Number Of Library Users Research Articles

Interlibrary loan in Türkiye: interlibrary loan tracking system (KITS)

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the current situation of the interlibrary loan in Türkiye using interlibrary loan tracking system raw data (2008–2019). Data was analyzed geographically to reveal the effect of geographical distance on the collaboration and thematically to identify the prominent areas/topics in the requests. In addition, the requests were evaluated in terms of the type and age of the university, the size of the collection and the number of library users.Design/methodology/approachThe effect of geographical distance on the collaboration was revealed using VOSviewer. The place numbers and titles of the requests were used for thematic analysis, which was performed using Flourish and VOSviewer. Statistical tests were conducted with SPSS to investigate the effects of factors such as university age and type.FindingsGeographic analysis revealed that the prominent regions are Marmara, Central Anatolia and Aegean Regions, respectively. The fact that these regions host Türkiye’s largest cities with the highest number of universities has been effective in achieving this result. The results of the thematic analysis are in accordance with the literature. Almost half of the requests are from Social Sciences, Language and Literature, History and Law. While the effects of collection size and the number of library users have relatively insignificant effects on requests, age and university type were found to be more relevant.Originality/valueInterlibrary loan data of this size has not been the subject of an evaluation before in Türkiye. Hence, the results obtained have the potential to influence relevant policies and decisions on the subject. On the other hand, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, bibliographic mapping was used for the first time on interlibrary loan data.

BRAND POSITIONING STRATEGY IN THE COMPETITIVE ASPECT

A new brand for an organization is inseparable from organizational identity. The aim of the research is to investigate the positioning strategy in terms of competitiveness and visitors of Kaunas District Public Library (KDPL). Research methodology: analysis of scientific literature and statistical data, staff survey, SWOT analysis. Main findings: the flow of visitors of KDPL in the period of 2018–2020 has decreased by a quarter, the user portrait consists of 5 user groups (employed, studying, pre-school children, unemployed persons and others), the number of library users by gender did not change, 70% consists of women, attendance of four user groups decreased or remained virtually unchanged, when the amount of employed users increased by about 16 percent. SWOT analysis has shown the absence of a brand positioning strategy. Qualitative study of the library competitors users’ needs and expectations can be analysed further. The local position of KDPL’s has shown the potential to grow up in Kaunas city. The originality of the paper covers individualized research on a brand positioning strategy of public sector organization, while the available research has been carried out on private branding. The current research will be useful for KDPL and other public organisations.

Understanding Users Attitude towards Information Technology Application in University Libraries

In the present study, researchers aim to understand the attitude of users towards information technology application in two university libraries of north India, namely Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and Panjabi University, Patiala. Survey method of research was used to collect data from the users. The sample consisted of 391 users, which included PG Students, Research Scholars and Faculty Members in the Faculties of Social Sciences and Sciences in both the universities. The data were collected through structured questionnaires and further analysed using the Chi-Square test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The data analysis and discussion reveals that despite a few number of library users being involved in the decision-making of IT application in libraries and availability of few training programmes on the know-how of IT systems, a positive attitude towards information technology application prevails among the library users in both the university libraries. In the end, some key recommendations are presented for deriving more benefits from future IT initiatives in libraries.

Analysis of digital transformation of services in a research library

Purpose The Moravian Library has noted a long-term decline in the total number of visitors and the number of books either lent or used for reference, a phenomenon, which is generally explained by the increased availability of digitised books and a wider selection of electronic services in general. This paper aims to examine whether this is indeed the case, comparing the usage of the physical and digital libraries. The study also examines whether all the elements of library usage change accordingly with the digital transformation of the library’s services, what are the actual implications of this trend for research libraries in general, determining an ideal model for such a library; it proposes possible solutions to the challenges digital transformation brings about. At the same time, the study attempts to answer the question whether the overall number of library users is actually decreasing or increasing and what impact digital transformation has on the reach of library services. Design/methodology/approach Comparative analysis of data with offline usage statistics on one hand and data obtained via backend logging and Google analytics on the other, and an evaluation of a questionnaire survey among digital library users. Findings The data analysis demonstrates that it is not only possible but also even desirable, to gradually replace traditional library services with a digital infrastructure without major complications. Originality/value The case study provides statistically substantiated examples of a successful partial digital transformation in a research library in the Czech Republic.

Estimation of GDP from public library usage: Turkey sample

PurposePublic libraries are institutions that provide information services to all citizens in a country and support the development of lifelong learning, awareness and creativity. All these provide an advantage for having a developed economy and being a developed society. This study aims to reveal the interaction between the gross domestic product (GDP) and public library usage in Turkey. The study also purposed to increase awareness of the economic benefits of public libraries.Design/methodology/approachIn the study, a vector autoregression (VAR) model and co-integration techniques were used. Johansen co-integration test was used examining the long-term relationship between the variables. Due to the variables moving together in the long term, the vector error-correction model was preferred instead of the VAR model, as a result.FindingsAccording to the causality test results, GDP was found to be affected when there was a change in the number of library users. According to the Granger causality test result, a change in GDP was also found to have a significant effect on the number of library users. All these indicate an interaction between GDP and public library usage in Turkey between 2001 and 2017.Social implicationsThe revealed interaction between GDP and the number of public library users can be useful for policymakers who are making decisions to develop public library services and to increase GDP.Originality/valueThe interaction between public library usage and GDP can be seen such as an unlikely combination. However, this study presented a mutual interaction between public library usage and GDP. The findings of the study will be of a great importance in developing countries to be motivated to make public library services better.

An Unusual Approach to Marketing E-Books: An Instructional Course on the Hospital's Learning Management System

A library serving two small community hospitals promoted the use of its new electronic book collection in various ways, which included a mandatory course that was mounted on the hospitals’ learning management system. Results of this effort indicate that, in the short term, the electronic books course increased usage of the collection significantly. However, the results also show that a small collection may not retain the interest of some library patrons. Still, the learning management system is a powerful way to reach the maximum number of library users to increase their awareness and understanding of library resources.

公共図書館利用と文化活動の関連性

Most of public library surveys in Japan have not been directed to potential or non-users but to library visitors. Now a survey has been completed for determining the citizen’s usage of public libraries and other public facilities, i.e. public halls (koumin-kan), museums, art galleries, and so on. This survey can also make a significant suggestion that one’s library use has something to do with his or her other social and cultural activities. Library service is most used and best known among local public services. The higher one’s educational level, the more one uses public libraries. Library users are disposed to participate in other cultural activities as well. Though the number of library users with a lower educational level is very small, they are willing to involve themselves in several activities. Finally two things are proposed. A variety of public needs should be met by several types of services in a community. And those who are not oriented to library use and cultural activities should be offered appropriate programs rendered by public halls or the like.

Some Principles of Administration in Libraries

THERE are three principles of administration which appear to have the greatest significance for libraries today. The purpose of this paper is to examine these principles and their significance and to introduce four more conventional functions or procedures for library management. The three principles of administration are 1) the need to focus on the quality and quantity of work done by staff members and the exclusion of all ''routine tasks from an administrator's schedule, 2) the need for two-way communication up to the point of real understanding of the individual and problems involved, 3) the need to plan and implement change. Stone lists seven functions of library management; planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, and budgeting.1 These will be discussed later, adding one function and regrouping the rest to form only five functions: planning (included here are organizing, coordinating, and budgeting) ; decision making (directing) ; delegating; staffing and reporting. The first principle of administration is the most important one. It is the responsibility for accomplishment. It sets the tone for an individual's administrative efforts and forces him to concentrate on one thing obtaining production through other people. The need for this principle is in main part caused by the increasing tempo of technological change and both the growth in the number of library users and the increase in the sophistication of their needs. One of the difficulties in its implementation is that it implies and produces much tighter control of individual departments or sections. Tighter control is seen here to be the result of more frequent and more accurate reporting. Obviously if the administrator has the responsibility for accomplishment he also Waddington is at the College of Librarianship, Wales.