Balancing Print and Electronic Collections in Public Libraries: Perspectives for a Changing World

Public libraries are of vital importance to their communities, providing access to information, shelter, services, and serving as an anchor for economic and social growth. As public libraries adapt to an increasingly digital world, they must address the balance of print and electronic materials to ensure that users have access to what they want and need. While public libraries’ print collections are decreasing at a slower rate than those of their academic counterparts, they are also facing increasing pressure to offer materials electronically. Public libraries must address challenges in tracking usage statistics as well as their users’ attitudes towards ebooks and print materials. Resource issues must be addressed, including costs and staffing. An increased desire for flexible space within library branches may also be a consideration impacting print collections. In addressing issues of accessibility, both print and electronic materials may create barriers in some instances while increasing access in others. The closure of many public library spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has introduced new issues, including limitations to access of print materials, new ease of access to online materials, and additional resource limitations as libraries work with limited budgets and staff. While the shift to online services during the COVID-19 pandemic has likely sped up the transition to increasing availability of online resources in public libraries, an appetite for print materials remains.

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Public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere

Journal of Documentation ◽

10.1108/jd-10-2018-0157 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 773-790 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ragnar Audunson ◽

Svanhild Aabø ◽

Roger Blomgren ◽

Sunniva Evjen ◽

Henrik Jochumsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Sphere ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Freedom Of Expression ◽

Public Library ◽

Research Field ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public ◽

Digital World

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the shaping of public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere through a comprehensive literature review. Design/methodology/approach In order to capture the whole picture of this research field, we utilize comprehensive review methodology. The major research questions are: first, to what extent have research topics regarding libraries as public sphere institutions expanded and diversified? Which theoretical perspectives inform research? Second, which challenges and topics does the research focus upon, such as: social inclusion and equal access to information; digital inequalities; censorship and freedom of expression; and access to places and spaces with a democratic potential and the role of libraries in that respect? Third, what influence has social media exerted on libraries in the context of the expanding digital world? Findings The authors identified mainly four themes regarding the public library and public sphere, such as: the importance of public libraries by using Habermas’s theory; the function of meeting places within the public library and setting those places in the center of the library in order to enhance and encourage democracy; the relationship between social inclusion and public libraries and its functions in current society such as diminishing the digital divide; and the emerging electronic resources and arena of SNS in public libraries and utilizing them to reach citizens. Originality/value Capturing the recent history of this research field through comprehensive review is valuable.

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Non-traditional library collections – in digital and other worlds

Interlending & Document Supply ◽

10.1108/ilds-09-2014-0043 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 165-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katarina Michnik ◽

Catarina Eriksson

Keyword(s):

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Sustainable Society ◽

Content Type ◽

Environmentally Sustainable ◽

The Public ◽

Digital World ◽

Survey Results ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Library Collections

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to study how public libraries argue for the inclusion of non-traditional library collections and to identify public library objectives related to these collections. Design/methodology/approach – The data was collected through a Web survey which was sent to public library managers in all Swedish municipalities. Data were analyzed using a model in which public library practices are divided into three categories relating to the public library’s goals, activities and tools. Findings – Three different main arguments are used to support the introduction of non-traditional collections: as a contribution to public library goals or activities to attract non-users and as the result of external requests or needs. Through analysis of the survey results, the public library’s common goal, a socially sustainable society, was identified. Other library goals identified were an environmentally sustainable society and an improved library. Practical implications – The results may inspire practitioners to reflect upon how non-traditional collections are related to library goals and activities and what consequences their inclusion may have for the library. For example, if non-traditional collections are used only to attract new users, there is a risk of creating expectations that the library cannot live up to. Originality/value – Today, focus is placed on the conditions for public libraries in the digital world. It is easy to overlook the importance of non-traditional library collections, and the role they fulfill. This article draws attention to these collections and their possible consequences for public libraries.

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Seed Libraries Can Be a Promising but Challenging Way to Support Community Engagement and Social Innovation in Public Libraries

Evidence Based Library and Information Practice ◽

10.18438/eblip29954 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 154-156

Author(s):

Abigail Alty

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Social Innovation ◽

Community Education ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Local Communities ◽

Social Challenges ◽

Seed Collection ◽

Resource Limitations ◽

Self Sufficiency

A Review of: Peekhaus, W. (2018). Seed libraries: Sowing the seeds for community and public library resilience. Library Quarterly, 88(3), 271-285. https://doi.org/10.1086/697706 Abstract Objective – To describe and investigate the establishment, operation, function, purpose, and benefit of seed libraries within public libraries and local communities. Design – Exploratory study. Setting – Public seed libraries in Arizona, California, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Subjects – 10 librarians actively involved in creating or maintaining seed libraries. Methods – 60-75 minute interviews, primarily over the phone, with subjects selected by means of purposive sampling. Main Results – According to the participants interviewed, starting and operating a seed library requires front-end effort from the “host” library, active participation by a dedicated librarian and community members, as well as ongoing funding, usually on an annual basis (estimated by one participant to be $2,500/year, mostly for the purchase of seeds). Participant descriptions of their seed library operations differed, but most had a dedicated seed librarian. Participants noted that primary activities included deciding what seeds to put in the collection, arrangement of the seed collection, development of checkout and return procedures, and ongoing education. Several participants noted that such operational work was seasonal and not steady. None of the libraries included in this study had enough seeds donated to sustain their collections, but rather they relied on purchasing seeds in bulk or asking for donations from seed companies. Cataloging procedures varied in terms of complexity, and participants from one library system reported the use of a seed library cataloging template as being helpful. All participants noted they gave patrons containers to return seeds. While educating patrons in formal sessions is often difficult for reasons such as resource limitations, the interview informants agreed that seed libraries fit into the missions of public libraries by furthering information sharing, access to resources, and knowledge development. Conclusion – Seed libraries are an active service that assist public libraries in responding to social challenges and in engaging with their local communities as a type of knowledge commons. Seed libraries align with public libraries’ shift in priorities from increasing physical collections to enriching lives by providing knowledge and tools to support food autonomy, self-sufficiency, civic engagement, and community education. These libraries are a novel service that engage and attract patrons and support libraries’ positions as community hubs.

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"You don’t come to the library to look at porn and stuff like that": Filtering software in public libraries

Library and Information Research ◽

10.29173/lirg620 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (117) ◽

pp. 5-19

Author(s):

Louise Cooke ◽

Rachel Spacey ◽

Claire Creaser ◽

Adrienne Muir

Keyword(s):

Social Norms ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Library Services ◽

Internet Services ◽

Access To Information ◽

Policies And Procedures ◽

The Social

Should public libraries filter the content of internet services offered to their users? We discuss this question in the light of findings from the AHRC-funded MAIPLE project, which has been investigating measures taken by UK Public Library Services to manage public internet provision in their libraries. Initial findings suggest that filtering software is extensively used, and that librarians and users alike are mostly content with this solution. It could be argued that this position is at odds with our professional and ethical duties towards clients to provide uninhibited access to information and ideas. However, we recognise the social norms and realities in which services must operate and go on to discuss clear and transparent policies and procedures that public libraries might adopt to mitigate the potential for misuse of their internet facilities.

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Homelessness and the Ethics of Information Access

10.31229/osf.io/8evfp ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Corina Bardoff

Keyword(s):

Social Justice ◽

Recent Literature ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Information Access ◽

Public Library ◽

Body Odor ◽

Access To Information ◽

Strong Body

Many public libraries have rules against strong body odor, bringing large amounts of luggage into the library, sleeping, and bathing in restrooms. These rules disproportionately affect library patrons who are experiencing homelessness. This paper reviews recent literature that considers legal and social justice perspectives on homelessness and libraries, as well as the policies of four urban public library systems. Though these rules may be legal and are widely used, people without homes have no other access to information. This paper concludes that blocking their access conflicts with the mission of public libraries to provide information to all.This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in The Serials Librarian on 18/12/2015, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0361526X.2015.1099590.

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The Use and Ease of Access of EBooks in Public Libraries

10.26686/wgtn.17006077 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Nichola Ross

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Research Problem ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Staff Members ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Print Books ◽

Ease Of Access

<p>Research Problem: The purpose of this research project is to examine how patrons are using the eBook collection at a New Zealand public library. Specifically the research examines the relationship between print and eBooks and how this relationship affects borrowing habits. It also explores how the eBook borrowing process for affects usage of the collection. There is little information on this topic from a library patron perspective, and even less research conducted in a New Zealand context. Methodology: Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this research. Self-completion questionnaires with a combination of quantitative and qualitative questions were offered to members of Christchurch City Libraries. A semi-structured interview was also conducted with two library staff members. Results: It can be observed that print is still the most borrowed and the favoured format. There are a number of reasons for this but the most prominent was that eBooks cannot offer the same sensations and reading experience that a print book gives. Most users were happy with using only print books though the ones that were open to trying eBooks were unable to do so as they did not own eReaders. The incompatibility of Amazon Kindles was also a reason some patrons were borrowing print books as they were unable to get the titles they wanted for their eReaders. The small size of the eBook collection was a deterrent for some users but the library is aware of this and is working towards building a larger collection with a wider selection.</p>

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PERAN BUKU DAN PERPUSTAKAAN DALAM DEMOKRATISASI INFORMASI

Berkala Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi ◽

10.22146/bip.8263 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Faisal Syarifudin

Keyword(s):

Information Literacy ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Access To Information ◽

Global Era ◽

Filter Process ◽

Information Media ◽

Development Participation ◽

Printed Materials ◽

Democratic Life

Democratization of information is a manifestation of a nation's democratic life in which people participate in all aspect of development. Participation requires openness and freedom to get access to information. Availability of information in the global era must be accompanied by competence to filter, process and utilize information, which is known as information literacy. Among various formats of information media, printed materials especially books are mostly preferred because they are easy and convenient to use. Books as information media are closely related to libraries, particularly public libraries which are the most democratic and enable all members of community to interact with information and knowledge. However, it is unfortunate that public libraries and libraries in general have not been given proper attention in Indonesia. Keywords : information literacy, public libraries, public library manifesto

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Information as currency, democracy, and public libraries

Library Management ◽

10.1108/lm-08-2017-0078 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 295-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christine Stilwell

Keyword(s):

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Access To Information ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public ◽

The Usa ◽

Access To Knowledge ◽

Current Concerns

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to endorse the notion that information is the currency of democracy and explore the question of the public library’s role in promoting democracy through the provision of access to information. Design/methodology/approach A review of the literature and a case study are used. Findings From the early days of the public library, there has been a certain democratic paternalism in librarians’ views on public libraries, and ambivalence about the extent to which these libraries have provided information to the whole population. Despite this finding, the paper explores the public library’s role in providing information; the currency of information. Public libraries can contribute to the renewal of a democratic public sphere by providing free and ready access to knowledge and information, as well as safe and trusted social spaces for the exchange of ideas, creativity, and decision making. Originality/value The paper examines material from the dawn of the public library to current concerns about the role of these libraries in providing access to information, in revitalising citizenship and fostering democracy. It draws on the well-known example of the birth of democracy in South Africa and on discussions of public library neutrality and activism in contemporary France, describing limits on the achievements of libraries in these countries in the context of some current, promising examples from the USA, Britain, Denmark, and Australia.

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Why do People Come? The Factors Influencing Public Library Visits

10.31235/osf.io/2nwur ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Li-Min Huang ◽

Iman Tahamtan

Keyword(s):

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

The United States ◽

Multiple Regression Model ◽

R Programming Language ◽

Print Materials ◽

Data Source ◽

Operating Expenditures ◽

R Programming ◽

Service Data

Current study investigates what variables, including expenditures, services, and collections, can predict the total annual pub-lic library visits (VISITS) in the United States. The data source was the 2015 Public Library Service data and reports, and a multiple regression model was used to analyze the data in the R programming language. Results indicated that the best variables for predicating VISITS were a library’s total operating expenditures, usage of public Internet-enabled computers per year, audio-physical units, total children programs, and video-physical units. The best subset model for predicting VISITS included the total number of public libraries, total operating expenditures, print materials, audio-physical units, total children programs, total young programs, and the usage of public Internet-enabled computers per year.

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