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People with spinal cord damage (SCD) report a high level of GP use. There is a dearth of research investigating factors that contribute to GP identification and retention for people with SCD. Furthermore, a GP satisfaction measure developed specifically for people with SCD is non-existent. This preliminary study sought to identify factors contributing to GP identification and retention. A total of 266 people with SCD primarily based in Queensland, Australia, completed a cross-sectional survey that aimed to fill these knowledge gaps. Descriptive statistics and correlational analyses clarified the factors contributing to GP identification and GP retention respectively. An exploratory factor analysis utilising the principal components analysis method clarified a set of items that could underpin key domains for a SCD-specific GP satisfaction measure. The findings confirm that knowledge about SCD, physically accessible services, and trust are seminal considerations aligned with GP identification and retention for people with SCD. A dearth of research investigates GP satisfaction among people who have experienced neurotrauma, with specific measures of GP satisfaction being non-existent. This study identifies the factors contributing to GP retention for people with spinal cord damage and establishes domains for a GP satisfaction measure, and model of GP satisfaction. The findings clarify that knowledge of condition and trust are factors important to include in a future measure and model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In April 2010 a survey was sent electronically to 40,000 members of Sunshine Coast Libraries to ascertain their use of ebooks and eAudiobooks. This was followed in April 2011 by a survey to identify changes in the electronic behavior and expectations of library members. The results indicate a high level of interest in ebooks and eAudiobooks, and a strong interest in emerging technologies such as iPhones, iPads, and Kindle. These trends present public libraries with the challenge of advocating for and rapidly growing their virtual offerings, and becoming effective advisers to their users about such emerging technologies and their capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of Sunshine Coast library users indicates that there is a high level of interest in ebooks and e-audiobooks and also that there is strong demand for technologies such as the iPhone, iPad and Amazon's Kindle. These local trends, mirrored internationally, present public libraries with a challenge to dramatically improve their virtual offerings, or lose relevance in this emerging high growth area. They also have a responsibility to play a leadership educational role in informing their communities about e-readers, content and associated trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smarketing (Smarter marketing) while not necessarily limited to electronic means, requires libraries and their management teams to rethink and reinvent marketing and promotional strategies. In an operating environment where library budgets are under pressure, and there are increasing demands on the times of both users and nonusers messages must be targeted, easily accessible and the results monitored closely to ensure continued relevance. Described is how the Learning Communities Branch of the new Sunshine Coast Regional Council in Queensland approaches and analyses marketing and promotion through an electronic newsletter to library members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing populations, changing demographics, ageing infrastructure, and the growing expectations of residents are all factors contributing to demands on the finances of local government councils. Now is the time for library managers to be able to translate the value of the services they provide to the community into language able to be understood by politicians and others. To successfully compete for funds with other areas of council, library managers need to develop tools and documents demonstrating the economic benefits which libraries deliver to the community. While there is no international consensus on the most appropriate methodology to apply to calculating the value of libraries, this paper applies a model used in Southwestern Ohio, to the nine libraries of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in Queensland. The result was a return of $5.45 per dollar invested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]