PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate various strategies of Malaysian public academic libraries that have been implemented to support library financial resources and to describe the challenges faced by the public university libraries in implementing income generation activities.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative data collection approach using a structured interview has been employed to elicit the opinions of librarians working in public university libraries in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In total, five (5) interview transcripts have been analyzed using theme-based analysis.FindingsThis study shows that the Malaysian public academic libraries showed positive reactions toward income generation. Various activities of revenue generation are carried out to support library financial resources on a small scale. However, management support for this concept is poor resulted due to many problems in carrying out the activities.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into the importance of revenue generation activities as a source of library financial resources at public academic libraries. The strategies include the investment of academic libraries in implementing the activities related to the income generation. It is required for the library to add this activity in its library budget, the proper strategic planning and the introduction of various revenue generation activities.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field of library and information management as it highlights the strategies of outside revenue generation activities in Malaysian public academic libraries. Library administrators could use the results to develop their strategic plans to ensure the success of the initiatives.

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Technological advances and emergence of digital information present a significantly different challenge than libraries had before. With abundance of digital formats of information available in libraries, a new standard of cataloging has been introduced. The standard for cataloging that emphasized on the content of metadata which can support the discovery, identification and employment of information resources in library or known as Resource Description and Access (RDA) is designed for the digital environment. It is expected to have full implementation in all libraries in Malaysia by 2017. This announcement has been made by the former director of National Library of Malaysia. To accomplish this mission, training is considered a basic requirement for every librarian before the introduction of RDA. However, it is found to be great challenges in conducting training and implementation of RDA in many libraries. With regards to this matter this study focuses on literatures on RDA pertaining to; training, costs, cataloging procedures and integrated library system. The framework may become foundation for libraries in supporting RDA in bibliographic control. The insight will inspire and inform a wide array of new research agenda in the cataloging and metadata literature.

This study focuses on the importance of measurement and evaluation practices of users' needs and expectations towards the facilities and services provided in the academic libraries. It provides the measurement and evaluation scenario of how the local academic libraries work on meeting and fulfilling the needs and expectations of their users. The study is generally significant in promoting and providing better facilities and services to the academic libraries users. This study employs qualitative approach to highlight the aim of the study in getting the actual position of measurement and evaluation practices in Malaysian academic libraries. This study adopted a case study approach to eight (8) academic libraries practicing the measurement and evaluation activities in their libraries. The results obtained from the survey conducted for the measurement and evaluation works have helped the libraries to construct the library strategic planning. This has drawn good impact on the library management system. The staff as well as the library users have benefited from the improvements done by the library.