Types Of Libraries Research Articles

Librarians’ Civic Roles and Responsibilities: Issues in Information Crises and Information Disorders

Objective. Public libraries can be powerful advocates for civic engagement. They have a responsibility to rekindle civil society and educate and inform the public. Libraries must expand their role beyond physical and virtual space to promote civic practices in fighting fake news. Libraries can use their influence to help students and librarians identify misinformation and caution others against sharing it. This paper aims to introduce how librarians can activate their civic roles and define information disorders. Methods. Public librarians were interviewed using discourse analysis to identify the profession's information challenges and understand their civic roles. Results. Public librarians identified a variety of ways to perform their civic roles, and several constructs emerged in the definition of information disorders. Conclusions. This pilot study offers a glimpse into how public librarians interact with information and filter misinformation circulating on social media. Civic librarianship is evident, but librarians face professional challenges. Although this study focuses on public librarians, the authors believe that many aspects can be accustomed by all types of librarians.

The societal role of the national library in developing citizens' political awareness: Survey study

National libraries are considered one of the most important types oflibraries in the governmental information sources systems for political awarenessprograms, applications and services. National libraries like a platform forthoughts, cultures, awareness, and knowledge to constitute citizens' knowledge,services, and information awareness in the state regardless of their differentattitudes and categories.The national library is a main partner in society and it has a vital role inproviding knowledge and information that the citizen cannot obtain from anotherplace or another type of library because it aims to increase citizens' awareness ofe-government services as well as national projects of the state. The importanceof the national libraries is due to the role it plays in introducing citizens andincreasing their awareness of information on everything related to theachievements of the state and development projects as well as helping citizensby providing some e-government services to serve citizens and saves effort andtime and achieved great benefit for citizens and the state alike.This study aims to know the role of the national library in developingcitizens' awareness of electronic services, political information, and nationalgovernment organizations, in addition to monitoring national projects that havebeen implemented, and to design a proposed electronic application that can beapplied in the national library to develop citizens' awareness of national projectsand Egyptian e-governmental services. In addition to study the current situation inthe national libraries of the Egyptian national library and archives in greater Cairoin terms of providing knowledge services, activities and programs to develop citizens' awareness of political information and e-government services and theextent of their encouragement for political participation in the stateThis study used the survey method to identify the role that nationallibraries play in developing citizens' awareness towards national services andlaws that, in addition to this, know the availability of activities, The data was collected through the questionnaire tool that targeted thelibrarian working in the Egyptian national library and archives and its branches ingreater Cairo, and the checklist to collect information about the projects beingimplemented and those implemented by the state, and electronic services thatcitizens are interested in, from the websites of the Egyptian ministries.The researcher used a statistical method using the SPSS program (thestatistical package for social sciences).

“Is Rhapsody in Blue in the Public Domain?”: Copyright Knowledge of U.S. Music Librarians

ABSTRACT Although several studies have looked at the perceived level of copyright knowledge among various types of librarians, none have looked at the actual copyright knowledge of U.S. music librarians. This project used a survey with two parts: The first asked music librarians about their perceived knowledge of copyright law, and the second included a copyright quiz of 13 questions. Seventy nine music librarians completed the entire survey, and results show no clear connection between perceived and actual knowledge of copyright. The results have implications for future training of music librarians in copyright issues.

Academic Librarianship Without the Degree: Examining the Characteristics and Motivations of Academic Library Professionals

Studies exploring librarians' backgrounds and career motivations frequently focus on all types of librarians or on students seeking degrees in librarianship. Investigating particular subsets of librarians is a field ripe for study. Here, we employed a survey of 193 academic library professionals, who are defined as those employed in professional positions in academic libraries but not possessing a graduate degree in librarianship. We found prior work in an academic library is a substantial motivating factor for entry into the field, as is also the case for traditional academic librarians who choose to attain a graduate degree in library science prior to obtaining a position in the library. The data also suggests that there are two main streams of entry for academic library professionals: those who are hired into functional positions that do not require a graduate degree in librarianship and those who hold paraprofessional titles that have taken on professional-level work. Finally, we found a majority of academic library professionals have no intention of, and do not see the value in, pursuing a graduate degree in librarianship.

21st Century FDLP: What Should Librarians Be Doing About Government Documents?

In this paper, I examine the every day duties of librarians in what government documents librarian Lisa Ennis, refers to as the neo-depository era. I describe the basic FDLP related tasks that various types of librarians might want to perform and I argue that changes in technology, and the resultant changes in the availability of government information provide new opportunities for librarians with different levels of commitment to government documents, to improve access to, and usability of, government information, regardless of whether or not their library has depository status.I argue that librarians should be aware of political issues such as funding. Many of the resources provided to librarians at FDLs, including a certain amount of training, are freely available online through the FDLP Desktop. FDLs do not currently get much of a financial advantage, but there is potential for strategic partnerships and networks to result in cost saving and low cost training opportunities. Forming an alliance with depository libraries can be a valuable way to harness superior government information services.I also argue that in its current incarnation, it is hard to see the value provided to libraries and librarians by the FDLP. I argue that librarians should be aware of the value of FDL status. This includes an understanding of how to evaluate the value of FDLP participation for individual depository libraries, how to evaluate their own library’s ability to participate in FDLP sponsored programs such as the Virtual Depository program (Ennis, 35-36). Librarians should also be aware of the nature and extent of the contributions that FDLP partners are capable of providing, and the value of what librarians offer to the FDLP.I posit that the true value of the FDLP partnership agreement is not in the funding but in having a powerful government ally. I argue that it is important for librarians to keep this in mind and to stay informed in order to continue to evaluate the benefits provided by the FDLP so that they can participate in the ongoing professional discourse on the constantly evolving shape of the FDLP.

Answers to the Health Questions People Ask in Libraries

When consumers look for health information or attempt to answer a specific health question, one of their primary destinations is often their local library. In Answers to the Health Questions People Ask in Libraries, a team of medical librarians in consultation with a physician have identified some of the most common health questions encountered by all types of librarians and then answered those questions in a readable, consumer-friendly format. While the health care consumer is certainly the primary audience for this book, the content will also inform librarians about the kinds of health questions they are most likely to encounter and resources to consult for further information on the topic. Answers to the Health Questions People Ask in Libraries is organized in six broad chapters, each of which begins with a brief overview of the content. The book is ideally used as a reference resource, with a detailed table of contents reflecting the sections covered in each chapter, followed by a list of the specific health questions answered in that section. The answer to each question includes a concise overview of the topic, highlights relevant facts and background information, and concludes with a short list of references. Many of the referenced works are free and accessible on the web. Key points are highlighted in gray boxes, as are pointers to resources for additional information. Each of the chapters concludes with an “Ask the Experts” section that lists the types of health care professionals and specialists trained to address more specific or in-depth questions similar to those discussed in the chapter. The book also contains some very useful appendixes, including a copy of the survey tool used by the authors to collect the questions included in the book. It also includes a summary of the types of libraries that responded to the survey, a glossary of experts with a brief description of the expert's role, and pointers to additional information. An annotated bibliography of print and electronic resources will also assist those seeking more information. Additional navigation of the content is facilitated by a comprehensive index. The primary audience for this work is the health care consumer, and the writing style, organization of content, and appendixes make it a very useful tool for that target group. In addition to libraries, it would be helpful to make the title available in a variety of venues where health care consumers are found, such as clinics, pharmacies, and public health agencies. Librarians will also find the work beneficial because it identifies many of the consumer health questions they are likely to encounter. They can also use the book as a guide when planning consumer health programming as well as a tool for resource discovery and collection development. This title is a nice complement to other recently published consumer health volumes that specifically target librarians such as Michele Spatz's Answering Consumer Health Questions: The Medical Library Association Guide for Reference Librarians and the Medical Library Association Guide to Health Literacy at the Library, edited by Marge Kars, Lynda M. Baker, and Feleta L. Wilson. Answers to the Health Questions People Ask in Libraries is a valuable addition to the consumer health collections of all types of libraries.

Web 2.0 for Librarians and Information Professionals

Ellyssa Kroski has written a primer on Web 2.0 technologies aimed at all types of librarians and information professionals. This thin book provides readers with 200 pages about various types of 2.0 software, including examples and screen shots. The book begins with a preface describing its purpose, which is to acquaint readers with relevant tools and provide examples of how they might be used to reach users. It is noteworthy that the foreword stresses that librarians have been participating in reaching out to users and that these web technologies are merely new ways of accomplishing that same task. Web 2.0 is defined and explained in the first chapter. The author makes good points about the technology: Much of it is free. It should not be used simply because it is free, cool, and fun but should fit into the library's plan. Not everyone will use everything. It is useful also for working collaboratively in the library. The remaining chapters are divided into the different types of available tools, such as blogs, vertical search engines, and mash-ups. The author does a good job of covering the major types of tools, including some less-often discussed types such as answers technology and personalized start pages. Each chapter first describes the type and use of the tool and goes on to outline ways libraries are using them. Major features are explained, and screen shots are used to illustrate the technology. Key terms are defined (and collected in a glossary at the end), and each chapter ends with some best practices, which are tips for using the tool. Drawbacks of the book include: The book has little discussion of copyright or other legal issues. The technology changes so fast that some tools may already be appreciably different, and some screenshots are certain to be out of date. It is hard to include all relevant tools. Readers who are unfamiliar with these technologies may have trouble with the jargon. Though this is currently a popular topic and several other available titles cover the same material, this book is a good introduction to 2.0 technologies and their uses in libraries.

Riddling The Da Vinci Code

A major event in publishing world, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code inspired a stream of books reacting to its subjects and presentation. Readers became caught up in mix of fiction and fact, often confused two, and looked for nonfiction titles to shed light, support ideas, or further debate. Readers also asked for books that read like Brown's novel, and fiction authors scrambled to capture some of his audience, creating a slew of fiction works rifting off of his themes and approach. Terry Beck has gathered a rich list of works that inform Dan Brown's novel. As outgoing chair of ALEX Awards (an award from American Library Association [ALA] and Young Adult Library Services Association [YALSA] honoring best adult books for teen readers), she has a unique view of what captures readers' interest and what sustains reading pleasure. Certainly books included in this column are highly appealing and fascinating, but what makes this column so interesting is Beck's look at how readers approach such a keystone title through public library collections and how they think about such bedrock academic subjects as religion, art, history, and symbology. All types of librarians can find myriad uses for her annotated bibliography, that is, if they don't give into temptation and duck into stacks for some reading of their own!--Editor. Dan Brown's breakout bestseller, The Da Vinci Code, continues to create controversy more than three years after its initial publication. Rarely has a work of fiction ignited such furor over its plot, background, or premise. The book seemed to offend many, garnering criticism from theologians, church groups, fraternal organizations, and scholars. Yet readers were hooked, and it maintained a two-year presence on New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover fiction, sold more than sixty million copies (in both hardback and paperback formats), and changed our collective culture. The novel relates story of Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor called upon to interpret symbols drawn in blood on floor of Louvre--cryptic messages left by a murder victim, Jacques Sauniere, a noted curator of Louvre's collection. Langdon quickly finds himself chasing one of history's greatest mysteries. It's conspiracy theory of time: Holy Grail, which has supposedly been secreted in a place known only to chosen few, members of select secret societies. Throughout centuries, elaborate shields and intricate plots reportedly have been concocted to keep its location hidden. But greatest mystery is defining what Grail actually is--a cup, or something so unbelievable that if it were known, Christian world would be forever changed. With lightning-paced speed and a fabulous mix of history, legend, art, and puzzles, Brown takes readers on a ride millions have found addictively enjoyable and compelling. At first book was treated as a a work of fiction, and no one seemed to look at it as anything but highly entertaining. Janet Maslin of New York Times deemed it a riddle-filled, code-breaking, exhilarating brainy thriller, while Booklist reviewer declared the story is full of brainteasing puzzles and fascinating insights. (1) That nothing more than a thriller perception soon changed however. Brown culled a mix of information from books, monographs, documents, and art to create a work of fiction that many readers took as fact. While he was careful to note all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate, many readers carried this statement a step further and assumed that theories being discussed by characters were accurate as well. (2) The line that distinguishes fiction and nonfiction just simply wasn't present for these readers, caught up as they were in tantalizing mix of real and pretend that Brown created. Passion, emotion, and fervor erupted from sides, with books, television programs, and Web sites promoting what each group perceived as true. …

Jungian/Myers-Briggs Personality Types of Librarians in Films

Summary The Myers-Briggs personality typology provides a useful tool for characterizing the probable personality types of librarians portrayed in films. In this study, the probable personality types of librarians in 28 films are determined. Then comparisons with the personality types reported in Scherdin (1994) are made. Sex roles and stereotyping are revealed by these comparisons and are discussed.

Using libraries

Advances in technology and telecommunication have enabled libraries to provide access to information beyond their own bookstocks. Provides an introduction to the library environment indicating the various types of library and their relevance to managers and students of business. Goes on to provide guidance on using libraries, e.g. the services available, types of classification schemes used and the library catalogue.