The Impact of Digital Resource and Service Use on Urban Residents in New England Public Libraries—A Survey Report

Today, access to digital information is essential to patrons using public libraries, whether they have contact with computers at home, work or school or whether the public library is their only contact. In order to evaluate and ultimately enhance public library digital resources and services, it is critical for administrators, librarians and digital information architects to recognize the impact their current digital offerings have on users. This study utilizes a survey to gauge the perceptions of patrons who use digital resources and services in six urban New England public libraries as part of ongoing research into digital information access in public libraries in the United States from the perspective of users.     

Demonstrating Value in Federal Medical Center Libraries

Abstract

Librarians in the federal sector, like librarians in other medical center libraries, increasingly find it necessary to prove their worth to administrators of their facilities in order to keep their libraries open. The Federal Libraries Section of the Medical Library Association developed a survey for use by federal librarians to help them quantify the value of library reference services provided. Using this survey, these librarians gathered statistics to show the library’s effect on patient care, education, and administrative questions.     

Finding the Answers to Legal Questions: A How-To-Do-It Manual. Tucker,Virginia, and Lampson,Marc

Abstract

In an effort toward establishing a standard for academic library hours, this article surveys and compares hours of operation and service for ARL libraries and IPEDS survey respondents. The article ranks the ARL libraries according to hours of operation and reference hours and then briefly discusses such issues as libraries offering twenty-four hour access and factors affecting service hour decisions.     

我国公共图书馆网上咨询服务现状分析

网上走访34家国内公共图书馆,通过调查各馆的网站建立情况,网上参考咨询服务开展情况,咨询台的设置,网上咨询服务的方式以及馆藏数字资源的建设,大体上反映了目前国内公共图书馆网上参考咨询服务的状况,并就现存的问题提出一些合理化建议.     

An Evaluation of Online Reference Services Through Social Networking Sites in Selected Nigerian University Libraries

The study evaluated online reference services through social networking sites in selected university libraries in Nigeria. A survey approach was adopted to ascertain patrons’ level of awareness, their preferences, and the sources from which they were informed of the existence of the service. Findings revealed that patrons are aware that their university libraries are on social networks but are still not familiar with reference services. Facebook, Twitter, and Ask-a-Librarian were ranked as the most preferred methods for delivering online reference services, and online reference service was indicated as more convenient than traditional desk reference service because communication is available anywhere and anytime with a reference librarian and is easily accessible.     

贵州省高校图书馆网上参考咨询现状探析

本文对贵州省高校图书馆网上参考咨询的现状采用网站访问法调查,并结合网上参考咨询理论对调查结果进行了探析。     

Digital versus Print

Summary

This article examines the current state of digital versus print reference collections in school libraries. Issues addressed include an overview of adoption practices, acceptance and use of digital materials, and implications for the future. The article compares findings from multiple sources to provide an in-depfh examination and understanding of the qualities and characteristics that school libraries share. The sources include current literature, research findings, and the observations and experiences of an information specialist in the role of participate observer. Survey and analysis of this data will provide a triangulation of information that will form the basis of the Study.     

我国高校图书馆网上实时咨询服务调查与分析

实时咨询服务是在网络环境下图书馆虚拟参考咨询服务深化和创新的情况下开展起来的.本文通过对我国高校图书馆实时咨询服务现状的调查,分析实时咨询服务的特点,探索实时咨询的发展前景.参考文献25.     

党校图书馆与党政领导干部信息素质教育研究

基于提升领导干部信息素质是新时期培养高素质领导干部的需要，文章根据部分党校的相关调研，分析了领导干部信息素质的基本状况和存在的问题，认为党校图书馆具有的独特优势，在干部素质教育培训的内容和方式都有较大的拓展空间，提出结合党校干部培训的特点图书馆应承担的教育职责，探讨培育领导干部信息素质的主要途径。     

Reference services in U. S. medical school libraries

Results of a 1967/68 survey of reference practices and policies in U. S. medical school libraries are presented. The information was obtained through questionnaires sent to the libraries of medical schools having students currently enrolled; eighty-five replies were returned.     

The changing role of school/media resource libraries in secondary schools in Singapore and the need to implement mandatory standards, 1946–2010: Issues, challenges and opportunities

The aim of this paper is to study the development and evolution of secondary school libraries into Media Resource Libraries (MRLs) in Singapore after the Second World War and the rationale to have mandatory school library standards. It is an historical survey analysing published data about the linkages of libraries and librarianship, school library standards, education and school reforms in Singapore. It analyses historical and current documents on the roles played by stakeholders like the Library Association of Singapore (LAS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) in the introduction and development of school library standards. The need for school libraries standards was first discussed when the Malayan Library Group (MLG) organised the first course on librarianship for school teachers in 1955, but, with no follow through. The need for school libraries standards was also mentioned by the LAS in 1962 in a memorandum to the Commission of Enquiry into Education to train teacher librarians and adopt school library standards. However, this was left out in the final report of the Commission published in 1964. The need for school library standards was discussed in a school library seminar for 150 teacher librarians in 1970. The first Recommended Minimum Standards for Secondary School Libraries was published two years later by the Standing Committee on Libraries set up by the MOE, but it was not mandatory for schools to adopt the standards. In 1997 the MOE launched its “Thinking School Learning Nation” vision to teach thinking skills. Students were expected to do multidisciplinary project work and be independent users of information. The MOE began to convert school libraries into Media Resource Libraries (MRLs) with print and non-print materials. However, a survey conducted in 2001 on the roles and competencies of 112 Library Coordinators (LCs) or teacher librarians revealed that they lack the skills and knowledge to manage MRLs effectively. This is because subsequent school library standards published in 1983 and 2002 did not require trained and full-time teacher librarians to manage the MRLs. Furthermore, it is essential for the standards to be periodically updated with regards to professional staff, collection development, facilities, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure and school library programs. Otherwise, MRLs risk being “hollow shells still considered on the periphery of core educational requirements, and are run by teachers not professionally prepared to do the work” (Hart, 2001, p. 25). The national standards published in the United States from 1918 to 2008 are well researched and provide substantive guidelines to develop school libraries. Therefore, it is essential for the MOE to formulate MRL standards by doing comparative studies of school library standards in other countries. These standards have to be mandatory and fully adopted by the schools. It provides opportunities for stakeholders like the LAS, National Library Board (NLB), the National Institute of Education (NIE), and the Singapore Teachers’ Union, to collaborate in the formulation of these standards and take collective ownership to implement them.     

Chat reference service in medical libraries: part 2--Trends in medical school libraries

An increasing number of medical school libraries offer chat service to provide immediate, high quality information at the time and point of need to students, faculty, staff, and health care professionals. Part 2 of Chat Reference Service in Medical Libraries presents a snapshot of the current trends in chat reference service in medical school libraries. In late 2002, 25 (21%) medical school libraries provided chat reference. Trends in chat reference services in medical school libraries were compiled from an exploration of medical school library Web sites and informal correspondence from medical school library personnel. Many medical libraries are actively investigating and planning new chat reference services, while others have decided not to pursue chat reference at this time. Anecdotal comments from medical school library staff provide insights into chat reference service.     

高校图书馆“毕业季”延伸服务的调查与思考

[目的/意义] 毕业生是高校图书馆的特定用户之一,对"毕业季"延伸服务和活动进行调查与分析,可为相关实践工作提供参考。[方法/过程] 对2017年高校图书馆"毕业季"延伸服务和活动的网页新闻发布、微信推送情况进行抽样调查,并分析其总体特点。[结果/结论] 从专项经费和运营团队、馆员的情感与精力、经典项目、创意服务、与校友延伸服务对接、品牌化与推广方面,提出改进高校图书馆"毕业季"延伸服务的建议。     

The Role of Rural Public Libraries in Small Business Development

Like all public libraries, rural public libraries in the Appalachian region can play a significant role in the economic development of their communities. Economic development in rural communities potentially benefit from many of the same resources and services all enjoy at public libraries, including free and public Internet access, space, education, question answering, and materials on many business-related subjects. This article reports survey findings of current activities that rural public libraries perform in one state, namely the state of Tennessee, as a case study to apply the lessons and insights to other parts of the United States. The discussion includes assessment of activities and some recommendations to streamline and stimulate all public libraries in conducting this assistance efficiently.     

Money and Leadership: A Study of Theses on Public School Libraries Submitted to the University of the Philippines' Institute of Library and Information Science

The author suggests the importance of knowledgeable leadership as a factor in improving Philippine school libraries. He offers a brief case study of how two different libraries fared with similar levels of funding. One without outstanding leadership did not advance; the other with knowledgeable leadership made large advances. This report is drawn from the author's earlier degree research at the University of the Philippines' Institute of Library and Information Science.     

Status of Public Libraries in Rawalpindi District,Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to assess the status of public libraries located in Rawalpindi District, Pakistan, in terms of administrative setup, collection, staff, resources, and services. The article is derived from evidence obtained through a questionnaire-based survey carried out in December 2013. This survey was conducted for the preparation of “Directory of Public Library Project” a joint venture of Punjab Library Foundation and Department of Library and Information Science, University of the Punjab. The survey found eleven public libraries in the District of Rawalpindi. Only three of these have professional staff. Overall, libraries have poor and outdated book collections that are not properly classified and cataloged. Information Communication Technology infrastructure exists in libraries with some exceptions. Most of the libraries are facing constraints (e.g., low number of hours, too small in size, and too many users for size of collections) that result in inadequate services. Most of the libraries are facing similar problems, which are being faced by other public libraries of Pakistan (e.g., shortage of professional staff, lack of modern facilities, and insufficient funds). Practical recommendations are made at the end of study.     

The Effect of Gender and Minority Status on Salary in Private and Public ARL Libraries

The purpose of this study was to identify pay disparities within gender and race using private and public Association of Research Libraries (ARL) libraries as a lens. In this study, 44 ARL libraries participated, leading to 1099 usable responses to our survey. The findings indicate that race and gender pay disparities are larger at private libraries than at public libraries. However, disparity levels at both public and private ARL libraries are smaller than the national averages for all professions and continue to shrink.     

公共图书馆数字化建设的误区与对策

当前,一些公共图书馆盲目采购学术性强的数字资源,陷入了数字化建设的误区.与高校图书馆相比,公共图书馆的读者群体、社会功能都有自身的独特性,公共图书馆的数字化建设应根据这种独特性来采取相应的发展策略.     

论高校文献信息资源的整合

面对国内高校图书馆、系部资料室和校园网的相互独立对文献信息资源共享造成的障碍和致使文献信息资源重复建设的现状,文章在分析我国高校文献信息资源状况和高校文献信息资源整合的基础上,系统地提出了整合的策略.     

Reference Staffing

Abstract

In spring 2006, 404 medium-sized academic libraries participated in a survey to determine their reference-staffing practices. A medium-sized academic library is one affiliated with a bachelor's degree granting institution where the FTE enrollment is 3,000-9,999. Libraries reported their type of service model, number of questions asked, number of staff, variety of service points, types of staff utilized, hours and other factors used to make staffing decisions.

What are the staffing practices in reference departments at medium-sized academic libraries? How many reference and non-reference librarians are scheduled to work at reference service points? How many questions are typically asked during a week? Are students or support staff utilized? What type of model is most prevalent-one central desk with one librarian, several distributed desks with one or more staff members, a tiered service model or something else? What factors do reference managers consider when determining the hours and types of staff scheduled? These questions, and more, are explored in this report.