Emergent digital services in public libraries: a domain study

Currently, there is a more frequent replacement of books by e-books, which have become an increasingly viable format and make it easier for readers to read books in a variety of places. Public libraries therefore focus more often on the provision of e-books as one of the components of their digital services. However, these services do not always meet with an adequate demand from readers due to several factors, such as service charges or a lack of awareness. Therefore, in this article, the authors focus on the demand side, represented by e-book readers. Specifically, they focus on the Municipal Library of Prague’s e-book readers’ behaviour and propose a three-step research model. It consists of analyses focusing on: (1) the specifics of the Municipal Library of Prague’s e-book readers; (2) e-book readers’ interest in borrowing e-books; and (3) e-book readers’ interest in the Municipal Library of Prague’s e-service when they must pay a fee. As a data source, the authors use unique data from an online questionnaire survey among readers of the Municipal Library of Prague in 2019 by the Sociores agency. The results show that science fiction and fantasy readers represent the most significant group of e-book readers at the Municipal Library of Prague, and that Facebook is the most significant channel for communication with e-book readers. The authors also confirm the importance of e-book readers and smartphones as devices that significantly affect readers’ decision to read e-books. In the final part of the article, the authors propose some practical recommendations that could attract more e-book readers.

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Public libraries digital services and sustainability issues

The Bottom Line Managing Library Finances ◽

10.1108/bl-12-2014-0034 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (1/2) ◽

pp. 34-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Katarina Michnik

Keyword(s):

Public Libraries ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Public Library ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Digital Services ◽

Local Politicians ◽

Physical Spaces ◽

The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how Swedish local politicians perceive the impact of public library digital services on public libraries and to discuss how this can affect the sustainable development of public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local politicians from 19 different Swedish municipalities. Data were treated to qualitative content analysis and discussed based on the concept of sustainable organization. Findings – According to local politicians, public library digital services may affect public libraries through changes to libraries’ physical spaces, librarians’ tasks and competencies and libraries’ economic situations. Based on these findings, public library digital services can both strengthen and weaken public library sustainability through, for example, increased access and expenditures, the latter of which may threaten public library sustainability. Research limitations/implications – Interviews did not focus specifically on the politicians’ views on public library digital services but dealt generally with their views on public libraries. To identify reasons for variations in views on this topic, follow-up interviews should be done. Data on views from public library managers would also be of use to determine the degree to which they are shared with local politicians. Originality/value – When sustainability and public libraries are discussed, the focus is generally on the library’s contribution to a sustainable society. Here, the focus is instead on the sustainability of the public library itself.

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Delivering Digital Services: A Handbook for Public Libraries and Learning Centres20083David McMenemy and Alan Poulter. Delivering Digital Services: A Handbook for Public Libraries and Learning Centres. London: Facet 2006. , ISBN: 9781856045100

Library Management ◽

10.1108/01435120810844739 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (1/2) ◽

pp. 134-135

Author(s):

David Alan Di Muro

Keyword(s):

Public Libraries ◽

Digital Services

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Delivering Digital Services: A Handbook for Public Libraries and Learning Centres20052David McMenemy and Alan Poulter. Delivering Digital Services: A Handbook for Public Libraries and Learning Centres. London: Facet Publishing 2005. £39.95 (hard cover), ISBN: ISBN 1856045102

Online Information Review ◽

10.1108/14684520510638124 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 684-686

Author(s):

Michael P. Cullen

Keyword(s):

Public Libraries ◽

Digital Services ◽

Hard Cover

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Lydbogsbrugere og folkebiblioteket

Passage - Tidsskrift for litteratur og kritik ◽

10.7146/pas.v35i83.121612 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (83) ◽

pp. 119-141

Author(s):

Birgitta Wallin ◽

Katarina Michnik ◽

Catarina Eriksson

Keyword(s):

Digital Literacy ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Public Library ◽

Library Services ◽

Level Of Education ◽

The Public ◽

Digital Services ◽

Digital Books ◽

High Level

The use of audiobooks has risen significantly during the last few years in Sweden, a trend reflected in increasing demands for public libraries to provide their users with these books. Digital books are by no means a new phenomenon in public libraries, but the marked interest in borrowing audiobooks and new ways of distributing have led to changes in public libraries’ digital services and a redistribution of media budgets. This article describes who the audiobook users are and which other media they use. Building on this information, the article asks what challenges the demographic data of audiobook users – such as gender, age, and level of education – may pose for public libraries. Based on a quantitative analysis of survey data from Sweden, it is concluded that audiobook use is more common among young, well-educated people with a high level of digital literacy. Subscription services appear to be more popular among audiobook users, as their sale numbers are higher than lending numbers at public libraries. Nevertheless, the conclusions are that audiobooks have a place in public libraries, as they increase the service to communities and have the potential to reach new users. However, it is unclear if public libraries are reaching new groups by offering audiobooks; although the use of digital public library services is increasing, these services are mainly used by people who are already library visitors, and the public library seems to be primarily associated with the printed book.

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