Primoz Juznic

Toward library and information science education in the European Union: A comparative analysis of library and information science programmes of study for new members and other applicant countries to the European Union

Purpose – The paper seeks to present an analysis of the development of schools of librarianship and information science (LIS) in the European Union (EU) applicant states until 2004. It discusses the potential and actual changes in their organisation, notably their curriculum.Design/methodology/approach – The comparative analysis of LIS programmes was performed. The model presented by T.D. Wilson in 2001 was selected as the model for analysing the data. The aim was to support the Wilson model with some empirical data from the specific countries.Findings – The results show that the long history of traditional library education in these schools was not a great obstacle to adapting the curriculum to new professional and political standards. LIS schools have generally changed their curriculum towards those of modern LIS schools and have also embraced the EU outlines regarding higher education, especially the Bologna Declaration.Research limitations/implications – This study has its limitations as it is based o...

Who says that old dogs cannot learn new tricks? : A survey of internet/web usage among seniors

Purpose – In our modern society there is a prevailing belief that computers and the internet are mainly used by younger generations, who grew up with modern technology, and are generally all information literate. However, research shows that through the past ten years more and more older people have started to learn how to use computers and, of course, how to use the internet. The aim of this paper is to investigate and analyse internet usage among seniors on the basis of a case study showing the actual situation in Slovenia.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was carried out among seniors, the participants of different Third Age University programmes, by using a questionnaire, designed for this study. This particular group of seniors was chosen because they lead more active lifestyle than average seniors and the results should be more relevant. Participating in these programmes means they are eager to learn new things and that they have access to computers.Findings – It was found that among the senior...

Assessment of research fields in Scopus and Web of Science in the view of national research evaluation in Slovenia

Web of Science (wos) and scopus have often been compared with regard to user interface, countries, institutions, author sets, etc., but rarely employing a more systematic assessment of major research fields and national production. The aim of this study was to appraise the differences among major research fields in scopus and wos based on a standardized classification of fields and assessed for the case of an entire country (Slovenia). We analyzed all documents and citations received by authors who were actively engaged in research in Slovenia between 1996 and 2011 (50,000 unique documents by 10,000 researchers). Documents were tracked and linked to scopus and wos using complex algorithms in the Slovenian cobiss bibliographic system and sicris research system where the subject areas or research fields of all documents are harmonized by the Frascati/oecd classification, thus offsetting some major differences between wos and scopus in database-specific subject schemes as well as limitations of deriving data directly from databases. scopus leads over wos in indexed documents as well as citations in all research fields. This is especially evident in social sciences, humanities, and engineering & technology. The least citations per document were received in humanities and most citations in medical and natural sciences, which exhibit similar counts. Engineering & technology reveals only half the citations per document compared to the previous two fields. Agriculture is found in the middle. The established differences between databases and research fields provide the Slovenian research funding agency with additional criteria for a more balanced evaluation of research.

Developing research skills in library and information science studies

Examines the role of research skills from the perspective of staff and students involved in courses at the Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. Library and information science programmes are expected to provide students with the right skills to become information specialists. The focus is on one narrow area of these skills, the research skills, i.e. research problem definition, research methods use and research report writing. Some of the students, as future professionals, will seldom have to conduct research, but will constantly have to read and evaluate it for their professional use. The analysis of the curriculum for the research content is presented. A publishable manuscript is a requirement for graduation at the Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies. The dissertation should reflect the research skills acquired through the studies. This paper is actually a case study, but with the aim of presenting a possible solution on how to define research skills based on this study.

Excuse me, how do I commit suicide? Access to ethically disputed items of information in public libraries

Reports the findings of an investigation carried out in Slovenian public libraries, which was designed to determine whether librarians would be reluctant to provide information or materials on ethically disputed topics. The three topics used in the test were: suicide, necrophilia, and photographs or pictures of corpses. The conclusions were that the issue was a matter of quality of reference services,

Using a decision grid process to evaluate library collections and e‐journals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present how the results of research on electronic resources use and selection policies in research libraries can be used.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the sources for the establishment of the decision grid. The entire process and criteria for collection evaluation are presented from the funding perspective. The quantitative decision grid evaluation process used by the national body funding research, the Slovenian Research Agency, is presented and its use demonstrated.Findings – For the fourth year in a row, the new decision grid was used to evaluate proposals for financing the library collections of almost one hundred research libraries in Slovenia. Each year, lists of quantitative evaluation elements are prepared and these are the basis for funding decisions. The results so far have been positive. The new criteria have encouraged involvement and participation in consortia, selection and deselection on the basis of the quality of journals, and m...

Students on placement: a comparative study

Purpose – This paper seeks to report the outcomes of a survey of LIS students undertaken in Slovenia and Australia on their experience of work placements and the benefits this can bring for enhancing their personal portfolios.Design/methodology/approach – Students were asked to complete a survey prior to undertaking their placement which sought to determine their expectations as to the usefulness and relevance of the placement in enhancing their portfolios and subsequent career prospects. After undertaking their placement, students completed a second survey as to how well the experience fitted with their expectations and its benefits for their portfolios and professional ambitions.Findings – This research confirmed what has generally been reported elsewhere – that placements provide a highly relevant educational experience that is appreciated by students and that generally lives up to their expectations. The fact that there are few substantial differences between the two student cohorts suggests that the ...

Slovenian Researchers: What Influences Their Information Behaviour?

The paper presents a segment of a survey of information behaviour of Slovenian scientists. Results show that, in most areas, Slovenian researchers exhibit usual characteristics of scientists elsewhere, with the exception of a rather weak use of Web 2.0 tools for research purposes, and weak use of open-access materials. This survey confirms that information and communication technologies (ICT) strongly impact professional activities of scientists, in relation to the choice of resource formats, access to information, means of information exchange, organization of one’s own resources, reading, writing, and the use of library services. Most of the characteristics in behaviour are research-field-specific. Other factors of influence are age, area of employment, and available time; gender difference was important only in one case.

The view from industry: LIS students on placement

Purpose – This paper aims to report on the outcomes of a survey of organisations in Australia and Slovenia hosting undergraduate Library and Information Studies (LIS) students on professional placement to better understand the reasons behind organisations accepting students, the workload implications and their satisfaction with the process. Design/methodology/approach – Hosting organisations were asked to complete a survey on various aspects of the placement process. Findings – For both countries, hosts reported favourably on their experience, and virtually, all felt that while it was a real commitment of time and resources on their part, it was a responsibility they were happy to take on. There was little difference between the two cohorts, suggesting that the findings from this research may be an accurate picture of the situation for LIS placements hosts more generally. The positive view of the placement and the belief in its role in LIS education is further strengthened by this study. Research limitations/implications – The research suggests that hosting students is not seen as an onerous task, but one which brings benefits to both parties. This will be useful in promoting student placements when looking for new host opportunities. Originality/value – This study has added to the limited literature in the LIS field on the experience of host organisations. Obtaining similar results across two countries added to the reliability of the findings which will help inform those planning future student placements.

Interlibrary lending in Yugoslavia: with special reference to the Central Medical Library in Ljubljana

Describes the use made of the interlending services in a country “with a high level of political conflict and national diversity”. Examines areas of science and politics in the former Yugoslavia, journal collections, automation and costs. Concludes that standardisation at the highest level is required and that library co‐operation in the former Yugoslavia can “rise above the problems caused by the hostilities in the political environment”.