Tibor Koltay

Data literacy: in search of a name and identity

Purpose – The role of data literacy is discussed in the light of such activities as data a quality, data management, data curation, and data citation. The differing terms and their relationship to the most important literacies are examined. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – By stressing the importance of data literacy in fulfilling the mission of the contemporary academic library, the paper centres on information literacy, while the characteristics of other relevant literacies are also examined. The content of data literacy education is explained in the context of data-related activities. Findings – It can be concluded that there is a need for data literacy and it is advantageous to have a unified terminology. Data literacy can be offered both to researchers, who need to become data literate science workers and have the goal to educate data management professionals. Several lists of competencies contain important skills and abilities, many of them indicating the close r...

Data literacy for researchers and data librarians

This paper describes data literacy and emphasizes its importance. Data literacy is vital for researchers who need to become data literate science workers and also for (potential) data management professionals. Its important characteristic is a close connection and similarity to information literacy. To support this argument, a review of literature was undertaken on the importance of data, and the data-intensive paradigm of scientific research, researchers’ expected and real behaviour, the nature of research data management, the possible roles of the academic library, data quality and data citation, Besides describing the nature of data literacy and enumerating the related skills, the application of phenomenographic approaches to data literacy and its relationship to the digital humanities have been identified as subjects for further investigation.

Are you ready? Tasks and roles for academic libraries in supporting Research 2.0

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify tasks and roles that academic libraries have to fulfil to react to the developments brought in by the appearance of Research 2.0. Design/methodology/approach – A review of current literature about the topic was performed. Findings – Literature used reveals that currently, there is a need for providing information literacy (IL) education (mainly in the form of data literacy), providing research data services (RDSs) (addressing data quality and data citation), raising awareness of faculty members on different issues and providing individual support to them. Originality/value – The paper intends to be an add-on to the body of knowledge about academic library support to researchers.

Digital library issues in Hungarian LIS curricula : Examples from three library schools

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to get a detailed picture of digital library education in Hungary taken in comparison with international experiences.Design/methodology/approach – Digital library education (DLE) is examined through the example of three Hungarian schools of Library and Information Science (LIS). After defining the virtual library, the digital library (DL), the hybrid library and the electronic library, notions vital for DLE, the results of international surveys are compared to Hungarian curricula.Findings – The described curricula follow international patterns outlined in the literature. The content of education is up to date and is adjusted to the quickly developing world of digital libraries.Research limitations/implications – Experiences come form a higher education system that is in a stage of transition. Lessons learnt however can be useful for the development of curricula taking DL issues into consideration.Practical implications – Similar examinations of curricula, supplemente...

Library and information science and the digital humanities: Perceived and real strengths and weaknesses

Purpose – Library and information science (LIS) and the digital humanities are both interested in studying recorded information and often share institutional frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to go beyond outlining these similarities by examining the perceived and real strengths and weaknesses of both disciplines. Design/methodology/approach – Epistemologies and methods of both disciplines are analysed, principally in the light of the growing importance of data-intensive research, taking into consideration that there is a tension about the academic status of these disciplines. Findings – Epistemologies and methods of both disciplines are analysed, principally in the light of the growing importance of data-intensive research, taking into consideration that there is a tension about the academic status of these disciplines. Originality/value – The paper intends to be an add-on to the recent discussions and the evolving body of knowledge about the relationship of these disciplines with the hope of indi...

Conceptions, Ideas, What Else? Information Literacy in Hungary

In Hungary, information literacy has been constantly present in the LIS and related (mainly pedagogical) literature since the second half of the 1990s. Writings directed towards LIS professionals addressed new media and a wide array of literacies. A number of papers approached issues related to the role of amateurs and professionals, IL’s relationship to abstracting and information overload, as well as to LIS education. Especial attention was given to make the international literature accessible in Hungarian. Although the library profession is apparently aware of the concept, there seem to be no signs of any of its frameworks being used. Fortunately, a number of recent information literacy initiatives are emerging.

The bright side of information: ways of mitigating information overload

Purpose The complex phenomenon of information overload (IO) is one of the pathologies in our present information environment, thus symbolically it signalizes the existence of a dark side of information. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the approaches on mitigating IO. Hence, it is an attempt to display the bright side. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review, the sources of IO are briefly presented, not forgetting about the role of information technology and the influence of the data-intensive world. The main attention is given to the possible ways of mitigating IO. Findings It is underlined that there are both technological and social approaches towards easing the symptoms of IO. While reducing IO by increasing search task delegation is a far away goal, solutions emerge when information is properly designed and tools of information architecture are applied to enable findability. A wider range of coping strategies is available when we interact with information. The imperative of being critical against information by exercising critical thinking and critical reading yields results if different, discipline-dependent literacies, first of all information literacy and data literacy are acquired and put into operation, slow principles are followed and personal information management (PIM) tools are applied. Originality/value The paper intends to be an add-on to the recent discussions and the evolving body of knowledge about the relationship between IO and information architecture, various literacies and PIM.

The role of free Internet resources for library technical services and reference in a Hungarian LIS continuing education course

After providing background to CPE of librarians in Hungary, this article outlines the content of a course that seeks to make Hungarian librarians familiar with free Internet resources that are usable for library technical services and reference. One of the most important topics covered in the course is the question of finding information on the World Wide Web. The importance of virtual reference and details about Libinfo, the major Hungarian virtual reference desk service are discussed. The author also gives details about some of the Hungarian and international resources used for the course.

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.

Speculations on Combating Information Overload in Amateur and Professional Environments

In this paper, based on desk research, we point out some of the relationships that exist between information overload, Web 2.0 (often called new media) and information literacy. The proliferation of new media augments information overload in both amateur and professional environments. The adoption of information literacy, tailored to the needs of the given environment, alleviates the symptoms of overload by fostering a critical approach to information.