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The study was conducted based on a business report of the Intermunicipal public library Žalec and its internal material for the Municipal library Prebold. Methods of quantitative descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used. In the research, library roles for users' needs in a local environment and library's success in doing this were reviewed; implementation dynamics of library's frequent and periodic activities was presented for a period of six years (2014-2019). We presented Prebold public library in a local environment, its activities and their planning, as well as individual activities from the viewpoint that they are thematically connected with library roles; overview of library activities according to target active and passive user groups; selfevaluation through number of participants and frequency of library activities. Our analysis revealed library's success in implementing activities for achieving development of library roles. Results show continuity of some and increase of using other library activities and services. Librarian activities are categorized into individual thematic projects. Research results can be used as a basis for strategic planning of library activities with respect to which library roles to develop in a public library according to interests and needs in a local environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Makerspace is a place where library users can try out and use equipment, devices and tools for various purposes free of charge. This service has become very common in public libraries around the world in the last decade, while in Slovenia there are currently only two public libraries that have experience in developing makerspaces. The paper provides an overview of the development of makerspaces, their purpose and position in public libraries. It also presents some examples of successful makerspaces in public libraries. Special attention is given to service planning of makerspaces and the elements that are critical to their successful operation. Three groups of stakeholders involved in makerspace planning are presented - users, local community, staff and volunteers. Along with recommendations for physical space and equipment in makerspaces, we present a list of equipment with appropriate devices, tools and materials that covers the most common activities in makerspaces. This is the first paper on makerspaces in Slovenia that comprehensively addresses this service in public libraries. It can serve as a starting point for reflection both before the decision to set up a makerspace and in the process of planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted based on a business report of the Intermunicipal public library Žalec and its internal material for the Municipal library Prebold. Methods of quantitative descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used. In the research, library roles for users' needs in a local environment and library's success in doing this were reviewed; implementation dynamics of library's frequent and periodic activities was presented for a period of six years (2014-2019). We presented Prebold public library in a local environment, its activities and their planning, as well as individual activities from the viewpoint that they are thematically connected with library roles; overview of library activities according to target active and passive user groups; selfevaluation through number of participants and frequency of library activities. Our analysis revealed library's success in implementing activities for achieving development of library roles. Results show continuity of some and increase of using other library activities and services. Librarian activities are categorized into individual thematic projects. Research results can be used as a basis for strategic planning of library activities with respect to which library roles to develop in a public library according to interests and needs in a local environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Makerspace is a place where library users can try out and use equipment, devices and tools for various purposes free of charge. This service has become very common in public libraries around the world in the last decade, while in Slovenia there are currently only two public libraries that have experience in developing makerspaces. The paper provides an overview of the development of makerspaces, their purpose and position in public libraries. It also presents some examples of successful makerspaces in public libraries. Special attention is given to service planning of makerspaces and the elements that are critical to their successful operation. Three groups of stakeholders involved in makerspace planning are presented - users, local community, staff and volunteers. Along with recommendations for physical space and equipment in makerspaces, we present a list of equipment with appropriate devices, tools and materials that covers the most common activities in makerspaces. This is the first paper on makerspaces in Slovenia that comprehensively addresses this service in public libraries. It can serve as a starting point for reflection both before the decision to set up a makerspace and in the process of planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this article, we present borrowing e-books from the web portal Biblos in libraries in Posavje region during the epidemic due to the increase of infected patients with coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Methodoiogy/approach: We used a survey to gain information about inventory and borrowing e-books on the web portal Biblos in Brežice Library, Valvasor Library Krško and Sevnica Library. Information about the inventory and borrowing e-books in Brežice Library for past years was gained from the library's annual reports. Results: Gained results show that libraries have a proportionately sizeable inventory of e-books, regarding the number of members. During the closure of libraries, they informed their members and users about their activities and supply of printed and online media and their websites and social media. Research limitations: Only libraries from Posavje region have been involved in the review - Brežice Library, Valvasor Library Krško and Sevnica Library. The data is focused only on a specific time frame during the lockdown of libraries for users between March 13 and May 3,2020, and the period of stricter measures until the declaration of the end of the coronavirus epidemic on May 31,2020. For comparison, we used the same period in 2019. Originality/practical implications: The results are useful for all three involved public libraries and all other libraries because they show the response of users to changed conditions of open access to literature and the success of redirecting readers to the web portal Biblos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Librarians have always been faced with the question of how to get non-users into the library. This question remains relevant also today. The aim of this article is to present opinions and reasons of parents of preschool children for not visiting the libraries, their perception of the library and expectations from the library in order to encourage them to visit the library with their preschool children. Methodology/approach: To obtain more in-depth reasons and data, we conducted a pilot study as a semi-structured personal interview. In February 2020, we interviewed twenty parents of preschool children in various parts of Slovenia who do not attend the library with their children. Results: Although the interviewed group of parents does not visit the library, they have a good opinion of the library, its services and librarians. As their main reason for not using the library services they highlighted the lack of time, problems with accessibility or parking and that their children are still too young to visit the library. Suggested improvements were focused on the events (workshops, social events) that could be attended together with the children and not to the library collection. Parents expressed that instead of adaptations in the equipment, they would prefer to have a place in a library (a corner) where they would feel comfortable and not disturbing for others with the sounds and noise their children are causing. Research limitations: The data from the pilot study cannot be generalized, even if the interviews were conducted in different parts of Slovenia. Comments and opinions from non-users are an opportunity to reflect on existing and possible new library services and planned promotion. Originality/practical implications: There are not many qualitative researches with nonlibrary users in Slovenia. Results of this pilot study can be a starting point for further researches in the local communities and for planning new library services, for potential users to respond to their expectations and needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides the collective role of the library catalogue, by using technology it has also become important equipment for simplified searching within the library collection by library users. Being in order, the catalogue reflects a qualitative library, and it can contribute to a satisfying user experience. COMARC/H architecture, among other functions, provides a unified way of recording the quantity and location of the library stock within the library catalogue. The article points out the basic meaning of regularity of the data, put into the library catalogue, and also the meaning of professional knowledge and workplace responsibility at every point of work in the library, that results in a qualitative library catalogue. The library collection stocktaking as a part of the supervision is being placed into the process of library collection management, which, if done regularly, brings out a relevant and user-friendly library collection. The article shows the procedure of the library collection stocktaking using COBISS3/Inventura software architecture, used in a small public library. There are also some results of the library collection stocktaking added, showing a very small share of actually missing items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a reflection on the importance of a library as a public space as well as a "third place". Public libraries are far from being just the institutions that collect, catalogue, store and make available library materials. They are social spaces able to connect people of different believes, cultures and interests. They are a part of public cultural and educational infrastructures at a local level that are available to everybody on equal terms. The importance of library spaces for their users is multi-layered and it depends mostly on their needs and the needs of the local community. Public libraries are institutions of lifelong learning that not only offer basic services but also provide the feeling of homeliness, warmth, well-being, safety and shelter. However, they must be a regular feature in the life of people who are using them. "Third places" are informal spaces, which enable people to meet socialize and connect and to make new friendships. Thus, they provide the space for social interactions, and building social capital. A literature review presents and explains the concept of a "third place" that has been emerging for a long time in connection with the development of public libraries, but is difficult to understand - to what purpose it serves or what it actually is. This article determines to what extent the activities of the France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica meets the definition of the "third place". It is mostly based upon subjective observation and reflection on the subject, on personal experience and perception. It is also supported by the exchange of opinions with members and visitors attending the events at the France Bevk Public Library and the users of its services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]