Assessing access: Surveying user services at library high density storage facilities

Millions of library items are held in storage locations, but how well are libraries providing access to those materials? A survey of North American research libraries was conducted to examine the services that were available at library storage facilities for researchers and students before the global pandemic, during the pandemic, and as libraries adjust and plan for the new normal as the pandemic recedes. In addition, results of previous studies of storage facilities are compared to understand historical trends in access to library materials held in storage. A better understanding of user services as a component of library storage facilities will allow libraries to better serve the needs of scholars and researchers as well as provide insight to those who may be planning future library storage facilities.     

Space and the Social Worth of Public Libraries

In spite of the growth of digital information and the resultant questioning by some of the value of public libraries, library usage data indicate there were 497,600,000 more visits to public libraries in 2013 than in 1993. Why do people still visit public libraries in the digital age? While many factors drive people to visit public libraries, one thing that public libraries offer that cannot be duplicated online is physical space. Over the decades, library space has been the glue holding the library universe together even as the specific activities that take inside libraries have evolved. While public libraries do an excellent job of promoting their important role in providing access to information, educational resources, technology, and a host of valuable services, they must also promote the value of public library space itself. This requires more than trotting out numbers; it requires telling compelling stories of how public library space is used and reminding the public that the kind of spaces public libraries provide are, in fact, a vanishing resource. The post-911 tightening of security in public buildings of all sorts—coupled with the increasing privatization of what were once public spaces—has left public libraries as perhaps the last remaining indoor public spaces where an individual can remain from opening until closing without needing any reason to be there and without having to spend any money. Public libraries should promote the uniqueness of their spaces in much the same way that National Parks promote the unique spaces they preserve and make available to the public.     

技术时代公共图书馆“场所”价值的社会公众认知研究——基于公共平台网络评论文本分析北大核心CSSCI

在技术时代,公共图书馆作为实体空间的"场所"价值,是关乎图书馆未来发展的重要内容。从公众认知角度探索图书馆"场所"价值,能够发现影响图书馆事业发展的重要因素。经过全面梳理和系统分析,选择上海图书馆、浦东图书馆和滨海新区图书馆三所代表性公共图书馆在公共平台上的网络评论信息,综合运用Python、Jieba分词、SnowNLP等数据采集与分析工具,从高频词分布、情感分析和时间序列三个维度,对社会公众认知情况进行了文本挖掘。分析结果表明,公共图书馆仍然是重要的公共阅读"场所";公共图书馆"场所"服务颇受欢迎,社会评价极为正面;促进文旅融合发展,是当前社会公众对公共图书馆"场所"价值认知的特征所在。在技术时代,公共图书馆应当高度重视"场所"价值的公众认知新变化,可以将文旅融合作为未来发展阶段的重要内容,助力公共图书馆高质量发展。     

Library Policy and Legislation: a European Perspective

Why, in the last 5 years, have at least three European organizations — the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Commission — devoted so many studies, investigations and, finally, policy documents to library policy and legislation? The answer is in the enlarged scope for library and information work and in the new emerging factors that are permeating its policy and planning. These factors are: convergence, globalization and participation.The author examines the four areas in which library and information planners are called to focus their policies — freedom of expression and free access to information, libraries within national information policies, libraries and the knowledge industries, and the protection of library heritage — and how these areas are covered by policy documents, in particular by the recently issued Council of Europe/EBLIDA Guidelines on library legislation and policy in Europe.     

Virtual and non‐virtual realities: the changing roles of libraries and librarians

What is the future for libraries and their librarians? In trying to give an answer to this pressing question we do not deal with utopian libraries of the next century, but with the library and the librarian of the next decade. The emphasis is on libraries within educational and research institutions, especially university libraries. We examine the changes confronting the library of the future and identify four key aspects of the library of the future. It will be (i) a gateway to information, whatever format this information comes in and wherever it is located; (ii) an expertise centre; (iii) a physical entity, not only in the sense of being a social meeting place and place of scholarly interaction, but also as a place where students and other users are provided with modern study facilities and adequate user support; and (iv) a collection centre of printed material. Such libraries can only take on an appropriate shape and will only survive if the institutions that librarians serve in meet the four criteria outlined above. We look at the demands that will be made on professional library knowledge and skills and the new job responsibilities and job attitudes required.     

The Climate of Change:

Changes in information technology, in institutional or societal imperatives, and in user expectations are forcing library administrators to re-examine not only the library's basic services but also the organizational structures which have been created over time to support those services. Organizational change-particularly structural change-is prescribed. The traditional separation of the two major divisions of libraries, technical services and public services, has often been the focus for discussions of library organizational change. Are libraries modifying their organizational structures? Are models evolving which may be adapted by other libraries? The author reports the results of a recent survey of organizational change in university libraries and describes the changes which are taking place. While the long-standing structures are still largely in place, new alignments of functions and non-traditional work unit groupings are becoming more commonplace. No matter how a given research library defines its future, collaboration, flexibility, and fluidity will be the key attributes that characterize its operations and services. (Woodsworth et al., 1989, p.138). Current library administrations should move quickly to flatten hierarchical structures. (Heim, 1989, p.199). Typically identified as the most desirable future is a scenario that includes a flexible organizations facilitating staff growth and increased contribution to the university missions. (Webster, 1989, p.201).     

Moving Beyond Seating-centered Learning Environments: Opportunities and Challenges Identified in a POE of a Campus Library

Colleges increasingly are recognized as student workplaces, inspiring campus leaders to create healthier campus environments. Yet challenging this vision is burgeoning research regarding the health risks of sedentary behavior, an under-studied college health concern that implies deleterious health outcomes and, by extension, academic impediments as well.Can movement be incorporated into academic activities such as studying or reading? This question—particularly relevant to libraries due to their increasing use as study spaces—requires the expansion of standard methods of evaluating student health needs and behaviors. We propose Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) methods as a novel way to investigate sedentary behaviors in a campus library and identify designs and practices to help promote movement.In 2012 and 2013, as part of an undergraduate architecture class, we conducted two POEs of Berkeley's newest library to learn how the space is used and, inspired by new research about the perils of sedentary behavior, we also considered how the library could be used. Through our findings we confirmed the changing role of campus libraries as study spaces, observed social and built environment contexts of sedentary behaviors in library settings, and identified possible interventions to introduce postural variation and physical activity into observed patterns of library use.     

Data Rules: How Mapping Technology Drives Better Customer Service

Is your library market-driven, product-driven or customer-driven? New internet-based data and tools are now available for public libraries that enable you to be customer-driven—for your own unique service area. This article shows how three library systems are using these tools—focused on market segmentation data and geographic information system (GIS) technology—to deliver more relevant customer services. Each solution described in the article was developed in close collaboration between CIVICTechnologies and the library, involving research to understand the library's objectives and desired outcomes, and using the data needed to meet each library's unique challenge.     

“Excellent Library”—A Holistic Quality Model and Certificate for Libraries: Concept and Experiences from Germany

In Germany, more than 15 libraries are operating successfully with the quality model Excellent Library. They are part of a research project at Stuttgart Media University where the quality model and certificate have been developed since 2008. The article reflects the experiences of the project: A short introduction to the German library system and quality projects in German libraries will be followed by an overview over the model and certificate. Furthermore, the challenging process of becoming an Excellent Library and related effects will be described.     

Technical processing of electronic journals in libraries

Electronic journals portend tremendous advantages to libraries. Patron access is swift and sure; these journals are never missing from the shelves, and they need not be delayed for technical processing because they can be ‘sent’ to public display and serials maintenance almost simultaneously. However, how will library users know what journals are available to them? They should be able to find electronic journals through the same means they find information in all other formats—through libraries’ online catalogs. The phrase ‘mark it and park it’ has not lost its relevance in the virtual library environment.     

CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software and End-User Efficacy

ABSTRACT

Digital libraries and collections are a growing facet of today's traditional library. Digital library technologies have become increasingly more sophisticated in the effort to provide more and better access to the collections they contain. The evaluation of the usability of these technologies has not kept pace with technological developments, however, and the end-user has in some cases been left behind. This research study evaluates the usability of digital collections created using the CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management System, a software system used by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Specifically, this study addresses the following questions: Does CONTENTdm meet users' needs? Is the interface sufficiently intuitive for them to use it? Is the experience of exploring digital collections using CONTENTdm satisfying to users? Employing usability testing techniques with actual-end users, this study attempts to assess the efficacy of the CONTENTdm public interface as well as user attitudes toward it. Ten participants from three user groups—faculty, library science graduate students, and the general public—performed eleven tasks designed to test the key functions of CONTENTdm-created collections and then answered a series of questions about their experiences. Key findings from this study indicate that while the included digital collections are useful and desirable to end-users, the interface generated by CONTENTdm can be confusing even for those who have considerable experience using the Internet. Results from this study may be used to improve this software system and add to the literature surrounding the usability of digital libraries in general.     

基于DBV的德国图书馆之间机构性合作的研究及启示

德国图书馆业实行密切而卓有成效的合作政策造就了当今发达的德国图书馆业,合作已经成为德国图书馆业的标志和特征。从分析德国图书馆之间机构性合作的必要性出发,研究了DBV(德国图书馆协会)广泛的工作领域、跨地区图书馆间的机构性合作、合作的管理网络支持和鼓励措施等方面。并在此基础上,讨论了德国图书馆之间的机构性合作对于我国图书馆事业发展的借鉴与启示。     

Reference Desks in Public Libraries: What Happens and What To Know

With staffing and funding shortages and rapidly changing expectations from patrons, what is actually happening at the reference desk in today’s libraries? Understanding the needs today’s reference librarians face can be useful in developing ways to support those needs. Asking them to make some predictions on the future of public library reference work gives Library and Information Science (LIS) students, and libraries preparing for the future, a valuable look at the expertise provided by experience. This understanding will help make some realistic decisions about reference staffing and service needs and provide some guidance for those aspiring to careers in public library reference.     

构筑图书馆文化,提升图书馆软实力

从文化概念的起源、文化概念的内涵入手,以北大文化、企业文化为例,透过美国的实力政策新论中的"软实力"视角,分析了文化的潜移默化的巨大作用,指出图书馆文化对图书馆可持续发展的影响力,提出了在新时期如何构筑我们自己的图书馆文化,提升图书馆的软实力。     

NYPL: Service Successes and Financial Struggles as Branches Meet Neighborhood Needs

Free access to technology, help for immigrants, a safe space for kids—NYPL Branch libraries play an increasingly important role. But funding hasn’t kept up. Will the lack of support undermine a critical civic resource? This publication is based on an ongoing project looking at the potential for New York’s libraries to fill a critical gap in New York City’s civic infrastructure, as well as the challenges and difficult choices the library systems face.     

Community Libraries: The Concept and its Application—with Particular Reference to a South African Community Library System

Norms for community libraries were established, focusing specifically on the Pinetown community libraries. The five oldest community libraries in the Pinetown public library system were studied by way of questionnaires, interviews and observation. It was hypothesized that public library systems in South Africa have not yet made the paradigm shift to becoming true community libraries. However, the study proved that certain public library systems, such as Pinetown, have made significant progress towards becoming community libraries in the true sense of the word—moving away from the passive traditional Western public library model towards active service-oriented systems, based on the needs of the community as a whole: be it as agents of upliftment and development, or as sources of information and recreation. It can be concluded that certain adaptations still need to be made to become “true” community libraries. For instance, more community involvement in the running of the libraries, individual funds to purchase specific materials needed by the community, and the development of specific skills that will enable the staff to render a pro-active community library service, but the transitional process is still in progress.     

How do public libraries function as meeting places?

How are libraries used as meeting places, and by whom? Through survey data, six categories of places are identified: the library as a “square,” as a place for meeting diverse people, as a public sphere, as a place for joint activities with friends and colleagues, as a metameeting place, and as a place for virtual meetings. Representative samples of the population in three townships in Oslo, each with a markedly different demographic profile, are surveyed. Multivariate regression analyses are performed to analyze why some people use the library for a range of meetings and others do not, as well as to examine variations in the use of the library for different kinds of meetings. Public libraries are shown to be used for a variety of meetings. Community involvement is more important than township and demographic variables in explaining variations in use of the library as a meeting place. Correlations between low income and low education and high use of the library as a meeting place were found, indicating that the library as a meeting place plays a substantial role in equalizing the possibilities of being an active citizen across social and economic differences. The study contributes to understanding the role of the public library in a multicultural context. The public library as a unique and complex meeting place has important implications for future librarianship.     

Map Room to Data and GIS Services: Five University Libraries Evolving to Meet Campus Needs and Changing Technologies

Programs for geospatial support at academic libraries have evolved over the past decade in response to changing campus needs and developing technologies. Geospatial applications have matured tremendously in this time, emerging from specialty tools to become broadly used across numerous disciplines. At many universities, the library has served as a central resource allowing students and faculty across academic departments access to GIS resources. Today, as many academic libraries evaluate their spaces and services, GIS and data services are central in discussions on how to further engage with patrons and meet increasingly diverse researcher needs. As library programs evolve to support increasingly technical data and GIS needs, many universities are faced with similar challenges and opportunities. To explore these themes, data and GIS services librarians and GIS specialists from five universities—the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Texas A&M, New York University, North Carolina State University, and California Polytechnic State University—with different models of library geospatial and data support, describe their programs to help identify common services, as well as unique challenges, opportunities, and future plans.     

Faculty Participation in Book Selection in a Large Academic Library

Faculty participation in book selection in academic libraries is considered a desirable goal, but one which can have pitfalls, even in a setting where acquisition funds are entirely controlled by the library. This article describes a successful cooperative book selection arrangement which makes use of a faculty library committee and subject bibliographers for book selection in both a traditional, closely-defined field (German literature and philology) and an interdisciplinary area (German studies).     

Predicting the Role of Library Bookshelves in 2025

University libraries are questioning the added value of open shelves with books. As scientific publications are increasingly available in electronic format, which role do bookshelves have in the future library space? The Utrecht University Library case study invites librarians to fundamentally rethink how they could strengthen the function of open shelves in their library. Based on acquisition and user data, and on interviews with publishers and users, this article suggests that in 2025 bookshelves could play an important role in providing access to those publications which are preferred by users in paper format. However, bookshelves should no longer focus solely on paper publications, but on digital publications too, as most library collections increasingly become hybrid. Moreover, libraries should also think of ways to enhance the inspiring role of bookshelves. Then, the open shelves could have added value within the library space of the future, providing access to a hybrid collection and an inspiring place to study.