Volume 74, Issue 3

The Fifth Industrial Revolution is ushering in a profound era of technological advancement and societal transformation, prompting a critical examination of the evolving role of libraries in this digital landscape. Traditionally regarded as the custodians of knowledge, libraries must adapt to these changing dynamics of the digital world while preserving their core principles. This study looks into the strategic integration of advanced technologies, aiming to redefine the mission of libraries in the face of complex challenges. The Fifth Industrial Revolution encompasses a convergence of diverse technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and quantum computing, all underpinned by the currency of data. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a focal point, promising enhancements in user experiences and operational efficiency, however, it also raises critical ethical and privacy concerns that challenge fundamental library principles. This research employs an interpretive content/document analysis approach to examine the evolving roles of libraries, considering their pivotal function in bridging the digital divide, providing equitable access to technology and digital resources, advancing research and innovation, and fostering community engagement. The study underscores the imperative to address challenges related to data privacy, digital inclusion, resource allocation, intellectual property, and sustainability. However, despite these challenges, libraries are poised to remain indispensable pillars of education, research, and community interaction. To do so, they must embrace technology strategically to redefine their roles and expand their influence within evolving knowledge systems.

This research focuses on art works depicting the history of the Cuban Red Revolution as its primary subject. It endeavors to illuminate the narrative of the Cuban Red Revolution by analyzing these art works. Additionally, it aims to create an ontology-based knowledge resource dedicated to the dissemination of Cuban art associated with the Red Revolution. The intention is to systematically organize and visually represent the knowledge embedded in art works that explore the history of the Cuban Red Revolution. The outcome of this research includes a metadata framework, an ontology specifically dedicated to the history of the Cuban Red Revolution, and a knowledge graph. These components collectively provide new insights and perspectives for studying art works themed around the Cuban Red Revolution, positioning them as valuable red cultural resources.

The plans and activities of academic libraries revolve around a user-centered approach to make noticeable improvements in the use of library resources and services. The purpose of this study was to examine library support strategies for the effective utilization of library support services and resources by distance-learning students. The research was conducted at the University of Education, Winneba, and the University of Cape Coast with distance learning students. A mixed-method approach was used, with 1170 students participating in quantitative research and 12 students and six (6) librarians participating in qualitative research, with Astin’s (1993) Input-Environment-Output Model guiding the study. The findings of the study identified a lack of organized strategies for the use of library resources and services among distance learning students. The study proposed a model to improve the use of library resources and services among distance learning students.

The present study aimed to explore the impact pathway of digital reading willingness and behavior among junior high school students in Guangxi’s developed urban areas, so as to improve the digital reading quality of teenagers. This study took students from key junior high schools in Nanning, Guilin, and Liuzhou as the research subjects. The UTAUT model retained three factors, performance expectation, effort expectation, and social impact, while introducing two variables, perceived risk and immersive experience, to jointly develop a factor model for the digital reading behavior of junior high school students in Guangxi. After conducting a questionnaire survey using an “online + offline” method, 497 valid questionnaires were obtained. SPSS 23 was used to perform reliability and validity analysis and descriptive statistical analysis, while AMOS 26.0 was used to conduct discriminant validity analysis, model adaptation analysis, hypothesis testing, and path analysis. The research conclusion was that performance expectations, effort expectations, social impact, and immersive experience all had a positive and significant impact on the digital reading willingness of junior high school students; performance expectations, effort expectations, social impact, and immersive experience positively influenced their digital reading behavior through their digital reading willingness, while perceived risk was found to have no significant impact on digital reading willingness and corresponding behavior. This article used a composite research method to study a sample of student groups in specific regions. It was an early introduction of immersive experience and perceived risk indicators in the study of digital reading behavior, specifically exploring the digital reading patterns of junior high school students who had received less attention in previous studies but were in a critical period of growth.

This study addresses the role of Romanian academic and research librarians in optimizing access to information in the digital age, in relation to quality management and knowledge management. The novelty of this study consists in its parallel analysis of both librarians’ and users’ perspectives on librarians’ roles and abilities in optimizing access to information. The results obtained by means of interpretative qualitative analysis combined with descriptive quantitative analysis revealed that Romanian librarians succeed in providing good information services, however, the demands and expectations of users highlight a continuous need for integration of librarians into the mission of the universities and research institutes, and knowledge sharing and a series of innovations are recommended. The results obtained by interpretative analysis, combined with quantitative analysis for corroboration, point to four interrelated themes regarding the Romanian librarians’ roles and abilities in optimizing access to information. The first principal idea is that librarians’ abilities and competencies are key assets for Romanian academic and special research libraries. The second is that Romanian librarians need training in knowledge management and quality management. The third is that embedded librarianship and knowledge sharing could add quality to libraries services. Finally, the fourth is that competency management can determine engagement of Romanian librarians in improving access to information.

Public libraries and public spheres have been widely studied over the past three decades. In recent years, several studies have comprehensively reviewed past research results to reveal the main issues, concerns, and research topics in the field of public libraries and public spheres. These studies have elucidated that the research theme of public libraries as a ‘meeting place’ has received increasing attention. They also noted the need for quantitative approaches in this field. Addressing this requirement, we conducted quantitative topic modelling using latent Dirichlet allocation and established an overview of research topics in the literature related to public libraries as public spheres. The following four periods emerged: first period (1993–2003), second period (2004–2010), third period (2011–2015), and fourth period (2016–2022). By analysing a cross-section of research topics from all periods, we elucidated the transitions of research themes developed in the research field. In addition, our comparison of topic model maps and topics over the years revealed that research topics appear to have become increasingly complex. Research topics on meeting places in public libraries have emerged continually and changed over time, covering (1) places for individual civic group activities, (2) public spaces where patrons face diversity and pluralism, (3) community spaces where patrons foster social trust, and (4) social spaces where patrons build social capital in the community. This result indicates that the research on public libraries as public spheres has gradually developed based on these venues being meeting places and will continue to progress.

This study investigated the effect of the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) on knowledge acquisition and application by Pakistani university librarians. To increase their impact in academic institutions, it is imperative to examine how people acquire and apply knowledge within the field of librarianship. This study employed a quantitative research approach based on the survey research method. The Big Five personality inventory designed by John and Srivastava was adopted, however, measurement items related to knowledge acquisition and application behavior were developed with the help of the existing literature. The study population comprised academic librarians working in the university libraries of Pakistan, with a census sampling method used to collect data and 357 completed questionnaires received. The results indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience positively affect the university librarian’s knowledge acquisition, while neuroticism has a negative effect. The findings also revealed that extraversion and openness to experience positively affects academic librarians’ knowledge application behavior while neuroticism has a negative effective, however, conscientiousness and agreeableness personality traits were found to be insignificant predictors of the same. This study highlights the significant personality features contributing to knowledge acquisition and application behavior in academic libraries from a developing country’s perspective.