This paper explores the shared experiences of practices of blended librarianship among Zimbabwean academic librarians to identify how adequately they comply with their dynamic roles and functions. ...The paper relies on the theoretical constructs from Bell and Shank's (2004, 2007) blended librarianship and Lave and Wenger's (1991) Legitimate Peripheral Participation (LPP) to understand how Zimbabwean academic librarians practice blended librarianship in the workplace through engagement in legitimate work tasks. The investigators used phenomenology to explore academic librarians' experiences of blended librarianship. They selected a sample of 101 academic librarians and delivered a semi-structured questionnaire to the sample, conducted document research and interviewed key informants from the sample. The researchers collected data from the Bindura University of Science Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Lupane State University, Midlands State University, the National University of Science and Technology, and PHSBL80 Library which chose to be undisclosed. Each institution adopted blended librarianship in its way. Four (4) different categories of blended librarianship emerged from the experiences; that is “transcending blended librarians”, “partially blended librarians”, “intermittent blended librarians” and “aspiring blended librarians”, displaying each institution's level of instructional technology and instructional design roles. The study proposes that the “Academic librarian's transition to blended librarianship” two-by-two matrix that developed was in this inquiry needs further refinement. Further enquiries may test the matrix within the same sites or other locales altogether to corroborate if the results are replicable.
This column discusses the pros and cons of a Web Services/User Experience Librarian serving on a regular reference desk shift, as well as the trend toward the generalist or “renaissance librarian” ...model Keywords: web librarianship, user experience librarianship, reference, renaissance librarian
The new generation of librarianship is characterized by multi-nationalism; this column discusses the transitional process between British and American health sciences librarianship, as perceived by a ...new professional who has recently moved from the United Kingdom to the United States.
Since the beginning of the 1990s, libraries have been undertaking a number of activities aimed at minimizing their negative impact on the environment. Those that show such activity are called ‘green ...libraries’. This term appears in scientific, professional and popular science literature, but its definitions are vague and ambiguous. A preliminary analysis of the content of publications dealing with the issue of green libraries shows a modest representation of theoretical and synthetic texts. This article aims to fill this gap. It has three goals: (1) clarification of the term ‘green library’, (2) conceptualization of the term ‘green librarianship’ and (3) determination of ‘green librarianship’ areas. To achieve them, first, an analysis of the environmental discourse on green libraries and green librarianship in library science literature was performed to abstract green library indicators. Then, these indicators were verified. The selection of the sample for research was deliberate. The materials were collected using the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstract (LISTA) bibliographic and abstract database. As a result, the number of green library indicators has been extended, which has made it possible to clarify the definition of this term. The definition of ‘green librarianship’ was then formulated, and the areas of green librarianship were indicated. Conceptualization of the terms ‘green library’ and ‘green librarianship’ constitutes the value of this article. The practical implication of the study is the expansion of the number of green library indicators. These indicators can be used to develop a codebook for the content analysis of documents in the discussed area. This article may also contribute to the development of methods for the evaluation of activities and development of green libraries.
This exploratory case study delves into the views and perspectives of 17 US library experts involved in 21st-century library diplomacy practices. Using the template analysis, four main themes of ...library diplomacy are identified: (1) the actors showed implicit and explicit roles in diplomatic involvement; (2) the main objective of library diplomacy was to facilitate knowledge dialogue; (3) the strategies aimed to foster cultural humility; and (4) the actors viewed digitalization as a significant instrument in international library work. This research offers significant insights into the less explored topic of library diplomacy, particularly when 21st-century libraries are challenged concerning global issues relating to freedom of information; the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility; and sustainability efforts. Library diplomacy is more critical than ever to be at the forefront of establishing dialogue around the world. The study encourages further investigation of library diplomacy practices in a variety of geographical and international contexts.
This essay applies Fobazi Ettarh’s concept of “vocational awe” to theological librarianship, suggesting that theological librarians’ strong sense of religious vocation may be leading to burnout, low ...pay, and dwindling resources for libraries. It proposes a series of truths that may apply to theological librarians, indicating ways forward for theological librarians to create a relationship with their work that is not all-consuming and self-defeating. These truths are framed in part with Christian references that modify this traditional sense of vocation. This renewed relationship with work welcomes diverse persons to the profession by understanding that not everyone has the ability or desire to totally give their lives over to their work.
As researchers dealing with a high volume of requests daily, it can be tempting to value speed and efficiency over all else. However, it is vital that we learn the skill of slowing down and allowing ...new solutions and answers to emerge through effortful thought and the unencumbering of the mind.
Over the last 40 years, New Zealand libraries and information management institutions have been undergoing cultural change in an attempt to improve the services and resources made available to Māori ...clients. Previous studies have demonstrated that Māori have not been regular users of these institutions, so a critical part of the transformation process has focused on the promotion of the benefits that library and information institutions can provide. This has led to institutions reviewing how they can incorporate distinctively Māori elements within their existing structures. A critical part of this innovation has been the introduction of te reo Māori into areas such as signage, intellectual access, website and online catalogue designs and client services. This article reports on research that has focused on how Māori language into services, and the challenges and opportunities that its usage has for Māori clients and the libraries and information management institutions in New Zealand.
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