https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13661 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:52:29 GMT 2026-04-09T19:52:29Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145084 Title: Driving the sustainable development of an open research data culture : two examples of collaborative best practice from the University of Malta Abstract: Open Science is a gradual process that requires a culture shift among the entire research community; as such, it is at different stages of development in different parts of Europe. Malta - a small island country in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, which acceded to the European Union in 2004 - is at the forefront of Open Science initiatives, spearheaded by the University of Malta (UM) Library. Since 2014 the UM Library has been carrying out sustained efforts to drive the sustainable development of an open research data culture and guide researchers through the change, both internally and via international collaborative projects. This presentation focuses on two examples of collaborative best practices to support the sustainable development of Open Science, especially for smaller or under-resourced universities.; First, we will showcase University of Malta’s internal role in advancing sustainable Open Science practices, enhancing research accessibility and management, and supporting collaboration among researchers, as well as between the Library and the Research Office. Following the establishment of an Open Science Department in 2017, the UM formalised its approach with an Open Access Policy in 2019. To further strengthen this commitment, in 2021 the policy was upgraded to a mandate formally requiring researchers to adhere to Open Science principles. In 2023, the UM Library expanded their open research focus to include research data management and implemented a data repository, drUM, providing a robust platform for managing and sharing FAIR data. drUM has become an integral part of research data management at the UM because the repository’s functionality encourages and enables the adoption of research data management practices, ensuring compliance during the grant application process and clearly signposting to how individual research data produced at the UM can be accessed and reused. The platform also includes specific funder and grant details within the item metadata, which fosters researcher collaboration, alongside powerful reporting dashboards and visibility over the research shared, enabling proficient reporting and compliance monitoring. By actively promoting the data repository and core open data principles, we have observed that a gradual culture shift towards Open Science is taking place, and research data management is being integrated as a fundamental aspect of the research process, even at the early stages of research projects.; Second, we will present the work of the SEA-EU Alliance - a European Commission initiative which, since 2019, unites nine coastal universities across Europe - focusing on Work Package 5: Building an Open Future: Fostering Open Science across the SEA-EU Community and Beyond, the research data management and open data project steered by the UM Library. This had various deliverables, including the drafting of a SEA-EU RDM Policy Framework for the SEA-EU Alliance, adaptable by participating universities for their respective communities, further promoting open data practices. Description: Presentation given as part of Parallel Session 11, "SUSTAINABLE OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT - II" during the LIBER 2025 Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145084 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144782 Title: Il-jien fil-ħolqien : l-ispiritwalità ekoloġika fil-poeżiji ta’ Oliver Friggieri Authors: Agius, Beverly Abstract: F’dan l-istudju se jiġi mistħarreġ is-sehem integrali tal-Jien fil-ħolqien, jiġifieri, ir-rispons poetiku tal-kelliem jew is-semmiegħ lejn ambjent li huwa naturali daqskemm spiritwali. Xi jfisser li tkun ħlejqa għal Oliver Friggieri? Iċ-ċokon, il-fraġilità, l-insuffiċjenza iżda wkoll ir-rispett, il-qima, u l-ħarsien: dawn ix-xejriet kumplimentari li jikkaratterizzaw il-lirika ta’ Friggieri sikwit jintwerew iwettqu l-kundizzjoni ħlejqija. Skont orjentamenti teoloġiċi tal-filosofija ambjentali diskussi fil-ġabra Being-in-Creation, din il-qagħda — mifhuma bħala d-dipendenza li għandu l-bniedem fuq il-ħlejjaq u fuq il-ħallieq — titlob li wieħed jgħix b’umiltà u f’responsabbiltà lejn il-ħolqien. Il-kwalitajiet elenkati li jsawru din il-kundizzjoni, fil-lirika ta’ Friggieri, jingħarfu ngħidu aħna fl-identifikazzjoni kontinwa tal-kelliem ma’ entitajiet naturali meqjusin insinifikanti: “Jien warda mingħajr isem li tinħasad / minn bidwi aljenat” (“Il-Poeta u l-Politiku”). Iċ-ċirkustanzi daqskemm il-vulnerabbiltajiet infushom ta’ dawn l-oħrajn madwaru, xi minn daqqiet ippersonifikati minnu, jinstigaw fil-Jien sens ta’ dover għall-ħsieb jew il-kura tagħhom. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144782 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143232 Title: Library marketing survey 2023 Abstract: The University of Malta Library Marketing Survey 2023 presents the findings of a comprehensive user survey conducted to evaluate awareness, usage, and perceptions of library services, resources, spaces, and communication channels. Administered over one month in March 2023 using both online and print formats, the survey collected 577 valid responses from students, academic staff, and administrative and research support staff. The report analyses demographic data alongside patterns of service awareness and usage, identifying strengths in core library services while highlighting gaps in awareness of newer initiatives such as information literacy workshops and archive tours. Particular attention is given to marketing and outreach, revealing that peer-to-peer communication and the library newsletter are among the most effective channels for service promotion, while social media channels require more strategic use. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143232 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141548 Title: Enhancing student engagement : introducing social exchange theory in outreach practices for academic libraries Authors: Scicluna, Ryan Abstract: This paper delves into the potential of social exchange theory (SET) within the context of academic libraries, using the University of Malta Library (UML) as a case study. The study explores the application of SET to enhance library outreach practices. By harnessing the power of SET, which offers profound insights into human interactions and the reciprocal nature of social relationships, this research aims to develop a comprehensive approach to navigating library outreach assessment to spark a new wave of academic library research. SET, which focuses on the reciprocal exchange of benefits and obligations between various members of a community, provides a framework for evaluating and improving library services. Key initiatives, including training workshops, librarian chat services, stress-relief campaigns, and artistic and cultural engagement projects, were analyzed based on SET’s core elements: rewards and resources, mechanisms of exchange, social structures and social capital, and reciprocity and obligations. The findings highlight the concept that activities like personalized one-on-one sessions and workshops provide significant benefits, such as skill development, while fostering trust and user commitment between library users. Programs like stress-relief campaigns and charity events strengthen community ties and enhance the library’s role as a cultural hub. Initiatives such as chat-with-a-librarian demonstrate that reciprocal engagement builds long-term relationships and increases patron satisfaction. By assessing outreach through the lens of SET principles, this study emphasizes the importance of aligning activities with academic community needs. Applying SET strategies ensures outreach efforts foster meaningful connections, mutual benefit, and social capital, ultimately improving community engagement and the overall impact of library services. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141548 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z