Determining the factors influencing the level of awareness and usage of open source digital repository software by academic librarians in India

Revisiting and updating the state of library open source software research

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit and update Palmer and Choi (2014), which conducted a descriptive literature review on open source software (OSS) studies published by the end of February 2013 in the library context.

Design/methodology/approach

The same article search and filtering procedures used in Palmer and Choi (2014) were used, resulting in a total sample size of 105 articles. These articles were then examined based on the same six variables (i.e. publication year, publication outlet, software type, article type, library type and article topic) from Palmer and Choi (2014) along with two new variables (i.e., study country and prolific authors).

Findings

The volume of research articles was found to be in a downwards trend since 2010. As suggested by Palmer and Choi (2014), survey research increased and was found to be the second most popular article type. Regarding library types, the proportion of articles in the context of academic and research libraries was found to have expanded even further. As to article topics, perceptions, which investigates users’ (or non-users’) various perceptions towards OSS, was newly added and was ranked fourth. Given the maturity of the research stream, two new variables (i.e., study country and prolific authors) were examined, and the findings from analyzing them are also presented.

Originality/value

By examining library OSS articles published between March 2013 and February 2022, this study uncovers changes and developments in the research since Palmer and Choi (2014), which provides a picture of where the research stands now with several updated and new implications.

Key features of digital library management system (DLMS) for developing digital libraries: An investigation from LIS practitioners in Pakistan

The main objectives of the study were to identify key features of the digital library management system (DLMS) for developing and managing digital libraries, to reveal the satisfaction level of the library professionals in using digital library management system, and the problems being encountered in using these systems. The current study was quantitative in nature as quantitative measures were applied through a survey research strategy. Keeping in view the nature of the study, a purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from the target librarians who had been involved in operating digital library systems for building digital libraries in their respective libraries. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that in most of the university libraries in Pakistan, free and open source software (FOSS) had been implemented. DSpace was the most widely used software by library professionals in Pakistan. Key features of the digital library software included a user-friendly interface, customization, reliability and security, use of metadata standards (Dublin Core), web-based, advanced searching, consultancy and technical support, sharing e-books to devices (mobile, tabs), full-text searching, use of Boolean operators, and access control. The study recommended that library professionals of universities should be careful in planning library digitization and they should consider the above features before implementing any digital library software in their libraries.

End of libraries/renaissance in the “peer-to-peer sharing economy” revolution age? Librarians of the future educating for a sustainable world

Purpose

Libraries face an uncertain situation in present times of the “digital revolution” while every single sector moved online. The purpose of this paper is to search and propose potential library actions as response to the challenge of the peer-to-peer (p2p) sharing platform revolution in business models, a revolution to gain efficiency and to protect the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This research focused on integrating economics and library concepts based on a selective literature review and real-world interaction. The main concern is to connect library possibilities with the emergence of p2p digital platforms, which has enabled individuals to make use of underused inventory via fee-based sharing, as a way of obtaining, giving or sharing access to goods and services. The authors balance the existing proposals to achieve how librarians can help.

Findings

This paper defines key types of potential applications for platform business models in the sharing economy promoted by librarians and describes their characteristics for the renaissance of the “New libraries”. First, “educating” society to face critically the disruptive change in networks of culture and information. Second, “growing” as key reference institutions and community service centres integrating “external” skills. Third, “promoting” the disruptive economy by creation or participation in digital platforms. Fourth, “creating” cooperative markets through social-economic currencies.

Originality/value

This research was carried out with the objective of determining how librarians contribute to sustainable development. All four proposals to implement represent possibilities that derive from the sharing economy approach at different levels of implementation according to the degree of commitment that librarians require to translate into specific actions.