Journal of Librarianship and Information Science current issue

Out With the Old and in With the New: the RAE, Bibliometrics and the New REF

Oppenheim, C. — 2008-08-18

Children's conceptualizations of the word `Information'

Shenton, A. K., Nesset, V., Hayter, S. — 2008-08-18

Although information has become increasingly prevalent in young people's lives, minimal research has addressed children's attitudes to the word itself. This paper scrutinizes questionnaire-based data to explore how 45 eight- to ten-year-old Canadians understood the term. `Information' was often considered to be material that met a need, covered particular territory or was associated with action by an individual. The youngsters identified many features they believed characteristic of `good information'; where these requirements were not met the material was frequently deemed `bad information'. The research findings have implications for teachers and librarians, as well as for researchers investigating children's information needs.

The development of information search expertise of research students

Kai-Wah Chu, S., Law, N. — 2008-08-18

This study identifies the development of information search expertise of 12 beginning research students (six in education and six in engineering) who were provided with a set of systematic search training sessions over a period of one year. The study adopts a longitudinal approach in investigating whether there were different stages in the development of search expertise for the research students, and examines the contributing factors in their progress from one stage of expertise to the next. The inclusion of both education and engineering students allows the researcher to examine whether search expertise development is different for students in different domains. This study provides a model which relates students' growth and development in research expertise to information search expertise. The results show that every student went through three stages of information needs during graduate studies, and the changes in information needs reflect the students' growth in knowledge of their subject. It was also found that the research students had problems in finding relevant information sources and that they needed to at least achieve a competent level of expertise in order to effectively locate information.

Information literacy in Tanzanian universities: Challenges and potential opportunities

Lwehabura, M. J., Stilwell, C. — 2008-08-18

A study was undertaken in four Tanzanian universities to investigate the status and practice of information literacy (IL) so as to determine the best ways of introducing or improving IL programmes. This article reports on the findings related to challenges and opportunities that could influence the effective implementation and introduction of IL programmes in Tanzanian universities. Data for the study was collected using a questionnaire-based survey administered to teaching staff, librarians and undergraduate students. Semi-structured interviews collected data from Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVCs) for academic affairs, Faculty Deans, Library Directors and a Library Head. The findings of the study showed that IL was new in the university curricula although some IL rubrics were being practised. Lack of adequate resources, lack of an IL policy, lack of proactive solutions among librarians coupled with the need for adequate library staffing and training, and collaboration between librarians and teaching staff in IL activities were all identified as challenges facing IL effectiveness. Also identified were potential opportunities such as the support by the majority of university stakeholders to mainstream IL and make it a compulsory course. These opportunities would allow the introduction of effective and sustainable IL programmes. The article concludes that librarians should seize the opportunities that are available to spearhead IL while at the same time making sure they tackle the identified challenges.

Books in a virtual world: The evolution of the e-book and its lexicon

Armstrong, C. — 2008-08-18

Over recent years there has been considerable confusion over the use of the term `e-book', and this article examines the variety of definitions used to date while proposing a definitive construct. Beginning by examining the definitions of `book', the paper moves on to consider the essential element of a book — the content, and to examine publishing and structural aspects of e-books, as well as their place in libraries, before arriving at a final definition. The definition and its derivation embrace all of the issues that affect the way in which e-books are understood and used today. In conclusion, the article looks at both the genesis of e-books, and the stage of acceptance and adoption that they have reached, with brief reference to 3rd-generation e-book readers available at the time of writing.

Healthcare personnel's use of e-information sources in Riyadh governmental hospitals

Khudair, A. A., Cooke, L. — 2008-08-18

ICT has enabled a wide dissemination of information and a sharp increase in the magnitude of electronic information sources. The use of e-information sources by healthcare personnel within Saudi Arabia has received little research attention. This paper discusses the use of e-information sources by healthcare personnel in the kingdom. A questionnaire with open-ended questions was designed to collect data from 11 governmental hospitals and health centres in Riyadh. It identified a range of problems and obstacles that impact on the use of electronic information sources. The identification of these difficulties opens the way for development and improvement of the current situation.

Book Review: Subject Librarians: Engaging with the Learning and Teaching Environment edited by Penny Dale, Matt Holland and Marian Matthews 2006, Aldershot: Ashgate, xix + 199pp, {pound}50.00, ISBN 0754640957

Corrall, S. — 2008-08-18

Book Review: Organising Information: From the Shelf to the Web by G.G. Chowdhury and Sudatta Chowdhury 2007, London: Facet, 230pp, {pound}34.95, ISBN 1856045780

Guest, E. — 2008-08-18

Book Review: Managing Stress and Conflict in Libraries by Sheila Pantry 2007, London: Facet, 140pp, {pound}29.95, ISBN 1856046138

Hannabuss, S. — 2008-08-18

Book Review: Change and Challenges: Information Literacy for the 21st Century edited by Susie Andretta 2007, Adelaide: Auslib Press, 202pp, A$44.00, ISBN 9780980330113

Pors, N. O. — 2008-08-18

Book Review: Beyond Survival: Managing Academic Libraries in Transition by Elizabeth J. Wood, Rush Miller and Amy Knapp 2007, Westport, CT and London: Libraries Unlimited, 220pp, $45.00, ISBN 1591583373; Making a Difference: Leadership and Academic Libraries edited by Peter Hernon and Nancy Rossiter 2007, Westport CT and London: Libraries Unlimited, 300pp, $45.00, ISBN 1591582911

Ole Pors, N. — 2008-08-18

Book Review: Blended Learning: Tools for Teaching and Training by Barbara Allan 2007, London: Facet Publishing, 228pp, {pound}39.95, ISBN 9781856046145

Zainab, A.N. — 2008-08-18