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As mobile technology becomes integral to everyday life, libraries rework their services to meet the needs of their users. Advancing library services for mobile users requires seamless, intuitive experiences that support research, learning, and engagement. From mobile-friendly catalogs and e-book pla...

Libraries are adapting to the changing times by providing mobile services. One hundred fifty-one libraries were chosen based on circulation, with at least one library or library system from each state, to explore the diverse services provided to mobile users across the United States. According to the data, mobile apps, mobile reference services, mobile library catalogs, and mobile printing are among public libraries’ most-frequently offered services, as determined by mobile visits, content analysis, and librarian survey responses. Every library examined had at least one mobile website, mobile catalog, mobile app, or webpage adapted for a mobile device. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, services such as mobile renewal, subscriber database access, mobile reservations, and the ability to interact with a librarian were expanded to allow better communication with customers—all from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Libraries are continually looking for innovative methods to assist their mobile customers as the world changes.

This study examines digitization practices in U.S. urban libraries, focusing on tools, technologies, and metadata standards used to preserve local cultural heritage. Using qualitative content analysis, data was collected from 175 Urban Library Council member libraries, of which 60% are actively digitizing collections. Findings show widespread use of JPEG, PDF, and Dublin Core, with most libraries digitizing photographs and documents related to regional history. However, only 16% of libraries have formal digitization policies, highlighting gaps in strategic planning. These findings underscore urban libraries’ critical role in preserving cultural heritage while navigating challenges related to resources, collaboration, and technology.

An explorative survey pertaining to organization and execution of programs and events offered in public libraries across Connecticut revealed that library programs have been steadily increasing in recent years, with most libraries providing one hundred or more programs a year. The types of programs that are most popular vary throughout the library’s open hours. Children’s programming appears to be more popular during the day while adult programming is more popular in the evening. Program popularity is based on grouping and continuous support from external partners. While this study confirmed that both library space and library staff sizes are adequate for programming, a further investigation would assert that this is the case within nationwide library programming.

To increase patrons’ ability to find resources, it is imperative to investigate barriers and biases in thedescriptive catalog data for inclusive collection management and development standards. This studyused a specially designed descriptive approach to gather quantitative data from 101 public librariansin Connecticut via a Qualtrics survey to identify the key variables that influence the successfulenhancement of online public access catalog (OPAC) metadata after a diversity audit of the librarymaterials. The results revealed factors that promote or impede the integration of inclusive catalogingthat reflects the diversity of the community: (1) appreciating the benefits of audit methods that arefocused on bibliographic records, (2) recognizing the need for buy-in and participation from theentire organization, and (3) stressing the useful integration of institutional and community feedbackto improve the collection’s accessibility and representation. The findings provide practical adviceto public libraries that want to satisfy the diverse demands of their user base by integrating criticalcataloging frameworks into their diversity and inclusion objectives.

本書內容包括：智慧圖書館、知識服務、移動服務、推薦系統、無線射頻技術、學科及學術資源服務等關於中國與美國信息技術、知識管理和學科拓展。 本書可作為大中專信息管理學院、圖書館學院、軟件學院、管理學院，及所有相關專業的本科生、碩士生、博士生和教師等的專業教材或教學參考書。亦可作為計算機、圖書情報、信息管理，網絡文化教育等領域的研究人員和工程技術人員、管理人員、服務人員的信息參考資料。作為大學圖書館，公共圖書館，專業圖書館，各類信息中心，IT與網絡公司等機構收藏本圖書，為開展智慧服務提供借鑒參考。本書也可為信息資源管理相關行政部門實際工作提供政策建議，為大眾提供各類知識閱讀。

文章以美国城市公共图书馆协会146家图书馆为调查对象,借助无障碍评估工具WAVE对这些馆网站主页进行测评,逐一开展网站访查和内容分析,统计为残障用户提供服务的情况。调查发现,美国城市公共图书馆网站达到Section 508信息无障碍标准的比例只有15%,“缺少表单标签”“链接图像缺少替代文本”等是常现错误;55%图书馆网站主页有残障用户服务信息。我国公共图书馆应重视信息无障碍建设,遵循信息无障碍标准,定期进行审查与维护,借助信息无障碍技术提供残障服务。

This study explores whether US post-secondary institutions (PPI) follow philosophies to foster inclusive communities, providing resources for those individuals with disabilities thrive socially, personally, and academically, while there have been no thorough studies conducted to determine web accessibility of the nation’s top-ranked PPI library webpages. Additionally, this study pioneers in comparison with the accessibility of PPI’s library homepages fighting COVID-19. The study evaluated the library homepages of the premium PPIs based on Money.com’s 2019 list of “The Best Colleges in America” via the WAVE web accessibility evaluation tool. The outcomes determined that most of the library homepages analyzed were littered with numerous errors, and the shift to online-based research in learning had no significant impact on the number of errors WAVE detected. The disconcerting findings of this study demonstrate the overall failure to recognize the importance of web accessibility or perhaps even the indifference toward accessibility on the part of the PPI community.

Are core competency requirements for relevant positions in the library shifting? Applying natural language processing techniques to understand the current market demand for core competencies, this study explores job advertisements issued by the American Library Association (ALA) from 2006 to 2017. Research reveals that the job demand continues to rise at a rate of 13% (2006–2017) and that the requirements for work experience are substantially extended, diversity of job titles becomes prevalent, and rich service experience and continuous lifelong learning skills are becoming more and more predominant for librarians. This analytical investigation informs the emerging demands in the American job market debriefing the prioritization and reprioritization of the current core competency requirements for ALA librarians. © The Author(s) 2021.

This paper analyzes the concept of think tanks and concludes that think tanks have three basic characteristics. Firstly, they are based on academic research, relatively independent operation, and aim to serve scientific decision-making. Taking Ivy League think tanks as an example, this paper provides a preliminary discussion of ways for think tanks to maintain the scientific nature of their research, maintain the independence of their operations, and disseminate research results to enhance their influence. It covers institutional mission, research team construction, institutional governance, fundraising, achievements and activities, and alumni networks. This paper proposes a framework of university think tank generation paths associated with the essential characteristics of think tanks. The paper points out that, as a research consulting organization grown out of universities, university think tanks must maintain the scientific nature and independence of research while providing support and services for decision-making. Only in this way can they truly serve scientific and democratic decision-making, gain the trust of the public and have a real lasting influence.

Studying ADA accessibility at library websites of top universities selected from the U.S. News and World Report, the authors used WAVE and AChecker to assess data in compliance with WCAG 2.0 standards. Almost 8 out of 10 public university academic libraries reported accessibility errors as one of the major findings. Low color contrast was becoming a more commonly occurring accessibility issue, making it difficult for people with vision impairments to perceive the color of the image. The outcomes of the study suggest that academic libraries around the world should continue improving their website accessibility.

As a doorway for users seeking information, library websites should be accessible to all, including those who are visually or physically impaired and those with reading or learning disabilities. In conjunction with an earlier study, this paper presents a comparative evaluation of Ivy League university library homepages with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates. Data results from WAVE and AChecker evaluations indicate that although the error of Missing Form Labels still occurs in these websites, other known accessibility errors and issues have been significantly improved from five years ago.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the measures employed in the provision of patron services in Chinese academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the challenges and issues inherent in providing substantial services while undergoing a public health emergency. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses an analytical survey study of 137 Chinese academic libraries using data collected through a combination of website investigation, social media access and direct correspondences. Findings: Over 94% of Chinese academic libraries released COVID-19-related information through their websites; the majority switched their service focus to partly or solely remotely online, including remote access, free electronic resources, virtual references reachable 24/7 and research support services deliverable online; services of print materials were altered to e-books for conveniences. Research limitations/implications: It should be noted that the survey was conducted from February 12 to April 5, 2020; because of the rapid updates to the library's website and social media channels, the status of their patron services are in the process of dynamic changes and that there should be many libraries that have adopted some patron service methods, but this study is difficult to cover comprehensively. In addition, patron services carried out offline by the surveyed libraries but not disclosed on the online platform could not be analyzed in a way that would be consistent with the data provided by the survey. Originality/value: By providing evidence of the current status of patron services in Chinese academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study helps fulfill the scant empirical attention given to the impact of nationwide public health crises on academic libraries and offers new data of the best practices that help library administrators enhance the impact, efficiency and value of library services to their target community users. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.