Public Library Research Research Articles

“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.

The public sphere and Habermas: reflections on the current state of theory in public library research

PurposeThis article addresses a recent debate in this journal between Buschman and Widdersheim and Koizumi on public libraries and public sphere theory in library and information science (LIS). The article moves beyond the debate as the debate has been too focused on the theories of Jürgen Habermas. In order to really understand the democratic mission of public libraries and how it is related to the public sphere, the author argues that LIS scholars need to look beyond Habermas' theories of the public sphere.Design/methodology/approachThis is a theoretical article that discusses different theories of the public sphere, and how they have been and can be applied in library and information science.FindingsThe author finds that a main disagreement between Buschman and Widdersheim and Koizumi is whether one can use the concept of a public sphere without doing it in a “traditional” Habermasian way. The answers put forward in this article, is that we can and should look beyond Habermas' work when seeking to understand the role of public libraries as public spheres.Originality/valueThe article puts forward theories that are not commonly used in LIS, and advocates for broadening the theoretical scope of LIS scholars studying the relations between public libraries and public spheres.

Journals, Subjects, and Authors of Research Literature on Public Libraries: An Analysis

ABSTRACTScholarly 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.

“It lives all around us”: Aspects of data literacy in teen's lives

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we examine young people's data literacy in terms of their awareness of data and the rhetoric that surrounds it, as well as their knowledge of data flows. This is the first phase of the Exploring Data Worlds at the Public Library research study research study, a two‐year research study that explores the ways that libraries can address data literacy programming by helping teens understand, create and manage the digital traces of their data in meaningful, efficacious, and ethical ways. In this first phase of the study we explored the question What do young people understand about data within the context of their everyday lives and in relation to personal data management. We present here the findings from a series of semi‐structured interviews with young people, ages 11 to 18, that examined teens' perceptions and general knowledge of data in their lives. Results suggest that the teens in this study had varying interpretations of the nature of data and a broad understanding of the lifecycle of data, but most found it difficult to connect with data at a concrete and personal level, with the notion of a personal data dossier either non‐existent or abstract.

A Note on Resilience Perspectives in Public Library Research: Paths Towards Research Agendas

A Note on Resilience Perspectives in Public Library Research: Paths Towards Research Agendas

A Study on Research Trends in Public Library Research in Korea Using Keyword Networks

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to draw a network among the keywords used in public library studies in the LIS field in Korea using a social network analysis method. To achieve the purpose, this study (i) analyses the keywords used in LIS peer-reviewed journal articles on the subject of public libraries, (ii) finds the important keywords of public library studies based on network perspectives, and (iii) compares the keyword network of public library studies for the most recent five years with the keyword network of public library studies of different time periods. Through a keywords analysis of public library studies, the following research trends have been found: (a) Korean public library studies have mainly focused on management issues; (b) there has been much discussion about library cooperation between public libraries and other kinds of libraries; (c) the subjects of research related to evaluation have been diversified as a result of influence from the fields of management and business; (d) scholars became interested in special users; (e) many studies paid attention to human resources issues in public libraries; (f) there have been many studies that are focused on small libraries; and (g) considerable research has been related to lifelong education, in particular, during 2001–2009. In addition, through comparison of the keyword network of public library studies for the most recent five years and the keyword network of public library studies for different time periods, the researcher finds that (i) keywords have both similarities and differences, and (ii) socio-environmental factors influence the research trends.

What threatens public libraries? The viewpoints of library directors in Sweden

Purpose– This article aims to identify threats perceived by Swedish public library directors as the most prominent.Design/methodology/approach– A web questionnaire was sent to public library directors in all of the Swedish municipalities. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Findings– The findings reveal that the main threat was considered to be the tension between the current activities of the public library and the expectations of the public, or of local decision makers. One reason for the lack of correspondence between activities and expectations is that public library managers regard the expectations on the public library as unrealistic. Another reason is that lack of resources prevent public library staff from meeting many of these expectations. Public libraries are thus prevented by both ideological and practical barriers in fulfilling expectations.Originality/value– A central issue in current public library research concerns how change in Western society affects public libraries. Many of these studies are either theoretical or based on interviews with politicians. Few researchers investigate how public library directors perceive the situation of public libraries today. Therefore, this article identifies perceptions made by public library directors.

Research in public libraries: finding a way forward.

To review the present state of public library research, to debate what research is needed in the future
 and what structures to support it might be required.

Public library research methods - some observations based on an examination of 41 final reports of Public Library Development Incentive Scheme Projects

Progress of the Public Library development Incentive Scheme Projects. At September 1995 fifty-four awards had been made by the PLDIS. Five projects have not been
 completed. Forty three reports of projects are currently available for public consultation covering
 all reports funded in the first three years bf the Scheme and several reports from later years. There
 are also two reports about the Incentive Scheme itself.

Research activities in public libraries-findings from fieldwork: Facts and methods

Reports current research activities in public library
 services drawing from a series of interviews with 20
 chief librarians. Findings reinforce earlier perceptions
 and findings about public library research activities. Of
 particular concern is the fact that research activity and
 method is largely confined to'simpler' issues of
 operational service development and does not extend
 to 'harder' research addressing the social and
 economic impact of the service. To assess
 trustworthiness and make best use of the data the
 interview transcripts are analysed using three
 techniques: initial data analysis by coding down,
 dilemma analysis, and intensive analysis carried out
 using the constant comparative method. Concludes
 that the restricted research capacity within the public
 library sector may endanger the realisation of its
 strategic potential.

Book Reviews

JOHANNSEN, Corl Gustov ond KAJBERG, Leif (eds.). New frontiers in public library research.
 PACE Andrew K. The ultimate digital library: where the information players meet.
 RAYWARD,W. Boyd (9d.) Pioneers in library and information science. LibraryTrends 52 (4).

Working with Facebook in Public Libraries: A Backstage Glimpse into the Library 2.0 Rhetoric

Ideals and visions of a Library 2.0 have in recent years been widely discussed in public library research and practice. Influenced by the Web 2.0 discourse, the Library 2.0 rhetoric has to a large extent been coloured by utopian and revolutionary overtones, identifying social media as key to transforming the public library institution. While previous research has primarily addressed this development conceptually, this paper explores how the visions of Library 2.0 are put to work in everyday practices. Drawing on ethnographic data, this paper critically examines the micro-level interplay between the social networking site Facebook and librarianship in the setting of a Swedish public library. The study reveals that the labour required to realize the visions of Library 2.0 is characterized by a constant flux between self-determination and precarity (i.e. existence without predictability or security). While the librarians participating in the study creatively construct new routines and strategies for doing work, they are always at the beck and call of Facebook and have only marginal opportunities of influencing the technology they use. Still, this everyday and situated use gives them a possibility of interpreting the purpose of Facebook differently. The paper suggests that by articulating such alternative understandings of technology more clearly public libraries could reject a position of being merely victims of technological change and make a difference in ICT-development. (Less)

Development status of translational medicine and the preliminary study on the implementation strategy

Translational medicine, characterized by multi-disciplinary cooperation, is a new research area focusing on patients. Although translational medicine is still in its early stages in China, it has attracted increasing attention. To apply translational medicine, it is essential to implement the principles and methods of systematic biology to break the inherent barriers between basic and clinical science. Moreover, it is important to update research ideas, strengthen the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and construct public library research resources and exchange platforms. Key words: Translational medicine; Systems biology; Transformation of achievements

The Public Library Research Programme in the Republic of Ireland

The Public Library Research Programme in the Republic of Ireland

An overview of public library research activitity and developments in Northern Ireland

The author describes research undertaken by the government department responsible for public libraries in Northern Ireland to inform policy development and by practitioners to inform practice or in pursuit of academic qualifications.

The Current State of Public Library Research in Select Peer-Reviewed Journals: 1996-2000

The purpose of this article is to examine the current state of research regarding public libraries in the library and information studies (LIS) literature over the past five years of publication. Four characteristics were examined: (1) frequency of publication; (2) author profiles; (3) subject; and (4) methodology.

Ethnographic Observation of Preschool Children

Methods commonly used in public library research such as interviews and questionnaires are not suitable for use with young children whose oral and written language skills are not well developed. Effective alternatives may be found in methods associated with ethnographic field observation. Using examples from an ethnographic study of public library use by 30 preschool girls, this article describes three methods appropriate for studying the information-seeking behavior and library use of preschool children: audio-recording of naturally occurring talk, participant observation, and key informant diaries. Selected issues important for ethnographic field research with young children are discussed, including gaining access and informed consent, observer effect, and young children's understanding of research. Relying on data arising from the naturally occurring talk and actions of the children, it is argued that these methods are unique in reflecting the perspective of the children themselves.

Preserving the Collections of the Science and Technology Research Center of the New York Public Library

The collections of the Science and Technology Research Center, a unit of The New York Public Library's Research Libraries, are described. The collections are estimated to contain 1.2 million volumes. Causes of deterioration and the administrative context of preservation planning are presented. Past and current efforts to preserve the collections, which are composed largely of little-used publications, are delineated. Planning for the future includes reintegration of the collections which are now housed in two separate locations at a major new facility to be located at the Library's West 43rd Street Annex, initiation to a systematic collections cleaning, refurbishing and repair program, and a stepped-up preservation microfiliming program in cooperation with other research libraries in the nation.

Public library research

The British Library Research and Development Department's public library research programme has developed rapidly since 1978. Projects have included state-of-the-art reviews, preliminary or enabling studies, the evaluation of experimental services, user studies, descriptive and analytical studies and operational research projects. In addition, public library projects have been carried out by the research centres supported by the Department. Future work will probably concentrate more on the dissemination and promotion of research results.

The problem of adult illiteracy

CONSCIOUS OF the problem and convinced of the case for public library involvement the Public Library Research Group decided in May of last year to set up a working party on adult illiteracy. They were encouraged in this by a growing concern about the implications for public librarians of the plans of various national bodies and the evidence of the profession's response to a number of short courses.