Abstract: This article investigates the architecture and institutional distribution of policy tools supporting Open Science (OS) in China. Based on a corpus of 199 policy documents comprising 25,885 policy statements, we apply an AI-assisted classification to analyze how the Chinese government mobilizes different types of tools. Using Qwen-plus, a large language model developed by Alibaba Cloud and fine-tuned for OS-related content, each policy statement is categorized into one of fifteen subcategories under three main types: supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented tools. Our findings reveal a strong dominance of supply-oriented tools (63%), especially investments in infrastructure, education, and public services. Demand-oriented tools remain marginal (11%), with little use of economic incentives or regulatory obligations. Environment-oriented tools show more balance but still underrepresent key components like incentive systems and legal mandates for open access. To deepen the analysis, we introduce a normalized indicator of institutional focus, which captures the relative emphasis of each policy type across administrative levels. Results show supply-oriented tools are concentrated at top-level institutions, reflecting a top-down governance model. Demand tools are localized at lower levels, highlighting limited strategic commitment. Overall, China’s OS policy mix prioritizes infrastructure over incentives, limiting systemic transformation toward a more sustainable open science ecosystem.

Abstract: The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) has long been a cornerstone of public access to government information, with depository libraries serving as custodians of essential physical documents. However, the FDLP's recent transition to an all-online distribution model—abruptly ending the regular delivery of physical materials to most depository libraries—has fundamentally altered the landscape. This shift raises the urgent and pressing question: What is the point of a depository program that no longer sends out deposits? This paper explores depository libraries' profound identity crisis as they grapple with a mission that is increasingly difficult to define without the tangible materials that once anchored their role. Through a detailed case study, we examine how one library is navigating this transition, exploring the future of FDLP participation and exploring the broader implications for public access and the role of libraries in a digital-first era.

Abstract: Citizens need to be sufficiently digital literate due to the increased mediation and redefinition by digital technologies in individuals’ lives. Full participation in the current society means—in particular after the COVID-19 pandemic—that after an individual can be labeled as digital literate or as a digital citizen a concept needs to be proposed that allows further development: digital awareness. This becomes increasingly prevalent in government policies, because of its dynamic or process-oriented nature. However, no clear definition has been derived in scholarship yet which leads to ambiguity in scholarship and policy. Grounded in a systematic review of empirical research in the last five years, this paper conceptualizes digital awareness as an extension of digital literacy and citizenship. We argue that being digital literate or being a digital citizen is, to some extent, a prerequisite for digital awareness—conceptualized as “the degree to which an individual is able to critically recognize and reflect upon the declarative, structural, procedural, and conditional knowledge and understanding which are necessary to identify the necessities, opportunities, risks and consequences of the use of (future) digital technologies in and across one’s public, work, and private lives”. Conceptualizing digital awareness informs scholarship and policy by contributing to conceptual coherence—as an extension of digital literacy and digital citizenship—and by directing learning objectives related to digital literacy and digital citizenship.

Abstract: This pilot study assesses Zambian academic libraries' document management practices and challenges. It investigates the effectiveness of current practices, identifies challenges faced by these libraries, explores the preferences of academic library professionals regarding document management systems, and provides recommendations for improvement. A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilising a quantitative approach. Data was collected from 22 Zambian academic library professionals through a comprehensive questionnaire. The data was processed and analysed using statistical methods, including means and standard deviations, to evaluate document management practices and challenges. The study reveals that Zambian academic libraries effectively organise documents (mean score: 4.27) but face challenges, including a need for digitisation support (mean score: 4.18) and increased budget and personnel (mean score: 4.13). Digital repositories are commonly used, but integration with other library tools and accessibility for disabled users need improvement. This pilot study provides valuable insights into document management practices and challenges specific to Zambian academic libraries. It is a foundation for enhancing document management strategies in these libraries, potentially leading to increased efficiency and improved user experiences. The study also offers a model for similar investigations in other regions, promoting collaborative efforts to enhance document management in academic libraries globally.

Abstract: Enhancing journal quality is one of the main concerns of academic journal stakeholders. This study identifies the factors affecting citation scores from various perspectives, including the review process, editorial board composition, geographic distribution of authors, and journal type. To achieve this, we analyzed 111 fully open access journals and 439 subscription journals published by Elsevier. The estimation results of citation scores using ordinary least squares show that journals with lower acceptance rates and longer review periods have higher citation scores, suggesting that rigorous peer review is essential for improving journal quality. Editorial boards with more members and greater international diversity also contribute to higher citation scores. However, these measures have already been adopted by many publishers and are not novel, implying that publishers must continue their steady efforts to enhance journal quality. Additionally, fully open access journals have higher citation scores than subscription journals after controlling for other factors. Therefore, converting subscription journals to open access journals could be an effective strategy for increasing citation scores.

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel ontology, called SciOnt, for representing scientometric indicators. Scientometrics is the field that studies quantitative aspects of science and scientific phenomena. Scientometric indicators are used to evaluate scientific publications and research. However, many indicators and their diversity make them challenging to understand and use. SciOnt addresses this challenge by providing a formal and structured representation of scientometric indicator knowledge. It defines classes, relationships, and instances of these indicators. The ontology can be used for various purposes, including improving the analysis and comparison of scientometric indicators, facilitating the development of new and more efficient indicators, and enhancing the understanding and criticism of existing indicators. The paper details the methodology used to design SciOnt, including identifying and classifying scientometric indicators, constructing the ontology with Protégé software, and evaluating the ontology using expert feedback. Finally, the paper presents visualizations of the SciOnt ontology structure using different tools.

Abstract: The study aims to analyze the level of digital technology development in Latin American countries and evaluate the prospects of this sphere in the region. The problems of digital technology development in the Latin American region are identified; the factors influencing their development and dissemination in groups are highlighted; their prospects are assessed. While assessing the level of digital technology development in Latin American countries, the more developed countries in this area were identified—Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina—and the less developed countries—Venezuela, Paraguay, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Honduras. As a result of the identified features of digitalization in Latin America, three possible scenarios for developing digital technologies for the coming years were proposed: positive, negative, and neutral. Based on the analysis of the factors influencing the development of digital technologies in this region, it was concluded that a neutral scenario is more likely for Latin American countries in the next five years. This scenario is characterized by relatively stable rates of digital technology development in the advanced countries of the region and faster than current digitalization processes in lagging countries. The study employed analysis, synthesis, classification, grouping, statistical, index, and rating methods.

Abstract: This paper explores the complex landscape of evaluating the impact of digital cultural heritage initiatives within the European Union. While present body of research has so far addressed various facets of digital culture and heritage, including digital humanities, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of digital heritage projects on broader cultural, social, and economic contexts remains a critical gap. This is particularly important given the increasing emphasis on demonstrating value of and securing support for these initiatives. The EU recognizes this strategic importance, promoting digital transformation within the cultural heritage sector and setting ambitious digitization goals. However, the shift from digitization to digital transformation, alongside the more traditional concerns of access and preservation, requires a focus on sustainability, encompassing social and environmental impact, long-term preservation, and economic viability. By employing critical desk research, this paper examines the EU policies concerning digital cultural heritage and the challenges of measuring impact, discussing key concepts like sustainability and digital maturity. It provides an overview of prominent impact assessment frameworks, analysing their strengths and limitations and considering their appropriateness for today policy context. We conclude by arguing the importance of developing and applying holistic IA frameworks that consider the diverse values and long-term sustainability of digital cultural heritage initiatives, facilitating a shift from simply collecting data to demonstrating meaningful change.

Abstract: Reviews and bibliometrics can assist researchers in acquiring structural knowledge. However, reviews may not always be available for every specific topic, and bibliometrics fails to consider the actual content of papers. AI tools can facilitate the acquisition of detailed information more easily, but their reliability can be questionable, and researchers must first identify the relevant papers. This study introduces a framework, literature map, that integrates the actual content of papers into vectors and clusters them. These clusters are then translated into a map view, with customized summarizations generated by a large language model to reveal structural knowledge. Graph knowledge and text chunks are extracted from the internal text of the literature and integrated into a graph database, enabling both global and local searches for detailed knowledge. The literature map framework is both universal and customizable, and can serve as a complement to reviews and bibliometrics. A video example has been uploaded to YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=phkr9Efv9fI.

Abstract: The use of social media to disseminate academic content is increasing, particulary in scientific journals. This study has two main objectives, first explore the use of social networks by high-impact academic journals in two different SJR categories (Library and Information Sciences and Communication), and second, analyze the content curation carried out by the world's most influential journals in both areas. The research methodology followed the Ferran-Ferrer et al. (2017) classifications, which is descriptive with a quantitative approach regarding the items studied. The study finds that COM journals have a stronger social media presence than LIS journals, and X dominates in both categories and regions as the top social network, with significant instances as the only platform. On the other hand, content curation was found to a high degree in both areas, especially in the LIS area (93% vs 80% COM). The study highlights that both COM and LIS journals primarily focus on promoting recent articles, with COM diversifying content more than LIS. In terms of the content curation techniques used in both areas, the majority are abstracting and summarizing.

Abstract: (1] Background: Since the 1990s, theses and dissertations—a key part of scientific communication—have evolved significantly with advances in information and communication technologies. (2) Methods: This study reviews 99 publications examining these changes, drawing insights from international conferences and empirical studies in the field. (3) Results: Historically, a major challenge in managing PhD theses has been the shift to electronic formats, resulting in the creation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). This shift involves four main tasks: adopting new digital formats, updating institutional workflows between departments, graduate schools, and academic libraries, implementing updated bibliographic standards (such as metadata and identifiers), and utilizing new tools and channels for distribution. With open science becoming a widespread research policy across many countries and institutions, ensuring open access for ETDs is an added challenge—though a substantial portion of ETD content remains restricted to institutional or library networks. Today, ETD management is on the brink of a new era, with advancements in data-driven science and artificial intelligence. (4) Conclusions: The development of ETDs varies significantly across different countries, regions, and institutions due to technological, organizational, and legal differences. It is essential for academic libraries and other stakeholders to address the challenges identified, while considering these variations.

Abstract: The number of bibliometric studies published in the scientific literature has been increasing in recent years. Some authors publish more bibliometric studies than others do. To identify authors who focus on bibliometric studies and their publication strategy is based on these studies. To determine whether the focus on bibliometric studies can be considered a successful publication strategy. A bibliometric analysis, including a citation analysis, was used to determine the results. The Scopus database was chosen as the source of bibliometric data. In total, 100 authors who frequently publish bibliometric studies were identified. For almost half of them, bibliometric studies can be considered the main or important part of their publication portfolio. A relatively small group of authors widely publishes bibliometric studies. The bibliometric indicators of these authors indicate that this specialization in bibliometric studies is quite successful.

Abstract: In this brief overview, we delve into the world of library consortia. As stewards of knowledge and resources, understanding the dynamics of these collaborative entities is crucial in today’s evolving library landscape. A library consortium is a group of Libraries who partner to coordinate activities, share resources, and combine expertise. This paper is mainly highlights for consortia definition, needs, features, functions, models, prerequisite for library consortia formation, library consortia in India, consortia may focus on and challenges of library consortia.

Abstract: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the use of theories in open access resources during the COVID-19 pandemic would be greater than in copyrighted resources. Using the Scopus database from August 18-28, 2023, the search terms “COVID-19,” “Coronavirus,” “SARS-CoV-2,” and “2019-nCoV” retrieved 511,920 results, of which 17,487 were selected. After filtering, 8,254 studies were analyzed. These were categorized as "Both Theory and Model," "Only Theory," and "Only Model." Using MS Excel, the researchers sorted studies based on titles, abstracts, and keywords to assess the magnitude of theory and model use. The study found that theories and models were employed across various disciplines and indexed accordingly. Further analysis included term categories, year-wise distribution, and citation patterns in relation to access categories. The study recommended future research to explore the connection between theories/models and factors such as publication trends, geography, and funding. The study concluded that, journals should encourage authors to include theories/models used in their studies in titles, especially during health emergencies, to provide early insights into handling pandemics.

Abstract:

This bibliometric study analysed breast cancer research trends and outputs from 2014 to 1 2023, utilising data from the Scopus database. The primary objectives include analysing publication 2 growth, citation metrics, document type distribution, leading countries, preferred journals and 3 authorship patterns. The study reveals a significant increase in breast cancer research publications, 4 with a total of 12,073 documents and 216,769 citations over the ten-year period. The United States 5 leads in publication output and citation impact, followed by China and Japan. Articles are the 6 predominant document type for total 73.4% of publications, while reviews and book chapters also 7 contribute notably. The most preferred journals for publishing breast cancer research include Breast 8 Cancer Research and Treatment, Clinical Breast Cancer, and Breast Cancer Research. Authorship 9 patterns show a trend towards multi-authored papers, with a substantial number of papers having 10 more than five authors. The study underscores the global collaborative effort in advancing breast 11 cancer research and highlights key areas for future exploration.

Abstract: This study analyzes the scholarly landscape of data literacy through citation and co-citation analyses of documents, sources, and authors. Using Scopus data and VOSviewer, the study identifies significant contributions and thematic trends. A minimum criterion of 10 citations per document was applied, filtering the dataset to 205 documents, with a focus on 81 interlinked documents. Citation analysis covered document, source, and author metrics, while co-citation analysis examined cited authors, sources, and references. The study found 997 documents on data literacy, narrowed down to 205 significant ones, with 81 interlinked documents showing a high average citation rate. Key sources included the ACM International Conference Proceeding Series and Teachers College Record, and prominent authors like Ellen B. Mandinach and Kim Schildkamp emerged as central figures. Data literacy research spans fields like education, sociology, and information science, highlighting its interdisciplinary nature. The study's focus on citation metrics may introduce selection bias, emphasizing widely cited works. Future research could explore less-cited but influential works and broader datasets to mitigate biases. Policymakers can use these insights to integrate data literacy into educational curricula and design targeted professional development programs. Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting open access to scholarly literature can enhance data literacy initiatives. This study provides a comprehensive citation and co-citation analysis of data literacy research, offering valuable insights into key contributions and thematic trends, informing policy and practice, and underscoring the importance of data literacy in contemporary education and society.

Abstract: The study surveyed the use of academic libraries and information seeking behaviour of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University. The objectives of the study were to determine how often LAMU students used the libraries, to ascertain the purpose for which students used the library and to determine the challenges faced in accessing library services. Using a survey research design, 230 students selected using simple random sampling participated. Findings revealed that there were more male (51.1%) students who participated. The study also found that the majority of students (54.7%) were occasionally using the library. Results on the purpose for using the library showed that the majority (39.6%) were using it to read in order to improve personal competence. In relation to the challenges, majority students (42.6%) stressed the inadequacy of relevant materials. The need for librarians to make themselves available to aid students that seek information for different purposes was recommended. This was seen as a way through which many would have access to the available information in their field. There is a need for proper orientation and sensitization to students on how to access both physical and online materials. This would increase the library use as well as improve the performance of students. Lastly, it was recommended that a study on the digital literacy of students be done in order to ascertain their competence and search skills in sourcing for information.

Abstract: For decades, the discoverability and visibility of a paper relied on the readership of the academic journal where the publication was issued. The public's increasing interest in scientific research, particularly in biomedicine, has led news media outlets to play a significant role in disseminating scientific advances. This investigation, which explores the potential impact of news media stories on the citations and altmetrics of a paper, was conducted with thoroughness and rigour. A total of 2020 open access biomedical research papers, all published in the same year, 2015, and in journals with an impact factor between 10 and 14, were investigated. The papers were split into two groups based on the sole criterion of receiving or not receiving news media coverage. Papers with news media coverage accounted for 44% of the total. They received, on average, 60% more citations, 104% more blogs, 150% more X posts, 106% more Facebook reports, 40% more Wikipedia references, 85% more videos, and 51% more Mendeley readers than papers without news media coverage. The correlation between news media outlets and increased citations and altmetrics is evident. However, the broader societal impact of news media coverage, in terms of bringing scientific matters or discoveries to the public eye, appears to be more robust when compared to the reactions of the scientific community.

Abstract: Between 2019 and 2023, sixteen universities increased their research output by more than fifteen times the global average, alongside significant changes in authorship dynamics (e.g., decreased first authorship, increased numbers of hyperprolific authors, increased numbers of multiaffiliations, and increased numbers of authors per publication). Using bibliometric methods, this study detected patterns suggesting a reliance on unconventional authorship practices, such as gift, honorary, and sold authorship, to inflate publication metrics. This study underscores the need for reforms by universities, policymakers, funding agencies, ranking agencies, accreditation bodies, scholarly publishers, and researchers to maintain academic integrity and ensure the reliability of global ranking systems.

Abstract: first_pagesettingsOrder Article ReprintsOpen AccessArticleThe Carbon Footprint of Spanish University Websitesby Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado ¹ andJorge Morato ^2,*1Department of Library and Information Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28010 Madrid, Spain²Department of Computer Science, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganes, 28911 Madrid, Spain^*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135670 (registering DOI)Submission received: 31 May 2024 / Revised: 22 June 2024 / Accepted: 23 June 2024 / Published: 3 July 2024(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Education in the Digital Society: Applying Communication Technologies and Digital Tools to Education) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions NotesAbstractThe consumption of digital content is essential for economic and scientific development, leading to a high dependence on information and communication technologies, which significantly impacts the environment. Quantifying this ecological impact is challenging due to its intangible nature and the diversity of factors. This research focuses on assessing the energy consumption and CO₂ production of Spanish university websites to evaluate their levels of digital pollution and environmental impact. The calculation of the carbon footprint considers factors related to energy consumption and the use of green or renewable energies. The findings indicate that only 17% of university websites can be considered environmentally friendly. There are significant differences in CO₂ consumption and emissions depending on whether the websites implement environmentally sound practices. This study highlights the lack of initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with web information management. The study shows that Spanish universities have the potential to contribute to the reduction in CO₂ emissions by implementing sustainable development practices on their websites. Furthermore, it fosters awareness about technology usage and its environmental impact, promoting the adoption of green and sustainable approaches.