Volume 18, Issue 1

University libraries in Pakistan are a privileged type of libraries with comparatively sound collections and good staff strength. They spend a large portion of their funds on developing in-house collections in isolation. In spite of the prevailing information and communication technology (ICT), there is hardly any practice of sharing collections in a formal manner. Using a survey method, this study explores the barriers to collection sharing among the well established chartered university libraries situated in the major cities of Pakistan. The survey followed a qualitative design based on an interview technique of data collection. Twenty chief/head librarians from five major cities of Pakistan were interviewed. These in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted at the librarians’ workplaces during 2003 to 2004. The data analysis of the present study revealed that various technical, procedural, psychological, and behavioral barriers in achieving planned and meaningful collection-sharing (CS) programs still prevail. It suggests analyzing the possibilities, opportunities, and challenges of CS in the emerging paradigm. The findings and suggestions may be of value to developing countries with similar situations.

This paper reports a case integrating a problem-based learning (PBL) approach with the “Drug & Nutrient Interactions” online course. The main objectives of this PBL approach were to engage students in self-direction, professional reasoning, and self-determination within an autonomous learning setting. The use of the task-oriented learning approach in PBL encouraged students to acquire information skills, including searching, selecting, evaluating, and using information in more meaningful ways. Experience with a PBL approach within a Web-based learning context was obtained.
During this study, several types of interactive responses were observed, including discussion related to case selection, information posting and sharing, defining and finalizing, and casual chatting. With the PBL approach, students’ autonomous learning and active involvement in self-direction, professional reasoning, and self-determination in the Web-based interactive activities contributed to successful learning achievements.

This study is designed to evaluate the status of school media centers in Kentucky in relation to the state standards published in Beyond Proficiency. The study will use the program evaluation rubric provided in the standards document to determine if media centers in Kentucky are in the “Apprentice” or “Proficient and Beyond” categories in each standard area on the evaluation rubric. In addition, the study will examine specific library variables, including budget, staffing, and flexible scheduling to see if they play a significant role in the ability of a media center to meet standards. Finally, this study will explore characteristics of media centers in high performing schools to determine if there are any significant practices that appear to contribute to student achievement.

This study presents the publications output of the four most productive Indian academic institutions in the mainstream scientific literature for the eight-year-period 2000-2007. This paper discusses the distribution of publications by institution, type of publication, pattern of co-authorship, and citations. The results show that among the four universities, the authors of Delhi University contributed the highest number of articles, followed by Banaras Hindu University. There is also an increasing trend of collaborative research among Indian authors as well as more frequent collaboration with international authors. Biochemistry and molecular biology is one of the most prolific research areas in these four Indian universities. The average rate of references per item is 28 and the citations received per item are 3.56.

This article is a result of part of the doctoral study Business Information Systems Design for Uganda’s Economic Development: The Case of SMEs in Northern Uganda. The study was conducted in 2005/06 to identify the sources of business information used by small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), rate these sources according to their usefulness in meeting the information needs of SMEs, determine the means of access to business information, and propose appropriate sources and means of access to business information for consideration in the design of a business information system (BIS). It was assumed that northern Uganda is lagging behind because of a lack of appropriate strategies for empowering SMEs as an engine of economic growth, including using information as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation. Through the use of a descriptive design, the study identified and recommended the business information sources necessary for SMEs and the appropriate means that should be adopted in order for a BIS to enable SMEs in northern Uganda to access relevant business information. The article has six sections. Section one provides an introduction, an overview of SMEs in Uganda, and a situational analysis of Uganda’s economic development, especially northern Uganda. Section two covers a brief general literature review while section three delineates the methodology applied. Section four presents the findings that are discussed in section five. Strategic interventions are proposed in section six. To enable access to various business information sources using various means, one of the key recommendations is the adoption of Internet-based services with the integration of an interactive business planner, an online small business workshop, the business start-up assistant, info-guides, an e-mail service, and Talk to BIS services.

Background and Objectives: It has been more than a decade since evidence-based medical practice (EBMP) became a top curriculum in medicine. Developing countries, however, have problems practicing EBM since it needs skills, time, and resources. Libraries and librarians can play a vital role in providing physicians with evidence-based information. This user study was directed at exploring physicians’ attitudes towards EBMP, their awareness and practical knowledge in finding and evaluating evidence/information, and the implication of these findings for health science library services.
Methodology: A survey method was adopted to carry out the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The target population was comprised of physicians and specialists from government and private hospitals in Hyderabad, India. One hundred twenty-four responses were received. MS Excel and SPSS software were used for statistical analyses.
Results: The study revealed that physicians have positive attitudes toward EBMP. They also agree that EBMP is obligatory on the part of physicians—professionally, ethically, and legally. They indicated a high usage rate of print and electronic sources, which suggests that health science libraries should be equipped to support physicians in EBMP.
Conclusion: This study concludes that efficient librarian information support services should be provided to physicians in order to enable them to practice evidence-based medicine.

This paper has taken the aforementioned stance to propose a theoretical framework. A framework that calls for the analysis of different interaction processes not only at different levels but also from diverse perspectives. It is hoped that proposed framework will provide new viewpoints to LIS research and resultantly will benefit both the academic as well as the professional practices.