Municipal Library Research Articles

Evolving Prefectural Libraries in Japan: A Comparative Study of Tokyo and Hokkaido

ABSTRACTTraditional roles of Japanese prefectural libraries involve supporting and advising municipal libraries. However, since the 2000s, their roles have diminished owing to financial downturns, an aging population, and municipal libraries' establishment, forcing them to redefine their missions and services to remain relevant. This study aimed to determine whether differences exist in the services of prefectural libraries based on the varying status of municipal libraries and to illustrate these differences through case studies on a pilot basis. The following three research questions were posed: (1) Do differences exist in the services provided directly to citizens? (2) Do differences exist in the services provided through municipal libraries? (3) Do differences exist in the services supporting municipal libraries? Using hierarchical cluster analysis, Tokyo and Hokkaido were selected for a comparative case study. The findings indicate significant differences in services, influenced by establishment rates and service levels among municipal libraries.

Digital Preservation Readiness of Legal Deposit Materials at the Msunduzi Municipal Library in KwaZulu-Natal

This paper aims to explore a digital preservation program readiness of legal deposit materials at the Msunduzi Municipal Library in KwaZulu-Natal. It looks at the readiness to undertake the digital preservation programme, whether they meet the requirements for digital preservation programme in order to undertake it, and if the staff members have skills and competencies for digital preservation. It also checked if they have enough storage capacity for digital preservation program. A qualitative research method was adopted and used a case study research design. The semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to obtain in-depth data from each participant, and analysed it using a thematic analysis. The targeted population were all 15 digitization section employees from the Msunduzi Municipal Library and all participated giving 100%. The findings revealed that the Msunduzi Municipal Library seemed ready to undertake the digital preservation programme. The library was found facing challenges such as a lack of storage server to store and back-up digitally preserved materials, a lack of funds, a lack of in-service training for its staff, faulty and or non-functioning digitization machines, a lack of adequate maintenance of equipment, and a lack of enough equipment in preparation for digital preservation programme. It was discovered that the Msunduzi Municipal Library met the requirements for digital preservation programme in order to undertake it but some few staff members did not think it met the requirements for digital preservation programme, simply because they lacked storage server. This paper recommends that Msunduzi Municipal Library and other institutions preparing for the digital preservation programmes should hire staff with relevant skills and competencies for digital preservation, and also engage in in-service training of their staff, especially those lacking these skills and competences.

Availability of Library Services in the Russian Federation: Monitoring Results of the National Library of Russia

The article presents an analysis of statistical data of the National Library of Russia (NLR) monitoring, characterizing the availability of library services in the Russian Federation. It names factors influencing the accessibility of library services: a developed network of out-of-station and mobile service points, provision of transport vehicles, optimal operating hours of libraries, accessibility of library premises (accessible environment) for people with disabilities (HH) and inclusive library space, developed digital library infrastructure providing services to readers remotely. Since the huge volume of statistical data makes it impossible to consider all aspects of the accessibility of Russian libraries within the framework of the article, its objective is to give a comparative analysis of some of them (coverage of the population of the Russian Federation with library services, the number of people per a public library, distribution of non-stationary service points across Russian regions, provision networks of public libraries by transport, operating hours of library institutions and reduced work schedules of specialists and their variations in frames of the RF subjects). The work states that the availability of library services to the population is a condition for ensuring the quality of the population life. The problems of accessibility of Russian library services could be solved by modernizing the network of municipal libraries, improving the transport and digital infrastructure and organizing the comfortable library space to all categories of citizens. The materials can be used by regional departments of culture when planning the modernization of library institutions’ network.

Listy Friedricha Pfeiffera, bibliotekarza Biblioteki Miejskiej we Wrocławiu, do Theodora Langnera, bibliotekarza Wallenberg-Fenderlinsche Bibliothek zu Landeshut na Śląsku

Present paper contains edition of correspondence between Friedrich Pfeiffer (1827–1893), librarian of the Municipal Library in Wrocław and Theodor Langner (fl. 1870–1882), librarian of the Wallenberg-Fenderlinsche Library in Landeshut (currently Kamienna Góra). Letters in question were written, when Library was being completely reorganized, and Th. Langer, with the assistance of F. Pfeiffer, was working on a classified catalogue of this collection. Both librarians describe circumstances of catalogue’s composition and point difficulties they faced with.

Methodological Activity of the Republican Youth Library of Tatarstan

In recent decades libraries have faced global societal and technological challenges. At the same time, the state support of Russian librarianship is increasing. Libraries have every opportunity for development, they are becoming even more in demand and modern.The Russian Government Order No. 608-r of March 13, 2021 approved the “Strategy for the Development of Librarianship in the Russian Federation until 2030”, which served as a powerful impetus for the improvement of the country’s libraries. “Strategy...” is aimed at comprehensive development of librarianship, modernization of the library system of Russia, preservation and replenishment of library collections, expansion of free and equal access of citizens to information, improvement of the quality of library staff training, introduction of information technologies. The need for scientific and methodological support of library activities is also taken into account. In 2022, the professional standard “Specialist in Library and Information Activities” was approved, which establishes unified requirements for the content and quality of professional activities of specialists in all functional areas of the library.Federal and regional libraries as focal points for other types and kinds of libraries accepted the challenge to change and revised their activities.The library network of the Republic of Tatarstan includes 1508 libraries. The state programme “Development of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan” was adopted in the region. The experience of the Republican Youth Library as a methodological and coordinating center of libraries of the Republic of Tatarstan working with youth, as well as a project office for the creation of model municipal libraries in the Republic of Tatarstan is presented.

Methodological Activity of the Republican Youth Library of Tatarstan

In recent decades libraries have faced global societal and technological challenges. At the same time, the state support of Russian librarianship is increasing. Libraries have every opportunity for development, they are becoming even more in demand and modern.The Russian Government Order No. 608-r of March 13, 2021 approved the “Strategy for the Development of Librarianship in the Russian Federation until 2030”, which served as a powerful impetus for the improvement of the country’s libraries. “Strategy...” is aimed at comprehensive development of librarianship, modernization of the library system of Russia, preservation and replenishment of library collections, expansion of free and equal access of citizens to information, improvement of the quality of library staff training, introduction of information technologies. The need for scientific and methodological support of library activities is also taken into account. In 2022, the professional standard “Specialist in Library and Information Activities” was approved, which establishes unified requirements for the content and quality of professional activities of specialists in all functional areas of the library.Federal and regional libraries as focal points for other types and kinds of libraries accepted the challenge to change and revised their activities.The library network of the Republic of Tatarstan includes 1508 libraries. The state programme “Development of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan” was adopted in the region. The experience of the Republican Youth Library as a methodological and coordinating center of libraries of the Republic of Tatarstan working with youth, as well as a project office for the creation of model municipal libraries in the Republic of Tatarstan is presented.

Концептуальные основы веб-архивирования в библиотеках

An electronic web document as an object for recording scientific and cultural communications is considered in the paradigm of library documentology. The research significance of preserving network documents as having a specific temporality of media objects is substantiated. Ego-documents, which include online documents (blogs and forums), are considered as part of media culture that is subject to archiving and has research potential. The problem of the disappearance of web documents and ways to solve it are considered. Archiving web documents as a practice for preserving cultural heritage is justified from the point of view of media archeology. An overview of the activities of domestic and foreign libraries in the formation and development of web archives is presented. Cases of cooperation between national and municipal libraries in the formation of web archives and providing access to electronic documents are presented. Recommendations for the development of web archiving in Russia are proposed.

Andrioid mobile application aimed at getting personalized recommendations when selecting references

This article presents the results of the development of a mobile recommendation application to help library readers select references. One of the tasks of a librarian is to provide consultative assistance to the reader in selecting books. Working with a librarian can be replaced by the use of electronic library systems or special programs, which will allow you to solve the same task in less time. At the moment, there are websites and digital libraries that help the user to select books for further reading. They implement various algorithms that allow you to create personalized recommendations. Such systems are designed for electronic reading and are not linked to the databases of municipal library systems. Library readers can obtain recommendations when they choose literature for further reading using a mobile application. The paper considers the process of its creation: analysis of program requirements, design, implementation, testing and implementation. The application is developed for the Android operating system in the integrated development environment Android Studio in the Java programming language. The calculation of the technical and economic indicators of the project in its implementation has shown that the use of the application will provide sufficient economic effect. Its use can simplify the process of selecting books and significantly reduce the time to search for them, thus giving the librarian the opportunity to perform other tasks. The program does not require material costs for installation, which is an obvious advantage, and the functionality and system requirements allow its use on all mobile devices with the Android operating system.

Национальный проект как инструмент адаптации сельских библиотек на примере Калининградской области

This article considers the socio-cultural and social activities of rural libraries from the perspective of social geography and geography of culture. Globalisation, erosion of local cul­tural values and blurred spatial boundaries between socio-cultural communities render re­search endeavours in the fields of social geography and cultural geography invaluable tools in selecting promising areas for regional policies. This study aims to track how the performance of municipal libraries of the Kaliningrad region changed between 2016 and 2022 and analyse the interim results of the Culture flag­ship national project — and effort to aid library modernisation. Albeit often deficient in re­sources, rural libraries serve as local centres for socio-cultural activity. Thus, they face the urgent need to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Having failed, these establish­ments would be unable to unlock local residents’ potential, meet their informational needs, aid them on the path of intellectual and spiritual development or facilitate the socialisation of younger and senior generations. It is concluded that there is a range of regional obstacles to aspirations to embrace the innovative model of a modern rural library.

Past, Present and Future of Municipal Libraries: A Research on Ankara Altındağ Municipality Libraries

Türkiye’de belediye kütüphaneciliği bir değişim ve gelişim sürecinden geçmektedir. Bu süreç her ne kadar birtakım gerekliliklere (politika, yasa vb.) işaret etse de yerele hizmet noktasında önemli işler de yapılmaktadır. Literatürde belediyelerin kütüphanecilik faaliyetleri farklı birçok açıdan ele alınırken bugün gelinen noktada belediye kütüphaneciliğinin bir Türkiye gerçeği olduğunu söylemek kaçınılmazdır. Bu bağlamda iyi örneklere odaklanılması ve detaylı analizlerle belediye kütüphaneciliğinin nasıl olması gerektiğine dikkat çekilmesi bundan sonraki süreç açısından yol gösterici olacaktır. Bu araştırma, hizmetleriyle ve kütüphaneciliğe kattığı değerle öne çıkan Ankara Altındağ Belediyesi’ne bağlı 14 kütüphane kapsamında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın temel amacı, Altındağ Belediyesi kütüphanelerini personel, kullanıcı, koleksiyon, bina ve hizmetler bağlamında analiz ederek farklılıklara, olumlu ve olumsuz yönlere dikkat çekmek, kütüphanelerin dünü ve bugününü değerlendirerek geleceğine ışık tutacak öneriler geliştirmektedir. Belge tarama ve içerik analizi teknikleri kapsamında betimsel bir araştırma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda Altındağ Belediyesi kütüphanelerinin koleksiyon, mesleki eğitim almış personel/kütüphaneci, fiziki alan gibi konularda eksikleri olduğu ortaya çıkarılmış ve eksiklerin giderilmesine yönelik öneriler geliştirilmiştir. Geliştirilen öneriler Altındağ Belediye kütüphanelerinin kurumsal sürekliliğini sağlayabilmesi, geleceğe daha sağlıklı yön verebilmesi açısından önem taşımaktadır.

Challenges of Libraries: e-Books and e-Lending

The article reflects the challenges of contemporary public libraries regarding the accessibility of electronic books for users and the specifics of the electronic lending mechanism carried out through these institutions. The multitude of innovative social and economic benefits associated with largescale digital distribution and access to information are alarming signs that in the field of public access to the e-books the situation becomes difficult. The author analyzes the experience of the Municipal Library „B.P. Hasdeu” on the procurement and dissemination of e-books which are becoming an essential part in the development of the collection of most public libraries globally. At the national level, the library confirms the application of electronic lending procedures and the development of the electronic book collection, identified through its own experiences. However, the opinion of international specialized organizations (e. g. IFLA) highlights the need for negotiations with publishers and suppliers of e-books in terms of price, conditions of use and availability of content, offering solutions.

Accounting for and of the epidemic in Bologna in 1855: The medicus-politicus in the Papal States

This study investigates the confluence between accounting and natural disasters by examining the case of the cholera epidemic that occurred in Bologna in 1855, a city of the Papal States, where there was a strong (medical) intellectual class critical of the central government exercised by the Pope and clergy. We analysed primary and secondary sources available in Bologna in the Municipal Library of the Archiginnasio, State Archive, and Municipal Historical Archive to demonstrate how the accounting for and of the epidemic overturned the traditional power structures of the Papal States. Specifically, the medical establishment, leveraging the medical-administrative accounting technologies, replaced the clergy and local aristocracy as the governing body of the city, paving the way for the future secularisation of the administration. The study contributes to the literature by providing political implications of accounting technologies for natural disasters.

A Lost Copy of the Old French Vie (or Chanson) de Saint Alexis (Alexandrine Quatrain Version)

The Municipal Library of Tournai was struck in an air raid during the Second World War. Among the valuable manuscripts that were lost was Bibliothèque de la ville de Tournai MS 129, a fragmentary manuscript containing the alexandrine quatrain version of the Old French Vie de Saint Alexis. This poem, also known as the Chanson de Saint Alexis, represents one of the oldest surviving poetic traditions in French and enjoyed considerable popularity during the centuries after it was produced. Despite considerable scholarship on the Vie de Saint Alexis, the Tournai MS has gone largely unnoticed and is not mentioned in editions of the decasyllabic version of the Vie, nor is it mentioned in the only edition of the quatrain version. Thankfully, a nineteenth-century transcription of the lost Tournai copy survived the war. This article compares this transcription to surviving versions of the Vie de Saint Alexis to explore how the lost Tournai text intersects with, and illuminates, the broader tradition of the poem.

Comparative Analysis of the Implementation of Projects for the Modernization of Libraries in the Krasnoyarsk Territory

Libraries of the Krasnoyarsk Territory take part in the regional project “Libraries of the Future” and the national project “Culture” (the federal project “Cultural Environment” in terms of creating model municipal libraries). In 2015—2022, a network of 60 modern municipal libraries was launched in the Krasnoyarsk Territory (the regional project “Libraries of the Future” — 45 institutions, the national project “Culture” — 15). Both projects enable participants to create new conditions to carry out their activities. At the same time, they are an effective tool for the realization of the state cultural policy. The article describes in detail the stages of project implementation. A comparative analysis of the features and advantages of the ongoing projects (competitive conditions, methodological support, funding volumes, main items of expenditure) is given.The importance of the activity of libraries within the framework of the regional project “Libraries of the Future” and the national project “Culture” for creating the necessary conditions for the development of man and society was noted. Participation in the presented projects contributes to the improvement of library services, as evidenced by the growth of the main indicators of the institutions’ activities. The study presents the performance indicators of libraries before and after modernization, provides a comparative analysis of the efficiency of libraries (conventionally called “modernized” and “model”). The projects studied in this work are based on such concepts as “model” and “modernization”. The authors analyzed both directions of innovative development of libraries in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and concluded that the processes of creating model and modernized libraries, despite certain differences, affect each other.

Model Libraries of the Urals, Siberia and the Far East (on the National Library of Russia Monitoring Data)

The Librarianship Organization Sector of the Scientific and Methodological Department of the National Library of Russia (NLR) annually monitors statistical indicators of the public libraries network activities run by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, which results are presented in analytical references on the library’s website, stated in scientific reports and articles. Under monitoring, the Department’s specialists carry on analytical and synthetic processing of materials provided by central libraries or information centers of the departments of culture of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Lately, special attention is paid to model libraries formation, which creation was initiated in 2019 by the Federal project “Cultural Environment” within the framework of the national project “Culture”. The paper objective is to trace the dynamics of model libraries number at the territory of the Ural, Siberian and the Far Eastern Federal Districts (FD) and the Federation constituent entities in them for 4 years of the project functioning (2019-2022). Separately, data on model libraries of the new generation are recorded. The author analyzes the following indicators by districts and regions of the Urals, Siberia and the Far East: the number, types of model libraries, as well as the share of municipal libraries, material and technical conditions of which make it possible to implement the tasks of the Model Standard of Public Library Activities. The article names the regions standing out in terms of individual parameters; identifies the leaders in creating model libraries among the subjects of the Russian Federation beyond the Urals: Chelyabinsk Region in the Ural Federal District, Altai Territory in the Siberian Federal District, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the Far Eastern Federal District. It notes that the territories most remote from the center of the country – Sakhalin Region, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Kamchatka Territory – still have low amount of model libraries (especially model libraries of the new generation).

Priority Areas and Challenges in the Digital Transformation of Libraries

Priority areas and challendges in Digital Transformation (DT) of libraries are formulated. It briefly discusses the coordination of DT of libraries on an interagency basis and the development of quality standards for library services, ensuring constitutional guarantees and equal opportunities for citizens’ participation in cultural life, accessibility of cultural goods and services regardless of income level, social status and place of residence. The creation of a system of information and library services not limited by physical barriers, the transformation of municipal libraries into multifunctional intellectual cultural and leisure centres “within walking distance”, and into points of free access to network information resources has been analysed. It is necessary to eliminate the uneven development of libraries in different regions, to develop the professional and intellectual potential of Russian libraries. Modernisation of the approach to the acquisition of library collections, active replication of best practices in the digitalisation of individual library services and the introduction of methods of data mining are also a priority. The system of scientific support for DT processes in libraries should be developed. If the DT of libraries is consistent and effective, a new model of library organization will emerge in the country, involving the DT of this sector as a strategic resource for the new economy and for ensuring the innovative development of Russia. The process of implementing the DT programme for libraries will require the mobilization of all participants in library activities and the growth of social and economic efficiency of librarianship, as envisaged in the currently existing forecast documents.

To Close is Impossible to Leave it: Where Should be Put a Comma?

The article is a response to the article by V. K. Stepanov “A great reduction in quantity of libraries: particular management errors or a general perspective for the field (analysis of the experience of the Moscow region)”, published in the previous issue of Bibliosphere. Three main theoretical and methodological contradictions that reduce the reliability of the results obtained by the author and the validity of the recommendations proposed by him for regional librarianship are identified and analyzed.The first of them concerns the departure from the principle of historicism, as well as the complexity of the consideration of the phenomenon under study, and as a result the social nature of librarianship is presented incorrectly by the author of the article. It is noted that the basic social function determining the vector of domestic library construction was the function of educating a Soviet person, his ideological, cultural, scientific and technical enlightenment through the guidance of book reading in a specially selected library fund. Intermediary functions were associated with the shortcomings of book publishing in the field of leisure literature and played a secondary role. Thus, automation and computerization of book publishing and bookselling affect librarianship only indirectly, since the material nature of book publishing does not affect the cultural and educational functions of libraries.The second contradiction is related to the correctness of the analysis and interpretation of statistical data reflecting the process of library development in the Moscow region. The analysis of statistics shows that the negative dynamics in regional library construction is caused by the process of reduction of settlements, its natural decline and aging of the population. The increase in the number of users of municipal libraries indicates that the reduction in the number of libraries does not lead to a decrease in the level of library services of the population.The third contradiction concerns following the principle of scientific objectivity of research. The author noted only negative trends, leaving regional library construction programs aimed at the development of model libraries outside the scope of his analysis.

Limited knowledge and informal lobbying: internet regulation through content filters in Swedish public libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe and explore the current state of internet regulation through content filters in Swedish public libraries.Design/methodology/approachData was collected through an electronic survey directed to library managers of Sweden’s 290 main municipal libraries. 164 answers were returned, yielding a 57% response rate. The analysis comprises descriptive statistics for quantitative data and an activity theory approach with focus on contradictions for qualitative counterparts.FindingsIn total, 33% of the responding libraries report having content filters; 50% have not; and a surprising 18% do not know. There is a strong correlation between internet misuse and positive attitudes towards filters, and, reversely, between lack of misuse and lack of active stances concerning filters. Rather than seeing this as weakness, the authors suggest that there is strength in a context-bound flexibility open to practical experience and weighting of values, ethics, legislation and local circumstances. More troublesome indications concern the high deferral of decision-making to local authorities (municipalities) whereby libraries are left with limited insight and influence.Research limitations/implicationsThe situation calls for professional organisations to address political mandate questions, and educational programs to strengthen future information professionals’ knowledge of IT in general; filter issues in specific; and local authority decision-making. The study highlights the need of adequate information professional competences and mandates to decide on and oversee internet regulation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first internationally published study on content filters in Swedish public libraries.

Midsayap Municipal Library and Information Center (MMLIC): Students' Awareness, Access, and Usage

Midsayap Municipal Library and Information Center (MMLIC): Students' Awareness, Access, and Usage

Midsayap Municipal Library and Information Center (MMLIC): Students' Awareness, Access, and Usage

Midsayap Municipal Library and Information Center (MMLIC): Students' Awareness, Access, and Usage