Exploring the feasibility of applying data mining for library reference service improvement : a case study of Turku Main Library

Data mining, as a heatedly discussed term, has been studied in various fields. Its possibilities in refining the decision-making process, realizing potential patterns and creating valuable knowledge have won attention of scholars and practitioners. However, there are less studies intending to combine data mining and libraries where data generation occurs all the time. Therefore, this thesis plans to fill such a gap. Meanwhile, potential opportunities created by data mining are explored to enhance one of the most important elements of libraries: reference service. In order to thoroughly demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of data mining, literature is reviewed to establish a critical understanding of data mining in libraries and attain the current status of library reference service. The result of the literature review indicates that free online data resources other than data generated on social media are rarely considered to be applied in current library data mining mandates. Therefore, the result of the literature review motivates the presented study to utilize online free resources. Furthermore, the natural match between data mining and libraries is established. The natural match is explained by emphasizing the data richness reality and considering data mining as one kind of knowledge, an easy choice for libraries, and a wise method to overcome reference service challenges. The natural match, especially the aspect that data mining could be helpful for library reference service, lays the main theoretical foundation for the empirical work in this study. Turku Main Library was selected as the case to answer the research question: whether data mining is feasible and applicable for reference service improvement. In this case, the daily visit from 2009 to 2015 in Turku Main Library is considered as the resource for data mining. In addition, corresponding weather conditions are collected from Weather Underground, which is totally free online. Before officially being analyzed, the collected dataset is cleansed and preprocessed in order to ensure the quality of data mining. Multiple regression analysis is employed to mine the final dataset. Hourly visits are the independent variable and weather conditions, Discomfort Index and seven days in a week are dependent variables. In the end, four models in different seasons are established to predict visiting situations in each season. Patterns are realized in different seasons and implications are created based on the discovered patterns. In addition, library-climate points are generated by a clustering method, which simplifies the process for librarians using weather data to forecast library visiting situation. Then the data mining result is interpreted from the perspective of improving reference service. After this data mining work, the result of the case study is presented to librarians so as to collect professional opinions regarding the possibility of employing data mining to improve reference services. In the end, positive opinions are collected, which implies that it is feasible to utilizing data mining as a tool to enhance library reference service.

Virtual Library Services for a Virtual University : User-Oriented Virtual Sites in an Open Library

La llegada de las tecnologías de la información, y su uso cada vez mayor y generalizado que se está haciendo de ellas, ha permitido para que una nueva situación aparezca que, a su vez, ha originado - de hecho, que ha precipitado - una serie de cambios de gran importancia en todos los niveles, pero especialmente en los niveles sociales, económicos y culturales. Este nueva escena ha tenido una gran influencia en el entorno pedagógico. De hecho, la aparición de nuevos modelos educativos como resultado de este cambio ha estado sucediendo de una manera continuada e ininterrumpida durante la década pasada. Estos cambios recientes en los sistemas actuales de enseñanza y de aprendizaje han significado un aumento y un cambio en el tipo de demandas hechas desde las bibliotecas y los centros de documentación.

Virtual Library Services for a Virtual University

Es presenta el concepte de biblioteca virtual tal com es desenvolupa a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya una institució d'educació a distància que proporciona educació universitària. La UOC basa l'organització del seu model educatiu en l'explotació del paradigma del Campus Virtual i en l'ús de les darreres tecnologies disponibles en telemàtica, ordinadors personals i multimèdia. En aquest context, la Biblioteca Virtual de la UOC s'ofereix com un nou model del servei de biblioteca, flexible i dissenyat de manera que els usuaris puguin aprofitar-se de les noves tecnologies de la informació i accedir a les dades registrades i emmagatzemades a qualsevol lloc del món.

Busco información sobre... : estándares para un servicio de búsqueda de información

El servicio de búsqueda de información tiene como finalidad proporcionar respuesta a las preguntas especializadas formuladas por los usuarios de la biblioteca. Los bibliotecarios temáticos consultas fuentes de información y elaboran una respuesta en función de las necesidades del usuario. La Biblioteca Rector Gabriel Ferraté ha elaborado unos estándares de calidad del servicio basados en: A) el análisis de la evolución de diversos indicadores. B) Los atributos de caliudad del servicio des del punto de vista del usuario. C) El análisis de los procesos que lo conforman.

Serviço de Referência Virtual: implantação do serviço de chat

Introduction: With the invention of the Internet and the Collaborative Web, libraries had to rethink the way to offer their services. Thus, the U.S. libraries began a search for technological innovations in an effort to bring the library to the user through features that patrons commonly use. The Virtual Reference Service (VRS) through chat and reference services via videoconferencing are features that derived from this search. Objective: This article aims to outline the implementation process of Virtual Reference Services (SRV) libraries in American universities, particularly those for chat, as well as presenting the successful Brazilian experience. This paper also discusses factors to be considered for implementing virtual reference service via chat for libraries wishing to offer the service. Methodology: The research methodology is based on a theoretical search on international and national literature on the subject. The methodology also includes participant observation. Results: In Brazil the implementation of SRV in some university libraries has occurred and according to these institutions, the SRV is a service that benefits the community and puts the library in line with the demands of information technology and communication. Conclusions: It is concluded that online SRV is appropriate to the reality of university libraries in Brazil, since the institutions that offer the service have positive results from their assessments and believe they are adding value to their library.

Servicio de referencia virtual por chat en bibliotecas universitarias

En este trabajo nos proponemos realizar un estudio sobre los servicios de referencia virtual por chat. Abordamos los distintos conceptos y su evolución a través del tiempo; analizamos los diferentes servicios ofrecidos por bibliotecas universitarias del mundo, y por último, planteamos una serie de recomendaciones para la implementación de un servicio de referencia virtual por chat en bibliotecas universitarias argentinas

Servicio de referencia virtual por chat en bibliotecas universitarias

En este trabajo nos proponemos realizar un estudio sobre los servicios de referencia virtual por chat. Abordamos los distintos conceptos y su evolución a través del tiempo; analizamos los diferentes servicios ofrecidos por bibliotecas universitarias del mundo, y por último, planteamos una serie de recomendaciones para la implementación de un servicio de referencia virtual por chat en bibliotecas universitarias argentinas

Servicio de referencia virtual por chat en bibliotecas universitarias

En este trabajo nos proponemos realizar un estudio sobre los servicios de referencia virtual por chat. Abordamos los distintos conceptos y su evolución a través del tiempo; analizamos los diferentes servicios ofrecidos por bibliotecas universitarias del mundo, y por último, planteamos una serie de recomendaciones para la implementación de un servicio de referencia virtual por chat en bibliotecas universitarias argentinas

Libraries enhance student learning : a guidebook of innovative library programs for youth /

Mode of access: Internet.

Information desks in ARL libraries /

Includes bibliographical references (p. 175).

Training of technical services staff in the automated environment /

Title from cover.

Instruction in the use of books and libraries in colleges and universities.

Mode of access: Internet.

Using books and libraries /

"Originally written for the freshman course in library use at Louisiana State University ... All statements applying specifically to the Louisiana State University libraries have been removed and generalized material substituted."--Foreword.

Open forum on recommendations of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services, March 10, 1992.

Mode of access: Internet.

Toward a just and productive society : an analysis of the recommendations of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services /

Mode of access: Internet.