Approaches to the Study of Public Library Services and Users

Approaches to the Study of Public Library Services and Users PDF Author: National Center for Education Statistics. Learning Resources Branch
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Public libraries
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Approaches to the Study of Public Library Services and Users

Approaches to the Study of Public Library Services and Users PDF Author: National Center for Education Statistics. Learning Resources Branch
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Public libraries
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Book Description


Library Services in Theory and Context

Library Services in Theory and Context PDF Author: Michael K. Buckland
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 1483279707
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
Library Services in Theory and Context provides a theoretical framework for considering the nature of library services. This book is organized into four parts encompassing 16 chapters that focus on the management of library services. The first part presents some basic problems in librarianship, along with the scope and probable nature of appropriate theory. The second part considers the five key aspects and use of library services, including inquiries, retrieval, the process of becoming informed, the demand for library services, and the allocation of resources to and within library services. The third part deals with the connection and extensions of library services, specifically the problem of achieving internal consistency and the generalizability of conceptual framework to information services. The fourth part reconsiders some of the basic conceptual problems in library services. This book will be of great value to school administrators and librarians.

How Libraries and Librarians Help

How Libraries and Librarians Help PDF Author: Joan Coachman Durrance
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 9780838908921
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
The authors developed the "How Libraries and Librarians Help (HLLH) Outcome Model," field testing it in six libraries over two years. In this practical reference, they share their findings, step-by-step HLLH methods, and library success stories that bring the process to life with outcomes like, "Empowering Youth" and "Strengthening Community."

Public Libraries and Their Communities

Public Libraries and Their Communities PDF Author: Kay Ann Cassell
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538112698
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 237

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Book Description
Public Libraries and Their Communities: An Introduction provide an overview of public librarianship today. It covers library organization, policy development, staffing, fiscal organization including funding sources and budgets, the legal framework, relationships with local and state governments, advocacy, services and service development for different age groups and for different groups of users, development of programming and outreach, collection development, promotion and marketing, and current issues and trends. In addition to context and concepts, the book uses many examples from both large and small public libraries to bring principles to life. Examples include real library policies, case studies, strategic planning, organization charts and library budgets. Many think that public libraries are not complicated to run.This book aims to show that public libraries are very complicated and require much skill on the part of the director, staff, and Board of Trustees to meet the needs of their local users.Advocacy and marketing have become important parts of the work of public libraries. Funding is always challenging so public libraries must constantly be making the local government and its citizens aware of the public library – its programs, collections, and services. This book's focus is on how public libraries reach beyond the walls of their buildings and touch the lives of their citizens.Meeting community interests and needs is essential for 21st century public libraries. For students the book offers discussion questions at the end of each chapter. These questions also provide discussion starters for public library staff development.

Library Users and Reference Services

Library Users and Reference Services PDF Author: Linda S Katz
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136588094
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
This useful book helps reference librarians understand the information seeking needs and behaviors of the diverse groups of people in the communities they serve. With the increasing diversity of the American population, librarians striving to plan and deliver excellent reference services must enhance their understanding of how best to assist many types of individuals and groups, from children to the elderly. Library Users and Reference Services provides much-needed help in this area, delivering strategies and methods to aid readers in their quest for increasingly effective service for all members of the communities in which they work. Library Users and Reference Services is divided into four sections of chapters which cover a broad range of topics to assist readers in planning and delivering appropriate services. Section One explores customer service, economics of information, and marketing as key concepts useful in studying information needs of specific groups in the population. Section Two focuses on scholars and students in three broad academic disciplines: science, humanities, and social sciences. Section Three covers groups with special characteristics such as age, economic standing, gender, or profession. Section Four discusses evaluation and provides guidance in the use of the most widely accepted measures for assessing reference effectiveness. The book’s final chapter explores redesigning reference services for the future, providing a glimpse of how such services may change. Library Users and Reference Services is a practical guide to help readers understand the many issues related to serving diverse populations in a community. Reference librarians and graduate library school students and faculty will learn more effective ways to help a heterogeneous public with the help of this new book.

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century PDF Author: Carol Smallwood
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442243570
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book Description
Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century isan anthology on small public libraries as centers of communities serving populations under 25,000 that make up most of the public library systems in the United States. A wide selection of topics was sought from contributors with varied backgrounds reflecting the diversity of small public libraries. The thirty-two chapters are arranged: Staff; Programming; Management; Technology; Networking; Fundraising; User Services and provide tools to lead a local public library with relevant and successful services. This volume shares a common sense approach to providing a small (in staff size or budget) but mighty (in impact and outcome) public library service. The contributors demonstrate that by turning the service delivery team outward to the community with enthusiasm and positive energy, it is possible to achieve significant results. Many chapters summarize best practices that can serve as checklists for the novice library director or as a review for the more seasoned manager working through new responsibilities. Chapters are tactical, focusing on specific issues for managers such as performance evaluations, effective programming, or e-reader services. Time management is crucial in a small or rural public library as well as the challenges associated with managing Friends and volunteers. While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.

The Public Library Effectiveness Study

The Public Library Effectiveness Study PDF Author: Nancy A. Van House
Publisher: Chicago : American Library Association
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description
The purpose of the Public Library Effectiveness Study was to define effectiveness for the public library institution. The research was designed not to measure effectiveness or evaluate particular libraries or groups of libraries, but rather to identify the feature or features of a public library that most directly attest to its effectiveness. The major questions the study addressed were what measures have been used to define effectiveness; what are the indicators and dimensions of public library effectiveness; whether constituent groups differ in their preferences among indicators and dimensions and in their definitions of public library effectiveness; and whether differences in the individual libraries' domains affect their constituents' preferences concerning effectiveness or organizational performance on the indicators. The study focused on public libraries and is intended to serve as a prototype for a methodology for identifying effectiveness indicators and dimensions for other types of libraries. The five chapters are: (1) "The Enigma of Effectiveness"; (2) "Methodology"; (3) "Findings Regarding Indicators and Dimensions of Effectiveness"; (4) "Findings Regarding Roles"; and (5) "Conclusions." The questionnaires used in the study, as well as the statistical findings, are found in the appendices. Also included is a 38-item bibliography. (JLB)

Assessing Service Quality

Assessing Service Quality PDF Author: Peter Hernon
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 0838913083
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
Academic and public libraries are continuing to transform as the information landscape changes, expanding their missions into new service roles that call for improved organizational performance and accountability. Since Assessing Service Quality premiered in 1998, receiving the prestigious Highsmith Library Literature Award, scores of library managers and administrators have trusted its guidance for applying a customer-centered approach to service quality and performance evaluation. This extensively revised and updated edition explores even further the ways technology influences both the experiences of library customers and the ways libraries themselves can assess those experiences. With a clear focus on real-world application, the authors Challenge conventional thinking about the utility of input, output, and performance metrics by suggesting new ways to think about the evaluation and assessment of library servicesExplain service quality and customer satisfaction, and demonstrate how they are separate but intertwinedIdentify procedures for qualitatively and quantitatively measuring both service quality and satisfactionEncourage libraries to take action by presenting concrete steps they can take to become more customer-centricOffer a range of customer-related metrics that provide insights useful for library planning and decision making, such as surveys and focus groupsThis book shows how to nurture an environment of continuous improvement through effective service quality assessment.

Public Library System and Services in Tamil Nadu

Public Library System and Services in Tamil Nadu PDF Author: dr. S.K. Asok Kumar
Publisher: Bharathi Puthakalayam
ISBN: 9788189909864
Category : Public libraries
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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A New Approach to Educational Preparation for Public Library Services

A New Approach to Educational Preparation for Public Library Services PDF Author: Mary Lee Bundy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Libraries and people with social disabilities
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description