Search

The article presents a study regarding urban academic libraries. The study aims to identify the various factors influencing the perceptions of students of color regarding the library as a welcoming space. It also discusses the qualitative divergent factors along racial lines concerning the student's use of the library. The research is grounded in the theory of symbolic interactionism and Critical Race Theory to focus on three themes that emerged reflecting racial differences among library users.

The article focuses on the LibQUAL+™'s instrument, fundamental assumption and research approach and proposes a functional/technical model of academic library effectiveness. The expanded view of library effectiveness complements LibQUAL+™, which emphasizes it to be dependent upon users' experience of service delivery, as LibQUAL+™ recognizes. The broader model shows that effectiveness depends upon an academic library's operations, the constituency groups it serves, the types of value provided to them, the models for funding libraries, academic libraries' obligations and library users' need for professional information assistance. Supplementing LibQUAL+™ provides a basis for demonstrating both immediate and cumulative academic library effectiveness.

The article discusses a pilot project that offered both instant messaging and vendor-based chat reference simultaneously to library users. Driven by studies that the so-called millennials have adopted instant messaging as a standard communications medium, libraries in reaching out to their patrons in such method. Some of the libraries have also invested thousands of dollars in vendor-based chat reference solutions that provide duplicate functionality. Impact on workflow, staff stress, training and other management issues are discussed as well as evidence of user preferences and an evaluation of best practices for offering multi-service chat reference.

The article discusses geographic information systems (GIS) services in libraries. During the 1990's, librarians developed and researched information on how to further incorporate GIS in libraries. While librarians have educated themselves in GIS services, the amount of literature available in libraries remains scarce. The distribution of geospatial data to library users is contingent on various factors that include restrictions, size, and format. Building relationships with data producers can help librarians' further implement GIS services and make them readily available.

Although the majority of joint use libraries in educational establishments provide at least an adequate level of service for their school, college, or university users, the standard of service they provide for members of the public is more questionable in many cases. This article considers the benefits and problems of joint use libraries from the perspective of their public users, providing examples from the UK and elsewhere to demonstrate how these occur in practice. A number of success factors are identified that need to be considered if a joint use library is to be successful as a community library, perhaps the most important of these being the need to involve the local community in the development of the library from its earliest stage. Gaining the support and active involvement of the local community is crucial; only then can the true benefits of joint use libraries, as locations for intergenerational activity and lifelong learning, be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the future of the library as a physical space. The physical attributes of the collection would be different, but they would know they were in a library. New libraries continue to be built-to house the libraries' physical collections, provide access to electronic materials, and serve as a physical place where people come to read and to study. Fifteen years ago new libraries were being built to accommodate public access terminals. It was rare to see a user with a portable computer. Now that libraries and campuses are wired, the user is becoming unwired. In 2003, Grant Gross reported that five billion gigabytes of data were generated in 2002, equaling 800 megabytes per person or enough data to fill 500,000 Library of Congresses. Of these data, 92 percent were stored magnetically on hard drives. Between 1999 and 2002 the amount of magnetically stored data increased 80 percent, and the amount of physically stored data increased 43 percent. Indeed, content that is accessed electronic ally is often printed for use. Therefore, in order to provide services and resources, including physical space, it is necessary to understand what types of information are being used, how that information is being used, and by whom.

The article focuses on the measurement and analysis of electronic reserve usage. It also gives little insight into how the use of electronic reserves fits into the broader picture of over-all library usage patterns. Library support for staff and student wage budgets was allocated, in part, due to the fact that there are concrete data showing the popularity of the service, allowing extrapolation of how a reduction in the service would have a severe impact on library users. The study finally concludes that an electronically available reserve item is more heavily used than its print counterpart.

THE CHANGING INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT and the changing expectations and demands of library users are forcing libraries to reassess their role in the digital age. Amidst this change there is a fundamental constant-the need for access to high-quality research materials. Success in the new environment will require learning much more than we now know about the use of digital resources, their preservation, and the training needed for operating the library of the future. This article examines three essential questions and suggests areas for research in each: 1. How are digital resource users best served: What resources will they want? How will they want to use them? And, what services will most enhance use? 2. What elements are required for a coherent preservation strategy covering resources both digital and traditional? 3. What kinds of education will "librarians" of the future need? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THIS PAPER DEALS WITH FOUR SIGNIFICANT UNANSWERED QUESTIONS related to children's and young adult services in public libraries: 1. How have public library services to children and young adults developed over time? 2. How and why do young people use public libraries? 3. How can we evaluate the effectiveness of public library service for young people? 4. Why should policymakers fund public library services for children and young adults? After reviewing the existing knowledge base that can serve as scaffolding for the needed research, the author suggests strategies for refining and implementing this research agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the perceptions on the quality levels of library services. Definition of 'zones of tolerance'; Expectations of library users and university students on quality of service; Applications of surveys in college community settings.

Focuses on a study which examined a user-based relevance criteria in information services and systems in libraries. Background on the concept of relevance; Methodology; Results of the study.

Provides information on a study which examined the perception of users in North America on library service quality using the LibQUAL+ instrument. Problem statement; Methodology; Participants in the study; Role of the library Web page; Conclusion.

Provides information on a study which examined user needs, satisfaction, and performance of the University of Washington Libraries in Seattle. Details on library user surveys; Methodology and design of the user survey; Results of the survey.

Discusses how a philosophical analysis of the moral value of information can help librarians rethink some aspects of the professional values especially their commitment to neutrality. Role of information in an individual's and community's efforts to lead a productive life; Behaviors in library patron interaction; Discussion of the values in the use of technology.