scholarly journals Trust as a form of governance in public libraries in New Zealand : using Franklin District Library Trust as a case study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ursula Catherina Loots
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Community ◽  
Management Changes

<p>This research is an attempt to clarify the extraordinary and new concept in public libraries - trust as a form of governance. Public libraries world wide are faced with the dilemma of having to find funding to keep the services they provide for their communities as good, or preferably better, than it has been. Trust as a form of governance is just one possibility facing public libraries in New Zealand today. At the onset of this research it became clear that no literature has been produced or research undertaken on the topic of trusts in public libraries in New Zealand or on the governance of public library trusts. As trust as a form of governance could become an important issue in the restructuring and funding of public libraries in New Zealand as well as in the management changes facing public libraries in New Zealand today, it is important that research be done on the topic and made available to the public library community. As a supporting theoretical framework for planning the research, Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory and more specifically, the theory of the innovation process in organisations has been used.</p>

scholarly journals Trust as a form of governance in public libraries in New Zealand : using Franklin District Library Trust as a case study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ursula Catherina Loots
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Community ◽  
Management Changes

<p>This research is an attempt to clarify the extraordinary and new concept in public libraries - trust as a form of governance. Public libraries world wide are faced with the dilemma of having to find funding to keep the services they provide for their communities as good, or preferably better, than it has been. Trust as a form of governance is just one possibility facing public libraries in New Zealand today. At the onset of this research it became clear that no literature has been produced or research undertaken on the topic of trusts in public libraries in New Zealand or on the governance of public library trusts. As trust as a form of governance could become an important issue in the restructuring and funding of public libraries in New Zealand as well as in the management changes facing public libraries in New Zealand today, it is important that research be done on the topic and made available to the public library community. As a supporting theoretical framework for planning the research, Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory and more specifically, the theory of the innovation process in organisations has been used.</p>

scholarly journals Twittering Libraries: How and Why New Zealand Public Libraries Use Micro-Blogging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Magalie Andree Olga Le Gac
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
Development Tool ◽  
Twitter Users ◽  
Library Websites

<p>The aim of this research is to discover how and why New Zealand Public Libraries use the micro-blogging platform Twitter. This paper uses a qualitative methodology consisting of open-ended interview questions conducted via e-mail. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory is used as the theoretical framework of this research. The analysis demonstrates that participants use Twitter as an alternative communication channel with members of the public who are Twitter users. Library websites as well as library services and programs are promoted on Twitter. Using Twitter enables participants to advocate for their libraries as Web 2.0 champions and is an invaluable professional development tool. The number of interactions and feedback from Twitter users who follow the library is a measure of the successful use of Twitter for participants. This research also reveals what software is being used by participants to maximise their use of Twitter. The results of this research will allow public librarians to gain more knowledge about the micro-blogging software Twitter and how it can be used to assist in the delivery of outcomes and outputs in their public libraries.</p>

scholarly journals Twittering Libraries: How and Why New Zealand Public Libraries Use Micro-Blogging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Magalie Andree Olga Le Gac
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
Development Tool ◽  
Twitter Users ◽  
Library Websites

<p>The aim of this research is to discover how and why New Zealand Public Libraries use the micro-blogging platform Twitter. This paper uses a qualitative methodology consisting of open-ended interview questions conducted via e-mail. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory is used as the theoretical framework of this research. The analysis demonstrates that participants use Twitter as an alternative communication channel with members of the public who are Twitter users. Library websites as well as library services and programs are promoted on Twitter. Using Twitter enables participants to advocate for their libraries as Web 2.0 champions and is an invaluable professional development tool. The number of interactions and feedback from Twitter users who follow the library is a measure of the successful use of Twitter for participants. This research also reveals what software is being used by participants to maximise their use of Twitter. The results of this research will allow public librarians to gain more knowledge about the micro-blogging software Twitter and how it can be used to assist in the delivery of outcomes and outputs in their public libraries.</p>

The e-book war in Denmark

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Lisbeth Worsøe-Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Book Market ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library System ◽  
Commercial Market ◽  
Book World ◽  
Traditional Understanding

The aim is to investigate how digitisation and in particular e-books have changed relations between private players and public institutions within the Danish book world through a case study of eReolen, a private-public partnership functioning as common platform for public libraries’ lending of e-books in Denmark. Traditional and new models of the book world are discussed as the basis of understanding relations between the players. A new way of analysing the field outlined by literary sociologist, Professor Johan Svedjedal, is adopted. The main conclusions are that the lending of e-books has disrupted the traditional understanding and interaction between the public library system and the commercial book market. In addition, the Danish library system through the partnership has taken on a new function in relation to the commercial market, namely acting as the engine in building a market for Danish e-books.

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.

scholarly journals From means to an end to ends in themselves

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-52
Author(s):  
Mia Høj Mathiasson
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Historical Case Study ◽  
Historical Case ◽  
The Public ◽  
Broad Variety ◽  
And Function ◽  
Role And Function ◽  
Source Materials

Offering a variety of activities and events is considered a central part of many public libraries today. Under the term public library programmes, this article presents the findings from an empirical study of the development of publicly available and publicly announced activities and events offered within or in relation to Danish public libraries over a sixty-year period. The aim of the study was to enrich our understanding of these library services from a historical perspective focussing on describing development. Inspired by Historical Case Study (HCS), the study was designed as a diachronic analysis of a broad variety of empirical source materials collected from two case libraries, documenting programmes offered between 1960 and 2020, including interviews with programming librarians. From analysing the source materials, a development is described which shows that while the different types of programmes offered throughout the period have been somewhat consistent, their format and content have expanded in parallel with the expansion of the public library, its collections and services. At the same time, the reasoning behind offering programmes can be described as a development from programmes considered as a means to an end (e.g. education, publicity or community building) to programmes also considered as ends in themselves. By supporting and enriching the knowledge on programmes as services, this study provides an empirical foundation for discussions and debates about the role and function of public library programmes as part of the public library in the future as well as rich empirical examples for further research.

Characteristics, uniqueness and overlap of information sources linked from North American public library Web sites

First Monday ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra Prabha ◽  
Raymond Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Community ◽  
Specific Search

This article reports on the availability, domain distribution, percentage of Web sites versus Web pages, perceived value, and category of 31,400 Web–based resources selected by 50 public libraries in the United States and Canada. Eighty–seven percent of these resources were available, 60 percent were Web pages, and resources selected by 20 percent of the sampled libraries were finding tools such as general or subject specific search engines. Ninety–three percent of the resources were selected by just one of the 50 libraries; only 17 percent of the resources appeared to be primarily of local interest. The public may be unaware of these unique resources. The public library community must develop programs to increase the awareness and sharing of these evaluated resources.

Implementation of information literacy programmes in public libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kingori ◽  
Dorothy Njiraine ◽  
Stephen Maina
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
National Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Major Player

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation of information literacy programmes in the public libraries in Kenya as demonstrated through a case study of the major public library in the country – Kenya National Library Service (KNLS). Design/methodology/approach The use of a case study research design made it possible to establish in-depth personal views, opinions and attitudes of the various respondents through face-to-face interviews and questionnaires. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to collect data from the respondents. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used, and data were analyzed. Findings Major findings of this study indicated that the majority of users at the KNLS relied heavily on the print information materials, while some users, especially researchers, utilized the Internet for their academic work or research. The findings indicated that information literacy should be embedded in the information literacy programmes in all public libraries. Research limitations/implications The study was confined to the KNLS. A much wider scope could be untenable, necessitating such limitation. Practical implications As KNLS is the national library charged with the responsibility of providing public library services, it is a major player in terms of policies and guidelines. The study will encourage users in public libraries to appreciate the importance of information resources and also sensitize public library administrators to support information literacy programmes. Social implications The study will enable the educational administrators to develop and plan relevant instructional models related to information literacy, critical thinking and independent learning. The challenges and solutions experienced at the KNLS can be applied in other public libraries in Kenya. Originality/value The study identified the various gaps and challenges that exists in implementation of information literacy programmes in public libraries. Major recommendations of this study are: users should be provided with training on use of information resources; library staff should be provided with methodology skills to make them effective trainers; and public libraries should partner with other stakeholders to provide information literacy programmes. In addition, adequate funding for physical, material and human resources should be provided to facilitate the implementation of information literacy programmes in the public libraries in Kenya.

A Comparative Study of Public Libraries in Edinburgh and Copenhagen and Their Potential for Social Capital Creation

Libri ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Miller
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library As Place

AbstractPublic libraries have always been under pressure to earn their place in society - but can their benefit to the community be proven? Although the concept of social capital can be traced back to 1916, in the past 10 years social capital theory has been linked increasingly to the public library. Social capital refers to links between people in society - “networks, norms and trust” (Putnam 1996, 34) - which produce positive outcomes for the community as a whole. The purpose of this article is to investigate the library as place and the potential of the public library to create social capital. This comprises the examination of two cases, Edinburgh City Libraries in Edinburgh, Scotland and Kobenhavns Biblioteker in Copenhagen, Denmark in the form of a comparative case study. The methods used to elicit data included qualitative interviews with library managers, observation, and consultation of organizational documentation. The case study was limited by a small sample size, possibility of cultural bias, and lack of generalizability of evidence. Findings show that library staff in Edinburgh and Copenhagen are actively involved in creating social capital in a number of ways: through facilitating or organizing meetings, providing an informal meeting place, forging links between groups in the community, creating a welcoming environment, and by meeting community educational needs. It was found that Copenhagen and Edinburgh share in many characteristics, but have different attitudes to trust. Conclusions demonstrate that three main factors affect the library’s potential to create social capital; the library building and space, the library’s staff and volunteers, and the links that the library has with the community. It is recommended that further research should be carried out in the area of library as place and on the identification of factors generating social capital.

Bibliowikis: The volunteer-driven, Catalan case study of libraries as hotspots for new Wikipedians and high-quality sources

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc Xavier Dengra i Grau ◽  
Carme Fenoll i Clarabuch ◽  
Vicenç Allué Blanch ◽  
Francesc Fort i Silvestre ◽  
Francesc García Grimau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The Public ◽  
Successful Model ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Knowledge Platform ◽  
Online Encyclopedia ◽  
Different Levels

The Catalan Wikipedia (Viquipèdia) is a successful free-knowledge platform with a strong community of editors that has significantly contributed to the normalization of this minoritized language on the Internet. In 2012, the NGO Amical Wikimedia and the Public Library Service of the Catalan Ministry of Culture launched #Bibliowikis, an initiative that has involved several hundreds of librarians and public libraries in the improvement of this version of the online encyclopedia. This unique, successful model was presented to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and has been highlighted as a case study by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The project involves the so-called Amical-way, in which scaffolded training, long-term self-management, and the geographically available Wikipedian volunteers constitute the three fundamental working pillars. #Bibliowikis’ success has experienced different levels of applicability and regularity over the Catalan-speaking territories, especially in the Land of Valencia and Andorra, and may be endangered by global online dynamics, loss of the volunteering principles, and prioritization of economic resources in the fast-changing Wikimedia environment. However, #Bibliowikis’ characteristics are fully aligned with those of Open Access, thus it is easily combined with academia and the public knowledge transfer at universities. Its robust ethical discourse on social contribution, negligible infrastructure, and linguistic heritage protection has allowed #Bibliowikis to be feasible and easily implemented in the increasing context of teleworking and the need for social digitization of bibliographic repositories.

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