Community information portals: content and design issues for information access

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Hider ◽  
Lisa M. Given ◽  
Paul Scifleet
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Usable Information ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Usability Analysis ◽  
Community Information

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of an audit of community information (CI) portals to provide an overview of how CI is being organised and presented on the web by aggregating services, and how CI is being shaped and shared in community networks. It also investigates the role that public libraries play in online CI provision. Design/methodology/approach – The research sampled CI portals online within the Australian web domain (.au). An audit of 88 portals was undertaken to establish the scope, role and usefulness of the portals. The audit included a comprehensive usability analysis of a sub set of 20 portals evaluated for 20 different heuristics based on Nielsen's heuristic model. Findings – The research finds that the challenge facing portals is not a lack of information, it is the need to improve the mediation between the community services and people that CI portals promise useful and usable information for. While public libraries remain integral to the provision of CI in their geographical area, they now form part of a larger online network for CI provision, involving a wide range of organisations. Originality/value – The paper discusses the ways CI portals contribute to the provision of information about community services and identifies areas where improvements are needed. In particular, it discusses how these sites function as part of larger CI networks and where more innovative, and more standardised, design could lead to greater levels of engagement and utility.

A Synopsis of Information Communication Technologies Applications in Agro-Based Livelihoods in Nigeria

2013 ◽  
pp. 195-204
Author(s):  
O. I. Oladele
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Community Information

This chapter examines the applications of information communication technologies in agro-based livelihoods in Nigeria. A multipurpose community information access point was established at a pilot level in Ago-Are, Oyo State, Nigeria. The center equipped with basic ICT infrastructures including Internet connectivity made available through a VSAT, provided timely solutions to the basic problems of farmers’ lack of information on agriculture, lack of access to inputs and output markets, and lack of access to some basic but relatively expensive equipment. The services include the Answering Farmer’s Needs-a private-public collaborative project involving several organizations. There is also the Fantsuam Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that works with farmers in rural communities in Northern Nigeria with an on-going micro-credit project aimed at alleviating poverty among rural women. This chapter highlights the synergistic use and challenges for each of these projects and proffers suggestions for the adoption and adaptation in different parts of the world.

Libraries of Babel: exploring library language and its suitability for the community

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 612-627
Author(s):  
Michael Alexander Fauchelle
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Information Access ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Community Recommendations ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Language Context

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the different aspects of language that are present in the signage, handouts and websites of public libraries. It discusses the extent to which this language reflects the varying demographics of library clients. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports on a qualitative study, which took a document analysis approach and utilised an inductive-coding technique to analyse data collected from four lower North Island libraries in New Zealand. Findings Five language aspects were identified from the collected data: monolingual, bilingual and multilingual language; language context; welcoming and prohibitive language; language consistency; and jargon. The nature and incidence of these aspects were evaluated for each of the four libraries. In some cases, the libraries achieve an accurate reflection of client demographics through their language. However, each library could make some changes to their use of language to better accommodate their distinct communities. Practical implications This paper suggests that modifying library language to better reflect client demographics will contribute to an atmosphere of inclusion, welcome and acceptance. Such an atmosphere will promote information access for all members of the community. Recommendations for change are made, as well as suggestions for future research. Originality/value This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on communication and language in libraries, particularly in a New Zealand context where there is a paucity of research on this topic. This paper benefits libraries and clients by identifying patterns, contrasts and potential improvements.

Public library Twitter use during the early period of the COVID-19 lockdown in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngok Choi ◽  
Sung Un Kim
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analysis Scheme ◽  
Community Information

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the Twitter use of public libraries during the early period of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate the focus of Twitter communication. Design/methodology/approach A total of 57 active, public library Twitter accounts were used for data collection and analysis. The tweets examined were a combination of original tweets (n = 1,465) and retweets (n = 516) posted from other Twitter accounts on the public libraries’ Twitter feeds. A content analysis scheme was developed to analyse topical aspects of the tweets. Findings The most frequent tweets were about library events, programmes and activities. However, there was a relatively low focus on sharing community information and addressing information related to the pandemic. The study suggests that public libraries could use Twitter to provide library resources and services to their patrons, whilst also acting as a virtual community centre safely keeping patrons engaged in the face of a global pandemic. By doing so, Twitter could be used as an integral part of promoting the mission of public libraries. Research limitations/implications The study examined a limited number of public libraries’ Twitter posts. Whilst the study carried out a random sampling of 10% of public libraries from the five states that had the highest COVID-19 cases in the month of April 2020, the study only examined tweets of 57 public libraries being active in posting. Thus, the findings of the study are not for generalizing. Practical implications The content scheme includes content types regarding library services and community information. The content category scheme is general to reflect themes of content during a normal time and any emergency. Thus, this framework could be helpful for the content development of public libraries in planning social media use. Originality/value The study used a new content analysis framework to examine both original tweets and retweets for information sharing of library services and community information. The approach of content analysis is distinctive to examine libraries’ communication trends on social media not only in normal times but also in times of crisis as well. The study also incorporated additional measures to assess Twitter practices including hashtags.

Culture wars, libraries and the BBC

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Usherwood ◽  
Margaret Usherwood
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Culture War ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Texts ◽  
Editorial Bias ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
The Uk

PurposePublic libraries and public service broadcasters are threatened by political developments in the UK and USA. They are targets in a divisive culture war waged by ideological organisations that disseminate misleading and false information about social and political matters on line, on screen and in print. The purpose of this paper is to alert information professionals to this issue and suggests that, although they should not engage in this war, they must be prepared to use their professional expertise to identify and correct unreliable material. Further, they should cooperate with other true information organisations to expose the fallacious sources that endanger democracy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analysed material from academic texts and papers, professional journals, serious contemporary journalism, political manifestoes, Internet blogs and items from the BBC sound archive to illustrate the history, size and nature of the problem and to suggest how it might be dealt with. This documentary analysis was based on the belief that information professionals are not the only people examining and concerned about this issue. It therefore included material from a wide range of other disciplines, including psychology, medicine and politics.FindingsThere is evidence that populist movements from the political right dislike information organisations and have historically, through misinformation and misrepresentation, persuaded working class citizens that they are being exploited by an elite. Public libraries and the BBC are highly trusted organisations, but much of the British public goes to sources it trusts least, such as tabloid newspapers, for information on politics and society. Librarians and BBC broadcasters demonstrated their value during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they need to engage with other professional groups to fully understand what is happening and counteract the threats it presents to our democracy.Originality/valueThe paper deals with a significant current issue that needs to be considered urgently by practitioners, academics and policy makers. It includes practical examples and suggestions demonstrating how information workers have and can help their users identify and use trusted and accurate information sources and perhaps be made aware of editorial bias.

Researching public libraries and the social web, 2006-2012

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 632-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Web ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to sketch out the general tendencies, gaps and opportunities within the body of research studying the social web as a new facet of public librarianship in order to delineate the findings so far and suggest directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach – Literature searches were conducted through the Library, Information Science and Technology Abstract database, The ISI Web of Science database and the Directory of Open Access Journals. A selection process in two steps resulted in 44 articles that were subjected to a two-stage analysis and coding process: a coding analysis based on the stated aims or research questions of each article and analysis of the articles as clusters around a shared theme. Findings – The articles, exhibiting a richness and diversity in research directions, are dispersed in a wide range of journals and the topics addressed cover a variety of segments within Library and Information Science. Despite this diversity, research exploring the consequences of the social web for public libraries in situ and considerations of research on the broader political economic conditions of the public library institution in late modernity is largely lacking. Furthermore, the status of librarianship and the professional expertise of librarians, in light of the social web, need to be further addressed. Originality/value – The rising interest and investment of library professionals into the practices, principles and technologies of the social web calls for further studies into the consequences of this ongoing development for public library services. This paper gives a preliminary overview of the research done 2006-2012 and identifies gaps in the literature that may serve as a point of departure for future research.

Considerations regarding the design of an online collaborative audit system

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucian Cristian Eni
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
National Level ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit System ◽  
Collaborative System ◽  
Collaborative Intelligence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new concept: the online collaborative audit system, and to design a prototype system at the national level for financial auditors, members of a supervisory body. Design/methodology/approach – Conceptualization, modelling, analysis, imagination, scientific abstraction and review of legislation are the research methods used. Findings – An online collaborative audit system is defined as an interorganizational system which uses the methods of collaborative intelligence among the stakeholders of the audit process (audit firms, auditees, supervision bodies) in a given geographical area (e.g. country) and which is based on the Internet. By assessing the design of the system, we could anticipate that an online collaborative system is feasible to implement. The main characteristics of an online collaborative audit system are geographical dispersion, collaboration between the stakeholders of the audit process, electronic management of the audit documents, online/continuous auditing and dynamic virtual teams, etc. Practical implications – The system presented in this paper aims to cover the research gap which exists in this area and also to produce a change of paradigm in the sense that nowadays the technology allows us to move the audit results to an integrated national platform for audit stakeholders. In this way, the transparency of audit results increases and the role of audit becomes more predictive compared with the traditional way of performing an audit. Compared with the research in the field, the system presented in this paper is innovative in the sense that it not only allows online auditing but also gathers the national audit community in a virtual environment, which allows information sharing and improvement of information access. Social implications – The online collaborative system for audit, which promotes collaboration between a large number of auditors and which is based on the networks of the supervision bodies, could be implemented not only by Romania, on which this research is based, but also by other countries. Originality/value – The online collaborative systems for audit, which promotes collaboration between a large number of auditors and which is based on the networks of the supervision bodies, could be implemented not only by Romania but also by other countries.

Community frailty team workforce development – a personal reflection

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Corbett ◽  
Lucy Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Workforce Development ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Community Health Services ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Personal View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Needs

PurposeThis paper represents a personal view of a newly appointed consultant practitioner trainee in frailty. This role was created as a result of a rapid workforce review of a Frailty Support Team (FST) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe FST traditionally worked alongside other community services. A “One Team” approach was developed whereby prior silos of community nursing, therapy and frailty teams became a single, locality based and mutually supportive integrated community service. This significantly increased capacity for an urgent community response for older people with complex needs and improved clinical management and coordination of care. As a workforce review identified the need for skills development, new roles for trainee advanced frailty practitioners (AFPs) and a consultant practitioner trainee in frailty were established.FindingsStaff experience of the “One Team” model was positive. The changes were thought to encourage closer and more efficient working between primary care and a range of community health services. The improved communication between professionals enabled more personalised care at home, reducing pressure on emergency hospital services. A rapid review of the workforce model has enabled the enhanced team capacity to cover a wider geographical area and improved recruitment and retention of staff by introducing a new pathway for career progression within the expanding specialism of frailty.Originality/valueThe challenge of COVID-19 has prompted rapid service redesign to create an enhanced “One Team in the community.” The innovative workforce model looks beyond traditional roles, values the experience and capabilities of staff and develops the skills and confidence required to provide a more integrated and person-centred specialist community pathway for people living with frailty.

Open Doors: library cross-sector co-operation in Bristol, UK

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-118
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Ann Chelin
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Library Service ◽  
School Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Set Up

Purpose – This paper outlines the aims, activities and outcomes of a project to pilot a reciprocal borrowing scheme between public and academic libraries using existing cards, i.e. public library cards in the academic library and university ID cards in the public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – This is a case study providing practical information about the establishment and promotion of the service, and recounting the feedback from surveys of participants, prospective users and library staff. Findings – The project outcomes indicate that the reciprocal use of existing library cards between institutions and public libraries in a geographical area: was relatively simple once set up; was appreciated by all those who participated; had few teething problems; had had no appreciable impact on the availability of academic stock to University of the West of England (UWE) students; increased public library and academic library usage by target groups, e.g. school students 16 years and over, enabled the public library service to provide a significantly better offer of resources to its community, especially those who needed access to specialised stock, not normally available in a general public library service. Originality/value – The partnership between LibrariesWest (led by South Gloucestershire Libraries) and UWE Bristol Library Services is not unusual. However, the approach taken, i.e. to allow borrowers to use their own libraries’ cards without any data sharing between the respective systems, is fairly unique. The processes involved and the evaluation of the scheme are of value to other prospective partnerships where organisations are geographically aligned.

An overlooked resource? Public libraries’ work with older people – an introduction

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practice Guide ◽  
Potential Partner ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Spending Cuts ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight work with older people being undertaken by public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on responses from libraries working with older people, outlining their approaches, and also on the report, “Library services for older people – good practice guide”. Findings – There is a large and varied programme of work being delivered by public libraries and their partner organisations. However, much of it is “under the radar”, so, when spending cuts are made, the knock-on effects are often not recognised. Practical implications – Highlights examples of work that other library services could replicate. Also highlights work that potential partner organisations may not know about, and therefore can use this paper as a “way in” to libraries. Stresses the importance of recognising the wide range of people under the umbrella term, “older people”. Social implications – This paper aims to draw attention to a key area of work which may not be well known outside libraries themselves, with the potential to bring other partners and funders on board. Originality/value – The paper draws together examples of different initiatives developed by public libraries, all of which have an enormous impact on the older people (and their families) involved.

A Synopsis of Information Communication Technologies Applications in Agro-Based Livelihoods in Nigeria

2011 ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
O. I. Oladele
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Community Information

This paper examines the applications of information communication technologies in agro-based livelihoods in Nigeria. A multipurpose community information access point was established at a pilot level in Ago-Are, Oyo State, Nigeria. The center equipped with basic ICT infrastructures including Internet connectivity made available through a VSAT, provided timely solutions to the basic problems of farmers’ lack of information on agriculture, lack of access to inputs and output markets, and lack of access to some basic but relatively expensive equipment. The services include the Answering Farmer’s Needs-a private-public collaborative project involving several organizations. There is also the Fantsuam Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that works with farmers in rural communities in Northern Nigeria with an on-going micro-credit project aimed at alleviating poverty among rural women. The paper highlights the synergistic use and challenges for each of these projects and proffers suggestions for the adoption and adaptation in different parts of the world.

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