Abstract The study aimed to determine the perceptions and views of Iranian editors about the quality of journals, articles, the responsibilities of the editorial team, review and the review process, copyright and intellectual property, consequences of open access (OA), and influential factors in the scientific life cycle of a journal. The study adopted a qualitative approach using interviews. Respondents included 13 editors of journals. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used for the interview. The results showed that the editor’s main tasks were to supervise the reviewers’ performance, initially control the article, and send it to the reviewers. Participants believed that compliance with professional standards was the main factor influencing the scientific quality of publications. Their understanding of the ethical codes includes impartiality and confidentiality in evaluation and publication. In light of the fact that reviewers often perform superficial reviews, the editors viewed them as poor-quality. They stated that intellectual property is not valued and observed in many cases. Some participants mentioned the negative consequences of open access (OA). However, they think OA bears more positive than adverse outcomes. Observance of these factors is ultimately essential for the survival of a scientific journal.

Abstract Enrollments in publicly funded pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs are on the rise in the United States with bi-partisan support for universal pre-K increasing. Hypothetically, pre-K students should be able to access the school library and receive services and instruction from the school librarian. However, it is unclear if school librarians have either the leverage to serve these pre-K students or the necessary guidance to do so. This document analysis study involved a systematic review of school librarian certification documents, school library standards, and early childhood standards for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Findings reveal uneven justification for pre-K student services and programming through school libraries. School librarians are certified to serve pre-K students in approximately half of the states, but few states have school library standards for pre-K, leaving school librarians with little direction about how best to instruct them. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

Abstract The article describes a social network approach to understanding the relationships between academic library employees: knowledge use network and problem solving network with the division into strong and weak ties. The author collected the data based on a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire on a selected population of library staff in a major academic library in Poland. Then, collected data was analyzed through the non-parametric network statistics tests (quadratic assignment procedure [QAP] and multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure [MRQAP]) to test dependencies occurring in social networks of librarians. The results show a relationship between knowledge use and problem solving based on strong and weak ties between librarians, with the beta for weak ties higher than for strong ties. The network methodology is becoming a critical research approach used to understand the informal structures and complexity of the academic library. Thus, it is a valuable tool in the hands of library directors.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effects of soft skills on the work productivity of academic library professionals in Pakistan. The study employed quantitative survey method. The data was collected through a self-compiled online questionnaire from academic library professionals, yielding a response rate was 83%. Findings of this study reveal that library professionals’ level of different soft skills, interpersonal, emotional intelligence, leadership, motivation, and communication is high, which indicates that they are proficient in soft skills. Results of correlation test used to examine the relationship between the variables, soft skills, and work productivity of library professionals disclose a significant relationship between variables across the study. Moreover, soft skills have profound effects on the work productivity of library professionals, and no difference is found in library professionals’ perceptions based on their demographic characteristics. Soft skills help librarians to manage and perform different jobs effectively. Based on the outcomes of the study, it is suggested that LIS schools, professional associations, and other organizations offering professional development programs should endeavor to develop soft skills among LIS students and professionals by incorporating necessary contents in LIS curricula and offering training sessions. The research paper is the first attempt to explore the relationship between soft skills and work productivity from the perspective of librarianship in Pakistan; it will make a unique contribution to the literature.

Abstract Elements of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in diverse books support children’s intellectual, social, and emotional development. Public library storytime programs serve as venues to showcase books with characters of varied backgrounds, identities, and experiences who may or may not reflect those of the communities the libraries serve. Because storytime providers often rely on online resources to plan their programs, it is important to investigate the presence and quality of EDI elements in books recommended for storytimes by these resources. The present study analyzed the text, illustrations, and WorldCat metadata for a random sample of 481 children’s books recommended by six popular online resources for storytime planning. Results revealed an overall lack of EDI in the recommended books with few characters representing parallel cultures, living with a disability or chronic illness, practicing a religion other than Christianity, or communicating in a language other than English. The paper includes implications for storytime providers and library administrators in the areas of program planning, professional development, and program assessment.

Abstract Health Information Literacy (HIL) influences the decision making of individuals towards the understanding of health-related matters. Married women are the major contributors to family members’ health decisions in a country like Pakistan, where the role of women in family life is very significant. In most families, women are responsible for food selection, cooking, management of the home, including cleanliness etc. Married working women have an integral role both at home and workplace. The current study explores the everyday health information literacy (EHIL) of 213 married working women using a survey research design with a convenient sampling technique from two prominent universities of Lahore, Pakistan. The study’s findings reveal that most of the married working women (3.57 mean value) are well-aware of the sources from where the health-related information can be obtained. Sixty-two percent of the respondents prefer using allopathic healthcare methods for medical treatment. Moreover, 38 percent of women do not understand health-related terminologies. It has been noted that age, education, nature of the job, birthplace, nuclear family system, and educational environment are the significant demographic factors that contribute towards the levels of EHIL.

Abstract Augmented reality (AR) stories offer a new opportunity for parents and teachers at libraries and schools to explore electronic stories. Embedded with multimedia design, AR allows diverse paths of exploration in the story contexts for shared story-reading experiences among parents and children. In this study, parents in the reading community (a library and a school) were provided with AR guided support and a skill-building activity. Observations and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Inductive analysis was used to summarize the findings. Results of the study were summarized in the following themes: Prior adult-child reading experiences; Novelty with AR reading; Parents’ scaffolding for using AR; Interactive reflective thinking from AR reading; Positive responses from learning of shared reading; and Parents’ suggestions and concerns. It was observed that the AR reflective reading approach encouraged parents to play an active role in guided reading. Children and parents were positive about their active participation in the AR-mediated exploratory reading context. With the AR guided support and skill-building activity, parents applied the scaffolded-reading skills in the AR reading intervention. The AR-mediated reading approach is promising and open to more dynamic design of interactive features.

Abstract This paper assessed the extent to which federal university libraries in Nigeria have prepared for management of their records in electronic format. Specifically it investigated the extent to which university libraries have provided ICT infrastructures for digital records, made institutional plans for e-records management, and enacted policies that guide e-records management, among other areas. Survey research design was used. The instruments for data collection were questionnaire, observation checklist, and oral interviews. The population of the study was 84 librarians drawn randomly from 18 federal university libraries in Nigeria. Data was analyzed using mean scores and simple percentages. The criterion of judgment was that if the mean value of any item of the research instruments scored 2.50+ and above, it was rated high; if otherwise, it was considered low. The study found that ICT facilities were available in all the libraries, but the state of preparedness for their utilization for e-records management was low. Inadequate funding, intermittent electricity supply, absence of e-records management policy, etc. were the major factors hindering preparedness for e-records management. Adequate budgetary provision, increasing power supply, and enactment of digital records management policy were among the recommendations made. With regards to practical implications, federal university libraries may not steadily use their e-records in a networked/connected environment. These records may become inaccessible over time. This study was the first to investigate extensively on the state of preparedness of Nigerian university libraries for digital records management.

Abstract In response to the new principal contradiction between people’s growing needs for a better life and the inadequate and imbalanced development in different social fields in China, Chinese public libraries have fast developed Public Cultural Services (PCS) to meet users’ needs. This study investigates senior library specialists’ perspectives on unbalanced and inadequate development of Chinese public libraries’ PCS. The study collected data from 31 senior library specialists from 10 provinces or municipalities through online survey. In addition, eight experts from public libraries were also interviewed. The data reveals that the main roles of public libraries providing PCS include ensuring equal access to cultural resources, protecting cultural heritage, developing unique cultural products or service, and promoting public cultural products to ensure cultural diversity. Provincial and prefectural libraries take most of the PCS’ responsibilities while county, township, and village libraries’ responsibilities are less. Moreover, there is unbalanced development and inadequate development of library PCS in China. External factors such as economy development, government expenditure on cultural activities, and education development, and internal factors such as internal management weakness and libraries’ investment on cultural service are the top factors. This means that if Chinese public libraries want to better improve PCS, they should try to seek financial resource support and improve their internal management. This study is valuable for public library management and policymakers at different bureaucratic levels to understand issues of PCS in China. It also helps public libraries better learn their strengths and weaknesses in PCS.

Abstract Subsistence farming is important for food security and thus breaking the poverty cycle. Notwithstanding that, in many developing countries including South Africa, the development of women in rural areas remains a major concern. The purpose of this study was to explore information needs of women subsistence farmers and thus contribute to the already existing body of knowledge. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions. Grounded theory helped in data analysis. The use of Wilson’s model and the farmer-to-farmer extension (FFE) model helped in understanding the information need monitoring chain of women subsistence farmers. Findings revealed that they had both expressed and unexpressed information needs. Expressed needs included information about the recycling of seeds, soil fertility management, controlling of pests and stray animals, drought management skills, how to transcend from subsistence to commercial farming, and how to build strong social structures. Women livestock keepers needed information regarding drought management, support for livestock feeds, primary healthcare services for their livestock and support services for their extension officer who was deployed to another area. Unexpressed needs included the need for adult education as most women subsistence farmers had low levels of information literacy skills. It transpired that the word of mouth was the main source of information. The other sources of information such as radios, television and cell phones were used at a very limited rate. Local libraries were not sufficiently reaching out to respond to the women information needs. It is recommended that local libraries become visible and engage in library-led projects that can help meet women’s information needs and thus improve their living standards.