Public Library Staff Research Articles

Is isolation a problem? Issues faced by rural libraries and rural library staff in South Australia

The aim of this research was to investigate current issues faced by public library staff in rural South Australia and to examine some of the reasons why people choose to work in rural libraries. The study took a mixed methods approach, combining interviews and questionnaires to gain a fuller understanding of the issues and experiences of rural librarians. The findings show that rural library staff in South Australia are a dedicated group of individuals who are motivated by personal interactions with their communities. Constraints imposed by distance, travelling times and geographic isolation concerned many staff - especially the difficulty of finding professional development opportunities, with travel to Adelaide for workshops the most commonly stated barrier.

Female Public Library Patrons Value the Library for Services, Programs, and Technology

Female Public Library Patrons Value the Library for Services, Programs, and Technology

Rural Outreach Training Efforts to Clinicians and Public Library Staff: NLM Resource Promotion

A project provided access to NLM resources for health care providers, public library staff, and consumers in rural New York. Computer workstations and training were provided for hospital and public library staff. Use of NLM resources was evaluated through pre- and postsession surveys and comparisons with control libraries. A total of 118 staff was trained in hospitals, 67 in libraries, and 488 public end users. NLM resource usage increased dramatically and stayed high one year post-training for all groups. Public library staff made the most dramatic changes in acquiring consumer health information. Familiarity with NLM resources increased consumers' and physicians' use of online health information.

Some in Saskatchewan Find The Cochrane Library Useful after Promotion, Access and Training Efforts

A review of:
 Forbes, Dorothy, Christine Neilson, Janet Bangma, Jennifer Forbes, Daniel Fuller, and Shari Furniss. “Saskatchewan Residents’ Use of The Cochrane Library.” Partnership: the Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research 2.2 (2007). 
 
 Objective – To evaluate the use of The Cochrane Library by librarians, health care providers and consumers in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. 
 
 Design – Volunteer telephone interviews and surveys of training participants at multiple time points; usage statistics. 
 
 Setting – Saskatchewan. 
 
 Subjects – Ninety-four volunteers participated in the study. Participants were self-selected from approximately 300 health practitioners and 100 public library staff attending training sessions, located primarily in rural areas. The majority of public library staff who attended training sessions were not professional librarians, although 31.5% of the study participants were librarians. Nurses made up the next largest group (16.3%), followed by therapists (7.6%), library support staff (5.4%), pharmacists (4.3%), physicians (3.3%), other health care providers (20.7%), and other (9.8%). Most were 40-65 years of age (71.6%) and female (92.4%).
 
 Methods – Forty-six training sessions were provided upon request between October 2004 and December 2006. Attendees were invited to participate in the study. Telephone interviews were conducted at three, six, nine, and twelve months following training sessions. Demographic information and data on the use of and satisfaction with The Cochrane Library were collected. Additionally, monthly statistics were tracked by Wiley-Blackwell for user sessions, number of searches, and the number of full-text articles and abstracts visited. 
 
 Main Results – Telephone interviews revealed that 65.2% of participants had accessed The Cochrane Library at three months; 64.2% had at six months. At nine months access dropped to 45.2%. At twelve months only 27.4% of participants reported using the resource. Of those who used The Cochrane Library, 16.4% reported at the three-month interview that it was not helpful. This number decreased at six months (11.6%), nine months (7.7%) and twelve months (11.8%). 57.5% of respondents claimed to have learned something from The Cochrane Library, although a few (11.1%) reported that the information found had no impact. Others reported that the knowledge gained confirmed their beliefs (26.1%) and/or helped in decision-making (32.6%). No time points were reported for the data collected about the use and helpfulness of information found in The Cochrane Library. Three-year data from Wiley-Blackwell showed that The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was most frequently accessed (abstracts=26,016; full texts=15,934). The Cochrane Central Register was accessed 5,640 times and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects was accessed 1,612 times. Periods of low usage corresponded with summer and Christmas breaks. The type of search strategy used was tracked; the authors note that an emphasis on MeSH during training between October 2004 and December 2006 corresponded with the higher number of MeSH searches during the same time period. Participants reported using The Cochrane Library in response to patron requests, to prepare educational materials, and to support health care policy and practice changes. Reasons for not using The Cochrane Library included lack of time, limited access to the Internet, forgetting how to find and use the Web site, and disappointment with the content.
 
 Conclusion – Since the fall of 2004, The Cochrane Library has been promoted and made available free of charge to all Saskatchewan residents. Usage fluctuates during the year, with less use during the summer and winter holidays; it is reasonable to presume that students use The Cochrane Library during the academic school year. Most telephone interviewees who used The Cochrane Library reported that it was somewhat to very helpful; this number increased slightly over time while the number of respondents who used the resource fell measurably over twelve months. In other words, those who continued to use The Cochrane Library over time were more likely to report a higher level of satisfaction with the resource. Interviews indicated how librarians used The Cochrane Library, why they do or do not use the resource, and their level of satisfaction. The study revealed less about how others, such as practitioners or consumers, use the resource. Based on the limits of the telephone interviews, follow-up studies should try to capture more detailed usage data to describe the attributes of those who do and do not use The Cochrane Library. The authors note that additional data collected through online surveys or the Wiley-Blackwell website could help determine how to sustain use of the resource.

Lessons learned: the recovery of a research collection after Hurricane Katrina

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the procedures taken by public library staff in response to extensive damage to a research collection due to a large natural disaster.Design/methodology/approachBased on the methodology used by one research collection in response to a large‐scale disaster, recommendations are presented in the paper for future disaster planning and creating an individualized disaster response.FindingsThe study finds that each institution develops different procedures in the wake of disasters, and creating a unique disaster plan and response is key to the successful recovery of collections.Research limitations/implicationsThe methods used in response to Hurricane Katrina may not necessarily correspond to other types of disasters or all institutions; however, planning for all types of disasters is encouraged. A selected bibliography is included that provides current resources on the subject.Practical implicationsMethods utilized in the Biloxi Public Library's response to Hurricane Katrina and lessons learned may be applicable to other institutions and the future of disaster response and collection recovery.Originality/valueWhile recounting the impact of Hurricane Katrina on one collection, there are recommendations for the future of disaster planning at the institutional level.

Educators and public librarians: unwitting partners in the information literacy education of South African youth?

The article reports on a study of the capacity of public librarians in South Africa for information literacy education. The first phase explores the conceptions of public library staff of their role in information literacy education. The second phase comprises a participant observation case study in two public libraries and interviews with teachers. The public librarians are found to have rather limited conceptions of information literacy. They tend to see their role as the provision of resources for projects on demand and the prevailing information literacy education is once-off library orientation. The teachers are positive about the role of libraries and are unanimous that the new curriculum means that children need access to more resources. Closer probing reveals that they make very little use of libraries in their personal and professional lives. They lack cognizance of the role of librarians in information literacy education and, in common with the public librarians, tend to see libraries as warehouses where their pupils are sent to “fetch” resources. Both groups see information as “something” that is stored and given out – rather than a subjective sense-making process. Paradoxically, these shared conceptions contribute to a gulf between the two sectors, which needs to be bridged if the needs of school learners are to be met.

The Critical Incident Technique and the Qualitative Evaluation of the Connecting Libraries and Schools Project

This article describes Flanagan's Critical Incident Technique (CIT) for those seeking guidance in its application. Examples in the library and information science (LIS) field are discussed, including an in-depth example of a CIT study conducted as part of a qualitative evaluation of the Connecting Libraries and Schools Project (CLASP) in New York City. The CLASP study analyzed critical incidents from 2,416 fifth and seventh grade students regarding their perceptions of interactions with urban public librarians and library staff. For both positive and negative critical incidents, the most important factor in these preadolescent's perception of successful library visits is the attitude of the librarian or staff member they encounter.

E-book trial using handheld devices yields mixed reactions from public library staff and users in Essex County, UK.

A review of:
 
 Dearnley, James, Cliff McKnight, and Anne Morris. "Electronic Book Usage in Public Libraries: A Study of User and Staff Reactions to a PDA-based Collection." Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 36.4 (December 2004): 175-82.
 
 Objective – To assess e-book delivery on handheld devices provided to public library patrons, particularly housebound or visually impaired patrons and the users of a mobile library.
 
 Design – Product trial with a post-trial questionnaire for patrons and a post-trial focus group discussion among participating library staff.
 
 Setting – Mid-to-large size public library system in the United Kingdom.
 
 Subjects – 23 patrons participated; the number of library staff participating is not identified. Although the target population initially identified was housebound people, patrons reliant on the mobile library, and visually impaired people, the project team determined that it did not have sufficient funds to upgrade the PDAs to be compatible with their preferred software for the visually impaired, and therefore this group was eliminated from the study. Lack of funds was also cited as a factor in the team being unable to provide assistive technology for those users suffering from arthritis, though this group was not excluded from the study. Just over half the patrons were aged 60+, and more than half were female. Two patrons self-identified as housebound.
 
 Methods – e-books were downloaded onto Hewlett Packard iPAQ 1910 PDAs by library staff and were loaned to participants between January and April of 2004. Although the authors of the study state that “creating staff champions was an important objective in this project” (p.176), it is unclear whether staff were screened for positive attitude towards e-Books. Prior to the trial, staff members were provided with training and orientation, and participants were asked for their font and reading preferences. Support for participating patrons was available from staff or via an accompanying user manual, e-mail, or telephone help line. In a questionnaire administered following the trial, participants were asked to respond to questions focusing on functionality of the handheld devices and e-book formats, positive and negative reactions to reading from the devices, and differences in the reading experience using the PDA as opposed to a book. A group discussion with participating library staff was held in April of 2004. The feedback from both groups was compared.
 
 Main results – Patrons: The devices were generally found to be usable, with a few exceptions: one patron with arthritis had difficulty operating the device and another developed hand cramps. Positive reactions regarding the novelty of using the devices, portability (the ability to store several books on one small device) and readability (the ability to customize font size and to read in low light conditions) were offset by frustration with low battery life, small screen size, limits on usage (i.e. not to be used in the bath), difficulty paging back and forth (‘getting lost on the iPAQ’), and the inferior sensation of using a PDA as opposed to the ‘tactile’ quality of books. In addition, some patrons voiced fears that e-books might supplant paper books and libraries themselves. In all, thirteen patrons indicated that the e-books had some advantages over books, while eighteen found that there were aspects of using e-books that they disliked as compared to books.
 
 Staff: The staff shared some concerns with users, identifying portability as a strength and low battery life (including the need to reformat devices after batteries ran out) as a weakness. In addition, some staff felt that some patrons preferred the e-book format for books on sensitive topics, as they provided more privacy in borrowing. Other staff concerns included the potential for users loading other software on the devices and the (presumably in the case of a full roll-out where users would download their own e-Books from home) lack of a broadband connection for some users.
 
 Conclusion – This study should be read as a case study of a trial of the Adobe Book and Palm e-book formats on Hewlett Packard iPAQ 1910 PDAs amongst a small group of public library (primarily mobile library) patrons. While the findings generally indicated that both staff and users found the technology too problematic to be adopted, the trial was confined to the hardware and software specified. Furthermore, since the sample surveyed was small and not randomly selected, it would be difficult to apply the study’s findings to the larger population (exact number not specified in the study) of housebound and mobile library users of the Essex County system. 
 
 For those who are considering the introduction of similar technology in a public library setting, the final report on the larger project of which this study was a part is available on the British Library website: http://www.bl.uk/about/cooperation/laser-pubs.html

Effectiveness of ICT training for public library staff in the UK: staff views

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to report the findings of a survey into staff perceptions of the UK‐wide information and communications technology (ICT) training conducted under the People's Network programme for public library staff.Design/methodology/approachA web‐based survey was undertaken across several prominent UK mailing lists, seeking staff views on issues such as the usefulness of the training provided, and any perceived gaps in training that existed. The survey also asked what types of ICT queries staff regularly encountered.FindingsIt was found that while the staff found the training rewarding, there were concerns at the lack of ICT troubleshooting in the programme, and the reliance on an off‐the‐shelf training programme not specifically designed for libraries, namely the European Computer Driving License, or ECDL. The paper suggests that ICT training for library staff should be built around problem solving and troubleshooting, rather than generic skills, in order to match the kinds of queries encountered in the front line of libraries.Originality/valueThe paper is useful for anyone involved in designing library training programmes, or for researchers or students interested in the ICT skills necessary for librarians and the types of ICT queries encountered in the workplace.

The Information Literacy Education Readiness of Public Libraries in Mpumalanga Province (South Africa)

This study examines if public libraries in a province in South Africa are ready to assume an enhanced responsibility for information literacy education, specifically that of students, and, if so, what inhibiting and facilitating factors might exist. The public libraries in the rural province of Mpumalanga provide the case site. “Readiness”, at one level, refers to physical capacity and, on a second level, to more subjective attributes such as staff attitudes and beliefs. The paper reports on the first phase of the study – in which both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered by means of a questionnaire/interview survey of 57 public librarians in 46 sites. The study finds that Mpumalanga public libraries are indeed heavily engaged in serving school learners. Shortcomings in certain physical facilities, such as the lack of space and absence of retrieval tools, are inhibiting factors with the heritage of apartheid still impacting on the availability of and quality of service. The low level of professional education of public library staff is found to impede innovation in library programming. The prevailing information literacy education model largely comprises one-to-one support, although there is a fair amount of source-based group library orientation. Moving towards information literacy education will depend on a shift in conceptions of the educational role of public libraries. In the absence of recognition of their curricular role by public library authorities and educators, many public librarians are not sure that their services to school learners are legitimate. There is, however, dawning recognition that present approaches are not meeting the needs of school learners and that more effective communication with educators is required. This recognition comes from public librarians' frustrating encounters with learners rather than from insight into information literacy education theory and experience. The fundamental conclusion is that sustainable information literacy education in public libraries will depend on more dynamic leadership and on a vision of a new model of public library.

Outreach programs beyond the immediate university community

PurposeLibrarians at Jacksonville State University's (JSU) Houston Cole Library believe that an understanding and working relationship with the public outside the immediate university community is vital to the survival and continued success of the University and its library. This paper seeks to determine this.Design/methodology/approachA survey was distributed to 26 public libraries in the counties surrounding JSU to see how the University Library could better serve the community.FindingsThe responses indicated that those living beyond the immediate community did in fact want the University Library to take a more active roll in the continuing education needs of the local public library's patrons and staff, in addition to their communities as a whole.Originality/valueProvides evidence of the importance of relationship management for the library community.

Exploring the attitudes of public library staff to the Internet using the TAM

An investigation into the attitudes of public library staff in the UK towards the Internet involved use of a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The use of an attitude measurement model, an amended version of the technology acceptance model in a questionnaire survey is detailed here and its value to the study in question deliberated on. Quantitative results suggest that attitudes towards use of the Internet are strongly related to usefulness, intention and actual usage. Analysis of the quantitative results suggests that staff are generally positive in their evaluations of the Internet, although a minority of staff possess negative attitudes to ICT.

The power of influence: what affects public library staff's attitudes to the Internet?

The characteristics of public library staff, which affect attitudes to the Internet, are considered based on the results of a PhD study. Data generated from a survey of more than 900 public library staff in England, which included an amended version of the technology acceptance model in conjunction with management interviews, focus groups with staff and a bulletin board, was analysed and the most pertinent results presented. The influence of gender, age, organisational variables, computer skills, ICT experience and subjective norm are explored. Key findings include the influence of current post and type of post on perceptions of the usefulness of the Internet whilst the age and place of work affected perceptions of the ease of use of the Internet. Recommendations include confidence‐raising training, attention to the needs of flexible workers and promotion of positive messages.

The People’s Network and Cultural Change

A recent report detailing the use of the People’s Network in public library services in the United Kingdom indicates an overwhelmingly positive reaction from users. The public are using the Internet in public libraries for a range of reasons and it is supporting their career-, learning-, leisure- and social-related activities. One of the striking features of the report is the number of comments from users commending the advice and assistance on using the Internet available from public library staff, suggesting that the public library is a comfortable and non-threatening environment in which to learn and practise ICT skills. The reaction from staff is more mixed, however, according to preliminary results of a PhD research project taking place at Loughborough University. While some public library staff are eager to seize the opportunities for new, expanded roles that the People’s Network offers, others are dismayed at the changes taking place to their job content and to public library services. Managers need to be alert to the cultural shift being experienced by staff, acknowledge it and find ways of addressing resistance and dislocation.

ICT and change in UK public libraries: does training matter?

A consideration of the implications of technological change for public library staff and managers in the UK is based on the selected results of a literature review. Recent developments affecting the growth of information and communication technology (ICT) in public libraries provide a context against which research into the effects of automation, the introduction of ICT in a variety of library environments and into society generally, are explored. The value of attitudes to ICT are questioned noting that attitudes are often seen as being important in determining the successful implementation of ICT in libraries. Training is suggested as an appropriate means of enabling staff to cope effectively with technological change. Successful training needs to appreciate that staff have different needs and so prefer different training methods. Resistance is also viewed as a natural response to change that managers should note and attempt to understand, if and when it occurs.

Facilitating Access to Consumer Health Information

Responsibility for the provision of consumer health information typically lies within the public library domain or the health sciences library arena. In many communities, both types of libraries provide support for consumer health information services, often with varying levels of expertise. Public library employees may or may not be trained in the use of health and biomedical information resources. Conversely, health sciences library staff may or may not be familiar with information needs of the lay public within their community. To offset these potential differences, a model was developed to assess the health information needs of community members and to provide training for public library staff regarding use of relevant electronic consumer health information resources.

Facilitating community information seeking using the Internet: Findings from three public library–community network systems

AbstractWe report findings from a recent study of how public libraries are using on‐line community networks to facilitate the public's information seeking and use in everyday situations. These networks have been lauded for their potential to strengthen physical communities through increasing information flow about local services and events, and through facilitating civic interaction. However, little is known about how the public uses such digital services and what barriers they encounter. This article presents findings from a 2‐year study that comprised a national survey with public library staff, followed by extensive case studies in three states. At each site, data were collected using on‐line surveys, field observation, in‐depth interviews, and focus groups with Internet users, human service providers, and library staff. The on‐line surveys and the follow‐up interviews with respondents were based on sense‐making theory. In our article we discuss: (1) how the public is using networked community information systems and the Internet for daily problem solving, (2) the types of barriers users encounter, and (3) the benefits for individuals and physical communities from public library–community networking initiatives and the emergence of “information communities.”

Identification of Competencies for Professional Staff of Public Libraries

This study identified and validated competencies required for public library professionals by seeking the views of public librarians themselves. Competencies relating to management and customer service received high ratings, while traditional competencies related to reference service and collection management seemed much lower in importance. In addition, technological competencies also did not seem to be a priority among public library staff in Singapore. Experienced public librarians who had formal library education and were in managerial positions required significantly different sets of competencies as compared with inexperienced librarians who had no formal library qualifications, particularly those who were not holding management positions at the time of the study. These differing competencies were usually those required for higher level management and planning work.

The LOGOPLUS project: a seamless transition?

Presents the findings of the LOGOPLUS project. The aim of this project was to ascertain to what extent the move to unitary authorities during the 1995‐1998 re‐organisation of local government was seamless for public library users and staff. Case studies were undertaken in nine local authorities. Representatives formed the Steering Group which identified the following significant areas of change to be investigated: politics, finance, integration, co‐operation, staff, communication and users. Research findings have indicated a number of success factors which contributed to seamlessness: councillors and managers who were committed to the provision of excellent services; transitional finance sufficient to cover the process of the change; effective leadership; clear definition of mission and goals; multi‐skilling where appropriate and supportive users. However, some libraries have suffered because councillors or managers did not have a clear vision; there was insufficient finance; managers were not good communicators and there was little or no training for staff.

Information skills for open learning: a public library initiative

Early in 1996 South Ayrshire Libraries submitted a proposal to the British Library Research and Innovation Centre’s Digital Libraries Programme, outlining a plan to enhance public library support to users who were engaged in open or distance learning by identifying and classifying a range of learning resources which could be accessed via the Internet. This was to be accomplished by designing and developing a Web‐based directory to support open learners. In addition it was planned that references to locally held open learning material should also be included in the directory. The proposal included a preliminary stage which involved collaboration with the Robert Gordon University School of of Information and Media, to develop information and skills training for independent learners. It was envisaged that this would take the form of a Web‐based resource which collated various learning skills packages which are currently available on the Internet. This could then be used as the basis for developing information skills courses which could be run locally by public library staff. The aim of this paper is to describe the procedure and rationale for developing the Information Skills Web site and to report on progress to date. Examines the question of why information skills training was seen to be a key starting point for the project and the issues and challenges which have surfaced during the development and implementation of the Web site designed to facilitate this training. The Web site itself can be accessed at http://www.rgu.ac.uk/∼sim/staff/mmcc/ ayr/intro.htm