全部 标题 作者
关键词 摘要

OALib Journal期刊
ISSN: 2333-9721
费用:99美元

查看量下载量

Virtual Information Services in Academic Libraries in Kuwait

DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1105543, PP. 1-12

Subject Areas: Library, Intelligence and Philology, Information Science

Keywords: Virtual Information Service, Academic Libraries, Kuwait, Reference Ser-vices, Information Services

Full-Text   Cite this paper   Add to My Lib

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the status and prospect of virtual information services in academic libraries in Kuwait. The study conducted open-ended interviews of managers or heads of information services in 12 academic libraries about management and conduct of virtual information service and the possibilities about the future of these ser-vices. Also observed the functioning of services in 9 libraries. It was found that email was the common method for virtual communication in academic libraries in Kuwait. These libraries lacked in services using live chat and mobile application. Social media was mostly used for an-nouncements and marketing of library services. In addition, private aca-demic libraries provided advanced virtual services as compared to public academic libraries. Eight interviews were conducted by phone due to unavoidable circumstances related to both participants and researcher. One private academic institution did not allow access to its library, denying opportunities for observation. This paper provides insights on the way virtual information services were managed and conducted in these libraries. No similar study was noted in this regional context. The findings may help academic library management a better understanding of the issues and challenges they faced and the opportunities they might benefit in future.

Cite this paper

Rehman, S. U. and Kandari, A. M. A. (2019). Virtual Information Services in Academic Libraries in Kuwait. Open Access Library Journal, 6, e5543. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1105543.

References

[1]  Boss, R.W. (2010) Virtual Reference.
https://alair.ala.org/bitstream/handle/11213/258/
Virtual%20Reference.pdf?sequence=112&is
Allowed=y
[2]  Duncan, V. and Gerrard, A. (2011) All Together Now! Integrating Virtual Reference in the Academic Library. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50, 280-292.
https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.50n3.280
[3]  Agosto, D.E., Rozaklis, L., Macdonald, C. and Abels, E.G. (2011) A Model of the Reference and Information Service Process: An Educators’ Perspective. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50, 235-244. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.50n3.235
[4]  Wan, K. and Diljit, S. (2007) Digital Reference Services in Academic Libraries Building an Information Society for All. Proceedings of the International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society, Kuala Lumpur, 26-27 June 2007, 173-186.
[5]  Co?te, M., Kochkina, S. and Mawhinney, T. (2016) Do You Want to Chat? Reevaluating Organization of Virtual Reference Service at an Academic Library. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 56, 36-46. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.56n1.36
[6]  Nilsen, K. (2006) Comparing Users’ Perspectives of In-Person and Virtual Reference. New Library World, 107, 91-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800610654871
[7]  Ruppel, M. and Vecchione, A. (2012) It’s Research Made Easier! SMS and Chat Reference Perceptions. Reference Services Review, 40, 423-448.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00907321211254689
[8]  Luo, L. (2011) Text Reference Service: Delivery, Characteristics and Best Practices. Reference Services Review, 39, 482-496.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00907321111161449
[9]  RUSA-ALA (2010) Guidelines for Implementing and Maintaining Virtual Reference Services. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50, 92-96.
https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.50n1.92
[10]  Shachaf, P. and Horowitz, S.M. (2008) Virtual Reference Service Evaluation: Adherence to RUSA Behavioral Guidelines and IFLA Digital Reference Guidelines. Library & Information Science Research, 30, 122-137.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2007.12.002
[11]  Beaton, B. (2012), New Technologies for Virtual Reference: A Look at Skype and Twitter.
http://www.lib.umich.edu/files/departments/
SkypeTwitter%20112912.pdf
[12]  Hendricks, A. and Buchanan, S. (2013) From Exhaustion to Exhilaration: Assessing Librarian Job Satisfaction with Virtual Reference. Library Hi Tech, 31, 42-63.
https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831311303921
[13]  Rahaman, M.S. and Ansari, K. (2011) Virtual Reference Services at the Main Library of King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, Kingdom of Saudi Aarabia: A Case Study. International Journal of Information Research, 1, 1-13.
[14]  Alkanan, A.J. (2015) Kuwait’s Higher Education Libraries: A Descriptive Analysis. IFLA Journal, 42, 59-65. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035215622460
[15]  Kim, J. (2017) User Perception and Use of the Academic Library: A Correlation Analysis. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 43, 209-215.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2017.03.002
[16]  Pinto, M. and Manso, R.A. (2012) Virtual References Services: Defining the Criteria and Indicators to Evaluate Them. The Electronic Library, 30, 51-69.
https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471211204060
[17]  Lippincott, J.K. (2010) A Mobile Future for Academic Libraries. Reference Services Review, 38, 205-213. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907321011044981

Full-Text


comments powered by Disqus

Contact Us

service@oalib.com

QQ:3279437679

WhatsApp +8615387084133

WeChat 1538708413