Potential roles for performance support tools within library systems
| Published date | 01 May 2006 |
| Pages | 347-365 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470610671204 |
| Date | 01 May 2006 |
| Author | Paul van Schaik,Philip Barker,Oladeji Famakinwa |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Potential roles for performance
support tools within library
systems
Paul van Schaik
School of Social Sciences and Law, University of Teesside,
Middlesbrough, UK, and
Philip Barker and Oladeji Famakinwa
School of Computing, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of the research was to design and evaluate a prototype electronic performance
support system (EPSS) for libraries.
Design/methodology/approach – Based on the theory of performance support and usability
problems identified in the use of academic libraries, a performance support system for using the
Dewey Decimal Coding system was designed, implemented and evaluated. The system embedded two
components: a tutorial to develop knowledge and two games to develop skills. An experimental
evaluation was conducted with three groups of students to assess the effects of the two components.
Findings – The study found that students found the system useful. There was a large difference in
confidencein own knowledge (in favour of the groupswho studied the tutorial component),approaching
statistical significance. Although no major usability problems were identified, some specific problems
surfaced that should be addressed in future work. Results from staff (who also used the system)
confirmed the findings from students and also highlighted the scaffolding function of the EPSS.
Research limitations/implications – This research has shown the viability of performance
support for academic libraries. However, it identified issues for future research, including the inclusion
of sound and speech, dynamic adaptability of content to make the system more suited to specific
libraries and academic disciplines, and integration with existing library systems and virtual learning
environments.
Originality/value – The study has extended the concept of performance support to the domain of
academic libraries. Given its wide applicability, the system should be valuable to academics and
students worldwide.
Keywords Software tools,Academic libraries, Classificationschemes
Paper type Case study
Introduction
As a result of the many different activities that human beings participate in, they now
generate very significant amounts of data, information and knowledge. Indeed, as a
consequence of technological progress, each individual (on average) now generates
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The authors wish to express their gratitude to the University of Teesside for financial assistance
to support this work through the allocation of a University Research Fund grant. The authors are
also indebted to the enthusiastic support they were given by the staff at the University of
Teesside’s Learning Resource Centre. They would particularly like to mention Ian Butchart, Sue
Myer and Barbara Hull. The authors also thank Andrew Young for assistance with the coding of
the computer games that were used in this study.
Performance
support tools
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The Electronic Library
Vol. 24 No. 3, 2006
pp. 347-365
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470610671204
and/or accumulates more material than was ever the case previously. For example,
word-processing systems make it much easier to create text-based (and multimedia)
documents, and digital cameras provide an easy mechanism for creating larg e
quantities of image data. Similarly, the ease with which digital sound files can be
produced and manipulated means that individuals can also accumulate large amounts
of sound material, for example voice recordings and MP3 digital music. In addition to
these “traditional” sources of electronic material, many new “data producing” devices
are becoming available. For example, various types of mobile device based on the
global positioning system (GPS) are able to create large volumes of tracking data that
enable information and knowledge relating to people’s movements to be derived.
The developments outlined above have emphasised both the established and
growing importance of libraries as access points to stored collections of information
and recorded knowledge. This important role of libraries is illustrated schematical ly in
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The role of libraries in
providing access to
recorded knowledge
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