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Publishing in the prestigious research avenues is considerable important for the researchers and academicians. However, selecting the right journal to suit the research topic and quality of research is a tiresome task. Studying the nature of the research published in differently ranked journals is important to understand the difference of research and publication trends. This study aims to examine a differences and similarities of the research published in the Q1 and Q4 ranked Library and Information Science (LIS). A total 21,437 documents were selected from WoS Q1 and Q4 category LIS journals for this study. Then the data of Q1 and Q4 journals was separately accessed, analyzed and compared with different tool including MS Access, MS Excel, Gaphi, Biblioshiny, and VOS Viewer software. We found significant differences in the LIS research themes and publication trends between the Q1 and Q4 category publications. The Q1 journals are publishing on emerging bibliometrics, technology related topics like social media, information systems, machine learning etc., innovating practices and research. While, Q4 journals mostly publish about academic libraries, information seeking, literacy and behavioral research. Topical evaluation reveled citation analysis, bibliometrics, social media, innovation and collaboration as emerging topics in both Q1 and Q4 category journals but differ in terms of total publications order. This is the first study to the best knowledge or understanding by the authors to examining the similarities and differences in a Q1 and Q4 ranked LIS journals related to the research trends, publishing institution, individuals, countries, etc. It also identifies and compares the Q1 and Q4 journal's major research topics, topical evolution over years, most citied research themes that can also be considered a novel contribution to the field. This study provides a holistic overview of topical evolution and emerging research foci for the LIS researchers, especially early career researchers, academicians, and research students to make right decisions for research topic, publication avenues, collaborators, and potential areas of interest to attract research grants. This method of comparing category-based research trends can assist library practitioners working for research support and information literacy to assist their users in the selection of topics for potential publications and publication avenues to create impact.

Publishing in the prestigious research avenues is considerable important for the researchers and academicians. However, selecting the right journal to suit the research topic and quality of research is a tiresome task. Studying the nature of the research published in differently ranked journals is important to understand the difference of research and publication trends. This study aims to examine a differences and similarities of the research published in the Q1 and Q4 ranked Library and Information Science (LIS). A total 21,437 documents were selected from WoS Q1 and Q4 category LIS journals for this study. Then the data of Q1 and Q4 journals was separately accessed, analyzed and compared with different tool including MS Access, MS Excel, Gaphi, Biblioshiny, and VOS Viewer software. We found significant differences in the LIS research themes and publication trends between the Q1 and Q4 category publications. The Q1 journals are publishing on emerging bibliometrics, technology related topics like social media, information systems, machine learning etc., innovating practices and research. While, Q4 journals mostly publish about academic libraries, information seeking, literacy and behavioral research. Topical evaluation reveled citation analysis, bibliometrics, social media, innovation and collaboration as emerging topics in both Q1 and Q4 category journals but differ in terms of total publications order. This is the first study to the best knowledge or understanding by the authors to examining the similarities and differences in a Q1 and Q4 ranked LIS journals related to the research trends, publishing institution, individuals, countries, etc. It also identifies and compares the Q1 and Q4 journal's major research topics, topical evolution over years, most citied research themes that can also be considered a novel contribution to the field. This study provides a holistic overview of topical evolution and emerging research foci for the LIS researchers, especially early career researchers, academicians, and research students to make right decisions for research topic, publication avenues, collaborators, and potential areas of interest to attract research grants. This method of comparing category-based research trends can assist library practitioners working for research support and information literacy to assist their users in the selection of topics for potential publications and publication avenues to create impact.

Publishing in the prestigious research avenues is considerable important for the researchers and academicians. However, selecting the right journal to suit the research topic and quality of research is a tiresome task. Studying the nature of the research published in differently ranked journals is important to understand the difference of research and publication trends. This study aims to examine a differences and similarities of the research published in the Q1 and Q4 ranked Library and Information Science (LIS). A total 21,437 documents were selected from WoS Q1 and Q4 category LIS journals for this study. Then the data of Q1 and Q4 journals was separately accessed, analyzed and compared with different tool including MS Access, MS Excel, Gaphi, Biblioshiny, and VOS Viewer software. We found significant differences in the LIS research themes and publication trends between the Q1 and Q4 category publications. The Q1 journals are publishing on emerging bibliometrics, technology related topics like social media, information systems, machine learning etc., innovating practices and research. While, Q4 journals mostly publish about academic libraries, information seeking, literacy and behavioral research. Topical evaluation reveled citation analysis, bibliometrics, social media, innovation and collaboration as emerging topics in both Q1 and Q4 category journals but differ in terms of total publications order. This is the first study to the best knowledge or understanding by the authors to examining the similarities and differences in a Q1 and Q4 ranked LIS journals related to the research trends, publishing institution, individuals, countries, etc. It also identifies and compares the Q1 and Q4 journal's major research topics, topical evolution over years, most citied research themes that can also be considered a novel contribution to the field. This study provides a holistic overview of topical evolution and emerging research foci for the LIS researchers, especially early career researchers, academicians, and research students to make right decisions for research topic, publication avenues, collaborators, and potential areas of interest to attract research grants. This method of comparing category-based research trends can assist library practitioners working for research support and information literacy to assist their users in the selection of topics for potential publications and publication avenues to create impact.

Publishing in the prestigious research avenues is considerable important for the researchers and academicians. However, selecting the right journal to suit the research topic and quality of research is a tiresome task. Studying the nature of the research published in differently ranked journals is important to understand the difference of research and publication trends. This study aims to examine a differences and similarities of the research published in the Q1 and Q4 ranked Library and Information Science (LIS). A total 21,437 documents were selected from WoS Q1 and Q4 category LIS journals for this study. Then the data of Q1 and Q4 journals was separately accessed, analyzed and compared with different tool including MS Access, MS Excel, Gaphi, Biblioshiny, and VOS Viewer software. We found significant differences in the LIS research themes and publication trends between the Q1 and Q4 category publications. The Q1 journals are publishing on emerging bibliometrics, technology related topics like social media, information systems, machine learning etc., innovating practices and research. While, Q4 journals mostly publish about academic libraries, information seeking, literacy and behavioral research. Topical evaluation reveled citation analysis, bibliometrics, social media, innovation and collaboration as emerging topics in both Q1 and Q4 category journals but differ in terms of total publications order.

Purpose This study aims to explore the factors affecting the adoption of digital reference services (DRS) among the university librarians in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Based on the adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, the proposed study tested 12 hypothetical relationships through structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques. The study approach was quantitative based on a questionnaire distributed online to a sample of Pakistani university librarians and completed by 289 respondents. The questionnaire used in this study was developed from other validated instruments used in past empirical studies. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed through SPSS and AMOS for SEM. Findings The results revealed usefulness, ease of use and information and communication technology (ICT) skills as the significant predictors of the adoption of DRS. However, moderating influence of the demographic factors (age, gender and type of library) on the relationship of predictors with outcome variable was found insignificant. The findings of this study imply that individuals’ readiness for the adoption of DRS is present in the university libraries of Pakistan. Originality/value In the context of Pakistan, this study was the first attempt that investigated factors of the adoption of DRS at individual level. In addition, two new factors – namely, ICT skills and library type – were incorporated into the UTAUT model and were then evaluated in the Pakistani context. However, these two factors were found insignificant in influencing librarians towards the adoption of DRS. The intended study is equally useful for librarians in other countries in terms of understanding the factors that impact the effective adoption of DRS.

PurposeVirtual communities of practice (VCoP) are becoming increasingly popular as professional networking. These communities support and shape professional development, especially in countries with limited opportunities and constrain like time and distance. This study throws light on the role of VCoP and its impact on the continuous professional development (CPD) of librarians in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis study is carried out with qualitative research methods to understand effects of VCoP on CPD. With a thematic content analysis on the email conversations of a library and information science (LIS) Yahoo mailing group “plagpk”, the impact of virtual communities (VCs) on librarians' professional development in Pakistan over the past 20 years was analyzed.FindingsThis study demonstrates that VCs contribute to professional learning, problem-solving, knowledge creation, professional awareness and identity creation in the LIS field. Further, this study contributes a model to explain the formal and informal professional development for individuals and groups through VCoP engagement.Social implicationsIt is hoped that this study will help the librarian community create, get involved in the VCoP for personal, professional development consciously and create an impact in the profession. The finding of this study is generalizable to any social sciences or humanities professionals VCoPs.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies in the LIS field to analysis the impact of VCs on the professional development of the librarians.

Like many other developing countries Pakistan is also taking many initiatives to build an IT infrastructure. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan took many steps to ensure ICT promotion in universities. Provision of IT equipment, softwares, Internet connection, funding and trainings are sustaining universities and research. Libraries are no exceptions. Results of this survey show that university libraries' level of adoption of ICT for operations and services is improving. Many libraries started automation in 2000 and later. Most libraries are going through first ever experience of automation while some are fully automated. It is noticed that acquisition, technical processing and circulation services are performed by using computer and Internet. The fully utilization of ICT for all library operations and services is shown in very few libraries whereas mostly are still using it for the basic activities like searching of books and serial publications for purchase or recommendation, online subject heading and classification. Book circulation is mostly done with computers while online book circulation operations are performed by only few libraries.

Libraries all over the world are facing diversified service challenges posed by a mix of traditional information seekers and the Google generation's call of technology features. These multi-faceted demands and the kinds of user communities have increased the list of responsibilities and skills required by the librarians. Selection of right person for the right job is the greatest challenge for library administration. This includes two main elements; nature of job descriptions defined or advertised by the administration and the availability of required human resources in the market. Only the right mix of these two essentials can ensure the selection of appropriate personnel for the delivery of high quality services to the diversified user community. Use of specific job descriptions is not well practiced in Pakistan especially in the government sector, which mostly results in the hiring of inappropriate personnel in the government libraries. No such study has been conducted to-date to find out the status of librarians' job descriptions advertised by the government hiring agencies. Keeping this need in view, this study aims at reviewing the current library job descriptions in government sector; their strengths and weaknesses; characterized skills and qualifications needed by specific type of libraries in IT era. An analysis of 212 job ads published in selected newspapers and listservs over a period of three years (2007 to 2010) was conducted to understand the current market trends. Personal interviews were also conducted for better understanding of the phenomena under study. Findings of the study can be directly useful for the government employers and library employees in Pakistan, students for career selection, LIS educators for curriculum revision and researchers for further research. The study will also assist the government officials in inducting the right persons for challenging jobs in the libraries. Adapted from the source document.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of Higher Education Commission (HEC) National Digital Library among research students in different universities of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study framework was based on technology acceptance model (TAM). A sample of Pakistani university students completed the questionnaire measuring the effects of extraneous stimuli through cognitive responses on adoption of the HEC digital library. To test the research hypotheses, multiple regression analysis was used. Findings The findings revealed that: cognitive responses predicted students’ intention of using HEC digital library; extraneous variables significantly influenced cognitive responses; system characteristics directly influenced usefulness and ease of use; interface characteristics directly influenced cognitive responses; and individual differences significantly affected the ease of use. Similarly, system quality was identified with the highest direct effect on usefulness, whereas navigation had the highest influence on easy use of the HEC digital library of Pakistan. In addition, usefulness was explored with the highest effect on intention to use the HEC digital library of Pakistan. The findings revealed that individual behaviours influence the use of digital libraries which imply that acceptance of an information system (IS) involve cognitive idiosyncrasies. Findings of the study are useful for Pakistani academic librarians to enhance adoption and usability of the HEC digital library of Pakistan. The study extended cross-cultural validation of TAM and explored how that Pakistani university students utilize HEC digital library. Research limitations/implications These findings have significant implications for librarians in developing countries, such as to evaluate usability of digital libraries from individuals’ perspective, create awareness, customize users’ interface and train students in navigational techniques. It may also facilitate librarians to improve their current levels of library assistance and emphasize the usefulness of digital libraries towards academic excellence. The findings equally suggest that individual behaviours influence the use of digital libraries because acceptance of an information system involves cognitive idiosyncrasies. This study explored all possible links between the study constructs and emphasized that findings are useful to enhance the adoption and usability of digital library in the developing countries. Originality/value This study is the first attempt that empirically assessed the adoption of digital libraries in terms of Pakistani research students. The study validated TAM in the context of Pakistani university librarianship that extended the cross-cultural validation of TAM. Furthermore, the study focused on real constructs instead of dummy variables and predicted significant effects on acceptance and rejection of digital libraries.