Strategic development of UK academic library websites: A survey of East Midlands university libraries

Manuel, Sue; Dearnley, James; Walton, Graham

doi:10.1177/0961000610361424

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…the online presence of academic libraries, has produced rich literature. There are several publications that include general analyses of libraries’ online services offerings (Aharony, 2012; Comeaux and Schmetzke, 2013; Lewis, 2013; Manuel et al, 2010; Providenti and Zai, 2007), or tackle more detailed issues related to their digital offerings. An overview of the newest literature reveals a growing interest in subjects such as the use of Web 2.0 tools (Boateng and Liu, 2014; Lwoga, 2014; Vieira et al, 2013), organization of access to digital collections (Knight, 2013; Lewis, 2013; Noh, 2012; Yan et al, 2013; Zha et al, 2014;, services provided online (Dimitroff et al, 2011; Kaur and Singh, 2011; Kiran and Singh, 2008), or the use of social media by libraries (Castillo Diaz and Herrera Morillas, 2014; Kim, 2011; Margaix-Arnal, 2008; Park, 2010; Sewell, 2013) .…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Academic library website functions in the context of users’ information needs

Mierzecka

Šuminas

2016

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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The digital revolution has had a particular impact on the functioning of libraries: it has changed both the means of communicating with the users, and the nature of the service itself. In the case of academic libraries, an online presence is crucial due to the increased rate of Internet usage among their stakeholders, academics and students alike. From their perspective, library websites serve as digital gates to library services and resources. However, an academic library website may fulfil a wide array of functions and their importance can be variously prioritized. The purpose of our research was to find out which functions of academic library websites are viewed as the most important by a selected group of users: the students. To answer this question, we identified the main functions of academic library websites on the basis of desk research and designed a survey conducted among students of the University of Warsaw (Poland) and Vilnius University (Lithuania) ( n=680). The picture of users’ information needs with regard to content of the academic library website revealed by our research allows us to draw conclusions about the functions of the academic library website distinctive from those already mentioned in the subject literature. From the perspective of a user-centric approach we distinguished five functions of the academic library website: (1) supporting the usage of the collection (online and traditional); (2) promotion of culture; (3) gateway for locating information on the Web; (4) education; (5) creation of library’s online image.

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Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Academic library website functions in the context of users’ information needs

Mierzecka

Šuminas

2016

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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“…It is agreed that the website is an integral and crucial aspect of a library’s digital promotion (De Sáez, 2002; Roy, 2002; Schmidt, 2007; Wilson, 2004) yet there exist varying definitions of how websites can be evaluated (Basu, 2002, Hernon and Calvert, 2005; Manuel et al, 2010). Content analysis of library websites is generally based on predetermined lists of content criteria with which a library might promote itself and its services (Kaur, 2009; Qutab and Mahmood, 2009; Wilson, 2004).…”

Section: Context and Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital marketing in independent libraries in the United Kingdom

Bishop

Rowley

2012

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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This article aims to investigate the approach to marketing and promotion adopted by independent libraries, with specific reference to the development of their digital presence. A three-phase mixed methodology approach was adopted which incorporated a website survey, a questionnaire, and telephone and face-to-face interviews. Data collection focused on the member libraries of the Association of Independent Libraries. Independent libraries are reluctant to engage fully with marketing and technology due to limited resources, fears over security and staff numbers, and a lack of familiarity with the concepts. In libraries where staff are already familiar with using digital technology, there is a greater uptake of digital applications on the library's behalf. The libraries can benefit from viewing their offer more flexibly and communicating with patrons in ways appropriate to their targets including the use of websites, email and Web 2.0.

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“…Abundance of studies in the recent literature (i.e. Poll, 2007;Astani & Elhindi, 2008;Chen, Germain & Yang, 2009;Manuel & Walton, 2010;Kaba, 2011; 1 Senior Assistant Librarian, Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka. Email: idwij@ou.ac.lk Aharony, 2012;Madhusudhan & Nagabhushanam, 2012;Vasishta, 2013) that evaluate the library websites in different perspectives is a good indication of the enthusiasm of the librarians around the world towards this fascinating branch of the librarianship.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Web Presence of University Libraries of Sri Lanka

Wijayaratne

2014

Jnl Univ. Librarians Assoc. Sri Lanka

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The paper discusses the findings of a study that analyze the content and design of university library websites of Sri Lanka and highlights the points that need to be addressed in order to enhance the quality of websites. Besides, this paper presents a simplified version of an evaluative instrument that was developed by the author. Websites of university libraries of Sri Lanka were assessed in terms of both quantitative and qualitative web presence. A 17-itemed evaluative instrument was used to measure the qualitative web presence. The rating of the websites was carried out during the first week of April 2013. Findings revealed that the quantitative web presence of Sri Lankan university libraries is at a quite commendable level. All 3 parameters -availability of websites, size of sites, location of the link to the library site in the parent institution's website -that measured the quantitative web presence were found to be in high level. Besides, out of the two parameters -content richness and design accuracy -that measured qualitative web presence, the content richness level of websites was found to be at a commendable status. However, majority of websites reported low scores when measured in terms of design accuracy. The evaluative instrument presented in this paper would be useful for library professionals in evaluating the current status of the library websites for institutional or research purposes. The evaluative instrument presented in this paper is an original tool and the results generated based on the tool have added a new set of empirical data to the body of literature.

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Strategic development of UK academic library websites: A survey of East Midlands university libraries

Cited by 9 publications

References 15 publications

Academic library website functions in the context of users’ information needs

Academic library website functions in the context of users’ information needs

Digital marketing in independent libraries in the United Kingdom

Review of Web Presence of University Libraries of Sri Lanka

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