State higher vocational school libraries – an attempt at characterization on the basis of questionnaire survey

Abstract

Introduction: At present there are 36 state higher vocational schools in Poland. Each of them hosts a library, which is an indispensable element of the process of higher education. Aim of the study: The purpose of the study is to outline a characteristics of the academic libraries which have been functioning since the beginnings of state higher vocational schools in Poland.Material and methods: The basic method used was an analysis of a survey of 20 libraries that had responded to the survey (out of the 36 existing ones). The questionnaire contained both closed and open questions. The study included several self-chosen library activity areas and a few selected functionality indicators. Results: Most of the libraries surveyed share space with other university units. The prevailing use area is up to 100 thousand m2, with the storage area being up to 100 thousand volumes. All the libraries provide free access to shelves; 12 of them run science information centres. Using Internet home pages with a view to communicating with a reader is still not common. Formally, 13 libraries have created special departments , but none has had heads of the departments appointed. Only 3 libraries have had deputy directors appointed. A functionality indicator comparison has demonstrated that state higher vocational school libraries are very close to public university libraries; when compared to private university libraries, however, their results are very often higher.Conclusions: State higher vocational school libraries form a specific network of university libraries and fulfil similar tasks at the same time and at the same level as most academic libraries in Poland. Their specifics is indicated by less extensive organizational structure, smaller use and storage areas as well as non-autonomous budget implemented from the central level of a university