scholarly journals “Knjižnice u turizmu: Shhhh, quiet please! Nein, Herzlich willkommen! Si accomodi!”

Liburna ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danijela Angelina Jelinčić ◽  
Irides Zović
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Cultural Tourism ◽  
Cultural Management ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Territorial Structure ◽  
Library Development ◽  
Development Levels

Cultural tourism is a selective form of tourism that needs to be systematically introduced to certain aspects of the library business and is another example of underutilized potential in creating a cultural tourism policy. This paper presents results of the research, which has been conducted in 2010 in Istria on public libraries of the Istrian County with the aim to detect the state and the level of participatio n of public libraries in the cultural tourism services. As a response to the detected problems, the paper brings forth suggestions for further development according to which libraries can fi nd their own growth model, while respecting different development levels and the local communities’ context. Recommendations for the development of public libraries in cultural tourism are set on the basis of new library system structures, introduction of new services and cultural management. They are harmonised with the local community needs obtained through a demographic survey and analysis of the administrative-territorial structure of the County. The presented model of the County’s public library development in cultural tourism can be refl ected in developing new contents for digital libraries connected to publicly available catalogues through contents and services of the developed, cooperating consortium of public libraries.

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. 

Towards an Assessment of Public Library Value

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
Kristine Paberza
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Free Access ◽  
The Public ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Library Development ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents methodology, early findings, possible applications of results and lessons learnt from the research study “Public libraries: value, trust and satisfaction”. The study was conducted in Latvia as the part of the impact assessment plan within the public library development project “Third Father’s Son”. The project’s goal was to improve people’s quality of life by strengthening the capacities of public libraries to facilitate better and proactive use of resources offered by free access to information technology and the Internet. In this paper, the author introduces practical results from the measurement of use-oriented value of public libraries by using information from the ecology approach and identifying the role of the public library within a context of other information sources used by the public.

A study of the evaluation of a library’s economic value based on the users’ and librarians’ perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-596
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Evaluation Index ◽  
Human Resources Development ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public

Purpose This study aims to develop an evaluation index to evaluate the economic value among the values of the library and also attempts to measure the economic value of the library by performing a survey of the librarians and users at public libraries. The results of this research would likely encourage the librarians to feel increasingly confident about the library, while students and users, in general, would also likely be able to realize the economic value and presence of the library in more perceptive ways, thereby contributing to the activation of the library. Design/methodology/approach This study pertains to the development of an evaluation index for assessing the economic value of the library and, to evaluate the economic value of the library, has derived a preliminary evaluation index by collectively gathering and analyzing the domestic and foreign papers on the value of the library in its first phase. The preliminary evaluation index derived was verified by conducting three phases of Delphi survey by selecting ten experts. The survey questionnaire was developed to measure the economic value based on the final evaluation index derived from this study, and the economic value was measured against the perceptions of librarians and users of the public library. Findings The economic value of the library was divided into the four categories of the local economy’s value enhancement, namely, connection with the local community, human resources development, job creation and investment value enhancement for the librarians and users surveyed for assessment purposes. Consequently, the area of connection with the local community turned out to be the highest at 4.15, followed by 4.02 of the investment value improvement, 3.58 for the local economy’s value improvement and 3.50 for the human resources development and job creation, respectively. Furthermore, the respondents demonstrated the highest level of consensus on average on how the resource sharing by libraries has helped to reduce the economic burden for the residents as a matter of social value for the public library while believing that the libraries deliver a high level of return on social investments. Originality/value There are not that many studies conducted on the economic influence or the value of public libraries in Korea, and they are merely referenced in part if and when referenced to the overall value of the library. Given that, the research that focuses only on the economic value of the library must be carried out. In this respect, this research has been quite meaningful. The evaluation index developed in this research is likely to become a basic tool that can be applied to public libraries, as well as other types of libraries. Furthermore, the evaluation index developed through this research could be applied to nonprofit organizations, such as libraries, and would likely have a social ripple effect as a research that evaluates and presents the economic value of libraries. Accordingly, in this research, we have analyzed the list presented by the American Library Association and domestic research results, and have also structured the core details and derived the preliminary economic value index. Finally, 4 evaluation areas, 7 evaluation items and 22 evaluation indicators have been developed through the Delphi survey through three phases.

scholarly journals Innovative public library services – staff-less or staff-intensive?

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 469-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Gustav Johannsen
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Initiatives ◽  
Library Development ◽  
Self Service

Purpose – Several recent library innovations seem to make professional and clerical staff superfluous such as automated loan and delivery equipment, staff-less libraries open in 80 hours a week, and virtual services, enabling users to search the library catalogue and make reservations of library materials from their home address. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether such developments will necessarily lead to a situation where public libraries become self-service institutions or to what extent self-service and innovative staff-intensive library services can develop and co-exist. Furthermore, the paper will examine what challenges library leaders face and what they can do, and actually have done, to handle staff resistance and other related problems to the benefit of both the users, the local communities, and also, the staff, in particular, when introducing new and innovative services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the author's evaluations of two recent Danish library development projects. Both evaluations are based on empirical data and apply quantitative (questionnaires) as well as qualitative (interviews, observations) methods. Findings – The findings reveal that staff attitudes toward staff-less libraries, and – more surprising – also toward more staff-intensive practices have been somewhat reluctant and skeptical. The paper also presents leadership initiatives which have proved to handle such resistances constructively. Originality/value – The paper contains a first-hand report on the results of a recent (2011-2012) unique, full-scale, Danish public library development project, investigating the experiences with pro-active and guest-customer relationships within a public library setting.

scholarly journals Carnegie Revitalisation of Public Libraries in Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Baffour-Awuah
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
School Library ◽  
Public Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Carnegie Corporation ◽  
Library Development ◽  
The Impact

The Carnegie Corporation of New York has embarked on a revitalisation programme of some African public libraries. The Corporation has made grants to those public library systems targeting previously disadvantaged communities. Those aspects of the programmes that the grantees have drawn up which could impact school library development in the recipient countries are highlighted here. The selected public libraries of Botswana, Kenya and five provinces within South Africa, as grantees of revitalisation awards are the objects of focus here. Seven other African countries that have benefited to a relatively lesser extent are mentioned as issues emerge that relate to them. Suggestions are made as to the impact some of these public library programmes could make on school libraries and school pupils.

Latvian public libraries as a resource, cooperation partner and initiator for promoting media literacy and civic participation in local communities

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110367
Author(s):  
Kristine Kine ◽  
Agnese Davidsone
Keyword(s):  
Media Literacy ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Civic Participation ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Library Resources

The aim of this study is to explore the involvement of public library librarians in improving media literacy and promoting civic participation in Latvia. Within the framework of this research, 15 semi-structured interviews with librarians of public libraries were conducted. The main findings indicate that librarians can strengthen information consumption skills by providing lifelong learning opportunities for all members of society. However, several problematic aspects emerge, among them are the lack of methodological materials specifically for library use, difficulty in reaching audiences who need media literacy training and insufficient media literacy skills among librarians themselves. The librarians in the study stated that more up-to-date knowledge of media literacy is required, as technological developments have changed the criteria by which we evaluate information. Libraries also engage in building civil competence, mainly by facilitating different forms of civic participation and ensuring equal access to infrastructure and library resources. Librarians themselves consider libraries to promote local community awareness and strengthen its identity, thus perpetuating a democratic society. Libraries also promote a sense of responsibility towards the community in members of society by organizing events and organizing volunteer work. Therefore, there is the need for public libraries to become more visible in the local communities as promoters of civic participation, engage more in the communities’ life. This requires librarians to take a more active role, and their participation in community events and partnership building. Librarians’ own media literacy and pedagogical skills need to be continuously improved.

A Political Theory of Public Library Development

Libri ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Widdersheim
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Historical Case Study ◽  
Historical Case ◽  
Library System ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
High Responsiveness ◽  
Library Development

Abstract Public library development is explained differently by various theories, but existing theories are problematic. A new theory is needed to explain public library development, one that foregrounds political processes. To produce this new theory, a historical case study was conducted of a regional public library system in the United States from 1924 to 2016. Multiple data sources and mixed methods were used to identify the causes of library development in nine periods of the case. Findings indicate that public libraries develop in a cyclical way. Within each decision cycle, high responsiveness is a necessary condition for a change in development. A responsive library system adapts to and acts upon discursively-legitimated issues. High responsiveness, together with either high civil support, high legitimacy or low resistance, are causal configurations sufficient for change. This theory is significant because it is testable, it uses a new research framework and new methods, and it provides new insight into public library development.

scholarly journals Survey Applies Public Collection Development Librarians' Support for Intellectual Freedom to Collection Process

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 245-247
Author(s):  
Laura Costello
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Intellectual Freedom ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Professional Beliefs ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Library Funding

A Review of: Oltmann, S. M. (2019). Important factors in Midwestern public librarians’ views on intellectual freedom and collection development: Part 2. The Library Quarterly, 89(2), 156-172. https://doi.org/10.1086/702203 Abstract Objective – To explore how librarian attitudes regarding intellectual freedom and demographic factors influence collection development decisions.  Design – Online survey. Setting – Public libraries in the Midwestern United States. Subjects – 645 collection development library professionals employed in public libraries. Methods – An electronic survey was distributed to 3,018 public library directors in nine Midwestern states and completed by the library professional primarily responsible for collection development (Oltmann, 2019, p. 6). The survey had a 21.37% response rate. The survey focused on intellectual freedom in the management of collections and probed the participants for their experiences and influences in making collection development decisions. The survey also asked participants to make hypothetical purchasing and holdings decisions for library materials based on a short description of the material. Main Results – Participants indicated that they used a variety of different tools for the selection of materials including patron requests. Of the participants, 45.7% indicated that their library had a policy, practice, or metric to assess the balance of their collections, while 54.3% indicated that their libraries did not have policy or method in place for ensuring that their collection was balanced. Of the respondents, 73.4% felt that local community values should be considered in collection development decision, but 62.3% said that this should not be the most important factor in decisions. Overall, the political leaning of the community did not have an impact on participants’ alignment with the ALA's stances on intellectual freedom. Most respondents (73.4%) felt that government library funding bodies should have an influence over collection development decisions. Some respondents indicated they felt internal pressure from other library staff or the library board to purchase particular materials (28.1%) or relocate materials (14.1%). Respondents also indicated that they felt external pressure from their communities to purchase (32%) or restrict or withdraw (19.1%) materials. In the hypothetical purchasing scenario, most librarians indicated that they would purchase the majority of items. Some participants (39.8%) felt tension between their personal and professional views on intellectual freedom. Conclusion – The first part of this article found that holding an MLS degree had a significant impact on participants' stance on intellectual freedom and alignment with the American Library Association (ALA) principles. This part indicated that they also felt greater pressure to withdraw, acquire, and manage particular materials in their collections and felt more tension between their personal and professional stances on intellectual freedom. Age, gender, duration of work, and community political affiliations significantly impacted only some of the participants' responses. Overall, there was general support for intellectual freedom and alignment with the ALA principles; however, 40% of respondents indicated tension between their personal and professional beliefs about intellectual freedom. 

scholarly journals How to Qualify the Debate on the Public Library by the Use of Research-Developed Tools

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-350
Author(s):  
Henrik Jochumsen
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Public Debate ◽  
Function Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Space Model ◽  
Library Development ◽  
Crisis Discourse ◽  
Use Of Research

Abstract The article discusses how it is possible to qualify the debate on public libraries by the use of research based models and concepts and hereby maybe even change the crisis discourse that according to the author characterizes the public debate on current library development. Key-elements are the four-space model, the three-function model and the concept of “New Librarianship”.

Broadband, digital literacy and public libraries: the Mill Park story

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Rolan ◽  
Tom Denison ◽  
Christine Mackenzie
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Successful Design ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The paper aims to present the results of a research project designed to explore the impact of the establishment and operation of a broadband enabled digital training facility at the Mill Park public library, focusing on the role of public libraries in both engaging and educating local communities and exploring issues related to the provision of training through public libraries, benefits or problems in doing so and the relationship to new and existing services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes a case study approach, following the development of the training program and changes implemented throughout the first two years of operation. Findings – The Mill Park Library has successfully met, if not exceeded, the goals of promoting broadband services, up-skilling the community and promoting digital readiness within it local community. Both directly and through partnerships with other organisations and schools, it has not only addressed the needs of community members but also engaged them more fully with the library’s other services. Practical implications – The paper offers insight into the value of strong community-based networks in supporting the successful design and implementation of information and communication technology (ICT)-related training programs. Originality/value – The paper offers insight into the value of strong community-based networks in supporting the successful design and implementation of ICT-related training programs.

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