scholarly journals Social responsibility in the global village: What role for public and school libraries?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Henri ◽  
Sandra Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Global Village ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

In our global village dominated by economic rationalism does the public library have a social conscience? Issues given prominence by Patricia Glass Schuman's Social Responsibilities and Libraries, published in 1976 were revisited. As an area of larger community structure and debates of public good, the perennial topic of interest is fast becoming the current hot topic of librarianship. Literacy and learning have long been critical areas where librarians focus service, skills and programming in public libraries. This research project seeks to examine how librarians perceive other issues that often go hand-in-hand with literacy to help individuals and society achieve full potential. The research in this presentation and paper is part of a coauthored book that primarily examined politics and the public library discussing issues given new flavour in a post 9/11 world, economic rationalism and social responsibility, public Library as Social Space, engaging the poor and those marginalized because of access limitations. Freedom of information and privacy are perennial issues for libraries. It is clear that literacy continues to be a key issue for public libraries. Researchers analyzed responses received from open-ended questions on library professional listservs and present findings that indicate what librarians perceive as the role of public libraries to further socially responsible policy. They provide some insight into the most compelling issues for librarians, and what changes in librarian's/library roles have been perceived since 9/11. The findings from the study are also presented in the context of the impact it bears for school libraries, outlining further studies in that area.

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.

scholarly journals Public Libraries in Norway Help Non-Western Immigrant Women to Integrate into Society

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Kathryn Oxborrow
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
The Public ◽  
Majority Culture

Abstract Objectives – To discover the ways in which the public library was used by immigrant women, with a particular focus on the library as a meeting place. Design – Semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted in the participants’ native languages. Setting – Public libraries in Norway. Participants lived in one of two cities both with a population of approximately 40,000 and a somewhat lower number of immigrants than the national average. Subjects – Nine non-western women who had immigrated to Norway between 8 months and 17 years prior to the study. Three women were from Iran, Kurdistan and Afghanistan respectively. All identified themselves as public library users. Methods – Participants were interviewed in their native languages and the qualitative results were analyzed in accordance with the theoretical framework set out by the authors. The main areas of focus were the role of the library in the generation of social capital, and the library as a high intensive versus low intensive meeting place. Main Results – Participants used public libraries in various ways. In the initial stages of life in a new country they were used to observe and learn about the majority culture and language. They were also used as a safe place to openly grieve and provide comfort among close friends without fear of being seen by other fellow countrymen. Over time, participants came to use the library space in more traditional ways such as for information, social, and professional needs. The study also revealed that using public libraries built trust in the institution of libraries and librarians as employees. Conclusions – The public library plays a key role in the generation of social capital, both in terms of integrating into the majority culture through observation and spontaneous interactions (bridging social capital) and connecting with others from participants’ home cultures (bonding social capital) for example through the provision of social space and other links to home such as native language materials. The public library was used initially by participants as a high intensive meeting place, for meeting with friends and consoling one another. In time, however, the public library became a medium- to low-intensive meeting place, with participants engaging in library programmes or in spontaneous interactions with other library customers. Moreover, the study refutes the Swedish Library Association’s conclusion that library is used more often by immigrants that have lived in the country for long periods of time.

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.

scholarly journals Interlending and resource sharing in UK public libraries: A mixed methods study

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Wakeling ◽  
Sophie Rutter ◽  
Briony Birdi ◽  
Stephen Pinfield
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Funding ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents the results of a mixed methods study of interlending and resource sharing in UK public libraries, based on the results of a survey distributed to both senior library managers and interlending staff, and in-depth follow-up interviews with 20 respondents. We present an analysis of perspectives towards rates of interlending, the rationales and strategies for providing the service, the perceived value for money offered by various interlending schemes, the impact of the current digital environment, and views on the future of interlending in the UK. Our findings suggest that while interlending services are undoubtedly threatened by the drastic cuts to public library funding, and that demand for the service is more generally in decline, resource sharing is viewed by some as a potential means of mitigating the effects of increasingly limited acquisitions budgets, and ensuring the public library system continues to provide access to a wide range of resources for its users.

Best Practices in Anna Centenary Library Chennai: An Analysis on ‘Ponmalai Pozhudhu’

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
K. Saraswathi ◽  
S. Manikandan
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Civil Service ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Work Process ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

This paper is aimed to analyse the strategies applied for the best practices in Anna Centenary Library (ACL), Chennai. Best practice is a technique, used to advance the existing work process of an organization like library and information centers to achieve its purpose successfully. In the present day, public libraries are also started to focus on best practices as one of the services to retain the public. Anna Centenary Library falls under public library category, which follows best practices such as Orientation programme for civil service aspirants, weekly children programme and Ponmaalai Pozhudhu programme. A study was conducted among the readers of the library to analyze and know the impact of best practices followed by ACL particularly Ponmaalai Pozhudhu programme. It was revealed that Ponmaalai Pozhudhu Programme had a great impact among the readers of all the best practices being conducted by the library.

scholarly journals The Impact and Effect of Learning 2.0 Programs in Australian Public Libraries

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Stephens ◽  
Warren Cheetham
Keyword(s):  
World Wide ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Library Service ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Objective – With adoption of the program world-wide, the Learning 2.0 model has been lauded by library professionals as a mechanism to educate library staff and transform libraries. This study, part of the 2009 CAVAL Visiting Scholar project, seeks to measure the impact and legacy of the model within Australian public libraries to understand what benefits, changes and effects occur. Methods – A national Web-based survey for those who had participated in a learning 2.0 program. Results – The national survey had 384 respondents, and a total of 64 respondents were identified as the public library staff data set for this article. Public library staff reported success in the program and described feelings of increased confidence, inclusivity, and a move to use emerging technologies as part of library service. Conclusion – The analysis yields the following thematic areas of impact and effect: personal practice is enhanced with knowledge and confidence; impact is mainly personal, but organisational changes may follow; the library is using the tools to varying degrees of success, and organizational blocks prevent use of tools. These finding offer evidence that Learning 2.0 programs can have a positive effect on library staff and subsequently on the organization itself.

scholarly journals The Life of the Space: Evidence from Nova Scotia Public Libraries

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francine May ◽  
Fiona Black
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
The Public ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Critical Feedback ◽  
Community Spaces

Objectives – To describe aspects of the 21st century role of the public library as a physical space by observing the actual use of a selection of public libraries. This study seeks to reveal how patrons are using and experiencing these institutions as spaces and how patrons and staff characterize the role of public libraries in communities. Methods – A multiple case study design was used to examine three urban and three small town public libraries within Nova Scotia, Canada. A triangulated set of methods including patron interviews and questionnaires, staff interviews, and seating sweeps was used to develop answers to the research questions. Results – These public libraries are functioning as successful public places in that they are community spaces used in a multitude of ways and where patrons feel welcome. These libraries play important roles in the lives of respondents and, while respondents were willing to give critical feedback, they generally described the spaces positively. Patron use and experience of these library spaces can be broken into three themes that describe the roles of public libraries in communities. These include the role of provider of books and information, provider of access to technology and provider of a social space where members of the public are welcome. Conclusions – Patron experiences in Nova Scotia public libraries show that libraries are vibrant places that are highly valued by their communities. A number of common themes about the use and perception of these spaces emerged, yet when examined individually each library was also revealed to be a unique place, reflecting the particular qualities of the community and the physical space of the library building itself. It is clear that public libraries are complex institutions which play a variety of valuable roles in the community.

scholarly journals Increase of Language and Information Competence of Migrants in Multicultural Service Operation Process: Experience of Public Libraries in Federal Republic of Germany

2015 ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
I. S. Boldyreva
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Cultural Work ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
National Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
Operation Process ◽  
The Impact

The paper examines the experience and role of the German public libraries in the process of assisting migrants to raise the level of language and information competence. The relevance of the problem is connected with a growing crisis in the German multicultural concept and seeks to provide means of achievement via intercultural library activities. The main tasks of the public library assistance to the National Education Plan are considered. The terms “multicultural services”, “multicultural library activities” and “multicultural user” are analyzed. The attention is paid to the possibilities of mass cultural work with migrants to improve language competence as well as analyzing four main groups of reader interests which have the impact on information competence building. Such forms of intercultural library activities as library tours, formal teaching, film lectures and training in the computer classes which are used in the process of information competence of migrants are considered.

scholarly journals Barriers to School Library Development

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.

scholarly journals The Public Library Catalogue as a Social Space: A Case Study of Social Discovery Systems in Two Canadian Public Libraries

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise F. Spiteri ◽  
Laurel Tarulli
Keyword(s):  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
User Generated Content ◽  
Log Data ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Catalogue

This paper uses transaction log data to examine how library users interact with two social discovery systems used in two Canadian public library systems. Results indicate that user-generated content is not used extensively or significantly in the two social discovery systems. Format is the predominant facet used to refine searches; the remaining facets are significantly underrepresented.Cette étude utilise les journaux transactionnels pour déterminer comment les usagers des bibliothèques interagissent avec deux systèmes de découverte sociaux en place dans deux réseaux de bibliothèques publiques canadiennes. Les résultats indiquent que le contenu généré par les utilisateurs n’est pas utilisé à grande échelle ou de façon importante dans aucun des deux systèmes de découverte sociaux. Le format est la principale facette utilisée pour raffiner les recherches; les autres facettes étant sous-représentées. 

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