Current sight-centered designs and services in library and information science (LIS) do not effectively support blind and visually impaired (BVI) users. Simultaneously, there is a lack of studies focused on the research methods utilized in BVI research. This study analyzed 165 research papers retrieved from four LIS databases over a 40-year period. The uniqueness of BVI research methods on research

While past research suggests mHealth apps help cultivate users’ health information literacy (HIL), factors contributing to their HIL development have not been systematically studied. Applying digital wellbeing framework, an empirical investigation using a large-scale survey dataset was conducted. From regression analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), two findings were yielded

Using Q methodology, which is designed to make sense of topics on which there are various opinions, this study examines the conflicting conceptualizations of reference and information service (RIS). Thirty-five statements reflecting the various approaches to RIS, were sorted by librarians from different types of libraries in Slovenia, South Africa, and the United States. Using principle components

Researchers interested in children and youth's engagement with information have developed participatory, multi-method approaches of collecting and analyzing data directly with children and youth. However, examples of this approach in studies specifically focused on young children in library and information science are scarce. This article describes the methodological approach used in a study of 5-

This cohort study examined longitudinal changes in undergraduates' use of social media as information sources in academic and everyday-life contexts, covering types of social media used, purposes of use, and evaluation strategies. Web surveys were used, collecting data from 1,355 and 928 undergraduates in 2013 and 2019. The study found that students used most types of social media less in 2019 than

With the increasing dominance of digital reading over traditional reading, gaining an understanding of the environmental impacts of the formats has become critical. This systematic literature review synthesizes and integrates the findings of studies comparing print reading with on-screen reading. The results reveal that the environmental impacts of printed and digital media depend on the usage rates

Public libraries are among key sites for the acquisition of cultural capital, and possibly one of the most potent means through which the state can address inequality. While digitalization of public libraries already attracted significant scholarly attention, the evidence of its contribution to the acquisition of cultural skills and knowledge and social mobility remains limited, as does the conceptual

Development of a digital library demands extensive financial, human, and technological investments. Appropriate models and measurement tools are required to achieve the goals of these libraries to assess them. This research was conducted with the aim of developing and validating a tool to measure the maturity of a digital library based on the “digital library maturity model” (DLMM). Two sources including

Although not much has been written about older adults' use of academic libraries, they experience challenges navigating these considerable physical and online library spaces. Members of a university lifelong learning community were recruited for a 10-week diary study. They were asked to record their real-time information seeking behaviors related to their study groups, and the challenges they faced

Public libraries that practice effective dialogic communication are more likely to build trust with their communities. Applying principles of dialogic communication as a theoretical framework, this study examines how public libraries in Canada and the USA use Twitter to build long-term positive relationships with their publics. Content analysis of 28,788 Twitter messages sent to and from thirteen library

Understanding job seeking and workforce experiences of autistic adults in librarianship may help to create more inclusive practices in the field. However, the topic largely remains unexplored. This may be in part due to traditional research practices that do little to encourage meaningful participation from autistic adults. Ten interviews were conducted with autistic librarians in professional and

Spatial accessibility of libraries affects their usage. It is crucial to consider spatial accessibility's impacts on equity and inclusiveness of public libraries. A method is proposed to evaluate the equity of spatial accessibility to library resources and services across population groups. Spatial accessibility is measured in two ways: the closest-based and quantity-based measurements that respectively

Can public libraries become hubs for citizen science? In line with the principles of citizen science, this question was answered collaboratively with librarians from the Barcelona Network of Public Libraries who performed two hands-on activities. One activity was a training course taken by 30 librarians from 24 different libraries which enabled them to envisage citizen science implementation at each

Libraries provide readers' advisory services to young people to foster reading for pleasure. The Booktok community on TikTok is a resource that can be drawn upon to support promotion of books with this demographic. A hybrid content analysis of 116 TikTok videos explores presence of hashtags, authors and books, and recurring themes promoted in Booktok videos. Popular hashtags build community and promoted

As technology and the stewardship of research data continue to improve, academic libraries have made progress in establishing themselves as hubs and leaders for research data services on campus. They have been called on to assure cross-campus collaboration and support to develop a united service to meet their community's needs. However, evidence as to how libraries play a crucial role in leadership

Library employees hold perceptions about the fairness of the outcomes, processes, and interpersonal treatment in their workplaces. When employees feel the workplace is fair they are more likely to feel commitment to the organization, perform in-role and extra-role tasks, and experience job satisfaction. When employees perceive injustice in the workplace, research points to negative outcomes such as

With qualitative research apparently threatened by big data, researchers, editors, educators, librarians, and publishers need to understand the mix of research methods used in their field to guide decision making. In response, this study assesses the prevalence and citation impact of academic research between 1996 and 2019 that reports one of four common methods to gather qualitative data: interviews

Few studies have investigated the psychometric property of new instruments developed locally to assess students' library experience, such as their behavior, perception and attitude toward library use. Validating a survey instrument is critical because using untested assessment instruments is more likely to lead to a lack of credibility in the results, as well as a lack of accuracy in the study's purpose

How does educational stage affect the way people find information? In previous research using the Digital Visitors & Residents (V&R) framework for semi-structured interviews, context was a factor in how individuals behaved. This study of 145 online, open-ended surveys examines the impact that one's V&R educational stage has on the likelihood of attending to digital and human sources across four contexts

A maturity model represents a pre-planned evolution path for a class of objects composed as discrete stages or levels. Thereby, the maturity model is an effective tool to assess the current capabilities and the future needs of an organization, process, or group. This study had two phases. The first phase identified the core literature on maturity models for library services and management. The second

Public libraries have a huge potential to be creators and facilitators of social innovation in communities and society. Qualitative research based on interviews with 27 librarians showed that social innovation in libraries can take the form of educational and cultural activities, leisure and networking activities and social support services. The main goal of the research was to find out what factors

Plagiarism is a common problem among students, and if unaddressed, it may lead to severe consequences for students' academic integrity and education, and even for their career advancement. It is therefore essential to incorporate comprehensive anti-plagiarism intervention at an early stage of education. This study introduces UPCC (Understanding, Paraphrasing, Citations, and Checks), a pedagogical model

Design-based Implementation Research (DBIR) is an iterative approach to developing practical theory and tools to solve problems of practice and to support innovation in improving teaching and learning, which is rarely used in informal settings such as libraries. This study presents findings from a multi-year researcher-practitioner collaboration in which the authors employed DBIR to iteratively design

Existing research argues that studies of the value of public libraries support libraries by demonstrating their worth to society. Knowledge of research methods, value and research gaps can potentially strengthen the field of value research and support policymaking and development of libraries. Among 16,683 records retrieved from a systematic literature search, 39 studies were selected for systematic

Abstract Libraries may stimulate social capital and social integration. They are institutions that enjoy a high level of social trust, which creates many opportunities. In 2018 and 2019, a survey on social capital, trust and social activity of librarians was conducted in 20 countries across the world. The research addresses the question of whether libraries as public institutions may prevent the alarming

Abstract The use of Content Analysis (CA) in Library and Information Science (LIS) research is growing. Along with that growth comes a virtual explosion in new data source types available electronically. The present study provides a detailed analysis of the trends in the use of CA by LIS researchers and traces the changes in data sources used for CA between 1990 and 2015. CA was used to analyze 338

Abstract The World Cafe (TWC) methodology is a form of action research that develops collective knowledge among individuals and communities to address shared problems. TWC can complement LIS research and practice that is increasingly participatory and community centric. The potentials and pitfalls for TWC are illustrated by ongoing research examining public library service to LGBTQIA+ communities for

Abstract The servicescape model from the marketing discipline was adapted to understand students' library usage and experiences of academic library as a learning space. With a qualitative and explorative approach, it was discovered that the servicescape has great influence on student users when the physical environment triggers certain responses and behaviours. Physical workspace discomfort and disturbance

Abstract There exist many factors affecting topic selection for theses and dissertations in library and information science (LIS). A mixed exploratory method was used as the research methodology. An extensive literature review, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires were used to collect data. The identified framework was composed of nine components and four main dimensions including personal

Although interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) has value in library and information science (LIS), it has low uptake in Africa. The methodological and theoretical approaches to using IPA in LIS and other disciplines are outlined, including a critical analysis of applying double hermeneutics and horizontalization to construct a hermeneutic interpretation. A blended librarianship thesis conducted

Abstract Public libraries are increasingly investing in makerspaces and seeking to evaluate their offerings. Defining success is the first step of the evaluation process yet proves difficult due to the heterogeneity of making participants and purposes and the individualized, self-directed nature of makerspace participation. This study identified and compared seven evaluative criteria that represented

Abstract The focus of this study is to investigate the perception of librarians towards user privacy in libraries. This study measures the change in perception after providing education related to the privacy of library users. The change in perception regarding privacy issues in libraries in the past 5 years by comparing its results with those of a 2013 study was also examined. The results show that

Abstract Social network analysis (SNA) as theoretical framework and quantitatively oriented methodology offers public libraries and public library researchers an as-yet-unexplored way into their big data stories based on these library connections with their community. SNA offers library and information science researchers a methodology, and suggests a new research agenda, to better envision the relationships

Abstract Argumentation and the use of metacognitive skills are effective when implementing and supporting online information searching strategies, Screen recordings, semi-structured interviews, online information searching strategy inventory, and the metacognitive awareness inventory were used to collect data. Descriptive, predictive, relational and deductive analysis techniques were used for the analysis

Abstract The health-information-seeking behaviors of people affected by multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) who use social media to obtain information was explored. The contextual factors and latent relationships that shape the unique information-seeking behaviors of this population, focusing on commonly co-occurring chronic conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular

Abstract Using a conceptual analysis approach, how identity has been theorized in the information behavior literature was explored. Findings indicate that researchers have employed five approaches when conceptualizing identity: identity as personal project, identity and social groups, identity as self-presentation, fragmented discursive subjects, and intersectional, hybrid and global identities. Structure

Abstract The incorporation of participant-generated photography in research can be a powerful means of studying participants' perspectives and experiences. Approaches such as photovoice and photo-elicitation that incorporate participant-generated photography are increasingly being used in library and information science to study topics such as information needs, information seeking, and use of library

Abstract Traditional libraries around the world are integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as data mining, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and voice-based search, to transform themselves into smart libraries. However, what elements make a library smart? How does one estimate the smartness of a library? To address these fundamental questions five elements and fifteen subelements that

Abstract Program planning in public libraries is generally guided by anecdotal best practices, facilitator interest, or perceived need, and not by theoretical frameworks, which can provide more systematic and evidence-based guidance and understanding. The Serious Leisure Perspective, a grounded theoretical framework imported to the information and library science field, offers clarity to researchers

Abstract Concern and even conflict over information privacy and access to personal, sensitive, information owns a lengthy, complex, and disputed history in the information professions. A historical case study, this research explores the ethical tensions between information access for (re)use and information privacy regarding queer archival materials. It engages with small worlds and normative behavior

Abstract It is important for academic librarians to demonstrate that they are trusted stewards of public money when purchasing e-book products; however, prior studies seldom examine the rationality in librarians' decision-making processes. Interviews including 20 librarians from 19 different institutions were conducted to collect data about their decision-making processes when purchasing e-book products

Abstract Spatial features of libraries are crucial to increasing trends in library usage, particularly in the case of attracting students. Selecting a suitable location for the establishment of public libraries can be determined using spatial criteria and by employing Geographic Information System (GIS) in conjunction with Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM). The Weighted Linear Composition (WLC)

Abstract Information literacy (IL) education in secondary schools should adequately prepare students for research activities in higher education and guide them toward becoming informed and responsible citizens. The existing international IL frameworks and tests are only partially aligned with the IL curricula in Slovenia. Therefore, a new IL framework for secondary education, consisting of seven IL

Abstract From the literature it is clear that collaboration between academics and library staff brings benefits. Exactly what enables and constrains such collaboration remains unclear. Using the lens of Giddens' Structuration Theory, constraining and enabling factors during collaboration between library staff and academics in universities in two contrasting countries, Australia and Vietnam, was explored

Abstract Affect plays an important role in the information behavior of early career academics. While there is a recognition of the importance of affect to information behavior in the information science literature, there has been a lack of empirical research that details its influence. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, early career academics were followed for a 5- to 7-month period

Abstract Public libraries play a vital role in providing information, education, and cultural activities to local populations. Digitization and the Internet have changed the traditional functions of public libraries and caused them to become more community-centered and offer more diverse services. Agent-based geographical modeling is a method for simulating complex urban environments using heuristic

Abstract When schools are on break, some households may be constrained to provide educational resources to their children. Public libraries could be low-cost providers of materials and services that foster educational investment. This research extends existing literature by combining household-level data (public library checkout counts, residential property tax assessment values, student enrollment

Abstract Organizations that implement a competitive intelligence process are more successful in a competitive environment. To do so correctly there is a need for a comprehensive model that, in addition to eliminating the defects of the previous models, describes the phases and indicators and also illustrates the relationship between them. This research meets such a need and presents a developed model

Abstract Mixed methods research is gaining prominence in the library and information science (LIS) discipline. However, according to previous analyses, few LIS studies utilized mixed methods research, and the researchers did not recognize or describe them as such. The present methodological review assesses the current state of mixed methods research in LIS. Eighty-four articles published between 2017

Abstract Nonprofit public libraries (NPPLs) with technically efficient production functions attain greater program and service outputs per registered user in comparison to peers with less efficient production functions. An output-oriented nondiscretionary data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with variable returns-to-scale is used to assess the technical efficiency of 339 NPPLs in the United States

Abstract Modern libraries are reimagining their spaces as more than repositories for books. The Play-and-Learn Spaces project married developmental science with the changing nature of 21st century libraries. The study asked if it is possible to augment learning in informal spaces using the built environment to encourage discourse and interaction. For this project, the library space was reconstructed

Abstract Immigrants are among the populations in modern society that libraries are striving to serve. This study aims to develop a framework on immigrants, their information needs, and library services. Using a systematic literature review based on the grounded theory approach, 28 related articles were reviewed to identify the causes, characteristics, and the content of the information needs of immigrants

Abstract As a learning center, rural library initiatives aim to provide rural communities with access to a wealth of reliable and readily available information. Changes in user behavior correspond with the changes in the way instructional programs are delivered to meet the rural library users' needs. Guided by the RAMESES review method, a systematic review identified 30 related studies throughout Scopus

Abstract Library managers in Iran have always been concerned with a low level of knowledge sharing among librarians. Identifying effective factors on librarians' knowledge sharing behavior helps us to understand and improve the situation. Organizational factors are one group of these factors. The effect of organizational climate, employees' motivational drives, and leadership empowerment on the subjective

Abstract An increasingly data-intensive research environment has highlighted the need for greater research transparency to facilitate integrity and trust in open science and in the conduct of research more widely. The initial findings of faculty researchers' behaviors and practices toward research transparency, using the research data lifecycle as a grounding framework are reported. Four focus group

Abstract This study examined how demographic characteristics of faculty influence their personal information activities behaviors, namely information creation, information organization, and information storage. Data was collected from a sample of 235 faculty in six universities in Ghana using a questionnaire. Age, gender, rank and university of affiliation predicted personal information activities

Abstract How public library policies, practices and services support the information needs of people experiencing homelessness was investigated using a qualitative-phenomenological design. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with four homeless participants and seven librarians from four public library networks from a particular New Zealand region. The findings revealed

Abstract Health information seeking is an important part of older adults' everyday lives as they cope with their health conditions. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 21 older adults in the United States were analyzed using Savolainen's everyday life information seeking (ELIS) model, especially its key concepts such as way of life and mastery of life. The interview data revealed that except

Abstract While researchers have explored and proposed dozens of user relevance judgment criteria (RJC) in various situations, there is a lack of empirical research on the effects of RJC on user relevance judgment and how. The study sought to develop relations between RJC and situational relevance (SR) via four perceived values, epistemic value, functional value, conditional value, and social value

Abstract Theories of information behavior have been developed and used in a variety of disciplines to describe the needs, seeking/search/sharing behaviors, and uses of information among individuals and groups in a variety of contexts. While the development of a theory is a complex, evolutionary process, often involving many thinkers over a long period of time, there is generally a single or small group