Search

Purpose -- The paper presents the results of a qualitative study focused on the Czech libraries' situation during the Covid-19 pandemic, namely in the spring and autumn of 2020, supplemented by an overview of anti-epidemic measures concerning the libraries. It also briefly summarizes the Czech and foreign literature on the topic published so far. Design/Methodology/Approach -- Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the aim to find out how the anti-epidemic measures influenced library services, including a comparison of the spring and autumn waves. The questions concerned print and electronic holdings and related services, educational activities, community role and library promotion. Information on anti-epidemic measures was obtained through an analysis of government documents and the electronic archive of the e-mail conference „Knihovna”. Results -- For libraries, the spring closure meant a shock, and the subsequent loosening of measures meant chaos and rapid changes, it was necessary to improvise, especially in lending services; antiepidemic measures also greatly affected the organization of educational and community events, which partially moved online. Libraries had to cope with the need for a different work organization, and at the time of closure they had to find alternative activities. The number of physical loans decreased, while the use of electronic resources increased, although this was not always a significant increase. Some positives were mentioned including the importance of libraries, the interest of readers, changes in thinking that led to the reassessment of certain processes, the development of digital services or verification of the response and adaptation to a crisis. Originality/Value -- Although articles on Czech libraries during the pandemic have been already published, mainly in the form of case studies on individual libraries or regions, but also containing the results of partial questionnaire surveys, a qualitative study of libraries has not yet appeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The presented study looks at the relationship of libraries as educational institutions that aim to form a wide group of readers. He attempts to show some sources of this socio-pedagogical practice in the First Library Act and then follows - on concrete examples and on a broader historiographical concept - the relationship of the phenomenon of mass work with the reader in the context of education of various target groups, especially young readers, workers and peasants. Design/Methodology/Approach -- The paper is based on archival research conducted by our students for many years as part of the history of specific libraries. These findings are analyzed on the basis of study of general historical sources and legislative changes. The results -- The paper follows creatively the mass work with the reader, as well as a certain socio-pedagogical project paid in the specific libraries and the legislative-value framework of these activities. Originality/Value -- The phenomenon of mass work with the reader is often studied by sociological or historiographical optics. The concept chosen combining the legislative, socio-pedagogical and historiographical regionalist concept offers new perspectives and possibilities of interpreting studied phenomena in specific libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper Transliteracy: new perspective of information education is focused on phenomenon of transliteracy, which was not yet solved in Czech environment. In the begining, transliteracy is defined, along with description of facts leading to its origin. Themain chapter is dealing with relation of transliteracy and other literacies (computer, digital and informational). Educational side of transliteracy, libraries and transliteracy, along with practical examples is described in the final chapter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of a librarian and information professional should be to meet the information needs of library patrons and information users. The methodology of working with a patron is determined by his affiliation to a certain category. Categorization of patrons is well known and well described in literature. Conversely, the typology of social networks users is not firmly established, furthermore the methods of working with such a user are not firmly established either. The comparison of the categorization of patrons and typology of social networks users is now gaining more importance in a time when we see the expansion of social networks and growth in their usage for promotion and marketing of organizations. There are many initiatives that try to gather and utilize information about users of social networks. It is vitally important for libraries to sort, unite and efficiently use this kind of information. The choice of form and method of working with patrons in a library and even with social networks users is determined by the overall maturity and level of man as an individual in a cultural society. People who do not participate in social networks may feel inferior or even handicapped in some way and may also be seen as such by the active users of social networks. When we join the group of library patrons with the group of social networks users, we get an important group of users that deserves our focus. We need to know them better in order to satisfy their information needs. It is necessary to connect the categorization of library patrons with the typology of users of social networks so that we can better understand their information needs problems and interests. The article primarily uses current typologies of web users, internet users, social media and social networks users. A good example of such typology is a study presented by Digital Life or typology created by Forresteer Research (Social Media Census), which focuses on research of social networks users. This article also considers the research done by British-American team led by D. White in addition to other literature. When comparing the typologies it is necessary to bear in mind that the users of social networks are aging and their needs are changing. The goal of this article was to explore presented typologies of social networks users and categorization of patrons and to compare them. As a result of this comparison a need to create a new typology for library patrons, is recognized. The current typology of patrons is still suitable for the traditional (paper) environment, but does not suit well in electronic environment. The new typology should take in account the needs of "resident"-like users. The article offers a survey into current literature and outline of new typology of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]