International Journal of Information Science and Management
Volume:9 Issue: 2, Jul-Dec 2011

Several semantic image search schemes have been recently proposed to retrieveimages from the web. However, the query context is regularly ignored in thesetechniques and hence, many of the returned images are not adequately relevant.In this paper, we make use of context to further confine the outcome of thesemantic search engines. For this purpose, we propose a hybrid search enginewhich utilizes concept and context for retrieving precise results. In the proposedmodel, an ontology is exploited for annotating images and accomplishing searchprocess in the semantic level. Furthermore, the query of the user is modifiedwith the concepts available in the ontology. Next, we make use of search contextof the user and augment the query with the information extracted from the user’scontext to additionally eliminate irrelevant results. Experimental results showthat the combination of concept and context is effective in retrieving andpresenting the most relevant results to the user.

This article aims at defining RICeST Stemmer in Persian language set up in theRegional Information Center for Science and Technology (RICeST). We appliedlinguistic knowledge and standard algorithms to extract machine-readable rules.In addition, plural suffixes and exceptions of which compound nouns are a partwere applied. Different parts of Singular-stemmer and their functions aredescribed.

Knowledge-based society is already established in some developed countries which are not far away from Bangladesh. In the transition to the knowledge/ information based society, information literacy is essential for the effective and widespread use of information. It is used today to describe a set of skills and competencies, processes and actions, and attitudes that lead one to be a wise information consumer. This study observes information literacy concepts, standard indicators, and readiness of Central Public Library (CPL) and examines whether the CPL is ready to assume an enhanced responsibility for information literacy education. This study finds that the CPL in Bangladesh has shortcomings in information literacy education programmes due to lack ofphysical facilities, absence of information retrieval tools and low level of professional education of public library staff. However, recognition that present approaches are not meeting the requirements of users and more effective system with experienced educator is required. This study also emphasizes and suggests that without a push of external help through finance, professional expertise, facilities, and patronizations the CPL would not be able to properly address information literacy issues.

The present study aims at comparing purposes of using information by Iranian and Indian Social Science Faculty Members. Totally, 487 respondents (232 from Iran and 255 from India) were randomly selected from both countries. A questionnaire measuring extent of usage for various purposes—to prepare for teaching, to carry out research, to write research proposal, to design and develop research tools, to write articles/books, to deliver special lectures, to plan program /activity, to evolve innovative techniques, to crystallize broad and vague assertions, to maintain professional competence and self- improvement—was prepared by the investigator and administered to the sample selected.Contingency coefficient analysis was employed to verify the hypothesis. Results revealed that teaching and research as purposes of using information were higher for Iranian faculty members than Indian faculty members. In development of research tools, writing articles/books and delivering special lectures, again Iranian faculty members used much more information. To get clarity also Iranian faculty members used more information than Indian faculty members. It is suggested that in India more facilities should be provided to increase the information usage for various purposes.

This paper highlights the strategic role of regional and national policies for digital libraries and archives in promoting access to knowledge for development in Africa. It views regional/national information policies as general frameworks and contexts within which policies for digital libraries and archives are situated. It, however, recognizes the need to highlight the latter as instrument for effective access to and sharing of knowledge in the contemporary world in which increasing dependence on digital technology makes effective participation of digitally deficient nations virtually impossible. The paper provides an overview of the existing provisions in terms of laws, policies, agencies, institutions, facilities and such information/information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructures that are supposed to be the basis for developing national and regional links for resource sharing. It identifies and analyses the dilemma in achieving the set objectives of African information policies. While this dilemma rooted in the political, economic and socio-cultural factors operating at different specific levels, they combine to constitute an obstacle to national and regional coordination and cooperation. Without coordination, effective resource sharing at global level is severely constrained. Hence, the paper suggests strategies for formulating and coordinating the implementation of comprehensive regional and national policies for the development of digital libraries and archives in Africa ensuring effective preservation of and access to African resources and enabling resource sharing between Africans as well as on the global scale. The paperconcludes by stressing that neither the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) nor the entire Africa’s development agenda will be attainable without developing a strong and sustainable knowledge base by establishing a powerful and enduring backbone of information infrastructures capable of creating links for effective intra and inter-continental sharing of knowledge resources. The paper therefore recommends the setting up of a coordinating agency under the African Union (AU) to develop a policy framework on the basis of the various existing national policies, and to monitor and coordinate implementation at various levels.

In this paper we argue about Knowledge Management (KM) and its implications for academic productivity with focus on models of changes in knowledge production posited by Gibbons et al and community model of knowledge management, especially in a transitional society as Iran. Based on the above argument, we have discussed the relationships between research and teaching productivity, briefly. Because of the significance of Higher Education and its relevant institutions (university and related communities) in knowledge management, we have raised some questions about reform in higher education and its relationship with knowledge management. Finally, knowledge isconsidered as culture or wisdom. In this approach, it is important to pay serious attention to the cultural aspect of knowledge especially in wisdom.

Education of Library and Information Science (LIS) has several problems thatare caused by the changing nature of the discipline and the social, economic andcultural contexts in which LIS departments function. The aim of this article is toenumerate and discuss some of the common problems of LIS education indeveloping countries of Asia and suggest solutions. We show that as Asiandeveloping countries share some of the social, economic and cultural elements,they have similar problems in LIS education. Therefore, the same solutionscould be recommended such as setting up limited number of independent LISschools, establishing or empowering accreditation agencies, flexibility ineducational systems, more emphasis on research, developing in-service training,relocating the departments in new faculties, equipping the departments with newfacilities, employing new and skillful staff, encouraging collaboration amongfaculty members and departments, diversifying courses and degrees, updatingsyllabi in an ongoing manner, taking advantage of IT, and creating andpublishing LIS literature in native language.

The present study investigates the feasibility of implementing marketingprinciples within the academic libraries of government-sponsored universities inTehran. The study focused on the attitude of library managers towards this issue.A survey method, using a questionnaire as a data collection tool was used.Findings demonstrated that the level of managerial familiarity with the conceptof marketing in libraries was average. However there was more than averagefamiliarity with the components of a marketing plan. Findings regarding theapplication propensity for each of the 4Ps marketing mix in libraries indicatedthat the product, place, promotion, and price were the focus of library managers.With respect to the feasibility of implementation of marketing principles, it wasaverage.