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Background: Cancer patients admitted to the bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit face life-threatening medical conditions. Consequently, their family members experience uncertainty, resulting in high levels of anxiety and depression (AD). Limited updates and communication from medical staff exacerbate these emotional burdens. To address these challenges, we developed a mobile health (mHealth) intervention, FamCarePlus, and evaluated its feasibility, usability, and efficacy. We hypothesized that the FamCarePlus application would demonstrate a high degree of feasibility and usability and would reduce AD compared to a control group relying solely on traditional communication through the nurses’ station. Methods: We employed a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest non-randomized, non-blinded self-report design over 3 weeks, with an experimental group (n = 10) using FamCarePlus and a control group (n = 9). We selected participants via convenience sampling using the electronic medical record to identify eligible patients and families, guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used descriptive statistics and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) guidelines to analyze the data. Feasibility was defined by a retention rate > 80%, with usability testing using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) surveys. The HADS measured AD, comparing baseline to Week 3. Results: We met our feasibility criteria of >80%. All SUS and NASA scores were in the higher index, suggesting a significant degree of usability and low workload demand on participants. For efficacy, we compared baseline mean scores, with the experimental group reporting lower AD levels at Week 1 (41.9% and 27.8%, respectively) than the control group (55.2% and 34.2%, respectively). From Week 1 to Week 3, the percentage change showed an 8.6% decrease in anxiety in the experimental group, compared to a 12.8% decrease in anxiety in the control group. These results were consistent when analyzed according to HADS guidelines. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide preliminary evidence that the FamCarePlus intervention is feasible and usable, while also demonstrating that its use may be associated with a sustained reduction in AD levels among family members of patients admitted to the BMT unit. These outcomes underscore the potential of digital interventions to address disparities in patient health information access and psychosocial support. © 2026 by the authors.

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...

Notwithstanding reports of increased awareness and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in higher education, the literature notes that awareness and use of and institutional support for OER remain major challenges to campuses seeking to reduce student cost burden and support access to materials. OER also support faculty who desire to move beyond the traditional textbooks in order to increase their students’ engagement and thereby access to learning, to support pedagogical changes they are making that enhance student learning, and to give faculty greater control over their courses. The university website, as a public-facing vehicle to aid students, parents, alumni, faculty, the community, and interested others in being aware, among other things, of the resources available, is examined for findable support for OER. The purpose of this study is to show, through examination of their websites, a snapshot of the response of Connecticut universities and colleges to OER. Through an examination of these websites, we gage the ability to connect with information related to OER through the university website.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced rapid advancement, fundamentally transforming the information landscape. This technological shift has not only amplified the dissemination of misinformation but has also posed significant challenges to conventional frameworks of trust and verification. This paper explores the dual impact of AI: its potential to enhance information services while simultaneously amplifying misinformation and disinformation. Seven AI-generated misinformation cases between 2022 and 2025—ranging from deepfakes and political propaganda to impersonation and amplification were analyzed. Through thematic case analysis and interdisciplinary synthesis, the study proposes the AI-Misinformation Resilience Model (AIM-RM), a conceptual framework guiding proactive responses across verification infrastructure, digital literacy, and ethical policy engagement. Drawing on recent scholarly literature and grounded in information ethics, epistemic trust, and sociocultural literacy, the model offers a path forward for LIS professionals seeking to navigate the post-truth era. Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science & Technology | Nov. 14 – 18, 2025 | Washington, DC, USA.

This study outlines the development of a unique and user-friendly video game metadata schema and a catalog entry template optimized for public library use. Research strategies include analyzing and synthesizing data from authorities on game cataloging into a draft template, testing this template against real game metadata, and collecting opinions from library patrons and staff on the template through focus groups and interviews. The resulting metadata schema and fillable form template offer an intuitive and accessible interface for cataloging game metadata favored by library patrons. This indicates the template’s proficiency in advancing video game collection development and cataloging practices in public libraries. © 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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.

This study aims to discover the perceived awareness, benefits and suitable strategies of the Pakistani editors of Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized scholarly journals regarding open-access (OA) journal publishing in Pakistan.,A structured questionnaire-based survey method of quantitative research approach was adopted to achieve the study’s objectives by collecting data from the editors of 329 HEC-recognized journals in Pakistan.,The awareness level of the respondents of the Pakistani journals is low regarding the OA concepts, resources and initiatives. The respondents of OA journals have better awareness levels than the respondents of non-OA journals. All the respondents of journals are convinced and have the view that OA journals have wider benefits for the academic community, and they need to flourish. A majority of the respondents are of the view that HEC should sponsor financial resources and technical training for OA journal publishing. The respondents of OA journals are more in favor of supporting OA journal publishing than the respondents of non-OA journals.,This study covered the lists of HEC-recognized journals of 2019. More studies may be conducted based on updated lists of HEC-recognized journals by using different research paradigms such as qualitative or pragmatic research approaches.,To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive study on this phenomenon and is an effort to fill this gap and invigorate the scholarly literature. It may attract the attention of the policymakers, funding bodies, parent institutions of the journals and the HEC to cope with the low awareness level of the Pakistani editors regarding the OA concepts, resources and initiatives; and suitable strategies required to uplift the OA journal publishing paradigm in Pakistan.

ObjectivesThis study has been designed to determine Pakistani editors’ perceptions regarding the Open Access (OA) publishing practices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized journals in Pakistan, and to assess their best OA publishing models.MethodologyA structured questionnaire-based survey method of quantitative research approach was adopted to achieve the study’s objectives by collecting data from the editors of all 329 HEC-recognized journals in Pakistan.FindingsThis study exposed that public and teaching institutes are leading in OA journal publishing in Pakistan as compared to private and research institutes. Diamond OA, and Gold OA publishing models are popular among the respondents; however, respondents are not convinced to follow any specific OA publishing model due to their different choices. A large majority (92%) of the journals belong to the Y category (the lowest) of journals. A large majority (72%) of the journals in Pakistan is adopting the Open Journal System (OJS), and parent institutions installed web browsers. CC-BY-NC and CC-BY licenses are their favorite licenses.SignificanceThe present study is the first comprehensive study on editors’ perceptions for OA journal publishing and is an effort to fill this gap to invigorate the scholarly literature. This study may enable the journals, editors, and publishers to follow the best OA journal publishing practices of the Pakistani journals for global OA usage of scholarly journals. The results have practical and theoretical ramifications for academic and research institutions, federal and provincial higher education commissioners, policy organizations, and parent institutions of journals.

The present study, a part of researcher's Ph.D. project, aimed at exploring the reading trends of young Pakistani students (i.e., Generation Y: born during the 1980s and early 1990s, also known as internet generation), and the impact of digital media on their reading behavior. It was conducted as a pilot study on final year's master level students of the University of the Punjab. Quantitative research design, based on a survey was used. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect data from 50 students through questionnaire survey. It revealed that the students' reading behavior has been significantly changed during the last five years. Their overall reading time and digital reading time has been increased due to the availability of digital devices and digital reading material. The findings of this study are helpful in identifying the trends of reading behavior as well as in planning and designing library services with regard to the considering of the behavior of the students.

This study aimed to find out the effects of demographic variable i.e. gender, age, group of studies, GPA etc. on level of academic integrity among Pakistani students. The design of the study is quantitative in nature, in which the survey research method was employed to gather data from the respondents. A self-reported questionnaire was adapted on the basis of previously developed and validated questionnaire, with the consent of the authors. The developed scale was validated with the help of experts and pilot tested. Multilevel stratified convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from 4 provinces and federal area of Pakistan. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 16.0 version

This research aims to assess tire service quality of public libraries of Lahore by evaluating the disparities between the users' expectation and currently received services. The survey method based on questionnaire was used. Four of the largest libraries in Lahore, in terms of services, collection and other facilities, were the population of the study. A sample of four hundred library users was selected with one hundred library users for each library based on convenience sampling. A modified LibQUAL+ tool was adopted to collect the data. The findings revealed that users have very high expectations regarding the accessibility of library's electronic resources from home or office, library website, printed material, availability of electronic information resource, modem equipment, tools that allow the users to find the material themselves, and provision of the information in an easy manner. The findings are helpful for public libraries' authorities to redcsign/upgradc the quality of library services, policies and procedures according to users' expectations and requirements.

The purpose of this study is to learn more about virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) practices at the United States’ top one hundred university libraries, as well as how they are engaging with the metaverse. We conducted qualitative and descriptive analysis on the websites of the top one hundred university libraries in the United States to determine the application fields and application proportions of VR and AR technologies and found good practice examples of using VR and AR technologies in this field. The findings show that 86 percent of the top one hundred US university libraries have implemented VR and AR technologies, with practice areas focused on: VR/AR studio and VR/AR makerspace; immersive learning services and virtual exhibitions/conference services; visual geographic information system and VR navigation services; virtual reading services and visual retrieval services; and VR reference services. The study provides university library administrators and professionals with the most up-to-date information and best practices of VR and AR engagement areas and the proportion of use, which can aid in the development of strategies to leverage VR and AR technologies to improve patron service and embrace the metaverse for the communities they serve.

The primary purpose of this book is to help students understand the principles of multimedia interface design to develop essential skills. The underlying philosophy of the approach of this text is that concepts are learned and remembered better when learned in a real work environment.

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.

Health information engagement can help individuals to find and use reliable sources of health information to make informed decisions about their health. This helps to improve their health outcomes and prevent unnecessary healthcare costs. Drawing upon the cognitive behavioural theory, this pilot study postulated a model to understand that the consequences of information orientation in terms of information engagement (behaviour), information literacy (cognition) and information avoidance (behaviour) in post-COVID era under health context. Furthermore, the moderation effects of health information literacy (HIL) are also calculated in managing health information avoidance beahvior. This pilot study is conducted in the context of social media exposure to health information by diabetic patients in Pakistani community. The proposed model was tested using Partial Lease Square Structural Equational Modelling (PLS-SEM). The data were collected from 166 diabetic patients (active social media users) through a survey. The study findings suggest that health information orientation on social media leads to HIL and engagement. Whereas, it has significant negative impact towards health information avoidance behaviour. Furthermore, HIL significantly increases health information engagement of diabetic patients. Also, HIL moderates the relationship between health information orientation and information engagement positively, whereas between health information orientation and health information avoidance negatively.

Elsevier’s Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature. Search and access research from the science, technology, medicine, social sciences and arts and humanities fields.

This work compiles a database that provides analytical case studies of typical digital libraries as an enhancement for educating and learning to meet the needs of students, librarians, scholars, and those who are interested in this resource.

In the past several years, many colleges and universities have developed institutional repositories as a means of highlighting the research and scholarship conducted at their institution as well as a means of combating the current publication model. Past studies have concentrated on growth in the total number of repositories, but none has looked at how the number of repositories in a particular region compares to those institutions without a repository. The primary purposes of this study were to find out how many colleges and universities in Connecticut have developed institutional repositories and how they have used these institutional repositories. Overall, this study revealed that less than a third of the academic institutions in Connecticut have institutional repositories. These repositories are most frequently found in the state sponsored universities and the independent, nonprofit schools. On the other hand, none of the community colleges, which constitute one of the largest proportion of schools in the state behind independent, nonprofits, has a repository. A vast majority of the repositories are registered with OpenDOAR, and nearly all of them use Digital Commons as their platform. The two most popular types of content found in Connecticut institutional repositories are journal articles and theses & dissertations.

Thirteen chapters and 47 sections of the book"Digital libraries, its theory and practices" were worked on and the book is ready to send to the publisher. Did a paper that was accepted by the journal Library Hi Tech. Visited China and gave 2 seminars in 2 universities in China.