Equitable access to information in libraries: A predicament for transgender people

Abstract

Discriminations against members of the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer (LGBTQ) community havebeen reported in every sphere of life, including in libraries. This paper reviewed the literature on transgender studies particularly in relation to the role of libraries. It highlights the problems faced by transgender people in accessing information in libraries and the importance of making libraries more inclusive.     

Public Libraries in the Eyes of the LGBTIQ Community: The Case of Croatia

ABSTRACT

The achievement of social justice, which implies the development of collections and the design of services for different user groups, is an objective present in the mission of public libraries. Since the 1950s, Croatian public libraries have been continuously developing collections and services for different user communities. However, one user community has remained largely unrecognized – LGBTIQ people. Therefore, the aim of the research presented in this paper is to examine the importance of the role of public libraries in the life of the LGBTIQ community in the Republic of Croatia. With a sample of 259 respondents, information behaviors, attitudes and experiences of LGBTIQ people in relation to public libraries have been examined via an online survey. In particular, this study explored the extent to which members of public libraries differ from non-members. The obtained results should contribute to a better understanding of the information needs and behavior of members of sexual minorities and help bring this group of users closer to (Croatian) public libraries by ensuring that libraries more adequately respond to their needs.     

社会资本视角下农民日常生活信息搜寻行为实证研究:以江苏省为例

[目的/意义] 农村处于市场经济最薄弱而又受传统社会结构影响最深的地区,社会因素对农民获取日常生活信息的影响不容忽视。本研究旨在探索社会资本对农民日常生活信息搜寻行为的影响机理。[方法/过程] 采用问卷调查法收集了334份江苏省农民日常生活信息搜寻行为的数据,综合利用Logit回归、单因素方差分析和多元线性回归对数据进行分析。[结果/结论] 研究发现：第一,社会资本对是否选择朋友、家人、报纸、电脑和手机作为信息源有显著正向影响,农民选择日常生活信息源的个数虽然与社会资本有显著正向相关关系,但相关性却较低。第二,社会资本对农民日常生活信息搜寻绩效会产生显著正向影响,主要体现在社会资本的共享和网络维度。第三,江苏省农民日常生活信息搜寻绩效在收入、自由自配时间和区域不同水平上存在显著差异。建议今后农村信息服务机构在提供信息服务时,需要提高农民的社会资本和满足农民的信息需求。     

Users' Satisfaction as a Valid Measure for Information Resources: A Case of Public Libraries

The mission of public libraries is to serve the unique needs of their local communities. Public library User's play a very vital role in the development of these libraries by suggesting or recommending additions to the collection. This study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of users with the quality and quantity of library collection. A self structured questionnaire based on open and close ended question was constructed. A purposive sample of one hundred users was selected. The data were qualitatively analyzed using a thematic approach. Positive opinion observed related to the library response towards the suggested titles. Almost half the population of respondents was satisfied with the availability of their suggested titles in library. Most of them were dissatisfied regarding the maintenance of equal collection of books and they are not encouraged by the library staff during the books suggestion process. It concludes that there is a need to evaluate the existing library collections.     

我国公共图书馆信息资源共享现状研究

文章通过文献调研和网站调查相结合的方法,从全国性和区域性两个层面对我国公共图书馆信息资源共享现状进行研究,对共享所存在的问题进行了分析并提出如下对策:通过打破体制的制约来建立常态化的共享机制;进一步加强共享的范围和力度;现阶段以区域性共享体系为主,来适应地区发展不均衡的现状;建立跨系统的共享模式,提高文献的利用率;充分利用全国共享工程来延伸图书馆的服务。     

公共图书馆政府信息数字化服务能力建设

政府信息数字化服务是公共图书馆服务的重要组成部分,三网融合为图书馆拓展政府信息数字化服务创造了机遇。文章在国内外图书馆实践与用户需求调研的基础上,提出了促进政府信息公开工程,增进政府信息数字化服务的主动性;创新服务方式,提高政府信息数字化服务的针对性;挖掘整合信息,提升政府信息数字化服务的深度;结合本地实际,促进政府信息数字化服务特色化;设置专门岗位,加强政府数字信息利用的指导等对策建议。     

开拓学科交叉的管理新领域——评沙勇忠教授新著《公共危机信息管理》

沙勇忠教授的《公共危机信息管理》是我国第一部以公共危机信息管理命名的学术专著。该书提出了公共危机信息管理的理论框架,从学科交叉视角对公共危机信息管理的重要分主题和关键问题进行了研究。该书前期研究资料基础扎实,并注重应用研究和最佳实践,是信息管理应用研究和公共危机管理交叉研究的重要理论成果,对推动公共危机信息管理这一富于生命力的管理新领域的发展具有拓新意义。     

国外公共图书馆健康信息服务项目的研究与启示——以EIFL"公共图书馆服务创新项目"为例

[目的/意义]公共图书馆健康信息服务对公众"身心健康"具有积极作用,探析国外公共图书馆健康信息服务项目的建设经验,可为我国公共图书馆开展健康信息服务提供重要启示。[方法/过程]通过调查 EIFL-PLIP国外公共图书馆健康信息服务项目,以 13个发展中国家和经济转型期国家的健康信息服务项目为切入点,分析国外公共图书馆健康信息服务项目在项目主题、项目对象、项目内容、项目效果、项目保障上的实践特点。[结果/结论]我国公共图书馆在健康信息服务方面应进行多元协作,获取外部支持并发挥引导作用;关注需求,考虑用户特点兼重视弱势群体;培养人才,制定培训计划以提升服务技能;打造内容,加强资源建设与丰富服务类型;转变理念,规划试点项目及提升服务形象。     

我国公共图书馆弱势群体信息服务文献综述(2001-2010)

分析2001-2010年我国公共图书馆弱势群体信息服务的研究现状,包括理论研究、具体措施、信息/知识援助、实证研究、信息咨询、各类弱势群体的研究和国外经验介绍。目前的研究存在着概念界定模糊、论文数量偏少和可行性有待验证等问题。     

The Role of Public Librarians in Disseminating Information for True Democracy

Disseminating information should be the business of public librarians. In a democracy, public librarians are expected to play a leading role in acquiring, processing, interpreting, repackaging, and disseminating relevant, up-to-date, and timely information and knowledge resources both from within and beyond their localities. Public librarians should serve as catalysts for the effective dissemination of information to promote true democracy. They are expected to explore channels of communication for the practice of true democracy. An emphasis on democratic ideals raises awareness of democratic tenets among the populace and also facilitates the holding of free, fair, and peaceful elections. This article examines the concept of democratic governance, the link between democratic governance and information, public libraries, and what public librarians should do to ensure the promotion of democracy.     

Patient and Public Information delivery through NHS library and knowledge services: how Knowledge for Healthcare changed the landscape

Health care library and knowledge services (LKS) are now expected to contribute to the provision of Patient and Public Information (PPI). The challenges of an ageing population, prevalence of long‐term conditions and the encouragement of patients to self manage give added impetus. The Knowledge for Health care PPI Task and Finish Groups developed strategic partnerships with national organizations and produced a suite of resources to support LKS staff. Outputs include guidance, workshop materials, an Ideas Bank and Guide to NHS Choices. The work of the PPI Task and Finish groups will continue to support staff as they develop activities and evidence its impact.     

Exploring the Application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Acquisition of Information Resources in Three Academic Libraries in North-West Nigeria: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) incursion has brought a lot of changes to libraries activities. ICTs are used to manage libraries more efficiently and in meeting customers’ demands more appropriately at the right time. Despite the contribution of ICTs to library and information work, many libraries are yet to adopt these technologies especially in the acquisitions of library materials. This study was carried out in three selected university libraries in North West Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of performance expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; establish the influence of effort expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; find out the extent of social influence and facilitating conditions on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition and lastly to proffer recommendations. This study adopted a positivistic approach and used a questionnaire administered to 224 librarians to collect data in the three selected libraries. The study is guided by the Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh. Findings from the study reveals that academic librarians are supportive on the use of ICT in their work; ICTs are significantly important, trainings were organized mainly for librarians on general use of ICT not only on acquisition, but also on the general issues related to library activities; librarians also have the knowledge necessary to use ICT for acquisition in their libraries. The study recommends among others that the parent universities should increase the funding of their libraries with adequate supervision, so that such funds are well utilized for ICTs application; university libraries should continually sponsor their academic staff on modern computerized ways of using ICTs to source for materials and the acquisition of information resources in academic libraries should be given all the seriousness it deserves by enacting legislation to allocate a reasonable percentage of the university’s budget to it.     

Knowledge and Attitude of Women to HIV/AIDS in a Farming Community in Southwestern Nigeria: Challenges for Public Libraries

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the major setbacks to the achievement of the 2015 millennium development targets in Africa, generally, and Nigeria, in particular, where it is the leading cause of death. In terms of age and gender distribution, the most severely affected are sexually active females in their most economically reproductive years. A greater percentage of the Nigerian population lives in rural areas where there is low access to health information. This study assesses the knowledge level and attitudes of women in a farming community to HIV/AIDS, and suggests intervention strategies by the public libraries to bridge the knowledge gap on HIV/AIDS. This article suggests that public libraries as custodians of knowledge should play a significant role in transmitting information about how to prevent and control HIV/AIDS.     

面向重大公共卫生事件的智库机构用户信息需求分析——以传染病领域为例

[目的 /意义]以传染病领域为例,深入调研机构用户对重大公共卫生事件类智库的信息需求,为以用户为中心的传染病智库建设提供决策支持.[方法/过程]通过问卷和半结构化访谈,收集政府机构、医疗机构、科研机构、疾控机构和企业机构5类机构用户的信息需求.利用扎根理论逐级编码,构建传染病智库机构用户信息需求模型.[结果/结论]模型...     

情报体系在应急事件中的作用与价值——以新冠肺炎疫情防控为例

文章阐述了应急响应各阶段情报流的作用,结合新冠肺炎疫情分析了三个应急阶段情报流对疫情防控的精准刻画及疫情全局演变规律的揭示;基于疫情情报流的分析,提出了面向新冠肺炎疫情防控的公共卫生突发事件应急响应情报体系,从疫情防控需求设计了组织架构与功能架构并深度融合了疫情应急响应全程的情报工作。基于文章架构的疫情防控情报体系的理论与方法,结合国家疫情联防联控机制的实践发现情报体系在疫情的应急中发挥了巨大作用和价值。最后面向公共卫生的应急情报研究,提出了进一步突破与落实的方向。