Tania Todorova

Culture and Competencies: A Multi-Country Examination of Reference Service Competencies

Abstract Reference librarians have the opportunity to interact with patrons and colleagues of many different backgrounds, languages, and cultures as a result of our increasingly interconnected and peripatetic world. In order to provide the best possible service to these varied communities, reference librarians should understand some of the culture differences that exist across countries, and in particular, the differences in the way that reference services are conceived and delivered in different countries. This study explores some of these differences in reference services by surveying current practitioners in thirteen countries to find out which competencies they believe are most important for academic reference librarians right now, and in the near future. The results of this study highlight some important commonalities and differences, and could help reference librarians to manage and meet the expectations of their international patrons, and perhaps help them to prepare for an international job experience of their own. Academic reference librarians may be interested to see the extent to which their counterparts in other countries face similar challenges and expectations with regard to delivering reference services. Teaching faculty in library science programs will be interested to understand reference competencies and expectations in other countries, especially as they teach greater numbers of international students or consider collaborating with international colleagues. In addition, an international understanding is important in developing students who can compete in a global job market.

A Multinational Study on Copyright Literacy Competencies of LIS Professionals

This paper presents findings from a multinational study on copyright literacy competencies of LIS (Library and Information Science) professionals. An online survey instrument was developed by the authors in order to collect data from professionals who work in cultural institutions such as libraries, archives and museums regarding their familiarity, knowledge, awareness, and opinions on copyright related issues. The survey garnered a total of 622 complete responses (148 from Bulgaria, 82 from Croatia, 311 from France and 81 from Turkey). Copyright competencies are getting more crucial for information professionals because managing and meeting copyright related challenges and trends will play a key role in shaping the future of the profession. The findings and conclusions are expected to help the LIS education community, experts of professional associations, managers and other specialists from cultural heritage institutions to discover gaps in copyright competencies of information professionals and take measures to fill those gaps.

Information Literacy Competency of LIS Students in SULSIT with a Special Focus on Intellectual Property

This paper presents comparisons between some findings from “Information Literacy (IL) Survey on Library and Information Science (LIS) students” with data obtained from a survey conducted in a research project “Analysis of the common practices in the use of products of Intellectual Property in University Information Environment”. Conclusions are drawn for optimizing the quality of LIS education and LLL programs in response to the new demands of the information and digital reality, having regard also for copyright and legal issues.

Information Professionals and Copyright Literacy: A Multinational Study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a multinational survey on copyright literacy of specialists from libraries and other cultural institutions. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a multinational survey of copyright literacy competencies of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals and those who work in the cultural heritage sector (archives and museums), conducted in 13 countries, namely Bulgaria (BG), Croatia (CR), Finland (FI), France (FR), Hungary (HU), Lithuania (LT), Mexico (MX), Norway (NO), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Turkey (TR), UK and USA in the period July 2013-March 2015. An online survey instrument was developed in order to collect data from professionals regarding their familiarity with, knowledge and awareness of, and opinions on copyright-related issues. Findings Findings of this study highlight gaps in existing knowledge of copyright, and information about the level of copyright literacy of LIS and cultural sector professionals. Also attitudes toward copyright learning content in academic education and continuing professional development training programs are investigated. Originality/value This study aimed to address a gap in the literature by encompassing specialists from the cultural institutions in an international comparative context. The paper offers guidance for further understanding of copyright in a wider framework of digital and information literacy; and for the implementation of copyright policy, and the establishment of copyright advisor positions in cultural institutions. The recommendations support a revision of academic and continuing education programs learning curriculum and methods.

Open access to scientific information: comparative study in DOAJ

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to provide a comparative retrospective analysis of Bulgarian, Turkish and Croatian Open Access (OA) journals added in Directory of Open Access journals (DOAJ) in the period 2002-2013. Design/methodology/approach – First of all, the study is focussed on brief review of definitions and descriptions of the OA as a global movement. In the study were analyzed the three main OA initiatives and was shown the difference between Golden Road and Green Road. Second of all, the authors used the comparative approach and made a comparative study of the OA journals in Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia and present the evaluation results and findings. Findings – Qualitative and quantitative data for the study are collected by the DOAJ. The data are analyzed in terms of quantity and period, and the results are presented graphically and tabular and finally there are made major specific conclusions and recommendations. Originality/value – The paper shows that OA in the digital space has an im...

Intellectual Property Training of Library and Information Management Bachelor’s Students

University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) has contributed to the successful dissemination of knowledge in Intellectual Property (IP) field, as there are already 20 years of experience in IP courses for non-lawyers. Although the importance of IP training for the Library and Information Science (LIS) students and professionals is recognized, a study of copyright literacy of specialists from the library and other cultural institutions conducted in Bulgaria in 2013, highlighted serious gaps in the knowledge, awareness and inability of the professionals to deal with copyright issues arising in real work environments. The report presents own Educational IP model for LIS students at ULSIT, implemented in the Bachelor’s Program “Library and Information Management” from AY 2013/2014 up to now, as an answer on the established knowledge gap.

The Academic Reading Format International Study (ARFIS): Investigating Students Around the World

This paper presents results from the Academic Reading Format International Study (ARFIS), the largest investigation of university students’ behaviors and attitudes towards reading their academic texts on electronic screens and print. These questions are examined: ‘When engaging with their academic material, do students’ format preferences and behaviors vary across cultures?; How do their behaviors and attitudes compare among an international sample?; And how does the language of the reading impact format preferences?’ Amalgamated results from nearly 10,000 students in 19 countries show a consistently strong preference for print format, and most respondents do not feel the language of the text impacts their format preference, but an examination of country responses helps illustrate the subtle differences between them. This topic has special relevance to librarians and educators as we search for the correct balance of print and electronic resources in our collections and syllabi.

Academic Policy Reflections of Student’s Reading Behavior Study in ULSIT

The Strategy for Effective Implementation of ICT in Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria (2014 to 2020) has as its objective digital transformation in education. In this context, a survey was conducted in 2015 among students at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) as part of the Academic Reading Format International Study, essential for updating the institutional policy according the requirements of the strategy. At ULSIT, the survey was accepted with interest: of the target group of 350 students, 234 respondents responded to the whole survey. Analysis of the results highlighted the statistically significant differences in preferences and behavior of students from both faculties at ULSIT. The students from the Faculty of Library Studies and Cultural Heritage mostly prefer using printed materials, while their colleagues from the Faculty of Information Sciences prefer using teaching materials in electronic format in many cases.

Action Plan for Improving the Learning Practices and Motivation of LIS Students

In 2013, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) participated in an international survey ‘Information Behaviours and Information Literacy Skills of LIS Students’. In this paper we will use only selected results from two questions, aimed at obtaining information on student learning skills and study practices when completing course-related assignments as well as about their motivation of learning and expression in an academic environment. The findings showed positive and negative tendencies. In response, we prepared an Action plan for improving the learning practices and motivation of LIS students. The core of the Action plan is the new design continuing training program based on the integration between academic education, the university library, and the LibLab (Laboratory of Library Technologies, Communications and Informing). We suggest setting up a Virtual Information System for users, divided into two main modules - Electronic Register of Academic Assignments and Virtual Personal Workplace.

Bulgarian Library Associations and Lifelong Learning for LIS Professionals

The paper explores the role and contribution of the Bulgarian library associations in the development of librarianship in the country, in establishing a modern vision for libraries and librarians and their involvement in the information, educational, scientific and cultural construction of the emerging knowledge society. It is focused on the priorities in the work of library associations in response to mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development. The report tracks the development and operation of the Bulgarian library associations – Bulgarian Library and Information Association (BLIA), Association of University Libraries (AUL) – and other library consortia – Bulgarian Information Consortium (BIC) and National Academic Library and Information System (NALIS). The main goal is to systematize the achievements in the implementation of projects and initiatives of the Bulgarian library associations in an effort to be effective partners of LIS higher education (especially with the State University of Library Studies and Information Technology), in lifelong learning of LIS professionals. Research methods: retrospective and systematic analysis, desk research and critical analysis of the results. The article’s conclusions are linked with the national cultural policy, library legislation and with the collaboration between library associations and LIS education system. The research investigates the impact of the library organizations’ activities on the theoretical fields of library and information science and education and also on library practice.