The World of Tomorrow: Geographic Coverages of the Main Street Public Library, ALA Catalogs, and H. W. Wilson Company’s Standard Catalog for Public Libraries

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 729-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Wade Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Main Street ◽  
The World

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Effective Factors on Social Interactions in the Design of Public Libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Reza Askarizad
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The Other ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Effective Factors ◽  
The World ◽  
Controversial Topic ◽  
Inferential Analysis

Nowadays, the interaction of people in the world is deemed a controversial topic and consequently, the creation of an appropriate context for interacting with individuals is one of the issues that is considered by architects in many designs. In this research, it has been endeavored to consider the factors affecting social interactions in the design of public libraries through the descriptive-inferential analysis. The results of this research reveal that in the architectural spaces that have been designed with open-configured plans, spatial integrity and sociability will increase. On the other hand, the factors such as depth and the level of privacy are also reduced. Therefore, in designing a public library with an approach toward social interaction, there should be a variety of open and closed-configured spaces in the plan that allow users to choose the space they optionally want and in which they would enjoy in their own presence by choosing their own activities.

scholarly journals ‘The challenge now is for us to remain relevant’: Australian public libraries and the COVID-19 crisis

IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110541
Author(s):  
Simon Wakeling ◽  
Jane Garner ◽  
Philip Hider ◽  
Hamid Jamali ◽  
Jessie Lymn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
The World ◽  
Large Scale Survey ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Delivery Models

The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on public libraries around the world. In Australia, almost all public libraries experienced some period of building closure, requiring libraries to adapt their services and delivery models. This article reports findings from a large-scale survey of public library managers in Australia, which was conducted in August 2020. In particular, it presents the results of a thematic analysis of the participants’ free-text responses to open questions asked as part of the survey. This analysis reveals important insights relating to responses to library closures, staffing issues, new and expanded services and programmes, relationships with parent bodies, and the role of public libraries during the crisis and beyond. While public libraries are perceived by managers to have been agile and adaptable, and to have utilised technology effectively, the findings clearly demonstrate the value to users of library buildings, with important consequences for understanding the role of public libraries.

Reading the city via the public central library in the sociocultural context: A comparative study between the Hong Kong Central Library, Shanghai Library and Taipei Public Library

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Lo ◽  
Kevin K.W. Ho ◽  
Bradley Allard ◽  
Shih-Chang Horng ◽  
Yan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Sociocultural Context ◽  
Community Members ◽  
The Public ◽  
The World ◽  
Community Spaces ◽  
The City

Public libraries across the world are well-known for the promotion of literacy and lifelong learning. However, at the same time, they are important social and community spaces in which community members can engage with each other. With this in mind, this study looks at the ways in which public libraries in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong fulfil these roles in their respective communities. The public libraries chosen for this study were namely: Shanghai Library, Taipei Public Library and Hong Kong Central Library. A total number of 788 responses were collected from all three libraries. Results from the surveys indicated that public libraries in these communities were seen as being important for providing cost-free materials, entertainment, and, especially, contributing to the overall culture of the community at large. Results indicated that the public libraries chosen for this study have social and cultural values alongside its function as an information centre. These findings will be important in understanding the sociocultural roles of public libraries in East Asia.

Who Uses Public Access Venues?

2011 ◽  
pp. 11-23
Author(s):  
Ricardo Gomez ◽  
Kemly Camacho
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Public Access ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Types

Who are the customers of public access venues, where do they come from, and what are their needs? In order to better understand the situation – success or failure – of public access venues, and how to move forward with policies, funding, and further research, it is crucial to better understand who uses public libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés. While there have been studies in different countries about users of individual telecenters or libraries (Becker et al., 2010; Gurol & Sevindik, 2007; Tiwari, 2008), it is difficult to fully answer these questions, even in a study of the magnitude of this one, which represents roughly 250,000 venues in 25 countries around the world. Nonetheless, we can use the data collected in this study to paint broad brushstrokes that give a better overall picture of the types of users of public libraries, telecenters,, and cybercafés. In this chapter, we discuss the main findings in relation to the users of public access venues, particularly in relation to gender, age, education, and income, as well as location (urban or non-urban)1 of the different types of venues. By understanding who is using public access venues, the providers of the access, be it a public library, a telecenter, or a cybercafé, can more accurately direct resources to better serve their current audience, as well as identify ways to reach out to other marginalized sectors of the population that are being left out, in order to maximize the benefits of public access.

The potential of continuous library and information education within the context of the Model Standard of Public Library

2017 ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina Kuzichkina ◽  
Alexander Mazuritsky
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Reference Point ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Single System ◽  
Library And Information Education

The authors discuss the problems of library and information education. The lack of a single system of life-long education in the library industry is stressed. The Model Standard of Public Libraries as a reference point for education reinvention is analyzed. The main vectors of public libraries activities defined in the Model Standard are considered, along with the desirable professional competences. The ratio of the libraries’ main tasks and functionalities and the professional education is examined.

Influence of Information Literacy Competencies on Users of the Saulsville Public Library, South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rexwhite Tega Enakrire ◽  
Isaac Mpho Mothiba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Information Literacy Competencies

Information literacy competencies indicate the ability of an individual to apply a certain search strategy of information discovery, to understand its design, to value judgement, and to use it in various contents and contexts. The influence of information literacy competencies plays an important role in enabling information users to meet their information needs and prepares them for lifelong learning. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of information literacy competencies of users in the Saulsville public library, South Africa. The rationale was a lack of awareness and the inability of the users to find their information needs based on the task and decision at hand. The descriptive survey design adopted for this study made use of a questionnaire to collect data from 1 120 registered members of the Saulsville library. Of the 1 120 registered users being the population for the study, the authors purposively used 10 per cent (112 members) of the population as sample size. The findings revealed that users of the Saulsville public library had limited awareness and competencies of information literacy. The users were exposed to some form of library orientation and the use of library resources during their visit to the library. The findings further indicated that the users’ information literacy competencies were affirmed through the quality of information obtained and the satisfaction of library services rendered by library staff. The study recommends the acquisition of new technologies that could enhance users’ interactive information literacy training in public libraries and formal education settings.  

Understanding the Roles of Public Libraries in (Inter)National Development: Lessons from India

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit K Pyati
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
National Development ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Information Policy ◽  
Library Development ◽  
State Actors

This paper focuses on the roles of public libraries in overall plans and schemes for Indian national development, focusing on issues of power and representation. The roles of state and non-state actors in Indian public library development are explored within the context of larger international information policy and development debates.Cet article porte sur les rôles des bibliothèques publiques dans les plans et les schémas globaux du développement national de l'Inde, et plus précisément sur les enjeux de pouvoir et de représentation. Seront explorés les rôles de l'état et des autres intervenants dans le développement des bibliothèques publiques indiennes dans le contexte de politiques d'information plus vastes et des débats sur le développement. 

Reversing the gaze on race, social justice, and inclusion in public librarianship

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Amber Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Structural Racism ◽  
The Public ◽  
Race And Class ◽  
The Gaze ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Historical Times ◽  
Diversity Studies

While contemporary revisionist narratives frame the public library as a benevolent and neutral community resource, it has existed for over two centuries and has a deeply shaded past. Particularly, public libraries played key roles in projects tied to the industrialist mission of states and the education of select social groups during key historical times. In no uncertain terms, these were inherently racist and colonial projects in which libraries helped proffer socially constructed and politically motivated ideas of race and class. This work draws on relevant and important work in anti-oppression studies, Black studies, critical diversity studies, and Critical Race Theory (CRT) to trouble contemporary revisionist perspectives in public librarianship to show how they further entrench monocultural normativity and structural racism. It also draws on scholarship in anti-racism studies to reimagine possibilities for public librarianship that genuinely reflect its core values of equity and justice.

scholarly journals Public Access Technologies in Public Libraries: Effects and Implications

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Carlo Bertot
Keyword(s):  
World Wide Web ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Access Technology ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Early Adopters ◽  
The World ◽  
Computer Services

<span>Public libraries were early adopters of Internet-based technologies and have provided public access to the Internet and computers since the early 1990s. The landscape of public-access Internet and computing was substantially different in the 1990s as the World Wide Web was only in its initial development. At that time, public libraries essentially experimented with publicaccess Internet and computer services, largely absorbing this service into existing service and resource provision without substantial consideration of the management, facilities, staffing, and other implications of public-access technology (PAT) services and resources. This article explores the implications for public libraries of the provision of PAT and seeks to look further to review issues and practices associated with PAT provision resources. While much research focuses on the amount of public access that </span><span>public libraries provide, little offers a view of the effect of public access on libraries. This article provides insights into some of the costs, issues, and challenges associated with public access and concludes with recommendations that require continued exploration.</span>

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