Library Patrons Research Articles

Result Analysis of Impact of ICT in Current ERA

Now more than ever, libraries rely heavily on various forms of digital communication and information storage to provide quality services (ICT). This research aims to categories library technologies into their historical and contemporary forms. Objectives the purpose of this research is to catalogue library and information technology components that are currently in use or being developed. Findings from the study pinpoints the specific justifications for library patrons to make use of digital resources. More than that, it outlines the ICT-based library system's functions, effects, and difficulties.

Spiritual needs and modern librarianship: a survey of practising librarians in a Western context

Introduction. This study aimed to highlight the perceptions of spiritual needs in modern librarianship through a survey administered amongst practising librarians primarily in the USA and UK. In addition, this study contributes to the conceptualisation of the spiritual in library settings and discussions on service provision within Western libraries. Methods. We used a mixed-methods approach which collected quantitative and qualitative data through one survey. Analysis. We analysed the responses through descriptive statistics and thematic coding. Results. Librarians connected spiritual needs with humanness, emotions, wellbeing, religion and culture. Spiritual needs associated with love/belonging/respect and positivity/gratitude/hope/peace were perceived more often than those associated with resolution/death and the divine. The need to perform religious/ spiritual rituals and participate in religious/spiritual services was regarded as the least important to consider in modern librarianship. Conclusions. Our findings 1) Support prior research that conceptualises modern libraries as spaces for contemplation and spirituality; 2) Provide an account of how librarians understand the concept of spiritual needs; 3) Indicate librarians’ perceptions of the prevalence of spiritual needs amongst library patrons; 4) Highlight the perceived importance of considering spiritual needs in modern libraries.

Beyond Resilience

This collection of three studies investigated children’s frequency of access to school and public library materials as well as format preferences and resources used to access reading materials prior to, during, and predicted after the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of parents of children ages 2-18 was conducted which included demographics and other factors. Data were analyzed for significant differences over time and by subgroup. Results indicate that children’s frequency of access to reading materials was negatively influenced by school and library closures and limited access. The child’s age and school environment were influencing factors. Results also indicate differences in format preferences and types of resources used to access reading materials over time. Educators of school and public librarians hold a responsibility to instruct LIS students to prepare for resilience by teaching library patrons how to access and enjoy digital materials in transformative times.

Archives Management and Service Delivery: The Case of Kenya National Archives and Documentation Services

Service delivery within the context of public service is key in sustaining the general wellbeing of the nation while contributing towards general development. Therefore, sound management of records contributes towards effectiveness and efficiency in delivery of public services. This also improves the quantity of information available for enhancing the level of accountability. Hence, this study was an assessment of archives management and service delivery with reference to Kenya National Archives and documentation services. The study specifically focused on; examining the effect of Professional archival management establishing the barriers, and assessing the effect of process control, on service delivery at the Kenya national archives and documentation services. The significance of the study would benefit the government for planning purposes to meet her vision 2030 goals in Service quality delivery. The design to be adopted by this inquiry was the case study which took quantitative approach. The sample of the inquiry covered five record management staff, 12 staff in top management levels, 28 action officers, 36 staff at clerical level and 19 staff from registry department. The key tool for gathering the views of the participants were the questionnaire alongside the interview guides. Prior to gathering of the information, the questionnaire was tested to ensure it was valid and reliable enough. The process of the information gathered was done with aid of content analysis for the open ended responses. For the responses in their quantitative form, frequencies, correlation and regression analysis was embraced. The study found that archival service professionals, archival service process control, user perception and barriers had a positive significant influence on service delivery with reference Kenya national archives and documentation services. The study concluded that the archival service professionals provide important benefits and services, such as organizing and maintaining the documentary record of institutions, groups, and individuals. Archival service process control provides user a greater control over their electronic records, easy to locate documents via keywords or a barcode, the documents are held on secure premises and only authorized personnel have access to them. Users had a negative attitude towards the adoption of digital records management and the extent to which they were willing to adopt digital records management was low and the barriers included poor pay for Kenyan civil servants has resulted in poor performance in terms of service delivery. The study recommended that the organization should provide support from the management staff by enabling them to understand both tangible and non-tangible benefits of records. There should be a creation and execution of records management programs, the revision of archival legislation, the integration of archival institutions under significant and influential government ministries, the development of archives and records management capacity, and the improvement of information access. In order to increase user perception, the organization should provide improvements on its current records management so as to enable management to obtain records that can help them make proper short term and long term plans to facilitate effective and efficient service delivery. The government should introduce E-Government library services, which can have a significant impact on how services are delivered to library patrons.

Provision of health-related information for immigrant patrons in public libraries in a large US city

PurposePublic libraries can help immigrants adjust to life in the USA, including maintaining health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to understand how immigrants use public libraries and how library staff provide health-related information and services for immigrant audiences.Design/methodology/approachThis study used semistructured interviews with library staff (n = 9) and immigrant library patrons (n = 10), representing multiple first languages and countries of origin from two different library locations within a large public library system in a US mid-Atlantic city.FindingsStaff reported offering many health-related programs and services, but only one of the 10 patron respondents had used them. Patrons more commonly used the library in ways indirectly related to health (e.g. learning English) than direct health-related services. Staff reported comfort interacting with immigrant patrons, but lacked consensus on navigating language barriers and determining community needs.Research limitations/implicationsThis qualitative study provides insights from a specific geographic and cultural setting. It focused on immigrants using the library and may have excluded vulnerable populations of immigrants who encounter barriers to using the library. Future research and practice should focus on how public libraries can better meet the health information needs of immigrant populations, including navigating controversial social and political topics, as well as emerging health-related information during a pandemic.Originality/valuePublic health practitioners often overlook public libraries as community collaborators. This research identifies that while there is important and essential work happening in public libraries to improve immigrant health, more can be done, especially in collaboration with public health professionals.

The Use of Search Request Forms Can Identify Gaps in a Consumer Health Library Collection

A Review of: Giannopoulos, E., Snow, M., Manley, M., McEwan, K., Stechkevich, A., Giuliani, M. E., & Papadakos, J. (2021). Identifying gaps in consumer health library collections: A retrospective review. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 109(4), 656–666. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2021.895 Abstract Objective – The objective of this study was to determine if search request forms, which are used when a patron’s request for information cannot be fulfilled at the time of contact with the library team, can be used to identify gaps in consumer health library collections while offering some explanation for the gaps. Design – Retrospective case study of search request forms. Setting – A consumer health library at an academic cancer center in Canada. Subjects – Library patrons: Patients, Patient family, other members of the center, and unspecified. Methods – The researchers reviewed 260 search request forms submitted between 2013 and 2020. Of those, 249 records met inclusion criteria and were analyzed and coded. Coding included patron type, cancer diagnosis, information delivery, and content themes. This information was then used to identify gaps in the library collection and the reasons for the gaps. Main Results – Patients were the primary patrons, asking 62.9% of the questions, followed by family members at 22.5%. The most common cancer type researched was breast at 23.3%, then hematology at 16.5%. gynecology, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and sarcoma were next between 10% and 8.4%. The remaining cancer types ranged between 6.0 % and 2.0%, with brain being the lowest. Of the questions asked, 60% revealed a gap in the collection. The gaps included rare cancer diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. There were data collected on why the information was unavailable. While 53% of the gaps were a result of limited health consumer information, 25% were a result of paywall restrictions or content restricted to members. Conclusion – Search request forms can be an effective tool in evaluating gaps in collections. In this study, the researchers were able to identify that breast cancer patients made up the most significant proportion of patrons, and the biggest gaps in the collection were related to their treatment decisions. One opportunity to bridge this gap is through collaboration with clinical teams in developing patient friendly resources on this topic. In addition, inter-institutional collaboration between libraries may also help. Continued review of forms can help inform collection decisions to better meet the needs of patrons.

Management of Information Literacy Programmes in Selected Technical Training Institution Libraries in Nairobi County, Kenya

Technical Training Institution Libraries are facing the challenge of managing information literacy programs. Also, there are limited information literacy programmes in Technical Institution Libraries. This study, therefore, sought to determine the management of information literacy programmes in selected Technical Training Institution Libraries in Nairobi County. The objectives were to establish the implementation strategies of information literacy programmes in selected technical institutional libraries; to establish how frequent information literacy programmes are reviewed in selected technical institutional libraries; to determine the perceptions of the implemented information literacy programmes amongst users in selected technical institutional libraries; to identify the major challenges associated with the implementation of information literacy programmes in selected technical institutional libraries. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. A total of 333 respondents comprising 5 librarians, 190 teaching staff, and 138 students from five selected Technical Training Institutions constituted the subjects for this study. The study established that Technical Institution Libraries were implementing various forms of strategies for information literacy; information literacy programmes are reviewed after every orientation process using a feedback form; important skills are acquired by the library patrons during information literacy training, and librarians were facing several challenges as they implemented information literacy programmes.

Umerziehung durch rote Bibliotheken: SED-Bibliothekspolitik 1945/46 bis zum Ende der 1960er Jahre

Umerziehung durch rote Bibliotheken: SED-Bibliothekspolitik 1945/46 bis zum Ende der 1960er Jahre

Creating and Evolution Centralized Scientific Journals Remote Access System for Information Support of Russian Scientific Research

The article considers the system of information support of Russian scientific research in the field of natural sciences process. It’s gradual creating and development based on the creation of hybrid scientific library, using both the local (located directly in the library) traditional collection, and collections of electronic full-text media available remotely to the library patron and being a virtual part of the whole library collection.The article deals with the use of scientific journals (mainly foreign) as the most important part of the scientific resources required by Russian scientists’ access. The analysis is based on the Library for Natural Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences (one of the leading scientific libraries in Russia) example.The mentioned process started in the last centuries 1990s, and, as shown in the article, passes through several stages. From the very beginning, the process required for the libraries to unite into associations for the electronic resources joint use. These associations took, in accordance with international experience, the form of library consortia. At the first stage, consortia were created to bring together several libraries to access the electronic resources of a single foreign library.This system turned out to be viable, but rather cumbersome for a library (for effective work a library has to be a member of several consortia, which turned out to be non-technological). At the next stage, a single consortium was created with the support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research — Scientific Electronic Library RFBR. Further development required the direct state on the one of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science projects basis support. This process went through several development stages (using as a project operator consortium NEICON, the RNPLS&T and again RFBR — at another level of organization and funding).As a result, by 2020 the providing mainly information support for the work of the main mass of scientific and educational institutions in the specified field system was created and debugged on the practical level. By the early 2020s, the work had entered a more or less stable working mode.The issues requiring an urgent solution are the lack of an insurance copy of resources purchased abroad, which creates an uncertain situation in the event of the relationship with the resource owner termination, and the absence, in full, of a similar access to Russian scientific resources system, if their publication rights, in part, have been transferred to foreign publishers.

Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers.

Nationwide, public libraries are experiencing an increase in “on-premise” opioid overdoses and other issues (e.g., suicide attempts) affecting unstably housed library users. The public library presents a unique opportunity to access an otherwise hidden population. In partnership with the San Diego Central Library, researchers led focus groups, in-depth interviews, and surveys with 63 library patrons experiencing homelessness or housing instability (n = 49) and library staff (n = 14) (January–June 2019). Using a consensus organizing framework and mixed methods approach, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews exploring the library’s strengths and opportunities for patrons experiencing homelessness, the barriers to meeting their aspirations, and whether having a social worker at the library or other policy changes in government or the library could help. Specifically, participants answered inquiries about the opportunities for the library to address substance use and human trafficking. In brief surveys, library patrons and staff provided views on the patrons’ educational needs, library staff’s training needs, and changes needed in government or library policies. Results revealed the desire of the library patrons (69%) and staff (93%) to have a library social worker who could link patrons to housing services, substance use harm reduction or treatment, and address food-insecure youth/families and human trafficking/sexual exploitation. Participants also valued peer advocates with lived homelessness experiences. Over 70% of the unstably housed patrons said they would like library patrons to participate in peer leadership training. Other significant themes were the need for crisis prevention and intervention, connecting patrons to resources and each other, and creating consistent assistance. Libraries urgently need more on-premise support to address patrons’ pressing housing, health, and mental health needs.

Role of academic libraries in the achievement of quality education as a sustainable development goal

PurposeThis study explored the role of academic libraries in the achievement of quality education as a Sustainable Development Goal.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a qualitative research approach and descriptive case study design. This study focuses on academic libraries from four universities in Ghana. From each university, the researchers purposely selected four respondents, comprising the heads of the libraries, deputies, and two assistant librarians or library assistants. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations and document reviews. The results were analyzed and presented in descriptive and interpretive forms.FindingsThe study established that the majority of the library staff were aware of the sustainable development goal, SDG 4. The libraries provided relevant materials to support students’ learning, organize training on information literacy and engage library patrons in periodic information literacy programs to create awareness of the SDG 4. Since the libraries do not have their own internally developed policies on the SDG 4, they depend on the general United Nations (UN) document on the SDG and SDG 4 as a guide in information delivery; and the general policies on information delivery, teaching and quality assurance of the universities in general and the libraries in particular. The study concluded with a framework to guide the successful accomplishment of the SDG 4 in libraries.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on academic libraries in Ghana and adopted the purposive sampling technique which makes it assume a weak power of generalization.Practical implicationsThe study has implications for academic libraries and librarians in Ghana in achieving the SDG 4. It will guide librarians and academic libraries in formulating policies to guide them in their activities. The framework developed as a result of the findings will equally guide the librarians in their quest to provide information to achieve the SDG 4.Originality/valueThis study's originality lies in its articulation of academic libraries' initiatives in the actualization of the SDG 4 in Ghana with a developed framework to guide librarians and academic libraries. Academic libraries and librarians who are eager to contribute their quota to the achievement of the SDG 4 will find this study useful.

To Levy or Not? The Paradox of Revenue Generation and Sustainability of Free Public Library Services in Ghana

As the gap between decreased budgetary allocation and the need to sustain free and improved quality public library services continues to increase, librarians are expected to think more innovatively about how to bridge this gap while ensuring the notion of free public library services is not compromised. This study aimed to investigate revenue mobilization and the sustainability of free public library services in Ghana. The study adopts a multiple case study approach, exploiting the advantages of the use of a combination of varied data collection techniques using 3 Regional Public libraries in Ghana to enhance representativeness. The data was collected from some major stakeholders, including Head Librarians, library staff and patrons of public libraries using questionnaires and qualitative interview sessions. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed in selecting respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and thematic analysis were deployed as analytical tools to examine the data. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers conclude that the challenge is in tracking down the elusive mix of fee-based services that deliver more than they take away. We therefore, admonish that those who still preach against fee-based services on moral grounds accept the reality that seeking alternative funding (beyond government’s subventions) to sustain public library services has become a Hobson’s choice to most public librarians. Recommendations are also proffered in mitigating the present challenges affecting service delivery in public libraries.

Professional Social Work and Public Libraries in the United States: A Scoping Review

This study aims to investigate how professional social work is practiced in U.S. public libraries using a scoping review method. Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework for conducting a scoping review, the research team undertook a scoping review of academic literature, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic conference presentations, and dissertations/theses, as well as so-called gray literature, including news articles and web search results. After every author's review, a total of 53 materials were included in the review. The findings from this study provide evidence that collaborations between social work and libraries are documented in the academic and gray literatures, and the collaborations have been rapidly increasing since 2015. The findings also show that these collaborations tend to operate in three main ways: (1) professional social workers and social work interns directly working with library patrons, (2) professional social workers providing consultation with or training to library staff, and (3) social workers providing linkages between library staff and community-based social services agencies.

You’ve Opened Your Doors: What’s Next?

During the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, when nearly all lending of books and physical materials in the collections of college and research libraries was impossible due to campus closures, many HathiTrust member libraries participated in the Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). This program permitted patrons of eligible libraries to access—in a limited fashion—a digitized HathiTrust book that corresponded to a physical book held in the collection of the member library. Although the ETAS was closed down after libraries reopened their doors, many libraries are exploring similar “controlled digital lending” services that leverage limitations and exceptions to copyright to support digital access options for patrons.

Librarian’s perception on data librarianship core concepts: a survey of motivational factors, challenges, skills and appropriate trainings platforms

Purpose Data librarianship, or data-driven librarianship, is the combination of information science, data science and e-science fields and is gaining gradual importance in the library and information science (LIS) profession. Hence, this study investigates the data librarianship core concepts (motivational factors, challenges, skills and appropriate training platforms) to learn and successfully launch data librarianship services.Design/methodology/approach A survey method was used and the data were collected through online questionnaire. Purposive sampling method was applied and 132 responses were received with 76 respondents from the public and 56 from the private sector universities of Pakistan. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 25) was used, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyzed the data.Findings LIS professionals understand the importance of data-driven library services and perceive that such services are helpful in evolving the image of the library, helping with the establishment of institutional data repositories/data banks, developing data resources and services for library patrons and especially researchers, and receiving appreciation and acknowledgment from the higher authorities. The major challenges that emerged from the data were: missing data policies, limited training opportunities for data librarianship roles, no additional financial benefits, lack of infrastructure and systems, lack of organizational support for the initiation of data-driven services, and lack of skills, knowledge and expertise. Data librarianship is in its early stages in Pakistan, and consequently, the LIS professionals are lacking basic, advanced and technical data-driven skills.Research limitations/implications The policy, theoretical and practical implications describe an immediate need for framing data policies. Such policies will help the libraries or any other relevant entities to store the data and assign metadata and documentation in such a way that it is easy to retrieve and reusable for others.Originality/value This is the first study in Pakistan to investigate the perceptions of LIS professionals about data librarianship core concepts: motivational factors, challenges, skills and appropriate training platforms to grasp data-driven skills and successfully launch library services.

Library Patrons’ Personal Data as Regards to Access to Licensed Resources

The article deals with some issues of personal data processing and management in Russian libraries interactions with licensed resources providers. The author analyzes international practice on the libraries’ way to establishing main principles of personal data privacy and security: minimal data transfer and informed patron’s agreement on personal data processing. List of principles set up by “NISO consensus principles on users’ digital privacy in library, publisher, and software-provider systems” are analyzed as well as American Library Association documents. Specific problems of personal data transfer from Russian electronic library systems providers to libraries are analyzed and some solutions are suggested.

“Still Open and Here for You”: News Media’s Framing of Canadian Public Libraries during COVID-19

COVID-19 has transformed how social institutions, including public libraries, are able to engage with and support their communities. Whereas previous disaster scenarios have allowed public libraries to be physically open and library staff to be present to connect with patrons, physical distancing mandates associated with COVID-19 safety measures have introduced new challenges for both staff and patrons. While extant COVID-19–focused public library research has analyzed library-produced digital content or statements, we examined the ways in which 218 Canadian newspaper stories framed public library responses to COVID-19. Using frame analysis, we identified three media frames: (re)negotiating the library’s space, (re)configuring the library’s roles, and (re)constructing “others.” These media frames highlight the changes that COVID-19 has effected in public library roles and spaces and how these roles and spaces are differently interpreted for different library patrons.

Public Library Patrons’ Views of Their Psychosocial Needs and How the Library Can Help

Public libraries are increasingly trying to meet patrons’ psychosocial needs, in response to shifting demographics and the changing requests of their users. These psychosocial needs include assistance with or referrals for mental health or substance misuse, physical health problems, or basic needs such as housing or financial assistance. In many cases, needs assessments are conducted before libraries begin to address psychosocial needs of patrons. Limitations of existing needs assessments include only surveying staff instead of patrons, asking about only specific needs like housing or mental health-related needs, or surveying community members who may not be actual library users. The current study fills a gap in the literature by surveying a large sample of public library patrons about their broadly defined self-identified needs and suggestions for the library to better meet their needs. Implications for public libraries are discussed.

Remaking academic library services in Zimbabwe in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic

The outbreak of the global COVID -19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life, access to higher education has not been out of danger as evidenced by the enforcement of official closures, enforcement lockdown and social distancing rules by governments throughout the world. However, while the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the world with numerous socioeconomic challenges, it has also helped to spur creativity and information as evidenced by the responses of academic libraries that have seen a heighted use of digital platforms to support education, teaching and research. The study sought to establish how librarians in Zimbabwe responded to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the implications of the pandemic on library service delivery. A qualitative research was adopted for the study. Using snowballing, interviews were used to gather data beginning with the library association's branch leadership. The researchers ensured that the questions were aligned to the research objectives. The interview schedule included open and closed questions to enable participants to provide further details relating to the phenomenon under study. The participants were guaranteed their rights to consent, privacy and anonymity in the introduction of the interview schedule. An The study reveals that there has been an increase in the use online platforms for accessing information especially library's webpages, electronic books and journals. The use of library online resources from distance locations also rose following closure of campuses. Library patrons' perceptions towards electronic resources significantly improved as they realized that they were equally useful as the print. Findings from the study provide useful recommendation on how librarians can remodel their services to match new demands presented by the COVD-19 pandemic. The study provides a starting point upon which further research on the effect of COVID-19 or other similar pandemics have on library service delivery.

User Information Needs and Reference Services Satisfaction at Selected Federal Universities Libraries in North-Eastern Nigeria

One of the most important criteria for assessing a library is the level of satisfaction its users express with the service they get. The extent to which the library is able to anticipate user needs and integrate such predictions into collection development is a crucial aspect in influencing the level of satisfaction users have with the library's service. As a general concept, "user satisfaction" refers to how satisfied users are with a service or product they have used; as a more specific term, "library user satisfaction," it is used to describe how happy library patrons are with the library's collection and services. The study used a descriptive survey technique with a sample size of 288 postgraduate students randomly selected from four different Federal Universities in Northeast Nigeria. The data was collected by closed-ended questionnaire, and the resulting psychometrics include a CRV=1 and r-coefficient of 0.83. Frequency counts and percentages, together with chi-square tests at the 0.05 significance level, were used to examine the data. The study established that graduate students asked reference librarians for the same types of information but were dissatisfied with the level of service they received from librarians at their respective institutions. The results reveal a linear correlation between all the factors; therefore, it stands to reason that the chosen universities have the same information needs and levels of user satisfaction.