scholarly journals Opioid overdose in public libraries: Results from a five state survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Feuerstein-Simon ◽  
Margaret Lowenstein ◽  
Roxanne Dupuis ◽  
Xochitl Luna Marti ◽  
Abby Dolan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Past ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One

AbstractIntroductionPublic libraries are increasingly impacted by the overdose crisis. A 2017 survey of public librarians in the state of Pennsylvania revealed that 12% had reported an on-site overdose in the previous year. There are increasing public and private efforts to equip public libraries with the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey of all public library branches in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia. Survey questions. We used descriptive statistics to report frequencies of responses and crude odds ratios were calculated to predict the dichotomized variable of endorsement of naloxone uptake.ResultsLibrary staff reported witnessing on-site alcohol (45%) and injection drug (14%) use in the past month. The one-year cumulative incidence (12% overall) of on-site overdose ranged from a low of 10% in MI, to a high of 17% in FL. Among libraries with on-site overdoses, a minority (21%) stocked naloxone, and 12% had administered naloxone. Overall, 11% of libraries stocked naloxone on-site. Although 24% of respondents reported attending at least one training regarding SUD in the past year, 91% wanted more training on the topic.ConclusionsPublic library staff routinely address issues related to substance use and overdose in their institutions. This work highlights the importance of including public libraries as part of a comprehensive public health strategy to address substance use-related morbidity and mortality in the U.S.

scholarly journals What Are the Opinions of New Zealand Public Library Staff on Ebooks?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Megan Adelle Percy
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Median Response ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The Past ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Level Of Agreement

<p>RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to discover the opinions of New Zealand public library staff on ebooks. While there are studies on opinions on ebooks, there is less emphasis on public library staff. Ebooks are becoming more and more popular and how libraries implement them will impact on the future of libraries. The aim of this study was to discover what library staff liked and disliked about ebooks and how they feel about ebooks in public libraries. METHODOLOGY: Invitations to participate in a survey about ebooks were posted on two email discussion lists, PUBSIG, for New Zealand public library staff, and NZ-Libs, for New Zealand library staff. Additionally, an invitation was emailed to all staff members of Wellington City Libraries. Data were collected using an online survey consisting mainly of Likert-type statements that respondents indicate their level of agreement to. These statements were adapted from previous studies done on ebooks. Respondents were not required to answer every question. RESULTS: There were 202 responses. 63% (127) of New Zealand public library staff surveyed have read at least one ebook in the past year. 93% (188) Agree or Strongly Agree with the statement that it is important for public libraries to offer ebooks. 57% (105) Agree or Strongly Agree with the statement “I enjoy helping patrons with technical questions about ebooks or ereaders”. Respondents think that the portability of ebooks and the ability to customise ebooks is useful. Most library staff surveyed think the increasing popularity of ebooks is good for libraries. The median response to “My library has a great stock of ebooks” was Neither Agree nor Disagree, with the majority of respondents agreeing that ebook licensing terms restricts the stock of ebooks available at their library. IMPLICATIONS: Library staff think that offering ebooks is important for libraries. However, libraries implementing ebooks need to ensure staff are ready to help patrons with ebooks. Ebook licensing terms are perceived as restricting libraries’ ebook stock, for libraries to be successful at offering ebooks the licensing situation may need to change.</p>

scholarly journals At Your Leisure Pilot Project: Providing Leisure Reading Materials to a University Community through an Academic and Public Library Initiative

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Van den Hoogen ◽  
Kristel Fleuren-Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Trial Period ◽  
Leisure Reading ◽  
Reading Materials ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Project Data ◽  
University Community

Leisure reading collections were once as integral to academic libraries as they currently are to public libraries. This article examines the results of a partnership between an academic and a public library to provide access to leisure reading materials to a university community through a one-year pilot project. Data were collected using circulation statistics, gate counts, and comment cards in the form of book inserts. During the pilot, gate counts increased by 6%, and 91% of participants indicated that they would continue to use the collection often or sometimes. The pilot was officially adopted as a new service at the end of the one-year trial period. Auparavant, les collections de livres de détente faisaient partie intégrante des bibliothèques académiques tout comme elles font présentement partie des bibliothèques publiques. Cet article présente les résultats d’un partenariat entre une bibliothèque académique et une bibliothèque publique cherchant à donner accès à du matériel de lecture de détente à une communauté universitaire par le biais d’un projet pilote d’un an. Les données ont été recueillies en utilisant des statistiques de prêt, le nombre d’entrées et des commentaires reçus sur des formulaires insérés dans les livres. Durant le projet pilote, le nombre d’entrées a augmenté de 6% et 91% des participants ont indiqué qu’ils continueraient d’utiliser la collection souvent ou à l’occasion. Le projet a été adopté officiellement comme nouveau service suite au pilote d’un an.

scholarly journals What Are the Opinions of New Zealand Public Library Staff on Ebooks?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Megan Adelle Percy
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Median Response ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The Past ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Level Of Agreement

<p>RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to discover the opinions of New Zealand public library staff on ebooks. While there are studies on opinions on ebooks, there is less emphasis on public library staff. Ebooks are becoming more and more popular and how libraries implement them will impact on the future of libraries. The aim of this study was to discover what library staff liked and disliked about ebooks and how they feel about ebooks in public libraries. METHODOLOGY: Invitations to participate in a survey about ebooks were posted on two email discussion lists, PUBSIG, for New Zealand public library staff, and NZ-Libs, for New Zealand library staff. Additionally, an invitation was emailed to all staff members of Wellington City Libraries. Data were collected using an online survey consisting mainly of Likert-type statements that respondents indicate their level of agreement to. These statements were adapted from previous studies done on ebooks. Respondents were not required to answer every question. RESULTS: There were 202 responses. 63% (127) of New Zealand public library staff surveyed have read at least one ebook in the past year. 93% (188) Agree or Strongly Agree with the statement that it is important for public libraries to offer ebooks. 57% (105) Agree or Strongly Agree with the statement “I enjoy helping patrons with technical questions about ebooks or ereaders”. Respondents think that the portability of ebooks and the ability to customise ebooks is useful. Most library staff surveyed think the increasing popularity of ebooks is good for libraries. The median response to “My library has a great stock of ebooks” was Neither Agree nor Disagree, with the majority of respondents agreeing that ebook licensing terms restricts the stock of ebooks available at their library. IMPLICATIONS: Library staff think that offering ebooks is important for libraries. However, libraries implementing ebooks need to ensure staff are ready to help patrons with ebooks. Ebook licensing terms are perceived as restricting libraries’ ebook stock, for libraries to be successful at offering ebooks the licensing situation may need to change.</p>

scholarly journals Intellectual Freedom in New Zealand Public Libraries: An exploration of the variables that affect library workers’ understanding and application of intellectual freedom in the library

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kathryn Hill
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Intellectual Freedom ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Face ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

<p>Research Problem: The study aimed to ascertain New Zealand public library workers’ understanding of the principles of intellectual freedom and whether or not these principles were applied in practice. Furthermore the study sought to explore the variables that affect the attitudes and behaviours of public library workers towards intellectual freedom.  Methodology: The research project used a quantitative framework employing a cross-sectional design to investigate the attitudes and behaviours of New Zealand library staff toward intellectual freedom via online self-completion questionnaires. The sample population was drawn from professional email lists NZLibs, PUBSIG-l and Te Rōpū Whakahau.  Results: The 172 completed surveys revealed that respondents generally agreed with the principles of intellectual freedom that the library associations promote. However their commitment to these principles is often tested by the obligation that they feel towards library stakeholders. The results indicate that experience, education, the employer and the library association all play some role in shaping the professional attitudes and behaviours of individuals towards intellectual freedom.  Implications: The results of the study suggest that more needs to do be done in regards to the education of library staff and the public on the importance of intellectual freedom within a democratic society. A stronger sense of professional identity needs to be cultivated amongst library workers to ensure they have the confidence to stand behind their professional ideals in the face of opposition. Furthermore survey results suggest that employers need to place a higher priority on both training and awareness regarding the principle of intellectual freedom within the library.</p>

scholarly journals Intellectual Freedom in New Zealand Public Libraries: An exploration of the variables that affect library workers’ understanding and application of intellectual freedom in the library

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kathryn Hill
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Intellectual Freedom ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Face ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

<p>Research Problem: The study aimed to ascertain New Zealand public library workers’ understanding of the principles of intellectual freedom and whether or not these principles were applied in practice. Furthermore the study sought to explore the variables that affect the attitudes and behaviours of public library workers towards intellectual freedom.  Methodology: The research project used a quantitative framework employing a cross-sectional design to investigate the attitudes and behaviours of New Zealand library staff toward intellectual freedom via online self-completion questionnaires. The sample population was drawn from professional email lists NZLibs, PUBSIG-l and Te Rōpū Whakahau.  Results: The 172 completed surveys revealed that respondents generally agreed with the principles of intellectual freedom that the library associations promote. However their commitment to these principles is often tested by the obligation that they feel towards library stakeholders. The results indicate that experience, education, the employer and the library association all play some role in shaping the professional attitudes and behaviours of individuals towards intellectual freedom.  Implications: The results of the study suggest that more needs to do be done in regards to the education of library staff and the public on the importance of intellectual freedom within a democratic society. A stronger sense of professional identity needs to be cultivated amongst library workers to ensure they have the confidence to stand behind their professional ideals in the face of opposition. Furthermore survey results suggest that employers need to place a higher priority on both training and awareness regarding the principle of intellectual freedom within the library.</p>

scholarly journals Hepatitis and tuberculosis testing are much less common than HIV testing among adults in Kisumu, Kenya: results from a cross-sectional assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Tunnage ◽  
Adam Yates ◽  
Chiaka Nwoga ◽  
Valentine Sing’oei ◽  
John Owuoth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Education ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Prior Testing ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background Kenya has a high burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Screening is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment, which reduces morbidity and mortality across all three illnesses. We evaluated testing uptake for HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods Cross-sectional data from adults aged 18–35 years who enrolled in a prospective HIV incidence cohort study from February 2017 to May 2018 were analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to each participant at screening for study eligibility to collect behavioral characteristics and to assess prior testing practices. Among participants without a history of previously-diagnosed HIV, multivariable robust Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors potentially associated with HIV testing in the 12 months prior to enrollment. A hierarchical model was used to test for differential access to testing due to spatial location. Results Of 671 participants, 52 (7.7%) were living with HIV, 308 (45.9%) were female, and the median age was 24 (interquartile range 21–28) years. Among 651 (97.0%) who had ever been tested for HIV, 400 (61.2%) reported HIV testing in the past 6 months, 129 (19.7%) in the past 6–12 months, and 125 (19.1%) more than one year prior to enrollment. Any prior testing for viral hepatitis was reported by 8 (1.2%) participants and for tuberculosis by 51 (7.6%). In unadjusted models, HIV testing in the past year was more common among females (PR 1.08 [95% CI 1.01, 1.17]) and participants with secondary education or higher (PR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.19]). In the multivariable model, only secondary education or higher was associated with recent HIV testing (adjusted PR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.20]). Hierarchical models showed no geographic differences in HIV testing across Kisumu subcounties. Conclusions Prior HIV testing was common among study participants and most had been tested within the past year but testing for tuberculosis and viral hepatitis was far less common. HIV testing gaps exist for males and those with lower levels of education. HIV testing infrastructure could be leveraged to increase access to testing for other endemic infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Public Library: A Place for the Digital Community Archive

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Copeland
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Community Archives ◽  
The Past ◽  
Digital Community ◽  
Current Events ◽  
Community Archive

Abstract This article explores the possibility that public libraries can be repositories for digital community archives. The overarching goal is to establish a case for public libraries’ developing digital community archives that are participatory and which emphasize born-digital items rather than digitized physical items. This discussion follows my own research and experience in this area to include personal information management, social media and the personal archive, and the accidental community archive, and demonstrates that public libraries can focus on communities’ current events and people rather than solely on those from the past.

scholarly journals Shifting the Sands of Summer Reading

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne De Groot
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Reading Program ◽  
Reading Programs ◽  
Reading Interests ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Summer Reading ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Summer Reading Programs

This study investigated ways in which summer reading programs (SRPs) support children’s recreational reading interests and habits and help to promote reading and literacy throughout the summer months. The primary research question was: How do children, parents, and library staff experience their public library summer reading program? This paper will present selected findings from the study related to children’s reading experiences in school and during the summer, reading games and incentives, and designing summer reading programs that emphasize the social aspects of reading. Findings from this study suggest that school and public libraries should consider moving away from traditional summer reading programs that include reading games and rewards and focus instead on providing children, their parents, and library staff members with greater opportunities to interact with books and reading, and one another, throughout the summer.

Public libraries and public primary school literacy: a Kenyan case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 689-701
Author(s):  
Peter Mose
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
School Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Teachers And Parents

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain how public libraries have been instrumental in early child school literacy teaching and learning. Most African public schools do not usually afford enough core textbooks and supplementary readers.Design/methodology/approachThis was a qualitative case study in Western Kenya amongst public library staff members, public primary school teachers and parents of library children clients. The following questions were addressed: What is the book situation in public primary schools in the study site? What school-type literacy-related services are offered by the sampled public library? and What are library staff members’, teachers’ and parents’ feelings about the public library services offered? Observations, interviews and document studies were used to collect data. Data were analysed thematically.FindingsPublic schools do not have enough core textbooks and the situation is worse for supplementary readers; the public library branch studied offers critical school-type literacies to school children both at the library building as well as at public schools registered with it; and library staff members, teachers, and parents express positive feelings about the services offered.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a case study whose findings might not apply to the larger situation and the study did not confirm actual literacy benefits of the library services amongst school children by, for instance, conducting literacy tests. The findings are, however, an index to the possible situation in the macro context.Practical implicationsThe relevant stakeholders should find ways of co-opting public libraries as associates of public schools in literacy teaching. This relationship is not straight forward in Kenya.Originality/valueThe findings reported are from original research.

The One Hundred and Fourth Annual Report of the Council 1968

1969 ◽  
Vol 73 (700) ◽  
pp. 311-332
Keyword(s):  
Annual Report ◽  
The Past ◽  
Joint Policy ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Policy Committee

Although the past year cannot be classed as an outstanding one, nevertheless, there are some items which are worthy of noting and recording. The number of Fellows elected was the largest ever elected in one year, and the total number of members increased steadily if not spectacularly. It is of much concern to the Council that the number of Graduates and Students diminishes, and in the oncoming year efforts will be made to counteract this tendency. A Joint Policy Committee has been formed with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Institution of Production Engineers to investigate all possibilities of cooperation in establishing joint policies and activities and even administration. At present, the Committee is investigating areas of such co-operation.

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