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Purpose - The purpose of this case study is to explore the construction pattern and issues involved with the development of the National Science and Technology Library (NSTL) in China. Design/methodology/approach - This study was conducted through an analytical evaluation of the historical development of scientific and technological information sharing among libraries and information centers and issues around construction of the NSTL. Findings - Since the establishment of its network service system at the end of 2000, the NSTL has made rapid progress in constructing a sci-tech information resource sharing system and offering web-based information services to the patrons of scientific and technical communities all over China. Originality/value - This paper is the first exploration that brings to the forefront the foundational background of the NSTL, the characteristics of its organizational structure, the functions of its service, and the tentative plan to increase its accessibility and usability. Symptomatic of the function of the NSTL constructing pattern will hopefully shed light not only to the reformation of the Chinese sci-tech information management system, but also to the development of scientific digital libraries in the world. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

The paper discusses the state of library preservation as the main problem of library management in Russia during the times of transition to digital environments. Today, Russia's extensive library system is undergoing a paradigm change toward the implementation of information technology (IT) to develop public access to information, that is perceived to be vital for the growth of the country. The first principal projects to elevate Russia to the ranks of the technologically advanced started as recently as 1990s, and, although having had some success, the country's digital resources remain grossly inadequate to support the growing public demand for information and education. Despite its state of retardation, the problems of preserving digital sources in Russia are evident to concerned specialists in the fields of informational science and archive work. Although these and other related problems are not addressed widely enough, they have gradually surfaced as an undeniable priority for the international preservation community. There is a promise to continue the necessary training and education that will link the national Russian library system with more collaborative projects and with leading international organizations. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

This article seeks to promote a critical perspective on the present conceptualization of library management and the problems posed by technology. More specifically, it addresses the challenges faced by library administrators in relation to computing technologies. Through the adoption of Ursula Franklin's view of technology as “practice”, the article contrasts the practice of holistic and prescriptive technologies in library contexts. It also addresses the transformations of librarianship and the increasing adoption of prescriptive technological models. To exemplify the ongoing destruction of traditional librarianship, the three practices that comprise the fundamentals of librarianship are analyzed, namely, cataloging, collection development, and reference work. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

This study investigates current practice in digitizing library materials in the USA. Building a good digital collection has been a common task, pervasive in all types of libraries. Digitization becomes more and more crucial, affecting libraries while they work towards becoming digital. Researchers and practitioners would like to know what practices have been developed to deal with the challenges that pose the most significant problems or concerns for libraries in digitization. Through probing some widespread issues on what materials to digitize, and the associated standards and technologies in digitization in US libraries, this survey of current literature reveals a number of prominent library digitization practices, methods and challenges, and highlights the best practices, trends and interests in library digitization pertaining to both policy and technology marketplace issues.

This study investigates the state of education for digital libraries. For this study, a Web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries (DL). Similarities and differences on such subjects as teaching emphases, course outlines, textbooks and assignments were compared. The majority of classes now contain a “hands-on” element, a practical component of the course that requires that the students interact with digital libraries. Not all of the course contents are up-to-date in the field of library and information technology. While the quality of DL education seems to have advanced at those schools and institutions that offer classes with “hands-on” requirements, the educational approach at many of the “hands-off” universities seems somewhat technophobic and overly dependent on outdated pedagogical methods. Those students who have received practical experience with digital libraries, like those provided in the “hands-on” courses, appear to be best served for future practice in the field of librarianship. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

We report sol-gel process of Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) as well as the microstructure and physical properties of ferroelectric PGO films for memory applications. The PGO sol was prepared from lead acetate hydrate, germanium isopropoxide, and di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether. The reactions taking place during the sol-gel process were examined in detail, Diethanolamine (DEA) was added to help maintain the desired species ratio and prevent germanium oxide precipitation. The preferred orientation of the PGO thin films was well controlled by the heating and reflux procedures in the sol-gel preparation process. Additionally, to examine the impact of post-deposition processing, selected samples were oxygen annealed at temperatures ranging from 450-650°C. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), non-contact (planview) atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM). The resulting data indicate that the microstructure and physical properties of PGO films depend strongly on the precursor preparation as well as the post deposition annealing temperature.

This study investigates the state of school education for digital libraries. For this study, a web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries. Similarities and differences on such subjects as teaching emphases, course outlines, textbooks and assignments were compared. The majority of classes now contain a "hands-on" element, a practical component of the course that requires that the students interact with digital libraries. Those students who have received practical experience with digital libraries, like those provided in the "hands-on" courses, are best served for future practice in the field of librarianship. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.

Librarians have been involved in collecting and disseminating statistics for many years. Utilising statistics to describe and assess the operation of library activities as a part of library tradition has received growing attention from researchers, policymakers, library managers, and professionals. However, few studies have investigated how statistics are used in libraries. This report compares directors’ uses of statistics provided by national agencies in the USA and China to highlight the differences and similarities between the ways in which the two groups of directors make use of statistics, and the statistical information that directors find particularly useful. The results are intended to provide library administrators with an insight of how library statistics are used in the managerial process, and may also help the national statistical providers to obtain an understanding of the characteristics and pattern of use of their products. © 2001, MCB UP Limited

The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate what factors crucially affect scholar's acceptance of e-journals. Before reviewing various aspects of e-journals, it is necessary to fully understand the traditional journal system, because the developments, roles, and deficiencies of the paper journal system will illustrate some basic requirements for successful e-journals. This article also examines the developments of e-journals and presents a comprehensive examination of the economic, technological and cognitive, and sociological aspects of e-journals based upon an extensive literature review. With regard to the economic and technological and cognitive aspects, the benefits of scholarly e-journal publishing appear to be, by and large, favorable to the transition from paper to electronic journals. However, the major stumbling block is the credibility of scholarly e-journals. Whether or not scholars can obtain the same recognition or rewards through e-journal publication as they obtain through paper journal publication must be one of the key factors that affect scholar's acceptance of e-journals.

Librarians have been involved in collecting and disseminating statistics for many years. Utilizing statistics to describe and assess the operation of library activities as a part of library tradition has received growing attention from researchers, policymakers, library managers, and professionals. However, few studies have investigated how statistics are used in libraries. This report compares directors’ uses of statistics provided by national agencies in the USA and China to highlight differences and similarities of the uses the two countries’ directors make of statistics and the statistical information that directors find particular useful. The results are intended to provide library administrators with an insight of how library statistics are used in the managerial process and may also help the national statistical providers to obtain an understanding of the characteristics and pattern of use of their products. © 2001, MCB UP Limited

Today, access to digital information is essential to patrons using public libraries, whether they have contact with computers at home, work or school or whether the public library is their only contact. In order to evaluate and ultimately enhance public library digital resources and services, it is critical for administrators, librarians and digital information architects to recognize the impact their current digital offerings have on users. This study utilizes a survey to gauge the perceptions of patrons who use digital resources and services in six urban New England public libraries as part of ongoing research into digital information access in public libraries in the United States from the perspective of users.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discover whether the social styles of patrons affects their perception (and librarians' perception) of the quality of the reference interview. Also, whether learning to assess social styles of patrons improves perception of the quality of the reference interview. Design/methodology/approach: The researcher observed 24 reference interviews, assessed the social style of each patron using a checklist of behavioral characteristics; both patrons and librarians confidentially filled out a survey to assess the outcome of the reference interview. Findings: It appears that the social style of patrons has some effect on how both librarians and patrons perceive the outcome of the reference interview. There also appears to be a correlation between the librarians' awareness of the social styles of people and the outcome of the reference interview. Practical implications: Literature has not provided any data on how social style theory on the four social styles (analytical, expressive, driver, amiable) could be used to improve the reference interview. Originality/value: Social style theory has been explored in academic settings and in the areas of marketing and sales, but not yet in public libraries. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Purpose To explore the impact of public digital library resources on urban residents, to elucidate the current usage patterns of public digital library resources/services and levels of satisfaction with the resources/content in urban digital libraries and make recommendations as to steps that would improve service to this population. Design/Methodology/Approach We conducted an anonymous user-completed survey study of 6 urban libraries to collect demographic and information regarding satisfaction with Digital Library (DL) resource and patterns of use. Findings Our respondents represented a cross section of races, genders, ages, and educational backgrounds. Our results in this much-needed area of study demonstrate that libraries should plan to provide more access, less filtering, regular upgrades, and more training to use the resources. Practical Limitations/Implications Larger studies should be used to follow up this report, in order to be able to obtain a generalized understanding of overall patterns of urban residents using DLs in public settings. Recruitment techniques did not adequately sample potential (but not current) DL users. Originality/Value This study contributes to a scant empirical data set addressing the impact that access to public digital information and services have on urban residents. We offer new data and recommendations that will guide public library administrators in enhancing the impact, efficiency and value of public DL resources/services to improve the digital learning environment for life-long educaiton at all levels in a broad community of urban users.

Purpose - The purpose of this case study is to explore the construction pattern and issues involved in the development of an urban library service system in China. Design/methodology/approach - This study was conducted through an analytical evaluation of the development of an integrated public service system and its distribution of information among libraries and information centers in an urban community. Findings - Constructing an integrated public service system is an important trend in urban libraries in the new millennium. Drawing from the Dongguan library's integrated public service system that aims to master better various resources from whole service area, this text summarizes technology innovation and the significant results of the Dongguan library system redevelopment, providing an absorbing insight into developments in the Chinese public library service. Originality/value - While the ultimate goal of integration is to provide better services to meet the information-seeking needs of urban residents, it is necessary to meet these needs through a technological breakthrough in the administration of clustered libraries, to instill a central branch system, and to work out the advantages of group service.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of public digital services on urban/suburban residents, to uncover the current usage of public digital services and levels of satisfaction with the digital resources/content in urban digital libraries (networked computers with specific information infrastructure designed free for public use). Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative approach is used as a main stream in the research framework as the method of inquiry. Qualitative one-to-one interviews include surveying users who use public library websites, observing the users, consulting librarians about the users, and interviewing the users. Findings - Provides demographic patterns of the patron's interaction with the digital services public libraries provide, and the satisfaction and compliances the residents have regarding information access through the digital technology in urban/suburban Connecticut. Practical implications - Because of the small number of participants, this study has limitations in being generalized to an understanding of overall patterns of urban residents using digital resources in public settings in the USA or elsewhere, however, it could be a good pilot study for a nation-wide survey with the methods tested. Originality/value - This study helps fulfill the scant empirical attention given to the impact access to public digital information or use of digital library services on the urban/suburban residents, offers new data that help public library administrators enhance the impact, efficiency and value of the public digital library services to improve the digital learning environments for life-long education at all levels in a broad community of urban-suburban users. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.