An evaluation of inter library collaboration among individual libraries of vietnam national university ho chi minh city m a 60 32 20

AN EVALUATION OF INTER-LIBRARY COLLABORATION AMONG INDIVIDUAL LIBRARIES OF VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – HO CHI MINH CITY Submitted in part fulfilment of the degree of MA in Information Management Student ID: 11039865 Module Code: CMPP44N Submission Date: 31st August 2012 LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY MA in Information Management AN EVALUATION OF INTER-LIBRARY COLLABORATION AMONG INDIVIDUAL LIBRARIES OF VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – HO CHI MINH CITY Student ID: 11039865 Module Code: CMPP44N Submission Date: 31st August 2012 Abstract This dissertation examines the inter-library collaboration among academic libraries, looking specifically at the inter-library collaboration among member libraries of the VNU-HCM library system A review of the literature revealed numerous studies on the term “inter-library collaboration”, factors affecting inter-library collaboration, as well as benefits and challenges of inter-library collaboration to libraries and the user However, there is lack of studies which evaluate the inter-library collaboration among academic libraries generally Previous researches concentrate primarily on single issues of inter-library collaboration such as inter-library loan, union catalogue, human resource sharing, etc A mixed-methods approach was used in this research, employing a survey and interviews to determine the inter-library collaboration level among member libraries of the VNU-HCM library system A set of categories was established prior to data collection including the number of member libraries taking part in inter-library collaboration activities of the VNU-HCM library system, inter-library collaboration level, inter-libraries collaboration activities, inter-library collaboration strategy, factors affect inter-library collaboration, and obstacles of inter-library collaboration The significant findings of the research identified that most of the libraries of VNUHCM took part in the inter-library collaboration activities and they did so enthusiastically However, the libraries which participated in the inter-library collaboration activities of VNU-HCM as well as the libraries which had not taken part in the inter-library collaboration activities of this library system faced many challenges Specifically, human resources and communication among libraries were considered the two main barriers which significantly affected cooperation efforts of member libraries of the VNU-HCM library system Finally, based on the present condition of the inter-library collaboration among member libraries of the VNU-HCM library system, the current obstacles of the inter-library collaboration among these libraries, and the suggestions of the interviewees, the researcher provided several recommendations for the future collaboration of the VNU-HCM library system List of contents Abstract List of figures Acknowledgement List of abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background information 1.2 The VNU-HCM library system 10 1.3 Research significance and objectives 10 1.4 Research methodology 11 1.5 Structure of the dissertation 12 Chapter 2: Literature review 13 2.1 The term “Inter-library collaboration” 13 2.2 Factors affect inter-library collaboration 15 2.3 Benefits and challenges of inter-library collaboration 17 2.3.1 Benefits to libraries 17 2.3.2 Benefits to users 18 2.3.3 Challenges to libraries 19 Chapter 3: Methodology 22 3.1 Research design 22 3.2 Research methodologies 23 3.2.1 Survey 23 3.2.2 Interview 25 3.3 Sampling 26 3.4 Data analysis 27 3.5 Ethical considerations 28 3.6 Limitations of the study 29 Chapter 4: Findings and discussion 31 4.1 The number of member libraries taking part in inter-library collaboration activities of VNU-HCM 31 4.2 Inter-library collaboration level 33 4.3 Inter-library collaboration activities 35 4.4 Inter-library collaboration strategy 37 4.5 Factors affect inter-library collaboration 39 4.6 Obstacles of inter-library collaboration 41 Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendations 44 5.1 Summary of findings 44 5.2 Future areas of research 46 References 49 Bibliography 55 Appendix A – Dissertation plan 57 Appendix B – Chart of survey participants in comparison with the number of library staff 62 Appendix C – Survey 63 Appendix D – Interview questions 68 Appendix E – Consent form for the interviewees 69 List of figures Figure 1: the reasons why some of the member libraries of VNU-HCM had not joined the inter-library collaboration activities9999999999999999 Page 32 Figure 2: the inter-library collaboration level between the participants’ libraries and other libraries of VNU-HCM999999999999999999999Page 34 Figure 3: inter-library collaboration activities9999999999999 Page 36 Figure 4: factors affect inter-library collaboration999999999999Page 39 Figure 5: obstacles of inter-library collaboration999999999999.Page 42 Acknowledgement I have taken efforts in this dissertation However, it would not have been possible without the support of many individuals I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of them First of all, I would like to express my special gratitude towards my supervisor – Dr Susie Andretta, who has guided me step by step through the dissertation and given me precious suggestions Furthermore, I give many thanks to my honoured lecturers at the Department of Information Management who have offered me invaluable guidance and support Thanks to the London Metropolitan University for awarding me such an opportunity to discover my niche in Information Management and fulfil this special thesis And finally, my thanks and appreciations also go to my parents and close friends who have endured this long process with me, always at a position to offer me kind support and love List of abbreviations VNU-HCM: Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City IERLib: Library of Institute for Environment and Resources IULib: Library of International University UELLib: Library of University of Economics and Law UITLib: Library of University of Information Technology USLib: Library of University of Science USSHLib: Library of University of Social Sciences and Humanities UTLib: Library of University of Technology VNU-HCM High school Lib: Library of High School for the Gifted VNULib: Central Library This research is the work of Thi Huyen Ngo and has been completed solely in fulfilment of the dissertation for the MA in Information Management at the London Metropolitan University Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background information This study focused on inter-library collaboration which according to Reitz (2010) means working together for the mutual benefits of the user among libraries and library systems Mark (2007) claims that inter-library collaboration helps libraries to address common issues much more effectively than undertaking individually by sharing expertise, building partnerships and alliances It can be seen that inter-library collaboration makes a significant contribution for participating libraries in their effort to expand their services to offer resources beyond their limited collections and serve the users more effectively This type of collaboration is particularly important when libraries face many challenges such as financial crisis and the cuts to library collections (Pollard and Tucker, 2011) Whereas the traditional forms of inter-library collaboration such as inter-library loan and shared cataloguing, there are still left with many new forms of collaboration such as “forming consortia for group purchases of electronic resources for better pricing, establishing collection development priorities among groups of related libraries to ensure that one library in the group maintains the archive in a particular subject area, saving valuable space in our facilities by reducing duplication, providing staff resources to process and provide access to the information the materials contain, and forming live Web reference consortia” (Burich, et al., 2006, p 18) Despite the benefits inter-library collaboration brings to cooperating libraries, Vietnamese libraries seem not to pay attention to this issue All collaboration among libraries is based on isolated initiatives of personal relations among libraries rather than on systematic collaboration For this reason this research aimed to raise awareness about inter-library collaboration among individual libraries of VNU-HCM The study also aimed to prove that in order to serve effectively all the users of VNUHCM such as lecturers, officials, researchers and students, the collaboration among individual libraries of VNU-HCM becomes an indispensable requirement At present, the inter-library collaboration activities among member libraries of VNU-HCM are controlled by the VNU-HCM library system steering committee and Library Council of VNU-HCM Bibliography Allen, B M and Arnold, H (1998) Hanging together to avoid hanging separately: opportunities for academic libraries and consortia Information Technology and Libraries, 17 (1), pp 36-44 [Online] Available at: ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center (Accessed: 21 June 2012) Archer, D and Cameron, A (2009) Collaborative leadership: how to succeed in an interconnected world Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann Baich, T (2011) Resource sharing in the digital age: challenges and prospects in Nigerian university libraries, 12th Interlending & Document Supply International Conference, Chicago 19-21st September IFLA Ch’ng, K S (2003) Effective resource collaboration: myths and realities, the Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians XII, Berakas 20-23rd October The Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians Etim, F (2006) Resource sharing in the digital age: prospects and problems in African universities Library Philosophy and Practice, (1), pp 1-7 [Online] Available at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/98/ (Accessed: July 2012) Hope, C B and Peterson, C A (2002) The sum is greater than the parts: Crossinstitutional collaboration for information literacy in academic libraries Journal of Library Administration, 36 (1/2), pp 21-38 Kumar, R (2005) Research methodology A step-by-step guide for beginners London: Sage Lugya, F K (2010) Successful resource sharing in academic and research libraries in Illinois: lessons for developing countries Master thesis University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign [Online] Available at: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/15450 (Accessed: July 2012) McDonald, F and Genefke, J (2001) Effective collaboration: managing the obstacles to success Hampshire: Palgrave 55 Pickard, A J (2007) Research methods in information London: Facet Publishing Potter, W G (1997) Recent trends in statewide academic library consortia Library Trends, 45 (3), pp 416-434 [Online] Available at: ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center (Accessed: 21 June 2012) Schneider, T M (2002) Academic libraries and regional library systems: how they stand today? Journal of Academic Librarianship, 28 (3), pp 141-146 [Online] Available at: ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center (Accessed: 21 June 2012) Simpson, D B (1997) Solving the challenges presented by electronic resources: Creating opportunities through inter-institutional collaboration Journal of Library Administration, 24 (4), pp 49-60 Soete, G J (1998) Collaborative collections management programs in ARL libraries: a Spec Kit Washington: Association of Research Libraries Sridhar, M S (2002) Resource sharing among ISRO libraries: a case study of consortia approach SRELS Journal of Information Management, 39 (1), pp 41-58 [Online] Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2467504/Resource-sharing-amongISRO-Libraries-A-Case-Study-of-Consortia-Approach (Accessed: June 2012) Quetulio, N N (2002) Cooperation models in Southeast Asia, 14th Annual Conference of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), Portugal 14th September EAIE [Online] Available at: http://www.seameo.org/vl/library/dlwelcome/publications/paper/model02/models.htm (Accessed: 24 June 2012) 56 Appendix A – Dissertation plan Personal details: Student’ surname and initial: Huyen T Ngo ID number: 11039865 Email: ngohuyen87@gmail.com Plan structure: Working title of the dissertation: An evaluation of inter-library collaboration among individual libraries of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM) Brief review of the literature and list of references (200 words maximum) Summary of the main topics generated by the literature and supported by appropriate references (have you given an overview of the debate found in the literature on the topic you wish to examine?) The more the society develops, the more the collaboration needs increase This seems to be quite correct to library and information field According to Alire (2009, p 13), “library collaboration as folks working together for a common purpose or goal”; specifically, the purpose of the inter-library collaboration is enhancing the ability to satisfy library users’ information needs It can be seen that collaboration brings a large number of benefits for libraries, it not only helps libraries in serving users more quickly and less expensively, but it also strengthens the capacity of individual libraries (Collins, 2006) Teow and Zainab (2003) also indicate a number of reasons for establishing inter-library collaboration such as lack of funds, financial benefit, costly new technologies, specialization, professionalism, broad material spread and quality improvement Especially, in the digital age, collaboration is needed to help small libraries integrate in library network However, there is a huge number of challenges which libraries have to face at the present and in the future such as lack of resources, poor funding and much greater demand for information technology (Alire, 2009); overcoming those difficulties may bring benefits for library community in general and users in particular Word count: 194 words List of references (this list not only consists of the references are used in this review, but it also illustrates some reference materials consulted for the 57 dissertation) Alire, C (2009) Collaboration – No better time for libraries: An interview with Dr Camila Alire, President-Elect, 2008-2009, American Library Association, Collaborative Librarianship, 1(1), pp 13-17 [Online] Available at: Library, Information Science & Technology Abstract with Full Text (Accessed: 20 November 2011) Bottorff, T (2008) Branching out: Communication and collaboration among librarians ar multi-campus institutions, Journal of Library Administration, 48 (3/4), pp 329-363 [Online] Available at: Library, Information Science & Technology Abstract with Full Text (Accessed: 22 November 2011) Budd, J (1998) The academic library: its context, its purpose, and its operation Englewood, Libraries Unlimited Cho, J (2010) Developing a SCM-based evaluation system for the Korean Academic Library consortium, Libri, 60, pp 321-330 Available at: Library, Information Science & Technology Abstract with Full Text (Accessed: 20 November 2011) Collins, J (2006) FAO fisheries library: part of a worldwide network, FAO Aquaculture Newsletter, 35, pp 27-30 [Online] Available at: www.fao.org/docrep/013/a0595e/a0595e08.pdf (Accessed: 10 November 2011) Ramsey, T P (2008) Social Networking Services: Library collaboration 2.0? Master’s thesis University of North Carolina [Online] etd.ils.unc.edu/dspace/bitstream/1901/567/1/Ramsey.Thesis.pdf Available at: (Accessed: 12 November 2011) Teow, P L and Zainab, A.N (2003) Access to online databases at private colleges and universities in Malaysia, Malaysia Journal of Library and Information Science, 8(1), pp 91-101 [Online] Available at: ejum.fsktm.um.edu.my/article/253.pdf (Accessed: 14 November 2011) Shustitskiy, Maria (2004) Collaboration of digital libraries Wirtschaftsuniversitat Wien [Online] Available michael.hahsler.net/stud/done/shustitskiy/diglib_shustitskiy.pdf at: (Accessed: 10 November 2011) Research Design (300 words maximum) Context The library system of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City is 58 considered one of the largest academic libraries in Vietnam, including individual libraries: • Central library • Library of University of Technology • Natural Sciences Library • Library of University of Social Sciences and Humanities • Library of University of Economics and Law • Library of International University • Library of University of Information Technology • Library of Institute for Environment and Resources • Library of High School for the Gifted The goal of this library system is building up completely common resources and serving effectively all users such as lecturers, officials, researchers and students of VNU Therefore, collaboration among individual libraries becomes an indispensable requirement to the development of this system in the future The purpose of this study is to determine the inter-library collaboration among libraries in order to step up sharing resources in the system Research objectives To identify the present condition of inter-library collaboration among libraries of VNU; To find out the obstacles to inter-library collaboration among these libraries; To suggest recommendations to enhance the inter-library collaboration practices among libraries of VNU Research strategy This study will be using a mixed method approach to answer a broader and more complete range of research questions Research methodology Interview I will conduct in-depth interviews with chairman and deputy chairman of the Library Council of VNU by phone in order to examine the present inter-library collaboration policy of the system (Objective 1) and learn about the interviewees’ recommendations for the future of inter-library policy at VNU (Objective 3) 59 Survey I will also conduct an online survey to library staff At least thirty staff will be selected to participate in the survey to identify the level of collaboration among libraries (Objective 1); and analyse the challenges of collaboration among individual libraries (objective 2) Word count: 309 words Reflection on Ethical Research issues (100 words) Are there any ethical issues to be considered? E.g working with respondents who cannot give consent, such as minors, or general issues of ensuring anonymity of the respondents and gaining their consent to participate in the research • In order to help the participants understand the aim of this study,
A consent form will be sent to the interviewees with a prepaid envelop to explain the purpose of the study and to seek their agreement to participate in the research Besides, they are also requested to sign the consent form
The introductory section of the survey will explain the objectives and relevance of the study, assure the respondents of anonymity, and give respondents the option of not participating in the study if they not wish to • The study is the outcome of a Masters course in English, but the survey and the interview will be conducted in Vietnamese Therefore, the researcher has to ensure the level of accuracy of data when doing translation Word count: 130 words Consult one of the Ethical Guidelines found on the AIR page (BERA; BPS; BSA) Robson, C (1999) Real World Research, Blackwell, see Ch.2 Developing a proposal and Code of Conduct Timetable: You need to give an indication of the schedule you intend to implement I would strongly advise you to keep a research diary to record all the activities undertaken from the topic formulation stage to the completion of the investigation The schedule should follow the delivery of the dissertation and include activities undertaken during the class-based part in the first semester which covers October to December and the independent study stage covering January to mid September (submission date tbc) 60 November & December – Research plan January – Literature review February – Design questionnaire and interview structure March – Survey and translation April – Interviews and transcription May & June - Results analysis July & August – Write the dissertation September – Edit and submit the dissertation 61 Appendix B – Chart of survey participants in comparison with the number of library staff 33 35 30 25 24 23 19 20 15 14 11 10 26 22 10 43 10 The number of staff The number of participants Figure: the number of participants in comparison with the number of library staff 62 Appendix C – Survey  Introductory section Inter-library collaboration such as resource sharing and training plays a very important role in academic libraries I would therefore like to ask you some question about the present condition and challenges related to the inter-library collaboration between your library and the libraries from other institutions Your answers will help me to conduct the research of “Evaluation of inter-library collaboration among individual libraries in the library system of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City” This research is a part of the MA in Information Management at the London Metropolitan University and the objectives of this study related to the survey are as follows • Identify the present condition of inter-library collaboration among libraries of VNU; • Find out the obstacles to inter-library collaboration among these libraries I would like to emphasise that your responses are extremely valuable to the study It is therefore important that you answer all the questions in this survey as honestly and fully as you can I can assure you that your responses will only be used for the purpose of this study, that your identity will not be disclosed and that you have the right to withdraw from this survey at any time although the data collected up that point will be used in this research The findings from this study will be made available to you via your library soon after the completion of the dissertation This survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete If you have any questions or concerns, please not ngohuyen87@gmail.com Please tick on appropriate box  Questionnaire Where you work? Please tick one
Central library
Library of University of Technology
Natural Sciences Library 63 be hesitate to contact me at
Library of University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Library of University of Economics and Law
Library of International University
Library of University of Information Technology
Library of Institute for Environment and Resources
Library of High School for the Gifted Does your library take part in inter-library collaboration activities of VNU-HCM? Please tick one
Yes (if yes, go to question 3)
No (if no, go to question 10) How you rate the inter-library collaboration in general between your library and other libraries in VNU? Please tick one
Very good
Good
Neutral
Poor
Very poor Indicate inter-library collaboration activity which your library takes part in and rate it Please select all that apply Activity Very Good good Poor Very poor Inter-library loan Common catalogue Common e-resource Staff training Others Neutral (please specify99999) 64 In your library, what is the inter-library collaboration activity affected? Please select all that apply
Expenditure
Human resource
Communication (The relationship among libraries)
Information resource
Technology
Others (please specify9999999) Show obstacles which your library has to face when taking part in inter-library collaboration activities and rate them Please select all that apply Obstacle Very Important Neutral Unimportant important Very unimportant Expenditure Human resource Communication Information resource Technology Others (please specify9999 99) Does your library have any strategies to develop inter-library collaboration with the libraries from other institutions? Please tick one
Yes (if yes, go to question 8)
No (If no, go to question 9)
I not know (Please submit the survey Thanks for your cooperation) Please provide some information about your library’s strategy to develop interlibrary collaboration with the libraries from other institutions 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 65 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999 (You have completed the survey, please submit it Thanks for your cooperation) Why does not your library have plans to develop inter-library collaboration with other libraries? Please select all that apply
Financial problems
Lack of human resources
Poor communication with other libraries
Weak technology
Lack of information resources
Others (please specify9999999) (You have completed the survey, please submit it Thanks for your cooperation) 10 Why is your library not involved in inter-library collaboration activities? Please select all that apply
Financial problems
Lack of human resources
Poor communication with other libraries
Weak technology
Lack of information resources
Others (please specify999999999999) 11 Do you know about inter-library collaboration among other libraries at VNUHCM? Please tick one
Yes (if yes, go to question 12)
No (is no, go to question 13)
I not know (if not know, go to question 13) 12 How you rate the inter-library collaboration among other libraries at VNU? Please tick one
Very good
Good
Neutral 66
Poor
Very poor 13 Does your library have any plans to take part in inter-library collaboration at VNU? Please tick one
Yes (if yes, go to question 14)
No (if no, go to question 15)
I not know (please submit the survey Thanks for your cooperation) 14 Please provide some information about your library’s plans to take part in interlibrary collaboration 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 999999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999 (You have completed the survey, please submit it Thanks for your cooperation) 15 Why does not your library have plans to take part in inter-library collaboration at VNU? Please select all that apply
Financial problems
Lack of human resources
Poor communication with other libraries
Weak technology
Lack of information resources
Others (please specify9999999) You have completed the survey, please submit it Thanks for your cooperation 67 Appendix D – Interview questions Could you say something about the role of Library Council of VNU to inter-library collaboration at VNU? Can you tell me about the current inter-library collaboration policy at VNU? How many member libraries take part in inter-library collaboration activities? If the interviewee says that there are some member libraries not take part in inter-library collaboration activities, continue the interview by the question: • Can you tell me the reason why they not want to cooperate? • As for libraries which take part in inter-library collaboration activities, could you tell me about the level of collaboration of those libraries? If the interviewee says that all of member libraries take part in inter-library collaboration activities, continue the interview by the question: • Could you tell me about the level of collaboration of member libraries? In your view, which factors can affect the inter-library collaboration? How is the inter-library collaboration affected by these factors? Do you have any examples of this? Could you tell me about the positive and negative aspects of inter-library collaboration at VNU? 10 Could you give me some recommendations for the future inter-library collaboration policy at VNU? 11 Any other issue you’d like to raise that has not been covered during this interview? 68 Appendix E – Consent form for the interviewees I am Huyen Thi Ngo, who is conducting the research of “Evaluation of inter-library collaboration among individual libraries in the library system of Vietnam National University” This research is a part of the MA in Information Management at the London Metropolitan University and the objectives of this study related to the interview are as follows • Identify the present condition of inter-library collaboration among libraries of VNU; • Suggest recommendations to enhance the inter-library collaboration practices among libraries of VNU The interview is undertaken to seek your opinions about the present condition of inter-library collaboration at VNU as well as examine the current collaboration policy in the library system of VNU At the same time, your views will inform recommendations for the future inter-library policy at VNU By signing this form you consent to participate in the interview and I can assure that your responses will only be used for the purpose of this study Your identity will remain confidential and you also have the right to withdraw at any time during the interview, although the data collected up that point will be used in this research The findings from this study will be made available to you via your library soon after the completion of the dissertation This interview should take no longer than 45 minutes If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at ngohuyen87@gmail.com Interviewee signature:9999999999999999 Date:9999999999999 69