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Im November 2022 ist die Zentralbibliothek im KAP1 mit einer eigenen App an den Start gegangen. Die „Stadtbüchereien Düsseldorf App" bietet den Besucher*innen der Zentralbibliothek ein besonderes Erlebnis, indem sie den realen Ort Bibliothek mit Augmented-Reality-Technologie um virtuelle Elemente erweitert. Gut ein Jahr nach der Eröffnung der neuen Räume erhielten diese mit der App nun eine neue, virtuelle Nutzungsebene. Aufgrund der großzügigen Öffnungszeiten der neuen Zentralbibliothek, auch ohne dass das Bibliotheksteam zur Unterstützung vor Ort ist, war es von Anfang an geplant, umfangreiche digitale Self-Services anzubieten, um die Zentralbibliothek jederzeit eigenständig entdecken und sich zurechtfinden zu können. Mit dem Düsseldorfer Unternehmen und AR-Experten Exponential Dimensions hat das Team nun eine alles andere als typische Bibliotheks-App entwickelt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt, übereinstimmend mit der Leitlinie „Menschen, Bücher, Räume", ganz auf Ort und Besuchenden. Im Juni 2023 erhielt die „Stadtbüchereien Düsseldorf App" international Anerkennung. Sie erhielt den renommierten Auggie Award in der Kategorie „Best Consumer App". Die jährlichen Auggie Awards sind seit 2010 die weltweit anerkanntesten Auszeichnungen der AR- und VR-Branche. In November 2022, the central library in KAP1 launched its own app. The "Stadtbüchereien Düsseldorf App" offers visitors a special experience by adding virtual elements to the real place of the library using augmented reality technology. A year after the opening of the library, the app adds a new, virtual level of use. Due to the generous opening hours of the new central library, even without the library team being on site for support, it is designed to offer extensive digital self-services for users to discover the library independently at any time and to find their way around. With Düsseldorf-based AR experts Exponential Dimensions, a "anything but typical" library app has been developed. In keeping with the principle of "People, Books, Spaces", its focus is entirely on location and visitors. In June 2023, the "Stadtbüchereien Düsseldorf App" got international recognition. It received the prestigious Auggie Award in the category "Best Consumer App". The annual Auggie Awards have been the world's most recognized awards in the AR and VR industry since 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates dust management at the Albert Ilemobade library, The Federal University of Technology Akure. Dust deposition and accumulation poses a major challenge for the university library as all the units, sections, and divisions are affected. Dust not only adversely affects all materials, equipment, and facilities including books, audiovisual collections, and computers, but also constitutes a health hazard to library personnel and users. Major sources of dust include visitor activities and infiltration through openings like windows and doors. Dust mats, special computer enclosures, dusters, dust blowers, and respiratory masks were made available for dust protection and management in the library. The library lacked equipment like High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filters and dust collection, and suppressions systems. Lack of awareness and training, inadequate funding, and lack of equipment were identified as the challenges to dust management in the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate barriers faced by Pakistani university libraries to implement digital preservation programs. A questionnaire was developed and pilot tested before being sent to 70 libraries of the public sector universities and degree awarding institutions to measure the phenomena. Out of the targeted 70 libraries, 63 responded to the survey (90 % response rate). The results highlighted that a lack of institutional/national policies, financial and technological resources, and administrative support are key barriers that hinder the implementation of digital preservation practices in Pakistani university libraries. The findings of this novel study emphasize devising a national policy for digital preservation in Pakistan. Results point out key barriers to digital preservation and help designing knowledge-based systems in order to meet information and knowledge needs of library users around the clock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art is all around in library collections. Nevertheless, art is not seen to be a common subject for libraries despite for art libraries. Works of art exhibited in or created out of library collections offer new perspectives including the library system itself. Our article gives an overview of where and how art can find its place in libraries. We share insights gained from three art programs based on digital library collections organized in the context of the project "Open Digital Libraries for Creative Users" at the Austrian National Library. Open content and an organisational culture of openness are pivotal for successful art programs. This article also intends to spark a community of practice (CoP) for cooperation between libraries and artists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ausgehend von (populär-)kulturellen Darstellungen von Bibliotheken wird das Verhältnis von physischen Räumen und Artefakten und Digitalisaten und digitaler Nutzung betrachtet. Eine Möglichkeit der Verknüpfung von Nutzenden mit der Bibliothek ist die genaue digitale Nachahmung der physischen Bibliothekssituation, eine zweite richtet die digitale Nutzung radikal auf maschinelle Nutzung aus und emanzipiert sich vom menschlichen Nutzenden. Based on (popular) cultural representations of libraries, the relationship between physical spaces and artefacts and digitised copies and digital use is considered. One way of linking users to the library is the exact digital imitation of the physical library situation; a second radically aligns digital use with machine use and emancipates itself from the human users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Beitrag bezieht die aktuelle schwedische Bibliotheksdebatte auf die europaweit entfachte Diskussion zur Verteidigung und Stärkung der Demokratie. Im Zuge der Kritik an Habermas' Öffentlichkeitskonzept, dessen frühe Version von homogenisierenden Vorstellungen geleitet war, wird nun versucht, demokratische Prozeduren und Repräsentationsweisen ausgehend von divergierenden Überzeugungen (Dissens) und länger anhaltenden Konflikten neu zu fassen. Der demokratiesichernde Auftrag – nicht nur – der schwedischen Bibliotheken zeichnet sich dadurch aus, in Krisen- und Konfliktlagen Informationen und Orientierungswissen bereitzustellen, ein sicherer öffentlicher Raum zu sein und sowohl das Personal als auch die Anwendenden mit Ressourcen auszustatten, die ihnen jederzeit ermöglichen, gesprächsbereit und handlungsfähig zu bleiben. This paper relates the current library debate in Sweden to the ongoing discussion across Europe about defending and strengthening democracy. In the wake of the criticism of Habermas' notion of the 'public sphere', which was guided by homogenising ideas in its early version, this paper now attempts to reconceptualise democratic processes and modes of representation considering divergent views (dissent) and long-term conflicts. Along with other institutions, the Swedish libraries follow the mandate to safeguard democracy by providing information and knowledge for orientation in situations of crisis and conflict, by being safe public spaces and by providing both library personnel and library users with resources that enable them to remain open to discussions and to be capable to always act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the Dokk1 multifunctional library, which has achieved international recognition as an exemplary city library of the future. The first part of the article is devoted to a description of the spatio-temporal configurations and social interactions inside and outside the imposing building situated at the tip of Århus harbour. In the second part, the spatial-sociological perspective applied in the description is transferred to the measures and objectives aimed at promoting democracy, as these have been formulated in the municipal guidelines and other current documents. As user orientation is considered the most important guiding principle for the library staff, the behaviour of both the library users and the staff is interpreted in this article as representative of everyday democratic negotiation. Finally, it explores the question of how far the social togetherness in the library and local democracy in the municipality Århus kommun could be related to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why not digitize library membership as well? The digital library card of the Goethe-Institut's makes plastic cards superfluous and at the same time bundles the libraries' digital offerings and services in a single application. Designed as a mobile application for Android and iOS, the digital library card is already in use at more than 50 libraries in the Goethe-Institut's worldwide network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption emotions are not always considered when satisfaction with library services is assessed. In this research, consumption emotions perceived by users of eight different libraries of a Mexican higher education institution are identified when using library services. Laros and Steenkamp. 2005. "Emotions in Consumer Behavior: A Hierarchical Approach." Journal of Business Research 58: 1437–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2003.09.013 hierarchical scale was used to assess library users' consumption emotions. The relationship between those emotions and the users' satisfaction is then established and analyzed using both descriptive statistics analysis and an entropy-oriented machine learning approach. The first approach suggests that users feel more positive consumption emotions (contentment and happiness) than negative emotions (anger). The entropy analysis shows that the identified consumption emotions have a great prediction power over the satisfaction level that users will manifest. This research contributes to the issue of satisfaction assessment by including library users' consumption emotions in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study sought to assess user expectations and acceptance of library services at the African Union Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. The study, which targeted 94 library users, employed LibQUAL and SERVQUAL protocols to collect data, which were subsequently analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that users have the lowest expectations of the physical aspects of the library, namely the library as a place and of its tangibles. By contrast, users had the highest expectations in aspects associated with people and of the library collection, namely the effect of service, information control, responsiveness and reliability. The study recommends the allocation of resources in a way that ensures that the human aspects of the library remain at high levels of service quality, while shortcomings related to information control, library space and equipment should be addressed. Further, the library should invest in electronic content that users can access remotely. The findings have implications for information practice, in that studying user expectations enables libraries to understand individual and group expectations. These, in turn, will inform decision-making processes in respect of service provision, and provide justification and accountability for the resources used during such service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the customers' perceptions on three traditional dimensions of the perceived library service quality (library personnel; library resources and user services; and facilities and equipment), customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty of the public library users. Survey data using simplified questionnaires were analyzed which were collected from 1015 users of public libraries in 2015 and 2019 respectively in South Korea. The results show that they were generally satisfied with public library services and want to visit them again and/or recommend them to others based on the good perceptions on the public library service quality, because the means of each variable on a Likert 5-point scale was fairly high: customer satisfaction 3.85, customer loyalty 4.12, and perceived service quality 3.80 (library personnel 3.80, library resources and user services 3.81, and facilities and equipment 3.79). Each of three dimensions of perceived service quality had statistically significant positive impacts both on customer satisfaction and on the loyalty of the users, and that customer satisfaction had statistically significant positive impacts on customer loyalty. Different groups by gender, age, education, and occupation show the mean differences in customer loyalty. This article suggests research and managerial implications and limitations of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore a strategy to strengthen the library's role of enhancing the quality of life for residents by identifying relationships between user satisfaction with library services and their quality of life. Questionnaires were distributed to public library users and normal distribution (skewness and kurtosis) and reliability of the measurement tools were validated. The results of this study show that satisfaction with the library staff has a positive influence on the participants' living satisfaction, self-efficacy, and emotional stability. Second, an evaluation of their satisfaction with the library overall showed a significantly positive influence on their living satisfaction as well positive thinking. In conclusion, investment in libraries leads the public to be satisfied with their overall life, think of their future positively, have confidence to perform their roles successfully, and gain a sense of freedom with continuing stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a digital library, an increasingly important problem is how to prevent the exposure of user privacy in an untrusted network. This study aims to design an effective approach for the protection of user privacy in a digital library, by consulting the basic ideas of encryption and anonymization. In our proposed approach, any privacy data, which can identify user's real identity, should be encrypted first before being submitted to the library server, to achieve anonymization of user identity. Then, to solve the problem of querying encrypted privacy data, additional feature data are constructed for the encrypted data, such that much of the query processing can be completed at the server-side, without decrypting the data, thereby improving the efficiency of each kind of user query operation. Both theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, which can improve the security of users' data privacy and behavior privacy on the untrusted server-side, without compromising the availability (i. e. accuracy, efficiency, and usability) of digital library services. This paper provides a valuable study attempt at the protection of digital library users' privacy, which has a positive influence on the development of a privacy-preserving library in an untrusted network environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the cultural value of the library by performing a perception survey for public library librarians and users. We have undertaken the processes of deriving a preliminary evaluation index based on domestic and foreign research results, determining the final evaluation index, and assessing the library's cultural value within the scope of librarians and users, among others. As a result of conducting this research, we have divided the evaluation areas around cultural values into four areas of development: local culture, succession and promotion of cultural heritage, contribution to local residents' cultural enjoyment, and formation of community culture in general. As a result of analyzing by evaluation area, the area of the formation of community culture turned out to have the highest average of 3.92, followed by an average of 3.84 for the area of contribution to the local residents' cultural enjoyment, 3.82 for the area of development of local culture, and 3.53 for the area of the formation of community culture. Furthermore, respondents demonstrated the highest level of agreement to the evaluation item, stating that libraries contribute to resolving the cultural gap, within the area of formation of community culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a 10-week, full-time research internship at Curtin University’s HIVE (Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch) Center in Western Australia, Aaron Kent worked on visualising massive datasets documenting the information seeking behaviours of the university’s Robertson Library patrons at the request of Peter Green, Amanda Bellenger, and Matthew Robinson from the Curtin Library. Supervisor of the project, Senior Lecturer in Library, Records, Archives and Information Science, Dr. Pauline Joseph, talks to PDT&C about the research, curation of the datasets, and the emerging and valuable role of data visualisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the factors associated with Korean professors' intentions to openly share data. As Korea does not have an institutional or regulatory framework governing data sharing, understanding the motivations and/or concerns of a Korean faculty might not only provide policy guidance for data-sharing practices in Korea but also help academic libraries of this country develop data management services valuable for researchers. In particular, survey responses from 190 professors and follow-up interviews with eleven faculty members were analyzed and revealed that professors who were more willing to openly share data tended to agree with data reuse conditioned on easy access to others' data, to have altruistic reasons for data sharing and to be uncertain about repositories and the demand for their data. Professors who were less willing to make data publicly available tended to fear exploitation and to be interested in exchanging data for control of access to such data, for approval of the dissemination of results based on such data, and for co-authorship and collaboration opportunities. The study suggested that policies might be designed to incentivize data sharing by including supporting data citation, allowing data providers to control access to data, and considering ethical issues and various co-authorship practices. It also discussed implications of the findings for academic librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes both the relationship between university libraries and science and technology parks (STPs) as well as the role of these libraries in the information management of incubated firms. This relationship with Spanish STPs is also compared to the relationship with parks around the world. Several stakeholders involved in two Spanish parks were interviewed, so a sample made up of both parks' management, the three university libraries with which they are related to and 121 firms incubated in these parks. The results were compared to results taken from a survey on 107 parks members of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation and 77 libraries related to those parks. The study revealed that the library-STP relationship underpin links between parks and universities. The IASP members who receive services from related university libraries show the value of library-STP collaboration. It is a first analytical approach to the library-STP relationship in the entrepreneurial university context. A series of actions to strengthen this relationship and better benefit incubated firms is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to draw a network among the keywords used in public library studies in the LIS field in Korea using a social network analysis method. To achieve the purpose, this study (i) analyses the keywords used in LIS peer-reviewed journal articles on the subject of public libraries, (ii) finds the important keywords of public library studies based on network perspectives, and (iii) compares the keyword network of public library studies for the most recent five years with the keyword network of public library studies of different time periods. Through a keywords analysis of public library studies, the following research trends have been found: (a) Korean public library studies have mainly focused on management issues; (b) there has been much discussion about library cooperation between public libraries and other kinds of libraries; (c) the subjects of research related to evaluation have been diversified as a result of influence from the fields of management and business; (d) scholars became interested in special users; (e) many studies paid attention to human resources issues in public libraries; (f) there have been many studies that are focused on small libraries; and (g) considerable research has been related to lifelong education, in particular, during 2001-2009. In addition, through comparison of the keyword network of public library studies for the most recent five years and the keyword network of public library studies for different time periods, the researcher finds that (i) keywords have both similarities and differences, and (ii) socio-environmental factors influence the research trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific libraries need to develop new initiatives to ensure that their users successfully utilize today's possibilities of information and knowledge management as well as information analyses. New formats beyond the traditional library educational activities are required. In addition to the Coffee Lectures, the Chemistry | Biology | Pharmacy Information Center has developed the format of Research Group Menu Seminars, a modular concept for Continuing Professional Education in a menu card style. A survey among scientists that attended the seminars so far showed a notable impact on the information usage behavior. 92.5 % would recommend the seminars to colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses new ways to access library collections based on two joint initiative projects with scientific and public libraries. In the beginning of each scientific initiative, we conducted a number of empirical studies in order to gain valuable insights about users' patterns when accessing library collections. In detail, we distinguish between intuitive, collaborative, transparent, and contextual access. These four qualities served as a basis for the development of interactive systems. In this article, we discuss how we derived these four qualities based on our empirical studies and explain their implementation in the inquiring systems 'Blended Shelf', 'TwisterSearch', 'Tiefenrausch', and 'Expedition'. Finally, we elaborate on insights and experiences gained through the development of our systems, especially how our work feeds back and further informs the four ways to access library collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, library users have shifted from searching in library catalogs and scholarly databases to searching in library discovery systems. This shift has introduced a fundamental change in the information-seeking process. Discovery systems provide access to a large, diverse information landscape of scholarly materials regardless of where the materials are located, what format they are in, and whether the library owns them or subscribes to them. At the same time, these systems typically offer simple, Google-like searching as the default option, to accommodate the expectations of today's users. With this type of searching, users do not spend much time formulating queries, and their queries often yield large result sets; therefore, discovery systems focus on relevance ranking and on tools that help users easily navigate and refine result sets. Librarians have welcomed the advances in discovery services for their users. However, this new reality poses challenges to the practices that librarians have developed over the years and, in some cases, is at odds with the systematic, controlled approach to searching endorsed by librarians. Examinations of information-seeking and information-searching models together with a review of new technological capabilities of library discovery systems show why such systems help today's searchers and facilitate their research more than the traditional systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a concept for public libraries by analysing 'breakpoints of life', e.g., first school-day or last school-day, wedding or divorce, the first job, or losing a job as a particular moment for a library visit. To respond to the non-user's need, the library has to develop ideas supported by its collection, e-resources and outreach activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses hypotheses why women librarians are particularly resistant to and critical of new forms of culture and learning that young visitors of libraries find attractive. Based on several enquiries, the author concludes that libraries in France remain a feminine world which tends to be closed to intermixing sexual, ethnic and social barriers. She describes women's reaction to young people - qualified as 'non-readers', 'visitors', or 'tourists' - who prefer libraries with coffee shops, DVD rentals and internet services. Male teenagers legitimately find traditional libraries gloomy, and female librarians are particularly critical about their behaviour and preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From time to time libraries are facing challenges, resulting from budget cuts, downsizing or demanding customer requests. Often it seems difficult to find solutions which will fit in with the everyday routine. The aim of this article is to show how the use of specific management tools (i.e. Lean Management or Service Engineering) can provide some help in the day-to-day work of a library. By introducing selected management tools, it is possible to identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. This can lead to the improvement or further development of library services even under difficult conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posed are the preliminary results of library census in the Russian Federation of 2010 to 2011. Given is the characteristic of the main indicators and problems of such an accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a case study on information literacy (IL) practices in university libraries in Nigeria, the UK and the US. An online questionnaire was used for data collection. University libraries in the UK and US provide IL training in all the areas mentioned compared to university libraries in Nigeria. There are differences between university libraries in UK, US and Nigeria in IL training delivery methods. However, barriers such as lack of facilities, lack of understanding of IL, students' nonchalant attitude towards attending IL sessions, and low acceptance of the online approach were identified as factors militating against librarians' efforts when advocating and providing IL training in the university libraries in Nigeria, while barriers such as lack of time allotted for teaching IL skills, students tendency to be apathetic and bored, and a lack of understanding of what IL is were mentioned by the libraries studied in the UK and US. To have effective IL training programmes, university authorities in developing countries should see the need to provide the necessary facilities such as computers with stable Internet access in university libraries, regular power supplies, and training of librarians on IT. Most of all, librarians should collaborate with other stakeholders in their institutions to ensure an IL policy formulation and implementation in their institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal objective of this study is to provide a preliminarytheoretical foundation of academic librarye-service user motivation. To achieve this purpose, thisstudy attempts to develop and test an academic librarye-service user motivation model based on Vroom'sexpectancy theory and an e-service-related literaturereview. The study employed a survey method.The collected data was analyzed via correlation andmultiple regression method. The findings are that academiclibrary e-service users' motivational processis influenced by the following five factors: 1) Users'past experience with the library e-services; 2) E-servicequality; 3) Accomplishment/Performance of thee-service by user; 4) Outcomes; and 5) User satisfactionwith the e-service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TNS Infratest Business Intelligence conducted an online survey amongst customers of the German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB, Hannover), Germany. The overall aim of this article is to show how to determine the library’s benefits expressed in monetary terms, both for the individual and for Germany as a center of scientific activity. For the first time, the so-called “contingent valuation” methodology was applied to a large scientific library in Germany. The case study shows the particular advantages and disadvantages of the methodology. It explains how monetary measurements of value can be expressed in terms of willingness to pay or willingness to accept compensation. This methodology can also be applied to public libraries, public or company internal information centers, or any other non-profit organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, including Malaysia, school librarians are entrusted with the delivery of information literacy education to both teachers and students. However, the extent of school librarians' own information literacy skills and capabilities is not well understood. Accordingly, this paper examines (1) the level of self-assessed information literacy skills among school librarians and (2) the perceived need for these school librarians to have information literacy skills. Employing a self-administered postal survey of school librarians in two Malaysian states (Selangor and Pahang), the study indicates that urban school librarians are better trained than their rural counterparts. The urban respondents also self-assessed their information literacy skills at a higher level than the rural respondents. There was some variation in responses depending on in-service training and length of professional experience. The results reveal that the respondents are information literate, but need further training and exposure to information literacy. However, there is presently little encouragement for them to acquire additional skills training in information literacy or other areas of school librarianship. This research is limited to school librarians in two districts and may not be generalisable to all school librarians in Malaysia. As the study relies on self-assessment and reporting regarding information literacy skills, future research could seek to test librarians' information literacy skills by means of external evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's life is not insulated from different kinds of 'change.' Change is also experienced in organizations as a somehow daily process. Academic libraries are organizations which need to be active in confrontation with 'change' because of their essential role in education and research. These libraries could be more successful in meeting users' information needs, if they manage change in a planned manner. In this regard, Iranian academic libraries are not exceptional. They are faced with pressures from their internal and external environments, which make it essential for them to respond and implement necessary changes. In order to assist these libraries in overcoming challenges stemming from change and improving the change management capacity in libraries, this article aims to select an appropriate change management model for Iranian academic libraries. After reviewing the literature, finding and selecting basic change models including Kotter's Change Model, Penfold's Information Services Framework for Managing Change, and Curzon's Cycle of Change, a research questionnaire was designed and answered by a group of experts using the consensus method. The results were analyzed by Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) techniques including Technique for Order- Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Simple Additive Weighting Method (SAWM). Penfold's Information Services Framework for Managing Change received the highest scores from the application of both techniques. It is concluded that Penfold's Information Services Framework for Managing Change could be applied as an appropriate change model in the context of Iranian academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public library system of Singapore has taken an interest in developing programs for the elderly, an increasing component of the nation's aging population. One of these programs involves the establishment of reading clubs. This article reports on a qualitative study of one of these clubs, the Seniors' (Chinese) Reading Club. Club members were asked to describe their reading behaviour, how they learned about the club, why they decided to join, what they felt they gained from the club, and why more elderly people did not participate. Three themes emerge from the responses: an instrumental view of reading or, in other words, a notion that reading is done for utilitarian purposes rather than intrinsic enjoyment; gender issues, in so far as club membership appears to have created a public space for elderly women, but not men; and social exclusion in that word of mouth is the main way that people learn about the club, and that its members appeared to be from a specific socio-economic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has seen tremendous growth in demand from our patrons for popular e-content in recent years. This article illustrates some of the Library's key successes and challenges surrounding popular-interest e-content in the context of the evolving U.S. marketplace. NYPL began offering e-content via ebooks.nypl.org in 2004, when it entered into partnership with Overdrive, the primary e-content vendor to U.S. public libraries. That year the Library offered a start-up collection consisting of 5,992 e-books bringing in 5,227 checkouts. For the 12 months leading up to March of 2011, this same site brought in 387,959 checkouts of from a collection in excess of 59,000 items. These statisctics, when combined with the rest of NYPL's popular digital offerings, rank the Library's popular e-content collection #2 in circulation among its 90 circulating locations. The e-content marketplace is complex and evolving. If there is one constant theme throughout our experience since 2004, it is that forward momentum has steadily increased -- not just in technology, but in the availability of attractive content and the level at which consumers are embracing an e-literate lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the benefits and challenges associated with ethnographic research in libraries and information settings, and provides both historical and recent examples of its application. Ethnographic research, designed to facilitate understanding the whole of different communities and groups, has long been a means of observing and documenting behaviors, customs, and cultures within social sciences such as anthropology and sociology. Information systems, information organizations and libraries happen to be environments where this type of observational and participatory research can go a long way in problem solving. Understanding users, the way they work, and the various challenges they face when trying to locate, retrieve and use information are all ways to improve service to the public, and each may be investigated through the use of ethnographic methods. This type of qualitative approach does not exclude the integration of quantitative analysis and is, in fact, strengthened by its addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the changes in the role of librarians as information intermediaries due to the introduction of new forms of digital content brought about by modern information and communication technologies. The main focus is on the way in which these changes have affected the moral responsibilities of librarians. Six content trends are identified in support of this claim. These are: the growth in volume; amount of noise; sharing of content and information participation; personal space; collaboration and naive use. The ethical challenges of these six trends are discussed. Because of the unpredictability and uncontrollability of contemporary digital content, a case is made that the traditional model of retrospective responsibility, according to which responsibility is assigned based on causality, should be supplemented with a positive prospective model of responsibility according to which librarians also need to look ''forward'' anticipating possible harmful impacts of modern ICTs. It is also argued, based on the open and interactive nature of new forms of content, that there should be a form of shared and distributed responsibility, which should include not only librarians, but also Internet service providers, library users, and software designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the interaction of users with RFID lending- and return machines based on observations from four German libraries. The results indicate that the interaction generally works well. Users demonstrated both calmness and routine in working with the machines. The article suggests four areas in which the interaction could benefit from further design improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyse and compare the opening hours of 50 randomly selected university libraries in Austria, Germany, Canada and the USA. Thus we want to answer five concrete questions concerning opening hours, such as ''Is there a correlation between opening hours and size of a library?'' The study reveals for example that larger libraries have extended opening hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In library practice, nowadays user regulations are an essential and indispensable paper, because not only the conditions for use of the library are regulated, but in addition many details of general regulations and (legal) requirements of the library as well as regulations on fees and opening hours are defined. However, libraries consider user regulations usually not from the marketing point and are unconcerned about the effects on customers. In a communication strategy, however, all communication tools must be integrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prohibition and mandatory signs are standard in German libraries. Hardly a library wants to miss out. As part of a student seminar, the effect of these signs was studied, especially color and contrast effects but also and mainly effects on the customers. Are prohibitions and mandatories integrated into the communication strategy? The paper shows that the number of prohibition and mandatory signs in most libraries is very large, the design unprofessional-looking and the statements are often ambiguous. For the purposes of customer management the paper shows some alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project, ''Seeking Synchronicity: Evaluating Virtual Reference Services from User, Non-User, and Librarian Perspectives,'' studied the habits and needs of virtual reference services (VRS) users to identify characteristics for informing library system and service development. The results of the online surveys and telephone interviews for users of VRS are the focus of this paper. One hundred thirty-seven VRS users completed web-based online surveys and 76 completed telephone interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, grounded theme analyses, and the Critical Incident Technique. Findings indicate that participants had used other modes of reference service. However, they found chat reference to be the least intimidating mode. The leading factor for choosing VRS was convenience. Anytime/anywhere access to VRS, its immediacy, and efficiency were factors in service selection. Knowledgeable librarians with positive attitudes and good communication skills also were found to be critical. Results for members of the Net Gen were compared to those of older adults. Both Net Gen (Net Generation) and adult participants were likely to be repeat users and had positive reactions to VRS. Net Gens were more likely to use the service if it was recommended to them. It was also more desirable to the younger VRS users to have the ability to develop a personal relationship with the librarian and to interact with a specific, familiar librarian. Users of VRS want librarians to provide specific information quickly, through a variety of formats. This article provides implications and recommendations for practice and library education. Librarians need to provide accurate information in a variety of service modes in a hybrid reference model that provides convenient, authoritative, reliable services to meet an array of diverse needs and communication preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines amateur genealogists' satisfaction with a variety of available resources, ranging from specialized library services to search engines. Surveys were placed in both State Historical Society of Iowa libraries and sent to reading room librarians to uncover what resources users most value and why. Questions were also posed to uncover unmet information needs and determine user suggestions for improvement across resources. Findings indicate that preferences were not only limited to the institution or website accessed, but the type of information and its format, which may help guide library collection development policies to better address user needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the information-seeking behaviour of academic staff in the schools of medical sciences of Iran and to draw up a model of their information-seeking behaviour. A qualitative research method -- Grounded Theory -- was employed to carry out this research, analyze the data, and data were collected through interviews. Data analysis showed that the information-seeking behaviour of these Iranian Medical Schools' academic staff has seven stages: selecting subjects, searching information, retrieving information, browsing, gathering information sources, using information, and transferring information to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the home pages of Florida's public libraries for accessibility by people with disabilities. The evaluation includes every Florida public library system website, examining each home page of the 78 libraries offering websites. The study employed the WebXact online evaluation service to identify errors using compliance standards contained in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 legislation requires libraries to attain accessibility compliance, as all Florida libraries are recipients of federal funding. The hypotheses are: libraries with larger budgets and larger per capita income are more likely to have accessible websites. Of the 78 public library systems home pages examined, only 21 were found to be without accessibility errors. These findings indicate that 73% of the home pages had at least one major accessibility error based on Section 508 criteria. Additional findings indicate that accessibility performance is related to library income levels and income per service population. Presented research includes a legislative history of accessibility, with a section focusing on library website accessibility. Related accessibility studies are reviewed for comparability purposes and substantiation of findings. The study offers recommendations for improving accessibility and identifies opportunities for additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VD 18 feasibility study commissioned by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has been completed. Drawn up by an expert supported by an advisory committee, it deals with the structural, organisational and financial aspects of this major project. -- Here are some comments from the viewpoint of a specialist and future user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the university library in Oldenburg a new „learning space" was created at the cost of „traditional" library services. Thanks to a project for the organisational integration of IT services and library, it was possible for the first time to meet changed users' needs with an overall concept. As a result, library and IT services are now jointly available at one location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young adults form a significant proportion of library users all over the world. In Sierra Leone, however, this group of users is the most easily neglected in terms of collection development and the provision of library services. As this article explores public library services to young adult readers in Sierra Leone, it notes the characteristics of young adults, provides an overview of public library services in Sierra Leone, and outlines the programs provided in meeting the needs of this user group to meet the goal of service for all without distinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American libraries currently face a dramatic shift in how they are perceived, both by the public and by lawmakers. In order to preserve the traditional values observed by librarians, such as patron privacy and access to information, libraries must also preserve the traditional associations that have defined them. The value of libraries has been undermined by the threat of terrorism and the subsequent political pressure to find blame for the terrorist attacks. Librarians must choose whether or not to stick to the traditional library brand, or evolve and market libraries as something else. Without public support, definitions will not change easily. The American public still views the library as a place to read and find books, and this definition must prevail for libraries to retain their relevance in American life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norway currently has 362 academic, research and special libraries, most of which have developed websites to provide a variety of online services to users, including a growing number of part-time and distance education users. While most websites and services are provided in Norwegian only, forces of globalization are pushing institutions to provide an increasing range of services also in English. Based on an analysis of all 362 library websites, including a typical case sampling of three case studies, the article argues that an increasing amount of information will be made available in English on library websites, but that the process will stop short of full bilingual provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the roles of academic library Web sites, summarises the findings of research aimed at comparing the contents and usability of Polish and American academic library Web sites and presents conclusions regarding the basic functions they perform. Twenty-five Polish and 25 American Web sites were evaluated according to a detailed questionnaire prepared specially for this purpose. In total, 275 different elements of academic library Web sites were evaluated and analysed, including 237 elements regarding their contents and 38 regarding their usability. It became evident that these groups of Web sites differ significantly as regards to the contents but their usability features are quite similar. Generally speaking, as the research proved, Polish academic libraries treat their Web sites as "shop windows" and points of access to the information about their book collections (through OPACs). American academic libraries, on the other hand, tend to perform all their functions completely on the Web and have moved as many services and resources as they can to the new online and digital information environment. While the users of Polish Web sites are only informed about the services offered in "real life", those who use American Web sites - "virtual versions of libraries" - can complete their tasks and satisfy many of their information needs wholly on the Web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, information has become a major economic commodity and citizens need to be educated for productive information use from pre-school through postsecondary education. Libraries and librarians play an important role in the education of people for effective and efficient information use by teaching them information skills at all levels of education. Information literacy is defined and national standards for information skiffs teaching are presented. The standards and their application are discussed. Librarians' new role as instructors and partners in education in the United States is outlined in terms of preparing library users for productive information use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]