An Unbalanced and Inadequate Development of the Chinese Public Libraries’ Public Culture Services: An Investigation of 31 Senior Library Specialists

In response to the new principal contradiction between people’s growing needs for a better life and the inadequate and imbalanced development in different social fields in China, Chinese public libraries have fast developed Public Cultural Services (PCS) to meet users’ needs. This study investigates senior library specialists’ perspectives on unbalanced and inadequate development of Chinese public libraries’ PCS. The study collected data from 31 senior library specialists from 10 provinces or municipalities through online survey. In addition, eight experts from public libraries were also interviewed. The data reveals that the main roles of public libraries providing PCS include ensuring equal access to cultural resources, protecting cultural heritage, developing unique cultural products or service, and promoting public cultural products to ensure cultural diversity. Provincial and prefectural libraries take most of the PCS’ responsibilities while county, township, and village libraries’ responsibilities are less. Moreover, there is unbalanced development and inadequate development of library PCS in China. External factors such as economy development, government expenditure on cultural activities, and education development, and internal factors such as internal management weakness and libraries’ investment on cultural service are the top factors. This means that if Chinese public libraries want to better improve PCS, they should try to seek financial resource support and improve their internal management. This study is valuable for public library management and policymakers at different bureaucratic levels to understand issues of PCS in China. It also helps public libraries better learn their strengths and weaknesses in PCS.

THE IMPACT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON USER SATISFACTION: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN BANGLADESH

The objective of the study is to examine the impact of service quality dimensions on user satisfaction of the public library in Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire had been developed and distributed among 150 respondents who are taking public library services from Barisal and Patuakhali district. Random sampling method was applied to collect primary data. Several hypotheses have been extracted from the conceptual framework and are tested using multiple regression analysis. Findings of the study showed that service quality dimensions have a certain degree of relationship with public library user satisfaction. It is also shown that tangibles are the most dominant predictors among four (4) significant predictors which mostly lead to public library user satisfaction. Besides, results also show empathy, and the assurance dimension plays a significant role in user satisfaction. Therefore, these findings will beneficial for those who are solely responsible for public library management and can get an idea to improve the overall service quality of public libraries to provide a high degree of satisfaction. KEYWORDS: SERVQUAL, Tangibles, Responsiveness, Reliability, Assurance, Empathy, Satisfaction

Use of Private Sector Dynamism in Japanese Public Library: Ebina City Central Library

There has been increasing discussion in Japan regarding the use of private sector dynamism for public library management. This article focuses on Ebina City Central Library, Kanagawa, Japan. The library is managed by a private company in accordance with the “Designated Manager System”, one of the Government’s means of private sector use. Since renovation in Oct 2015, the library receives 56,000 visits monthly, an increase of 170 % compared to before. This article covers its service characteristics and the challenges for the future.

Surpassing the business model: a public sphere approach to public library management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the characteristics of the public sphere with those of a shared value approach and better understand the value that public libraries can offer to management theory. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses two methods. First, this study uses a systematic literature review to identify sources relevant to shared value and the public sphere in public libraries. Next, this study uses comparative theoretical analysis using data gathered from the systematic review to analyse the two theories. Findings This study successfully describes the similarities and differences between “shared value” and the “public sphere in public libraries”. Originality/value This study elucidates public library innovation from the perspectives of library management and the public sphere concept.

Power Relationships of Public Library Management Outsourcing in the United States

Privately managed public libraries are a newer phenomenon in the United States. A critical discourse analysis of the decision making process, encapsulated by the discourse in the progression of contracting documents and public discourse surrounding the phenomenon, provided a way to explore ideas of power and hegemony. Les bibliothèques publiques à gestion privée constituent un phénomène nouveau aux États-Unis. Une analyse critique du discours du processus décisionnel, incarné par la progression du discours d'impartition des documents et par le discours public au sujet du phénomène, offre un moyen d'explorer les idées de pouvoir et d'hégémonie.