620 results on '"*LIBRARY users"'
Search Results
2. Book Banning Goes Digital: Libraries Suspending Their E-Book Services and the Complications It Poses for First Amendment Doctrine.
- Author
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Ferri, Catherine E.
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BANNED books , *DIGITAL libraries , *ELECTRONIC books , *LIBRARY users , *PUBLIC libraries , *SCHOOL libraries - Abstract
Book banning predates the United States and has survived and thrived in a splintered twenty-first century political climate. As the fight for the minds of the public continues, state and local governments have ramped up their efforts to ban books in public and school libraries. Public libraries, as limited public forums, must ensure their restrictions on access to information are reasonable and viewpoint neutral. School libraries receive some reprieve under a slightly more deferential Pico test. However, e-book services present a unique set of challenges. Also known as digital libraries, e-book services provide digital access to thousands of books, magazines, and other titles. Frequently, libraries will contract with e-book services, allowing library patrons access to titles beyond what libraries have in physical copy. However, a number of conservative states are attempting to restrict e-book services via legislation or blanket suspensions. This Note aims to make sense of e-book services and book banning against the backdrop of the First Amendment. Part I argues e-book services should be considered extensions of public libraries and public school libraries. It draws analogies from other, more established areas of law to propose e-book services are a part of the library under a nexus theory or another theory of government reliance. Part II argues banning or suspending a full e-book service is comparable to banning or suspending access to a whole section of the library to target one book--a violation of the First Amendment because it is politically motivated viewpoint discrimination. E-book services severely complicate First Amendment doctrine regarding book banning. This Note attempts to clarify the intersection between this new technology and longstanding Supreme Court precedent dictating state officials' right to ban books and patrons' right to read them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
3. Proposing an information value chain to improve information services to disabled library patrons using assistive technologies.
- Author
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Potnis, Devendra and Mallary, Kevin
- Subjects
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ACADEMIC libraries , *INFORMATION services , *LIBRARY users , *ASSISTIVE technology , *VALUE chains , *ACADEMIC librarians , *PUBLIC libraries - Abstract
Information services offered by academic libraries increasingly rely on assistive technologies (AT) to facilitate disabled patrons' retrieval and use of information for learning and teaching. However, disabled patrons' access to AT might not always lead to their use, resulting in the underutilization of information services offered by academic libraries. We adopt an inward-looking, service innovation perspective to improve information services for disabled patrons using AT. The open coding of qualitative responses collected from administrators and librarians in 186 academic libraries in public universities in the United States, reveals 10 mechanisms (i.e. modified work practices), which involve searching, compiling, mixing, framing, sharing, or reusing information, and learning from it. Based on this information-centric reorganisation of work practices, we propose an 'information value chain', like Porter's value chain, for improving information services to disabled patrons using AT in academic libraries, which is the major theoretical contribution of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. NEW LIBRARY DESIGN: Spaces that connect, cultivate, and transform communities.
- Author
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PIERCE, DENNIS
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LIBRARY design & construction , *PUBLIC library design & construction , *LIBRARY equipment , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARY materials , *LIBRARIES - Abstract
The article focuses on the new library design in the U.S., as of November 2021. Topics discussed examples of how the modern public library is much more than a place to borrow books, significance of the furnishings that libraries can play in enhancing the patron experience, and the adoption by many libraries of best practices from retail stores to highlight their collections.
- Published
- 2021
5. WORK IN PROGRESS.
- Author
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Kobert, Elizabeth
- Subjects
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LIBRARY users , *EMPLOYMENT , *LIBRARIES , *JOB offers , *INTERNET access - Abstract
The article discusses the work of public libraries to find employment and secure better jobs and promotions for library users in the U.S. Topics include increase seen by libraries across the country in the use of virtual career and business resources during the pandemic, initiatives that seek to address the needs of patrons who lack the reliable internet access to apply, interview and train for new jobs, and programs that target specific career paths created by some libraries.
- Published
- 2021
6. SURVEYING THE FIELD: RA BY THE NUMBERS.
- Author
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Wyatt, Neal
- Subjects
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READERS' advisory services , *PUBLIC libraries , *LIBRARY surveys , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIANS - Abstract
The article discusses the results of the "Library Journal's" 2021 survey on readers' advisory (RA) services in U.S. public libraries. Topics include the challenges reported by RA librarians, the necessity for multilingual RA resources, and the most useful question one asks patron when conducting one-to-one RA.
- Published
- 2021
7. MSW interns in the public library: a case study in community partnership.
- Author
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Cuseglio, Ralph
- Subjects
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PARTNERSHIPS in education , *PUBLIC libraries , *SCHOOLS of social work , *SOCIAL work students , *GRADUATE students , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
This article examines the partnership between the public library in Long Branch, New Jersey and Monmouth University School of Social Work and how these entities collaborate to meet the varied social service needs of library patrons. The objectives of the article are to introduce the concept of public libraries as an MSW field placement site and explain how such placements can address the needs of vulnerable and oppressed patrons. The article also discusses the potential benefits, challenges and considerations for schools of social work interested in placing MSW students in public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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8. Reaching academic library users during the COVID-19 pandemic: New and adapted approaches in access services.
- Author
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Decker, Emy Nelson
- Subjects
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ACADEMIC libraries , *COVID-19 pandemic , *LIBRARY public services , *ONLINE chat , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit academic libraries in the United States during the spring semester of 2020, forced librarians and staff to redouble their efforts to reach out to users in light of newly enforced safety measures such as building closures, quarantine periods, enforced social distancing, etc. This article describes three services—one adapted, one newly developed, and one a collaboration across several units on campus—to allow users to continue receiving the assistance and the materials they needed despite the obstacles inherent to the pandemic. Unexpectedly, these changes also helped streamline processes in a post-pandemic academic library environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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9. AMERICA’S STAR LIBRARIES.
- Author
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Lance, Keith Curry
- Subjects
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PUBLIC libraries , *LIBRARY surveys , *WIRELESS communications , *IEEE 802.11 (Standard) , *INTERNET access for library users , *LIBRARIES & the Internet - Abstract
The article focuses on the 2019 "Library Journal" Index of Public Library Service based on the most recent findings from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Library Survey, Fiscal Year 2017. It discusses the addition of Wireless Fidelity sessions to the measures used to determine the Star Libraries in the U.S. It presents the number of libraries that retained their Star status and of those that lost theirs. It also describes the factors that affect the Star status of libraries.
- Published
- 2019
10. Common Core and Common Good: Educational Standards and the Future of Libraries.
- Author
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Dickinson, Gail K., Kimmel, Sue C., and Doll, Carol A.
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COMMON Core State Standards , *LIBRARIES & education , *UNITED States education system , *EDUCATIONAL standards , *INQUIRY-based learning , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIES & students - Abstract
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) initiative for K-12 education has been adopted by 45 states and will have a broad impact on American education al institutions, including libraries. The CCSS focus on close reading of informational texts, inquiry learning, and college and career readiness with an emphasis on assessment and accountability. This research study used a focusgroup approach to provide a framework for asking school librarians from two states about the future of teaching and learning and th e types of challenges they envision for the future. The datacollected were then aligned with CCSS to better understand the p otential impact for patrons of all types of libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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11. Public Libraries, Evaluation, and E-government.
- Author
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Snead, John T.
- Subjects
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PUBLIC libraries , *INTERNET in public administration , *LIBRARY evaluation , *LIBRARIES & the Internet , *INTERNET access for library users , *DIGITAL divide , *LIBRARY education - Abstract
The article looks at the role of public libraries in providing access to government information in the U.S. It outlines the shift that has occurred in government information from print to digital formats and discusses challenges this poses to libraries, including inadequate Internet access capacity. It looks at various approaches to evaluating library services. Other topics include the digital divide and library and information science (LIS) education.
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- 2014
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12. From Dialup to Digital Inclusion: Leading the Way in Library Data.
- Author
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Crandall, Michael
- Subjects
- *
LIBRARIES & the Internet , *DIGITAL technology , *PUBLIC libraries , *INTERNET access for library users , *LIBRARY education ,UNIVERSITY of Maryland at Baltimore. College of Information Studies - Abstract
The article looks at the legacy of library science scholar and outgoing "Library Quarterly" editor John Carlo Bertot, focusing on the importance of his work in relation to the advent of the Internet and digital services in libraries. Topics include Bertot's research on the extent and implications of Internet access in U.S. public libraries and his influence on library science education during his tenure at the University of Maryland College of Information Studies.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
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13. His Early Years: Researching Public Library Connectivity.
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Davis, Denise M.
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HISTORY of library science , *LIBRARIES & the Internet , *INTERNET access for library users , *DIGITAL technology , *LIBRARIES , *LIBRARIES & state - Abstract
The article looks at the work of library science scholar John Carlo Bertot, outgoing editor of "Library Quarterly." It focuses on his work in assessing public libraries' Internet connectivity and engaging in a range of efforts to promote Internet use and digital access for the public through libraries. Topics include the 1990s Maryland state library network called Sailor and partnerships between libraries and related entities at the local, state, and national level in the U.S.
- Published
- 2014
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14. Public library lending programs increase radon testing in rural communities.
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Stanifer, Stacy R., Rademacher, Kathy, Beckett, Whitney, Simpson, King, Rayens, Mary Kay, Thaxton-Wiggins, Amanda, and Hahn, Ellen J.
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PUBLIC libraries , *RADON detectors , *LIBRARY circulation & loans , *RADON , *LIBRARY personnel , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, yet few Americans test their homes for radon, particularly in rural areas. The academic team and community partners engaged the public library systems in four rural counties to offer digital radon detectors for check-out as a means of increasing the public's access to free radon testing. The check-out procedures and instructional materials were created through an iterative process, and library personnel were educated on radon and home radon testing prior to launching the lending program. Library patrons reported high usability, feasibility, and acceptability of the program. Library patron-staff interactions mainly included discussions about the logistics of radon testing. Given that public libraries are invested in making communities thrive and promoting health, providing library lending programs for radon detectors is a novel, feasible, and acceptable way to reduce the risk of lung cancer in the community. • The radon detector library loan program was designed and evaluated using citizen science methods. • The radon detector library loan program was usable, feasible and acceptable to library patrons. • Library patrons were appreciative of having access to radon detector kits at no cost. • Public libraries can serve as partners to promote the health of communities. • Radon detector loan programs are innovative and attract community members who may not have otherwise utilized the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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15. Correction to: Sexual harassment disproportionately affects ecology and evolution graduate students with multiple marginalized identities in the United States.
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SEXUAL harassment , *GRADUATE students , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
This document is a correction to a previously published manuscript titled "Sexual harassment disproportionately affects ecology and evolution graduate students with multiple marginalized identities in the United States." The correction addresses an incomplete citation within an infographic in the supplementary data. The correct citation should include the authors' names, the title of the research article, the journal name, volume and issue number, page numbers, and the DOI. The correction provides the accurate citation for library patrons seeking more information on this topic. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2023
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16. Librarians' Attitudes Regarding Information and Internet Privacy.
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Zimmer, Michael
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LIBRARIANS' attitudes , *LIBRARIANS , *SURVEYS , *PRIVACY , *LIBRARY users , *INFORMATION resources management , *ETHICS - Abstract
This article reports findings from a new survey measuring librarians' views on privacy rights and protecting library users' privacy. The study, which builds on a 2008 American Library Association survey assessing librarians' attitudes about privacy, provides important data that will help privacy advocates evaluate the state of privacy in the United States and libraries' role in protecting library users' privacy. Overall, the results indicate a high level of concern among respondents over information privacy and a desire to control access and use of personal information, but they also reflect some shifts in privacy attitudes compared to the 2008 study. Implications are discussed for future advocacy and outreach by the American Library Association and related advocacy and educational groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. MENTAL WELLNESS.
- Author
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Peet, Lisa
- Subjects
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LIBRARIES , *LIBRARY personnel , *LIBRARY public services , *LIBRARY users , *MENTAL health , *PEOPLE with mental illness - Abstract
The article discusses the efforts by libraries in the U.S. to support patrons and library staff who are experiencing mental health challenges. Topics covered include proportion of U.S. adults who live with a mental illness as of 2017 according to the National Institute of Mental Health, best practices for library staff on dealing with patrons with mental illness, and information on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, a course developed by the National Council on Behavioral Health.
- Published
- 2019
18. Queering the Catalog: Queer Theory and the Politics of Correction.
- Author
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Drabinski, Emily
- Subjects
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CATALOGING , *QUEER theory , *INFORMATION science -- Social aspects , *CLASSIFICATION , *LIBRARY of Congress classification , *LIBRARY of Congress subject headings , *POLITICAL correctness , *SOCIOLINGUISTICS , *HOMOSEXUALITY & society , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
Critiques of hegemonic library classification structures and controlled vocabularies have a rich history in information studies. This project has pointed out the trouble with classification and cataloging decisions that are framed as objective and neutral but are always ideological and worked to correct bias in library structures. Viewing knowledge organization systems from a queer perspective, however, challenges the idea that classification and subject language can ever be finally corrected. Engaging queer theory and library classification and cataloging together requires new ways of thinking about how to be ethically and politically engaged on behalf of marginal knowledge formations and identities who quite reasonably expect to be able to locate themselves in the library. Queer theory invites a shift in responsibility from catalogers, positioned to offer functional solutions, to public services librarians, who can teach patrons to dialogically engage the catalog as a complex and biased text, just as critical catalogers do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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19. The Changing Role of Libraries: How Social Workers Can Help.
- Author
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Wahler, Elizabeth A., Provence, Mary A., Helling, John, and Williams, Michael A.
- Subjects
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SOCIAL workers , *LIBRARY users , *SOCIAL services , *HOMELESSNESS , *PUBLIC libraries , *SUBSTANCE abuse - Abstract
Public libraries in the United States are visited daily by vast numbers of people experiencing unmet psychosocial needs including poverty, homelessness, immigration concerns, mental health, substance abuse, and health problems. While some libraries have begun to hire or partner with social service personnel, many library staff are facing patron psychosocial crises without adequate training or resources. Various studies examine different facets of this issue; however, none examine how library staff perceive their role, patron psychosocial needs, library responsibility to address psychosocial needs, and policy and program recommendations. This study addresses that gap and presents needs assessment results from a large metropolitan public library system. Recommendations are included for how social workers can help libraries meet patron psychosocial needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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20. LITERACY ACCESS THROUGH STORYTIME: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY STORYTELLERS IN A LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD.
- Author
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Young, Tiffany T., Sarroub, Loukia K., and Babchuk, Wayne A.
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PUBLIC libraries , *EMERGENT literacy , *STORYTELLERS , *LIBRARY users , *LITERACY programs , *NEIGHBORHOODS - Abstract
While early literacy achievement continues to be stratified by social class in the United States, public libraries often offer programs such as "storytime" in order to bolster the literacy development of youth in their communities. The purpose of the present ethnographic study was to explore how storytellers recruited and maintained participation in this free literacy program in a lower-income neighborhood. Via participant observations, semi-structured interviews, and artifact collection, storytellers recruited new patrons to storytime by (1) appealing to community members to enter the physical space of the library and (2) appealing to library patrons to attend storytime. Once patrons attended storytime, storytellers acted in order to maintain storytime attendance by (1) facilitating meaningful learning experiences, (2) fostering enjoyment through participation, (3) developing nurturing relationships, and (4) offering flexibility in storytime expectations. By exploring a contextualized account of the work of storytellers, the findings suggest important avenues through which public programs may contribute to more equitable access to literacy learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
21. THE INTERNET AND THE EVOLUTION OF LIBRARY RESEARCH: THE PERSPECTIVE OF ONE LONGITUDINAL STUDY.
- Author
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Jaeger, Paul T., Thompson, Kim M., and Lazar, Jonathan
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LIBRARY digital resources , *PUBLIC library digital resources , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARY finance , *FINANCING of public libraries , *COMPUTER network resources - Abstract
The article discusses the impact of the Internet on library research, public libraries, and public library research. It examines the methods of the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study. The authors assert that the Internet has allowed libraries to add capacity to library research. The article briefly discusses the technological environment prior to the Internet and studies sponsored by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and the American Library Association (ALA).
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- 2012
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22. Authentication and Access: Accommodating Public Users in an Academic World.
- Author
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Weber, Lynne and Lawrence, Peg
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AUTHENTICATION (Law) , *LIBRARY users , *ACADEMIC libraries , *GOVERNMENT publications , *COMPUTER passwords , *HIGH school students , *LITERATURE reviews - Abstract
In the fall of 2004, the Academic Computing Center, a division of the Information Technology Services Department (ITS) at Minnesota State University, Mankato took over responsibility for the computers in the public areas of Memorial Library. For the first time, affiliated Memorial Library users were required to authenticate using a campus username and password, a change that effectively eliminated computer access for anyone not part of the university community. This posed a dilemma for the librarians. Because of its Federal Depository status, the library had a responsibility to provide general access to both print and online government publications for the general public. Furthermore, the library had a long tradition of providing guest access to most library resources, and there was reluctance to abandon the practice. Therefore the librarians worked with ITS to retain a small group of six computers that did not require authentication and were clearly marked for community use, along with several standup, open-access computers on each floor used primarily for searching the library catalog. The additional need to provide computer access to high school students visiting the library for research and instruction led to more discussions with ITS and resulted in a means of generating temporary usernames and passwords through a Web form. These user accommodations were implemented in the library without creating a written policy governing the use of open-access computers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
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23. GAY MEN'S BOOK CLUBS VERSUS WISCONSIN'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES: POLITICAL PERCEPTIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF DIALOGUE.
- Author
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Pruitt, John
- Subjects
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LIBRARIES & gay people , *BOOK clubs (Discussion groups) , *LIBRARIES , *PUBLIC libraries , *INTERGROUP communication , *COLLECTIVE memory , *LIBRARIES & community , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
Because of an absence of dialogue, a tense relationship appears to exist between Wisconsin's gay men's book discussion groups and their local public libraries. Public library directors express interest in accommodating these groups if approached but face budget restrictions and local communities that may oppose these gatherings; gay men's book clubs prefer meeting in private homes and other openly gay-friendly environments largely because of the conservatism of cultural institutions in their collective memories. This qualitative study argues that, with consistent dialogues, gay discussion groups can help public libraries achieve their missions of diversifying their patrons, collections, and services, and that public libraries can assist gay communities with establishing themselves in the city or county's history by hosting visible public discussions of gay texts as markers of an entire community's cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
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24. THE IMPACTS OF FREE PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS ON PUBLIC LIBRARY PATRONS AND COMMUNITIES.
- Author
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Bertot, John Carlo, McClure, Charles R., and Jaeger, Paul T.
- Subjects
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INTERNET access for library users , *PUBLIC libraries , *PUBLIC access computers in libraries , *COMMUNITY services , *LIBRARY science - Abstract
Public libraries have evolved into a primary source of Internet access in many communities, generating wide-ranging impacts in the communities that public libraries serve. Based on the findings of the 2007 Public Libraries and the Internet study, this article examines the ways in which the Internet access delivered by public libraries affects their communities. This article describes the public access technology roles of public libraries and explores the relationships among community impacts, community expectations, and public policies related to libraries. The analysis emphasizes the effects of future Internet platforms and applications and online communities on the community impacts. This article also examines ways in which to measure these impacts from other perspectives, including developing a means of assessing the users' perceptions of the impacts of public library Internet access in their own lives and in their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Libraries and the USA PATRIOT Act: Values in Conflict.
- Author
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Matz, Chris
- Subjects
- *
FEDERAL legislation , *PROFESSIONAL ethics of librarians , *LIBRARY users , *RESISTANCE to government ,PATRIOT Act of 2001 - Abstract
The USA PATRIOT Act (USAPA) celebrated its sixth anniversary in 2007 as an omnibus measure for granting expanded authority to federal officials for monitoring and intercepting communications in all formats. The great majority of USAPA is now permanent law, with only two of its original 16 sections operating under sunset clauses. One of those sections is the controversial 215, which grants greater access to "any tangible item" via Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) request procedures. Librarians interpreted that clause to include their records on patron activity and have therefore vigorously protested the federal government's challenge to their professional ethics and their patrons' privacy. It is a measure of their successful resistance that Section 215 remains open to review until 31 December 2009 and that the federal government felt obliged to specifically cite libraries as exempt from being issued National Security Letters (NSL). It is a measure of how far libraries have yet to go that the federal government still claims libraries are not "electronic communication service providers" and therefore not eligible to be served with NSLs, a position not held by any other concerned entity. As in so many other aspects of American culture since 11 September 2001, the struggle between individual liberties and national security continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Public Libraries and Internet Access across the United States: A Comparison by State 2004-2006.
- Author
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Jaeger, Paul T., Bertot, John Carlo, McClure, Charles R., and Rodriguez, Miranda
- Subjects
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PUBLIC libraries , *INTERNET access for library users , *LIBRARIES & the Internet , *PUBLIC access computers in libraries , *INTERNET , *GOVERNMENT libraries , *LIBRARIES & state , *LIBRARIES - Abstract
Drawing upon findings from a national survey of U.S. public libraries, this paper examines trends in Internet and public computing access in public libraries across states from 2004 to 2006. Based on library-supplied information about levels and types of Internet and public computing access, the authors offer insights into the network-based content and services that public libraries provide. Examining data from 2004 to 2006 reveals trends and accomplishments in certain states and geographic regions. This paper details and discusses the data, identifies and analyzes issues related to Internet access, and suggests areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
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27. Does a Border Make a Difference? Library Instruction in the United States and Canada.
- Author
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Willingham, Patricia, Carder, Linda, and Milison-Martula, Christopher
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LIBRARY orientation , *LIBRARIES , *CONFERENCES & conventions , *LIBRARIANS , *LIBRARY users , *COLLEGE curriculum , *COLLEGE teachers , *LIBRARY administration - Abstract
A brief historical overview of the library instruction scene in the United States and Canada, an analysis of library instruction conference themes, and the identification of perceptions of librarians attending the LOEX, WILU, and LOEX of the West conferences in 2000 and 2001 reveal that the border may be responsible for significant differences between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Avoiding Accidental Tourism: Reference Resources for Travel Research.
- Author
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Krupar, Ellen M. and Auer, Nicole J.
- Subjects
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TOURISM , *REFERENCE sources , *TRAVEL research , *WEBSITES , *LIBRARY users , *INFORMATION scientists , *LIBRARY reference services , *VOYAGES & travels - Abstract
Tourism's size and importance are underrated. National Geographic speculates that tourism is the largest industry in the world, generating one trillion dollars a year, and just. for the United States, travel receipts for 2002 were $67,451,000. For all of that activity, most patrons and librarians are only aware of booking Web sites such as Travelocity. This paper will discuss industry-specific sites that offer information for researchers and for travelers interested in going off the beaten path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
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29. Concurrent Validity of LibQUAL+TM Scores: What Do LibQUAL+TM Scores Measure?
- Author
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Thompson, Bruce, Cook, Colleen, and Kyrillidou, Martha
- Subjects
- *
LIBRARY science , *AMERICAN English language , *EDUCATIONAL tests & measurements , *ACADEMIC librarians , *LIBRARIES & education , *EDUCATIONAL sociology , *LIBRARIES & students , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
The present study investigated the validity of LibQUAL+™ scores, and specifically how total and subscale LibQUAL+™ scores are associated with self-reported, library-related satisfaction and outcomes scores. Participants included 88,664 students and faculty who completed the American English (n™ = 69,494) or the British English (nBE = 19,170) LibQUAL+™ language versions in the 2004 data collection cycle. Results suggest that LibQUAL+™ scores primarily measure satisfaction rather than outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Distance Education Librarians in the U.S. ARL Libraries and Library Services Provided to their Distance Users.
- Author
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Yang, Zheng Ye (Lan)
- Subjects
- *
DISTANCE education , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIES & education , *LIBRARIES & students , *LIBRARIANS - Abstract
This paper examines the extent to which US. Association of Research Libraries (ARL) are providing services to their distance education library patrons, it reveals whether each U.S. ARL library has a designated librarian in charge of services to distance education students, and it presents the perceived challenges faced by distance education librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
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31. Identifying University Professors' Information Needs in the Challenging Environment of Information and Communication Technologies.
- Author
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Jankowska, Maria Anna
- Subjects
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LIBRARY use studies , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARY research , *COLLEGE teachers , *HIGHER education - Abstract
The article presents the results of a Web-based survey on usage of information and communication technologies by college professors at the University for Idaho (UI) for research and teaching. As of 2004, higher education is facing two major challenges, namely, shrinking budgets and a trend toward continuously expanding development of information and communication technologies. Constant monitoring for unwasteful management of taxpayers' money impacted changes in the higher education business model from a not-for-profit to for-profit model. Consequently, academic libraries, which are almost fully dependent on university budgets, quickly implemented a management idea to do more with less money. The UI is a land-grant institution with the primary responsibility for doctoral degrees, research programs, and professional public service for the state. The UI has only one main library with northwest special collections, and regular collections reflecting the land-grant tradition of emphasis on the basic sciences, agriculture, and natural resources while providing support in the fields of basic humanities, and social sciences. Since 1995, the library has had a presence on the World Wide Web that provides access to records for the entire print and electronic collection via an online catalog with access to WorldCat bibliographic records.
- Published
- 2004
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32. Library Services For Pharmacy and Health Sciences Students: Results of a Survey.
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Lapidus, Mariana
- Subjects
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LIBRARY surveys , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIES & students , *LIBRARIES & schools , *ACADEMIC libraries - Abstract
Presents the results of a library service survey conducted at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston in January and February 2002. Background on the college; Factors affecting the satisfaction of library users; Main reasons for students to use Sheppard Library; Libraries used by students besides Sheppard Library; Things that are lacking in the Sheppard Library collection.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Cultural Diversity and Undergraduates' Academic Library Use.
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Whitmire, Ethelene
- Subjects
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COLLEGE students , *LIBRARY users , *ETHNIC groups , *ACADEMIC libraries - Abstract
Presents a study which explored the differences in the academic library use of undergraduate ethnic groups in the U.S. Racial characteristics of undergraduates; Percentage statistics on the college experiences of ethnic groups; Assessment of academic library usage.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Improving Library Users' Perceived Quality, Satisfaction and Loyalty: An Integrated Measurement and Management System.
- Author
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Martensen, Anne and Gronholdt, Lars
- Subjects
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LIBRARY user satisfaction , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARY science , *PUBLISHING - Abstract
Deals with a study which described the development and application of a structural equation model on the satisfaction and loyalty of library users in the U.S. Effect of the collection of printed publications on satisfaction of library users; Results from an action-oriented perspective; Implications of the satisfaction and loyalty model on literature studies.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
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35. Barbarians at the Gates: A Half-Century of Unaffiliated Users in Academic Libraries.
- Author
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Courtney, Nancy
- Subjects
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LIBRARY users , *HISTORY of libraries , *ACADEMIC libraries , *TWENTIETH century - Abstract
Examines the literature on unaffiliated users' access to academic libraries since the 1950s. Librarians who have contributed to the public use of academic libraries; Reasons for the increased demand of unaffiliated users for libraries; Number of libraries in Virginia which allowed free borrowing to outside users throughout the 1980s; Surveys which reported on policies toward external users.
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Laser Printing at Public Workstations: User Behaviors and Attitudes.
- Author
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Hart, Richard L., Olson, John A., and Simmonds, Patience L.
- Subjects
- *
LASER printers , *LIBRARY users , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *LIBRARIES - Abstract
Presents the results of a survey of library users at Pennsylvania's Penn State University following the introduction of free laser printing. Tendency of students' printing to focus on their curricular needs; Sensitivity to the issue of wasteful printing; Willingness to pay for printing.
- Published
- 2001
37. ePrograms: A Gathering of Resources.
- Author
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Creel, Stacy
- Subjects
- *
LIBRARIES , *LIBRARY resources , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIANS - Published
- 2021
38. SUMMER HOT SPOTS.
- Author
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HINTON, MARVA
- Subjects
- *
PUBLIC libraries , *COVID-19 pandemic , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIANS , *DIGITAL libraries - Abstract
The article discusses the online offerings by public libraries in the U.S. in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic in summer of 2020. Topics covered include the move by Scottsville Library in Scottsville, Virginia to go virtual with its programming according to branch manager Megan England, the main goal at the Normal (Illinois) Public Library to make sure that young patrons keep reading this summer, and common concern among librarians who are trying to keep summer programs afloat strictly online.
- Published
- 2020
39. Trends in Public Library Design from the 19th to the 21st Centuries.
- Author
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Gisolfi, Peter A.
- Subjects
- *
NINETEENTH century , *TWENTY-first century , *LIBRARY users , *CULTURAL centers , *CONFERENCE rooms , *LIBRARY orientation , *PUBLIC libraries - Abstract
In the early 19th century, public libraries in America tended toward grand appearances befitting seriousness of purpose. Library design changed gradually throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and more dramatically with automation and new technology. True to its roots, the public library continues to maintain areas for quiet, individual study. But, in addition, today's library has become a cultural center in the community, offering art galleries, auditoriums, meeting rooms, spaces for collaborative work, digital information and instruction, and even cafés. Change is inevitable, as innovations in library design and patron use illustrate. Yet, from the earliest libraries to modern times, one overarching constant defines their purpose: libraries inspire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Journals, Subjects, and Authors of Research Literature on Public Libraries: An Analysis.
- Author
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Adkins, Denice
- Subjects
- *
PUBLIC libraries , *PUBLIC library research , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARY science literature , *AUTHORSHIP - Abstract
Scholarly or research-based journal articles related to public librarianship and public libraries are posited in previous literature as not being useful to the public library practitioner, and potentially less valuable to the researcher than other forms of research. Building off previous research, this article explores journal-based public library research literature to determine the trends in authorship, coverage, and venues. Publication venues are relatively static, with Public Library Quarterly and Library Quarterly publishing most public library research literature. LIS educators and public librarians dominate authorship of public library research, and the topical coverage of that research is gradually evolving in response to new technologies and a renewed focus on user services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Ethnography in Student-Owned Spaces: Using Whiteboards to Explore Learning Communities and Student Success.
- Author
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Sandelli, Anna and Cunningham, Sojourna J.
- Subjects
- *
LEARNING communities , *WHITEBOARDS , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARY research , *ACADEMIC libraries , *ETHNOLOGY , *NONFORMAL education - Abstract
"Student success" and the "user experience" are terms that have gained prominence in conversations around the ways in which academic libraries support and engage with their student populations. Ethnographic methods provide a unique opportunity to incorporate student voices into these conversations. This study reports on a longitudinal ethnographic study conducted at two academic libraries in the United States. Through a semi-structured participatory approach using whiteboards, the researchers garnered more than 2,000 responses. By coding that qualitative data, the researchers were able to examine student usage of library spaces, how students create informal learning communities within these spaces, and how students define success for themselves. The research specifically highlights the importance of using transitional spaces within libraries, highly visible communal spaces not specifically set aside for academic purposes to gather participatory data. This article shares key findings to inform both library practice and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Eighteen Blind Library Users' Experiences with Library Websites and Search Tools in U.S. Academic Libraries: A Qualitative Study.
- Author
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Mulliken, Adina
- Subjects
- *
LIBRARY websites , *ACADEMIC libraries , *TELEPHONE interviewing , *LIBRARY users , *INTERNET - Abstract
Telephone interviews were conducted with 18 blind academic library users around the United States about their experiences using their library and its website. The study uses the perspective that blind users' insights are fundamental. A common theme was that navigating a webpage is time consuming on the first visit. Issues identified include the need for "databases" to be defined on the homepage, accessibly coded search boxes, logical heading structure, and several problems to be resolved on result pages. Variations in needs depending on users' screen-reader expertise were also raised. Suggestions for libraries to address these issues are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. THE LIBRARY IS IN.
- Author
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Michaelson Monaghan, Elizabeth
- Subjects
- *
PUBLIC libraries , *PUBLIC libraries -- Social aspects , *HEALTH education , *HEALTH literacy , *LIBRARY public services -- Social aspects , *OPEN data movement , *LIBRARY users , *NURSES , *COLLECTIVE action -- Social aspects , *HEALTH - Abstract
The article discusses the author's claim that the implementation of innovative ideas and programs at U.S. public libraries is helping library patrons find reliable wellness information and health-related aid as of 2016, and it mentions an open access movement and health literacy in America. Library nurses in places such as Arizona are examined, along with health care collaborations involving libraries in Sale Lake County, Utah and South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Published
- 2016
44. There is Nothing Inherently Mysterious about Assistive Technology: A Qualitative Study about Blind User Experiences in US Academic Libraries.
- Author
-
Mulliken, Adina
- Subjects
- *
ACADEMIC library use studies , *ATTITUDES of library users , *LIBRARIES & the blind , *ACADEMIC librarians , *ACADEMIC libraries - Abstract
Eighteen academic library users who are blind were interviewed about their experiences with academic libraries and the libraries' websites using an open-ended questionnaire and recorded telephone interviews. The study approaches these topics from a user-centered perspective, with the idea that blind users themselves can provide particularly reliable insights into the issues and potential solutions that are most critical to them. Most participants used reference librarians' assistance, and most had positive experiences. High-level screen reader users requested help with specific needs. A larger number of participants reported contacting a librarian because of feeling overwhelmed by the library website. In some cases, blind users and librarians worked verbally without the screen reader. Users were appreciative of librarians' help but outcomes were not entirely positive. Other times, librarians worked with users to navigate with a screen reader, which sometimes led to greater independence. Some users expressed satisfaction with working with librarians verbally, particularly if websites did not seem screen reader user friendly, but many users preferred independence. Participants agreed it would be helpful if librarians knew how to use screen readers, or at least if librarians were familiar enough with screen readers to provide relevant verbal cues. Many users liked and used chat reference and many preferred Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) to learn citation style, though learning citation style was challenging. Questions such as reference librarians' role when eresources are not equally accessible deserve wider discussion in the library literature and in practice. Given the challenges described by the research participants and legal requirements for equally effective electronic and information technologies, libraries and librarians should approach reference services for blind users more proactively. Recommendations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Internet Access In Public Libraries: Results of an End User Targeted Pilot Study, 1997-2000.
- Author
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Kibirige, Harry M.
- Subjects
- *
PUBLIC libraries , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
Presents study results concerning internet access in public libraries in New York, New York. Rights of the public to information; Statistics of households using the Internet; Significance for an educational training in the use of electronic resources.
- Published
- 2001
46. State of America's Libraries Looks at Year of COVID-19.
- Author
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Peet, Lisa
- Subjects
- *
LIBRARIES , *ACADEMIC libraries , *LIBRARY users - Abstract
The article discusses the annual State of America's Library Report released by the American Library Association (ALA) on April 15, 2021 which focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and how public, school, and academic libraries worked to meet patrons' and communities' needs. Topics include comments from ALA President Julius C. Jefferson Jr., ALA's own stories which were included in the report, and critical resources for the report's broad mandate.
- Published
- 2021
47. “A Home for Me When I Am So Far from Home”: Perceptions of Libraries by Immigrant Mothers in Language Acquisition and Cultural Acclimation.
- Author
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Branyon, Angela P.
- Subjects
- *
WOMEN immigrants , *SECOND language acquisition , *LIBRARY users , *PUBLIC libraries , *LANGUAGE acquisition , *IMMIGRANT families , *ADULTS , *ADULT education - Abstract
This phenomenological study examines the unique perceptions of immigrant women concerning the public library as a meeting place, a support to integration into American culture, and a provider of programs for acquisition of the English language. The library offers a place for observing the culture of the new country from a distance to active participation; it is an arena for comfort and consolation in a difficult life situation as well as an arena for activity and participation. It provides support in developing friendships, acclimating to a new culture, learning a new language, and providing avenues to employment. Three mothers, who fulfilled the criteria for the study, were selected from an initial focus group. Women from Kurdistan, Mexico, and Indonesia were interviewed individually to gain an understanding on the issues brought forth in the focus group. They participated in interviews over the course of 6 months. These programs became a fortuitous blending of an established community with a group of families looking for a support community in a new country. This study has implications for institutions serving immigrants as they look to find a community of support, to learn English, and to acclimate to American culture as they create a comfortable identity that blends their home country with the new country. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Young Adult Use of Ebooks: An Analysis of Public Library Services and Resources.
- Author
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Gray, Robyn and Howard, Vivian
- Subjects
- *
ELECTRONIC books , *RECREATIONAL reading , *LIBRARY users , *PUBLIC librarians , *PUBLIC libraries , *TEENAGERS - Abstract
An online survey distributed to librarians at public libraries across North America established some interesting trends in public librarians’ perceptions of ebooks and teens. Some of the findings of this study are that teen library users strongly prefer to read print books for their recreational reading and show very little interest in ebooks or ebook programs offered by public libraries. Survey respondents indicate that teen library users remain largely unaware of or disinterested in the advantages of ebooks in providing them a convenient, private, and customizable recreational reading experience. Even when public librarians offer ebook programs for teens through school outreach, these programs tend to focus on the titles in the collection and the download process, rather than the specific benefits of ebook reading. More active promotion of these advantages could potentially appeal to teens, especially to non-library users and reluctant readers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. BiblioTech: Closing the Gap between Traditional and Digital Literacy.
- Author
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Cole, Laura
- Subjects
- *
DIGITAL libraries , *PUBLIC libraries , *COMPUTER literacy , *LIBRARY users , *LIBRARIES & community - Abstract
In 2013, Bexar County launched BiblioTech, the first all digital public library in the United States. BiblioTech capitalizes on technology to reach beyond the library walls and integrate the public library in facets of everyday life previously unavailable through paper and print. At its core, BiblioTech changes the traditional understanding of how libraries operate. BiblioTech’s digital model prompts a paradigm shift and challenges the library to seek out new ways to serve otherwise disengaged patron populations. This article discusses the launch of BiblioTech---its impetus, mission, timeline, and challenges. The evolution of BiblioTech over its first four years of operation is presented, along with various community and intergovernmental partnerships that the library has forged in fulfillment of its mission. Finally, future opportunities and plans for development are also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Displacement or complementarity? Assessing the relationship between social media and public library usage in the U.S., South Korea, and Singapore.
- Author
-
Sin, Sei-Ching Joanna and Kwon, Nahyun
- Subjects
- *
SOCIAL media , *PUBLIC libraries , *LIBRARY users , *REGRESSION analysis , *INFORMATION literacy - Abstract
The relevancy of public libraries is often called into question, with some saying that library services have been or will be displaced by, among other things, new media such as social media. This study tested this displacement hypothesis with survey data collected from three nations (the U.S.: N = 879; South Korea: N = 700; and Singapore: N = 987). Ordinal regressions were used to investigate the relationship between the use of social media and nine public library services, taking into account individual demographic differences. The results show that for all three nations, social media use has significant complementary relationships with all nine library services examined. Computer and information literacy training showed the largest effect size. However, signs of displacement effects were observed in the odds ratio statistics, particularly among daily social media users and in reference services, library visits, and time spent in the library, suggesting that where displacement is concerned, these areas warrant extra attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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