A survey of digital information literacy (DIL) among academic library and information professionals
| Pages | 166-188 |
| Date | 08 May 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-07-2016-0022 |
| Published date | 08 May 2017 |
| Author | Essam Mansour |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories |
A survey of digital information
literacy (DIL) among
academic library and
information professionals
Essam Mansour
Department of Library and Information Science, South Valley University,
Qena, Egypt
Abstract
Purpose –The key purpose of this studyis to explore digital information literacy (DIL) possessedby South
Valley University(SVU) library and information professionals.It also tries to identifythe various types of DIL
and find constraintsaffecting the related skills and competencies of those professionals.
Design/methodology/approach –A quantitative research methodologywas adopted in the form of a
survey, which was undertaken from February to March 2016. As stated by Kerlinger (1986), the survey
research is a useful instrument for educationalfact-finding, and a means by which much information can be
acquired from the study’s population.The survey instrument was a self-administrated questionnaire, which
was adopted for data collection. A pilot questionnaire was first sent to a small random sample of the
respondents, with feedback being used to fine-tune the final questionnaire. The targeted population of this
study included library and information professionals (n= 127) belonging to SVU libraries that spread over
three provinces/campuses: the Qena campus (numberof libraries = 22), the Luxor campus (n= 3) and the
Hurghada campus (n= 2). The library and information professionals are describedto be librarians, library
assistants and librarydirectors. Of 127 questionnaires, 101 (79.5%) responseswere received. To collect data,
the study used a questionnaire,which has six sections reflecting the researchobjectives of the study.
Findings –The findings showed that over two-thirds of SVU library and information professionals are
males, and almost one-thirdare females. Majority respondents are aged between 26 and 40 years,and most
possessed bachelor’s degrees, of which nearly two-thirds held library science degrees. Regarding the
respondents’professional profile, the study also showed that majority were librarians, followed by library
assistants and library managers, and nearly half had 10 years of experience, followed by those who have
work experience of 6-7 years. Thisstudy showed that there is a significant relationship between some of the
respondents’demographiccharacteristics (age and education) and their DIL. The respondents’genderhad no
effect on their DIL.The study also showed that there is a significant relationshipbetween all the respondents’
professional characteristics, particularly their discipline, followed by job title, work experience and DIL.
Regarding the level of respondents’knowledgeof the types of computers, many showed thattheir knowledge
of using mobile devices, followed by PCs, workstations, portable media players/digital audio player and
personal digital assistantwas, at the least, high. The respondents’knowledge of other types ranged between
moderate to non-proficient.A large number of the respondents showed that their proficiency in using output
devices, followed by inputdevices, processing devices, storage devices and communicationdevices was also,
at the least, high. While the largest number of the respondents showed that their proficiency in using
application software was, at least,high, the largest number of them showed that their proficiency in using
system software was moderate.Regarding the respondents’knowledge-based competencies,as well as skills-
based competencies, especially when these competencies related to the integration of ICTs into the library
work, this study showed that such kind of competencies possessed by SVU library and information
professionals ranged between competent and somewhat competent. Regarding the challenges affecting the
respondents’acquiring skills and related competencies, the study revealed that the lack of funds, training,
physical facilities, connection to the internet, subscribing to e-databases, lack of time as well as challenges
related to SVU library system regulations, were significant to them. Other challenges such as the lack of
incorporating and exploiting the new technologies and products into library integrated systems educators’
services, as well as challengesrelated to psychological barriers, lack of current curricula in the areaof ICTs
DLP
33,2
166
Received 24 July 2016
Revised 10 August 2016
Accepted 10 August 2016
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.33 No. 2, 2017
pp. 166-188
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-07-2016-0022
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2059-5816.htm
and a shortage of experiencedLIS counselors, were also significant to them. This study reached conclusions
that the SVU library and information professionals should bequalified and get adapted to ICTs and related
competencies. Theyneed to be provided with sufficient training to update their knowledge regardingthe use
and integrationof technology in their library work.
Research limitations/implications –This study investigates DIL among library and information
professionals at SVU, an Egyptian university. Any findings and conclusions resulted from this study are
limited in scopeto only the library professionals of this university.Such a topic has limited previous research.
The size andhomogeneity of the sample limit the generalizabilityof this study.
Practical/implications –The study aims to invest igate DIL acquired by SVU library an d information
professionals. The potential results of this study would be useful for library schools, library associations
and other pertinent authorities for the planning of training programs and courses. The findings may also
be helpful for library educators to develop curricula that meet the needs of library and information
professionals.
Originality/value –This study isone of the few studies conducted on this topic in Egypt. The literatureon
the topic of this researchrevealed that extensive research has been undertaken on DIL in highereducation in
developed countries, but very limited research has been conducted on this topic in Egypt and similar
developing countries, particularly among academic library and information professionals. No definitionfor
the concept of DIL has yet beenproduced, and many Egyptian academic institutions definethis concept based
on their own needsdepending on existing models.
Keywords University libraries, Survey, Egypt, South Valley University,
Digital informationliteracy, Libraryprofessionals
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The prevalent use of the internet and new information and communication technologies
(ICTs) has revolutionized how information is generated and disseminated, providing
enormous pedagogical opportunities that were not previously possible (Russell, 2008).
Acquiring ICT skills and related competencies can help manage this technological
revolution. In the information era, issues of information organization, access, storage,
retrieval and evaluation have become urgent necessities in the society in which we live,
described as “the information society”. Addressing issues related to this society, such as
information literacy,skills and competencies, and designing how they can best be integrated
into the process of learninghave become a matter of significance (Li, 2007).
Libraries, described as information and knowledge organizations, have faced a
significant technological growth, which led to the automation of library systems and then
the emergence of digital libraries that require many of the skills and appropriate related
competencies:
Library staffwas keenly aware of the changing environment throughout libraries, particularly
academic libraries, and as such, ultimately understood the need to enhance skills in order to meet
the demands of our users (Smith et al., 2013, p. 17).
The varying and changing teaching and learning environment requires increasing
sustenance from library and informationinstitutions (Russell, 2008). University library and
information professionals have realized the importance of information literacy and have
attempted to address these issues, focusing on making the information literacy an integral
part of the academic curriculum, helpingstudents manage their study in the university, and
also later, in their careers (Li, 2007).
Thus, this study is a survey study, exploring digital information literacy (DIL) among
library and information professionalsat South Valley University (SVU), a university located
in southern Egypt. Digitalliteracy, as stated by Bell and Shank (2008),is:
Digital
information
literacy
167
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