are rare. Here the author draws on his own knowledge and experience, as a scholar and information professional, to present both sides of the argument. The work should be of interest to practitioners and academics alike.
The boat library of Bangprok community in Thailand
Authors: Zabed Ahmed S.M.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to identify Bangprok community's information needs and to evaluate the performance and impact of its boat library.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology included a complementary two‐stage process. First of all, a house‐to‐house survey was conducted to construct profile of Bangprok dwellers. At the same time, the key informant from each household was interviewed to find out the information needs and seeking patterns. The second part of the research involved a point of exit interview with Bangprok boat library users to undertake user profile and to gather their opinion on the library's performance and impact on community development.

Findings

The results showed that a small‐scaled community library has the potential to make a positive impact on the community. The results also yielded several implications for the boat library, including how its collections and services could be improved to make an equal impact on the community.

Originality/value

This is the first time an effort has been made to assess a community‐based library service in Thailand. This study may trigger more such research on evaluating rural community libraries in Thailand and beyond.
US national accessibility survey: librarians serving patrons with disabilities
Authors: Bonnici Laurie J. , Maatta Stephanie L. , Wells Muriel K.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The paper seeks to determine the state of library services to people with disabilities in the USA. It aims to use social capital theory to provide a lens to reconceptualize equal access in a global context, and to offer insights on the effects of new information technologies for re‐envisioning universal access.

Design/methodology/approach

Librarians serving the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS/BPH) were surveyed. Questions addressed clientele, services, technologies, career opportunities, library and information science education, and librarian demographics.

Findings

Human resources and information technologies are identified as major challenges to the future of information access for disabled persons. Professional perspective suggests there is strong potential for technologies and the internet to bridge the information access divide if libraries commit to providing access through assistive technologies.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was limited to librarians serving NLS/BPH. A similar survey distributed in other nations could expand the possibilities of future research.

Practical implications

Information from this survey can aid librarians planning delivery of information services to disabled patrons. Suggestions for shifting from special access to universal access philosophy assure access for all. Results can also help library educators prepare graduates to serve an aging population that will challenge standard methods of information access.

Originality/value

The literature review demonstrates that this survey is the most recent in three decades to determine the state of library and information services to disabled people in the USA. It is the first to address the topic in relation to new technologies, leading to better service through better understanding.
Library‐a‐go‐go: bringing the library to the people
Authors: Hampshire Michele , Sanford Cathy E.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current status and challenges of providing library services to commuter populations living in the fastest‐growing region of the San Francisco Bay Area, where the closest library building can be more than 20 miles distant.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the impetus for, and experience of, introducing to the USA familiar ATM‐style technology adapted to lend books.

Findings

The paper suggests ways to correct inequities in delivery of library services to those who are disadvantaged by lack of proximity to a library building.

Originality/value

The paper provides an example of a library implementing, testing, evaluating, and expanding an innovative service.
Practical low‐cost marketing measures
Authors: Cronin Kieran , O'Brien Terry
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that in increasingly financially constrained times, libraries do not require prerequisite specialised marketing expertise to promote their institution and its services successfully by engaging in cost effective marketing initiatives. It also aims to highlight the potential and importance of marketing to enhance services, communicate services and improve library visibility.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study is undertaken of the marketing experiences of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Libraries, a small to medium‐sized, publicly funded education institute in South‐East Ireland. The paper details a series of low‐cost, practical marketing measures undertaken by WIT Libraries over the period 2007‐2008, and contextualises them for a collective audience.

Findings

WIT Libraries are engaged in a wide range of marketing initiatives, adopting traditional means and Web 2.0 technologies where possible to increase the library's exposure and the services it offers. Predominantly these marketing initiatives do not require a significant financial investment and can be implemented utilising existing library resources in terms of staff expertise and facilities. A “one size fits” all approach does not work for all libraries. Specific marketing techniques can be tailored to suit individual libraries and their users' needs. The authors contend that a range of low‐cost initiatives can be used to successfully promote library services amongst users and the wider community. Further mid‐term evaluation may be necessary.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates with concrete examples how a library with no specialised marketing expertise can adapt to the prevailing financial climate, to engage in cost effective initiatives and promote itself and its services successfully. The article will be of value to similar sized and similarly resourced libraries as a basis for engaging in low‐cost effective marketing initiatives.
Self‐leadership: road to personal excellence
Authors: Topper Elisa F.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the concept of self‐leadership and how it can bring personal excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a literature review and comments on this timely topic.

Findings

The paper finds that if we are to be effective leaders of others, we must first be effective leaders of ourselves.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is bringing attention to this management concept to information professionals.
Measuring the institution's footprint in the web
Authors: Aguillo Isidro
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an alternative, although complementary, system for the evaluation of the scholarly activities of academic organizations, scholars and researchers, based on web indicators, in order to speed up the change of paradigm in scholarly communication towards a new fully electronic twenty‐first century model.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve these goals, a new set of web indicators has been introduced, obtained mainly from data gathered from search engines, the new mediators of scholarly communication.

Findings

It was found that three large groups of indicators are feasible to obtain and relevant for evaluation purposes: activity (web publication); impact (visibility) and usage (visits and visitors). As a proof of concept, a Ranking Web of Universities has been built with Webometrics data. There are two relevant findings: ranking results are similar to those obtained by other bibliometric‐based rankings; and there is a concerning digital divide between North American and European universities, which appear in lower positions when compared with their USA and Canada counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

Cybermetrics is still an emerging discipline, so new developments should be expected when more empirical data become available.

Practical implications

The proposed approach suggests the publication of truly electronic journals, rather than digital versions of printed articles. Additional materials, such as raw data and multimedia files, should be included along with other relevant information arising from more informal activities. These repositories should be Open Access, available as part of the public web, indexed by the main commercial search engines. It is expected that these actions could generate larger web‐based audiences, reduce the costs of publication and access and allow third parties to take advantage of the knowledge generated, without sacrificing peer review, which should be extended (pre‐ and post‐) and expanded (closed and open).

Originality/value

A full taxonomy of web indicators is introduced for describing and evaluating research activities, academic organizations and individual scholars and scientists. Previous attempts for building such classification were incomplete and did not take into account feasibility and efficiency.
An integrated digital research environment: DFG perspectives
Authors: Lipp Anne
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the vision that the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation (DFG)) pursues with its funding programmes in the field of digital information provision.

Design/methodology/approach

The first section of the paper sketches out the strategic decisions which determine the funding policy of the DFG in the field of digital information, while the second section describes in more detail the central funding schemes of the DFG in the field of digital information.

Findings

The funding policy of the DFG seeks to build an integrated digital research environment that includes scholarly publications and primary research data as well as new forms of communication in virtual research and work environments. But it will be only by the common effort of scholars, libraries and providers of scholarly information, funders, publishers and fee‐collecting agencies that the vision of an integrated digital research environment will come true.

Originality/value

The outline of the funding programmes of the DFG in the area of digital information provision will be of interest to librarians and information professionals seeking information about library‐funding policies and strategies in Germany.
Direct use of information extraction from scientific text for modeling and simulation in the life sciences
Authors: Hofman‐Apitius Martin , Younesi Erfan , Kasam Vinod
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the information extracted from scientific text can be directly used in support of life science research projects. In modern digital‐based research and academic libraries, librarians should be able to support data discovery and organization of digital entities in order to foster research projects effectively; thus the paper aims to speculate that text mining and knowledge discovery tools could be of great assistance to librarians. Such tools simply enable librarians to overcome increasing complexity in the number as well as contents of scientific literature, especially in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of science. This paper seeks to present an example of how evidences extracted from scientific literature can be directly integrated into in silico disease models in support of drug discovery projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The application of text‐mining as well as knowledge discovery tools is explained in the form of a knowledge‐based workflow for drug target candidate identification. Moreover, an in silico experimentation framework is proposed for the enhancement of efficiency and productivity in the early steps of the drug discovery workflow.

Findings

The in silico experimentation workflow has been successfully applied to searching for hit and lead compounds in the World‐wide In Silico Docking On Malaria (WISDOM) project and to finding novel inhibitor candidates.

Practical implications

Direct extraction of biological information from text will ease the task of librarians in managing digital objects and supporting research projects. It is expected that textual data will play an increasingly important role in evidence‐based approaches taken by biomedical and translational researchers.

Originality/value

The proposed approach provides a practical example for the direct integration of text‐ and knowledge‐based data into life science research projects, with the emphasis on their application by academic and research libraries in support of scientific projects.
Enhancing document modeling by means of open topic models
Authors: Mehler Alexander , Waltinger Ulli
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a topic classification model using the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) as the target scheme. This is to be done by exploring metadata as provided by the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) to derive document snippets as minimal document representations. The reason is to reduce the effort of document processing in digital libraries. Further, the paper seeks to perform feature selection and extension by means of social ontologies and related web‐based lexical resources. This is done to provide reliable topic‐related classifications while circumventing the problem of data sparseness. Finally, the paper aims to evaluate the model by means of two language‐specific corpora. The paper bridges digital libraries, on the one hand, and computational linguistics, on the other. The aim is to make accessible computational linguistic methods to provide thematic classifications in digital libraries based on closed topic models such as the DDC.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of text classification, text‐technology, computational linguistics, computational semantics, and social semantics.

Findings

It is shown that SVM‐based classifiers perform best by exploring certain selections of OAI document metadata.

Research limitations/implications

The findings show that it is necessary to further develop SVM‐based DDC‐classifiers by using larger training sets possibly for more than two languages in order to get betterF‐measure values.

Originality/value

Algorithmic and formal‐mathematical information is provided on how to build DDC‐classifiers for digital libraries.
The future of eBooks? Will print disappear? An end‐user perspective
Authors: van der Velde Wouter , Ernst Olaf
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out whether eBooks are cannibalizing print books, as well as an assessment of factors that are influencing eBook usage. Ebooks are a hot topic. Traditional book publishing, especially in the academic world, is changing at a rapid pace. The question on everybody's mind is what direction book publishing will take? Will print survive in the Google‐generation, or is it destined to be totally replaced by eBooks? Springer publishes over 4,000 book titles annually, which are converted into eBooks almost without exception. Being the market leader and innovator of a new business model in electronic books in the STM area, Springer has conducted a study on the implications of the Springer eBook collection in comparison to its print book activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on interviews with both end‐users and librarians. In addition, Springer has assessed the (COUNTER‐compliant) usage statistics from SpringerLink.

Findings

Overall, Springer's eBook usage is already 50 percent of its journal usage, while the amount of content compared with journals is only 15 percent. Taking this success of eBook usage into account, Springer still believes strongly in the print model, and has recently launched MyCopy: heavily discounted print‐on‐demand books from the electronic versions.

Originality/value

The study shows that print and electronic can exist together, and will complement each other's strengths.
Ranking library materials
Authors: Lewandowski Dirk
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss ranking factors suitable for library materials and to show that ranking in general is a complex process and that ranking for library materials requires a variety of techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant literature is reviewed to provide a systematic overview of suitable ranking factors. The discussion is based on an overview of ranking factors used in web search engines.

Findings

While there are a wide variety of ranking factors applicable to library materials, today's library systems use only some of them. When designing a ranking component for the library catalogue, an individual weighting of applicable factors is necessary.

Research limitations/implications

While the paper discusses different factors, no particular ranking formula is given. However, the paper presents the argument that such a formula must always be individual to a certain use case.

Practical implications

The factors presented can be considered when designing a ranking component for a library's search system or when discussing such a project with an ILS vendor.

Originality/value

The paper is original in that it is the first to systematically discuss ranking of library materials based on the main factors used by web search engines.
The diffuse library revisited: aligning the library as strategic asset
Authors: Lougee Wendy
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to explore the shifts in roles evident in the research library community, with illustrative case studies from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of a review of environmental forces that are fueling changes in research methodologies and scholar behavior. Changes in research library roles are explored in the context of three case studies, highlighting new forms of engagement with the scholar community.

Findings

Three University of Minnesota Libraries' initiatives illustrate: the use of behavioral data to design a customized discovery environment for scholarship, new organizational constructs to engage the community in issues related to control of scholarship, and strategies to develop a virtual community in the field of bioethics.

Originality/value

The paper presents the original perspective of a University Librarian of a large research library and draws on earlier analyses of research behaviors, technology, and research library roles.
Upgrading academic scholarship: challenges and chances of the digital age
Authors: Schmiede Rudi
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the beginning of the Internet Age means for the functions and structures of scholarly information and communication by looking at and evaluating today's usability and usage of the digital information infrastructure for and by academic scholarship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives an overview of the current state of development of digital information in the scholarly cultures and stresses the importance of data as the crucial – and considerably extended – basis of scholarly work. The central role of the publishing world for the academic rewards system is analyzed to consider continuities and discontinuities in scholarly publication.

Findings

The paper advances the thesis first coined by Christine Borgman that today we have an information infrastructure of, but not for, scholarly information. Some ideas and proposals of what should be done to move towards an information infrastructure for scholarly work conclude the paper.

Originality/value

The paper tries to bridge the gap between information professionals as producers and scholars as users of information and communication technologies and shows that a joint debate on these issues is necessary.
PDF in 2109?
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider whether PDF formats are appropriate for long‐term digital archiving.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of examining how well PDF's capabilities fit eReader devices that future scholars may use in addition to or instead of paper print‐outs.

Findings

Fixity is the advantage that PDF offers for archiving, while its alternatives generally offer greater flexibility for eReader devices. The question for long‐term digital archiving is whether fixity or flexibility best suits the interests of future readers?

Originality/value

PDF is widely accepted as a digital archiving format and PDF documents are found in virtually every repository. There has, however, been little discussion as to whether the fixed format is not in fact a long‐term disadvantage.
Distance education and the role of library services in Iran: a case study of Shiraz University Distance Learners
Authors: Khasseh Aliakbar , Sharif Moghaddam Hadi , Jowkar A.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

This research aims to address the issues in providing information resources and services to the distance education students of Shiraz University.

Methodology

Using a survey methodology, the investigator ran SPSS Software to analyze both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The findings highlighted the most important library services. Although the Virtual Institute of Shiraz University does not offer any of the library services noted, the majority of distance education students are making use of other information resources in their studies.

Originality/value

As the distance education system in Iran is in its infancy, findings of this study can be invaluable in highlighting the most significant library and information services for the distant learners.
InfoQuest: using text messaging to answer reference questions
Authors: Pope Kitty , Peters Tom , Bell Lori
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss text messaging services for libraries. Text messaging presents a new and exciting opportunity for libraries of all types to provide information to people of all ages on the go, where they are, on their cell phones.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on experiences in the USA, examples are presented of the service use, for example, Altarama, TextALibrarian, AIM.

Findings

Alliance library system (ALS), a regional library system in central Illinois, is spearheading an effort to provide the nation's first collaborative text message reference service – InfoQuest – inviting libraries of all types and across the country (and internationally) to work together to increase coverage, reference expertise, and to allow libraries to test the service and the software before venturing out on their own.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to librarians, as the InfoQuest project described in it is giving libraries the opportunity to learn how to use the technology, work together to see how their patrons respond to the service, and share promotion and coverage.
The library crisis in New Jersey: a statewide strategy for survival
Authors: Keresztury Tina
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how statewide advocacy and advocacy planning can effectively ward off major threats to library funding.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of New Jersey advocacy efforts when faced with proposed legislation to halve the minimum mandated funding for public libraries in the state. The paper describes various advocacy strategies.

Findings

The advocacy process has had encouraging results, although the threat of funding cuts remains.

Originality/value

The case study demonstrates that creating a statewide task force to focus on advocacy and other advocacy strategies can be effective in thwarting legislative efforts to reduce library funding.
Resource management: information
Authors: Fitsimmons Gary
Published: December 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the management of information as a performance standard for leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to show the importance of managing information well and then discuss how best to accomplish that with specific strategies and examples.

Findings

The findings are that library leaders must understand the importance of managing information about their libraries and how to do it well in order to be able to make the best use of that information.

Originality/value

The value is in saving time, effort and Angst in decision making, reporting library status, activities, and making the case for budget requests with administrators.
CSR reporting and the UK financial services sector
Authors: Day Robert , Woodward Thérèse
Published: December 2009

Purpose

Sector‐specific guidelines have often been suggested as the way to encourage corporate social disclosure. The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which disclosure in published annual reports of organisations within the financial services sector complies with their sector guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

The financial services sector can be broadly defined as consisting of three sub‐sectors: Banks, Insurance Providers, and Building Societies, and the industry is dominated by a relatively small number of large mainstream providers. Here content analysis was used to investigate the disclosure of major banks, building societies and insurance providers, using their Annual Report and Accounts and, if published annually, their stand‐alone CSR reports for the same period.

Findings

Although the “moral” and “business‐case” arguments should lead organisations to be accountable to their stakeholders in respect of their social and environmental impact, the level of disclosure is lamentably low across the financial services sector with an observable tendency for compliance to be related to size – the larger the organisation, the more likelihood of compliance, which might indicate a resource issue.

Research limitations/implications

The nature of the enquiry did not permit an in‐depth analysis of the motivations for extensive reporting. However, it allows the identification of those organisations seeking to legitimate or mediate perceptions of their behaviour, whereby only good news is reported by selective inclusion or exclusion of disclosure categories and issues.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the debate on whether sector‐specific guidelines will increase the level and quality of corporate social disclosure.